What We Are Reading

What We’re Reading | Week of October 10th

October 13, 2011 | Posted by FSC Interactive

As usual, our top picks for reads this week are interesting, diverse and cover a wide gamut of topics. This week’s reads brought us everything from how to better use Instagram to the Dalai Lama using Google+ Hangouts to Labor Talks in Detroit and everything in between. If it happened in Social Media or Online Marketing, we read about it and here are our favorites from the week:

Ashley: Anyone who has run a successful Social Media campaign knows that pictures are worth a thousand Likes – Consumers crave a visual component to your brand and leveraging this can help you increase customer engagement. It’s no surprise that companies are beginning to explore the wonderful world of Instagram. The mobile app allows users to take photos and apply simple filters that transform them into powerful images. The app functions like a social network where other users can share and comment on your photos, creating another atmosphere where brands can connect with their customers. And like all social media platforms, some brands are using Instagram better than others. Fast Company helps you navigate the Instagram terrain with 5 Tips On Using Instagram To Delight Your Customers.

McKenzie: What is the value of a Facebook fan?  Are they all created equal?  Does more fans mean a better Facebook page and a better brand? Every business with a Facebook page has different value to the end user and most have different ways they measure success.  So do Fans – their value, what they want to get out of their experience and how they measure what business Page is doing well and who isn’t.  This article gives great insight into the Facebook Fan and how they can vary and what exactly their value may or may not be to a Page.

Burke: Things To Look For In WordPress 3.3 Beta 1 – WordPress has developed from a blogging tool into a powerful CMS that has great built-in features for SEO and online marketing.  A new version, WordPress 3.3, will soon arrive, and there are a lot of new features, especially in the admin dashboard section.

Kristin: Google+ Hangouts Get Pious- And Allow Old Friends to Cross Political Borders - Hands down the cutest, most heart-warming news in search engine and social media news this week, was the Google+ Hangout held by longtime friends, the Dalai Lama and retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu.  When the South African government refused to allow the Dalai Lama to travel to the country for the 80th birthday of his friend, a Google+ Hangout brought the two together to celebrate.

Sally: Labor Talks in Detroit Go Social – Social media is knocking down long-standing communication walls once again. A Sunday Times article reports that American auto workers for companies like Ford, Chrysler and General Motors are now privy to new labor deals and contracts because of Facebook and Twitter that they were hitherto never aware of. This is creating unprecedented efficiency in making negotiations and awareness among workers and public investors who are now able to directly ask questions and receive prompt responses from bargaining teams. For example, Ford posted their contract on Facebook which resulted in 500 comments questioning parts of the contract. Moderators worked to answer all the questions, some within minutes.

Noelle: I think we need some time apart, it’s not me, it’s you – Talk about a title that grabs your attention. This article had me immediately invested and didn’t disappoint.  Discussing how brands use social media, Solis argues too many companies are focused on what they think they should be doing and less on the wants and needs of their audience. If brands want to build real, meaningful relationships they need more than just the initial spark. The parody between online business practices and intimate real-life relationships is all too similar.

Brooke: Get Bold! That’s the message Sandy Carter, IBM’s VP of (get this) Social Business Evangelism, sends to businesses interested in upping the ante on their social business initiatives. In this article from Forbes, Sandy sits down for a Q & A on How to Build a Social Business. A ‘Social Business’ as she defines is a company that goes beyond ownership of  a Facebook or Twitter page, “It’s an organization that uses social networking tools fluently to communicate with people inside and outside the company.” Here at FSC we couldn’t agree more, check out our Social Media Study Hall for Small Business.

Andy: How are Leading Non-Profits Using Social Media? Just because you’re not selling something or offering free goods, doesn’t mean you can’t have a successful social media campaign. Often times, I’ve encountered hesitation from Non-Profits about entering the Social Media world because they’re afraid of  being seen as doing nothing but asking for money and they are nervous about not gaining any kind of following. To that, I say look at this! Founder of Craigslist, Craig Newmark, recently released an infographic detailing the use of social media by leading nonprofit organizations. And, it’s awesome.