I have to share a fabulous new site that I have been playing around with: Google Trends for websites.
If you are a regular scourer of, say for example, a particular technology site - let's say iTWire, the Google Trends site lets you search for the website and then provides you with a list of similar technology websites that are frequented by the same visitors to iTWire - and sites that you may not necessarily be aware of.
The other cool thing about the site is that it lets you look at the unique visitors to the site over what appears to be a six month period.
When I searched iTWire, it provided me with the following websites:
This site is a great tool for any competitive analysis and research you are conducting for clients.
I was reading an article about Twitter on Silicon Valley’s Mercury News today. It raised a good point and one that I wanted to talk about here. The sites describes Twitter as the "...Seinfeld of the Internet". This can also be interpreted as 'the website about nothing'. I have blogged about the use of Twitter in the Marketing/PR industry previously so with this comment, I think it is time to revisit my thoughts on this new(ish) Web 2.0 tool.
Are we wasting time frequenting Twitter? Is there really any inherent value that we can take away from this online tool? To be perfectly honest, i'm not too sure if my Twitter updates, such as those below, would provide any use to any of those that follow me:
- "Just having a caramello koala - hitting the 3pm sugar cravings"
- "Getting fed up with fuel prices...so my car stays in the garage"
- "I want to go home because it's been a long day"
It might make them laugh at me but i'm probably wasting their time (and mine). These people, however, have requested to follow me which makes me think people actually want to hear about my daily rants and whereabouts - as pointless as it may seem.
I don't want to be too pessimistic about the value of Twitter. Mercury News reports that Twitter had "...1.2 million unique visitors in May...". We are seeing it gain value in some parts of the world - particularly with regards to political applications in the United States. For example, Barack Obama has used Twitter to provide updates to the public from his campaign trail.
We are also seeing the tool used for PR purposes. These days, many journalists are also using Twitter as a means of communicating the stories/ features they are researching and writing. Savvy PR consultants are utilising tools such as Twitter regularly in order to keep abreast of relevant engagement opportunities for their clients.
As I mentioned, I see this tool gaining traction in the United States but I don't think we are seeing similar traction across the Asia Pacific - at least not at this point in time. Will we see the journalists/ analysts on this side of the world use the tool to put the word out regarding what they are working on? We'll just have to wait and see.
As far as reaching a wider audience, would my mum or dad ever use Twitter? (No - I really doubt it). I don't even think my friends working at large IT-centric companies would.
The questions I am toying with at the moment (and I ask for your input) - Will we see Twitter move into the mainstream? Will it ever attract a truly global audience? As communication experts, should we be using Twitter on a daily basis?
Are social networks such as Facebook and MySpace over-valued today? The price tags we put on them are steep in my opinion - in the billions of dollars! Although, are these sites and other online communities just a fad that will be replaced by the next big 'It' technology shortly down the line, or will they all see a long and prosperous future?
MySpace was a huge success in its early days and managed to stay on top for a good while. However, many people today consider that MySpace, as a brand, has lost its champion title to Facebook.
I slightly digress from my original thoughts but want to put this perception to the test and undergo a couple of benchmarking tests.
Step One - The Site Traffic Test
I got some interesting results whilst conducting a traffic rank comparison between Facebook and MySpace on traffic ranking site, Alexa. For your reference, all the following figures are based on a snapshot of a three month average.
MySpace receives a traffic rank of 6 [this traffic rank is based on a combined measure of page views and users (reach)]. The number of unique pages viewed per user per day on MySpace is 34.52.
Facebook comes in just behind MySpace with a traffic rank of 7. The number of unique pages viewed per user per day on Facebook is 21.26.
The graph above, however, shows us that the traffic rank of MySpace has dipped over the past two months. Over this same two month period, Facebook has grown considerably.
To be completely honest, i'm a little surprised with these figures. I definitely thought that Facebook would have had a bigger lead on MySpace.
Step Two - The Member Test
This next step isn't really a fair test but I thought I would throw it in to add a new dimension into the mix.
