PC Mike.com a Review
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Consumer Activism, Mike Wendland, PCMike, Technology
When I was a kid growing up in Detroit, I always loved Channel 4’s investigative team (back when their slogan was Go 4 It). I watched intently as Mike Wendland dug up stuff and helped put the bad guys away or righted wrongs that were perpetrated against people. Mike has long since left Channel 4, and did tech reports for The Detroit Free Press for a number of years.
Recently he quit his Free Press gig, to pastor full time at his church. What has remained constant though is his website located at PCMike.com. He has a knack with his insight and knowledge of all things technology. He discusses different gadgets like the HDMino flip phone and Amazon Kindle, as well as technology services like Twitter and Facebook. Recently Mike has gone into his newest foray of technology at Blog Talk Radio. You can catch it here. His show starts at 1PM Eastern time on Saturdays. He even had a shortened version on Wednesday of this week to discuss Twitter. I’m planning on calling in today, so you might catch me.
I consider this to be one of the most authoritative sites for technology information, so please be sure to check it out.
The Things You Can Find On Google
Filed under: Ask, Error Messages, Google, Scams, Search Engines
As I twittered around this morning, I came across this great article.
In it, it explained a couple of things that reminded me of information that I’d garnered recently from simple Google searches. About two weeks ago, my father called with grim news. That some company had called him looking for me and that I was being sued for some sort of fraud action. They gave him a number for me to call and a case number. So, in a somewhat panic I called the number and in the middle of the conversation my husband had an epiphany to do a Google search of the phone number. Luckily before I gave away any sensitive information Joel had pulled up pages and pages of scam information about this company. What a sigh of relief, but can you imagine all the people who didn’t have that information? It’s scary to think about.
The other more trivial piece of information I garnered recently from Google was about an error message that I kept receiving whenever I’d type in certain addresses into my address bar. So, I copied and pasted the error message and voila, there were the instructions on how to fix it. It was something wrong with an “Ask” toolbar that I’d recently installed as part of another software package. Within five minutes I had the toolbar uninstalled from my computer and I was back to happy surfing.
Moral of this story. Whenever you have any sort of information that you need answers to, Google it. I bet you find an answer right away.
Social Media Can Benefit Businesses, Analyst Says
Filed under: Alabanza, BlodgetTech, Company Announcements, Facebook, Non-profits, Social Media, Twitter
This comes from The Morning News - Local News for NW Arkansas.
A few highlights:
Using social media to contact future clients and customers can be effective and used in conjunction with advertising in traditional markets like newspaper, radio and television, Judkins said.
Tammy Thurow of the chamber said she also tweets, but keeps her messages oriented to business items. For example, she used her BlackBerry on Monday to “tweet” to those who follow the chamber on Twitter that the social media seminar was beginning in a few minutes.
She suggested Robinson use Twitter to alert clients or potential clients about homes he just listed for sale and give his phone number to set up showings.
Businesses can’t just use Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to inundate users with spam or advertising, or those users will stop paying attention to the business messages, Judkins said.
Share links to interesting articles with clients in the same field, e-mail coupons to Facebook users and ask Twitter users for feedback, he said.
“Think like a contributor, not a marketer, and don’t promote something on every post,” Judkins said.
Save Money on Facebook and Twitter
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Consumers, Deals, Facebook, Savings, Social Media, Twitter
Everyone loves to save a buck, right? Well, if you’re on Facebook and Twitter, saving that buck has gotten easy.
From: NewsChannel 10 Amarillo TX
A plethora of steals and deals right at your fingertips. Become a fan of Sears on Facebook and you’ll instantly get a $10 coupon. Fifty nine of the top 100 online retailers have Facebook pages… And they want to be your friend. Accept their request and you’ll save money from companies like Sephora, Walgreens and Amazon.com. If you’re thinking about taking a weekend getaway… Don’t pack your bags without searching for hotel deals on Facebook… Many hotels offer exclusive deals to those on their friend list. Use the Facebook Coupon Application to see all of the deals Facebook has to offer. Head on over to www.twitter.com and the bargains continue. Just last week Fiji water used Twitter to tell their followers about a 40-percent off sale on bottled water. Check out www.cheaptweet.com and www.coupontweet.com for the latest deals posted on Twitter.
