10/3/10

 

Are You In Government Or A Leadership Position? Here's A Guide For Smart Use Of Social Media During A Disaster / Terrorist Event

Labels: social media, twitter

9/14/10

 

The New Twitter, Unveiled.

I was kinda hoping they were gonna hand out free puppies with the Big Twitter Announcement tonight...

Well, here's what you need to know.

Labels: twitter

8/4/10

 

Dinner Party Fridays

Labels: twitter

4/13/10

 

Today, I Declare It Twitter Tuesday

Today, I declare it Twitter Tuesday.
You can blame all this breaking Twitter news on Amy's sweater she wore to work today.

Here's the news:

• via @Burnsie_SEO: Suddenly Twitter Has a Business Model, Tweet Ads http://ow.ly/1xQjW
• via @NealWiser RT @JesseNewhart: Here's Who Just Got Screwed By Twitter http://bit.ly/d7QIsM
• via @mikearauz the ingredients for effective targeted advertising: interest + location + time.
  All of which Twitter has excellent data on.

If your SEO / marketing people are still pooh-poohing participation on or involvement with twitter, I suggest you evaluate why twitter endures, helps your small or large business market locally, and even helps your site seo.

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati.

Labels: twitter

3/3/10

 

C3 Richmond: Legal Wranglin' On The Internet And Rickrollin' In Real Life This Week.

Y'all hear about WBC comin' to #RVA? http://bit.ly/bNqY6L
My friend Rickrolled 'em. 

Here's some other internet notes, lots of 'em legal, from the week: 

• EU Tells Google to Delete Street View Pics After 6 Months - http://bit.ly/aCW082
  
  
• Make your corporate web sites relevant... again: http://www.web-strategist.com/blog/2010/03/01/roadmap-make-your-corporate-websites-relevant-integrate-social-network-features/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WebStrategyByJeremiah+%28Web+Strategy+by+Jeremiah%29&utm_content=Bloglines
  
• Another good recent example, a reminder to.. Think Before You Tweet (And Email, And Blabber At A Cocktail Party, And...) http://www.newcommbiz.com/think-before-you-tweet-the-do-not-tweet-list/
  
• Facebook Marketing in 2010: Promotion without Paying $10,000 Per Month http://hilinskyconsulting.com/blog/2010/02/25/promotions-on-facebook-in-2010-how-to-save-10000-per-month/
  
  "As Facebook continues to grow beyond it’s current 400+ million worldwide users, it’s inevitable that the social platform will continue to solidify it’s efforts to monetize and ensure it’s future sustainability. Developers and marketing agencies were notified that starting November 2009, some big changes were in the pipeline.. new rules, new app specs and a new corporate attitude."
  
  
• Now if Facebook is patenting feed, did Google just patent geo-targeting? Oh the legalities that will certainly emerge this year! Has Google Just Patented Geo-Targeting?
  
  
• Wait! Here comes Apple! The 20 patents in question from the Apple-HTC suit: http://bit.ly/d20pGl
  

All this legal wrangling really makes your head spin... but... this too shall pass...


Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati.

Facebook  Twitter  Google Profile  Posterous

Labels: facebook, google, social media, trends, twitter

2/26/10

 

C3 Richmond Looks At The Web: Privacy, Analysis, And Law.

I'm going to be interested to see how internet culture changes in 2010-2011.
Maybe after all of this openness / open source cheering and blabbing a backlash will arise: and the equivalent of exclusive private clubs will form where only those in the know have the right to that data...  We shall see...

In the meantime I'll just keep trying to hang on to mah Foursquare crown of Mayor o' CCV...
*Sigh*
That's hard work, I have to go to the gym like three times a week now!



Here, the beloved Trevor Dickenson shares his own Foursquare / Oversharing Twitter experience and thoughts with Richmond's Channel 12 News:

Just remember: (Which I have always said, and is just practical good social etiquette / business practice) Always remember data is public, and what you type can be seen by the world.

• Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, here's something useful! Want to add Google analytics to your Facebook Fan Page? Here's how! http://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-to-use-google-analytics-on-your-facebook-fan-page/18207/
  
  
• Lookout, lawyers! Facebook patents the feed: http://bit.ly/cZ6745
  VERY BIG STORY... will keep you posted.
  
  
• And more legal notes: If you are a blogger, here is a good overview of what you need to know for tax purposes / blogging law: http://www.avivadirectory.com/blogger-law/
  
  
• Twitter Cuts Deal with Yahoo http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/twitter_cuts_deal_with_yahoo.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati.

