Facebook announces new features

When it comes to Noise filtering, Facebook’s efforts are noticeable. Borrowing concepts, we are already familiar with, from Twitter or Google+, Facebook has advanced them to make Facebook Feeds more relevant to individual users.  The second feature, Tickers, brings back life to real-time conversation. The two features that are recently announced:

News Feed: See What Matters at the Top

The definition of “See what matters” is very crucial – and definitely one that will make this whole hoopla about “Noise Control” and “Relevancy” real. Facebook’s new News Feed feature works around the frequency of a users visit on Facebook. News Feed will deliver more recent news as “top stories” to a frequent Facebook’er. However, it will curate a set of “interesting” content – I assume, posts with photos and videos, and one with more shares+likes+comments – and, make it a part of the top stories for an infrequent visitor.

Ticker: For Real-time Conversations and Updates 

Basically, it means ignore all the “Top Stories” complications as described above, and see all updates as they happen – real time, in a side panel or a “Ticker”. I can see  how it can be useful, addictive, and interesting.

The  sharing control or apps settings allow users to set and adjust their News Feed and Ticker to their own liking.  While, these features are interesting, and have clear difference in how updates will be seen – the initial response from the user base is at best, mixed.

Where is my Post?

The following video is a user’s first reaction to the NewsFeed changes. As it appears, to someone who is not aware of the change, this could be annoying.

Next, we will talk about Google+ a bit. Because, I believe, Search + Social has tremendous power.

Social Edition Release 2.6

With several new upgrades including:

Foursquare, Orkut and WordPress Integration, the release 2.6 is packed with powerful features and capabilities. 

Netflix’s Social Media Strategy – or lack of?

Yesterday, as Netflix brokedown for several of us online viewers, Twitter (with several 100′s of tweets in an instant) became a common platform to vent out the frustration.

As I revisit the ObjectiveMarketer blog again, the first entry in the comeback series has to be this story about Netflix, told via public tweets- in the spirit of Twitter itself! Enjoy; there is a great amount of learnings for the brand out there!

Story begins about 24 hours back. Setting – Couch. Accessories – Laptop, mobile device with twitter app, Netflix Movie controller device (Samsung, xbox, PS3 etc) and a Remote control.

On Search.twitter.com: “Netflix Down”

@SuziDoll: Whyyyy netflix went down!! #netflix i wasnt done watching #roswell !!

@arnoldjaime13: Is Netflix really down?

@caylorb: Is Netflix Instant down for anyone else??

@MasterLeePhD: Netflix goes down temporary and the entirety of America crumbles. #netflix

@asupilot11: Hey @netflix your service is down. Me & a lot of other customers are experiencing some difficulties. Whats going on?

@ColetrainATL: Netflix is down. I seriously get all my breaking news from Twitter

@mcgm: @jabezlebret I’m surprised that @hulu & @netflix dont see the need 2 use#Twitter 4 rapid response when their service is down #fail

@trackris24 Thank god for twitter or else i would never realize netflix is down, and keep trynig to refresh my browser ever minute. lol.

On @Netflix Corporate Twitter Account - Clearly, no clue about what the world is talking about …. 

@Netflix: Suggestions of other “great, underrated” comedies? We’ll RT. RT @jonahray Awesome SAFE MEN is on @netflix instant. Great, underrated comedy

@Netflix: Check out http://om.ly/BMxut & tell us what 2 actors (dead or alive) would you most want to hang out with?

@Netflix: A Royale with cheese, anyone? #PulpFiction is now available to steam from @Netflix. What’s the film’s most memorable quote?

@Netflix: What’s Paul Newman’s best role? RT @VoxLive In case y’all didn’t know @Netflix just unloaded a ton of Paul Newman movies to Instant Watch

On @Netflixhelps Customer Support Twitter Account – 20 hours before this post. There has been no update since then. 

@Netflixhelps: We are aware that some members are experiencing Netflix Site Errors when attempting to load the Netflix websit… (cont)…

Summary:

1. There are several involved users of Netflix Brand

2. Netflix Corporate account on Twitter is dead. It shows no committment to 76,000 + followers. There is no response on the corporate twitter account related to the downtime.

3. Netflixhelps, which has a decent 11,000 followers need a little more than a stale status reminder of the issue. No clarification, no current updates.

There is a clear opportunity for a brand like Netflix to convert passionate users to loyalists, and brand ambassadors. However, as we see from this simple case, as happened yesterday, it is evident that Netflix has no clear social media strategy. They missed the boat this time. They better fix the issues on their software, because Failing S/W + Unresponsive Customer Service = #Fail.

