SocialMediaExaminer on Action-gated Facebook campaigns

Did you ever have to fill out a form online or share information before you could sign up for a drawing or access something on the Internet.  It is called "action-gating."

This is how an Action-gated Facebook campaigns works:

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-gated-campaigns/

SocialMediaExaminer on Google Analytics and Twitter Analytics

Here are a couple of great posts from SocialMediaExaminer on Google Analytics and Twitter Analytics:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/google-analytics-basics/

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/twitter-analytics/

Social Media Examiner on "action-gating" in Facebook

This Social Media Examiner post shows how to use "action-gating" in Facebook to increase leads and grow lists.
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/facebook-gated-campaigns/

When Ryan Block tried to cancel his Comcast Internet service

The problem with bad service is that the stories have the potential to go viral over the Internet.  Check out what happened to Ryan Block when he tried to cancel his Comcast Internet service. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/14/the-comcast-call-from-hell_n_5586476.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/07/15/331681041/comcast-embarrassed-by-the-service-call-making-internet-rounds

https://soundcloud.com/ryan-block-10/comcastic-service

B.L. Ochman on Google+ Hangouts, YouTube Live Events, and Google search results

In this post, B.L. Ochman maintains that those who  use Google+ Hangouts and YouTube Live Events will be rewarded with better placement in Google search results.

https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140723034818-496210-google-to-reward-users-of-google-hangouts-youtube-live-events-with-more-prominent-search-placement?trk=hb_ntf_MEGAPHONE_ARTICLE_POST

Social media manager was number 5 on this list of jobs with a good work-life balance

Based on data from Glassdoor.com, social media manager was number 5 on this list of jobs with a good work-life balance.
http://mashable.com/2014/07/18/jobs-work-life-balance/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link

Mashable on using SnapChat, Vine, and Instagram for marketing purposes

This Mashable post by Seth Fiegerman provides helpful insights about using SnapChat, Vine, and Instagram for marketing purposes.
http://mashable.com/2014/07/17/visual-social-marketing-101/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-main-link

Tailoring social media tactics to various stages in the buying process

This Social Media Examiner post by Luke Summerfield points out that it makes sense to tailor your social media tactics to various stages in the buying process -- information gathering, consideration, decision, and post-purchase evaluation/repeat purchase.
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/get-more-leads-creative-social-tactics/

Applebee's tabletop technology

Applebee's tabletop technology sounds really interesting.  Open this Nation's Restaurant News link and scroll about 2/3 of the way down to read about it. 

http://nrn.com/technology/applebees-reassures-guests-no-tech-tuesday

Forrester Research on earned, owned, and paid media

This is an excellent post from Forrester Research on earned, owned, and paid media.
http://blogs.forrester.com/interactive_marketing/2009/12/defining-earned-owned-and-paid-media.html

PostPlanner article on companies that appear human when marketing on Facebook

This is an interesting PostPlanner article on companies that appear human when marketing on Facebook.
http://www.postplanner.com/how-to-appear-human-when-marketing-on-facebook/

Is social media moving the advantage away from the big brands?

Are online reviews and information communicated through other forms of social media moving the advantage away from the big brands?
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2014/02/17/140217ta_talk_surowiecki?mobify=0

Fake "likes"

Fake "likes" also appear to be a problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVfHeWTKjag

US News article on fake online reviews

Fake online reviews appear to be a growing problem according to this US news article.
http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/07/08/dont-fall-for-fake-online-reviews

Competitors can digitally sabotage a business

Competitors can digitally sabotage a business.  This is one example involving Google Maps.  Thanks to Victor Raj for calling this Wired article to my attention. How do you defend against it?  Begin by "claiming your site" on Google My Business (http://www.google.com/business/). Then, monitor it to make sure that everything is correct, accurate, and up to date.  Then, claim your site on such other social venues as TripAdvisor, Yelp!, UrbanSpoon, etc.
http://www.wired.com/2014/07/hacking-google-maps/

Search Engine Watch provides examples of how boring companies/industries can effectively employ social media

How do you leverage social media if your company/industry is boring?  Search Engine Watch provides some good examples:
http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2352618/5-Boring-Companies-With-a-Fascinating-Social-Strategy

Procter & Gamble used its "Like a Girl" campaign to build the brand for its Always product

Procter & Gamble used its "Like a Girl" campaign to build the brand for its Always product.

http://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2014/07/01/viral-video-of-week-an-ad-that-challenges-what-it-means-to-throw-like-a-girl/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs