Facebook's Instant Personalization: An Ode to Bobby Brown

I've had several emails regarding Facebook's "Social Plugins" and "Instant Personalization".  Several of you have expressed concerns with Facebook sharing your information.  While I am usually one of the first to jump on the security bandwagon, I have yet to find this all that troublesome, and - in fact - I have enjoyed it.

First "Social Plugins"

From Facebook:  Social plugins are simple tools that can be "dropped" into any website to provide people with personalized and social experiences. Using social plugins, websites everywhere can give you more ways to experience the web with your friends--from letting you form connections on these sites with your favorite movies or restaurants to showing you the most popular content based on what is being shared among your friends. Rather than seeing popular stories, products or reviews from people you don't know, you'll now see content that matters to you the most--from your friends--displayed prominently.

Social plugins include:

- "Like" or "Recommend" buttons: Click to publicly share and connect with content you find interesting.
- Activity Feed: What your friends are liking, commenting on or sharing on a site.
- Recommendations: Most liked content among your friends on a site.

And "Instant Personalization":

From Facebook:  How does instant personalization work on websites participating in the pilot program?

We have established a small pilot program with an exclusive set of partners—currently yelp.com, Microsoft Docs.com, and pandora.com—to offer a personalized experience as soon as you visit. These partners have been given access to public information on Facebook (e.g., names, friend lists and interests and likes) to personalize your experience.

When you first visit any of these three partner sites while logged into Facebook, you’ll see a blue bar appear at the top of the site letting you know that your experience is being personalized. You can choose to learn more, remove the personalized experience or click "x" to remove the bar. If you don't want your experience personalized on these limited number of sites, you can opt out by clicking here. You can also navigate there by going to 'Account' -> 'Privacy settings' -> 'Applications and Websites' -> 'Instant Personalization Pilot Program'

So, I visit a website which has a Facebook social plugin.  My information - name, pictures, contact information, etc - is not shared with the company.  Instead what is happening is Facebook has a feature on their site.  Facebook is connecting with your account, and Facebook personalizes your experience for you on the site you are visiting.  So the personalization is by Facebook, through Facebook, with Facebook - a site you've already published all your information, pictures, and strange thoughts on anyway. 

Or ... I'm logged into Facebook (and for it to work, I have to actually be "logged into" Facebook) and then also open another window to visit a site that has the instant personalization feature.  A notice that "instant personalization is on" will appear, and I can either let it personalize or I can opt to turn it off.  In this situation, I'm in charge, and my information is being shared only with a site that I have chosen to visit while logged into Facebook.   

If you trust Facebook with your 3AM musings, why not trust them to make recommendations on sites you have chosen to visit.  It's that simple.  

However, "if ego trips aren't [your] thing," and you're still concerned with the new "Instant Personalization," I have attached Samuel Axon's article to help you disable the feature.

Of course, I also reserve the right to turn it off if I find it doesn't do what I expect it to do, because - as Bobby Brown would say - "That's my prerogative."





Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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NFL Draft Coverage at www.EveryMorningQB.com

www.nfl.com

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week, I'm working with www.EveryMorningQB.com on their NFL draft coverage.  If you are a fan of professional football, please join us for pick by pick analysis of the players taken in this year's 2010 Draft.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Podcasting - Part Deux

www.everythingusb.com

Is podcasting social media?  No.  By its very name, social media implies that there is an element of connection - or, well, being social.  However, the purpose of podcasting is to enhance your product, website, etc. by adding a different medium for information delivery.   If you are setting yourself apart from the competition, a podcast can allow your prospective clients and current customers the opportunity to experience you or your organization with more depth.  Through an audio or video podcast, the site visitor is given insight into the sights, sounds, voices, etc. that surround your business.

The uniqueness of you, your office, your work, your product on a podcast helps to create branding and - if memorable - will help to differentiate you from others.  No matter what the learning preference of the viewer, the more ways and more times a person is presented with information, the more information will be retained.  A visual learner will find value and impact from the addition of a video podcast.  The audio learner will retain information provided from both video and audio podcasts.  But no matter who is looking at your page or site, the use of a podcast will add a new and superior level of engagement.

What's stopping you?  Feel you have a voice for silent pictures?  Think you have a face for radio?  We all have insecurities that make us second guess our abilities or our features; however, your clients and potential clients are more interested in the story of what sets you apart more than picking you apart.  So make a YouTube video and link to it.  Embed it in your website.  Capture your audience with a little extra flair, and your viewers will feel a little more connected with you, and connectivity is what social media is all about.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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That Sweet, Sweet Sound

Depth, dimension, daring, dynamic:  words we would all love to see if someone was describing our written work.  We want to engage the person reading our pages, tweets, feeds, blogs, etc.  We want people to be interested and to come back again.


