Search Engines, Twitter, Blogs…How do you live in the moment?

By Mary-Jane Turcotte, February 17, 2010

I recently read an article in Wired magazine about how the web is changing. People have been turning to internet search engines seeking instant information and the search engines have let them down by providing out-dated information.

Information Society

The public has a thirst for instant “real-time” web so they can live in the moment. Which is why a new generation of search engines like Tweetmeme, OneRiot, Topsy, Scoopler and Collectra have surfaced. Most of these new search engines rely heavily on Twitter because it is fast becoming the most popular source of instant information. Collectra actively imports blog posts and tweets so they appear less than a second after they go live. Older search engines can take hours if not days to catalog “current” information. These new search engines offer a keyhole glimpse of what the world is doing at this very second rather than just answer questions.

Another article claimed that even blogs are passé because they do not deliver information fast enough and are often too long of a read. More and more of the younger generation rely totally on Twitter because it is fast and to the point. Regardless of how you seek information it seems the speed is being increased to warp speed and if you are going to jump aboard this information highway you better not pause because something even faster is approaching quickly.

Agricultural communities using Search engines, Twitter and Blogs

Agricultural communities are validating social media by using these search engines, Twitter and Blogs. One instance was posted on the Voice of Agriculture website about  “The Day Twitter Said #Moo” which illustrated how one Sunday afternoon the phrase #moo was used on Twitter. By that evening more than 3,000 different users had combined to use the term over 6,000 times that day, with #moo climbing as high as the 4th most talked about topic on Twitter at one point. The information was instant and fast and it generated an awareness of where dairy products come from and engagement of a varied audience with growers and producers.

Where do you obtain information? And will you use this new technology to enhance your company awareness?

Mary Jane Turcotte has a passionate eye for art and ensures perfection in every detail on the work she touches for AdFarm clients. You can contact her directly at MaryJane.Turcotte@adfarmonline.com


Microsite or parasite? Top 3 mistakes when going viral.

By Lexie Bexson, February 10, 2010

We’ve all been in the room when someone pipes up with the “let’s do a microsite!” idea. Let’s face it…we all say we want it, but do we really?

Going viral is one thing, but when your great online idea turns from a microsite into a parasite, it can evolve into a tactical dead space leaving you thinking “what are we going to do with this thing”?

Hosts of these now-dead sites float around the online world. Once upon a time they lived a glamorous life as a flashy contest, fun interactive game, or a brand alter-ego.

So how can you recognize the signs that your great microsite might transform into a wasted domain, cluttering up google search results? Here’s how.

Problem: One-time use

Your microsite is a side-dish designed to compliment a larger, more robust marketing campaign. This is a classic, so before rushing into a one-time tactic, think about if it can serve a future purpose. Can it still function later? Is this site part of your brand identity, or just an idea to add zing to an overall plan?  Often these “zingers” have a shelf life and once they expire, they sit untouched until someone gets a domain renewal email.

Problem: No link home

Does your microsite link to back to your corporate website? Can people follow a natural trail back home? Giving visitors a path home can be a great way to add shelf life to your site.  Microsites usually have a visual appeal that’s different than your corporate mega-site, they have interactive content, and often less rules about their functionality. So they are great spaces to keep alive, if you can keep their content fresh, relevant and part of your brand identity.

Problem:  The 5 second rule

Is that how long it takes for someone to soak up the content of your microsite and leave? Because if it is – you need more content.  Think more along the lines of a satisfying “all you can eat buffet” and not a “drive-thru window”.  Give your customers an experience and some options – like playing a game, downloading an app, printing off a coupon – and drive them somewhere after they visit.  Afterall, people don’t admit it, but they love wasting time online.

 

What microsites do you visit for great content?

Lexie Bexson is an Account Manager at AdFarm. You can reach her directly at Lexie.Bexson@adfarmonline.com

Links: http://www.squidoo.com/bestmicrosites