Not only are these Social Media platforms good for business, they’re good for consumers too.
How Companies Are Using Social Media
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Burger King, Coldwell Banker, Facebook, Ford, Jcrew, Kmart, Marriot, Sears, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube, Zappos.com
Coldwell Banker - A new training program recently launched by Coldwell Banker focuses how to effectively market yourself on social networking websites such as FaceBook.
Sears/Kmart - Sears, sometimes gives $10 coupons to people who become fans on Facebook. Both Sears and Kmart provide service to customers through Facebook and Twitter.
Dell - Dell posts discount codes for online purchases on Twitter
zappos.com - Shoe retailer Zappos.com periodically gives passes for free overnight shipping through both Facebook and Twitter.
J.CREW - J.Crew, uses Facebook to keep shoppers informed of in-store parties and events such as “Denim After Dark.” The idea is make people feel they’re a part of the brand.
Burger King - Burger King recently offered free Whopper coupons through a promotion on Facebook.
Ford - On April 15, 2009, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally spent a half hour answering questions on Twitter, and the company is planning to post a video of Mulally’s session on YouTube.
Marriot - Marriott uses twitter to give alerts on special rates as well as to answer customer service request on individual properties.
Ignoring Social Media Can Have Disastrous Results
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Company News, Dominoes, Food, Pizza, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
Have you seen this video yet?
In a word it’s disgusting. Two Dominoes employees decided to videotape themselves talking about, and tampering with the food that they were making. One employee sticks a piece of cheese up his nose before sticking it on a sandwich and also passes gas onto a piece of salami before placing it on the sandwich. The employee videotaping was acting so happy at what was going on right before her eyes.
But, this incident proves that you need social media now more than ever. Can you imagine someone tarnishing your brand just because they have a video camera and a YouTube account?
In response Dominoes launched a twitter feed to respond to the mess, but incredibly enough they didn’t already have one. Had they of, they may have been able to tackle this head on instead of having to wait, and you shouldn’t wait either. You should control the branding of your company, product, or service. No one else.
Contact us today, and we’ll get you on the road to controlling your message instead of reacting to it.
Twitter Helps Restaurant In Slow Economy
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Food, Restaurants, Social Media, Twitter
From CNBC
Kogi, a duo of Korean BBQ-inspired taco trucks in Los Angeles, has “Tweeted” its way to international stardom and is inspiring restaurateurs seeking new ways to tempt diners during a deep recession.
Twitter, a free social networking site, is a vital ingredient in Kogi’s success. As Kogi’s example shows, the service that started as a way for people to follow the 140-character “tweets” of friends and celebrities is quickly becoming a powerful new way for businesses to talk directly with customers.
Because Kogi’s trucks visit locations all around Los Angeles, brand director Mike Prasad wanted to create a single place where fans could gather.
“We had to create a home for them. Twitter was a natural fit,” said Prasad.
The plan worked. Since launching in November, Kogi has attracted more than 15,000 followers on Twitter(http://twitter.com/kogibbq).
This was a single restaurant in LA. We can manage your entire social media experience, and we will do the work. You’ll provide us with a few details, and then we’ll run with it, promoting it all over the internet. Look at what this one restaurant did with Twitter, can you imagine the possibilities with every stream coming together? Contact Us, and let us help you get started.
Articles on Companies and Facebook
Filed under: BlodgetTech, Companies, Company Announcements, Company News, Corporations, Facebook, Non-profits, Small Business, Social Media, Social Networking
Here are some great articles on Companies and Facebook:
Introduction to facebook for companies
Companies use Facebook to target customers
Should companies embrace facebook
I’ll be adding more and more over time, but this shows you proof positive that you need to get on Facebook too, and we’re the company to help you do it. We’ll get you on, and manage it for you so you don’t have to lift a finger. Contact us, and we’ll get you started.