New Year Message from ObjectiveMarketer

Dear Friends,

2010 has been an exciting and foundational year for the Social Web and ObjectiveMarketer. As the year comes to an end, I want to thank –

• All users of ObjectiveMarketer who have helped us build the product that it is today. Our roadmap is 100% customer driven.
• All reviewers of ObjectiveMarketer, who have named us as the most powerful solution in Social Media Management Space, on several occasions, in several forums.
• All the experts, speakers, evangelists, bloggers and thought leaders who have pushed the thinking and made the social a revolution.

I also want to take this time to reiterate our values that made us work every day of 2010 -

Product Innovations
The excitement of my team about what we are building is still so fresh that it makes me feel, we just got started. In 2010 we delivered a lot of innovations in Campaign Planning, Content Distribution, Management of User Interactions and Campaign Result Optimization.

Commitment to Customer Success
Our most enjoyable moments are when we work with our customers and prospects through their case studies and in most cases, their ideas. As thesocial media space evolves, businesses learn new ways to influence and engage with customers, we will work closely in providing the technology and strategic assistance in implementing these ideas.

Lead by the Vision
We made a humble start, when we pioneered Campaign Management Platform for Social Media, in late 2009. And, with our technology, and services, we are dedicated to contribute to the success of social media industry.

As this eventful year draws to a close, we cannot wait to start the New Year with a mission to bring businesses and consumers closer than ever before. In 2011, we will continue our commitment to streamline social media processes to the strategic business goals – with social media accountability and customers success as our key mantras.

I sincerely wish that you and your family enjoy peace and joy during this holiday season.

With warm regards,

Amita Amita Paul
Founder / CEO
ObjectiveMarketer INC
Twitter: @objMarketer
Facebook: ObjectiveMarketer
(650) 587-5185

Fan Page or Website?

Typically, when you are launching a new product or service, you consider starting a new website, or adding a section on your existing site to promote and provide information about the launch. Now, with Facebook Fan Pages, the concept of destination websites are changing. Instead of investing resources in building a website, businesses are finding it easy to create a Fan Page and far more beneficial to leverage the community effects of fan base.

The following question was asked in a Q&A forum to social media expert Guy Kawasaki (Disclosure: Advisor to ObjectiveMarketer):

“I’m a small business entrepreneur, and I’ll be introducing a consumer product soon. Should I create a website for my company or a Facebook fan page?”

Guy Kawasaki responded in detail based off his personal experience of creating a Fan Page for new and coming book Enchantment. In his own words “For you, the bottom line is that if you’re small business owner who is busy, impatient, cheap, picky and realistic (shallowness is optional) and want to ride a tsunami rather than roll your own sand castle, then it’s time to consider a Facebook fan page instead of a free-standing website.”

Now, you may or not agree to all mentioned there, but you will definitely find some key takeaways to help your decision.The complete reasoning for opting for a Fan Page, and the benefits plus words of caution can be found on this American Express Open Forum site “http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/ask-the-wiseguy-facebook-fan-page-or-website-guy-kawasaki“.

We will next cover an interesting topic about the SEO worth of Facebook Pages. Any suggestions, case studies, or related experience – please email info@objectivemarketer.com

How Non-Profits can use Facebook successfully

Using Facebook, Non-Profits can generate Awareness and Raise Funds

While non-profits may not allocate extra funds to stakeholders, charitable organizations still have a bottom line — to spread their message and accomplish their mission. To do this, strategic planning, which includes digital outreach, is involved. That’s why a growing number of non-profits are using social media to draw attention to their goals.

And what better way to start with Facebook, the undisputed leader of the social media space as the medium of choice. It makes sense to create a presence on one of the top five Web sites on the Internet where people are already regularly visiting rather than expecting users to find you.

It serves the need of sensitizing vast sections of the population with the issue your organization holds so close its heart. Help everyone throughout the world be a part of the great cause each of the non profits support and believe in so passionately.

If your nonprofit has video content, podcasts, interviews, or documents just languishing on your desktop, creating a presence on Facebook provides an easy way to upload these types of media, without spending the time or resources required for updating your own Web site.

It can allow organizations to plug into an existing audience of organizations that have opted into similar interest groups. It can also help organizations collaborate, connect easily, and increase their network of volunteer and supporters.

Facebook gives organizations a venue to quickly broadcast a message to a large list without getting blacklisted by an Internet service provider (ISP) or having their message get caught in a spam filter. In addition, the event-posting capabilities allow organizations to advertise upcoming events easily and efficiently.

The top ways to make it work for your non profit:

Inspire Direct Action! : Social-friendly applications Tweet4Good, SixDegrees and even PayPal make accepting on-the-spot donations easy for non-profits and mission-driven organizations. Make it easy for people who want to give, and put one of these tools to use now

Monitor & Engage : Facebook Social Ads tap into the incredible treasure trove of information people publish about themselves. It’s easily the most valuable marketing database on Earth – Microsoft invested $240 million for a 1.6% stake in Facebook. Use a publishing and analytics solution that heps you optimize on the time and frequency of your messages.

