Thursday, 30 April 2009
Realtime Twitter Search Results
A friend at work sent me this link. It tells you how to download an app so that when you do a search in Google it delivers the top results related to your search on Twitter. As Twitter is fast becoming one of the greatest phenomenas of the year, it is a good thing to have to keep an eye on emerging trends in the twitterscape. Worth checking out. Read the article here
Skim Links
Really like this new site that I just found out about. It's called Skimlinks . Basically it makes affiliate marketing for publishing sites a lot easier.
You join, add the skimlinks plugin to your site. Create content with links to products and services as normal, then skimlinks automatically turns those editorial links into trackable links that if the user purchases, you get paid commission. I think it's definitely worth checking out.
You join, add the skimlinks plugin to your site. Create content with links to products and services as normal, then skimlinks automatically turns those editorial links into trackable links that if the user purchases, you get paid commission. I think it's definitely worth checking out.
Monday, 9 February 2009
Social Media Marketing
I've been reading up a lot recently about Social Media Marketing as I am curious to know how the big brands are going to be able to play in this space in a way that doesn't get mocked by the audience they are trying to reach. Social Media Marketing is all about becoming part of the conversation, being a valuable contributor and having something to say that is relevant and interesting.
I was reading a blog post by Brian Solis titled 'The Social Media Manifesto - Integrating Social Media into Marketing Communications'. It is a very interesting read and would definitely recommend checking it out.
I was reading a blog post by Brian Solis titled 'The Social Media Manifesto - Integrating Social Media into Marketing Communications'. It is a very interesting read and would definitely recommend checking it out.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Display Advertising Works, But It Works Differently Than Search
Really interesting article.
Display Advertising Works, But It Works Differently Than Search
There's been a lot of talk recently that search and other forms of "performance" or "direct" online marketing will continue to grow in the downturn while display and other forms of "brand" marketing will struggle. I think that's likely to be true at some level but it doesn't mean that display advertising doesn't work. Read more here
Display Advertising Works, But It Works Differently Than Search
There's been a lot of talk recently that search and other forms of "performance" or "direct" online marketing will continue to grow in the downturn while display and other forms of "brand" marketing will struggle. I think that's likely to be true at some level but it doesn't mean that display advertising doesn't work. Read more here
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Dorito's online campaign - onlythegoodstuff.com
Dorito's campaign that encourages users to download a plugin that replaces the nominated ad spaces on any website with content that you select. So a site like Aftonbladet becomes more relevant to you as oppposed to being slammed with ads.
See more here
See more here
Retro and Vintage web design
Retro and Vintage styles are apparently making a come back. Check out this post on smashingmagazine.com
Thursday, 2 October 2008
In chaos lies opportunity
Lehman Brothers' headlong pitch into bankruptcy protection, Merrill Lynch's dramatic sale to Bank of America and the U.S. government's rescue of AIG have battered financial markets. But in the turbulence lies opportunity.
Like dangerous curves on a racetrack, economic downturns create more opportunities for companies to move from the middle of the pack into leadership positions than any other time in business.
Unlike straight-aways where leaders can thrive on raw power alone, steep curves require strategic finesse. That often results in dramatic differences in performance as leaders steer out of the curve.
Consider how Southwest Airlines surged ahead during the 2001 recession. With a clean balance sheet, a clear cost advantage and adroitly hedged fuel costs, the discount carrier grew at the expense of rivals. As others eliminated capacity and jobs, Southwest lowered fares to gain market share. It boosted advertising to trumpet its price advantage and built solid relations with labor by avoiding layoffs. To read more click here
Like dangerous curves on a racetrack, economic downturns create more opportunities for companies to move from the middle of the pack into leadership positions than any other time in business.
Unlike straight-aways where leaders can thrive on raw power alone, steep curves require strategic finesse. That often results in dramatic differences in performance as leaders steer out of the curve.
Consider how Southwest Airlines surged ahead during the 2001 recession. With a clean balance sheet, a clear cost advantage and adroitly hedged fuel costs, the discount carrier grew at the expense of rivals. As others eliminated capacity and jobs, Southwest lowered fares to gain market share. It boosted advertising to trumpet its price advantage and built solid relations with labor by avoiding layoffs. To read more click here
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
100 e-commerce tips
I found this today on the Internet World website:
100 e-commerce tips.
100 things 1. Offer free shipping
2. Consider lower prices
3. Allow international orders
4. Create single page checkout
5. Add PayPal Express and Google Checkout
6. Add a Top 100 products page
7. Have bundle deals across ranges like ‘3 for 2 offers’, ‘buy 5 for £30’ and ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ deals
8. Show stock availability and expected delivery time
9. Track favourite text searches and optimise results based on these
10. Order your products by highest conversion
11. Make more products appear on a single page
12. Send a failed checkout email
13. Display credit card logos
14. During checkout ask for as little information as possible
15. Accept American Express and Electron in addition to Visa, MasterCard, Solo and Maestro
16. Show prices in the consumer’s local currency
17. Remove VAT from outside EU orders
18. Show site in local language
19. Take Laser card in Ireland and JCB in Japan
20. Open stores in UK, Germany, USA & Japan – the biggest ecommerce markets in the world
21. Display customer site testimonials
22. Display all critical decision making product data i.e. fabric composition for clothing
23. Make sure you have professional photos
24. Allow photographic zoom
25. Show multiple photographic images ideally product and lifestyle shots
26. If possible add related videos for a product
27. Allow newsletter sign-up with an incentive
28. Sign up all customers to your newsletter
29. Don’t sell your customer data
30. Run an affiliate programme
31. Make site URL’s friendly – representing page content
32. Add a site map
33. Use H1 tag for main page heading
34. Register your domain name for 10 years
35. Make your pages look pretty
36. Create landing pages for your PPC campaigns
37. A/B test site pages
38. Create a site blog
39. Get lots of people to link to your site
40. Don’t use a credit card provider that you have to redirect to
41. Run a competition
42. Show top discounted products page
43. Add quick picks on your basket page
44. Add guided navigation
45. Work through mis-spellings on your text search
46. Make pages load faster
47. Put all javascript and CSS in an external file
48. Allow self service with a ‘My Account’ section
49. Allow shipping to a different address than the card address
50. Store multiple addresses
51. Store credit card details for future orders
52. Offer express shipping
53. Post code lookup the customer’s address
54. Put ‘products you might be interested in’ in the order confirmation email
55. Allow buying and redemption of gift vouchers
56. Offer loyalty points and discounts
57. Add a free gift over a certain value order
58. Make returns easy
59. Have great packaging
60. Save customers baskets across sessions
61. Have reviews with videos and photos, as well as text
62. Have ratings on products & manufactures on relevant attributes like value and reliability
63. Welcome returning customers with their name
64. Display related products
65. Allow buying of product bundles
66. Have a FAQ section for each product
67. Email order tracking information
68. Make shopping recommendations based on past buying patterns
69. Have time limited offers and promotions
70. Make the add to basket button bigger and bolder
71. Show full order costs including shipping in the basket
72. Show compatibility with other products
73. Allow gift wrapping and gift messaging
74. Show eco/green credentials of site/product
75. Professionally copy write product descriptions
76. No more than 3 clicks to reach a product
77. Show size and colour combinations in a grid
78. Allow searching by price
79. Sell what consumers want
80. Offer 30 day money back guarantees
81. Use personas and scenario based design
82. Run usability tests
83. Make the site accessible for the disabled
84. Have someone responsible for optimisation based on analytics analysis
85. Create white label sites
86. Send out regular targeted segmented emails
87. Consider rich media interactive product guides
88. Have a ‘favourites’ icon that displays on the browser tabs
89. Add a ‘bookmark this site’ link
90. Have a feedback form and follow consumer’s requests
91. Make sure your site’s page titles are all different and reflective of the content on the page
92. Add social bookmarking links for sites like Digg, Facebook, Google etc
93. Respond to customer emails quickly
94. Make navigation clear and easy
95. Have ‘Customers who bought this product, also bought…’ recommendations
96. Create RSS feeds of news and promotions
97. Have a members club with special deals
98. Provide a contact phone number in case of queries
99. Show the next product model up and down on the product page
100. Hire smart consultants to help you get you the next 100 ways to improve
100 e-commerce tips.