An interesting sociology study was posted on Mashable about one year ago now addressing the difference between Facebook and MySpace users. According to the study 'jocks', 'athletes' and 'goodie two shoes' are the types that frequent Facebook whereas MySpace is the hang out for the 'alternative' crowd, 'punks', 'emos' and other kids who didn't play into the dominant high school popularity paradigm!
Based on the vast differences between the member bases of these sites, I am starting to feel a little guilty for comparing the two. Apples with oranges? :)
After completely digressing from my first questions in this post, I want to go back to my original question on the longevity of these online sites. And are we or are we not over-valuing them?
LinkedIn recently valued itself at $1 billion. Similarly, according to Computerworld, Facebook received a market valuation of around US$15 billion after Microsoft bought 1.6% of the site for US$240 million last year. Other networking sites have had valuations between US$200 million and US$560 million, based on transactions from this year. In the same vain, Facebook received a market valuation of approximately "...US$15 billion after Microsoft bought 1.6% of the site for US$240 million last year..."
I'll leave this one with you to ponder on. Will this bubble burst?
Imagine my surprise when I came into work only to find a few blog post links in an email mentioning that I ranked number 29 in the Top 50 Australian Marketing Pioneer Blogs. The list was compiled by Julian Cole.
Total
1
Banner Blog
6
6
8
6
8
9
43
2
Servant of Chaos
9
5
8
6
6
5
39
3
Duncans Tv Adland
6
5
7
6
8
5
37
4
Corporate Engagement
8
5
5
4
5
8
35
5
Better Communication Results
8
3
6
5
6
6
34
6
Young PR
7
5
6
5
5
6
34
7
Small Business Branding
7
3
0
8
7
8
33
8
Get Shouty
8
5
7
5
4
4
33
9
Personlize Media
8
5
4
4
4
5
30
10
Brand DNA
6
4
6
5
5
4
30
11
PR Disasters
7
5
4
4
4
5
29
12
Ettf.net
6
5
5
4
4
3
27
13
Oneplusoneequalsthree
5
3
5
4
5
5
27
14
Business of Marketing & Branding
6
5
6
4
4
1
26
15
Media Hunter
7
2
6
4
3
3
25
16
Australian SEO Blog
4
4
5
4
6
1
24
17
Wide Open Spaces
8
5
4
3
3
1
24
18
The Marketer
7
3
6
4
3
0
23
19
Three Billion
6
4
0
4
4
5
23
20
Innovation Feeder
6
5
3
3
3
2
22
21
Campaign Brief
6
4
0
3
5
3
21
22
EcioLab
7
5
2
3
3
0
20
23
Adspace-Pioneers
7
3
3
3
2
2
20
24
Publicity Queen
8
4
1
1
2
3
19
25
Filter Media
6
4
0
2
3
3
18
26
Marketing Easy
6
3
0
3
5
1
18
27
Hothouse
6
4
1
2
4
1
18
28
Mark Neely's Blog
7
3
2
2
3
0
17
29
Lexy Klain
7
3
1
3
2
1
17
30
Peter Sheahan
6
4
0
1
4
2
17
31
In my atmosphere
6
4
0
3
2
1
16
32
Elbow Grease
4
4
0
3
2
3
16
33
Falkayn
5
4
2
0
2
1
14
34
Pigs Don't Fly
6
4
1
1
2
0
14
35
Diffusion
7
4
0
1
1
1
14
36
Australian Small Business
6
3
0
0
4
0
13
37
The Jason Recliner
4
4
1
2
1
1
13
38
The Wayfarer
7
3
0
1
1
1
13
39
Adnotes
6
3
1
1
2
0
13
40
Ryan's View
6
4
0
2
1
0
13
41
B&T
7
4
0
1
1
0
13
42
Zero Budget Marketing Ideas
6
3
1
1
1
0
12
43
Blackwatch
5
3
0
0
0
3
11
44
Fresh Chat
5
2
1
1
1
1
11
45
Latin Ocean
5
2
1
1
1
1
11
46
Arrow Internet SEO
7
2
0
0
1
1
11
47
The Sticky Report
7
0
1
2
0
0
10
48
Naked Communications-The Flasher
8
0
0
1
0
1
10
49
Pixel Paddock
5
1
0
1
0
1
8
50
Send up a larger room
7
0
0
1
0
0
8
I try and give my blog as much love and attention as possible, but unfortunately find that my time tends to get cannibalised elsewhere. This new found, albeit short, burst of fame is exactly what I need to give me that extra bit of motivation to make sure that I am regularly contributing my thoughts on the latest emerging technologies and Web 2.0 developments and how these are impacting on the marketing and PR disciplines.
