Erik Qualman's Blog, page 620

December 2, 2013

Your Tweets Don’t Need to Fall into the Cracks of TwitterWorld

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There is nothing worse than spending the time to come up with a really awesome or inspiring tweet just to have it fall into the Twitterverse without ever being retweeted or commented on.  While this is bound to happen on occasion, if all of your tweets are being ignored then perhaps you need to change the way you write them.  You will find that the more followers you have the harder it will be to get tweets retweeted.  What?  You thought more followers automatically meant more retweets?  Sadly, this is not the case.  What can happen is that the more followers you have, the more tweets there will be on the newsfeeds which can bury tweets very quickly.  There are some great tips for writing retweetable tweets listed below.


Think of Tweets as Headlines

When you are looking at news on the internet or if you are one of the few who enjoy reading an actual newspaper, what makes you read an article?  If you think about it, it’s typically the headline that grabs your attention and makes you want to read it.  Think of your tweets in the same way if you want to get anything out of them.  After all, with only one hundred and forty characters it’s not like you can write a diatribe!  Look at headlines and think of how you can apply that type of writing to your tweets.  Do you want to shock, inform or entertain your followers with your tweet?  You’ll find that your tweets are being seen and shared if you take this stance on everything you post.


Offer Links to Your Website

Since you are promoting your company, then each tweet needs to finish with a link to your website.  On those tweets where your introducing new products or are offering a special discount on an item, make sure the link is in the tweet.  Not only will this get your tweets retweeted, but it will also drive more traffic to your website.  Nobody wants to have to search around or Google your company name in order to take advantage of special offers unless it’s for something free.  When you include the link, that’s the same thing as giving your followers a call to action and they will share your tweet so their friends can take advantage of the deal.


Offer Statistical Information

People love to get random and interesting information as long as it is relevant to them.  It is important that you find some great statistics based on your industry as tweet them if you want better tweets which lead to more followers.  It is possible to get fake followers but faking fame on Twitter is easy but won’t bring in real customers.  And you need to have real customers as followers if your marketing strategy is to pay off for you.  So do some research and once or twice a week post some fun statistical information that is bound to be retweeted more than once.


If your tweets are not getting the notice you think they deserve then you need to switch up what you are doing and try something else.  The above are just three ways to write tweets that won’t end up in Twitter no man’s land!


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Published on December 02, 2013 09:06

Tips for Shooting your Business Video

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Regardless of your budget, or the camera you have access to, you can shoot high quality video with most cameras these days, whether they’re a Canon DSLR or an iPhone. That said, there are some basic steps you should follow to get the most out of your footage…


The Equipment


Before you get started, you should probably get the equipment you need in first…


Must Have



Camera
Computer (to upload video from your camera)

Good to Have



Script
Creative strategy
Tripod (or stack of books)
Lights
Extension cables
Camera charger

Optional



Light reflector
External microphone

It’s good to have this checklist before going to a shoot, and have everything secured and ready so that time isn’t wasted locating it when it’s time for production.


The Rule of Thirds


The ‘rule of thirds’ has become a rule of thumb in shooting videos. For the most part, you probably should compose a shot using the ‘rule of thirds’ – that is, dividing your screen into thirds with two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines. Where the lines intersect is – in most cases – where your subject should be placed. Remember to use artistic discretion when applying this method, however, as this technique is not always correct.


Keep It Stable, Keep it Safe


Chances are, you’re not recreating some old home footage and are therefore probably not looking for a handheld, shaky look. Therefore, you should have a tripod. If you don’t have one, get creative and use a stack of books or boxes to keep the camera steady. No matter how still you think you can hold the camera, the slightest movement will ruin your shot and – unless you can survive without breathing – you are going to move at some point.


Think About the Background


Never underestimate the difference your background can make to a shot. Especially in an advertisement for your business, you want to make sure things look neat and organized in the shot, unless, of course, you deliberately want to include some clutter. Check your background for debris and make it look as easy on the eyes as possible.


Madeleine Hammond is a marketing executive at Skeleton Productions – one of the UK’s leading video production companies. 