Facebook  Twitter  Google Profile  Posterous

Labels: facebook, foursquare, google, twitter, yahoo

2/11/10

 

#SnOMG Doesn't Stop Data

No, really, #SnOMG was fun!

Until yesterday, when the blizzard hit as our children were on a school bus truckin' up Interstate 64...
But even then, once they were safe, I enjoyed it and, on my lunch break, even attempted my first cross country skiing! And I only broke one pole!!!! (I never said I was graceful.)


Here's what we rounded up this week to consider:

• What search engines say about you (and for your clients): http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=141956
• What's publicly available info on Facebook? It's not clear, not consistent, and its flaws may surprise you. http://bit.ly/9ISL5V
• Divers in Norway seem to dislike being disturbed by the Google Maps car during their daily tanning session http://bit.ly/9GQ5wD
• Here is a great article on the collision of Google and Facebook... a big picture view: http://regulargeek.com/2010/02/10/facebook-and-google-on-a-collision-course/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+RegularGeek+%28Regular+Geek
• And Jeremiah Owyang continues the thread in "Google Buzz vs Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter" (with which I agree).
• Continuing on this topic, here's what Harvard Biz has to say: "Google's Buzz, Twitter and the Semi-Public Life" http://s.hbr.org/ahup7K
• Like the Super Bowl? Like Twitter? Then this data should be mesmerizing fer ya.
• Missed the Super Bowl ads? Were ya focusing on the nachos (and maybe some beer) too much? Forbes has created an embedder where you can watch 'em all, once available.
  

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati.

Facebook  Twitter  Google Profile  Posterous

Labels: facebook, google, search engine marketing, social media, social networking, trends, twitter

2/3/10

 

C3 Richmond Reminisces On A Week.

Dag it, even Pee Wee has an iPad!


Ah, we shall bravely shoulder on without one...
yet.

• Do you have a Blogger blog and are publishing it via FTP? They announced that they will end this feature in March.  By the end of February they will have a tool to migrate to a custom domain more easily, and we can do this for you. Estimated time to complete the transition / test to make sure everything conveyed correctly will be 1 - 2 hours, please contact us if you would like us to do so.
• Come across a video you want to watch but are too overwhelmed with deadlines? Save it for later, easily retrieved via Boxee! 
• Can you really get fired over social media? Yes. "...the Constitution doesn't apply to private corporations at all." (I know we all know this but this NPR piece was interesting in corporate rights in general.)
• Good article: Measuring The Value Of Your Blog
• Didja hear the Twitter Train has left the station? Read why: http://bit.ly/cFDivw

In the meantime, I hope you are all enjoying Snowpocalypse, or, on twitter, #SnOMG.

After five days, I admit I'm getting a bit antsy.






After Day Three, my enthusiasm for taking pictures waned...

Labels: blog, bookmarklets, iPad, social media, twitter

1/29/10

 

C3 Richmond Sums Up The Week

It's been awhile since I posted, we have been extremely busy, as always...
Here are a few notes from the last week or so...

• Facebook will be making changes to the layout of its business pages. Here's what you need to know: http://thewebissocial.com/?p=628 
• Ok, there are enough early-adopter Richmonders on now, so let's talk about Foursquare. From http://bit.ly/cN2HkS:
  
  
  
  How Foursquare Helps Consumers and Business Owners
  
  
• Some things that made me happy in the hectic past week or two:
• The use of social media to help during disaster. Too many cases involving Haiti to even begin, but think of all the aid and good it is doing...  here's two that came to mind:
  
  
  
  
  • How, through communication via cell phones, apps, and online access, people were even saved.
  • Also noted: Twitter's human touch amid the horror of Haiti
    
  
  
• An anonymous person began posting Dwell satire:
  Unhappy Hipsters
  Why did this make me giggle? Because I have always railed against the aloof supa-too-cool-for-you attitude that emanates from so much architecture / media entities.  I have always embraced an honest, "laugh at yourself tone while educating others" approach, obviously evidenced at @greenmodernkits / @copelandcasati... if you intimidate people, how are they going to feel comfortable asking you questions? 
• iPad... yeah, we know, we know...
• On our own web agency in Richmond, Virginia front, we were honored to be asked to comment on social media in Richmond Grid...
  
