Erik Qualman's Blog, page 614

Why is an Inactive Google+ Account Hurting Your Brand?

Did you know that Google+ is currently the second largest social networking site in the world?

With more than 300 million active users, Google+ passed Twitter early last year and is second only to Facebook. It’s loaded with dozens of features that make it appealing to both businesses and individuals.

Why Google+?

When thinking of businesses and social media, most people think of LinkedIn, right? While LinkedIn is great for finding a job or, if you own a business, finding a qualified candidate, it’s not necessarily a platform where you can market your brand, get to know other businesses and find potential customers.

This is where Google+ comes in.

With Google+, you can join ‘Communities’ that allow you to discuss common interests and topics, facilitate a ‘Hangout’ to chat with others via video, create ‘Circles’ to organize friends and businesses of similar interests and more. Google+ is the “it” of social media and could very well take the lead in 2014.

Google+ is linked to everything Google – Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps and more. Create an event via Google+ Events and it’s added onto your Google Calendar and Gmail, along with anyone you invite.

Google+ is the optimal tool for keeping you, your business and your potential customers organized and on the same page.

Even though Google+ is huge, it’s still not a social media network that everyone’s on board with … yet. This is another reason it’s vital your business join.

Those who join early typically experience the most success with the platform. Those who started blogs before everyone had one and joined Twitter before it was “in” are now reaping the rewards (or, in the world of social media, followers).

Google+ and SEO

Google+ trumps all social media platforms in terms of SEO – or search engine optimization.

If you brand your business on Google+ and develop a strong following, you’re certain to develop a strong presence in the online world. In other words, Google chooses to rank websites with a Google+ page highly.

Want to grow your business and expand your network? Get a Google+ page. The sooner the better.

Google+ Authorship

Google+ Authorship allows you to link your articles in your Google+ page.

Make sure to upload a clear, high-quality head shot to add to your profile. This head shot will appear on Google’s search engine results page.

Research has shown that those with authorship receive more frequent clicks on their articles. Authorship builds authority and sets you as a leader and influencer in the Google world.

Gain exposure to your business

Google+ can help your business gain exposure in a big way.

You can interact with similar businesses and individuals with similar interests. Start interacting with those that have a large and established Google+ account and you’ll gain exposure to your own business over time.

Even if you have just 10 extra minutes a day, it will add up big time in learning and understanding Google+.

Best brands on Google+

Almost all big businesses are using Google+ and having success with it.

ESPN’s page, for example, uses high-definition photos and hosts Hangouts for the athletes. Almost 4 million users are in their circle and up-to-date sports information can be read throughout the day. Angry Birds, The New York Times, H&M and Starbucks are other companies making use of Google+ daily.

Whether your business wants to promote its offering of online orders, mobile payments, free shipping, 24/7/365 customer service etc., being involved in social media is no longer an option, it’s a must.

Businesses need to be established in social media if they wish to succeed. While it’s best to have multiple social media platforms – think Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and a personal blog – if you were only allowed to have one, Google+ is what you would want to have.

Learn it, use it and reap the hundreds of benefits Google+ has to offer.

Photo credit: impactbnd.com

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One Million Fans Can’t Be Wrong: Creating Engaging Facebook Content

How many Facebook “Likes” does it take for a company to be considered a social media success? One thousand? Ten thousand? One million?

Grammarly, a San Francisco-based automated proofreading company, recently surpassed the incredible milestone of more than one million likes on its Facebook page. And although we’re excited about this impressive accomplishment, we know that it takes more than a fan liking our page to be successful.

Engagement is a key metric at Grammarly. Although we appreciate the support in a simple “like,” we want more for our Facebook fans. In order for Grammarly’s Facebook page to be the largest media channel dedicated to spreading awareness about quality writing around the world, we want engagement. This means that – in addition to encouraging our fans to visit our Facebook page every day – we want them to comment on and share our original content. This is truly the first step to a more in-depth industry-wide dialogue about the importance of writing.

Take a look at some of our most engaging posts over the years, below.

1. Top Ten Grammar Peeves ( LINK )

This, by far, has been Grammarly’s most engaging Facebook post. First, it directly relates to our underlying business without trying to overtly sell anything (except for good grammar!). Also, it is easy to read, informative, and entertaining all at the same time.