 


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Published on December 02, 2013 05:20

December 1, 2013

Social Media Can Drive Sales This Holiday Weekend

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Prep your business for the holidays by embracing social media. If you own a business on Main Street, your focus is on obtaining new customers. People coming in off of the street may be curious about your goods and, if you’re lucky or prepared enough, they may be in the market for what you have to offer.


But, what if there is nobody on the street? How will you get people in through your doors? This is especially important during the upcoming holiday season.


In 2012, 670 million people visited stores during the Thanksgiving weekend, including Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Those 670 million people spent an average of just under $430 individually, for a total of more than $59 billion. Another 140 million people shopped online. Could you, as a business owner, generate mega sales from that type of Web traffic? You can bet your lease on it. Here are some places to start:


Facebook

The visuals of Facebook can work toward your advantage this holiday season. Post photos of festive store displays or employees. This personifies your business and engages customers. Encourage customer involvement with store reviews, contests and giveaways, polls and customer recognition. Stay active on your page by interacting with customers and posting relevant and interesting content. Loyal and new customers will stay aware of your sales, merchandise and hands-on service.


Feedly

Feedly is a smart phone app for iPhone and Android. It allows users to read multiple blogs, all within the same app. If you’re crafty at turning a word or two, then Feedly may be your best Thanksgiving weekend. Go ahead and post a blog about the sales you have planned for Black Friday. Keeping up with regular bog posts will get more traffic through your site and eventually to your store. Post relevant and interesting content. Showcase some of your new merchandise or offer sneak previews of sales.


Twitter

You can’t post an in-depth blog post in 140 characters, but Twitter is a great way for businesses to link to their other social media posts. To generate more traffic to your Facebook or blog, link them to your Twitter so a tweet is sent out as soon as your new content goes up. Offer a discount for new Twitter followers and entice readers to check your feed often by posting secret sales or exclusive sneak peaks and content.


Pinterest

This app has grown from a place to merely keep track of your favorite recipe websites into a social media juggernaut. If your business isn’t on Pinterest, then you need to be there now. Even huge retailers, like Macy’s, are on Pinterest. Once you’re set up on Pinterest you can then begin to gauge users and their interest in your business. If they utilize your pin, you can use Pinterest analytics to tailor your business and make it more customer oriented.


Using Pinterest analytics, you can tell how many people pinned or repinned your website and can even tell why they did. You also have the ability to monitor specific periods of time for activity. If you’ve done something different to your business or your website and the amount of pins you receive rises, then you get an idea of what is drawing business.


Video

Video sharing websites, like YouTube and Vine are great tools. Create a short Vine parody on Black Friday shoppers fighting to get in your doors. Start a YouTube channel where you can give interesting holiday shopping tips or post a video blog series on local festive events.Think about shooting a video of your storefront early on Black Friday morning. Make sure the displays are lit and in working order and post that video. Shoppers will be piled at your doors in no time.


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Published on December 01, 2013 15:21

November 27, 2013

3 Ways to Increase Transparency for Your Business

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Transparency is the new shift in consumer needs


As the digital consumer becomes more educated about a product or service, the transparency behind the brand plays a crucial role in business development. In fact, it is essential. The days of overselling and under-delivering are gone– if not then you probably haven’t seen some of the reviews or feedback forms from your clients. And although being completely transparent may be a scary endeavour, it is another avenue for building your business and creating the good ‘buzz’ often needed for growth and expansion.


1) Provide a Menu of Prices


I know. I know. That is downright crazy. But hear me out.


In 2008, shortly after the economy crashed Marcus Sheridan was at a loss with his pool business. He was out of options and at the verge of losing his business when he decided to try something completely out of the ordinary– analyzing consumer behaviour patterns on his website. Once Sheridan understood what consumers were looking for, he began posting useful blog articles, including a menu of prices, Do-It-Yourself tutorials, videos, etc. His business began to thrive because consumers were researching information and his site was the most helpful. Sheridan was able to grow his market share by 80 percent with all sales leads directly related to his website. Now, he has the most trafficked swimming pool website in the world because he decided transparency was an important factor of his business.



