3 posts tagged “social networking”
Facebook launched their third-party developer applications at the end of May and if you haven't gotten in to check them out, you really should. While a bit buggy there are some real gems in there that are set to take advantage of social networking and bump it up from the "what's my friend doing" focus to a more "how do I get my friends involved" focus.
While it's early yet several stand out:
- The CAUSE Application: Connect to any non-profit, put it on your profile and use it to not only invite your friends, but also donate! It tracks your invitations and the donors. There's some interesting debate going on in the dicussion topic on the Facebook group about how much of the donation is used for admin expenses, however I believe that the overall good and reach to access individuals is worth it. Uses Project Agape. Here's their pitch,
Make a difference, on Facebook. Causes on Facebook lets you start and join the causes you care about. Donations to causes can benefit over a million registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Learn more about Project Agape: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/about Have questions? We've got answers: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/help If you are a nonprofit that would like to work directly with us, please e-mail Randall Winston at randall@project-agape.com
The OBAMA Application: Connect directly to the Obama campaign. The only presidential candidate (so far) to use an application (note some controversy over this one which you can read about at techPresident) that not only puts a video and news feed on your profile, but even tells you which of your friends is located in an "early decision state" and lists them, with information on whether or not they are already an Obama supporter and a direct link to message them to tell them about Obama!
What I like about these applications is the fact that they move beyond the general options of music players and people ratings and shift the focus to even more involvement. Many applications are sure to follow with the masses deciding which will survive and which ones won't. Seems to me though, that this is an evolution in social networking which is going to have a big impact on those who which to reach specific demographics with a message -- whether it is a sales pitch or a call to some type of service.
It will be interesting to see which ones win out in this 18-23 heavy world.
Perhaps this is the way that younger Americans will engage in the political process...we'll certainly find out!
Ok, so it's clear that MY idea of timely is um...well...NON-EXISTANT!! There has GOT to be a better way to get this blogging done. Yeah...a direct link to my brain maybe? More hours in the day?
sigh...
Oh well. So it's time to look at some more books. I've got to figure out what to use for my Exploring Marketing class next Fall. This is a GREAT class where I bring together all the marketing majors into ONE room...and we do marketing stuff. Another one of those classes where the traditional textbook just does NOT work. Here's what I'm trying to decide between:
So the focus of the course is to have students fully explore the marketing field, so the Vault Career Guide makes a lot of sense. At the same time, I want to shake them up. Get them thinking. Make them take a look at this potential career choice and understand what it means and what it really is. Most students just think that Marketing = Advertising. It doesn't. We have to teach them that...what better way then some great case studies, or a book that basically shows that if you don't focus your efforts your marketing will suck? Stay-tuned to find out what I decided!
Switching the subject DRASTICALLY...
Social Networking. You already know how I feel about it. I really believe that it is going to be a big part of marketing -- of connecting with your customer and getting to know them...of building relationships. It's a wave that is only now just getting off the ground. I have both a Facebook and a MySpace page and I use them to connect with students.
And now I'm using Facebook to connect with recently ACCEPTED students, who, if all goes well, will decide that CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE is the place to come to in the Fall. And, of course, that the MARKETING or the E-BUSINESS MANAGEMENT programs are exactly what they want to be a part of.
What's particularly interesting is that current students and accepted students are using Facebook to connect with one another and to ask questions about the campus. Some current students are jumping in to provide info -- both positive and negative -- and the accepted students are eating it up.
And where is the College's ADMISSIONS department in all of this? Where is the MARKETING department? hmmm...
Actually...I wonder how the Admissions professionals are using social networking?
Rule #1 -- go where where your customers are and communicate with them the way they communicate. Snail mail and e-mail aren't working as much anymore with younger individuals who have found a way to by pass the marketing and get to what is real. Anyway...I'm connecting...so come on by and I'll see you on Facebook!
My theme tonight is about keeping up. First off, how did almost a month go by since my last posting?? Well it is the life of a professor, student, mom...stuff happens! But that brings to mind the importance of keeping up in the world of Blogs...and how do you do it, and what should you post?
Tonight I have several observations about keeping up. I received an email today from my friends at EPIKONE, a local SEO and Web Analytics firm located in Williston, VT. The biz has been ROCK'N this week according to Paul who wrote:
There have been some major deals involving some of the largest mobile carriers and website in the U.S. in the last
3 weeks.Check these out, things are developing very quickly,,,,
MySpace Heading to Cingular Phones
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/12/06/myspace-heading-to-cingular-phones/First YouTube, Now Revver on Verizon Wireless
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/11/30/first-youtube-now-revver-on-verizon-wireless/Ad Targeting for Mobile Web Raises Privacy Concerns
http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/11/27/ad-targeting-for-mobile-web-raises-privacy-concerns/
Moving QUICKLY?? Ok...that's an understatement Paul! The power of social networking on the mobile phone. Video on the mobile phone. Ads on the mobile phone. It's not too hard to see where we are heading...just check out Japan and how they are using their phones! Barcode and coupon scanning with your cell phone from a magazine ad can imbed a coupon on your cell so you can use it at a store. Colleges are now launching opt-in SMS messaging for students so they can sign up for news and information.
So I'm working on keeping up thanks to others in the field and will be bringing all of this to my classes -- including our online classes in Social Networking and Online Visibility in the Spring Semester. With articles like the above listed, my reading will change often and since classes don't start for another month...WHO knows what we'll be reading!