The proof is in the pudding when it comes to the success of this post:

The post received more than 10,000 comments
More than 46,000 people “liked” this post
The post was shared more than 107,000 times

2. Insult Properly ( LINK )

With almost 30,000 shares and nearly 45,000 likes, this post also received high engagement. Everyone knows someone who makes this mistake on a regular basis, so it rings true to many who will feel compelled to share it with their friends. Social media users are motivated to share things with their circle when it hits home and is relatable – which this post certainly is.

3. Can’t Spell ( LINK )

Another post that is relatable to a wide range of people, the one below rang up nearly 60,000 likes and more than 12,000 shares.

4. Find the Mistake ( LINK )

Posts asking fans to solve a riddle are often popular because they grab your attention and challenge your brain. Once you figure out the answer, it is natural to want to share it with your friends and put them to the same test. Almost 50,000 people liked this post, and it was shared more than 4,000 times.

What Can We Learn?

Each of those four Facebook posts were a little bit different, yet each highly successful in terms of social engagement. Varying our content and keeping it original has been one way that Grammarly has grown our page in the past couple of years.

What aspects of this technique can other organizations replicate? Two techniques stand out above the rest:

Keep it simple. Keep your posts quick, visual, and to the point. Make sure that fans immediately understand the gist of the post within just a few seconds. Shareable content is succinct because people know their friends will enjoy a quick laugh or thought provoking moment.
Be relevant. Grammarly is an automated proofreading company. It wouldn’t make sense for our Facebook page to share information on politics or animals. Businesses trying to grow their page must ensure that the content they are distributing is relevant to their bottom line so fans know what to expect.

Applying this strategy to your Facebook business page

Since launching our Facebook fan page in mid-2010, Grammarly has experienced tremendous growth — increasing fans by a factor of around 50 in the last year. But what truly differentiates Grammarly’s Facebook page from that of other Internet startups, and even consumer brands, is the level of engagement we receive. With between 300,000 and 1,000,000 people talking about us at any time, our community is more engaged than fans of Pepsi, Jeep, and other household names.

As context: For most of the top consumer brands, engagement levels are somewhere between 0.5 percent and two percent of their total number of fans. At Grammarly, our engagement levels hover between 50 and 200 percent of our total number of fans. This is because our team focuses on creating compelling, original content to help explain the importance of good grammar using humor and grace.

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How Does the Rise of Renewable Energy Impact the Web Hosting Industry?

Hosting. If you have a website, you need it. But have you ever stopped to think about what’s required to host a website? Most people haven’t.

Businesses that provide web hosting make large investments in servers and storage equipment allthewhile shouldering the management responsibilities. Data centers, something almost every hosting company has, are erected for the sole purpose of housing and cooling the equipment required to make the Internet what it is today. Many components are required to work together to achieve the goal: an accessible website. The physical structure includes include power, raised floor construction, extensive HVAC, cages and racks, while switches, routers, servers, load balancers, firewalls, IDS, cabinets, and consoles comprise the majority of the equipment.

All these components expend a considerable amount of energy -– and often remain on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All this energy usage can be harmful to the environment.

That’s where green hosting comes in.

What is Green Hosting?

Simply defined, green hosting uses green technologies to reduce the impact of energy use on the environment, but the implications are far greater than just that. Green hosting employs renewable energy, such as sunlight, rain and geothermal heat (heat that is generated and stored in the Earth).

In light of the recent green movement, most hosting companies have made their environmental policies public. Many analysts anticipate this will be a ubiquitous policy in the next few years, especially as the cost of making data centers more environmentally friendly drops.

What are the Common Sources of Renewable Energy?

According to Doteasy.com, “Hydroelectricity and wind power are often the most common natural resources.” Wikipedia.com states that going green in the hosting space also includes, “…planting trees, plants and grass around and over Data Centers and more day-to-day activities such as energy conservation and the use of energy saving appliances.”

Fad or Rad?

Many companies are rethinking their hosting solutions, which is causing shifts toward green hosting facilities. This accomplishes two things. From an environmental standpoint, it significantly reduces their carbon footprint. From a marketing standpoint, it shows their dedication to environmentally-friendly practices.

