Category Archives: Hashtags

How To: Benefit From Social TV

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There are a number of things in the social space I’m looking forward to in 2012. One of them is the further integration of old and new media, particularly in the burgeoning field of Social TV. I remember when it was applauded by MIT as one of the top emerging technologies. Two years later, we’ve seen it move rapidly to the front of industry conversation.

Last year, Gavin Purcell from Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, explained on a SXSW panel how Social TV can work, and work well. The online world is incredibly diverse in terms of its users, and the range of platform choices we increasingly have. Oprah Winfrey, Ricki Lake and other tech-savvy stars have used as many tools as possible to identify their target audience, which helps tremendously with content. (In the interest of full disclosure, I am a part of the new media team of bloggers for Ricki Lake, who is launching her show this fall on a Social TV platform).

Image Courtesy of the Lorange Institute

Make no mistake: Social TV is here to stay, and will continue to evolve as companies figure out how to measure activity, and appeal to a wide variety of demographics. The launch of apple’s much buzzed about television, or iTV, will only increase the chatter, and accelerate innovation. As Alicia Elder wrote eloquently wrote last December, when it comes to Social TV, it’s about sharing and discovery. Here are a few things people should remember, and practice, to make sure their approach fits in with this “sharing and discovery” model:

(1)   Connect Shows With All Aspects of Social Media – This is crucial. Twitter is great not only for feedback, but to find groups that may identify with your message. The best way to do this is through the use of hashtags. And don’t be afraid to think bigger…imagine using Foursquare for a road trip you send two fans on to promote your show; GooglePlus for a live, on-air opening of a business on the block; or Pinterest as you chat with fashion designers about their new collections, and so on. Facebook, Chime.in. Use all of it. Whatever platform is hot, you need to have a presence on it. Leave no stone unturned.
(2)   Communicate with Online Fans and Supporters – Why set up a social entity if you are not going to talk with the people who support your operation and identify with your values? This is about finding ways to reach the true advocates, the people who believe in your brand. When they see that there is a concerted effort to listen to them, they become your staunch defenders. “Digital listening” is essential.
(3)   Bring Your Audience into the Decision-Making Process – If there is a pilot show in the works, or topic you want addressed, it is smart to ask for advice. You’re essentially giving your audience “part ownership” of the content. When someone sees a person they respect asking for help in social media, there is almost an immediate response. When filmmaker Kim Sherell and journalist Betty Nguyen engage their audience this way, I see nothing but positive results.
Simply put, there will be an explosion of excitement and anticipation as Social TV evolves. Success in the arena will depend heavily on creative content, and (direct) creative engagement with your audience.

My Support of Blogger Aaron Lee’s "Scheduled Tweets"

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For some time, “programmed tweets” or “scheduled tweets” have been a controversial topic. We’ve mainly heard the voices of people who advocate against them. They argue that its not real, and that its like “talking to a computer”. I don’t agree with these assertions, so imagine how overjoyed I was to see a true Twitter giant like Aaron Lee admit on his blog that he sometimes programs his tweets.

Some of my Twitter favs like Flipbooks, 2cre8, TechZader, TrendyDC and Ruhani Rabin do it – and do it well. I sometimes do it too, and for all of the reasons Aaron Lee eloquently presents. He arguably penned one of the best social media posts I’ve read all year. Reading it got me thinking: why would someone say programmed tweets do not represent “authenticity” and are “fake”?

People will continue to have their views on the matter. I just ask that people understand that the process of “programmed tweets” is a 4-Step process (and that the computer actually does the easiest part). Seriously. Here we go:

1. The Search for the Tweet: Humans do this. I try to maintain a dynamic and diverse feed, so I’ll look for tweets on travel, tech, music, health, comedy, politics, social media, sustainability, charity, etc. I look far and wide.

2. The Construction (or “look”) of the Tweet: Humans do this. If I find something on a website and want to tweet it, I may add hashtags, and, possibly my own stamp of approval on the subject matter with words like “hot” or “must read”. If I’m retweeting someone, I have to figure out if I want to use “via” or “RT” – the two most popular ways of identifying a retweet.


3. The Scheduling of the Tweet: Humans do this. I might want to space my tweets, so I’ll have a quote to start the hour, another quote 7-10 minutes later, and then a link. Two hours later, I may want to promote one of my Twitter lists, and in the process promote two names on the list as reasons to follow the list. And then 10 minutes later, I may do two links back to back. In other words, I am in complete control over the time.

4. The “Tweeting of the Tweet” itself: Computers do this…because humans allow it. This is the easiest part of the process. Period.

So why is this controversial? Because you’re not sitting in front of your computer pushing the “tweet” button? To me, its a non-issue. I have good friends who strongly disagree with me. And that’s cool. But I schedule my tweets during the time I sleep -which happens to be the time a lot of my friends in Asia, Europe and Africa are awake, or beginning their day. I love connecting with people all over the planet, and I have ambitions and dreams that make occasional “programmed tweets” a necessity.

My post won’t convince everyone, but I am happy Aaron Lee has given voice and reason to the argument on other side of the issue.

Bravo!

Why I Will NEVER Give Up Twitter’s Follow Friday

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You read that title right. I will never stop participating in the long Twitter tradition of Follow Friday. Lately, there has been a push in many quarters to shut down the practice altogether. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I love it because it allows me to be creative. I use lots of Twitter Keys to enhance my tweets: smiling faces, arrows, hearts, stars, and of course hashtags. It has never ceased being fun.

I do understand the concern that many have voiced. Many now view Follow Friday as “spammy” because many just put lots of names in a tweet. There is a point to this criticism. People should be more creative and targeted in their Follow Friday tweets. Yes, this is true.

But at the end of the day, I’m not going to tell someone how to construct their tweets. I’ll show them how I do it. If asked, I’ll even give advice. But for many, it’s simply harmless fun. And one must remember: its a recommendation, a stamp of approval, if you will, for all that are fortunate to be included.

I suspect that Follow Friday will continue, as Twitter itself evolves and matures even more. It should always be apart of the fabric of the Twitter-verse!