How Twitter, FriendFeed Can Goose Online 'Shelf Space'†

Digital Bloggers Debate the Far-Reaching Impact of Distributed Web Services

Advertising Age, June 17, 2008 — Widgets are nifty. But do they really need a two-day conference? That's what I was thinking Monday as I checked out the agenda on WidgetWebExpo, held in Brooklyn earlier this week. But two DigitalNext bloggers, David Armano and Ian Schafer, and Digital columnist Steve Rubel were participating on the same panel and since I was working from home (also in Brooklyn) I meandered on down.

The title was "Micro Interactions: Can portable experiences go mainstream?" It's certainly a timely topic, tying in to the idea that the web is increasingly becoming a series of small services and experiences that consumers stitch together at their own will. Given the personalities on the panel, it should have been no surprise the discussion soon turned to web services like... continue reading

Secrets Of The Always-On

Forbes, June 16, 2008 — It's 8 a.m.--and it's time to Tweet.

I reach across my bed for my cellphone--before coffee or even before sliding out of bed--and send my broadcast to the world. I type "Awake" or "Here I am!" and to an address: 40404. (This number is the equivalent of a phone number that everyone sends their messages to in order to submit to Twitter.)

Why Twitter Matters

Can the fledgling microblogging service become a social media powerhouse to rival giants like Facebook—or will it be gobbled up?

BusinessWeek, May 15, 2008 — t's easy to laugh at nonsense on Twitter, the microblogging rage. "My nose is leaking," writes someone called Zapples, "so imma go to sleep now.…" But I've heard lots of similar drivel (and even produced some myself) on the phone—an important technology if there ever was one. The key question today isn't what's dumb on Twitter, but instead how a service with bite-size messages topping out at 140 characters can be smart, useful, maybe even necessary. Here's why I'm looking. In the last few months, the traffic on Twitter has exploded, growing far beyond its circles of bleeding-edge tech enthusiasts and hard-core social networkers.

What Accountants Can Teach You About Using Social Media†

H&R Block Cast a Wide Net With a Campaign That Included Profiles, Videos, Twitter and Widgets

Advertising Age, May 14, 2008 — Tax software isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of marketing in social networks or on YouTube, spaces dominated by movie trailers and goofy viral videos. But H&R Block proved that it, too, can be successful in the space, but it's about matching content to the social community and then making that content valuable to consumers, said Amy Worley, director of digital marketing for H&R Block.

How-To: Using Twitter to Build Brand Integrity

MarketingVox, April 23, 2008 — Enterprise blogging has been lauded for its ability to "humanize" a company and make distant executives feel available to ground-floor customers. Twitter can serve the same purpose much more quickly.

Is Twitter a Valuable Tool, or Waste of Time?

Marketing Profs, October 30, 2007 — Is microblogging the latest fad or the next big thing? Microblogging is just like regular blogging, except it's limited to 140 characters. The leader in the space is Twitter. According to a recent blog post by Peter Kim, Twitter is now used by 6% of American online adults. That sounds about right to me, although Twitter power user Robert Scoble thinks the figure is "way too high." But if you want to reach an affluent, well-educated, early adopter audience, there might not be a better communication channel out there.

What Web Marketers Should Know About Twitter

Marketing Profs, September 20, 2007 — If you're responsible for the direction of the online strategies for your company or organization, you've probably been hearing buzz about Twitter, a next-generation instant messaging tool. Even if you're new to Twitter, this will—by linking to resources and providing a starting point for your strategy—serve as a guide to educate you and help you make a decision.

The Next Email

Why Twitter will change the way business communicates (again).

Fast Company, September 1, 2007 — Hard to believe that only 10 or 15 years ago we interacted with coworkers and colleagues with memos and phone calls. Email and instant messaging changed all that. Now there's a new communications revolution coming. These services mix contacts, instant messaging, blogging, and texting, and they're poised to make email feel as antiquated as the mimeograph.

Networks Try 'Twittering' to Spread Their Message†

Web Community's Users Are Seen as Ideal Group to Help Promote Shows

Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2007 — TV networks are all a-Twitter about the latest marketing play for their new TV shows.

NBC, CBS, ABC Family and MTV are among several networks experimenting with the marketing possibilities of Twitter, a nascent social-networking service that sends messages in super-short bursts. Popular with young, tech-savvy consumers, Twitter lets registered users send brief updates to groups of fellow Twitter users simultaneously — via either text messages, instant messages, email or Twitter's home page. The service is free to use.

Twitter while you work...

JaffeJuice, May 11, 2007 — Earlier this week, I challenged Delta to stop talking about change and change already! I criticized a bloated 30-second spot which essentially says, "we're changing", but offers no proof. In addition, it sets them up for failure with typical mismatched expecations between communication and ground-level activation (service, baggage handling, delays, comfort - I could go on)

My point was simple: instead of telling us you're changing, why not prove it to us? Why not update us regularly with - for example - a Twitter group.