Erik Qualman's Blog, page 513

Reading up on the News Habits of Facebook and Twitter Users

As an online publisher, it’s important to get your content read. You want to maintain good exposure to keep current customers and get new ones, too.

One way to do this is by learning the habits of your social media followers and use that to your advantage.

Social media is an important aspect of marketing and for the best outcome as well as the best use of your efforts, it’s important to know where to focus those efforts.

Different social media sites cater to different people.

Clearly, Facebook is the most common social media platform, with 71% of adults online using it, according to Pewinterent.com.

The same survey reports that more women use social media than men (74% and 62% respectively) and that Pinterest and LinkedIn tie for second place at 28% of adults online using these sites. Next is Instagram, and then Twitter at 23%.

However, Twitter followers use their social media in a different way than Facebook followers do when it comes to news, as you’ll see when you read on.

Teens Are Different

If you are looking at teenagers, you’ve got a very different story, though Facebook still ranks as the highest, but with Snapchat and Instagram coming in second, accoding to another study from Pewinternet.com.

Now that you know where people are in regards to social media, you should know the audience that is there and what they prefer.

You’ll want to make sure you change your posts to fit the dynamics of each platform instead of just duplicating your posts.

Habits of Twitter and Facebook users:

As the following article looks at, through examining the news habits of Facebook and Twitter users, publishers can learn a lot about how to market the best through these sites.

For instance:

• Though Facebook is still the most often used social media, older adults are the ones using it most.

• Younger adults (under age 35) prefer Twitter.

• Women pay more attention to breaking news on social media than men do.

So…according to the article on habits of Facebook and Twitter users, It looks like Twitter is the social media outlet that is the friendliest to online publishers, while Facebook users seem more interested in getting news quickly and discussing it. Twitter users are connecting directly with publishers and utilizing the publisher websites to get their information, while Facebook users are happy being fed whatever news Facebook decides to deliver.

By maintaining a thorough online presence, you’ll reach the most followers and customers possible.

However, by connecting closely with Twitter followers and spending a little more time there, you’ll utilize the platform where your most relevant potential clients will be.

It’s important to know their habits and demographics, so you can focus where there will be the most pay off.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

[image error]

Socialize the Battle Against Cancer

There’s a good chance you know someone who is battling some form of cancer.

With cancer cases on the rise, society is turning to social media for support and information on the battle against cancer.

From social outreach to cancer-related blogs, here are just a few ways you can find support and more information on cancer by taking advantage of social media:

Social Media and Cancer

Social networking is a great way to connect with family, friends, and other groups of people.

That’s why so many people who have been affected by cancer turn to social media for support, advice, and general information.

If you know someone who has cancer or the disease has personally affected you, then talking to cancer survivors can be a helpful and emotionally positive process.

Fortunately, there are a number of different cancer survivor and information-based social sites you can visit during your cancer journey.

Among them:

• IHadCancer.com – There are countless types of cancer in world, which is why it’s so helpful to get firsthand advice and information on the type of cancer that affects you. IHadCancer.com allows you to connect with thyroid, lymphoma, breast, liver, and many other types of cancer survivors across the country. Social connections with survivors are extremely helpful throughout the coping and treatment process.

• The American Cancer Society Blog – In order to provide ongoing information to those affected by cancer, the American Cancer Society features a weekly blog written by J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, the Chief Medical Officer for the National Office of the American Cancer Society. The blog is a great go-to resource for the latest cancer news and treatment developments.

• MyLifeLine.org – Sometimes reading cancer survivor stories can make a huge difference when coping with cancer. MyLifeLine.org helps cancer survivors build their own websites so they can tell their stories to the online masses.

With the social sites above in mind, here are a few more ways you can use social media during your cancer journey….

Social Research

If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, then it has probably prompted you to take preventative measures with your own health. Social media is a great research tool when it comes to finding advice on cancer prevention.

Whether you reach out to health professionals for cancer advice or you start a Facebook post about cancer prevention, social media can help you get the ball rolling.

For example, the article “Top 6 Little Known Anticancer Weapons: Noni and Beyond” mentions a number of different cancer prevention nutrition additives.