The fact remains, however, that in our current, fast food, fast paced, instant gratification demanding society, people want things that grab them, pull them in, and capture their attention.  So our typed words need support. Social media is famous for its "links".  I use them all the time to either tie into another source or to reiterate a point.  Links liven up text and support comments.


Photos give that slight edge with the "picture that says 1,000 words" concept.  The right picture gives a brief visual description of your content and can either turn someone on to your writing or turn them away.  

http://www.musicwarehouseonline.com.au

So what's the next step?  Podcasting.  It's the way to bring your social media up a level.  Audio podcasts can be added to the majority of social media sights to give a different angle to your work.  Having the ability to connect with your audience through the use of your voice or audio can enhance the presentation and allow for engagement with a population who may generally shy away from those with more written content.  

So get ready - tomorrow, we take an in-depth look at putting more media in our social media with podcasts.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Mario Armstrong on Location-Based Programs

www.marioarmstrong.com

This week, Mario Armstrong spoke to CNN about location-based programs such as Foursquare, Gowalla, and Loopt, which we have recently been discussing.  View it here.


Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Article to Be Featured in Impaired Driving Update

We are pleased to announce and article by Social Media and the Pea will appear in an upcoming quarterly addition of Civic Research Institute's Impaired Driving Update.  Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming article which will be out in the fall.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Podcasting: Tavin on Rhett and Link

I will be doing some discussing of podcasting and its impact on social media later this week; however, to start the discussion, I would like to introduce you to Tavin.  He was interviewed by Rhett and Link a couple of years ago during a podcast.

Having known Tavin for more than a decade, I encourage you to enjoy him as well.  However, I would also encourage you to learn from him by truly taking it all in.





http://sweetteafilms.com/

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Is Social Media Necessary?

www.searchenginejournal.com

Today I received the question, "It's (Social Media) necessary, isn't it? It's a must?"


My short response was, "The key is the word 'Media'.  It should be viewed as something for the public.  It is a must.  It's how the world is going to get reached for either Jesus or porn.  It can be used for the greater good or the greater destruction.  It's a medium for great connectivity or great isolation.  I choose to use it to be a better marketer.  Better friend.  Better family member.  I use it to reach people I would not, did not, and could not connect with before both professionally and personally.  It can be a time suck or a time releaser.  It's all about the mindset, intention, and purpose."


I have seen postings from multiple friends on tools like Facebook that he/she needs to take a break from the application because it is taking up too much time, distracts him/her, causes isolation, etc. In that case, I would certainly encourage the user to walk away and prioritize appropriately.  Anything that takes away from your true purpose or your true enjoyment is a negative.  In my opinion relationships and purpose are the main priorities for most in life.  If something is taking away from positive relationships and a sense of purpose, cut it off and move on.  


Could the use of social media be restructured in the lives of these individuals to play a better role?  In my opinion, yes.  But possibly he/she would need to step away from social media to rethink it and determine how to use it more effectively.  Social media can be used to share, educate, motivate, encourage, join, and develop.  If I have a skill or a talent, if I have knowledge, I can use social media to connect with others and share with them.  I can learn from them.  I can develop and enhance relationships with family, friends, coworkers, customers, and the community.  My company can learn about its clientele, tell them about new products, get feedback, promote new opportunities, etc.


Case in point.  I have discussed, in previous blogs, because it's been a current topic in the news, about NFL players and social media. Santonio Holmes, an NFL player, posts on Twitter.  He posts that fans don't sign his paychecks so they shouldn't have an opinion about his behavior.  He posts that a fan should kill himself because of a posted opinion.  He posts that he's going to go smoke weed.  Then this player, who was a Superbowl MVP only 14 months ago, gets traded to another team for a fifth round draft pick (for those of you not into football - that's an insult), and it's all over sports news that a four game suspension is going to be handed down shortly regarding drug use (how'd they get word of that, I wonder).  Why is this happening to him?  Why is he under scrutiny?  Because he failed to think about the fact that what he was doing on Twitter was marketing, and he did it badly.  

On the other hand is a player named Chad Ochocinco.  He tweets daily.  He tweets about the products he's endorsing.  Tweets about his career.  Tweets about the weather.  Tweets about movies.  Tweets about his training, his team, and how much he likes his fans and his coworkers.  Tweets about businesses he likes and frequents.  And what happens?  He makes more money through sponsor deals and sales.  He creates fan loyalty.  He creates team loyalty.  Difference?  Someone taught him about marketing.  Someone told him that you never know who's paying attention.  Someone taught him that he could use Facebook, Twitter, Skype... social media to benefit him if he used it correctly.

Do you and I have that kind of access to as many people?  Probably not, but the fact remains we never know who's paying attention, where it could lead, or what it might lead to.  How will we use it?  For good?  For bad?  For noteworthy or for wasting time?  It all depends on perspective.  