2) Put Yourself in the Shoes of the Consumer


Unfortunately the used car salesman has created a shift in scepticism among consumers. There is nothing worse than making a purchase and buying a product (car, lawn mower, etc.) and finding that it wasn’t what the salesman promised. Quite frankly, most consumers are tired of this type of sales tactic and perform their own consumer research prior to making a purchase (Ahem, example above). As a business owner, its key to provide honest answers and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), lists, and other valuable information. The consumer is more likely to do business with a company that provides useful, relevant information on the front end prior to the consumer having to ask about it.



3) Narrow the Path for Providing Reviews


Every business needs to monitor their online reviews– both good and bad. Nowadays, Trip Advisor, Yelp, Google Places, the Better Business Bureau, and various other sites make it easy for consumers to rant and rave about how they were treated while doing business with you. Why not make it easier for them to brag about their experience by providing a plugin or link with their folio and/or invoice? You can’t please everyone. But what you can do is provide quality service and quick responses to an issue to ensure the consumer knows they are being taken care of in a timely manner. In addition, you will attract more business by how you handle negative feedback, because it provides an example of taking care of the customer’s needs.


We live in a hyper-connected world of technology and networking utilities. For entrepreneurs looking to expand and develop their businesses, they must embrace transparency and provide information to consumers that explains the value, benefit, and cost of their product or service.


For a further example of the risks involved with being a transparent company, please check out this article by Anne Michelson, freelance copyrighter and principal of Green Link Copyrighting.


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Published on November 27, 2013 05:41

November 26, 2013

Internet vs. Television: Which Is the Second Screen?

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Do you spend more time in front of the TV or in front of the computer screen? Just a few years ago, the answer probably would have been the television. But with a growing global online population, the Internet is gradually replacing television in the lives of modern individuals.


 


Recent studies show that about 30% of the world’s population is online, and the average Internet user spends 32 hours per month surfing the web. While many individuals still watch television programs on a regular basis, the amount of time spent in front of a TV has declined over the years as more and more people choose to view content online.


Why Is the Internet a preferred medium for entertainment?

According to a study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australians spend about 13 hours a week watching television – that adds up to about two months every year. But time spent online is starting to surpass time spent watching television. Unlike TV, the Internet can be used for business, personal use, and entertainment. With so many different things to do online – from posting on social media to shopping at e-retailers –the Internet is not at the forefront of competition for consumers’ attention.


 


How are Internet users watching TV?

Cable and satellite TV services may provide thousands of channels, but traditional television programming still doesn’t compare to the variety of the Internet. There are hundreds of TV shows and movies available from a number of online streaming sites. And with huge databases like Youtube, you can find practically any program ever filmed.

Another reason the Internet is taking over as the preferred screen? Flexibility. Viewers can watch TV anywhere they want on a variety of portable devices, from laptops to tablets to smartphones. And with ever-faster Internet connections from providers like Google Fiber and Verizon Internet, viewers can multi-task while they watch TV. They can send emails. Look up information. Scan social media accounts. Shop online.

The social media effect

Social media comes in a variety of different forms, from Facebook to Twitter to Tumblr and beyond. Social networkers use these outlets to engage with businesses, stay in touch with friends and post about the things they love. And that includes TV shows.


 


Social media makes watching TV online even more appealing – viewers can tweet or post  about the programs they watch, interact with other viewers and share opinions about characters and plotlines. In a modern world where users can keep up with the news, the weather, their family and friends, and all their entertainment online, consumers have less and less of a reason to turn on the TV.


There is no denying that television is still a major player, but the Internet is quickly becoming the dominant force in entertainment. Once a luxury, the Internet is now practically a necessity that plays a dominant role in the lives of average individuals. From socializing to watching TV and movies, the Internet is evolving into the preferred method of content consumption.


 


What does that mean for bloggers?


The increasing prevalence of the Internet means that bloggers need to be more timely, more relevant and more interactive than ever. The Internet never sleeps, after all. The demand for online content is at an all-time high, and bloggers need to make sure that they’re updating their sites and adding new content constantly.


 


The recent domination of the Internet over TV also proves that viewers want to create and continue conversations online. Start interacting with your readers outside your site. If you haven’t already, create Facebook and Twitter accounts for your blogs. Link back to your posts – but also follow your readers and other bloggers, post interesting links, pose questions, ask for feedback and respond to comments.