Many companies opt to join the Green Power Partnership, sponsored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which encourages businesses to go green in various facets of their day-to-day operations. This organization strives to teach businesses about the ways to reduce their impact on the environment and integrate these goals into their corporate culture. To date, more than 1,400 partner organizations are affiliated with the program, using billions of kilowatt-hours of green power each year.

Green hosting is a game changer.

With Internet usage around the world increasing rapidly, the concern about the energy impact to the environment is real. Consumers are demanding far more resources and tons of companies are opening for business in order to meet that demand. With the rise of green hosting, the potential for mitigating environmental impact is realized.

Going green is good for everyone, and that’s why it’s an excellent incentive for businesses and their marketing and PR departments. As green hosting becomes cheaper and more pervasive, expect to see a definitive shift toward green hosting providers.

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How to Make Your Super Bowl Party More Social

Whether or not you have a social media account, there’s no denying the impact these platforms have had on culture at large. The number of users continue to increase with each passing year – to the point where it’s more surprising when you run across people who don’t have a profile – and their reach has extended far beyond close-knit groups of friends to act as public messaging boards. Though there are many reasons for the popularity of sites like Facebook and Twitter, their unique ability to promote communication is perhaps one of the most obvious.

This communication potential is most evident during large public events, such as a breaking new story, highly anticipated television show, or major sporting event like the Super Bowl. In fact, during the 2012 Super Bowl, total social media activity related to the game totaled nearly 17.5 million mentions. The very next year, total activity had risen over 300 percent to 52.5 million mentions. Suffice to say, that number is likely to increase even more this year. Do you want to get in on the action? If so, here’s how!

Follow the Teams Online

For a more engaging viewer experience, follow the teams online (in this case, the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks). With Twitter and Facebook, you can stay abreast of the latest information, follow your favorite players, gain insight on the team’s pre-game thoughts, and perhaps best of all, actually engage in a one-on-one fashion with the team. The great thing with Twitter is that it has made it easier than ever to engage with celebrities, athletes, politicians, and other public figures. Don’t just sit idle, join the conversation and take part! Which brings us to our next recommendation ….

Take Part in the Conversation

If you’re not utilizing social media to be, well, social, then you’re missing out. These platforms provide a number of different ways to join in on the conversation, and doing so can make you feel more connected and more engaged with the game. But how do you take part in the discussion? Well, you can monitor a hash tag or follow emerging trends on Twitter, or join a fan club’s Facebook page. To get the most out of social media, you need to be a participant, and not simply a spectator.

Monitor the Game in Real Time

The best way to monitor the game is to watch it live, on television. However, you can greatly enhance your viewing experience by monitoring the game online, too. One of the easiest ways to do so is to monitor popular and relevant hash tags during the game. You’ll be able to see not only what other fans are saying, but potentially gain insight from expert analysts, players, and sports reporters as well. After all, everyone loves to be an armchair quarterback!

Finally, Don’t Forget the Human Element

The most important thing to remember on game day is to have fun and to put the people in the room first. Everyone has smartphones these days, and it’s easy to forget that it’s a bit of a faux pas to have your face buried in it all night long. Put the phones and tablets down for a second, bust out the chips and 7-layer dip, enjoy a cold beverage, and make the most of the company you have. There’s no better way to enjoy a Super Bowl party!

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Online Book Groups Enabled by Technology and Social Media

You are familiar with the scene. A group of friends or coworkers gather in a living room to discuss the monthly book group selection. Some pastries and light drinks are served and the members of the group begin a discussion about the story.

Fast forward to today and the scene has changed… or at least it is changing. In 2006 when Goodreads.com launched their website there were a limited number of people who felt inclined to catalog all the books they had read, were currently reading, and wanted to read. In July 2013, a few months after being acquired by Amazon.com for an undisclosed amount, Goodreads reported over 20 million members.

As Goodreads, social media, and technology generally make it easier for virtual book groups to be formed, a company found the environment right to launch the first author-led book group in January 2012. 12 Books business book group was launched to connect business book readers directly with the authors of the best selling books the members read. As the group has grown it has attracted attention from some of the major publishing houses. Our very own Erik Qualman was featured in the group with his book “Digital Leader” in April 2012.