Social Support Groups

Reading cancer survivor stories is helpful, but meeting face-to-face with survivors and others battling cancer can be life changing. That’s why many cancer survivors are forming social support groups using social media sites like Facebook and Meetup.com.

Social support groups are an effective way for local cancer survivors to connect with support groups within their communities.

Whether currently suffering or completely cured, the right support groups can make all the difference in the world when battling cancer.

If you’re looking for support and information on cancer, then set your sights on social media.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

[image error]

LinkedIn is Not so Happy

I’d Like to Add You to My Professional Network

LinkedIn is getting in a little trouble from the Federal Court. Uh oh for what you ask? Well we’ve all received the email before, “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” – well people are fed up with them, big time. A federal court ruled that the emails aren’t just a little spam, they’re an illegal abuse of American’s inboxes.

 

LinkedIn users are arguing that the site sent out multiple emails to their contacts, without their permission. The class action lawsuit, Perkins vs LinkedIn, was settled in late last month with LinkedIn agreeing to dish out a hefty $13 million to 20.8 million people. The site has openly agreed they will send an email to anyone that fits the criteria for reimbursement, as well as post a notice on their homepage. If you’re thinking you fit the bill you must have used the site’s “add connections” function to import your email contacts from third party accounts between September 17, 2011 and October 31, 2014. Good luck, and may the funds be in your future. (Source MSN)

 

Social Media is Catching on to Food Poisoning

 

The 10th annual Food Safety Symposium occurred on Monday and everyone is talking about it. The discussion led by Craig Hedberg, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, announced how social media can be a tool used to detect early food-borne illness outbreaks. “In theory, social media works just like other complaint systems: People are sick. They talk about it in their social media networks. And then that information can get right to the health department without going through all these other filters that take time to go through.” Hedberg quoted. Using mining approaches to analyze people’s posts and infusing it into the public health system could and (probably will) be the future. Happy eating everyone & keep posting. (Source Nrn)

Fun Fact

Ever wonder how long it would take to read the internet? Just around 57,000 years, and that’s excluding posts, tweets, & private blogs. Yikes.

Happy Skim everyone & remember sharing is caring.

[image error]

8 Ways Mobile Apps Can Spearhead Business Growth

In more ways than one mobile apps changed the way small businesses conceive and run their business operation. It is no longer just mobile CRM or productivity apps or social media apps, mobile is increasingly becoming one window access point to customers of varied geographic locations. Mobile apps are offering the businesses a bevy of smart tools to calculate, monitor business proceedings and improve business dynamics. But that is just half of the story. Mobile apps became more important for businesses because of their potential in enhancing customer interaction and engagement.

Thanks to smartphones and mobile apps people now want things at their fingertips and if your business is not available at the fingertips of your customers, you are likely to lose grounds to the competitors who have already adapted to this mobile reality. But even making your business available on fingertips is not enough. With increasing number of businesses having their mobile presence, it is important to roll out apps that stand out among the crowd.

Unlike the first generation mobile apps, developing a mobile app became extremely affordable now as market for business apps expanded and increased at huge proportion. With the latest development technologies and device capabilities developing feature rich mobile apps became easier and affordable than ever before. Let us have a look at the 8 ways mobile apps can spearhead business growth.

1    Mobile apps fueling growth in digital time spent by users

Digital time spent by average consumers is increasing at a rocket speed and much of this growth in digital usage is happening thanks to mobile apps. While browsing rate for mobile websites is also increasing at a rapid pace, until now mobile apps clearly holds the most dominating position as far as digital interaction of users are concerned. Business apps and ecommerce apps enjoy far higher repeated users and consistent traffic performance compared to most other app niches. With the persistent focus on enterprise and business apps, they are going to be at the driver’s seat to propel growth for mobile apps.

A 2014 study conducted by Business Intelligence found that time spent on mobile apps grown more than 50% in just a year.
According to the same study, average US citizen spends 34 hours per month using mobile apps which is more than an hour daily.

