Small Business Are Using Social Media More

According to the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business, the relationship between social media and small businesses  have doubled in the past year from 12% to 24% in the United States.

The study which was released earlier this week found that roughly one in five small businesses have embraced social media and are integrating those sites into their business strategy.  Among the favored sites in the survey, Facebook and LinkedIn made the list.  45% of those surveyed businesses have said they believe that within a year or less, they saw initiatives.  (more…)

How Your Business Can Crowdsource

You are probably saying to yourself, “what is crowdsourcing?”  According to Wikipedia, “Crowdsourcing is a neologistic compound of Crowd and Outsourcing for the act of taking tasks traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, and outsourcing them to a group of people or community, through an “open call” to a large group of people (a crowd) asking for contributions.”

It’s also a concept that many businesses are taking on.  While many are using social media sites like a modern suggestion box, others are actually taking those suggestions and putting them into action.  WLS-TV, Chicago’s ABC affiliate took a look at a Chicagoland company which helps people and businesses connect by crowdsourcing. (more…)

Social Media Becomes American News Source

It was just last week, I was explaining how some of my predictions for the next decade in the social media world were coming true.  This week, thanks to the latest study from Pew Internet, another prediction has become a reality. 

The study analyzed how American’s are now using social media and other variables to consume their news.  Just the other week, we watch the Austin plane crash unfold before our very eyes through the social networks.  In fact, based on a sample of 2,259 adults, 75% of them read news through social networks or e-mail, while about 52% of those continued to forward on the news to others. (more…)

Christmas Comes Early for Sisters Who Land Front Page Google Rankings

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. The question has been popped and wedding bells chime in the distance. It’s time to commence the planning and preparation for the big day, but where do you begin with the countless details to attend to?

Set a date, pick a venue and find the perfect dress – don’t sweat the small stuff – leave the table décor and party favors up to Show Me Wedding. In one simple sweep of online shopping, brides-to-be will discover hundreds of decorative accents produced by Atlanta-based designer Kate Aspen.

Transform your visions of fairy-tale bliss into tangible accents of elegance and creativity with table décor and favors themed for every season or personal preference, such as wine, hearts, beach, candles and more. And don’t forget to thank your bridal party with tokens of appreciation and sentiment; choose from monogrammed jewelry pouches, flip-flops, koozies and more.

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iePlexus Social Media News Brief: Friday, February 26, 2010

From blogs to Facebook, here’s today’s Social Media News Brief! (more…)

More Blogs = More Customers

Hubspot released an interesting survey Thursday, which stated that companies who blog more, have more consistent sales.  The survey consisted of 231 professionals who were either involved or familiar with their companies marketing strategy and plan. 

According to the report, “social media and blogs are becoming marketing powerhouses.  They are the fastest growing category in lead generation budgets and they continue to be ranked as the lowest cost lead- generation channel.” (more…)

iePlexus Social Media News Brief: February 24, 2010

Get all the latest headlines in today’s social media news brief! (more…)

YouTube To No Longer Be Supported By IE6

It was discovered today that in just a few weeks, on March 13, 2010, YouTube will no longer be supported by Inernet Explorer 6. Reports say that Ars Technica found the specific date buried in a YouTube Help item pertaining to browser support.

“Support stops on March 13th. Stopped support essentially means that some future features on YouTube will be rolled out that won’t work in older browsers.” (more…)

Social Media Changing College Admissions

It’s crazy to think we are already almost two full months into the new year and the new decade.  You may recall one of my first articles from this year, when I gave some predictions into what will social media be like in the future, and already some of those predictions are now realities.  Sort of.

I had talked about students hanging up their sports jersey’s for the video camera and YouTube.  You may recall two rival Seattle area high schools who battled it out on the video site with viral videos.  But could YouTube videos help students get into college?  It can now. (more…)

What’s The Buzz On Google Buzz?

It’s been nearly two week since Google launched their own social network known as Google Buzz, and users are now weighing in and sharing their opinions.  If you’re not sure what Google Buzz is all about,it simply a cross between Facebook & Twitter.  You are able to integrate a number of social networks to you Buzz feed including Twitter & Flickr.  Facebook has not teamed up with Google at this time.

I’ve been trying to figure out the new social media for the past week and I must say it’s a bit confusing!  And I even consider myself to be pretty internet savy.  I’m usually pretty good at spotting out the social networks that’ll make it.  For example, last year is when Twitter became popular and what it is today, but I have been on the site for close to 3 years now.  But Google Buzz, I can’t just figure out the hype about it.  And apparently I’m not the only one. (more…)