The blog list was compiled using a set of criteria, including Google Page Ranks, Technorati Blog Reactions, Alexa page ranking and Blog Lines. Additionally, a subjective 'pioneer' score was also included, measuring the 'blog's ability to have pioneering thoughts about marketing'.
The Top 50 Australian Marketing Pioneer Blog list will appear in the August edition of Marketing Magazine. It will also be updated every three months, with the next update this September.
Here's to crawling up the ranks :) Stay tuned!
Given that I predominantly work with a host of technology brands, I have been quite interested in the notion of 'connecting the next billion' for quite some time now. I was forwarded a CNET Asia blog post by someone I work closely with and was inspired to add my two cents - both in response to his blog and of course in my own blog space here (as food for thought more than anything else).
Affordable CE devices and new technologies will make connecting the next billion possible but the critical enablers to help empower these next billion subscribers will be education and connectivity.
To add to all of this, new consumer devices today are being designed to meet the dynamic needs of consumers in emerging markets. Many IT companies are developing products with the latest technologies, most compelling feature-sets and stylish/ sleek designs in mind. I digress slightly...
Attaining the next billion subscribers will not be the core issue at hand. It will in fact be 'connecting them' and giving them the type of access they need anytime and anywhere.
New technologies and consumer devices are revolutionising the way people in these markets live - it is making it easier for people that live in remote areas to find work. It is helping farmers check prices in different markets before setting their own prices and selling produce. Most importantly - it fosters innovation and enhances entrepreneurship. More and more, business in emerging markets will get the opportunity to sustain economic growth - and thus enhance the cornerstone of our economy.
Co-operation between IT companies, telcos, equipment manufacturers and governments will be integral to the process of adequately connecting the next billion!
Now that I have added my two cents - feel free to drop yours in.
I'm going to take a few moments now to be the proud partner and boast.
My partner, Alan Meyerson, CEO of Danoz Direct, has appeared in Smart Company's list of"30 hot entrepreneurs aged 30 and under". The article was compiled/ written by Brad Howarth.
Alan has come in at number 20, amongst the likes of other entrepreneurial spirits: the duo from Atlassian, Pink Hibiscus, Simply Rose Petals, LX Innovations, myinvites, Loteq and other influentials.
So there you have it. I just wanted to share :)
A really interesting IDC study, titled "The Hyperconnected: Here They Come" was released this month which talks about the exploding "culture of connectivity" and the implications that hyper-connectivity has on the enterprise and business practices.
Whilst on a fact finding mission, another interesting point that I came across is that the global mobile workforce continues to grow unabated - IDC expects the global mobile worker population to increase from 758.6 million in 2006 to more than 1 billion in 2011, representing just over 30 percent of the worldwide workforce. [see more details here]
The thing that really struck a chord with me is that we are becoming a generation addicted to connectivity. We are seeing our younger colleagues enter the workforce as 'digital natives' (an idea widely discussed by Peter Sheahan) - they only understand communication via IM, email, text messaging, social networking and so forth. This is the 'conventional' that they seek and the 'unconventional' that the rest of us are all so keen to adopt. Today, we are spending more time connected and switched on in both our personal and work lives - so much so that we are now seeing a blurring between the two.
More and more people are starting to leverage Web 2.0 tools in business (a term coined Enterprise 2.0) such as shared wikis, IM and social networks in order to better facilitate information sharing and collaboration between workers and provide a competitive edge to those businesses that embrace it.
I think we will see Enterprise 2.0 increasingly extend beyond the office as wireless technologies such as in-built 3G, WiFi and WiMAX become faster and more efficient for business users to access personal internet on-the-go, and as mobile devices become sleeker and lighter for users to carry with them.
