Why it is Worth While to Take a Social Media Course

   I am very excited to share with you my experiences taking a social media marketing course at Central Connecticut State University. I enrolled in "MKT-350" taught by Dr. Chiang and was quite pleased with the outcome. I thought I knew quite a lot about social media marketing, but I learned much more during this course. What I got most out of the course was the meaning behind the four zones of social media marketing.

   The first zone is Social Community, which involved socializing and conversing with others in the social media community. This can be through online forum discussions, chat rooms, and Facebook groups. The second zone is Social Publishing. This involves anyone online publishing their ideas, studies, tips, and other information on their pages or on publishing sites like Blogger and Tumblr. When content is posted, others can comment and provide feedback . The third zone is Social Commerce. This zone involves the buying, selling, trading, and product reviews involved in making online purchases. Sites like Amazon and Ebay are great social commerce sites. People are allowed to rate and review products and sellers. Also, companies can interact with their followers, customers, or potential customers on sites like Facebook or Twitter when dealing their products. Lastly, the fourth zone is Social Entertainment. This zone involves interactive videos, video gaming, music, and art. Videos and other multimedia content dominates this zone, and is currently dominating social media. YouTube users can post content and others can provide feedback (the user can also reply).

   I also appreciated being exposed to other social media marketing engines that I wasn't very knowledgable of, like Parascope, FameBit, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Now I feel more comfortable using those engines as great social media marketing tools for myself or professional needs.

   This is why I recommend taking a social media marketing course at your local college. It is way worth the investment. Even if you don't own a business or are a part of marketing in your occupation; you can still use the social media tools to market yourself. I've also used the social media marketing techniques to sell some of my used belongings on forums. I learned from the Social Commerce zone when the best times to sell products are, and when people are most likely online viewing the content. With that said, over time I would be able to make my money back on the investment just by using social media marketing to sell products.

   For more information and to be a part of a great social community follow:

#CCSUMKT

Video Dominates Social Media in 2015!

 

   A recent study done by the large networking company, Cisco, revealed that Video will account for over 80-percent of social media traffic by 2019! This means that most of the content that will be shared will be in the form of a video or other multimedia formats like slide shows or GIF files.

   What does this mean?

   Social media platforms that are video dominant like YouTube, Vine, Instagram, and Parascope will see quite some success in the coming years. Just in the first ten days of its launch, Parascope nabbed a million users worldwide. This is because live streaming is becoming the next big thing, and more investors are looking into live-streaming companies to put their money in. People want to see what is happening currently, so they can become a part of the experience. No more waiting for videos to be edited and screen played. People want the real thing, and they want to be able to interact with what is playing.

   This relates to social media marketing because more and more companies will now be posting video content online for its followers. This includes other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. This can be in the form of product tests, new innovative commercials, trailers, and teasers. Only a few companies like BMW have tried live video streaming in promoting its products; but that is just a start of what it is to come.

Follow more here! http://www.cnet.com/news/watch-this-video-dominates-social-media-in-2015/

FameBit Can Make You Money!

  
   Founded in 2013 by David Kierzowski and Agnes Kozera; FameBit is an online marketplace where the company connects people to brands. These people come in the form of social influencers that need to have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers or followers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or Vine. These brands also are some of the top brands in the world, including: Fiji Water, GameFly, Marvel, and much more.

   FameBit acts as the "middle man" between social influencers and top brands. In essence, FameBit finds the people, hires them, and brands come to FameBit for their services. Once FameBit connects a brand to one its people, then FameBit takes a step back and lets the brand and social influencer collaborate. FameBit also collects a 20% commission on each video produced for that company. The social influencer gets paid the rest of the 80% paid by the company. Social influencers can expect to make $2,000-30,000 a month off of FameBit.

   One aspect of FameBit that strikes me as interesting is that the videos created don't have to be positive reviews - just honest reviews. Also, the person creating the video doesn't even have to like the product. This goes to show that the media produced is incentivized and companies are taking a paid media approach. Companies take advantage of the large social communities of these social influencers to market its products. Social influencers can do this in the form of unboxing reviews, product tests, giveaways, sweepstakes, and other interactive media techniques. Companies appreciate the social feedback and reviews in order to continuously improve its products. I know if I had the resources, I would use this service as a social influencer.

Follow more about this topic with this link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/12/05/like-post-videos-and-photos-social-media-famebit-can-make-you-money/76838794/

Online Forum Communities can Provide Better Deals Than Black Friday or Cyber Monday!