2    Reaching more customers

A typical brick and mortar store at the corner of the road can now sell its goods to customers across the globe and no longer common web maneuvers like SEO are not required. Just by creating a unique mobile app and marketing it successfully your business and products can be discovered by people of far countries. With a business app you can cater your existing customers better as well. While everyone prefers things on their fingertips serving your offerings over the mobile you can help customers transact more and in times when they really need it.

Giving them opportunity to transact at any given time from anywhere your business becomes more accessible.
With business focused mobile app you can add value to the experience of local customers and expand customer base to remote areas.
With latest range of localization tracking technologies like Geofencing, beacon etc. now you can keep tap on customer movement and send them contextual notifications with promotional offers.

3   Increasing customer engagement

Unlike a business website which mainly depends on the organic traffic to engage customers a mobile app is bound to make a conscious choice on the part of customers as they decide to download and install the app. Unlike browser or search engine based access to websites a native mobile app taking the device screen get instant involvement and attention.

Mobile apps are literally accessible with a fingertip just anytime anywhere.
Native mobile apps by making use of local device features engage users more than other impartial digital avenues.
Unlike other digital avenues like web native mobile apps offer a more contextual experience because of app user analytics and localization technologies. According to user preference and location based data an app can send notification messages and make users engaged from time to time.

4    Boost website traffic

By having your own business app for the customers you can simultaneously boost traffic for your website as well. A mobile app will let you send push messages to the users with your website links and with your social page activities. A native app staying on the device screen constantly creates more interactions and you have more scopes to guide your users to your web and social pages.

A native app basically serves as the important doorway for larger digital strategy that comprises both business websites and social pages. Working in unison all of these digital avenues will have positive effect on each other.
Your business website while marketing your new app, social marketing and targeting search engine traffic will garner more user interest for all digital avenues, native app, social pages and business website.

5    Create brand awareness

With the business app the brand name and business logo will reach larger audience. Taking the screen spot your brand and logo will be in the forefront of user memory creating far higher chances of immersion.

Studies on brand awareness created by mobile apps found that 61% of app users have a better opinion and estimation about a business or brand with a native mobile app. Mobile app let your business stand out from the crowd.
The continuous screen presence of mobile apps naturally creates a better brand impression.
By offering a mobile app you provide your existing customers and peers more ways to share your brand name and business offerings.

6    Improve customer service

Responsive and agile customer service is the gold standard for any customer focused business. Through customer service only a business can successfully address issues and retain customers. Now mobile app besides playing a direct growth pushing role for business can be handy to address customer issues and create satisfactory customer experience. Mobile app can offer customers round the clock window to put forward their queries and issues.

A mobile app can let the customers easily complaint, raise issues, report faults or put queries.
Mobile app can further add satisfaction to the customers by offering constant mode of transaction, learning and interaction.

7    Achieving better ROI

A mobile app let the business keep in touch with customers for round the clock and all round the year. Whether booking a ticket, buying a gift, ordering a book or subscribe a service, all can be done on the mobile screen with a few finger taps within a mobile app. Moreover, mobile app typically replaces the need for physical stores and investment related to it. Just with a single successful app you can garner far higher revenue. Moreover, your users will also like shopping or transacting on the screen rather than visiting the business place.

A mobile app evades the cost overhead of business stores while reaching wider audience.
A mobile app facilitates transaction round the clock and round the year.
With latest mobile payment, geometric identity, etc. mobile transaction became easier and safer than ever.

8    Business analytics to engage workforce

These days, enterprise apps are particularly popular for engaging employees in a more effective manner and getting the best from their workplace hours. Mobile app used in workplaces can garner more collaborative feedback and real time business intelligence that can optimize business process and customer service.

Mobile app can engage workforce in a more intuitive manner.
More collaborative feedback and insights can be developed in working with a business app.
With mobile app in workplace employee engagement and creative ideas can be developed to the advantage of the business.

While all the growth propelling advantages of business apps are already established, how far the app can offer you business edge in and outside the workplace depends on how the app can address the core business potential.