How will you use social media?  It has a direct result on not only how you feel about it, but how others feel about you.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
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So Why Foursquare and Gowalla?

The question was posed to me this week, "Why do you use Foursquare and Gowalla? Is there a benefit?"  


Answering honestly, I replied, "I originally thought it would be a friend/social networking tool."  The concept of seeing where my friends are, what they are up to, what they think of various places, etc. is another way to connect and share interests.  

comedyshirts.co.uk

After giving it additional thought, I realized, "However, I use both Foursquare and Gowalla more for the tips and feedback.  I have more of a relationship with a couple of businesses now because they were interested in knowing whom was taking the time to participate."  Businesses are using these applications to learn about their customer base:  why do people go there initially, and what keeps them coming back.  And then some go the step farther to use the apps to learn more about their customers as people and to reward them for their loyalty.  


If the old business philosophy of "it takes three new clients to compensate for the cost of losing one current customer", then establishing and maintaining brand loyalty is not only a benefit to the organization and the customer both - it is a necessary symbiotic pairing.  The customer needs to feel appreciated, and, especially in today's economy, the organization needs the customer to return again and again.


So the benefit is networking and knowledge. I participate as a consumer because it identifies me as a loyalist and gives insight to my true likes without having to wear a badge or t-shirt advertising my favorite places, and my hang-outs don't have to hope against hope that I'll fill out a comment card on my way out the door.


Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
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"And It's Outta Here"

www.nytimes.com

Welcome to the season opening of Major League Baseball.  Baseball fans meet your unknown hero - Txtstation - who will be bringing social media and baseball together beginning this season.  In true social media fashion, fans will be able to interact with each other and their team.  Currently it seems only New York Mets' fans will have the initial benefit; however, as social media continues to penetrate society, we can certainly expect to see it hit a homerun in a stadium near us soon.

According to the Springwise website, the new Mets' features will include:  uploading fan camera phone photos, polls, and communication opportunities.  The more any organization, MLB not excluded, can engage their customers, or in this case - fans, and make them feel a part of the experience, the greater the customer loyalty.  Sports fanatics are generally a loyal bunch, and Mets fans are known to be faithful without the additional gimmicks; therefore, it would certainly be a safe place to roll out such a technology.

Social media's most important role is to bring people with similar interest together.  Organizations capitalize on social media by using it to connect with their customers and potential customers.  The Mets have not only found a way to do both but their fans are going to only get more excited when they get to see themselves and their texts on the JumboTron® during the game.  Bring on the 7th Inning Stretch and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"




Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Oh Golly: Gowalla

In my expressing of my love for the social application Foursquare, I have been told I am missing out on the social impact of Foursquare's closest competitor, Gowalla.  A GPS-based locator program as well- this time straight from the promised land of Texas - Gowalla, allows friends to connect and share information about spots and locations all over the nation in exchange for game pieces and honors.

After starting to play the Gowalla game, it seems the main focus of Gowalla is just that - to act as a game bringing friends together for the purposes of true socialization at hotspots and establishments.  Additionally, unlike the more self rewarding Foursquare, Gowalla is a game of give and take where players can leave game pieces at locations for others to pick up and add to their stash (although, it seems the most coveted of the pieces are rarely left behind).

In the news last week, Gowalla announced a partnership with the New Jersey Nets:  those checking in at the Bobcats' game on April 12th and who find the mystery Nets game piece/item are eligible to win pairs of Nets tickets - a game within a game which has true fans raving online.  Additionally, Gowalla has also participated in fundraisers such as "Check In For Haiti", again showing they are more than just a social media site for social gamers but are wanting to be part of the give and take of real life.

Further proving I need to spend more time developing my relationship with Gowalla is their "best site in the Mobile category" SXSW Web Award from March.  So as I go through my days this upcoming week, I will be "Gowalla"ing to see what else I've been missing out on. 

"The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas":  let's see if Gowalla really does bring that same Texas' style oomph to the table both here, there, and everywhere.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
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Dennis Crowley, Co-Founder of Foursquare

http://denniscrowley.com/

I received some feedback today via Twitter that some of you would like to learn more about Foursquare.  While the video is a few months out of date and many of the "changes" that are discussed have been put into play already, I would like to share the following video with you starring the Co-Founder of Foursquare, Dennis Crowley.




Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
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Foursquare: Not Just for the School Yard Any More

For those of you not yet familiar with Foursquare, it's a social media site connecting both friends and businesses.  The concept is a GPS-based locator system which you log into letting your friends - and the business you are visiting - know you are in "X" establishment.  By creating a Foursquare account and inviting friends, colleagues, and associates to join, you can share your interests and opinions about locations you visit.  The location benefits by getting your feedback on the experience and learning how often you visit them.  

