Digital media: explained by others, compiled by me, presented to you

This post from Julian Cole on Adspace Pioneers in Social Media marketing is interesting. He lists the top 12 moments that help define some of social media moments for advertising. It’s a clever look back at how social media has grown in just three years. It has gone from a niche service for the computer savvy to everyone on the planet, then slowly back to niche.

Organic’s Three Minds outlines whether niche social networks will attract marketing dollars as corporate media focuses its attention on the idea of spreading the word online.

I just wonder if the marketers will get it right in the niche world. If they don’t speak the language, or end up insulting those in the group, it can backfire. Also, some marketers are using social media all wrong. As ReadWriteWeb pointed out,  why is there a site for those who want to talk about cat litter? 

It would be OK if the litter site turned into a place where users could mock the ability to comment on kitty litter. But I guess that would put the delicate brand into the hands of the masses. It happened at Amazon.com when its users could describe their experiences with every product available, including groceries… and Uranium Ore. One favourite: “This Uranium Ore facial scrub has given my skin a beautiful glow!”  Also read about Land Tanks “… it also has plenty of room for groceries.”

Sadly, Amazon took down the over 1,000 reviews for milk.

Let me know if you’ve seen other ridiculous social media sites.

Shut your office door. Pretend you’re on a conference call or something. Or if you don’t have an office, get a wifi-enabled laptop and sneak into the stock room. Why? Because these videos are important.

The first is an interview with Ze Frank. I’ve mentioned him before. He managed to turn a small experiment into a worldwide phenomenon all by giving power to his audience. He explains it way better. This is amusing and enlightening. 

Next, snoop around the online video player for Ted – Technology, Education and Design. It’s an amazing collection of lectures – and there are great snippets of what’s next in technology.

Kevin Kelly, says the web is less than 5,000 days old and everyone thought it would be “TV, but better.” But it’s so much more, and he looks at the next 5,000 days.

Don’t understand the long tail that everyone keeps talking about? Watch Chris Anderson break it down. Want to know why is a mobile phone an important tool for humanity?   

Sure beats Dancing with the Stars.*

*Please note I have never seen Dancing with the Stars

Just a quick note… The creators of the new search engine Cuil.com, as I reported earlier, said Cuil is an old Irish word for knowledge.

That wasn’t so smart .

IT World is reporting many Irish users in an Irish language forum have revealed the word usually means corner or nook.

Heh.

I never said this blog would be pun-free.

Google launched its answer to Wikipedia on Wednesday, Knol. “Authoritative” sources write articles and names are included. But it’s not passive, as comments and feedback are encouraged. 

It’s still very much in a beta stage, as most searches come up empty handed… unless you’re looking for medical advice. At the moment, Knol is chock full of details to instill horror for any hypochondriac.

Want more information? Here’s the Wikipedia entry on Knol. Heh.

I have a messed up gmail account name because I didn’t get my own name in time. Some other Lianne is walking around with my gmail account! I’m sure to those with very common names this is a familiar refrain. Whether your last name is Smith or Roengfieogne (I totally just made that one up), it might be time to claim your identification online.

Why is this important? Everything is a brand now, and whether you’re applying for a new job or just talking to a prospective client, they’re likely looking up your name online to get some additional information. Also, owning your name online ensures you’re in charge of your brand. And take it from me: It’s annoying to explain why your username isn’t your name.

But where do you start? First, I have started to sign up for most new social media applications while they’re in their beta (early) stage to ensure no one else gets it as their user name… in case the application takes off. I also signed up for the two new Yahoo mail accounts, even though I’m happy with my ill monikered gmail account.

Keep it consistent. If you have one email address with a period between your first and last name, keep up that format for the other things you sign up with. I went with my first and last name as all one word.

Getting a URL in your name might not be a bad idea either, but keep in mind you’ll need to use a reputable company to buy the domain. Some clever person has already bought every single last name there is, so if Mr. Roengfieogne decides Roengfieogne.com is the way to go, he might be out of luck –  unless he wants to barter a deal on the domain name from its current owner.

While I don’t know of a company yet that will automatically enroll your name, or brand, into every new online application that pops up, there are companies that try to make this task a little easier. ClaimID lets you track where your identity is online. Within this site, they’ve created a guide to track yourself, which is pretty cool.