  
  
• I will be teaching a course giving a general overview on how to use social media for farmers on February 13th.  If you would like to register your small business for this (it's only $20!), please do so here: http://5thgrowersworkshop.eventbrite.com/
  (Also check out the fantastic other programs!!! Backyard poultry! Bee keeping! And more!)
  And more fantastic happenings: http://www.centerforruralculture.org/events.php
• Speaking of gardening... here's a nifty, practical, frugal, sensible and HUGE cold frame project I ran across and adore: http://onestraw.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/ghetto-fabulous-cold-frame-a-photo-essay/ You could say it doesn't have anything to do with media, I respond: By creating a simple blog, posting pictures and information online, someone discovered it on twitter, broadcast it out, and it reached me, now you, to maybe inspire someone to do the same.
  I. Am inspired.
  

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook enthusiast, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685 

Labels: facebook, foursquare, social media, twitter, voice

12/15/09

 

Richmond Web + Media C3 Weekly Roundup: Copeland Casati Media

I love end-of-year. No, really.
So as I dash about focusing on the business side of Copeland Casati Media, Richmond's C3 since 1999, here are items of note to consider for your business.

Twitter is adding contributers... this is good for your business, here's why.

Check out Google Goggles.

It will only get more detailed...

Love data? Confused about ClimateGate? Wondering what the heck your footprint is? Microsoft has introduced two new tools designed to help individuals understand the climate debate and manage their carbon footprints. One more reason to love I.T.!

Here's a great update if you speak french.  SEO is not dead, just different. Learn why results are changing: http://www.ya-graphic.com/2009/12/le-referencement-naturel-est-mort-vive-le-referencement-naturel/


Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook enthusiast, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685 

Labels: google, google goggles, twitter

11/17/09

 

Richmond Web + Media C3 Roundup: Copeland Casati Media

Locally, in Virginia, we all got hit with the storm. I hope you, and your community, made it through alright. Through technology, I was able to be closer to my friends who have a boatyard on the bay, and check on my family's house as the storm progressed, then ebbed.

• My friends Matt and Jen uploaded *crazy* videos of the storm on YouTube and FaceBook
  
• I breathlessly watched multiple views from the docks at a local marina's web cam, which refreshed every 30 seconds
• Later, a neighbor emailed pictures of the house and my aunt's house so that, even though the road was still flooded and we were unable to reach the house, we could see how we, and other family members and neighbors, fared. (Here's our dock under water, in the picture on the right...)
  
• And I literally went, "Aaaaaaaa!" when Jen, the pirate bandit she is (that's why we're friends : ) ), sent me this: A video of our house after the storm. And the boat is ok. Even the canoe is still there.
  

Ok, on to tech / media news:

• Not just Microsoft. Not just Google. T'ain't stopping there: Twitter and LinkedIn. Really! (Do we care? Kind of. But not passionately.)
  
  
• Right when you got the hang o' twitter lingo and methods, the RT (retweet) evolves. Here's a good article to update you on what's going on: "Retweets Will Never Be The Same (Unless You Want Them To Be)"
  
  
• I keep bringing up SideWiki... here's how to keep track of your own site SideWiki via rss.
  
  Again, although I "get" the arguments FOR SideWiki, it just doesn't feel right. I have not seen one use of it in a traditional, wiki, helpful way. 
  
  I understand that people talk. And that they talk about your business, and that you need to be out there, engaging them, ensuring you are part of the conversation about your own brand. But shouldn't you have the right to shut the door in your house, on your own site, at the end of the day, to detractors? (Note: SideWiki is through the browser, not actually on the site, but visually it is the same effect.)
  
  I "get it," I really do. But I can't help but wonder what Miss Manners would say. 
  
  As Amy agreed, "'If you can't say something nice, at least try not to flame the pants off of them?'"
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  You know the sayin' about eggs in one basket, right? Well, in the internet world, you always need to look to new markets, new venues, for ways to spread, cull information.
  
  
  
  • Here is why Bing and The Wall Street Journal Could Hurt Google.
  • Check out Spezify. For someone like myself who uses image search often, it is a site to note. Not just for the results, for seo of your own product.
    
  • A useful search engine API launches today:
    Factery Labs Makes Other Search Engines Look Incomplete
    

And that's our notes from a busy week, thanks for listening!
P.s. If sustainability and urban chickens interests you, I was quoted in the Richmond Times Dispatch this week on the subject! Take a gander, head over and check out the issue here!

