Top 10 Green Tweeters

As you may know, I'm @carbonoutreach on Twitter. As microblogging has become part of my day I have delved deeper and deeper into the world of Twitter--and loved every minute. I sincerely enjoy reading thoughtful and scholarly mini-posts by these tweeters. If you aren't following these ten, you're missing out. Reasons to be on Twitter soon.

1. @dcarli
2. @greenbiztweets
3. @PaulMalouf
4. @LighterFootstep
5. @twilightearth
6. @WWF_Australia
7. @wind4me
8. @CleanNRG
9. @savemyearth
10. @solargroupies

Twitter: ten rules of etiquette

Twitter Conversations Map #1
Flickr via Walter Rafelsberger

Twitter used to be an enigma to me. The entire medium of microblogging is still confusing. Don't worry, it's only 140 characters; a world wide text message. To everyone. There should definitely be some rules when you're twittering, but where to start? Like the virtual cocktail party--you're speaking locally and internationally. Recently, I've considered how my blog and microblogging influences the Carbon Outreach brand.

Ten recommendations others have made via the Twitter Etiquette Wiki via @mincedmedia

1. Spam? @missrogue Says, "I don't mind if people plug their blog/events/software but if that's all they do, I'll just unsubscribe."
   
2. Unsubscribing. It's alright; while a personality clash shouldn't get in the way of professional development, some people just don't work well together. There are so many different organizations, why waste time on those who spam/are rude
3. Rude! Offensive, blasphemous, dishonest and false tweets may be revealed
4. Specialized. Your followers are special, some recommend following every follower.
5. Ratio! Tweeters don't need follow every follower, but the follower-to-followed ratio is significant; those who follow thousands but have no followers look like spammers. See @tommorris's tweet.
6. Style. Unlike Grammar Girl's guide, I think using 4U and L8R are fine. They're smaller and simple--like URLs should be shortened. However, don't make it a habit. Being interesting may get hampered by ppl bein confused bout what ur trying to say.
7. Aggregators? (ie. FriendFeed) Beware for several reasons! First, Facebook friends/co-workers/family don't always understand/care what you're Tweeting about. If you're tweeting 5+ times per day, this can clog up your Facebook profile. Then you just look self-absorbed. Second, I once made the mistake of forgetting I'd put my private YouTube stream onto FriendFeed! Embarrassing.
8. Overwhelmed? Why not try Twitterific says Brady Forrest of O'Reilly Radar, Twhirl or TweetDeck? (Admittedly, I'm still learning how to employ TweetDeck)
9. Follow-up. Don't start a conversation and poop out, that's just rude
10. Spread. If you tweet 5-10 times in a row, you're more likely to get ignored/unfollowed

Viral marketing: socially responsible--possible?

Is there such a thing as socially responsible viral marketing? Arguably, our role as marketers is to empower consumers to think critically about how their spending will influence their world. Practically, is this really possible? Furthermore, if socially and environmentally companies want to create a viral campaign, is that unethical?

Viral marketing: Cadbury's eyebrows

This video has swept over my social networks because of its cute, semi-awkward, normal, yet brave musical pairing. This, after Cadbury's great gorilla drumming to Phil Collins also went viral, although not lasting too long. Do enjoy this video, but now wonder what will become of it?

Viral marketing: Yes we can

President Obama's election proved a success for this young, optimistic president. There is much to learn from Obama's campaign, including partnering with social leaders to create and spread a positive viral message. I remember viewing this video in September 2008 and crying incessantly; the message was so overwhelmingly moving. It was almost impossible not to watch it again.

Admittedly, this video, currently at around 20 million viewers, was one component of a well constructed online strategy, which included the innovative,  "Neighbor-to-Neighbor" calling tool to enable American volunteers to call swing state voters, Opt-in text messaging for quick communications, Social networks marketing including on BlackPlanet, Facebook marketing with numerous uploading Obama's picture and even an "I voted" button as well as the hundreds of thousands of dedicated organizers (and 13 million volunteers and active participants on their database) across the USA and abroad who actively used BarackObama.com which now smartly leads to a contribution page. 

This is a great reason how Obama raised $500 million, according to the Washington Post. The implications on creating great viral marketing, social media and even crowdsourced, volunteer-strategies can be taken from this great example of positive viral marketing.

