Facebook Messenger Arrives

Facebook has now officially launched the much anticipated Facebook Messenger app for smart-phones.  Following on from the acquisition of messaging service Beluga, Facebook has redeveloped its existing messenger format to offer users a new and simple platform to send messages to contacts.

The free app, which is made for iOS and Android devices, allows users to chat and send messages instantly over Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G connections, or via SMS text message.   Given the simplicity and practical use of the app combined with group messaging capabilities, the new Facebook Messenger app will have wide appeal, having already claimed the number 1 spot in the US app download charts.

In the UK, the mobile messaging market is dominated by Blackberry and whilst Facebook (along with Apple imessenger, due for release in 2011) will bring serious challenges to that dominance, there will still be a place for everyone.  Over the course of 2011 we will keep you updated on the scheduled roll-out of the new messaging applications, and we will keep you informed on the impact they are having on the mobile messaging markets. Follow us now on Twitter for more on developments in search and mobile.

By Julie Ferguson
Published: 11 August 2011
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Google +1 (Plus One) meets the world.

Google today launched its answer to Facebook’s 'Like' button, by introducing              +1 (plus one).  In Google’s boldest social move to date, the one-click button will allow users to recommend websites and share those recommendations with their friends.

At present +1 is only accessible to 2% of Google’s English Language users and can only be seen via the google.com engine.  The introduction of +1 is seen by many as Google’s attempt to rival Facebook’s now famous 'Like' button.  Perhaps the most significant difference between +1 and ‘Like’ is +1 buttons will appear on search engine results pages (SERPs), alongside natural and paid listings.  Below is the official video from Google on +1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAyUNI3_V2c&feature=player_embedded

Google is keen to point out that recommendations can only be shared within the context of relevant searches, so results will go to users based on their individual preferences, rather than hitting all contacts.  At present +1 recommendations can be shared via, GMail, Google Reader and Google Buzz contacts, it is expected that Twitter contacts will also be added to this later, however the question around Facebook contacts remains unanswered.  

One answer that is clear, +1 will have some impact on search both in natural and paid listings.  The +1 button will adding a new level of social search to Google. Previously social results had been based on content created by your social network and content shared by social network.  Google +1 will now display results based on recommendations made by your +1 network.  The will impact how natural and paid listeds are displayed through the SERPs.

With the +1 search functionality already launched, the next step for Google will be +1 integration onto websites.  This is an area where the Facebook 'Like' button has been unchallenged.  Facebook's vast traffic levels has always allowed them to be the dominate factor in social recommendations.  However, with Google's equally vast traffic levels, Google is a now serious challenger in the social space.

Google has been very clever in its approach to Facebook, rather take the social networking platform head on, it is selecting those areas of Facebook that will improve the social layer of the search engine, recommendation data.  Whilst Google will become a serious player on the subject of recommendation data, Facebook is still a very compelling platform and will undoubtedly evolve to fight off any perspective challengers to its social throne.

On the other had if Google +1 works, it will improve overall search quality in both organic and paid search.  +1 could Google's most important social product to date and might just enable Google to finally become a major player in social.

By Julie Ferguson
Published: 31 March 2011
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Tales of the City Library

A couple of weeks ago I was at a conference about Social Media in Scotland, and there was a great case study presented by Liz McGettigan of City of Edinburgh Council. Liz runs the Council's Library department, and has embraced using social media such as Twitter and Facebook to keep libraries at the heart of their communities. Their Twitter account, @TalesOfOneCity keeps followers up to date with events happening in libraries all over the city, and their Facebook page does too.

It's so refreshing to see a public sector organisation embracing these new technologies. It's also great to see institutions that could be seen as 'old media' showing just how much they can use 'new media' to keep relevant. It was interesting to know that they were partly driven by the fact that they knew their website wasn't interactive enough, but that it would take a long time to get that right by going through the official channels. So they adapted channels that others are already using to give themselves the platform they needed. Obviously, it's best when your website and your social networking activity all give out a coherent message and integrate well, but I can understand why they took that route - they needed to make their social networking activity a success first, in order to make the argument for a redevelopment of the site!

I would love it if Glasgow City Council followed their lead! Know of any other Councils using social networking well?

By Kate Wooding
Published: 22 July 2010
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80s-tastic

So, a couple of weeks ago I was speaking at a Marketing Industry Network event in Leeds about Using Social Networks for Business... and one of the other speakers on the panel was Colin Gilchrist from Digital Face.

After we'd both presented, and answered questions, and spoken to all the lovely people who came along, we ended up in the bar with our fellow speaker Adam Gordon (as you do...) and at some point in the evening somebody asked me where I come from (it's the accent). So I got to talking about the good old days of growing up in Camden Town, and how the Market isn't like it used to be (sigh). Turns out that Colin used to have a stall in Camden Market, selling dresses he'd made from a job lot of men's tweed jackets...

