Social search engine integration is an inevitable evolution in the social world.Google Labs has launched their Google Social Search which displays results from your friend’s Twitter, blogs, Flickr and many other social network feeds. Results are displayed at the bottom of the Google search page but limited to people in your social circle who have connected their social accounts with their Google profile. You may join this experiment at Google Labs .
Ever the rival Microsoft announced deals with Twitter and Facebook to add social updates in Bing.
This kind of integration is an inevitable evolution in the social world. The question is which of the two will be the dominant tyrannosaurus and who will end up as lunch?
Another nail in the coffin for newspapers as Google launches Fast Flip the new way to flick quickly through current headlines.
Currently to be found in Google Labs this is a great way page through snapshot items faster than sending the dog down to the local newsagent to pick up your copy of the Daily Read. We’ve been playing with it in the studio this morning and we’re pretty impressed. There are multiple ways of searching categorised news feeds by popularity, sections, topics and sources etc. You are presented with large images which you may scroll through and click to read the original article. This visual viewing experience kind of replicates the way you would naturally read through a magazine.There are even mobile apps for the iPhone and Android devices.
Google’s Flippin Fantastic News App
Looking at the news sources I guess the newspapers have resigned themselves to partner with Google to present their content. Good on them. No doubt they are continuing to look for new ways to monetise their offering online. I wonder how long it will be before other papers and magazines offer content through Fast Flip?
Look out for how Google develop this app. I would think they are already thinking about adding social book marking with the ability for content and source customisation and localisation. It would be good if there was an audio link which read the article to you.
I came across this video through Twitter yesterday and it really is an eye opener. Recently at Flare we seem to be introducing clients into expanding their marketing horizons. Most of the time it means starting at the basics to bring them out of the dark ages and see exactly what’s going on around them. The education starts with what do them know about social networking the standard answer is ’I've heard of Facebook and heard something about Twitter’. If we’re lucky then they may even have a Facebook account. The next stage is to explain why and how they should begin to use the multitude of social media channels that are out there. They usually follow up with it’s not something we need. My reply is to show them what their competitors are doing right now. It’s a bit of a no brainer – you either do or die.
I thought this video really gives clear statistical data as to the scale of what’s happening and I will now be showing it to those who need educating…enjoy:
Social media marketing has brought about an increase in the arsenal of marketing tools which are now available to savvy business owners. Web designers should be encouraging companies to look at new techniques for website promotion through social interaction which could help them raise awareness, increase sales and drive response. This is not to save that you should just go hell for leather and sign up to all the latest trends in social networking. There are so many to choose from that it can end up being spread too thin if not managed as carefully as you would with any other marketing campaign. It really does take time to research, create an effective social networking strategy and engage in the right networking communities, sites, blogs etc.
Ultimately you need to think ‘what do I wish to achieve from incorporating social networking into my marketing campaigns?’
Do you have a website that you would like to promote?
Do you wish to meet other like-minded people sharing the same interests?
Do you wish to boost company sales or create a profitable internet business?
Do you monetize your site’s popularity & traffic?
Do you make announcements which an ever eager audience would love to hear?
Do you take advantage of any niche online community websites?
When participating in social networking groups, be careful to not over indulge on self-advertising. This is frowned upon and generally not good form. The object is to participate in the forums and comment on blogs – take part, join in…get socially connected. It will take time and effort to gain the attention you are looking for which ultimately will help deliver more traffic and enquires on your website.
Small businesses and SMEs can take advantage of social networking websites which does make good business sense. It may be time to review your marketing strategies, shake down the traditional campaigns in Yellow Pages and trade magazines. Before you sign up again, look at where your sales are coming from. Are they really working? Is it time to look at new methods of marketing? You’ll be surprised how some time; planning and a little effort can help you capitalize on this popular trend.
