COMMUNITIES
7 Twitter Strategies for Growing a Great Following
Size really does matter… at least when it comes to your Twitter following. But quality is equally, if not more, important. You want to be following the right people, and making the right connections. It can be hard to decipher who will be a good addition to your network, but this article lays out 7 surefire ways to meet the right people on Twitter. The article gives ideas such as joining conversations, starting with people you already know, integrating your social networks, and even offering incentives. While some may work for you and others may not, these are great strategies to know about and to keep in mind.
TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES
Google unveils Hotpot, a recommendation engine for Places
In the midst of all the excitement surrounding Facebook messages this week, Google has also managed to unveil an exciting new feature. Hotpot will be a location based recommendation engine. Google will encourage users to create reviews and ratings of a location, in order for them to recommend them to other users. This is an extremely user based experience, not just for tech junkies or businesses. It is aimed at the average user and encourages them to participate. There will also be a social aspect, allowing users to connect with their friends through their Gmail account.
MEASUREMENT
Twitter’s Official Analytics Product Has Arrived
After many rumors and discussions, Twitter is finally rolling out their Twitter Analytics feature to certain users. The tool will allow users to measure their own data, such as which tweets of theirs were most successful and which tweets caused people to unfollow them. And the best part is…Twitter is offering this feature for free. That’s right, free. While this may be devastating news to third-party vendors, Twitter users will be happy to know that as of now, there is no intention to charge for the feature.
INFLUENCERS
Inside The War Room: Answering The Questions Behind Facebook Messages
Facebook, as you all know by now, as launched their new messaging system. All Facebook users will now be given an @facebook.com email address and will have the opportunity to chat other users in a more proficient way. But with tons of questions still plaguing most users, TechCrunch sat down with Joel Seligstein, the Engineering Manager in charge of this new messaging system. Check out the video to get inside of the head of the mastermind behind this new Facebook app and for answers to any of your remaining questions.
PARTNERSHIPS
Zynga To Sell Candy Cane Seeds To Help Build Children’s Hospital
With the holiday’s right around the corner, everyone is looking for a way to pitch in and help out their favorite charities. Zynga is making it that much easier this year by helping out the UCSF drive in order to build a children’s hospital. Beginning on December 1st, Farmville players will be able to purchase candy cane “seeds” and 100% of those proceeds will go directly to funds for the children’s hospital. If you are interested in helping out, purchase these seeds between December 1st and December 15th in order to make some holiday dreams come true this year.
FUN STUFF
Apple Welcomes the Beatles to iTunes With a New Ad Campaign
As you’ve probably heard by now, Apple made a very big announcement this week. They will now be selling music by The Beatles on iTunes. Whether you thought the announcement was too hyped up or not, you must admit it is exciting to see The Beatles music finally for sale. With the arrival of this new addition to the iTunes family, Apple has released a series of ads featuring music by The Beatles.
