Gaming in Social Media…

At some point everyone gets sucked in…to Facebook games. We all have.

Companies have stepped it up. They are no longer getting their message out just by buying ads. They work with social networking sites and promise rewards to those who use their alternative.

Example:

One of my favorite games to play with friends is the Sims Social. You can interact, build a house, play silly little “quests” (it’s addictive).

When you play the game you have energy levels (that you pay SimCash to replenish), SimCash however can only be made up by spending real money, but there is another option.

Companies make special offers: from coupon codes to straight up deals…

Way to Earn “Credit” for Sims Game

Once you buy the product from whichever company you choose, you are rewarded with SimCash!

It’s almost like a win/win… Or that’s what they push anyway. You get your SimCash and whatever else you purchased and Facebook has pleased another client/company.

I never realized how much social media was being used… and the ways they do things now are so creative.

This reminds me of what we read in Chapter 8 of Engage… It is definitely a monetization trend!

#sm379 Response

Aside from making money on networks, Brian talks about the power of twitter and how to tame the tweeting beast! For all those business savvy wanna-be’s pages86-89 are key. Solis shares the that special offers are most effective through twitter… Giving the buyers a closer connection with sellers and a greater response for future product sales.

**Of course people would buy something if they could get a percentage off… and with that they’ll share the wealth (retweets) and thus gaining you, the company, more followers and business!**

Amazing and that’s only the first example.

Why all businesses don’t use social media? Is it because they feel it is to complex or is it that they think it is a fad… What ever the reason may be they are missing opportunities to grow and interact with consumers.

Oh widgets, you never fail! Solis talks about the use of these sometimes fun applications that can be interchangeable between certain websites. It is a way of sharing even more media. From surveys/polls and clocks/countdowns to twitter timeline and news feeds there is a widget for almost everything.  There were some interesting points made in chapters 8 and 9 of Engage. And I have to say the more I read the more I see things when I surf the web.

Oh Social Media, I “heart” thee.

I followed a Journalist blog, Global Wire Associates, for my evaluation assignment. The blog is comprised of multiple writers who all have a shared interest, spreading social activism.

The Global Wire blog is geared towards other journalist/organizations to help them understand the promise in social media. and the positive things that come from it. The blog was founded by Talia Whyte. Whyte has worked with The Boston Globe, MSNBC.com as well as PBS.

The site is not limited to just U.S. mediums but  focuses on social media on a “global” scale.

“New media has given an unprecedented opportunity for those once marginalized to now have a spotlight. From Beijing, China to Jena, Louisiana, the revolution will not be televised, it will be digitized,” said G.W.A. in their mission statement.

There are new posts every Monday. From popular web memes to interesting posts–such as the Jan 16th post http://globalwireonline.org/2012/01/16/how-online-video-has-changed-the-way-race-is-discussed-today/–from all around our world, Global Wire has it all.

Their latest post is from earlier today is about Support Your Media Day. On February 15, people will have the opportunity to give back to sites and organizations through an online source, to support media.

Global Wire also has workshops to help people with social media.

In the book, Engage, Brian Solis talks about the power behind social media. Global Wire has definitely grasped the idea. The content on the blog is interesting and can build conversation.

“The blog is your hub for demonstrating expertise, sharing vision,” said Solis. “it requires continuity, cadence and a voice that readers can connect with.”

I am officially a fan of the Global Wire Associates. They are organized, informed and they care… what could be better.

#sm379 Reading Response

In chapters 6 and 7 of Engage! Briantalks about the influence of  multimedia and peer opinions through social networks. We as a community respond more to what our peers say through forums and fan pages than the actual companies. It could have something to do with the lack in honesty or “realness” that a company may have, but it can also affect a relationship between consumer/fan and company…

“…most networks require a two-way connection in order to view and share information,” Solis said. This is key for practitioners.

Solis also talks about the branded networks and how their user bases are somehow loyal…

Brands turn to social media as a way to communicate with the public, but there are so may networks and sites that a company could become overwhelmed if they tried to use them all.

Being able to use those networks through the company’s site makes for an even better relationship…

“Interactivity is key and by embedding the Facebook widget, site owners can augment, eliminate or reduce reliance on custom brand building and attention-grabbing site development.” (pg.79)

I never realized how much social media was used. What were PR practitioners doing before the internet…

To be or not to be…Ethical? The real question for Wal-Mart.

To be or not to be…Ethical? The real question for Wal-Mart..

Reading Response #SM379

Growing up in this generation of technology gives a sort of advantage. We are quick to learn, we pick up on the newest “fads” much easier and we are more open… But after reading a little more of Engage, I found that my cockiness (towards the use and understanding of technology) was a little premeditated.

Let me explain.

Yes, I could understand a program with quickness, but to use that knowledge to better or create something else was beyond my comprehension.

In Chapters 3-5 of the book, Solis talks about the different types of “tools” that are used on the internet and the context these tools are used in.

Blogs, vlogs and podcasts…oh my!

All of the above aside from the social networking sites are used for promotion, product review and so much more.

Social Media is growing for PR and that’s good, but it is also bad. With Social Media comes freedom of speech and the public can be anything but kind when they are upset.