Technology allows a group of people who were limited by space and distance to scale up to become a international collaborative. With that kind of size greater leaders (in this case authors) are more easily attracted to participate and contribute. This increases the value that each participant can take from the experience while removing barriers like travel and time.

Today imagine the scene differently. Book group members no longer gather around a living room (at least not the whole group). Members listen to or read the books at the breakfast table, in their commute, or during a workout. They open the Goodreads app on their phone to get insights from chapter 5 from the other group members around the world. At the end of the month they gather virtually on the phone to ask the author additional questions.

If technology can change something as traditional as book groups then everything is subject to change. As Meetup.com uses technology to make physical meetups greater and larger, technology is also driving local meetups to the internet. What is next?

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Social Media’s Rise from College Outsider to Campus All Star

During a 2009 leadership conference, I conducted a session about social media. Memories still swirl in my mind from my audience’s warnings about the inability to control student postings, the abundance of policy questions, and most of all, the deeply seeded fear of how social media’s very existence would disrupt college life.  There were examples from almost every participant of some negative event on their campus tied to social media.  I was most surprised by arguments to block Facebook from servers and networks, notions to dissuade student use of social media forums, and the overall negative tone about the topic.

Fear of the Unknown

Even more troubling for the attendees that day than the unknown elements of social media, were cases such as Murakowski vs. University of Delaware in which a student was suspended for posting violent & sexually graphic materials. Murakowski was also responsible for a slew of postings that were anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic, all on a website hosted by university servers.  The resulting lawsuit centered on first and fourteenth amendment rights violations and stoked much fear about the potential pitfalls of social media being allowed on campus networks.

Another fear inducing social media issue that was tossed about during that discussion did not rise to legal proceedings, but generated lots of attention in the Fall of 2007 and much of 2008.  At Lewis & Clark College in Oregon, a Facebook page was created that alleged a student had sexually assaulted another student off campus.  The victim, whose complaint may have never been officially registered with the campus until the creation of the Facebook page, later formally reported the incident.  This led to the suspension of the accused student.  Contentious debate raged about the Facebook page itself and created a firestorm of arguments regarding the facts of the case, as well as the very presence and perceived influence of social media in judicial proceedings on college campuses.

Discussing the Potential

After hearing these cases used as examples of why social media was dangerous, threatening, and something to be feared, I attempted to shift the conversation by introducing ideas about social media’s potential as a viable tool.  The backlash was quite strong against me and three or four attendees in the session who stood as a vocal minority by advocating on behalf of social media.  On that day, and even now, I submit that social media compels many “risk vs. reward” arguments and requires responsibility and thoughtfulness by any student, university, or campus stakeholder who wishes to use it consistently and effectively.  While keeping the responsibility component in mind, it is still quite rewarding five years later to know that my stance that day was not foolish, but actually predictive of today’s social media reality.

In spite of the concerns and fears described above, college campuses have seen the opportunity to connect with their students and alumni, engage potential students, and tell their respective stories to the world all through social media.  Social media has even become so prevalent that some forums are used as communication tools during campus emergencies.

A Campus Star Rises

Among the universities who saw beyond those early fears are many examples of creative and insightful social media strategies. College campuses that embrace social media demonstrate that operating within the social media world far outweighs settling for fear and opposition.  Here are few highlights:

Johns Hopkins University’s Hub is an awesome demonstration of how social media can branch into many different avenues and share the campus message through a plethora of forums;


Indiana University will open a new Media School in 2014 which will include a certificate in digital media and robust degree offerings such as advertising and strategic communications, international/global media and communication, and media industry and management among many others;


The University of Wisconsin-Madison engaged in the Bucky Challenge where a generous family pledged a $1 donation to UW–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Association for every new Facebook and Twitter follower they could obtain. This unique social media strategy yielded nearly $20,000 in scholarship funds;


UCLA used Vine & Instagram to allow a live feed to watch a brain surgery, while capitalizing on Twitter as well.  By using a hashtag called #UCLAORLive to chronicle the work of their Deep Brain Stimulation Team, UCLA has broadened access to this facet of medicine using social media;


The University of California Berkeley has a dynamic YouTube page that has been viewed millions of times while chronicling a myriad of elements of their campus experience;


The University of Miami offers a Social Media Professional Certificate and a Social Media Strategist Certificate through their School of Education.   The University even cites a Bureau of Labor Statistics projection that social media related careers will increase 24% by 2018, which is fodder for a future blog post; and


One of the best online venues to demonstrate how effective social media can be for universities is the StudentAdvisor.com Top 100 Social Media Colleges list.  This annual ranking has become so valuable that some campuses direct resources and strategy toward new initiatives that will move them up the list each year.

