Buzz and Brilliance: Week ending April 3

Over the week we go through a lot of content - news and blog posts, how tos and conceptual posts on the state of the internet.  Every Sunday we share some of our favourites with you.

Check out the links and let us know in the comments if you have any questions or if you read any great posts this week!

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Lara

  • Facebook launched gifts in the Fall - it’s a way for you to send actual gifts to your Facebook friends.  It was launched only in the US and now they’ve sort of broadened it - people outside of the US can now send gifts TO the US. I sent one this week and it was easy and I was impressed by the selection of gifts and accompanying e-cards.

    I think it’s an exciting move because the convenience of being able to send friends or colleagues a quick thank you gift has a LOT of potential.  Hopefully it doesn’t take too long for it to be available to send within Canada too.  For now it’s a great way to have a virtual coffee date with the folks we work with in the States.
  • It’s important to remember that social media isn’t all above the numbers.  As important as it is to pay attention the numbers, making sure that those numbers are quality over quantity is key.  Mitch Joel shared a really great example of a company that really believes in quality.

Karen

Crisis management in social media is a really hot topic because companies seem to land themselves in hot water on a regular basis. Danny Brown brings a different perspective to the conversation by saying that companies are causing hese crises - not social media. To me, this makes a lot of sense. 

I have this crazy unfollow rate on my Twitter account. Almost 2/3 of the people who follow me then unfollow me later. I’m okay with this and I don’t care a great deal why, but my assumption is that it’s because I don’t follow them back. Mark Schaefer took it to his followers to find out what motivates them to unfollow someone.

Making assumptions is a dangerous thing - especially if you assume that your audience knows something that they don’t.

SOCIAL CAPITAL

Social Capital is quickly approaching (it’s May 31 and June 1). Join us this Thursday if you’re in Ottawa for our #socapott tweetup at 7pm at the Marriott Hotel.  We’ve also announced a lot of great speakers!

THE MEDIA MESH

The conversation is already happening