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Screenr

-by James Roughton

I just found this nice on-line video recording software called screenr (Screenr).  There are no downloads required and you can record on your PC or Mac.  You can also play your videos anywhere on the web and also on your iPhone.

You can record a 5 min video and then post it directly to Twitter.  No editing required.  Basically, you can record anything that you see on the screen.

There is a 1 min tutorial on the front page of the site that will provide you a great overview.  The nice thing about it is that the site will store your videos and when someone clicks on your Twitter posting, they will be linked to screenr and will be able to see your posted video.

You can follow me on Twitter @ jamesroughton or safeday

Watching out for you, one tweet at a time.. -TwitterWatchDog

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Follow Skeeter Hansen @SkeeterHansen

Follow Your Pal Al Ferretti @AlFerretti

I have been blogging for many years. I believe this year will conclude as my 6th year blogging. Believe me, it has changed quite a bit. More tools have changed to be more community oriented as the content pulls in people who want to continue on the topics through whatever comment system has been integrated. Bloggers went from hard coding plain HTML or simple php sites without comments, to using simple outside comment resources like Haloscan (haloscan), and then finally to blog platforms like WordPress (wordpress), and many others. Bloggers now use social network sites like Twitter and other sites to push their content to the masses. However, I have been finding that there are people pushing their content in a manner that may detract from their own site.

Examples: Read the rest of this entry »

FTC: How will it affect Twitter and Advertising

Recently, CNN covered FTC targets bloggers, celebrities along with many other media organizations. Basically this rule extends to the internet including bloggers and social networkers (along with celebrities) or just anyone who endorses a product. This is not just an endorsement, but one that involves a monetary exchange.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants anyone endorsing a product for monetary gain to disclose what companies they are working with to ensure the integrity of the product. With the undeniably fast growth of social networks like Twitter and Facebook, as an example, users are turning to monetizing their streams.

Paid to tweet companies like Be-A-Magpie, Sponsored Tweets, and more have popped up in the last year alone. With some tweeps with more than 10,000 followers, these applications allow users to choose what advertisements to tweet. These tweets, if done tastefully are unobtrusive. Already most of those sites require some type of disclosure to allow users to know. For example, perhaps you might have seen #ad, #sponsored, or “my sponsor…” or something similar to those examples.

(Note: The paid to tweet sites listed above are not an endorsement, but an example and have no affiliate links tied to them to give any gain to anyone.)

It is important to disclose tweets that endorse products because it allows the user to keep an honest front with followers, as well as an honest front for the company and the product being represented. However, as the CNN article listed above mentions – the FTC may go after advertisers first before bloggers and social network users so the companies will make sure to provide instructions for product reviewers or even Tweeps to adhere to the disclosure compliances.

How will this affect Twitter and advertising? Well, it would just mean that companies like Be A Magpie and Sponsored tweets will continue to make sure some type of disclosure is issued with each tweet by their users. This will also drive away companies that are seeking less honest ways to advertising products that are questionable. Also, tweeps will now know exactly what is being endorsed.

What do you think of the FTC’s new policy? Do you pay to tweet sometimes? If so, do you use some type of disclosure?

Social Media is often turned over to techies or juniors in the marketing dept.

-Follow @Lois Geller on Twitter

It seems like many of our clients have enlisted newbies in the organization to handle social media.

Probably they do this because young people understand the new technology, text messaging, so they’d be a likely pick.

The challenge with this is that these interns and juniors often aren’t aware of the company’s brand and how to get it across to clients and prospects. They are usually not salespeople, either.

Probably the most effective people I meet on Tweeter are people who know how to naturally develop relationships. People who ask questions, and jump in to help people who ask for it.

You build relationships on Twitter the same way you build friendships, by giving information first, by noticing something about someone, “Oh, you’re from Saskatoon?” and finding those things in common that we enjoy in each other.

I’d be interested in your thought’s, so don’t forget to leave me a comment.

Luis Geller’s websites include: Joy of Direct Marketing and The Guts Of A Burglar

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Follow Skeeter Hansen @SkeeterHansen

Follow Your Pal Al Ferretti @AlFerretti

What Is Your Social Plan of Attack?

When working with businesses on putting together a social media campaign, I often find that the number one issue that they face is simply just being too “confused.”

What I mean by that is, many of these businesses have the intelligence, determination, money, employees and plan of action to bring together a strong social media campaign. However, what they all seem to lack is a solid plan on who actually is going to what, and when they are going to roll out their campaign. Read the rest of this entry »

How To Throw A Killer TweetUp

Have you ever wondered what your Tweeps are like in real life (IRL)?  Ever wondered if they really look like their avatars?   Why not host a TweetUp!  No matter where you live or what you do there are others on Twitter nearby and there’s nothing quite like meeting your favorite Tweeps in real life (IRL).    Just ask @RobinWalker or @MisterNoodle…I hugged them when I met them at a TweetUp.  Besides hugs you may also find job leads, sales leads, new connections, and folks with whom you can barter entrepreneurial services…I know I did.  So what’s stopping you? 

Here are 7 tips for hosting a successful TweetUp in your neck of the woods:

1. Select the Venue -  Choose a location that’s central and easy to navigate.   Find a spot with plenty of standing room as well as seating for those with “barking dogs”.  Convenient parking and/or public transportation is key.  Free WiFi is a consideration if the event is in the morning or midday when Tweeps are tethered to their laptops.  Be sure to talk to the owner/manager of the establishment prior to the event for their blessing and possible sponsorship.  Make sure you visit the venue before publicizing the event.

2. Choose the Date - These days it seems there are local social media events every night of the week.  Try your best to avoid scheduling conflicts.  Run some dates by a few of your local Tweeps before committing.

3. Tweet it Up -Spread the word via Twitter.  Invite local celebs, Twitter Elite, bloggers, entrepreneurs.  Use www.twtvite.com or www.meetup.com to collect RSVPs and share more details than a single tweet allows.

4. Invite the Media – Contact your community newspapers, business mags, etc via phone, email, or Twitter.  Tweet your local TV anchors and invite them to attend.  You may be pleasantly surprised at the attention you receive.

5. Feed the Tweeps - Find a Sponsor or see if your venue will “throw in” some food for your hungry mob.  Even if Tweeps have to pay for food individually make sure it’s available. If it’s an after-work event no-one’s probably eaten since lunch.  Fed Tweeps are happy Tweeps!

6. Wear Nametags - Not everyone is great at remembering names.  Providing nametags will save Tweeps from possible discomfort and/or embarrassment. Be sure to use 3M nametags (Yes splurge.  The adhesive will stick to all fabrics and the backing comes off easily).  Consider bringing sharpies in various colors, pens, a sign-in book (notebook, guestbook, sheets of paper, etc), a fishbowl for biz cards, and a stack of your own cards.

7.  Have Fun! - No matter how many or how few, how hot or how rainy, enjoy yourself and your TweetUp guests. Expect hugs!

So start planning your next TweetUp today…your future awaits!

Additional Tips or Questions?  Please Comment below.

Thanks to Flickr and RevMike88 for the use of the photo.

Thanks to Al and Skeeter.

An EXTRA SPECIAL thanks goes to my Napertweetup co-host @foiledcupcakes !

Follow Kim Redd on Twitter