Tuvel Communications Blog

April 29, 2010

Marketers: Do You "Like" Facebook's Open Graph?

With last week's pivotal announcement of Facebook's Open Graph, the "one graph to rule them all" as it’s been referred to rather humorously (and yet, at the same time quite ominously), the Interwebs have been all abuzz with talk of how this will affect the web as we know it. While the ubiquitous term "Web 2.0" refers to the next generation of the web - an increasingly social entity due to social media and networking sites like Twitter, YouTube, and of course Facebook - the question on many minds is how the web will evolve with the introduction of Open Graph and whether it will now become one big social network.

As an online marketer, however, I've been more interested in how Facebook's new set of Open Graph features can be used to extend the reach of a brand and its content. Gone is the ability to become a "fan" of something, whether it's a brand, product, or business. If you have a formerly-known-as-"fan page" (not sure what it's called now – just a "page"?), then your fans are now people who "like" you. Kind of reminds me of those little notes we used to pass to each other in school ("Do you like me? Check Yes or No").

Using the new set of social plugins provided by Facebook, "Like" and "Recommend" buttons can now be integrated into virtually any website - so if you're signed in to Facebook and you visit a website with these buttons perched next to its content, you can share that content with your Facebook friends with just a click.

On top of that, Facebook now also has widgets that display content your friends recommend and like on a website. For instance, when I visit CNN.com, I can see from the Facebook widget on the homepage the articles with which my friends have interacted in some way – recommended, liked, shared, and commented on.

Can you imagine the possibilities here? These widgets can be integrated into blogs, news sites, e-commerce sites, and online communities in so many different ways. While there has been a bit of a backlash in response to Open Graph regarding privacy concerns (aren't there always when it comes to Facebook?), I see this a positive boon for marketers and the social web as a whole.

Your turn: What are your thoughts on Facebook's Open Graph and its marketing possibilities?

Technorati Tags: Facebook Open Graph social media social media marketing content marketing

Posted by Kari Rippetoe at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

April 02, 2010

Social Media Myths and Truths

(reprinted from ShowSmart March, 2010 issue) by: Mitch Arnowitz

Myth: A Tweetup is all you need to drive booth traffic.
Truth: A Tweetup can be a powerful event marketing tactic when used as part of a mix that includes both traditional and digital media ingredients.

A Tweetup is an event for people that use Twitter, enabling them to not only interact online, but also come together to meet in person. Twitter is a micro-blogging tool that enables its users to send and read brief messages—known as tweets—of 140 characters or less. From a marketing perspective, Tweetups can be used for lead generation, featuring demos, creating general awareness and/or driving booth traffic. They're also a way to maximize the increased usage of Twitter at trade shows and events. For attendees, Tweetups are great opportunities for networking over a common interest.

While on site Tweetups can be a good way to drive traffic, they should also be part of the relationship-building process. Pre-show engagement through Twitter feeds, like the 2010 NAB Show's feed @NABShow, help establish rapport and build excitement. Building your network of friends and followers increases the number of those that may attend a Tweetup and pass your message along. Tweetups should be part of a marketing mix that includes traditional media, collateral' and other digital media. Position your Tweetup for maximum exposure!

A well thought-out plan helps ensure a successful Tweetup. Will your Tweetup feature an event such as a demo, or are you more interested in general traffic and awareness? While having a Tweetup at your booth is good, a Tweetup that drives traffic to a booth demo at a specific time may be more useful. Will you reward those that show up for your Tweetup? How will you identify participants? Has booth staff been alerted?

Tweeting and Tweetups are also being used to enhance on site customer service efforts. Many attendees may use Twitter to converse with your booth staff, especially if the show venue is large. Resources should be available to carefully monitor and quickly respond to these inquiries as well.

Technorati Tags: twitter NAB Show mitch+arnowitz event+marketing

Posted by Mitch at 08:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)