...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook enthusiast, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: API, bing, google, LinkedIn, search engine marketing, sidewiki, twitter

11/5/09

 

C3 Richmond: Copeland Casati Media + Web Roundup

• It's a very twitter-focused week.
• Locally, Richmond's 5th annual List Of Companies To Watch by Venture Forum, a entrepreneur networking group for those in the investment profession, had eight local companies featured this week.... none whom are on twitter.
   
• Correction: PowerPact is on twitter.
  Their last tweet was in August.
  
  
• Maybe you don't think all this social stuff applies to you. Here's a big memo, if you value your site, and business, being found in search engines: Tweets matter.
  
  
• And with that... lists. I am especially interested in how lists will affect seo... If you want to troll public lists by subject, etc. (and add your own) you can check out Listorious.
  
  
• You've heard me talk about Sidewiki. Here's how to claim your site.
  
  
•  And twitter lists are now for everyone, and here's what you and your business need to know.
  
  
• And Google's big news? Dashboard. Read all about transparency, choice and control with Google Dashboard here.
  

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: advertising, google, search engine marketing, seo, sidewiki, social media, trends, twitter

10/22/09

 

Richmond Media + Advertising Roundup from C3, Copeland Casati Media (since 1999...)

• Hope you had a chance to catch my cousin, Nancy Ross Hugo, as she discussed her book, "Remarkable Trees of Virginia" on NPR this week. Above is one tree that holds a very special place in my heart that's in her book... not to mention the children... : )
  
  You can listen to her on With Good Reason on NPR here.  The program also discusses mercury poisoning in waterways, a subject important to us all.
  
  
• On to tech! Real time search, and the democratization of data, stepped forward, again this week:
  At lunchtime Wednesday, Danny Sullivan wrote:
  

  "Bing To Do Deal With Twitter, Launch Its Own Twitter Search
  
  AllThingsD has reported that Microsoft will announce a deal with Twitter today to gather its real time data. We’re able to confirm that from a source as well and provide some additional details.
  The deal will make Bing the first major search engine to have access to Twitter’s “Firehose” of tweets. It’s not exclusive, however. Google potentially could still do a deal, too."
  

  Read it all about why this is important here! >>
  
• And not to disappoint, right at 3 pm came the tweet from twitter's CEO...
  
  
  
  
• I discovered via the web a young girl giving a compelling speech to world leaders about a precious resource: water.
  Watch it here >>
  
  
  
• And the night before, I watched some Richmond, Virginia heroes, doing their part like this young girl before you, to make our community, hence larger world, a better place.
  
  Thanks to The Valentine Richmond History Center and its sponsors, whom each year spotlight community activists, all "Average People" who discovered a need in our local community, worked on how to address it, and strode forward to make our community better, often with few resources.
  
  Read all about these local leaders here:
  
  2009 Richmond History Makers
  
  LaVerne Spurlock | James Schroeder, D.D.S. | Central Virginia Waste Management Authority
  ROSMY | Mary Lou Decossaux
  
  
  
• And for all of you using social media to sell, sell, sell: Stop, think. Sure you can search on terms that apply to your own business and reach out and engage them. But read the context. 
  
  I had just found out our child has a not just severe, but a life threatening allergy, told to carry multiple epi-pens at all times.  Crushed, devastated, my-world-ending, I mentioned it on twitter.
  
  Within seconds I received this:
  
  
  
  I promise you that the last thing I want to do right now is hear a chirpy voice telling me to "check out" some "adorable" clothes for allergy-ridden children.
  
  If you think EMAIL is easy to misinterpret or not convey subtleties of feeling (I'm sure this person meant well), think about how easy it is to come off wrong in 140 characters.
  
  
• Back to Wave: We did a lot more testing on Wave this week, and the conference call application means that you don't need a phone with that functionality any more to pull people onto one line. I am excited to see what other applications are developed by others this year.
  
  My fave, though, is 6Round's Video app- http://www.6rounds.com/?icode=6wave
  (Except now I'm gonna have to make sure to brush my hair more often...)
  
  To see more Google Wave apps, visit here: http://wave-samples-gallery.appspot.com
  
  
• And finally, stop comparing yourself to others, focus on your own mission, your business identity and voice... it's more about how you interact with your peers, and to not hold rulers like page rank as a constant measure. Shouldn't ya have gotten over that in high school? 
  