 


One thing to be wary of? Spoilers. If you write about TV shows, remember that online streaming means that viewers can keep up with programs at their own pace – even if that’s days, months or years behind. To keep your readers happy and engaged, stay current – but remember to use that always-helpful spoiler alert.


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Published on November 26, 2013 14:10

Getting Social Over an Online Business Degree

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The search for an online college can seem somewhat overwhelming to prospective students.


However, finding online degree business schools can actually be quite simple now, thanks to social media. Many colleges have started recruiting students by using various social media platforms.


Here is a look at some options:


Kaplan University


Kaplan University uses a variety of social media techniques to attract students to its online programs. YouTube is one major way that Kaplan University reaches out to potential students.


Kaplan University has created many YouTube videos as part of its recruiting efforts. One very effective video gives students a tour of the online campus. It shows students what their online campus looks like, which is likely to reduce a lot of anxiety for students who aren’t sure what to expect from an online school.


Kaplan’s other videos shows commencement ceremonies and students discussing their success stories. There are also videos featuring various professors and staff who discuss what they offer and what students can expect from an online degree.


Walden University


Walden University is reaching prospective students via Twitter. Walden’s Twitter accounted as attracted well over 20,000 followers. The college tweets about a variety of subjects, including recruitment.


Walden University features a variety of student success stories on Twitter. They post pictures that show students who have entered into their chosen field and there are links to a variety of articles that showcase success stories about former students.


Ashford University


Ashford University uses LinkedIn to recruit prospective students. The school’s LinkedIn account posts articles about a variety of topics related to the school and various careers.


Ashford also posts links to videos that describe the benefits of getting online degrees. The videos discuss how students can attend classes from the comfort of their own homes while maintaining busy and active lives.


Post University


Post University maintains an active Pinterest account. The college has many different pin boards that display various aspects of the college.


One board provides information about faculty members while another offers humorous cartoons about college life. The college uses various pictures and infographics to clearly show students the benefits of an online degree.


University of Florida


The University of Florida uses Google Plus to reach alumni as well as to reach out to perspective students. The college posts a variety of interesting articles, photos, and links to other social media accounts.


UF also includes infographics showing their high rankings compared to other colleges in many categories. They include posts to their mentions in the media as well. They showcase how their online degrees are well respected and offer students information about the benefits of an online degree.


Social media has certainly changed the way colleges recruit students.


Instead of brochures and postcards in the mail, colleges can now reach out to students via social media with more information on finding online degree business schools.


Photo credit: educationquest.org


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Published on November 26, 2013 05:51

November 25, 2013

Be More Social on Black Friday

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Long lines and even some times a sense of mob mentality; fighting and jostling for that very last Super Special Toy of the season.


Black Friday can cause even the most intrepid shopper to develop a bit of a twitch.


The good news is, smartphones and social media can help you find the best deals this year — without pulling out all your hair.


Here’s how:


Create a Shopping List


Before you start hunting for deals, make a list of your must-have items, less important products you’d like to find, and who you still have to shop for. This list will help you narrow down your Black Friday search.


Now that you’ve got your list, start researching prices — well before Black Friday. Check prices at two or three different retailers, and write down the average for each item. This will help you keep retail prices in mind on the big day, so you don’t get caught up in “sales” that don’t actually save you anything.


Create a Store List and Search for Products


Twitter lists provide you a great way to watch all of your favorite stores in one place. Add them to a Black Friday list, and keep an eye on that stream to get a heads-up on coupons, deals, and exclusive pricing.


You can also run a keyword search for products on your list to find which stores have them, and what kinds of deals they’ve got. You can even further narrow your search by adding filters such as “50% off.”


Load Up on Apps


Download social media apps to your smartphone, so you’ll be able to keep track of things while you’re on the go. Twitter, Foursquare, Facebook, and Instagram are all great choices.


Once they’re downloaded, set up notifications for when your favorite stores post to their social profiles. This way, you can be among the first to know when your local stores start a special deal or discount.


Monitor Store Traffic


Once those Black Friday sales get going, your favorite stores are going to fill up fast. By keeping track of your store list, along with hashtags like #BlackFriday and specific store-related tags, you can keep an eye on how packed the stores are.


