Social Media

Twitter List Management

September 14, 2011 by Paul Kortman 1 Comment

There are a lot of twitter list tools out there (see links below) but today’s post will focus on the basics of Twitter List Management, how to create, edit, and use twitter lists. For some of you who’ve already created a twitter list and know how to add/remove people skip down to the Advanced tools section.

Why Twitter List Management?

There is only so much data one can consume in a day. With twitter there are reasons you may need or want to follow accounts that you don’t actually want to read their content on a regular basis. You really have two options, ignore the content they are posting, or add everyone else to a list and just watch that list.

Add an iFrame Facebook custom Tab

February 11, 2011 by Paul Kortman 153 Comments

Yesterday Facebook announced some major changes to Facebook Pages. A Quick hit list of some of the things that changed:

Page layouts now appear like the new profile layouts (pictures at top, “tabs” in the left column under pic)
Admins can be publicly displayed
Page Admins can comment on public users timeline and other pages’ walls
Lighbox for Picture viewing
FBML is going away March 11. Welcome iFrames

This post is aimed at the non developer (or dare I say the web developer not familiar with developing on Facebook) in an effort to give the bare minimum of what is needed to get your first custom “tab” via iframe deployed.

Define Serial Entrepreneur

January 20, 2011 by Paul Kortman 10 Comments

How many companies does it take to make a serial entrepreneur?

In my last post I introduced the idea of a bulk club buying software, my partner and I took that idea to Startup Weekend West Michigan. A team of 13 was formed and viola we were off to the races. 50 hours (24 programming hours) later and we had a functioning website, brand, name, and realization of market viability. [Read more…] about Define Serial Entrepreneur

Social Media Infographic

November 11, 2010 by Paul Kortman 2 Comments

Checkout this Social Media Inforgraphic from Flowtown. (Click the image to view better size)

I noticed two problems for this Social Media Infographic:

This is data from April 2010, released in November of 2010. In the realm of Social Media and Marketing this infographic might as well be based on data from the 1980’s. I’d love to see how people are using Social Media for 2011.
9% of people plan to increase their investment in … wait for it…. MySpace. Wow, we really need to educate the marketers out there ;)

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. What problems do you see in this Social Media Infographic?

I’m not a Social Media Guru

October 13, 2010 by Paul Kortman 16 Comments

I’m often introduced to people as a Social Media Guru. It drives me crazy, I have never once given myself that title nor have I accepted it. I understand that we humans have to have boxes, or rather labels for everything. From job titles to clothing styles, to even people groups, like digital natives etc. But we can really come up with a better label than Social Media Guru. (Besides I dislike being put in a box, you might call it a postmodern thing.) [Read more…] about I’m not a Social Media Guru

RSS to Email Inbox a Technique for Listening Online

August 31, 2010 by Paul Kortman Leave a Comment

This is a tip or a technique I use everyday to monitor keywords about me and my clients. There are tools which do actual sentiment analysis and all kinds of other listening, but I just want to be reminded to read the conversations.

I also like to keep my inbox small. So I trick myself and have content by keywords delivered to my inbox, that way I’m forced to read it or make a conscious effort to ignore it. Not signing into a listening application can cause problems… unless it delivers emails of conversations.

This technique will focus on listening to twitter, however there are plenty of RSS feeds out there to use this method of “subscribing”

Gathering your RSS Feed

Simply head over to twitter search and type in a query, I’ll use “elephants” as mine… however I recommend you visit the Advanced Search page to develop a better query like “elephants -peanuts -from:Elleph” This will give you this page as a result http://twitter.com/search?q=elephants (or http://twitter.com/search?q=elephants+-peanuts+-from:Elleph) And in reality you can use these URLs in most RSS to Email tools, however I recommend going one step further and locating the actual RSS feed.

In the Twitter Search Results page you should see a link saying “Feed for this query” (as seen in the image below) right click on this link and choose copy link address or link URL. This is the actual RSS feed url that we’ll use in the next step.

Finding an RSS to Email tool

There are a few options, and some have come and gone over the years, so I’ll recommend two searches, and two currently functioning tools. First off, searches:

One of the current tools I use shows up in spot number one for both of those searches… Feed my Inbox. The next sections will explain what to do with each of these tools

Feed My Inbox

Arguably the best tool out there for taking an RSS feed and dumping the results to email, Feed my Inbox makes it quite simple, when you arrive it asks for a feed url (which we got from step one) and your email address, that’s all it needs to start emailing you the tweets you care about. (or blog postings youtube videos etc). You can also login to customize more settings, but the basics are here for you.

Notify.me

Taking the RSS to inbox one step further Notify.me allows you to have it send an SMS, IM or Email. Which is very handy for the more important keywords you want to pay attention to. Once signed in you can turn on and off notifications with a simple click and add feeds by pasting the URL (from above) to add new feeds.