  Ah, but right when you think you can totally dismiss the popular crowd, TechCrunch explains why it, and twitter, are still important, and that all twitter data (not just the popular crowd) will be key in future ranking results.  Here's the difference: page rank is based on web sites; twitter data is interactions, often ranked in popularity, yes, but how is that twitter popularity garnered? By reaching out, connecting.  So don't sit in the corner by yourself; reach out.
  
  Don't feel like you have to try to be a cheerleader or jock, join the "typical popular crowd" - the beauty of twitter / social is that there is a community for all of us, interested in your interests.  So I'll see ya in the cafeteria - I'll be at a table huddling with a good book, and you're welcome to sit with me!
  
  Still skeptical as to why your business should be focused on social? Check out these stats.
  
  Thanks for listening!
  ...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!
  
  I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
  the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.
  
  You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685
  

Labels: google, google wave, social media, social networking, trends, twitter

10/9/09

 

Richmond Media Musings October 9th:

The FTC's new rules on social media, especially in regards to the "up to an $11,000 fine" had bloggers everywhere talking. I thought of the trend towards aggregation of content, of local Richmond aggregators such as RichmondBizSense.com, RVABlogs.com, RichmondGoodLife.com... and wonder about FTC liability.
I spoke briefly with NBC 12 regarding this subject, but would like to also add some excerpts from my twitter feed for more thought:

1. @dbrowell I suspect it will be up to the blogger to prove their innocence, and that is what I've never liked @ govn't entities..
   
   
2. Let's also bring in the RT - if you rt, that implies endorsement. How does RT affect product FTC liability? #nbc12
   
   
3. [And how that heck are ya supposed to disclose within 140?!?] #nbc12
   
   
4. #nbc12 And b/c of aggregation- if your blog is posted elsewhere and you didn't disclose in that particular area pulled in, are you liable?
   
   
5. #nbc12 1st they start with the @dooce's and big bloggers, but think: has any govn't agency ended in 30yrs? So after they get the big fish...

(Thanks to Chip Temple of McSweeney, Crump, Childress & Temple for furthering the FTC discussion off line...)

And finally, for all of the non-organic keepers of the gate:
Thanks to Google's SideWiki, you no longer own your web site.
Put that in yer corncob pipe & smoke it. Can't wait to see what spam & pornbots will do with this...

I also thought about health care and twitter this week when I ran across this:

I'm still not seeing health care professionals on social media locally as other industry counterparts (like lawyers in 2008, for example, although a recent article states only 6% of lawyers are on twitter, yet look at the advantages!).  I thought of the benefits Richmond doctors could similarly use this way to engage their community, branding themselves locally, when I spied this feed, pictured above, quoted below, earlier this week:

1. Metrics: After Twitter event, 20 people requested info/consults; 16 were surgery candidates; 14 surgeries performed. That's ROI!
   
   
2. Interesting: a couple of Aurora's nurses are heavily involved in Twitter
   
   
   
3. The Numbers: Before the surgery, Aurora had 900 Twitter followers. Immediately after, they had 2K. Now, they have over 5,300 #smhc
   
   
4. Aurora Health did a live broadcast of a double-knee replacement on Twitter. Helped position hospital as tech & ortho leader #smhc

@riggrl has quite a bit of good social media health care advice, so if you are in a medical / hospital field you might enjoy following her on twitter.  Through her, I also discovered @EdBennett, who has some good social media policy advice and more for a hospital environment.

Richmond Grid had a nice mention of our hard work with Richmond's twestival, benefitting Tricycle Gardens:
@ThatJonesGirl and I are always willing to shout over a rowdy crowd for a good cause... : )

[Up next: More on branding. And ethics.  We tend to find those subjects fascinating. Don't you?]

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: press, social media, social networking, twitter

9/22/09

 

Richmond New Media Weekly Roundup

• We are very excited to announce our submission for permanent, public art in Richmond won the InLight legacy category. You may recall my talking about last year's InLight, Richmond's first "Art, Turned On," and raving over Scott Kyle's solar sidewalk.
  
  This year, Scott Kyle of Fullscale Architecture, Damon Pearson of Tektonics and our prefab Green Cabin Kits, Lisa Taranto of Tricycle Gardens and myself spent the summer concepting on The Tree. Set to be displayed against Richmond's Convention Center downtown, this solar tree reminds us of nature past, present, future. We hope to continue to add solar trees throughout the city, providing light and architectural dimension to our urban landscape.
  
  
• I am loving the new TweetDeck. I think the most valuable feature I'm noticing is the drag & drop, and automatic shortening of urls.
  