   Throughout the years, I've been involved in many online forum discussions that differ in a wide array of interests. A forum is an online community where people start threads and others can comment or engage in discussions by creating posts within that thread. People on forums can ask questions to others, showcase their interests to the community, notify others of major events happening within the topic of the forum, or even better yet - buy, sell, and trade!

    The essence of buying, selling, and trading on forums leads me to the meat and potatoes of this blog topic. After experiencing a disappointing Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year, I've come to realize that I can find even better deals through online forums! Better yet, year round! I've been testing the waters using online forums this year for Christmas shopping and so far have found tremendous deals that I couldn't find on Black Friday. For an example, my father is huge into aquariums and fish keeping. I went onto Simply Discus and other fish forums and found that people are selling their private stock at very discounted rates! A tropical fish that would normally cost $20 can be found for $10 or even $5 (50%-75% off!). Sometimes if lucky, some people give stuff away for free because they are moving or just want to get rid of it!

   In essence, if you thought the e-commerce sites like Amazon or Ebay were going to take over Black Friday and Cyber Monday this year you are mistaken. Try a few forums like FlyerTalk, Dogster, and PBNation, and some Facebook pages! and you will see the difference in prices people around the community are finding. Most sales are conducted privately between you and the seller. Payments are made through trusted sites like PayPal or Google Wallet where they cover the buyer and seller. If you don't trust a certain buyer, most forums provide feedback ratings under the seller's username. Also, buyers can reach out to the community to ask if they've dealt with that seller before so they can written feedback on the seller. Although there are a ton of scammers out there, knowing the ins and outs while trusting your gut can make you very successful on online forums both buying and selling.

E-Commerce Sites Primed to Break Sales Records During this Holiday Season.

   During this holiday season, especially Black Friday and Cyber Monday, e-Commerce sites are set to break records in sales. According to Rebecca Borison, writer on TheStreet, researchers at Forrester expects online holiday shopping to exceed $95 billion this year.

   While some companies like Amazon are staying quiet during promotions this season, other companies like Ebay are ramping up promotions bigger than they did before. But, according to Jim Cramer, another writer on TheStreet, he believes with all the hype Ebay is having - that Amazon is going to steal the show this year. This is due to their strong business model and patented 1-click purchasing option.

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce makes up 7.4% total retail sales for the year but that number is constantly growing (up .2% from the previous quarter). Rebecca Borison explains the reason for this is due to the increase in smart phone use. Now, shoppers don't have to be present for the time-crunching deals. They can still be involved in the promotion while not being present.

   This topic tackles another one of the four zones in online communities - social commerce. Amazon and Ebay expects to see a boost in ratings and reviews this holiday season due to the increase in online purchases. In essence, this holiday season can set the tone for new products entering the market. Word of mouse spreads like wildfire, especially during the holiday season. In essence, if a company (or sellers) experiences a high number of positive reviews this season - it can be a fantastic base to start off with entering the new year. These reviews can act as social proof that the seller is legit, making buyers more confident in making the decision to buy.

Follow more on this story with this link:

http://www.thestreet.com/story/13366693/1/e-commerce-sales-are-set-to-hit-new-records-on-cyber-monday-and-black-friday.html?puc=TSMKTWATCH&cm_ven=TSMKTWATCH

ooVoo now Allows Users to Video Chat as 3D Characters!

   Let's talk about a once rapid growing social media tool now gone stagnant - ooVoo. Remember when Skype and Face Time came along and video chats where the next big thing? Well, ooVoo was in that mix and became very popular amongst young adults who didn't have an iPhone or Skype account.

   Before I get into the latest news on ooVoo, lets shed some light on the company for those who don't know. ooVoo is a video calling tool that allows users to communicate via video on cell phones that don't have the Face Time feature. Think of ooVoo as the more fun way to video chat that Skype doesn't offer. People with Androids and Windows Phones can now enjoy the same benefits as Face Time while now being able to make it more interactive.

   ooVoo has now enabled users to choose the option of becoming a character on the screen instead of their normal selves. With this option, users can choose to become a dog, unicorn, sunflower, or even Obama! There are also other options to choose from as well. Here's the fun part: These 3D characters communicate the same way you do! So if you are sad, the character looks sad and speaks (with lips moving) the same way you do. If you are mad, the character looks the same way. This cool new feature allows users to brighten up the mood and make conversations fun again.

   With this update, ooVoo expects its user base to grow by strengthening its levels of participation.

