While Twitter continues to be the buzz across the land, even Twitter doesn’t fully understand how it is changing the face of communication and interaction across the world. I was curious why Twitter was absolutely so slow yesterday but this morning when I logged on to the web version I saw why.

Twitter added the following to the web version:
1. Post Embedded videos
2. Post Embedded photos
3. Retweet (RT) functionality
4. Shorten URL functionality
5. Rollover on profile “followers” – ability to see followers most recent tweets
6. Ability to search your own tweets

These are the only ones I have seen thus far, but the micro-blogging utility has a lot to glean from the many applications that have developed out of its phenomenon. From desktop applications like tweetdeck, iphone apps like tweetie, and even firefox add-ons like tweetthat it seems there is no end to how far developers and marketers can take it.

Here are a few examples of embedded videos:

Embedded images:

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This post is a tribute to a friend who passed away just a few weeks ago and in no way meant to be disrespectful to the life of such a bright spirited individual. The details of her passing don’t need to be mentioned but I found out within hours of her passing from comments posted on her Facebook wall, additional comments and direct messages from friends were sent using Facebook. I was shocked. An event to powerful and influential was being broadcast.

Wow, what an impact this made. Social networking has become more than just a way to get back in touch and stay in touch with friends, colleagues and family within seconds. Until now, it seemed it was just a better way to communicate, play, and interact quickly. And now, without thought before, an additional purpose was added. A living memorial.

As a friend of mine stated, the passing of our friend and the response and news of her death is a “stunning proof point as to how integrated social networking has become in our society.” Her page is now a living memorial. A way for us to tell her how much fun she was and how much she will be missed. A small note to her. What will happen to her profile? Will it continue to live on? Will friends and family visit this page and send notes to her throughout the years when some days are more painful than others? The answer is clear, yes. In the past few weeks people are still posting messages on her wall saying “I missed you today” and continue to tag her in images.

Social networking is nearly and literally a minute by minute update of our lives and in reality when we truly stop to understand what matters – we realize that all the little things and everything in between do not really matter. It is the moment that we are in now and the people we choose to share it with that matters most. Blogging, Social Networking, email, voicemail are all platforms for communication. Creating play by plays of what we are doing at that moment and lifecasting is no less prevalent in death than in life.

A friend of mine confessed that she emailed her dad the night he died – afterwards – even though she knew it would sit in his Inbox forever she said it was strangely comforting to do something so… normal.

Technology, although it may seem cold and sterile, really has given us a platform to reach out and to connect – even if it may be only to say goodbye and feel that sense of closure.

This morning, Liberty Interactive Marketing went to listen to Charlene Li of Groundswell speak on Social Media Strategies.  I’ll highlight a few key takeaways/considerations to social media in this post but first I’ll define Social Media and why all the buzz about it.

What is this Social Media thing?
I like to define it as utilizing social platforms and networks to connect and share with people who have similar interests, needs, wants, etc. as you do. Some of the most popular social platforms and social networks are Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, StumbleUpon, and MySpace.

Why is there so much buzz around using Social Media for Marketing and Advertising?
Well, good question. I think the first thing to keep in mind is the strategy behind Social Media is unlike traditional advertising and online advertising.  It has it’s own methods and metrics to define success.  If done correctly, you can create a successful dialogue with consumers to help support their needs and fulfill information voids.  Results can lead to increased loyalty, brand awareness and visibility for your company.   It’s essentially brand building, marketing, and PR all wrapped into one.

A few key takeaways to doing Social Media right:

1. Understand your audience. Who are they, where are they, what are they talking about?
2. Start small. Define a small goal on how to reach your audience. Then have a big lofty one.
3. Define metrics for success and the tools to use. How are you measuring marketing effectiveness now? Understand the metrics for each type of Social Media phase and platform.
4. Give up control. Understand that you must be willing to lose control and listen to what people are saying, learn from them, adjust. Be honest, be helpful, be there!
5. Invest. Understand that you must find the right labor to manage and care for it.  Often times you will be trading media costs for labor costs. Social Media is not free.
6. Respond quickly.
7. Be patient. Be willing to invest long-term and not receive immediate results.
8. Fail and try again. Be willing to try many different things before getting it right (blogs, twitter, forums, Facebook, etc.) and be willing to fail miserably and try again.

Don’t know where to start? Post questions or comments below or call us at 602-275-3935, we’re happy to help.