Crowd sourcing : Ask your users and leverage on the millions of ideas from the users. Ask for new strategies, ways to raise fund or even a tagline. Build on each other’s creativity in an unpredictably powerful way.

Now that you have kick started your awesome facebook page to support your cause; it’s time for some expert and professional service to truly unleash the power of social media for your organization. We at ObjectiveMarketer have helped Non-Profits like Ashoka.org and many others in their endeavor to increase public awareness and involvement, by using revolutionary social networking solutions to all your social media marketing needs. Sign up now for a Free trial or write to us at info@objectivemarketer.com to find out about the discount rates we offer for Non-Profits and how ObjectiveMarketer can be of service to your non-profit.

Business Plan on a Napkin

“Business Plan on a Paper Napkin” is a very interesting segment of the startup competition organized by women 2.0. In a not-so-common medium (napkin), how do you articulate your business such that the high points are clearly communicated.  It took us more time to find the right set of pens and the paper, than to actually draw the napkin. The concept was very clear – and, the second rev was the final one.

We had to rush to the drop-box (UPS Store in San Mateo) to deposit the napkin by hand – as we had not time to get it post-marked or sent by mail.  The images below show the preparation and the final napkin, with Business Plan presented on it.

Business Plan on a Paper Napkin – Women 2.0 Startup Competition”]

Preparation for Business Plan on a Paper Napkin

 

Business Plan on a Paper Napkin - Women 2.0 Startup Competition

Read more about the women 2.0 pitch contest and the application process here. View the 2 min Video submitted for the application here.

 

2min Video Teaser for Women 2.0 Start up Competition

ObjectiveMarketer is a finalist in the Start-up competition organized by women 2.0.

Featuring, Guy Kawasaki, Susan Bratton, Dave Evans , Marylene Delbourg Delphis and ObjectiveMarketer – this 2 min video was submitted as a part of the application for the women 2.0 startup competition. Check it out and feel free to share!

Read more about the women 2.0 pitch contest and the application process here.

Women 2.0 Startup Competition – ObjectiveMarketer is a finalist!

ObjectiveMarketer was today, announced as a finalist of the Women 2.0 Startup Competition in the Web Applications category.  Amita Paul, Founder of ObjectiveMarketer will be making a presentation for the winning position on Nov 4.  Write to us for special discounts to Women 2.0 Live Pitch Event on Nov 4th – info@objectivemarketer.com

About the Competition

Pitch 2010 Women 2.0 Competition

The 4th Annual PITCH: Women 2.0 Startup Competition was open to early-stage ventures around the world, from high growth business ventures in web to mobile, from cleantech to biotech. A female in the founding team was one of the necessary criterion for the applicants.

The finalists will be making a 5 min pitch to a live audience comprising of  VCs, Angel Investors, Entrepreneurs, Press etc.

The Application Process

The application process included 3 different segments. Each segment required precise explanation of the business as the formats were all limited by words, dimension and time:

1. Application form – entries were focussed on different aspects of business, and each entry was limited to few words.
2. Business Plan on a Paper Napkin –  This is a very interesting segment, where your business plan has to be put on a paper napkin of dimensions 7inX7in.  The last minute hand -delivered submission of the paper napkin at the UPS store women 2.0 drop box was a great high!
3. Pitch Video – A 2-5 minute video of your business, not as an investor pitch, but as a commercial for prospects. It was a great video featuring Guy Kawasaki, Dave Evans, Marylene Delbourg-delphis and Susan Bratton – all high profile celebrities participating in the video, on a short notice – and making a great film of high production quality. Special thanks goes to the video editor, who mixed all the clips – again in a short notice! The video can be seen here.

Pitch Night – Cheer for ObjectiveMarketer

ObjectiveMarketer Presents -Nov 5th

 

The Pitch Night is on Thursday, November 4, 2010 in San Francisco – the biggest Women 2.0 event of the year!

Watch ObjectiveMarketer and the other 8 finalists of the Women 2.0 Startup Competition pitch LIVE and see who wins. You can also vote live to your favorite finalist using your mobile phones. To Cheer ObjectiveMarketer:

Gap Logo Chasing “Likes” – Twitter buzzing with reactions!

Will do it for Free!

Ever since, GAP announced the new logo, Twitter has been buzzing with reactions. Well, of course the immediate first reaction these days, comes from the active and the vocal users, on Twitter. While, the new Logo of GAP is chasing  “likes”, an Ogilvly partner offers to whip up a revamped logo free of charge.

The all so popular logo of Gap and the new version are shown below:

Original and the New GAP Logo

So, what do you think? Let us know @objMarketer.