   This news update really digs deep into the first of the four zones of online communities, which is social community. This app allows users to use directed communication in a cool, new, and truly innovative way. This is one of the first instances that the social media realm has used face recognition on 3D characters as a way to communicate. While video calling may be the new "standard" of social media moving forward, ooVoo plans to take it to the next level.

Follow more on this story with this link:

http://androidcommunity.com/oovoo-adds-animated-3d-characters-to-mobile-video-calls-20151106/

Pinterest Catching up with Twitter in Total Active Users

   Who would have thought Pinterest would get this big - catching up with Twitter, part of the three headed monster dominating social media use (Facebook and Instagram the other two). Compared to Twitter's 304 million active monthly users, Pinterest is reaching 100 million active users for the first time. As we all know with social media, if Pinterest catches fire it can reach Twitter in active users within months.
   Pinterest is a content sharing social media tool that allows users to share what they find online to their followers. This can be in the form of news, promotions, coupons, cool tips, and anything else imaginable. When a user pins an item of interest, followers can click on those pins and be directed to the same cool reason why the user pinned it in the first place. This is a great social media tool for marketers because it opens the door for the opportunity of earned media in its products. Earned media is the promotion of a product without the company having to pay or direct the advertising. An example of this with Pinterest is a user pinning a sale promotion at Macy's without Macy's company having influence on the pin. Macy's sale promotion "earned" the pin without having to reach out for promotional help. Macy's just had earned media in this blog post just by me using the company as an example.
   Social media marketers can also use Pinterest to connect with a community of users interested in what's new with the company. Companies can pin online promotions, coupons, and sneak peaks of new products all with a few clicks or touches. If used correctly, loyal fans will spread the word and also post the same pin on their walls for their followers to view. If a consumer as a very active fan base, one pin has the potential to catch wildfire within the active users of Pinterest. Companies can also earn revenue off these pins, due to clicking on the pin of course, without having to pay for the Pinterest account (only those who monitor it). All-in-all, any content sharing social media tool, like Pinterest, can be a big boost in marketing for companies if used effectively.

Follow more on this story with this link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pinterest-monthly-active-users_55fae532e4b08820d917a7b3?utm_hp_ref=pinterest
  

Cell Phone Screen Recording Apps vs Snapchat

   With over 30 million active users, Snapchat boasts a unique social media tool that allows its users to communicate with videos, photos, and text without having to worry about the material being on the internet forever. Users have the option to set their messages to auto-delete between 1 and 10 seconds or 24 hours. After that time span, the messages are gone and no users are capable of digging up those messages again (unless you're Snapchat or the FBI, of course). Hence, the ghost on its logos. This adds a whole new dimension to security that all of the other social media platforms do not have.

Not so fast...

   News just surfaced that App companies have found a way to derail Snapchat's unique privacy software (by having messages delete) in order to allow users to secretively save Snapchat messages forever. According to Damon Beres on Huffington Post Technology, an app called AZ Screen Recorder - No Root allows users to record the activity on their cell phone screens and save it in its memory as a video. This application can be found on the Google Play Store for free. So, all of those ugly selfies and provocative videos can be secretly saved by a slick user on the other end.


   Although the App is not well known, it's out there. I don't believe that this will completely take Snapchat out of business, but if more news surfaces on this topic people may become skeptical. Remember, all content on social media has the potential to become viral. All it takes is one example of how someone used this recording App to be posted on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram in order for the news to leak fast. That will be devastating for Snapchat to bounce back from - even through exhaustive marketing efforts.

   With that said, this news is not meant to scare current or interested Snapchat users, but as a caution to what you post on Snapchat. If used correctly, Snapchat can be a very interesting social media marketing tool.

You can follow this story more on this link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/save-snapchat-video_561e5771e4b028dd7ea5d393

Instagram Creates New Account for the Business Community

 

   On October 14th, 2015, Instagram created an account to showcase the successes of small businesses, ad agencies, and brands. This account is available for the general public at @Instagramforbusiness. Instagram went back to pay respect to those who helped keep the company in business during times of Facebook explosion, YouTube, and Twitter on the rise. Those who helped Instagram were companies like Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream that used the social media platform to advertise. Although the users are the life blood of Instagram, commercial ads are the heart keeping the company alive.

  
   @Instagramforbusiness is a place where businesses can be the first to showcase its newest products and for users to hear it first. Businesses have found more creative ways to advertise on Instagram without making it "look" like an advertisement. Businesses went from advertising on traditional forms of media that incorporated music, text, movement, and scripts. Companies are now limited to just a photo and a small caption in order to promote the products or services in its entirety. For an example, in the picture to the right, Redbull promoted its products through its partnership with NASCAR. Redbull keeps people moving even through the toughest moments, and that is showcased here by putting its content on the back of a NASCAR vehicle. NASCAR is known for its extreme racing, dangerous moments, and endurance of its cars and drivers. That's a very creative way to showcase an energy drink with just a picture. Instagram allows those companies to do so now with this new account. Companies can now hit it home with the consumer all in one social community.