This can help you avoid mile-long lines and save you a ton of time. You’ll be able to visit the stores that have a little less of a crowd, and move on to the other locations on your list as they thin out a bit.


Comparison Shop


Once you’re actually in the stores, you can continue saving money by comparing deals from different retailers. Many stores offer price matching, so you may be able to knock a few extra dollars off an already competitive discount.


You can also use apps like Foursquare to find out where other shoppers finding the best deals, and monitor Twitter with keyword searches to see which stores’ sales are creating a buzz.


Black Friday doesn’t have to be a nerve-wracking experience.


With a little pre-planning and strategy, you can find great deals on all of your must-have items.


Photo credit: guardianlv.com


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Published on November 25, 2013 14:38

Published Social Media Research in Education

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Published research on emerging technologies, such as social media is becoming more and more prevalent.  However, with lags in publication timelines and lengthly research methodologies and analysis, by the time a study is released the technology it once looked at may not be as ‘emerging.’  For example, Myspace continues to be seen the research, as five or six years ago it may have still had high volumes of active users.  Studies published on ‘hot’ platforms like instagram or vine?  Good luck!  Many technology-related journals are adjusting timelines and offering online-only publishing options, which quicken the process.  But that is still after data has been collected, analyzed and written.


I spoke about this conundrum in a recent Higher Ed Live conversation about being a doctoral student.  Enjoy this program here



Personally, I am living this challenge as a doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership at California Lutheran University, taking a course called Literature Review.  The primary aim of this class is to produce a massive paper, which will turn into the chapter two of my five chapter dissertation.  As in all my coursework, citing properly all scholarly works in my papers are a priority.  The field of education uses APA (American Psychological Association) style, which is common in the social sciences.  Make sure those using APA pay attention to using the latest version, as things change with every reprint.  Currently used is the second printing of the 6th edition.  A fabulous resource without purchasing the book is found here at Purdue online Writing Lab.


My general topic is social media communication tools in higher education, focusing on college student use and educational methods to equip students to be positive productive citizens on these emerging technologies.  By going through the process of writing a literature review, the writer continually combs through articles until one reaches saturation.  In other words, no new findings or scholarly articles can be found.  Through this process, one is able to see a ‘hole’ in the research, which will lead the researcher to develop their study and research questions.


Published research on social media is important for more than academic purposes, such as my lit review.  It is crucial in any field of study and industry, so decisions are made based upon proven research and assessed effective practices.  By using research to guide social media strategy it will strengthen the managers of platforms, as well as response by their online community.


Below you will find a list of research I have thus far cited in my literature review, as well as other related social media works.  There are many more published works out there, but they may not have been a quality I wanted to include or relevant to my study.  Google Scholar has many of them and if you work at a university, you can also search for these articles through your online campus library.


Please comment below with additional sources, I will make updates to this post as more sources are found!


Happy Reading!


References


Abreu, B. D. (2010).  Changing technology = empowering students through media literacy education.  New Horizons in Education, 58(3), 26-33.


Ahn, J.  (2011).  Digital divides and social network sites: which students participate in social media?  J. Educational Computing Research, 45(2), 147-163.


Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55, 469-480.


Baker, L. R., & Oswald, D. L. (2010).  Shyness and online social networking services.  Journal of Social & personal Relationships, 27(7), 873-889.


Birnbaum, M. (2013).  The fronts students use: Facebook and the standardization of self presentations.  Journal of College Student Development, 54(2), 155-171.


Boyd, D., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 210–230.


Brandtzaeg, P. B.  (2012).  Social networking sites: their users and social implications – a longitudinal study.  Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 17, 467-488.


Brissette, I., Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. F. (2002). The role of optimism in social network development, coping, and psychological adjustment during a life transition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 102–111.


Chau, C. (2010). YouTube as a participatory culture. New Directions for Youth Development, 128, 65-74.


Chickering, A. W. & Gamson, Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. AAHE Bulletin, 3–7.


Chen, B. & Marcus, J.  (2012).  Students’ self-presentation on Facebook: an examination of personality and self-construal factors.  Computers in Human Behavior, 28, 2091-2099.


Cheung, C. M. K., Chiu, P., & Lee, M. K. O. (2011). Online social networks: why do students use Facebook?  Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 1337-1343.


