SM_Zombies.png

How to Thwart Mobile Text Spammers

When I get more text messages on my mobile phone from mobile spammers than my teenage daughter, something is wrong.

If you have the same problem, take these steps to eliminate text-based SPAM.

I’ve been receiving a barrage of unsolicited text messages lately from companies offering secret shopper opportunities, details on secret crushes, and ways to get $1500 in by bank account within 24 hours.   The practices of Text spamming (most often referred to as m-spam) is ubber annoying — particularly if you have a per-message texting plan because mobile phones don’t have the ability to identify spam directly.  It’s costly and annoying. The’ secret crush’ offer has been troubling  mobile users for more than a year.

[Read more...]

Social media management tools aren’t optional anymore for large companies

The days when large, multi-location companies had a single Facebook page — or a few pages that could be managed manually — are dwindling.

In part, I blame Facebook Places. Why? If a Facebook Places page doesn’t exist for a public location, one is created the first time someone checks in. Companies aren’t in control.

Facebook Places pages aren’t the same as ordinary Facebook Pages. Facebook Pages are for interacting with a brand.  Facebook Places are for interacting with a specific brand location. They don’t offer the ability to write on the wall, upload photos, or  engage in brand conversation. However, Facebook Places pages allow people to do things that can’t be done on on typical Facebook Pages: they can view a map, get directions, check-in, redeem Facebook Deals, and “like” the specific brand-related branches, offices, or locations.

[Read more...]

Social media powers immediate, grassroots giving

When an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan in March 250 miles northeast of Tokyo, it triggered a tsunami that caused major destruction in northern Japan. It also triggered assistance a groundswell of concern, conversation, and financial support on social networks.

Twitter aided Japanese users by providing a Tsunami support page to help them gain first hand information, locate loved ones and share status updates abroad.  Global Voices, translated Japanese Tweets and blogs. and charitable organizations went into action organizing relief efforts and connecting donations. Katya Andresen, COO of Network for Good, said her organization helped dozens of responding organizations accept relief donations within hours of the tragedy. The organization has raised more than $6.7 million in growing relief effort so far.

“As soon as we hear about something that looks like a large-scale humanitarian disaster – within hours, we put together Japan Quake and Tsunami Relief page so that people know where they can donate and what trusted organizations are rushing aid,” Andresen said. “Then, we have some great partnerships that drive a lot of donations to that page.” She said AOL and Yahoo featured Tsunami relief charities ton their homepages to donations and business sponsors like CapitalOne notified its members how they could support the Japan relief effort.

[Read more...]

10 ways to boost event participation with social media

Social media is a great way to increase event participation by promote upcoming events.  Use these tips to boost your event’s performance.

You may want to begin promoting your event on social networks three or more months before the day of the event.  The basic strategy used by social-savvy event managers is to create appropriate pages on Facebook and EventBrite that can be used to promote the event, predict attendance and enable event attendees to share information about your event with others. [Read more...]

Avoid mixed signals: The power of approachability

If you travel in the south, you know about “Front porch hospitality.”  It’s how southerners use the front porch of their house to put people at ease. It’s a friendly place for greeting visitors and for welcoming them inside when the time is right.

Front porches provide a foundation of southern hospitality.

Scott Ginsberg, best know for a decade of continuous name tag use, believes that embracing front porch hospitality can be key to successful social engagements. That is why he wrote The Power of Approachability. To Ginsberg, approachability is one of the most important precepts for success.  The more approachable you are — the less work it is to engage with others in memorable and meaningful ways.

[Read more...]