  
• I enjoy reading client Google Analytic statistics because I evaluate and think about our economy accordingly.
  
  For example, as I reviewed analytics for our client accounts this month, I saw growth in jewelry/accessories, real estate/architecture, and culture / museum accounts.
  
  Now I am no financial expert (I'll leave that to The Naked Portfolio Manager), but reviewing this data always makes me think... and I think these are good signs for our economy.
  
  
• The Taylor Swift / Kanye incident also had implications on how average people are using the web.
  
  
• Posterous has themes! But I am trying to dig up an article not two weeks ago on why using tools like Posterous can hurt your seo in posting duplicate content in multiple places. Can't find the article (yet)... But be aware. Useful tool, but caution if seo is of major importance (and for myself, seo is always king)...
  
  
• The New York Times has big plans for twitter... more aggregation, more search, more sorting of content to keep an eye on.
  
  
• Google launched Sidewiki. Sidewiki is like a Universal Commenting System http://om.bit.ly/81fgM I can't help but be reminded of AddATweet, which I mentioned a few weeks back.
  
  
• But don't forget: At the end of the day...
  Your Social Media Strategy Won't Save You.

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: advertising, awards, c3, google, social media, twitter

9/16/09

 

Weekly Media + Technology Richmond Roundup

Another frenetic week... typing fast. This week at work we have been teleconferencing through Paris, Colorado, Los Angeles, and... and... I know I'm forgetting... oh, yes:
Canada!
*Phew.*

I, for one, am looking forward to camping; not in our prefab house kit, but like we did, before: In the '60s aluminum teardrop camper, this time exploring Virginia state parks.


Like an earlier post on Personal Brands, we revisit some similar topics this week as the subject continues...


Here's our weekly Richmond roundup:

• Facebook added @mentions... Watch out, twitter! As Facebook continues to implement new functionality, it would behoove businesses to keep an active presence there.
  
  
• Richmond was discussing manners.
  I have my own thoughts and recent experience on that subject, for a later post in more detail. I *do* expect people can debate, even heatedly, without being impolite. And I do see emails, twitter, and other new media on the same level as if they were written on traditional company letterhead. Even in conversation, decorum is expected. If you, or your employees, use impolite words, it sticks... it gets around, it reflects on your brand.
  
  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
  
  
• Going back to industries that "get it" re: decorum in public and private- Local hat tips to @constructionlaw @valaborlaw, @gatewood5000, and @valw, legal voices providing good content. I don't know why, maybe it's because I have a lot of friends in law, but I particularly enjoy following voices in this field.
  (Believe me, doctors and many other industries currently in new media are not nearly as compelling! ...Yet. )
  
  
• If we are losing our manners as they say, is there also a reciprocal swell of kindness on twitter / Facebook?
  
  [ Or is it that people discovered and embraced the No-Follow and those in "our crowd" just seek happier voices? ]
  
  
• We are in post-Twestival wrapup.
  Richmond raised over $2,000 within 2 weeks to unexpectedly give Tricycle Gardens money to help Richmond have more food-producing community gardens!!!
  
  There were nice write-ups of the mission / event... none of it could have happened without YOU. (Check out hardworking @lalamax and @thatjonesgirl setting up for the Twestival on your right!)
  
  The sponsors, the generous auction item donors, the Richmond musicians (and especially, @rvajazz) who donated their talent to make a cool CD, the nice bloggers / news outlets who promoted the global AND local cause, and every. single. ticket. you. bought: It made a difference.
  
  
  • http://www.richmondgrid.com/index.asp?ID=107
  • http://social.richmond.com/blog/csheppard/2009/09/richmond-twestival-benefit-tricycle-gardens/
  • http://floricane.typepad.com/buttermilk/2009/08/richmonds-twestival-lands-first-sponsors.html
  • http://m.richmond.com/richmond1/db_19531
    /contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=0D4C11C5D6436865A6313956387D7D9B?contentguid=kp2g6M6U&storycount=83&detailindex=1&pn=&ps=&full=true
  • http://rvanews.com/features/5-things-45/21075
  • http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4229136/
  • Some great pictures of Twestival taken by Richmond's Paul Spicer!
    
    
• If you enjoy volunteering, social media is a great way to connect, galvanize.
  Right on the heels of Twestival, new worthy events spring up, a never-ceasing opportunity to ACT.
  
  Do you think people get jaded, overloaded with the Facebook events, the twitter hashtags, imploring participation? Somewhat.
  