100 things 1. Offer free shipping
2. Consider lower prices
3. Allow international orders
4. Create single page checkout
5. Add PayPal Express and Google Checkout
6. Add a Top 100 products page
7. Have bundle deals across ranges like ‘3 for 2 offers’, ‘buy 5 for £30’ and ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ deals
8. Show stock availability and expected delivery time
9. Track favourite text searches and optimise results based on these
10. Order your products by highest conversion
11. Make more products appear on a single page
12. Send a failed checkout email
13. Display credit card logos
14. During checkout ask for as little information as possible
15. Accept American Express and Electron in addition to Visa, MasterCard, Solo and Maestro
16. Show prices in the consumer’s local currency
17. Remove VAT from outside EU orders
18. Show site in local language
19. Take Laser card in Ireland and JCB in Japan
20. Open stores in UK, Germany, USA & Japan – the biggest ecommerce markets in the world
21. Display customer site testimonials
22. Display all critical decision making product data i.e. fabric composition for clothing
23. Make sure you have professional photos
24. Allow photographic zoom
25. Show multiple photographic images ideally product and lifestyle shots
26. If possible add related videos for a product
27. Allow newsletter sign-up with an incentive
28. Sign up all customers to your newsletter
29. Don’t sell your customer data
30. Run an affiliate programme
31. Make site URL’s friendly – representing page content
32. Add a site map
33. Use H1 tag for main page heading
34. Register your domain name for 10 years
35. Make your pages look pretty
36. Create landing pages for your PPC campaigns
37. A/B test site pages
38. Create a site blog
39. Get lots of people to link to your site
40. Don’t use a credit card provider that you have to redirect to
41. Run a competition
42. Show top discounted products page
43. Add quick picks on your basket page
44. Add guided navigation
45. Work through mis-spellings on your text search
46. Make pages load faster
47. Put all javascript and CSS in an external file
48. Allow self service with a ‘My Account’ section
49. Allow shipping to a different address than the card address
50. Store multiple addresses
51. Store credit card details for future orders
52. Offer express shipping
53. Post code lookup the customer’s address
54. Put ‘products you might be interested in’ in the order confirmation email
55. Allow buying and redemption of gift vouchers
56. Offer loyalty points and discounts
57. Add a free gift over a certain value order
58. Make returns easy
59. Have great packaging
60. Save customers baskets across sessions
61. Have reviews with videos and photos, as well as text
62. Have ratings on products & manufactures on relevant attributes like value and reliability
63. Welcome returning customers with their name
64. Display related products
65. Allow buying of product bundles
66. Have a FAQ section for each product
67. Email order tracking information
68. Make shopping recommendations based on past buying patterns
69. Have time limited offers and promotions
70. Make the add to basket button bigger and bolder
71. Show full order costs including shipping in the basket
72. Show compatibility with other products
73. Allow gift wrapping and gift messaging
74. Show eco/green credentials of site/product
75. Professionally copy write product descriptions
76. No more than 3 clicks to reach a product
77. Show size and colour combinations in a grid
78. Allow searching by price
79. Sell what consumers want
80. Offer 30 day money back guarantees
81. Use personas and scenario based design
82. Run usability tests
83. Make the site accessible for the disabled
84. Have someone responsible for optimisation based on analytics analysis
85. Create white label sites
86. Send out regular targeted segmented emails
87. Consider rich media interactive product guides
88. Have a ‘favourites’ icon that displays on the browser tabs
89. Add a ‘bookmark this site’ link
90. Have a feedback form and follow consumer’s requests
91. Make sure your site’s page titles are all different and reflective of the content on the page
92. Add social bookmarking links for sites like Digg, Facebook, Google etc
93. Respond to customer emails quickly
94. Make navigation clear and easy
95. Have ‘Customers who bought this product, also bought…’ recommendations
96. Create RSS feeds of news and promotions
97. Have a members club with special deals
98. Provide a contact phone number in case of queries
99. Show the next product model up and down on the product page
100. Hire smart consultants to help you get you the next 100 ways to improve
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
IAB's new video ad standards
The Internet Advertising Bureau have managed to get the support of AOL, Microsoft, Channel 4, CNet, The Guardian, The Telegraph and Sky for an industry standard for video ads.