The IDC study predicts that "hyperconnected business users will likely rise to 40 percent in five years". Another five years down the track, I am sure we will see a substantial increase on this figure. Application and web developers, mobile device/ notebook manufacturers and telecommunications providers will need to cater towards making this hyper-connected experience for users a more seamless one.
Watch this space!
I'm sorry that i have been so slack in spite of my promise to keep my blog updated in this new year. I have been busy working, holidaying in Thailand and now that i'm back at work, it feels as though i never went away. Isn't that always the way?
So on to more exciting developments, it looks as though i have an update for you on what initiatives YouTube has in the pipelines thanks to TechCrunch. These developments were announced by YouTube a couple of days ago at a New York event, funnily enough titled 'Videocracy'.
The initiatives are as follows:
Active sharing - an active sharing feature will be launched that lets viewers know you are watching the same video as them. If you activate the setting, other viewers watching the same video as you will see your username appear on the right side of the screen.
Enhanced video-editing capabilities - in the wise words (or my interpretation of the words) of TechCrunch - what have they been waiting for?????
Video recommendations - this function will suggest other similar videos that you have watched
YouTube pervasion (this is my name for it) - YouTube will be ever pervasive, continuing distributing its videos beyond the 'web browser to mobile devices and large flat-screen TVs in the living room
YouTube analytics - this tool will allow us to get more insight into who are viewing YouTube videos (location and website information).
I think the one that will be of most interest to us as PR professionals will be the analytics tool. This will provide us with more value in our PR efforts around online viral campaigns. We will be able to provide further insights to our clients (as it stands we currently provide the number of hits and favourability) when it comes to evaluating campaigns using this video aggregator site.
Unfortunately, i don't have any other details to share with you at this stage but i'm on the look out and i'll keep you posted.
I wanted to share some of the top free download tools to get you the content that you want faster, smoother and simpler at your fingertips. Some of these great tools were shared in a recent post on tech blog, Lifehacker. They are as follows:
Unplug allows you to view music, images and videos instantaneously on any web page you desire.
Micro lets you turn your computer into an internet TV. You can download the tool to watch free internet video channels and play any video file.
AresTube lets you download video clips from video aggregator sites such as YouTube and convert them for use on your iPod.
FileZilla is a free ftp download solution that lets you easily transfer large file sizes across to the desired ftp site.
You no longer have to get frustrated at the idea of setting up another laptop and refreshing it with all the latest software. InstallPad lets you pick a list of your favourite programs you would like to download and helps you complete this task with no issues.
UTorrent is a Windows BitTorrent client. It also lets you remote control your television series via a uTorrent web interface.
DownThemAll is an easy to use Mozilla Firefox extension that adds new advanced download capabilities to your browser. You basically get to download all the images, links and so forth saved in a webpage and then customise your downloads as desired. According to the website, it also "...features an advanced accelerator that increases speed up to 400%", also allowing you to pause and then resume your downloads as you wish.
Cheers for now...
As I was checking over my Google Reader account, I came across one of the funniest videos I have seen in ages, on TechCrunch. The video is titled 'What a comment stream would look like in real life'. The video highlights what a comment stream would look like if we transformed it into a real life scenario - in this instance, it shows the comment stream at a work meeting.
It really conveys how differently we communicate with one another in the online world compared with how we speak with one another in real life circumstances, such as at work. For some reason, these comment streams are quite appropriate when posted online, they get a point across quickly - similar to how you would get your message across using Web 2.0 service Twitter, but it definitely does not have any place in real life conversations.
The people in the meeting come across looking like complete tools, although they rated highly on entertainment value! It just really conveys an interesting point - it raises many issues in my mind. Are we losing our ability to communicate properly with other people due to the rise of emerging technologies? Think about SMS messages, IM and email - do you abbreviate your words and sentences? Do they lk sumthn alng da lines of ths? Do you use words that you don't know the origin of such as 'lol', 'lmao', 'rotfl', 'ttyl', 'pwnd' etc...? Food for thought!!
Take a look at the video below:
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Lexy Klain said:
I miss you too!! You're too far away. It's late here, definitely way past my bedtime. I'm heading off home.... read more
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