Clauson, K. A., Singh-Fanco, D., Sircar-Ramsewak, F., Joseph, S. & Sandars, J.  (2013).  Social media use and educational preferences among first-year pharmacy students.  Teaching and Learning in Medicine, 25(2), 122-128.


Constantinides, E. & Zinck Stagno, M. C. (2011).  Potential of the social media as instruments of higher education marketing: a segmentation study.  Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 21(1), 7-24.


Dahlstrom, E. (2012). ECAR study of undergraduate students and information technology. Louisville, CO: EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research. Retrieved from www.educause.edu/ecar


DeAndréa, D. C., Ellison, N. B., LaRose, R., Steinfield, C. & Fiore, A.  (2012) Serious social media: on the use of social media for improving students’ adjustment to college. Internet and Higher Education, 15, 15–23.


Downes, S. (2005).  E-learning 2.0.  ACM eLearn Magazine (pp. 10).


Drew, G. (2010).  Issues and challenges in higher education leadership: engaging for change.  The Australian Educational Researcher, 37(3) 57-76.  


Ellison, N., Steinfield, C. & Lampe, C.  (2007).  The benefits of facebook “friends:” social capital and the college students’ use of online social network sites.  Journal of Computer-Medicated Communication, 12, 1143-1168.


Facebook (2013).  Statistics.  Retrieved from www.facebook.com.


Fuller, M.  (2012).  Effectively communicating with university students using social media: a study of social media usage patterns.  2012 ASCUE Proceedings, 46-58.


Gemmill, E. & Peterson, M.  (2006).  Technology Use among College Students: Implications for Student Affairs Professionals.  NASPA Journal, 43(2) 280-300.


Gonzales, A. L., & Hancock, J. T. (2011). Mirror, mirror on my Facebook wall: Effects of exposure to Facebook on self-esteem. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking14, 79-83.


Gray, R., Vitak, J., Easton, E. W. & Ellison, N. B.  (2013).  Examining social adjustment to college in the age of social media: Factors influencing successful transitions and persistence.  Computers & Education, 67, 193-207.


Greysen, S. R., Kind, T., & Chretien, K.  (2010).  Online professionalism and the mirror of social media.  J Gen Intern Med, 25(11), 1227-1229.


Grover, A., & Stewart, D. W. (2010). Defining interactive social media in an educational context. In C. Wankel & M. Marovich & J. Stanaityte (Eds.), Cutting edge social media approaches to business education: Teaching with LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter, Second Life, and Blogs, 7-38.


Gruzd, A., Takheyev, Y., & Wellman, B. (2011). Imagining twitter as an imagined community. American Behavioral Scientist, 55(10) 1294-1318.


Hargittai, E. (2008).  Whose space?  Differences among users and non-users of social networking sites.  Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 276-297.


Heiberger, G. & Harper, R. (2008). Have you Facebooked Astin lately? Using technology to increase student involvement. In R. Junco & D. M. Timm (Eds.), Using Emerging Technologies to Enhance Student Engagement. New Directions for Student Services Issue #124, pp. 19-35. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.


Hew, K. F. (2013).  Use of web 2.0 technologies in k-12 and higher education: the search for evidence-based practice.  Educational Research Review, 9, 47-64.


Hickman, T. & Techlehaimanot, B. (2011).  Student-teacher interaction on facebook: what students find appropriate.  TechTrends, 55(3), 19-30.


Hollandsworth, R., Dowdy, L, and Donovan, J. (2011).  Digital citizenship in K-12: it takes a village.  TechTrends, 55(4), 37-47.


Huang, W.-H. D., Hood, D. W. & Yoo S. J.  (2013).  Gender divide and acceptance of collaborative web 2.0 applications for learning in higher education.  Internet and Higher Education, 16, 57-65.


Hughes, G. (2009). Social software: New opportunities for challenging social inequalities in learning? Learning, Media and Technology, 34, 291–305.


Instagram (2013). Press.  Retrieved from http://instagram.com/press/.


Jacobsen, W. C. & Forste, R.  (2011).  The wired generation: academic and social outcomes of electronic media use among university students.  Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(5), 275-280.