[image error]

10 Dont’s on Student Social Media for Students

Just when you thought social media was your place to unwind and talk freely, another set of rules come flying at you. Yes, social media is now a place where you can inadvertently ruin your chances of a great career, as well as your immediate education. Students have to exercise caution as anyone could be watching. And that includes teachers and potential employers.

1. Illegal Activities

Nobody wants to associate with a criminal. So it only makes sense to avoid posting about any illegal activities you may be involved in.

But first of all, it would be a great idea not to commit illicit acts. As tempting as it may be, stay away from shop lifting, drug dealing, car stealing or any other foolish activity. As soon as you have the age that allows authorities to legally prosecute you, there’s no way out. A record will stain your reputation for a life time. As a consequence, colleges and employers will tend to reject your applications.

Secondly, if the advice above comes in too late, here’s another one: under no circumstances brag about your deed on the internet. This is how thieves are being caught these days!

In the end, don’t associate your social media accounts with those belonging to criminals. Officials may get a wrong message out of this friendship.

Example: John had a record for shoplifting, nothing too serious. But because of it, he didn’t manage to get into his dream college and he only got a job due to his parents’ connections.

2. Bullying

This act is considered to be a really negative one. Educational institutions are taking serious measures in order to eliminate bullying and to severely punish those doing it.

Please note that online bullying is not accepted either. Victims can report aggressors to authorities, who are easily able to track them down via the IP.

No one is exempted from punishments, not even the smartest students.

Example: Maria has lost her scholarship because she insisted on daily bullying one of her colleagues. The principal warned Maria on the consequences, but she thought that being smart is equal to having a protection shield.

3. Personal Information

Online fraudsters and thieves love the Internet, and especially social media. They prey on students who’re naïve enough to post things like their social security and student numbers. Just as you wouldn’t walk around with your name and address written on your forehead, you shouldn’t broadcast your personal information in a public forum.

If a website asks for personal data, just close it. Additionally, don’t input financial info on unsecured web pages. The safe ones are marked with a green lock in the address.

If you really have to transmit personal information via e-mails, make sure to encrypt the message. This is the only way to protect it against online criminals.

Example: Ann posted her true home address on a social media website and one day, the postman rang at her door – he was delivering a very expensive TV and was waiting for Ann to pay it!

4. Your Teachers

Only talk about your teachers in a way that either praises them or represents constructive criticism. Never trash them or write something that could hurt their feelings. Not to mention that mean colleagues can use those replies in order to ruin your academic career.

For example, Chris used to always talk badly about his professors. Unfortunately, his friends were not that loyal. So they printed the conversations and posted them on school’s boards. In the end, Chris missed college acceptance because no teacher would write him a letter of recommendation.

5. Lies and Cheating

Liars are rejected by everybody – colleges and employers. We know that students love to overreact and to flourish everything. This is their way of making colleagues jealous. And the most lies and bragging are told on the internet, where everybody has the courage to alter reality. But be careful, the word spreads fast and soon, people will know you as a notorious liar. Next, professors hear about it, too.

For instance, Alexander used to lie all the time, just as a hobby. But one day, a bad thing really happened – his grandma died. He tried in vain to explain that this was the reason why he didn’t complete the assignment. Professors didn’t believe him; they just gave him a bad grade.

6. Where are You?

Social media platforms are well-known for instant location update. Students are crazy about going to places and posting it on the internet. Basically, all contacts know where a person is all the time. Sure, this is a way of bragging about your adventures. But have you ever thought that it is also a method of saying when you are not at home?

Example: burglars have kept up with technology and they have social media accounts, too, pretending to be everybody’s friends. They choose to break into houses they know for sure are left unattended.

7. Violence and Threats

When it comes to violence, there’s no room for jokes. Not even online. So you’d better give up on threatens and violent replies. Social media websites are always under surveillance and authorities take action against aggressors without anyone having to report them.

Here’s an actual example: Dan thought that it was safe to launch threatens online, if he had a fake ID. But police showed up next day to school and arrested him for online violence. They tracked his personal IP and immediately found the true name.

8. School Policies

Most schools have a handbook section pertaining to social media. It could include rules on what you can post, when you can post, and where you can post from. These rules vary widely. Break a school policy and it could give the school grounds to discipline or expel you.

