Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
How CNET Grew 5X on Facebook and Twitter Without Ads (ClickZ)
In just over nine months, one person at CNET was able to grow the company’s Facebook fans from 69,000 to 428,000. Read Nathan Bransford’s tips on posting to social media to maximize followers.
Protests, Flash Mobs Spark Controversy Over Communications Crackdowns (National Journal)
Social media-organized flash mobs have been cropping up around the world. Should the US government be able to meddle with communication networks (effectively limiting free speech) if people are using them to ‘incite imminent lawless action?’
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Why A Post-Riot Social Media Crackdown is Doomed to Fail (Silicon.com)
Steve Ranger offers some commentary on what might happen if social networks are ‘interrupted’ by UK government officials.
12 Ways to be Likeable on Facebook (PR Daily)
Up your “likes” by responding to comments (both positive and negative), sharing multimedia content, giving away value, and more.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
David Cameron Considers Banning Suspected Rioters From Social Media (Guardian)
According to UK officials, people are using social networking sites including Facebook and Twitter to organize riots throughout England. The Prime Minister has vowed to do ‘whatever it takes’ to end the violent unrest.
Charity Feeds Videos Across Web for Hunger Action Month (ClickZ)
Feeding America has created a customizable widget with video featuring celebrity supporters like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Local food banks can post the widget on their site and add their own logo at the end of the video for a personal touch.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
How Governments Deal With Social Media (The Atlantic)
A look back (and forward) on social media and its influential role in the political sphere. “If governments are not engaging in social media, they are essentially ceding influence and power,” says Alec Ross, senior innovation advisor to Hillary Clinton.
5 Sure-fire Ways to Produce Winning Social Media Content (TNW Social Media)
You have a significant fan/follower base, but are they truly engaged with your organization? Check out this post for some creative content ideas that will get your fan base buzzing.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Amidst Chaos, Britain’s Community Newspapers Gather Facts, Clean-up Crews Gather Members, All Online (techPresident)
As riots are continuing throughout England, UK residents (and the London Police) are taking to social media to document the mayhem. Simultaneously, Twitter movement #riotcleanup helps mobilize citizens to repair their neighborhoods.
Does the Right Hashtag Make A Tweet A Success? (PR Daily)
Hashtags are more important than you may think when it comes to writing a catchy tweet. #creativitycounts!
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Analysis: Dueling Narratives Emerge From Debt Fight (Reuters)
In the aftermath of the national debt conflict, a new battle emerges: White House and Republican aides alike are taking to Twitter and other social media to win over a frustrated public.
Foundation Converts Young Professionals Into Philanthropists (Washington Post)
Northern Virginia Community Foundation’s ‘Future Fund’ uses social media to encourage young professionals to donate time and money to improve their local communities.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Debt limit debate key players: Social media (CBS News)
Citizens and Congress alike turned to social media networks to express their views throughout the debt ceiling negotiations – the latest example of the growing importance of Twitter, Facebook and other outlets in advocacy.
Thinking Beyond the ‘Like’ (ClickZ)
10 tips for engaging and retaining your Facebook fans.
Posted by: Guest Contributor
Cross-posted from the Adfero Group blog
By Kalee Miller of Adfero Group
Obviously, the list of reasons to use Twitter are endless. These reasons could range from promoting thoughts, ideas or people, to updating followers on news and events or keeping up with current trends. I personally use the site for all of these reasons, but I have to be honest about another motivation for my Twitter usage. Here is my big confession: I love celebrity gossip. It’s easy to learn what’s going on in Hollywood via Twitter. Following celebrity accounts has saved me time and money because I can get the “news” free and quick, instead of buying magazines at the grocery store. And while some of us may just be in it for the gossip, I also believe there is a greater lesson in social media to be learned.
So, what can we learn from celebrities about maximizing our time and efforts on Twitter? Naturally, one reason that celebrities have so many followers is because they are, in fact, celebrities. But, they have also become a powerful communication tool. Twitter created verified accounts for celebrities in 2009 and, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Police Department recently used approximately 30 celebrities to tweet out messages about “Carmageddon”, warning residents to stay away from certain locations. Google+ has recently announced that they are working on finding a way to verify celebrity accounts. (more…)
The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) today released the first study of congressional staff views of social media, and how it is being used by Congressional Offices. #SocialCongress: Perceptions and Use of Social Media on Capitol Hill shows that most Members of Congress have thoroughly integrated social media into their communications operations, and are using new media tools to gauge public opinion, communicate with constituents, and reach new people.
Click here to read the report.
Among the key findings:
*Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the senior managers and social media managers surveyed think Facebook is a somewhat or very important tool for understanding constituents’ views and opinions, 42% say Twitter is somewhat or very important, and 34% say YouTube is a somewhat or very important tool for understanding constituents’ views and opinions.
*Nearly three-quarters (74%) of the senior managers and social media managers we surveyed think Facebook is somewhat or very important for communicating their Members’ views. YouTube is viewed by nearly three-quarters of staffers surveyed (72%) as somewhat or very important for communicating their Members’ views. More than half (51%) of the staffers surveyed say Twitter is a somewhat or very important vehicle for their Members’ communications.
*A strong majority of staffers (72%) believe that social media allows their Members to reach people they had previously not communicated with. A majority of the staffers (55%) feel social media offers their offices more benefits than risks.
The report is part of CMF’s initiative, the Partnership for a More Perfect Union. The Partnership seeks to enrich the relationship between citizens and Congress through education, building trust, and providing innovative yet pragmatic tools to facilitate purposeful two-way communication.
Posted by: K Street Cafe Editor
Three Cents on Google+ for PR Agencies/ Corporate Communicators who don’t have time to toy around (TheBuzzBin)
Be sure you learn the key terms and tools for engagement on the site, but there’s no need to abandon Twitter or Facebook.
Do Facebook and Twitter Followers Reflect a President’s Popularity? (TechPresident)
Numbers alone don’t tell the full story — they require context and analysis.
