Monthly Archives: March 2009
Twouble With Twitters
Nothing like a little humor to kick off a Monday for ya. Last week a coworker passed along this excellent animated video from Current.com that takes a look at a young man’s pressure to tweet his life away. Too good, be sure to check it out.
-Scott
Are You Optimizing Your YouTube Videos?
By: StymShinji
There are a variety of tips floating around the Web that discuss the best way to shoot online videos. Last month, YouTube switched to allowing users to upload and watch videos in high definition (HD).
This is a huge step forward for the site as YouTube used to use a standard process that resulted in uploaded videos being heavily compressed. In the past, I’ve found that any sharp editing cuts or transitions tended to be blurred on the site. Though Vimeo has been using an HD channel, YouTube’s adaption opens up a nice new avenue as it remains the top-rated video sharing site.
Think HD is too pricey to shoot?
Think again. Check out the Flip MinoHD, now pricing at just over $200. Great, simple device for shooting video on the fly, making minor edits and uploading direct to your channel.
In addition, if your company or organization shoots video, be sure to check out these key tips to optimizing your YouTube upload so as not to botch an intended widescreen format.
Get a shoot’n!
As of December 2008, studies showed that 76% of Americans are watching online video. Video presents a host of opportunities to connect with audiences through an active, engaging format. Demonstrate thought leadership and expertise, supplement an upcoming news release, gather customer testimonials, show the lighter side of your company though a little humor, give your audience an exclusive look “behind-the-scenes” – the creative options are endless.
If you haven’t already, use 2009 to take advantage and start shooting some video!
-Scott
You’ve Got to Be Tweep’n Kidding Me!
Earlier yesterday my super-savvy CG&A coworker Ryan, passed along a link to a new Twitter tool called TweepMe. When I finally clicked through to the site, it took me all of three seconds to raise an eyebrow after reading this:
What is TweepMe?TweepMe is the fastest way to accumulate followers on Twitter. When a new member joins, every other member automatically follows the new member, and the new member follows them back. The process is gradual and happens over the course of weeks or months depending on the number of TweepMe members.
Noooooo. For real?! As you might guess, Twitter has suspended this application for the time being.
I’m not going to echo everything that’s already been said in Cheryl’s assessment of the site, but I will re-emphasize one key point:
Quality vs. Quantity
I’ve harped on this before, but TweepMe is a perfect example to highlight. Why in the world would you want thousands of people following you with 99% of those followers not caring one iota about connecting with you? If you’re going to do that, you might as well sit and talk to yourself in a mirror.
As Cheryl notes, Twitter works and works well when you connect with others that are in your industry, geographic area or those with whom you build strong relationships with because of similar personal or professional interests.
In a phone call with David Mullen a few weeks back, we chatted about managing the Twitter stream and how he is able to keep up with thousands of followers. The reality of the matter is that most people don’t. It’s simply too much.
Naturally, we keep close tabs on a core group of 30-40 people. Humans aren’t capable of maintaining close relationships with thousands of people. Certainly, there are tools such as Tweetdeck that assist our efforts, but most quality conversation is directed toward those with whom we build personal relationships over time.
Don’t worry about getting thousands upon thousands of followers. Instead, hone in on building strong relationships and making a concerted effort to really connect with your core group.
All in all, I’m glad to see Twitter put TweepMe to rest for now. Seems like the site was a recipe for SPAM disaster.
-Scott