   People in the social community @Instagramforbusiness are now able to share these ads with their followers - strengthening the ad equivalency value through power users. Huge influencers that mention positive opinions about certain ads creates more value for the company's products. This is huge for companies advertising on social media because word of mouse can give companies more than what they bargained for on social media advertisements. Being an aspiring small business owner, I like this move by Instagram. Small businesses need a channel to make big splashes in marketing efforts and Instagram has found a way how.

For more information feel free to refer to this link:

http://marketingland.com/instagram-says-its-for-business-not-just-selfies-with-new-account-146873
 

Facebook to Test "Reaction" Buttons

   Facebook Inc. is set to release a new button, along with the "Like" button, to incorporate reactions like anger, happiness, and love. This new feature is set to be "tested" today to its users in Ireland and Spain.

   Facebook has been trying to figure out ways to compliment the "Like" button for the past view months and this is another idea brought forth to take the place of the "Dislike" button that was proposed. The dislike button stirred up controversy by taking away the "positive" online community that Facebook offers. Facebook decided not pursue that idea and instead came up with the reaction buttons instead.

   The reaction buttons are in testing stages as of today, but if successful, may be incorporated in the social media platform to all its users. As of now, the buttons consist of emojis with certain reactions on each. More reactions may be added later on, but right now users are limited to: love, laughter, happiness, shock, sadness, and anger.

   If successful, this feature is set to bolster Facebook's level of participation in it's online communities. Also, it may cause a wave of new standards of behavior across more social media outlets like Twitter or Instagram. Like all new products features, people will get curious and test them out. It also may attract a new crowd of users that express themselves in ways other than "like".

   I will follow this story closer. For more information you can refer to this link:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/08/facebook-tests-reactions-a-like-button-with-more-emotions/

Using YouTube as a Video Resume

   During my free time outside of school and work, I am involved in the sport of paintball. Just recently, I overheard a local shop owner speak to a player interested in getting exposed to potential teams. At first, I thought to myself, "he would need to play local events and play around when teams practice." To my surprise, that wasn't the case.

   The shop owner mentioned something that I've never thought of during my time of getting exposure: video resumes via YouTube. A recent trend in the paintball community is that players are using YouTube as a paintball resume for prospective teams. Players would post their best footage, mix it up together, add some music and other effects to create something teams can view before making contact.

   After I heard that, I remembered that come high school and college players do that to attract scouts. When connecting that to paintball, I see that it can be very cost effective to create a video resume. Paintball is a very expensive sport. For a player to pay entrance fees and boxes of paint it can add up when playing frequently. So, during the few times a player goes out and plays, they can record themselves to give teams a first person view of the player's performance. With just a little bit of time behind the computer a player can create a video that can be seen by a greater amount of people off the field.

   YouTube is a form of social media that can a great marketing tool if utilized correctly. YouTube can make "nobodies" into stars. For the purposes of this blog, YouTube can be a great marketing tool for potential sports recruits. Not only can one person reach the masses with just one video, IT'S FREE!

Twitter Introduces User Polls: Another Tool eMarketers can use.

   Twitter, a part of the "big three" in social media platforms, has announced a new feature for it's users: user polls. Now, users can create their own polls for their followers to take and track results privately. This move is especially huge for companies because it offers another "free tool" for market researchers to gauge the market. Some view this move as a way of keeping up with Facebook and Google because it's platforms already include poll generation. Twitter, on the other hand, views this move as a way of attracting new users along with it's political donation collection software and button for buying concert tickets.

   Personally, I see this as a copy-cat move in order for Twitter in order to compete with other social media platforms. This looks like a case of, "If you can offer user polls, so can I!" situation. User polls don't necessarily jump off the page as an innovative step in the ever-changing social media movement. I don't expect this new feature to create a lot of buzz, but it is a cool new feature users can use. In my Social Media course at Central Connecticut State University, we talked about ways companies can use feedback from social media to evaluate the market. This tool can finally allow companies to view feedback from a new sample of Twitter users.

   Twitter unveiled this new feature on September 24th 2015 and is currently in operation for Twitter users. A supplemental article is offered below.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-24/twitter-adds-another-new-feature-user-generated-polls