Johnson, M. L. (2012). Integrating Technology into Peer Leader Responsibilities.  New Directions for Higher Education, 157, 59-71.


Joinson, A. N. (2008). Looking at, looking up or keeping up with people? Motives and use of Facebook. Proceedings of the 2008 CHI, 1027–1036.


Junco, R. (2011). The relationship between frequency of Facebook use, participation in Facebook activities and student engagement. Computers & Education, 58, 162-171.


Junco, R. (2011).  Too much face and not enough books: the relationship between multiple indices of Facebook use and academic performance.  Computers in Human Behavior, 28(1), 187-198.


Junco, R., Heiberger, G. & Loken, E. (2011). The effect of Twitter on college student engagement and grades. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning (27), 119-132.


Junco, R., Elavsky, C. M. & Heiberger, G.  (2012).  Putting twitter to the test: assessing outcomes for student collaboration, engagement and success.  British Journal of Educational Technology, 1-15.


Juvonen, J. & Gross, E. F. (2008).  Extending the school grounds? Bullying experiences in cyberspace.  Journal of School Health, 78(9), 496-505.


Kalpidou, M., Costin, D., & Morris, J.  (2011).  The relationship between Facebook and the well-being of undergraduate college students.  Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 12, 441-444.


Klein, M. C. (2013).  Love in the time of Facebook: how technology now shapes romantic attachments in college students.  Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 27, 149-158.


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Published on November 25, 2013 06:37

November 23, 2013

Businesses Getting More Social With Mobile Card Payments

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Social is the way to go.


If you own a small business and you’re not active in the social media world, you are missing out.


According to HubSpot, 46% of online users count on social media to make a purchase decision. So you better get on it. Think about the things they may want to know about you, and make it available.


Mobile Options


One thing your prospective customers may be seeking is mobile card payment options.


With surprising numbers of users checking social media sites before committing to businesses, you, as a business owner, want to have information at the ready. Facebook and Twitter are commonly checked, and if you’re customers are looking for mobile payment options and you’ve got them – make it known on social media.


For instance, say you own a mobile dog grooming business or you are an independent decorator. You visit your customers at their home and possibly have skipped the brick and mortar shop. Even if you have a storefront, your customers probably rarely visit it if you’re also mobile. You complete your services at their site, they are pleased and now they have to pay you.


Less and less people are paying by cash or check these days (and less business owners are accepting checks); people prefer to pay by credit or debit. You need mobile card payment options.


Perhaps it’s even a deal breaker in doing business with you. But during preliminary research, prospective clients found on Facebook, Twitter or even YouTube that you accept mobile payment. You win the deal.


Consumers More Social with Business Needs


Social media has become the most common online activity.


People use it for everything, not just staying connected to college buddies and gathering high numbers of friends. They use it for finding businesses and what the business is about. If your mobile social media sites aren’t active and up to date, listing all the benefits of your business, you could be missing out.


Keep your social media active by consistently posting and making access to your information easy.


Everything from hours of business, to payments accepted to press releases and special offers should be just a social media click away. And remember, the more people that follow and like you are apt to share your posts as well as let their “friends” know about you.


Fast Company reports that 93% of marketers use social media for business. It’s fast and affordable and has taken the place of print and other marketing strategies.


No matter what it is that you want your customers to know – use social media. Those small things, like mobile payment options, can be the deal breakers and the deal makers.


Don’t lose a customer because they can’t find what they want on social media. Win them!


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Published on November 23, 2013 17:33

November 22, 2013

No Option Marketing: 7 Mandatory Steps to Push Your Online Store into Profitability

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Marketing makes businesses happen. While most entrepreneurs might not really like the thought of persuading complete strangers for a “buy in” – whether it’s ideas, products, or services – it’s mandatory for commerce.


Marketing was, is, and will always be the engine of trade. As such, no level or type of entrepreneurship is possible without marketing. When it comes to online businesses, plenty of other channels add up to the basket of channels already necessary for running your business. If you are thinking of starting and running an online store, here are some mandatory steps to push your online business into profitability:


Get a Personality before you do Marketing


It’s important to get this out in the open right away: don’t market your ecommerce store without a personality. Be associated with a certain color scheme. Let your copy communicate a certain persona. Make sure that you stay consistent in your communications.