Your 'think piece' here: events

With the US Stimulus Bill on it's way to pass (and not coming soon enough) the American economy hasn't seen economic darkness this deep since the 1980's. Needless to say, it's time to maintain and increase marketing efforts. What better way to reconnect with stakeholders, consumers and potential brand ambassadors than to plan a networking event or seminar?

Picture credit to ~Notes via Flickr

Why not consider the importance of creating conversations within the context of your current seminar, conference or networking events? Your organization should be able to facilitate the online conversations you're producing about your product or service. The object isn't a beautiful website, newsletter or blogs; rather, it begins conversation. Remember, comfort + technology = more, increasingly receptive donors and better ROI. 

Depending on time commitments, you can employ the five following conversation-friendly tactics in several hours or several weeks:

1. Create a social network (with NING for example)


2. Get feedback (easy using Meetup or Facebook without the $12 monthly fee)


3. Facebook it (steps to create a page or event)


4. Write about an interesting conversations on a local, national blogs where people care about your issue (Find your local Social Media Club [Intl] or NetSquared event [US]). 


5. If you've got extra time for upkeep, create a blog (use Blogger or Wordpress)

Viral marketing: gone wrong?

Fast food is disgusting, but they sure have great advertising. 

After Burger King's ad agency Crispin, Porter & Bogusky launched the Whopper Sacrifice on 5 January 2009, it was pulled off the shelves one short week later. 

As participants were invited to de-friend 10 people in exchange for a Whopper, Facebook noted this was a violation of it's terms & agreement and therefore shut the application down amongst surprise by many in the tech community, including Tech Crunch. Michael Arrington noted on TechCrunch, that Facebook had the opportunity to show "Madison Avenue agencies on how brands can get real engagement from users." Indeed, 82,771 users removed 233,906 in less than one week; pretty amazing numbers. Maybe Facebook considered BKs' branding too viral? Will they do it again?

While the campaign didn't last long it did manage to say, "Facebook has disabled Whopper Sacrifice after your love for the Whopper proved stronger than 233,906 friendships." Users who de-friended 10 and submitted their mailing address before the application was disabled are still promised their flame-broiled beef according to a BK spokesman.

Social bookmarking: why to use it [incl. demographics]

What? Social bookmarking is a tool that specific users can use to bookmark and vote for and save their favorite videos, websites and blogs. Social bookmarking sites include Delicious, StumbleUpon, Furl and Simply. Social bookmarking for news sites include Newsvine, Digg and reddit. 

Why? Although there are some disadvantages to using social bookmarking, namely the ease of finding users to 'Digg' your story. To me, this seems the most efficient way--currently--to categorize and rate online stories today. Most importantly, a small enterprise and solopreneurs want potential clients to easily share and find information.

Who? According to data from Quantcast.com from largest to smallest readership. Surprised? 

• Digg has ~24.7m unique international (conversely, 12.1m US) visitors monthly, 68%  between 18-49 with 59% men and 41% female[1]. Visitors steady.
• Technorati has ~7.9m unique international (conversely, 2.3m US) visitors monthly [2]. This site is trending downwards.
• Kaboodle has ~2.7m unique US visitors monthly, 57% between 12-34 with 61% females and 39% males [3]. This site is trending downwards.
• Reddit has ~1.4m unique US visitors monthly, 67% between 18-49 with 58% males and 42% females [4]. This site is trending upwards.
• Newsvine has ~1.2m unique US visitors monthly, 69% between 18-49 with 57% males and 43% females [5]. This site is trending upwards.
• StumbleUpon has ~1.1m US visitors monthly, 63% between 18-49 with 51% males and females at 49% [6]. Visitors steady.
• Clipmarks has ~606K unique US visitors, 65% between 18-49 with 57% males and 43% females [7]. This site is trending upwards.
• MyBlogLog has ~467K unique US visitors monthly, 72% between 18-49 with 52% males and 48% females [8]. This site is trending upwards.
• Simply has ~471K unique US visitors, 71% between 3-34 and 56% males and 44% females [9]. This site is trending upwards.
• Delicious has ~370K unique US visitors monthly, 69% between 18-49 with 51% males and 49% females [10]. This site is trending upwards.
• Furl.net has ~101K unique US visitors, 64% between 18-49 with 53% males and 47% females [11]. This site is trending upwards.

How? Depending on the goal of your communications strategy and your target audience, you might want to enable your blog, press release or otherwise to be shared on the above networks.