Social media has proven to be a viable element of marketing and branding the college experience that can’t be ignored.   The reward of capitalizing on social media is obvious to the dozens of other universities found on the aforementioned Top 100 list and has even led to several new social media initiatives that my own campus is undertaking. The potential to enhance learning, celebrate success stories, link with potential students, raise money, and capacity to grow the respective university brand far outweighs the angst and lamenting I heard in that 2009 conference session.  My point of view remains strong that social media is not a foe to college campuses. With such expansive reach and potential, social media has evolved into an entity that is quite a good friend to our universities indeed.

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3 Ways Apple’s Free Configurator App is Silently Changing the Business Landscape

When iOS 7 was released near the end of 2013, the media was been abuzz with updates on the new business features, including per app VPN, expanded Mobile Device Management (MDM) potential and third-party app security. However, very little attention has been paid to Apple’s free Configurator app. This Mac-only software is scalable from small business to enterprise use, allowing IT departments to exert greater control over in-house technology and loaner devices. The Configurator app update allows you to leverage the true security potential of iOS 7.

What’s New with Configurator?

Apple has provided a succinct list of changes on the Mac App Store page for Configurator. Some processes have been streamlined, such as batch third-party MDM software enrollment for mobile devices. However, the most exciting additions are the iOS 7 options. Configurator users can now use “managed open-in” to define how apps share document information. Previous versions of Configurator allowed users to limit app installation, but this is the first time we’re seeing control over “open-in” behavior. Administrators can also lock devices to specific AirPlay and AirPrint connections, so that you cannot send media or documents to unauthorized Apple TVs and printers.

The Configurator updates let you alter system settings such as font display, Notification Center visibility and Control Center access. The font option gives administrators an interesting level of stylistic freedom, allowing users to break away from the default font options of iOS 6 and earlier systems. When it comes to device lock screens, administrators can enable or disable Control Center and Notification Center access, depending on your organizations usage and security needs.

Practical Business Usage

Apple’s Configurator utility was built to administer batches of mobile devices, including all current models of iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad. Heavyweights like SAP AG are jumping on board with the new iOS 7 for business features. SAP VP Anthony Reynolds stated, “The changes Apple is implementing in iOS 7 directly align with our goal of enhancing, securing and simplifying the end-user experience. SAP will help customers build beautiful mobile apps and securely use iOS devices in mission-critical business environments.”

Think of how many iOS apps allow you to open document attachments in other software, such as iBooks, GoodReader, the iWork suite and other viewing apps. This can pose as a major security risk to organizations, since third-party apps can leak or damage information. Configurator’s “managed open-in” allows companies restrict document sharing to approved third-party apps and secure apps.

Previous iOS and Configurator versions lacked AirPlay and AirPrint hardware restrictions, meaning that employees could accidentally or intentionally leak information to nearby printers and television screens outside of your office. Just imagine your company’s financial documents being printed off in a neighboring company’s office, and you can just imagine the types of trouble these connections pose. But IT administrators can now clamp down on approved printers and Apple TVs, making it safe for companies to use wireless protocols like AirPrint and AirPlay.

Configurator Limitations

Some offices have Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments, where you use a personal device for work. For example, might have your home automation apps, personal photos, and your company email account on the same device. Configurator is not an ideal candidate for managing devices in BYOD environments, since your technology is not stored at a centralized location. Third-party MDM solutions take the spotlight in BYOD environments, since you can administer profiles and deploy content wirelessly.

Offices that need to manage in-house or loaner technology can use Apple’s free Configurator app alone, or in conjunction with MDM software, to take advantage of the newest business features in iOS 7. More enterprise options are on the horizon, such as Volume Purchasing Program license management and Caching Server 2 support. So far no release date has been revealed for these features, which are simply marked as “Coming Soon.” Apple continues to keep enterprise organizations on the edge of their seats.