So let's say I'm in the mood for an onion bagel with garlic cream cheese.  When I walk into Einstein Bros.®, I use my smart phone, text message, or computer (via WiFi) and use the "check in" feature.  Now my friends and Einstein Bros.® both know I'm there.  I can also post the information on my Facebook and Twitter account in case my friends are not currently logged into their Foursquare application.  The concept is friends can meet up with each other - if interested, learn about your experience at that location, and get tips for having their own successful experience there.  The business or location can read your feedback, can learn their loyal customers are, and how often they visit.

Privacy settings on the Foursquare website allow you to control who sees your information, what information they can see, and what user name you send out to protect your anonymity.  Just as with everything, knowing the people you are sending and accepting invitations from helps to keep you safe as you are out and about.

In addition to being a networking tool, Foursquare acts as a game for those of you, like me, who enjoy extra instant gratification.  Each time you "check in" at a location you earn points.  Points can be accumulated for going somewhere new, revisiting places, adding "tips", going somewhere for the first time that day, going to a near by business running a Foursquare special, etc.  Points earned and tips/comments entered equal the opportunity to earn "badges" that post to your profile.  You can even become the "Mayor" of a location by being the person to check in the most times at a specific place within two months, but watch out - that can be snagged from you quickly.  I would know:  I've not been a Mayor for more than one day.  It's tough competition.

My newest goal:  The Starbucks' Barista Badge.  In his posting "Starbucks and Foursquare", B. Nelson recently announced that by checking into five different Starbucks, this new badge will be added to your Foursquare profile.  Additionally, Starbucks is encouraging its fans to add tips to Foursquare about what makes the experience at that location unique or enjoyable.  

Businesses can also use the application to help build customer loyalty.  Businesses can track how often you check in at their location and give special offers, coupons, etc. as a way to reward frequent visitors and purchasers.  Since a successful business must keep current customers and add new customers, Foursquare not only markets to individuals and draws them in by offering points for a new visit, it allows the company to make a connection with their returning customers adding a sense of relationship and appreciation.  

So now not only does my Barista know my name and smile and greet me, but if she's off so might the other person at the register.  And when my friends are driving by, they can come by and see me too.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
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P.R. Means Public Relations Not Publicly Ridiculous: AKA You're Doing It Wrong

When the week started, I was unaware that I was going to spend most of my midweek focused on football or especially on Pittsburgh Steeler Santonio Holmes.  However, when you put the target on your forehead, I would hope you'd expect to keep getting it between the eyes.

So today, I would like to openly tell Mr. Holmes, "You are doing it wrong."

As I discussed yesterday, Twitter is a fabulous tool for self promoting.  Look at Chad (the football player formerly known as Johnson) Ochocinco.  He's got it.  Ochocinco uses Facebook and Twitter to show he's one of the people:  someone who shops at Claire's for bling, eats at McDonalds, and likes video games.  We relate to him because he's just a dad who has a job - a well paying, high profile job - but outside of that, he's the kind of person you want to kick it at David's Cafe with on a Tuesday morning.  Don't like Chad?  Then it's probably because he's a Bengal and your team's a rival or because his on-field antics are flamboyant.  However, it's not his Tweeting, his Facebooking, his iPhone App, his DWTS Paso Doble, his OCNN sports reporting, or his off the field behavior that upset you.  And it seems that because of his excellent social media skills, he's getting endorsements from the big boys - shoes and phones.  He's done well listening to Marcee Tidwell and moved into the world of "the four jewels of the celebrity endorsement dollar."

Santonio, are you working on getting an endorsement from Bill's Bail Bonds?

Now, we've talked about the correct way - let's discuss the exact opposite which would be Santonio Holmes.  Revisit:  accused of assault, telling someone via Twitter to commit suicide.  Today:  tell the world, via Twitter, that you want to smoke a joint.  Fabulous, especially when you've been charged with that before.  If the intention was to be funny, this would be day two of questionable humor.  If the intention was to be serious, why Tweet that publicly?  The NFL has a policy against drug use.  So do parents, schools, the police, and the government.  Say what you will, "time to wake and bake" doesn't refer to biscuits, muffins, or bagels, so why would some already in hot water want to bring more negative attention on?  It seems that the ramifications of his participation in social media are not being thought through and that he may be missing the operative second word:  "media".

I have a suggestion, send all of your Tweets to your lawyer and have them "proofed" before you post.  Hire a social media or public relations person to do the Tweeting on your behalf.  Or Tweet on the current weather conditions.  Please, Mr. Holmes, self censor.  Read your comments from the view point of your second grade teacher and ask - would she approve?  Whatever you need to do to avoid being the target of my blog and many others, please do it.  As long as you are the poster child for "you are doing it wrong", you'll be viewed as publicly ridiculous.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at
http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.