And wouldn't you know it, here is a photo of me, circa 1988 (aged 15), in aforementioned jacket-dress, made by Colin's fair hand! I was at my cousin Karen's wedding, and just in case you were wondering it was kind of obligatory to have bad hair in the 80s.

And here's a wonderful photo of Colin himself from that era, much as he might have looked when he sold me that dress.

What a coincidence! Anyone want to divert attention from my 80s hair by sharing some reminiscences of their own?!

By Kate Wooding
Published: 21 May 2010
4 Comments

Top tweeter Kate's just soooo polite!

Having spotted a tweet of Kate's yesterday I felt I had to pop a comment on the tictoc blog about the fact that she has made the top 60 Scottish Tweeters list and, as I'm sure those who know her will agree, has been quoted very accurately!

The people were picked on the basis of how often they tweet, the quality of tweets, how often they retweet and followers (not the number of followers but who their followers were). Here's the quote from the site :

Kate Wooding
Quite possibly one of the most polite people in Glasgow.

Feel free to visit Kate on Twitter and send her a tweet to keep her at the top of the list and find out more about her love of courgettes, her Figaro car and what's in her Graze box this week!

By Melanie Russell
Published: 25 August 2009
1 Comment

Lance's impromptu Twitter ride in Glasgow

Well Lance Armstrong certainly knows how to cause a stir! Late last night the seven-times Tour de France winner twittered "Hey Glasgow, Scotland! I'm coming your way tomorrow. Who wants to go for a bike ride?". The response to the impromptu bike ride was instantaneous, mainly from myself and Colin! At 10pm last night I found myself out in the dark oiling my chain and testing the brakes. I also had to take off the child seat :)

On the flight to Glasgow from America Lance twittered again telling us all to meet in Paisley at noon. This scuppered any plans we had of meeting the legend but several hundred people did brave the rain and media to meet and ride with the man himself.

To add to my woes it turns out he headed out towards the village I live in. So I texted my wife to tell her he was passing, hoping for some sympathy. However, her reply of "I could feel his presence" was only to be expected.

The power of twitter still amazes me!

By Alan Masterson
Published: 18 August 2009
1 Comment

Sore feet and social media

Today's event, in conjunction with the Marketing Industry Network, about using social media for business was a huge success, I've been watching the comments and feedback on Twitter (using the hashtag #usnfb). Take a look at what people thought, and I'll write a proper report tomorrow. Huge thanks to all the speakers (Guy Stephens from Carphone Warehouse, Kyle Macrae from Blether Media, Heather Gorringe from Wiggly Wigglers and Craig McGill) and the delegates - you made it an extremely enlightening and enjoyable event!

By Kate Wooding
Published: 1 July 2009
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Digital marketing works, and here's the proof

Comic Relief's website saw a 100% increase in traffic to its Red Nose homepage which the organisation has attributed to digital marketing initiatives. The campaign used social media initiatives including networking websites, blogs and Twitter to publicise the site, and gain appeal from people who didn't watch the TV show when aired.

Red Nose fact :

Over 50 million Red Noses have been bought over the years – remember The Hands Nose, The Tomato Nose, The Colour Changing Nose, The Shaggy Nose and The Nose That Grows?!

By Melanie Russell
Published: 23 March 2009
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Brandtweet

Not only is tictoc all aTwitter, but we think it's worth our clients (and every other organisation) thinking about using Twitter too. It won't be right for everyone, and it's not everyone's cup of tea, but plenty of organisations are already Tweeting. And they're not Tweeting for the sake of it - they're using it to spread the word, build relationships, communicate directly with their audience, achieve their objectives, and make money!

For example:

• Dog's Trust tweets regularly and has already rehomed a dog using Twitter
• Dell is using twtqpons to give its Twitter followers exclusive discounts - they've already made $1m on products sold via Twitter
• Wiggle bike shop use it to tell their followers about new services, and newsflashes - they've just been voted Mail Order Company of the Year by 220 Triathlon magazine and I bet they got their Twitter followers to vote!
• Stephen Fry is telling people about the t-shirts they can buy from his site - and after he tweeted about it he got so many visitors to the site that it crashed!
• Companies in the States like Comcast, Zappo's, and Dell have been quick to see the potential of Twitter as a way to directly engage with dissatisfied customers and sort out their problems.

So, before you dismiss it as a fad, think about how you could use Twitter to offer something to your customers and potential customers.

By Kate Wooding
Published: 13 February 2009
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