As you can see, it is better to comply with the academic rules and to integrate as fast as possible. Otherwise, you will foolishly lose unique opportunities.

Example: Leo did not respect the college’s demands on online posting – he created an image with racist pictures. The board decided to expel him the very next day.

9. Professional Portfolio

Use social media wisely. While teenagers can fill these websites with crazy events and images, college students should think twice before bragging with their adventures. College representatives are tracking down personal Web pages belonging to candidates. Then, they reject for sure those with wild interests in parties and indecent activities.

Further on, employers are constantly checking online portfolio of their candidates. Nothing gets left out – Facebook, Twitter, and especially LinkedIn. Make sure to create a mature image, stating that you are ready to take on long-term commitments like several years of college and a full-time job.

Example: Matilda was the soul of the party during college and she loved to showcase this on her social media accounts. After graduation, she missed the opportunity of getting hired by the biggest company in the field. Employers have seen her proofs of behavior and decided that she is not capable of serious commitments.

Humans are emotional creatures by nature. It can make us post angry tweets and status updates full of hatred. You wouldn’t say these things in an interview, so why would you do it online?

When someone annoys you, the best solution is to go offline and cool down. Only come back and render an answer when you have thought about a diplomat one. In this way, your reputation won’t get hurt.

Professors and employers will appreciate down to earth replies as professional conduct, worthy of being rewarded.

For example, Randy was rejected at the job interview, because employers have found only angry replies on his social media accounts.

[image error]

Go Social in Using Surveys for Data Benefits

Any company knows the importance of collecting data to make sure that their customers are happy.

Direct feedback is one of the best ways to do this, and how better to get that feedback than through surveys?

Another way is through social media, and you can also connect the two to get even more information.

Do’s and Don’ts of surveys and social media

As the article “How can you use surveys to enhance your company’s data game?” looks at, this is a great question and one many business owners are asking.

Surveys provide direct and immediate feedback, and you can compile the responses to enhance your own customer satisfaction.

When it comes to surveys, you do have some do’s and don’ts that you may want to follow to ensure you get the best and most accurate responses.

DO:

1. Ask relevant questions – No one wants to wonder why they are answering certain questions. Keep them relevant to the purchase, product and the experience.

2. Keep the survey short – Over five questions sort of loses the customer. If they even finish the survey, their answers may be less than accurate.

3. Reward the customer – Sure, people love talking about themselves so are often quite open to surveys, but it does take time and effort. At the end of the survey, include a coupon, promo or other discount. You can send it to them or have it at the ready. And be sure to say thank you!

4. Make it easy – The less hoops your customer has to go through, the more inclined they’ll be to answer your questions. That means making it friendly; easy to navigate and easy to understand.

5. Put it on social media – Often your customers are browsing your social media sites. Include your survey there.

6. Add your social media – Make it easy and worthwhile for customers to join your social media platforms after the completing the survey.

DON’T:

1. Don’t ask for information that isn’t relevant – Sure, if you are looking for demographic data, ask. But if it doesn’t matter, don’t bother with it. Keep your questions relevant to your goals.

2. Don’t make it long – After a while, your customers will tire of answering questions and quit the survey. Then you’ve lost their data and possibly their business.

3. Don’t forget to include space for free response – Even if it’s just one place at the end, leave some room for your customers to give unsolicited and open ended feedback. You can gain a lot of information this way that you may otherwise have missed.

4. Don’t call it a survey – Say you’d like to ask some questions or ask about the experience. People tend to balk from surveys.

5. Don’t hide your purpose – In other words, tell your customers why you’re asking these questions. Maybe it’s to make their next experience better or because you are creating a new frozen yogurt flavor and you want their input. Whatever it may be, don’t hide it.

With data collection, surveys are gold.

By combining clear, concise, friendly surveys with social media, you have the opportunity to really get to know your customers and give them what they want.

Photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com

[image error]

EU & US Data Drama

Data Drama

The EU and US had been cruising along just fine with their data transfer ways until our favorite NSA contractor, Edward Snowden released all that top secret stuff. Once the EU was filled in on how the US was accessing private data from sites such as Facebook, Google, Apple and other large companies they were not really into it. The EU doesn’t want their citizens to be involved with snooping that happens from US government which is why the EU declared the standing deal with the US invalid.  (Source: theSkimm, Reuters)

What does this mean?

The EU said the safe harbor agreement was flawed because it allowed US government to gain access to EU citizens online information. The US is upset and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said, “It creates significant uncertainty for both U.S. and EU companies and consumers, and puts at risk the thriving transatlantic digital economy”. They want to try and work something out to resolve this but still TBD what will happen. Stay tuned.  (Source: CNN)

What to do when you you’re annoyed with your family…

ABC Family yesterday that they are getting a name change. Starting January, the TV channel will go by Freeform. The network is tired of being considered a family network and wants to attract more viewers. They think millennials are taking over their network (Pretty Little Liars might have something to do with it) and want to attract more ‘becomers’. The network classifies ‘becomers’ as 13-34 year old who are experiencing first’s in their lives. It’s safe to say ABC Family will be promoting their new identity during 25 Days of Christmas. (Source: )

Quote of the Day

“Do I envision a future where Nike might still own the file, from an IP perspective—because it’s a Nike product; you can’t have just anybody make a Nike product—and you can manufacture that either in your home or we will do it for you at our store? Oh yeah, that’s not that far away.” -Nike COO Eric Sprunk at the Geekwire summit. Need some new kicks? Just 3D print them, Nike thinks this will be possible one day. Sign us up. (Source: Quartz)

[image error]

The 5 Most Important Things You Need to Know About Programmatic Buying

As online advertising technology progresses further, new strategies are constantly being evaluated to create ad space buying. Media buyers are turning to programmatic ad buying as an additional advertising tool. Some agencies have also chosen to develop their own media trading desks with full access to ad exchanges. In this article, we briefly explain what programmatic ad buying is and the 5 most important things you should know about it.

What is programmatic ad buying

Programmatic buying is a highly powerful automated tool for advertisers. Unlike RTB where a buyer can set a bid price, this tool will actually assess the audience behaviour within the same platform. This means, marketers can define the goals, budget, and attribution model while running dozens of real time based variables on their campaigns. As an online advertiser, you will end up spending more time being creative and less time reviewing data.

Why think programmatic

Speed is perhaps one of the most important things that marketers can rely on when reaching their customers at a moment’s notice. Programmatic brings speed to digital media and makes it highly effective for RTB targets. As a result, brands can engage and identify their audiences in the most advantageous way.

ROI campaign will be stronger through programmatic

As programmatic ad buying trend continues to grow, so will the technology. Online and offline measurement will give advertising companies a better sense of ROI on their adverts. These programmatic ad companies can perform their online and offline measurement effectively with the help of this technology.

Programmatic improves results

Programmatic advertising lets brands pinpoint their target audiences, at the right time, in the right place. This means you can reduce media wastage and improve your buying efficiency. With an integrated inventory scale through mobile programmatic campaign, your targeting will achieve great results.

For ultimate results, integrate programmatic with the rest of the marketing mix

Most online advertisers will tell you that programmatic first began as a performance marketing tool. As it evolved in the past few years, its accountability has managed to deliver media across mobile and TV screens, making it highly attractive for brand building. The flexibility of this advertising strategy makes it easier to integrate it with real-time initiatives. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that media planners can still separate display from mobile, while managing their social advertising at the same time.



Programmatic ad buying is the future

As technology advances, media buyers’ approach to programmatic ad buying becomes more sophisticated. Just recently, a highly advanced eco-system was developed around programmatic with large agencies leading the way for an in-house platform. It is therefore safe to say that this strategy will eventually play a dominant role in the market of online display buying. When you add RTB to social media sites such as Twitter, new strategies show up. Like most advertising trends, programmatic ad buying has evolved so quickly that it’s become an essential tool for every media buyer.