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How to Become the Ultimate Social Curator

Somebody once said that imitation is the best form of flattery. Of course, we usually imagine imitation to be a self-serving act. Social curation on the other hand, is the best kind of imitation. It’s collecting the best of what the internet has to offer and sharing it across our social circles with people who can benefit from it.

While one of the imperatives of being a blogger or marketer is to offer up thoughtful and original content, it’s important to recognize when something you have got to say has already been said. Why else is curation a positive thing? Let’s take a look.

Why Is Curation Important?

Content curation is important for a number of reasons, but the simplest and most important is this: the internet is a big place. Average users need to know that there are certain filters in place to help them sift through the staggering amount of content – a filter that can bring them the best of the best within whatever niche they inhabit.

When somebody is looking for a new restaurant to try, they ask somebody they trust to make a recommendation for them. When they’re looking for advice, how-to guides or just some quality entertainment, they turn to the sites they trust. Of course, earning that trust is just the first step toward becoming a world-class social curator.

What Skills Do You Need?

There’s an argument to be made that if you’ve ever used the internet in any significant way, you’re already a curator. That might be self-aggrandizing for some of us, but it’s true. Most of us have shared links, posted photos and disseminated content that we came across on our own and wanted to share with our friends.

An eye for quality content is extremely important if you want to tackle social curation. You’ll need to imagine what your readers want to read, hear and watch. Part of that task is going to come down to your ability to anticipate their needs. You’ll need to know what they’re going to ask before they ask it.

It means you’ll have to be invested and fully immersed in your particular niche. On the one hand, you can consider yourself a tastemaker, offering up quality content that drives the content consumption habits of your followers. On the other hand, you’ll need to stay ahead of existing trends, offering up timely content that will resonate with your viewers.

How Can You Find Great Content?

Content can be thought of as a sort of trickle-down proposition, where at every level the sheer volume of content is appraised, sifted and shared across all of our very different social circles. What this means is that you need to cast a wide net. Join newsletters, embrace RSS, follow the right people on Twitter and “like” the right pages on Facebook. Half of being a great curator is intuition and the other half is knowing where great content comes from.

A graphic posted to Havahart's Facebook, with an image credit to GoAww.

At this point, it should be noted that curation is not about uncredited theft of content. No matter what you’re curating or where it’s coming from, always give credit where it’s due. Havahart, the brand that makes humane animal traps to relocate groundhogs and other backyard pests, is always very careful to credit their sources on Facebook, indicating with each item they post where the image came from.

You’ll also want to jump on your chance to build that content in a significant way, rather than straight-up imitating or parroting the quality content you find. What does that look like? It’s up to you; if you’ve curated an opinion-based article, honor the original article by posting a counter-argument. In other words, your followers will want to know why you’ve chosen to share someone else’s work with them; be perfectly transparent about your reasons for sharing it, along with any response or rebuttal that you may have.

How Can You Gain a Following?

If you think of social curation as a means to an end, then you’ll be fighting the same battles as any marketer out there: increasing your visibility and growing your following.

When it comes to earning followers, that famous phrase from Field of Dreams is weirdly relevant: “If you build it, [they] will come.” This is true, but it relies on two things: the quality and the quantity of the content you share. If somebody tells you it’s not possible to have both, you’ve been lied to. Post often; if you’ve honed your skills as a curator and kept your ear to the ground for quality content, you’ll probably have more material at your disposal than you’ll know what to do with.

Curation As a Service

Once you get better at it, you might start thinking of social curation as a service for your followers. Of course, you get something out of the deal too by sharing the best of the web with your followers. You’re making sure they’re followers for life.

Images: Popupology, Havahart, Picjumbo

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Is the Phone Call Dying Out?

In 2014 we’re surrounded by phones. Have a look round right now; do you know exactly where your smartphone is? Is it in reach? Of course it is. 70% of US adults will have their smartphone in within arms reach most of the time.

Despite smartphones being within five feet of their owners for most of the day, people are no longer making phone calls. Instead, they prefer to text, email or IM. This trend is particularly evident among the younger generations.

