Cross-posted from e.politics
Originally posted on November 3, 2011
Do recent changes to Google and Facebook affect political and marketing communicators? Potentially a lot, so let’s take the sites in turn. First Google, which announced today that it’s making major changes to its search algorithms to update its main search index more frequently. Also, results pages for many queries will feature more recent content (including breaking news) over information that might have grown stale.
Overall, this change in emphasis is potentially really useful for users, particularly if Google can follow through on the idea of separating searches for evergreen content (“learning from Obama online campaign PDF“) from those for ephemeral content and recent news (“Herman Cain harassment suit“). One implication for political communicators: this emphasis on the new and the now gives us even more reason to jump on news stories quickly, since Google’s main search function should have a better chance of highlighting relevant recent content. Crank up those blogs and rapid response machines, kids: catch a news wave, and your words might spread far and wide. (more…)
Posted by: Guest Contributor
By Iverson Gandy
Cross-posted from the Adfero Group blog
With the quick popularity of Google+ (G+), many social media gurus are proclaiming the slow but sure downfall of Facebook. To that, I say one thing: not going to happen. Here’s why:
1. Too little, too late
In a very rare and embarrassing moment (and for what feels like the first time), Google made a really big deal about a really bad product. Google Buzz was a complete failure on multiple fronts. From privacy lawsuits to simply bad aesthetics, Google’s seemingly invincible persona suffered a breach in its armor with a subpar product that was clearly a reactive idea in contrast to their usual forward-thinking, proactive approach – and people noticed. The best team in the league showed a weakness, other teams capitalized on it, and now they’re playing catch up, with Facebook remaining the “face” (pun intended) and authority on social networking. (more…)
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
New Politics Channel on YouTube (New York Times)
YouTube’s new channel will host political content ranging from official candidate videos to parodies. According to the NY Times, “It will include curated videos beyond the presidential campaign to include videos from other political races, as well as content from various political movements, including both the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street.”
12 Common Mistakes on Brands’ Facebook Pages (PR Daily)
Steer clear of these (very) common pitfalls and you won’t have to worry about losing fans.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Congress: Apple Founder Steve Jobs Changed Our Lives (The Hill)
An homage to one of modern technology’s greatest innovators: various members of congress share (via tweet) their sadness over the loss of Steve Jobs.
Will Your Brand Succeed in the New Facebook? (ClickZ)
Facebook’s recent makeover may mean you need to adapt your content. Find out how!
Posted by: Guest Contributor
By Kalee Miller and Caroline Sheedy of Adfero Group
With 800 million active users, Facebook has earned the title of most popular social network around the globe. At the f8 conference a few weeks ago, CEO and Founder Mark Zuckerberg announced some big changes, the latest in the site’s constant evolution. It’s hard for a lot of users to adjust to the new features and, for organizations using Facebook in advocacy efforts, it may seem like things are changing just as they were getting the hang of things. Despite the growing pains, Facebook is a valuable tool that can raise awareness and inspire action.
Here are a few rules to live by:
1. A Few Can Activate Many
Engagement, not number of fans, is key. On average, every time someone shares a link to your organization’s website on Facebook, two to five people will visit it. In any online campaign, it’s imperative to utilize social context. People care about what their friends are doing and are heavily influenced by actions. If you can show Facebook users that their friends “liked” or engaged with your page, chances are high that you can get them involved, too.
So, now the question is, how?
- Use Facebook Questions. Asking your fans a question leads to viral exposure. If you ask a question, it will appear on your fans’ newsfeed. If they answer or follow that question, their friends can also see the activity. This is also a good way to get direct feedback from your fans.
- Use Facebook to live stream your events or town halls. Free tools like UStream allow you to broadcast your event to all of your fans. Also, if you use event materials to let people know they can tune in on your Facebook page, you are likely to get more fans.
- Make everything you can an event. All of your organization’s events should be shared on Facebook. You should also use this tool for virtual events or calls to action (i.e. “Call your congressman by noon today!”). Again, this allows your fans’ friends to see their action, making them more likely to join in. (more…)
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Facebook Forms Political Action Committee (Reuters)
The social network has pledged to begin supporting ‘candidates who share [Facebook's] goals of promoting the value of innovation to our economy while giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected.’
Facebook’s New PAC Shows DC’s Innovative and Risk-Taking Methods Are Spreading to Silicon Valley (TechPresident)
According to Micah Sifry, Facebook’s creation of a Political Action Committee indicates that large campaign contributions and ‘intensive lobbying’ are becoming the norm for tech giants.
You’re the Entire Social Media Marketing Team. Now What? (PR Daily)
PR Daily has created a 6-step list of “must-dos” to maximize your online branding efforts, particularly useful if you’re on a tight budget.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
New Rules for Online Politics Could Be On the Horizon (TechPresident)
Google, Facebook, and Twitter are gearing up to capitalize on ad revenues from political campaigns in 2012; however, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) may put some rules in place to regulate political ads on the internet.
Single Voice Sinks Coast Guard’s Rule (Roll Call)
The Coast Guard recently reversed a rule on life jacket use solely because of a letter it received from a concerned citizen (who, incidentally, is not a lobbyist.)
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Protest Closes Off Wall Street Roads (WSJ)
Once again, the masses have taken to social media to organize a protest; this time, Manhattan’s financial district is occupied by demonstrators who were mobilized via Facebook and Twitter.
Troy Davis’ Death Row Case in Georgia Goes Global (USA Today)
In a joint effort to prevent the execution of Troy Davis, the NAACP, Amnesty International and the grasroots organization Change.org “are flooding Twitter with several tweets a minute, signing online petitions and, starting today, planning to rally around the country.”
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
New Media Guru Urges Tweeting at Super Committee
(Roll Call)
Former Capitol Hill vet and communications agency president Patrick Hynes encourages citizens to utilize Twitter (along with Facebook and YouTube) to make sure the debt #supercommittee hears their ideas.
A Few Details About the Upcoming Twitter Analytics (MediaBistro)
Measuring your social media impact is more important now than ever: here are some tips on what to expect from Twitter’s new tool.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
The Real Way That Twitter Can Change Society (New Statesman)
For better or for worse, Twitter was used to organize a civic response throughout the UK during the August riots. The real lesson learned? Governments can learn a lot by paying attention to their constituents on social networking sites.
6 Free Social Media Monitoring Tools (PR Daily)
Want to track your social media stats but don’t have much cash? PR Daily has some great solutions.