  Considered spam?
  
  It depends on how it's approached, and it depends upon the person broadcasting, and the person receiving the information. Don't forget, YOU opted in to listen to these voices, vs. unsolicited spam.
  
  For myself, who has always enjoyed doing, I might not participate or acknowledge each event but I appreciate knowing about the cause, having the option to get involved. I don't mind the multitude of event requests on Facebook, in fact, I like to see 'em on my calendar and pretend that *maybe* I just *might* get a sitter!
  
  And really, so much of it is SO easy to do- in this case, just drop off some cans to kind retailers helping the Food Bank!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Speaking of events, and good gatherings locally:
  Tonight we have Green Drinks at Savor! (I can't wait to finally meet Chef Ellie! Follow her on twitter or Facebook!)
  
  Green Drinks info here: http://bit.ly/pUN32
  The five minute topic before we break for beer is, "Reuse of materials with Habitat for Humanity!"
  
  
• Well... it has been a busy summer.
  We were so focused on our clients it took me a few months to notice I had been nicely mentioned on Planet Green... oops. : )
  
  Solar cooking is one of my favorite hobbies and I am always happy to share my experiments! [Not. All. Successful. ]
  

Thanks for listening!

...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: facebook, press, social media, social networking, twitter

8/26/09

 

Richmond media roundup for week of August 27th: "We may all be in a conversation, but be aware you may be just as culpable."

Watched a sad local story blow up nationally today...

I volunteered for the Richmond SPCA when starting my business ten years ago. They were right down the street from our home at the time in Richmond's North Side, and, as I had no water cooler or company break room, I would go often at lunchtime to take a break and spend my lunch running the dogs there.

Many hours per week were spent in my "kennel clothes" (I kept them separate from the rest of my laundry - if you spend a lot of time in shelters you know what that smells like...) lifting big dogs I didn't know (yet) by myself down from the second tier of kennels, both of us struggling down from the combined weight to the concrete floor where they then stood impatiently ready to run (and did they run) with abandon outdoors in the field. (Or as much racing as you can do on a leash with a human attached...)

Back then, it was a decrepit-but-well-run shelter on Chamberlayne Avenue, before the SPCA moved later to it's new, nationally recognized facilities and became an admired model of achievement for shelters everywhere.

Today I watched the news that "SPCA EXEC KILLS DOG" blow up across the nation with a biased eye.
I wholeheartedly support the organization (they've saved over 20,000 animal lives since 2002, you?), I was a volunteer there, and knowing the staff and success of the organization, I support the Starr family; I knew the dog, Louie, that died.

I can not help but wonder...
Why was there such little mention of the SPCA's explanation in local new media?
One organization "just retweeted people's reactions" on twitter, turned around to defend its actions, yet never included the link in their twitter feed, just (as of last time I checked) spewed reactions from people who pretty much only knew, "SPCA CEO KILLS DOG IN HOT CAR."

(Later, much later, they said they included the SPCA statement on their website. But that's another channel, as outdated as the term is; It's another feed, and one which I did not visit that day. I WATCHED TWITTER. I want to know where their journalism was on TWITTER.)

Glancing at that voice today reminded me why I don't listen to that feed, as much as I like the product.
(Lesson for organizations: Encourage multiple staff to have voices, it's a good thing.)
So this week locally in Richmond media, we revisit journalism vs. "conversation", especially when the supposed journalists are "just re-tweeting" without including links they know present the voice of the organization debated.

It will be interesting to watch the pr, media, journalism, and legal debate that will certainly follow over the next week.

Just remember: She did not know a dog was in her car when she drove to work that morning. It was put there, elderly, docile, used to riding in cars, by a family member. How many times have you been doing yard work in your back yard, taken the wheelbarrow full of brush to the curb, only to have your spouse ask you something from the front door? Do you go inside, forgetting the unlatched gate? Did the pets get out? Did they get hit? Were you prosecuted? Did your spouse, not knowing you left the gate open, lose their job?

And to the "journalists" that happily fanned the flames?:
What is your new media responsibility as journalists?
We may all be in a conversation, you may have the "right" to throw out misleading information, but be aware you may be culpable.

Labels: social networking, twitter

8/24/09

 

Twestival Covered In Richmond Grid Magazine!

I was thrilled when Richmond Grid asked me a few questions about the upcoming Richmond Twestival on September 11th, a wonderful entity (learn Twestival's history here), this time benefiting our local Tricycle Gardens!