Ofcom report to seeing a fall in the number of phone calls while texting and IMing has seeing considerable growth. Compared with ten years ago, everybody is using their cell phones a great deal more, however, they are no longer calling friends, families and co-workers.

Studies show that these trends are most prevalent among younger people who fall in to the Generation Y and Generation Z age groups. Ofcom’s report found that that web-based text forms were the most popular method of communicating among Gen-Y and that some respondents even preferred IMing and texting to face to face interaction. The investigation also discovered that Gen-X and Gen-Y are 20% more likely to message their loved ones rather than use their cell to call them.

There are many benefits to texting over phoning, namely it allows the user to multi-task. They can text more than one person at once and IM while they’re watching the television. Web-based text forms also allow the user to avoid potentially awkward conversations. While phone calls tend to demand that the caller has to take time out their busy schedule to devote to a phone conversation, IMing and texting allows people to communicate little and often.

So how does the majority of under- thirties favouring IMing and texting over calling effect business?

Younger people, tend to only have a landline in their home because that comes hand in hand with the internet. A survey taken in late 2012 reported that half of American homes don’t have or use their landline; this statistic is only expected to increase with smartphones becoming more affordable.

With phones becoming less commonplace in the home and younger people not using their cells to make voice calls, businesses are having to adapt to incorporate these new communication trends into the workplace. Adding web based communications into their customer service arsenal allows another way to connect with customers, particularly younger generations.

Naomi Tarry, director of Best of Suffolk a holiday rental company that specialises in Southwold Cottages explains ‘Live chat helps open us up to younger generations who are not as comfortable using the phone to call and ask questions’. In addition to Live Chat, businesses are also finding social media a fantastic way to keep in touch with their customer base.

As Generations Y and Z continue to avoid using the phone, demand and expectation of web based communications are only going to rise. Businesses that do not have any web based communications in place are possibly missing out on a whole demographic of potential customers. So make your business more accessible to younger generations and check your customer services email more, consider live chat and revamp your social media strategy. Remember, these people are only going to get older and their dislike for phone calls is unlikely to change…

 

Photo credit: courtesy of Melissa ‘t Hart – http://www.flickr.com/photos/blondbimbo/

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Are You Social Enough With Car Loans?

The auto loan industry as a whole is starting to see increasing, now that it has been a few years since the financial crisis of 2008. This includes seeing more leasing, long-term auto loans and financing, according to Experian.

It’s not only good news for the banks giving out loans, but the auto industry as well. In fact, the average term for auto loans on new vehicles in 2012 was around 65 months, increasing due to the lower interest rates and longer terms available to consumers.

One of the ways you as a consumer can look for available auto loans is by using social media. It can help you find reputable companies, as well as those willing to work with different credit histories and financial situations.

The Power of Hashtags and Keywords

If you are looking for something specific about car loan companies, using social media is very useful. This is mostly due to being able to use hashtags, which provide keyword capabilities with sites like Twitter and Facebook.

If you type in a keyword, such as “no money down car loan,” the results you will get pertain to this subject.

Some results will be other people posting on their own profiles looking for the same thing. But some of the results will be from auto loan lenders that are providing this type of car loan to people who qualify for them.

Utilizing keywords and hashtags on social media is one of the primary benefits to looking through these sites before you go for a loan.

Finding the Newest Promotions

Another thing you can get with social media and car loans is by finding current promotions.

By following lenders and car dealerships that offer loans to their customers, you get first word about promotions.

You can increase your chances for being approved for better loans by waiting until they post about one of these promotions. One dealership might have a special with zero interest for most credit ratings, while others are lowering the average monthly payment by choosing longer term auto loans.

Posting About the Desire for a Car Loan

One thing consumers might not realize is that some auto loan companies are searching for you. They are looking to reach out to people currently talking about looking for a new car or needing a loan and not being able to locate one that works for them.

Just by updating your public status on Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites, you are helping them find you. Don’t be surprised if you get contacted by an auto loan lender who is willing to speak with you more about qualifying. Of course, do your research before you deal with anyone who reaches out to you, just to be safe.

Getting a car loan can be a stressful process, but by using all your sources, you have a better chance at finding one that is perfect for you.

Don’t forget about using social media for finding things like loans.

Photo credit: cars.com

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