Simple

These are two tools, and one technique that I use on a daily basis to keep me informed of conversations around my keywords… this is how I can appear to be online all day long while actually enjoying a life offline.

Remember, Automate the simple stuff, do the conversations and relationship manually.

Recap of Twitter Strategy for Business 2010 at #grsm

August 30, 2010 by Paul Kortman 4 Comments

The following are the 60 or so tweets I had as my presentation material for a recent talk at GRSM on Twitter Strategy for Business. I would love to post the slideshare of this presentation however it was designed as a presentation via twitter. Many of you have asked how I did it. I could not have done it with out the help of two staff members of ddm marketing & communications who posted each point as I hit it. These tweets are my content, I prewrote them and my staff only filled in 3 or so tweets where I strayed from my pre written notes. I’ve also embedded the video for your viewing pleasure.

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GRSM – Aug. 26th 2010 Paul Kortman Twitter Strategy from Grand Rapids Social Marketing on Vimeo.

Were you there? What did you think? Discuss your thoughts in the comments section below

Presentation Notes as Tweets

Getting setup for #GRSM, follow along at home or from your own laptop at @grcommfound by going here: http://bit.ly/dbXy3K Link to Tweet

Just a couple more minutes until we start the Twitter talk at #grsm, we will be Ustreaming this for those at home, follow @grsm for link Link to Tweet

If you don’t care about live tweeting events, or learning about #twitter use a tool to mute me: http://bit.ly/ahN902 #grsm Link to Tweet

– @joelleo and @imaclurg from @grsm should be thanked (or bought a few beers) for creating #grsm and giving back to the community Link to Tweet

The house is packed! Great Turnout. #grsm Link to Tweet

For those who didn’t get the link earlier, what you see on the big screen can be seen on your screen here: http://bit.ly/dbXy3K #grsm Link to Tweet

Paul Kortman @namtrok is starting an non-traditional presentation, using #twitter as the presentation tool #grsm http://bit.ly/dbXy3K Link to Tweet

This is an experiment in action, we’ve taken the proper safety precautions, but this whole presentation could blow up :) #grsm Link to Tweet

Tweet Grid Link: http://bit.ly/dbXy3K Link to Tweet

I work for @teamddm as dir of Search & Social: We help companies navigate twitter & more on a daily basis #grsm Link to Tweet

Gratuitous plug for @teamddm, did you know we’re hiring? http://bit.ly/1q7JX Search & Social, CSS, Proj Mgmt & more #grsm (plz RT) Link to Tweet

I believe that #twitter is an infrastructure like the power grid. You can use it for whatever purpose. Thus, twitter as a preso tool #grsm Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: top= Marketing Strategy, second tier includes Advertising Strategy, PR, Sales, Trad Media, Web Strategy #grsm Link to Tweet

Everything you do should be driven by objectives which come from a strategy, this includes all SocMed, but especially Twitter #grsm Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: Whiteboard pic, Marketing Strategy http://twitpic.com/2i1cls #grsm Link to Tweet

Under Web strategy (Tier 3 of Pyramid of Strategy) is Conversion Strategy, Content Strategy, and Social Media Strategy #grsm Link to Tweet

Ever thought about a conversion strategy for your website? What are you trying to get your users to do? How does it help your biz? #grsm Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: Tier 4 under SocMed Strat: Blog, Facebook, Twitter, 4Sq, Tumblr, Flickr, YouTube, <–All are Strategies #grsm Link to Tweet

Question for you to ponder: What are you doing with your web presence? #GRSM Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: Whiteboard pic, Web/Social Strategy http://twitpic.com/2i1co3 #grsm Link to Tweet

And finally Tier 5 under Twitter Strategy – Listen, Objectives, Voice, Content Strat, Follower Strategy, Integration Strat, & Tools #grsm Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: Whiteboard pic, Twitter Strategy http://twitpic.com/2i1cql #grsm Link to Tweet

Pyramid of Strategy: Whiteboard pic, Whole Pyramid: http://twitpic.com/2i1cjm #grsm Link to Tweet

I’m going to skip over Listen as a strategy, all I’ll say is you’ve got to listen first. I’m assuming you are or have done this. #grsm Link to Tweet

Objectives flow from Marketing Strategy all the way down to Twitter Strategy, are you selling hammers? or pimping a non-profit #grsm Link to Tweet

Example Objectives for Twitter Strategy: Sell Tickets, brand awareness, buzz generation, Publicity prep, customer support and more #grsm Link to Tweet

Example Objective: Product Awareness, focus around a topic like better eyesight, this drives content and follower strategy too. #grsm Link to Tweet

Easter Egg: http://bit.ly/bCHsxF #grsm Link to Tweet

Voice was covered last year http://bit.ly/936nOi Personal/Person, Person behind the brand, & the brand #grsm What is your voice on Twitter? Link to Tweet

