Advogato blog for skribe

[Infographic] The Psychology of Colour

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 02:40:16 GMT

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A wonderful description of the values we place upon certain colours. It’s interesting to see how different shades can alter our perceptions of the people and the world. Does this mean that the completely colour blind are more reliable in their acumen because they are not swayed by the psychology of colours? At least we now understand why corporate blue is so popular on business websites and logos.

[Video] More Future Concepts by Corning

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 05:43:19 GMT

In April 2011 we featured a video made by Corning demonstrating the future of glass technologies. Well they’ve produced another. This is the expanded version and a very good example of how augmented reality will soon become an integral part of our lives. Exciting stuff.

[Video] The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 07:41:28 GMT

I shared this amazing animated short a few days ago but I feel I sold it short. Nominated for the 84th Academy Awards, this masterpiece has already won numerous awards. It’s an extraordinary work. Fifteen minutes of pure joy and a perfect way to enter the weekend.

[Infographic] The Growth of Social Media

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 02:41:51 GMT

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Have you ever wanted to know in which year Facebook reached its first 100 million registered users? Or when MySpace fell into decline? Or what’s the more popular social networks in Japan? This chart has oodles of information. Memorise it and fame and fortune ~~will~~ might be yours.

[Video] Customer Focus: Making it Happen

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 01:43:37 GMT

Some practical advice from Graham Clark on how to become and remain customer focused in your business. I am particular heartened by his point that customer unfocused businesses are placing too much emphasis on outputs rather than outcomes, something I touched upon with relation to the public relations industry.

I very much like the concept that excellent customer service needs to be system wide, not just point of contact, and that customer focused businesses are relationships based, not looking to slash costs in the name of efficiency. In all, some excellent food for thought.

What do you think? Is your organisation customer focused? How do you do it?

How to Hire a Social Media Manager

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:40:36 GMT

After determining that you need someone to handle your online presence (and you do), the next biggest issue you’re likely to face is how to find a social media manager that is right for your organisation. While it may be tempting to call the least busy Gen-Y member of your staff into your office and inform them that business’ social media is now their responsibility it’s important that you establish a clear digital and social media strategy.

Social media marketing is more than just being a digital rockstar. It takes careful crafting by a trained professional. After all, you’d never let your intern handle your traditional marketing strategy, right? (*shiver*).

Here are few quick pointers on what to look for in order to find the best person to assist you establish and maintain a strong and consistent online presence.

No Experts Allowed

The first thing you need to do is when you’re writing your employment opportunity copy is avoid using the words: guru, expert, rockstar, ninja or similar. Straight off the bat these terms will attract the wrong sort of people.

Social media is all about relationships. There are no experts. Those who claim to be are either lying or severely deluded. A social media manager should know this. They should cringe every time they’re called a guru or expert. After all, if you needed relationship advice would you go to someone that called themselves a ninja psychologist?

Once you start receiving CVs have your HR people check their online credentials. How long have they been sharing thought leadership on their blog? Do they have community management experience? When you search for their name (real or online name) do they at least appear on the first page? How many times?

The people that you’re looking for have a long established history of thought leadership and have maintained a strong and visible online presence for years. Don’t be swayed by the number of followers or fans, remember it is relationships that are important. Who are they talking to and how are they talking? Are they even in contact with other thought leaders and social influencers? If your research shows the top Power Influencers joking with and linking to them then they’re the ideal people you want. It means that they’ve managed to establish a relationship with the most innovative of social media thinkers. That their ideas are valuable to even the most thoughtful of thought leaders.

Understanding the Basics

Examine what they’re saying online. Look at their work history. During interviews. Do you see an understanding of:

Monitoring: Do they have a history of establishing and maintaining monitoring regimes? If you’re not monitoring for conversations beyond your usual area of influence how can you know what people are saying about you? Sometimes the conversation comes to you. Sometimes you must go to the conversation.

Listening: Does your prospective social media strategist understand the difference between listening and monitoring? It is not just enough to find the conversations you must understand what is being said. As with any relationship communication is the key. Listening is essential. Without listening how can you form the correct response? A social media manager needs to understand the difference.

ROI: Do they understand how to measure a social media return on investment (ROI)? It should never be measured in fans or followers. Ideally they should be able to express it in revenues generated or decreased expenses. They should at least understand how to determine a baseline and to extrapolate a monetary ROI. What is the ROI of their past successes?

Finding a social media manager that is able to generate and cultivate an online strategy for your organisation is not difficult. However, you and they need to understand that as with all relationships they take a significant amount of time to germinate and bear fruit. Quick fixes are rarely long-lasting or satisfying for any concerned. Your social media manger needs to understand that social media is like a marriage: a relationship that strengthens over time. One built upon trust, integrity and fidelity.

Slider image courtesy of SocialisBetter.

[Video] Crisis Management and Social Media

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:42:42 GMT

Despite being two-and-a-half years old this video by Professor Coombs provides a very good primer on how to deal with a crisis using social media. All of the Professor’s points are still very valid now, the only difference from 2009, when this video was created, is that there are more people than ever that are using social media and are using it to complain, spread rumours and for activism.

Brands need to be prepared in having a detailed crisis management plan of action. They can no longer afford to thrust their heads in the sand and hope that social media is just a fad.

[Infographic] 2011: You Are What You Tweet

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:39:08 GMT

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The folks at Frugal Dad have compiled a great summary of what we talked about on Twitter last year. In many ways this is the collective consciousness of the social internet. A realtime snapshot of what was important to us in 2011. Some may not find it flattering. Others might find it surprising. But this is us. A collective us. It’s important that we accept that.

[Video] Imaginary Worlds

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:40:56 GMT

After busy Lunar New Year, Republic Day (India) and Australia Day celebrations here’s a chance to unwind and relax. The video above is from the Imaginary Worlds Festival. It features a collection of animated film shorts telling stories set in weird and wonderful universes. Some of the films are a little weird and some are downright crazy, but they are all wonderful. Enjoy.

[Video] Why SOPA is a bad idea

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:38:49 GMT

An awesome TED video that provides a very succinct explanation of why SOPA and PIPA are so horridly bad. These pieces of legislation will be back. They’re only in hiatus until the powers behind them believe the issue has become a unimportant for the public. Eternal vigilance.