Read the Richmond Twestival article here...

Check out Twestival's

• Fabulous Auction Items
  
• Sponsors!!!!!
• And Don't Forget To Buy Your Tickets! : )

See you soon at Richmond's TWESTIVAL!

Labels: press, Twestival, twitter

7/29/09

 

Richmond Reflective Roundup on Media, week of August 6th.

I may be at the beach this week, but I'm still watching you....
Thinking about the week in #RVA media...

• Last Wednesday will now hereforth be proclaimed, "Didja-Hear-About-Microsoft-And-Yahoo Day." And, as usual, breaking news moved much more quickly on twitter, whether it be Microsoft/Yahoo or Clinton in North Korea...
  
• AddATweet. I bemoaned, "Why, WHY I didn't know about you yesterday when I was going off on my rants over the $50,000 twitter lawsuit by Horizon Realty Group and didn't have time to log in and leave comments everywhere I wanted..???? Ergh."
  http://bit.ly/2T5PU7
• Speaking of Horizon Realty Group's $50,000 twitter lawsuit... Everyone in business should read this post: http://www.copyblogger.com/horizon-realty-group/
• Well, well, that's all depressing so why... Why don't we change the subject now. (ahem.)
  
  Hey, it's wedding season! Anyone out there have a friend in the process of getting married? Have they stressed over the guest list? Are they griping about which side does what? Do you fear they are turning into Bridezilla?
  
  Well, last week this couple reminded us all that getting married doesn't have to be all pomp and circumstance-y. Lissen up, RVA (and yes, ESPECIALLY RVA):
  
  
  
  By the way, I know it's tacky to ask for gifts, but I would feel remiss if I didn't mention the following from the couple's website:
  

  "Our wedding entrance dance to Forever...yeah, forever. For more information or to make a donation towards violence prevention please visit our website: http://www.jkweddingdance.com/"

  
  I think domestic violence prevention and education is a great cause and worthy of mentioning here for possible donations. Visit the site- there are great stories and pictures and this couple gave their special day to focus ON A GREAT CAUSE.
• Important Richmond interactive events this week?
  Welllllllllllllllll... there was #rvapower, Style Weekly's conversation on "power"...
  
  I liked what @MightyCasey had to say:
  
  

  MightyCasey
  • Is influence a better determinant of "power" than what your socio-economic position? Claire Gastagna used "capacitor" to describe power
    
    
  • Great points being made about power being tied to a "job" - maybe better measure/descriptor would be.voice instead of power? #rvapower
    
    
  • At #rvapower event listening to trailblazers - only 1 grrl, Claire Guthrie Gastagna, but she's a power center all on her own.
• Here's an interesting site that is Richmond-centric: RVAtweets.com. They aggregate twitter hashtags that are specific to Richmond. So, for example, you can use #RVApower as an example: http://rvatweets.com/tag/rvapower
  
  And here's just what's goin' on around #rva (note this site also pulls in Flickr photos tagged with a particular hashtag as well...)
  
• And more on twitter...
  
• There was an inundation of spam, (but hey, where is there not? Overall twitter has done a great job as spam/mal watchdogs.) AND
• a patent infringement suit. That should be taken Very. Seriously. As an entrepreneur: Oh twitter, this is when other business owners need to stand behind you.
• And, speaking of twitter, here's the latest in-depth look: (from Sysomos) http://sysomos.com/insidetwitter
  


• NEWSFLASH: This just in: That cute sweet couple that got married last week has divorced!
  
  
  
• P.s. I was genuinely sad when I saw that video until I realized that YES they were kidding. I genuinely, sincerely hope they life happily ever after. They seem to have such great hearts, friends, family... and a TWISTED SENSE OF HUMOR!!!! ; )
  
  This is a great example how people can come together to highlight a great cause / non-profit more than they ever could just telling their family and friends about it. Think about how many people now know about the Sheila Wellstone Institute.
  
  Here's more about this special couple, and the non-profit:
  

  "Violence prevention and intervention is an important issue to both Jill and Kevin. Jill's current PhD work focuses on breaking cycles of violence in society. She has also worked in restorative justice and community mediation. Kevin is headed to law school due to his passion for social justice.
  
  Sheila Wellstone was an advocate, organizer, and national champion in the effort to end domestic violence in our communities."

Thanks for listening...
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!
I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

In the meantime... I'm heading back to the beach!

Labels: Microsoft, social media, social networking, trends, twitter