New thoughts or ideas on voice for twitter strategy? #grsm Are you going to be hip, stale, conversational, self-focused or what? Link to Tweet

How many retweets, original content, replies, and marketing are you going to post? #grsm Link to Tweet

I recommend: 40% original content, 40% other’s content and 20% (or less) ads/marketing speak #grsm Link to Tweet

Social Media is a multidirectional platform. DO NOT be 100% marketing, or 100% one-way. Dialog, Dialog, Dialog. #grsm Link to Tweet
Want to know how to create content that will “go viral” or at a minimum get retweeted? checkout @danzarrella now working for @hubspot #grsm Link to Tweet

Questions to ask in a content strategy: ratios, do you RT? Content scheduled? Editorial Calendar? What value are you offering? #grsm Link to Tweet

So many brands get it so wrong with 90% marketing speak 10% “hey i’m going to talk to someone” #grsm Link to Tweet

Editorial calendars help plan what you’re going to say on Twitter… it’s not bad to plan #grsm Link to Tweet

We all want Followers, but you’ve got to have the right followers, total numbers mean nothing if they are not in your target market #grsm Link to Tweet

Tools to help in building follower base: @followerwonk, @socialoomph, @tweepsearch, @PeopleBrowsr, @twittersearch, & more #grsm Link to Tweet

Automation can only do so much, the old school methods still work the best, hand following, @ replying and unfollowing non followers #grsm Link to Tweet

It is really hard to follow 100 people manually…. use tools #grsm Link to Tweet

Some clients have taken > year to break the 1,000 follower mark, others have broken 2,000 in 6 months. Depends on target Audience #grsm Link to Tweet

Easter Egg: http://bit.ly/crDDGm #grsm Link to Tweet

It’s not about the follower number, it’s about reach, dialog, and engagement of followers. Success is not measured in follower count #grsm Link to Tweet
If success were measured by follower count @ladygaga should be today’s speaker, > 5 Million followers and less than 500 tweets #grsm Link to Tweet

Key in Follower Strategy: find the right accounts to follow through keyword/topic/geo-based searches, like “Venture Capitalist” #grsm Link to Tweet

Also possible to do a contest, give-aways based on hashtag, dialog, or following. <– These are more difficult to gain adoption #grsm Link to Tweet

Contests to gain followers work well if you have a large base of engaged followers already or can engage influencers #grsm Link to Tweet
Short and Simple what other social networks are you going to integrate to your twitter presence? #grsm – this is your integration strategy Link to Tweet

Example integrations: YouTube, Blog, RSS feed, Delicious, Feed Reader, Facebook, Tumblr, Posterous, 4sq, flickr, linkedin, etc #grsm Link to Tweet

Choose your integration wisely #grsm Link to Tweet

Be careful with Integration of other SocMed content as they can be annoying, and they can mess up, automation is not always best #grsm Link to Tweet

You have to have a strategy with what tools you are going to use. Don’t use a tool just cause the twitterati use it. #grsm Link to Tweet
Too many tools to mention, but @oneforty from @pistachio has the best collection and review, I often find new tools there. #grsm Link to Tweet

I use @tweetgrid @tweetdeck @tweetie @twitter (iPhone) @echophone @cotweet @hootsuite @friendorfollow @klout @twitterfeed & others #grsm Link to Tweet

Don’t forget listening tools: @scoutlabs @radian6, @AlterianSM2, @socialmention Automate the easy stuff, spend your time on dialog #grsm Link to Tweet
New Features: Followed by http://twitpic.com/2i0qm9 U both Follow http://twitpic.com/2i0qri Suggestions 4U http://twitpic.com/2i0qws #grsm Link to Tweet

For important topics, create an RSS feed and drop it in your email so you’re notified when your topic comes up #grsm Link to Tweet

Take an afternoon once a quarter and evaluate your strategy #grsm Link to Tweet

Can you remember twitter without replies?? #grsm Link to Tweet
Freebie: Twitter Lists: http://bit.ly/bXY76B #grsm Link to Tweet
Because of Twitter and sms people’s lives were saved in last years Chilean earthquake. ISPs/web access down but sms was up #grsm Link to Tweet
Thanks for listening, reading, tweeting, asking questions and all, please feel free to ask questions here #grsm or on #twitter! Link to Tweet

Thanks to @danielbkimball and @imeghanp from @teamddm for being the wizards behind the curtain! #grsm Link to Tweet

And thanks to @GRCommFound for making space for #grsm and other learning/non-profit events. Link to Tweet

Sorry there will be no slidedeck to download :) but you can search for #grsm and find all of these tweets (for a week) https://twitter.com/search?q=from:namtrok+grsm Link to Tweet
Thanks for participating!! Did you enjoy the experiment? Lets carry on the conversation on #twitter #grsm Link to Tweet

Wow that’s a long outline

There is a lot to say about twitter and business!