[image error]

Selfie Nation

 

Selfie Nation

Big news for all selfie lovers. Adobe Photoshop has been giving more accessible access to Photoshop for a while now, but their newest release may take the holy grail. Photoshop Fix is the 10% of the application that everyday folks know how to use. Think only  picture editing. The app incorporates all the tools you need to make your selfie the most beautiful it can be. From removing blemishes, to whitening your teeth, the free app has it all. Or at least 10% of it. One feature that is new and somewhat creepy is the face identifying tool. Using this tool you can adjust any part of someone’s face, literally. You can turn that frown upside down, or edit an unflattering nose, make your eyes bigger, or whatever else you can dream up. Selfies will never be the same again. (Source MSN)

 

David vs Goliath

 

Facebook is getting a lot of ridicule from a new group called The Nameless Coalition. What are they quarreling about?  The group is fighting against Facebook’s real-name policy. for Facebook to adjust their abuse-reporting system, and allow for a more lax policy in regards to the use of pseudonyms and non-legal names. The policy has affected many groups including Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Transgender Law Center, and more. However this coalition is the first time different organizations have joined forces to fight Goliath. The group has announced they want to see changes to the policy or active comments from Facebook by October 31st. (Source MSN)

Quote of the Day

“Our communities recognize the common injury this policy currently inflicts, and we will not stop advocating until fundamental changes are made.”  - Nameless Coalition in their letter to Facebook (Source MSN)

Mark your Calendar

Folks October 9th marks the birthdate of the color tv. 1951 was the year the color tv made it’s debut via a broadcast on WNBT. It’ll celebrate its 64th birthday in a couple of days.

[image error]

The Top Companies Going Social for Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month long campaign to increase awareness of the disease. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a look at the Top 5 Companies who are doing social the right way when it comes to raising awareness for the campaign.

1. Another Ball of Wax – This candle company is nothing short of amazing when it comes to raising money for breast cancer awareness. The company created a pink grapefruit candle called “I am a Breast Cancer Survivor”. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to a breast cancer awareness organization.

Social Presence:  So far, the company has promoted heavily on Facebook and Twitter, but that’s not why this is going to be a successful campaign. They engage with their shoppers. There’s nothing more disappointing than a company who refuses to engage on social media.

 

 2. Lokai – Lokai is a bracelet company dedicated to finding a balance in your life while donating to charities. Ten percent of its net profits will be donated to a variety of charities. For the month of October, Lokai created a pink bracelet where $1 of each bracelet sold will go towards breast cancer awareness.

Social Presence:  Lokai already has a strong social media presence on multiple platforms, but the strategy used makes this campaign so successful. For breast cancer awareness month, a hashtag of #lokaihero is use when the bracelet is purchased. They also offered a pre-sale promotion so customers can snag the product early. Lokai uses the high engagement to their advantage.

 

 3. LeafFilter Racing – LeafFilter sponsors NASCAR driver Blake Koch. Together they are raising awareness beyond social media. The company painted Koch’s car pink for the Drive for the Cure 300 Miles of Courage race in Charlotte October 9.

Social Presence:  Leaf Filter is promoting the initiative heavily on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Twitter. In addition to posting pictures, they are engaging on social media with fans and customers.

 

 4. Elite Custom Socks: The sock company taking sock wearing to the next level. Fun colors and comfortable material is only the beginning for this company. Elite created an exclusive sock line specifically for breast cancer awareness. Fifty cents from every sock purchase will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Social Presence:  Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. The usual platforms. Elite also has another element: an infographic. Infographics not only help customers engage, but they’re pleasing to the eye.

 

 5. Washington Redskins: This football team with a heavy fan following on social media is selling exclusive Fight On shirts in honor of the upcoming month.

Social Presence:  The team showed their spirit on Twitter with multiple selfies and pictures from a photoshoot with team members in the exclusive shirts. The team has also taken to a social media outlet no other company on this list has used: Snapchat. Social media doesn’t get any more engaging than Snapchat.

 

What do all of these companies have in common aside from raising awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness? Engagement. The more a company engages with their consumers, the better the reputation. Companies need a positive reputation in order to not only sell product, but to establish a relationship with their consumers. To learn more about breast cancer awareness, visit Susan G Komen.

[image error]