It’s easy enough to get an idea for how mission or vision statements might look like from Shopify University, for instance. That’s not what you’ll sweat on, though. You’d instead make sure that you let these predictive statements wedge into this personality that you create. What you say, what you mean, and how you look or sound is linear. How strong your brand grows depends on your personality and businesses also have personalities.


The Blog


should you blog


Every website should have a blog. If you have an ecommerce store, you should, obviously, blog. Express your thoughts about news, trends, and information relevant to your business and/or industry.


Pull out your passion through your words. Let the world meet the real people behind your products or services. Allow your customers to know you well. Slowly, all those posts on your blog will begin to strike a chord. It so happens that commerce has always been about people. With a blog, you’ll bring back the “people” element back into business by creating a community around your business.


Since blogging is mandatory, don’t start one because you should. Every post should have something for your customers to think about, to talk on, and to share with others. They should get something to take away from that post. It’s either that or nothing.


Social Media


If your ecommerce store is where your customers will buy, social media is where they’ll talk about their purchases (or maybe even before they purchase). They’ll express happiness, disappointment, or worry. They’ll recommend (or complain). Social media is where your unsolicited feedback pours in. Customers’ comments, posts, and your responses to every message on social media will determine your social standing. You are being watched, not just followed.


Social media is where the principles of traditional marketing go belly up. What you claim with your landing pages and ads is no match for the general word out there. You could either fight the fire or learn to manage your presence well enough to avoid any sort of bad word about your brand.


Channelized Content


Your blog looks healthy with some well-crafted content and your social media profiles are busy. Yet, your marketing strategy is far from complete.


You’d now have to work on channelized content. By that, we mean creating content for particular channels available online. Videos will move to YouTube and Vimeo. Podcasts will find a home on iTunes, NPR, Endgadget, or wherever it makes sense for you to have a presence on (depending on your business). If you have presentations or slide decks, you’ll need a place such as SlideShare.net. Work on different content pieces meant for different channels (and that’s not exactly the same content that you’ll create for your blog). You may even choose to publish guest posts on platforms, blogs, or online publications that you select.


Email Marketing


Email isn’t out, no matter how much everyone screams over the top about it. Social media is hot but nothing beats the sheer power of email when it comes to nurturing leads, staying in touch with customers, and creating valuable relationships over time. Deploy drip email campaigns with nothing but more value packed and shipped with each email.


You may soft pitch once in a while but the idea is to stay in touch with customers by sharing valuable information and treating customers with respect. While we are at it, make sure you have an easy way for your customers to unsubscribe from your newsletters or email campaigns.


Paid Ads, Internet-wide


paid ads


Today, ecommerce storeowners have plenty of options for paid advertising. You may choose to go as narrow or as broad as you’d like when it comes to unleashing the power of paid advertisements. Combined with new trends and marketing avenues such as retargeting, you’ve a lot to squeeze from every marketing dollar you care to spend.


Stick with the trusty Google AdWords or choose your own Ad network. Deploy retargeting with care and plug in necessary elements such as landing pages, complete with A/B testing, to make sure you know what marketing assets work best. Now that social media networks also have the option of displaying paid advertisements, you can be assertively present across social media networks as much as your budget can allow. For your paid advertisements to work, however, focus on super-refining headlines and ad copy, creating psychology-influenced images/videos, testing and monitoring.


Sponsor your Content


Don’t let your blog posts and other content developed for various channels sit idle. Why make do with what you thought you had when the whole world is still hungry for content?


If your ecommerce store is in the realm of B2B, tap into sponsored updates on LinkedIn. Facebook sponsored updates work best for B2C businesses such as ecommerce stores that deal with apparel, toys, antiques, accessories, fashion, footwear, etc. Twitter works for most businesses as long as you can share relevant information and keep the conversations going. Sponsored updates are the best thing after sliced bread.


Your content just got the ticket for leverage.


Running your ecommerce business is challenging already. The thought of marketing online shouldn’t be a cause for unnecessary overwhelm. There are only so many ways to get your marketing right.


How many of these ways of online marketing are you really pouring your soul into? How has the experience of marketing online been for you so far?


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Published on November 22, 2013 10:58