Virtual Options: Social Media for Business

Mobile visual search possess what QR codes lacked in usability and speed. They do for consumers what all great technologies have done for consumers, they don't get in the way. 

Via Alex Butler

"Everywhere you look there is social media. It seems that every week there is a new social site launched. To make matters worse, for every social site launched, there seems to be two or more services created to measure, track and monitor that service."

 

As always with these lists, there are some new ones and some old ones in this one.

Via Mike Ellsworth

Robin Good: Chill, the video sharing and discovery site, has just introduced a new feature that allows anyone to clip and share, on a Pinterest-like thematic board, all of the video clips he finds on the web.

 

The new Chill bookmarklet works very much like the Pinterest one. When you click it, a page shows you all of the video clips found in that page and offers you to clip and "post" the one you want, with your comments. 

 

It's as easy as that.

 

The generated "curated" Chill video boards are easy to scan and browse, though, in my view, a great boon would be the ability to check a few of those videos and to click a play button that plays them full screen back to back. This way I have the best of curated content, my own selection, and the final lay-back and watch gratification option. 

 

Very promising. 

 

Go try it out now: http://chill.com/bookmarklet 

Via Robin Good

"If you want to compare Social Media perspectives with firms your size, this is a must have infographic "

 

There's lots of data about law firm use of social media in this infographic.

 

Via @andrew_ob

Via Mike Ellsworth

Infographic from CopyBlogger Gives You Both Inspiration and Practical Tips

I love visuals that communicate complex ideas simply. This is a perfect example. And, I can relate to the need to cook up great blog ideas. Enjoy.

Via Content Marketing News

"Did you know that the hottest new social media sensation has only 16 employees? Yet they are one of the fastest growing websites. Look at the amazing statistics in the infographic below. Do you think Pinterest will be long lasting?"

 

. . . or are you just sick of hearing about it? 

Via Malhar Barai, Mike Ellsworth

"Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a social media manager? That involves taking care of tweets, hitting up Skype, managing Facebook pages and being connected at all times. The folks over at Socialcast have done some pretty good research for an infographic called “A Day in the Life of a Social Media Manager” and there are surprising statistics in there."

Via Mike Ellsworth

Robin Good: If you are curating a specific topic you may find yourself often wading through tons of useless content and wondering where you can find some good stuff. 

 

One option is to start using some good news discovery tools which can greatly help you filter out some of the useless spammy content that fills in most unfiltered searches and feed streams.

 

Here is my mindmap on news discovery tools which can help you in finding your best crop of interesting stories on the specific topic you are interested in.

 

It contains over 30 news discovery tools and services all with a direct link. 

 

Direct map link: http://bit.ly/bestnewsdiscoverytools  

 

(Thanks also to Beth Kanter for featuring me and this list in her recent live presentation in NY - find out more in her curated report here: http://storify.com/kanter/what-can-nonprofits-learn-about-content-curation-f )

Via Robin Good

To ensure that your browsing history isn't shared with online advertisers, use Google's opt-out features or the free Disconnect add-on for Google Chrome and Firefox to opt out of receiving ads based on your online footprints.

 

I use the Disconnect add-on, but from time to time, it causes problems with some sites and I forget I'm using it . . .

Via Jan Bergmans, michel verstrepen, Mike Ellsworth

"The following is a resource for everything on LinkedIn you would need for research, resources, “How to’s”, strategies and insights."

 

The LinkedStrategies group on LinkedIn has compiled a compendium of everything you ever wanted to know about the site, including their phone number!

Via Mike Ellsworth

Even in the richest countries such as the United States, there's a digital divide where not everyone has easy access to the Internet.

 

The Internet is a tremendous growth engine, responsible for 21% of economic growth in the more advanced countries in the world, according to a McKinsey Study.

 

While those of us in the United States complain about how we have to pay more for Internet service that’s slower than those of other first-world countries, within the United States there’s a gaping chasm between the haves and the have-nots.

 

In this Infographic by OnlineITdegree.net, an ad-free website describing itself as “an online informational resource for individuals looking to pursue IT degree of related education and careers,” you’ll find surprising information about the differences in Internet access in the United States.

 

There are vast gaps between Internet accessibility in cities and rural areas, racial disparities in Internet access (which isn’t as pronounced as it was a decade ago), and the growing gap between rich and poor and its influence on who goes without computers or Internet access.

 

Beyond that, you’ll see more information about how the U.S. lags behind other countries in Internet technology, broadband speed and access. This is the part that has us scratching our heads. Why do you think the United States lags behind less-wealthy countries when it comes to Internet access? Do find that as frustrating as we do?

 

This Infographic explores the digital divide: what it means for you, for the world, and for the people who are left behind.

Via maxOz, Mike Ellsworth