The IAB's Video Ad Standards:
Step one: Create ad
Ad Length: 15 seconds or less (Some media owners will accept longer ads, particularly post-roll)
Dimensions: Primary: 420x240 pixels (16:9)
Secondary: 320 x 240 pixels (4:3)
Conditions: Must be readable
Step two: Deliver the file
Format: With DRM - Windows Media (wmv), Silverlight (xap)
No DRM - Flash (flv), Quicktime (mov)
Bitrates: 200 Kbps, 500Kbps, 750 Kbps
Companion ads: To use the IAB display standards
Step three: Where the ad is placed in the video
Intertion point: Before, after or between content
The IAB's Video Ad Standards:
Step one: Create ad
Ad Length: 15 seconds or less (Some media owners will accept longer ads, particularly post-roll)
Dimensions: Primary: 420x240 pixels (16:9)
Secondary: 320 x 240 pixels (4:3)
Conditions: Must be readable
Step two: Deliver the file
Format: With DRM - Windows Media (wmv), Silverlight (xap)
No DRM - Flash (flv), Quicktime (mov)
Bitrates: 200 Kbps, 500Kbps, 750 Kbps
Companion ads: To use the IAB display standards
Step three: Where the ad is placed in the video
Intertion point: Before, after or between content
Very interesting article by Emma Hall
Fear of Preroll Ads Eases
New Study Helps Dispel Belief That Online Video Viewers Will Surf Away
Published: August 18, 2008
LONDON (AdAge.com) -- The perils of preroll appear to have been vastly overstated, according to Nate Elliott, research director at Jupiter, who suggests audience loss as a direct result of prerolls could be as little as 5%.
The figure comes as Jupiter releases a major European report about online video and in-stream video advertising.
Online video and ads surging
The research firm found Europeans are watching double the amount of online TV than they were a year ago, and that online video advertising is keeping pace with the trend. It is expected to account for 20% of Europe's online display ad spend -- or nearly $1.4 billion -- by 2012, up from 6%, or $224 million, in 2007.
"When I was doing the research for this report, I asked sites how hard their traffic had been hit by the introduction of in-stream ads," Mr. Elliott said. "The answer was very little. Usually they reported flat growth for a month or two or a few percent down before normal growth continued."
Netherlands-based video-content network Zoom.in reports that 17% of its 15-second preroll ads are abandoned before completion. U.S.-based video ad network Tremor Media, which plans to launch in Europe next year, says 20% of its 15-second preroll ads are abandoned before completion.
By comparison, many sites report that at least 10% of users abandon videos within 15 seconds even when there is no preroll ad.
'Like flicking channels'
Mr. Elliott said, "Half the people that leave because of the ad would have left because of the content anyway. It's like flicking through channels on TV." He calculates that on sites that do it well, only a 5% loss is directly attributable to advertising.
"It makes sense that in-stream ads are more popular, because everyone has broadband now and we expect to see richer content on the web," said Jeroen Matser, strategy director at Tribal DDB, London. "It's also a return to allowing people to sit back again. People can relax and be entertained, which might be refreshing in this cluttered, call-to-action environment."
As consumers grow to accept online video advertising, so do marketers and web publishers. In 2007, only 26% of European sites accepted in-stream video ads. This year the figure is 55%.
Traditional media properties have embraced in-stream advertising more quickly than internet-only brands: 69% of TV channel websites and 63% of newspaper websites accept in-stream ads, compared to only 43% of "pure play" internet properties.
Sites that rely on user-generated content and promotional material will inevitably find it more difficult to introduce in-stream ads, but for sites with professional video content it is a whole different story.
"They give online publishers access to a revenue stream that many are still missing out on," Mr. Elliott said. "They are frightened to accept ads, because consumers always say they don't like them and YouTube terrifies them by saying that ads lose them the 'vast majority' of traffic."
YouTube holds off on prerolls
YouTube has said a preroll can cause a video to lose 50% of its audience, which may seem high until one considers the site's environment; YouTube is loaded with short-form, user-generated clips. The company hasn't ruled out preroll but right now doesn't offer it.
Mr. Elliott admitted he is "an unabashed supporter of online video ads." But, he said, if done poorly, they "can be horrendous for viewers."
Europeans prefer to watch free ad-supported online video than paid online video, with 48% opting for ads and 26% preferring to pay. Marketers can capitalize on this new acceptance as long as they obey a few golden rules, Mr. Elliott said.
First, they need to control the frequency of online video ads, especially when dealing with short-form clips. One ad for every 2.5 clips is about right.
Next, they need to keep the length of the ads to no more than 15 seconds. Not surprisingly, the longer an ad continues, the higher the level of viewer abandonment; 12% of an audience left within 10 seconds, and 17% within 15 seconds.
Prerolls just part of the picture
Clutter is also off-putting and needs to be controlled. A preroll, plus companion banners, plus as many as eight other ads on a page will frighten consumers off. And lastly, creative rotation is also key for a better user experience.
Consumer acceptance "still comes down to how creative you are: As long as you provide interesting things to watch, people will watch it," Tribal's Mr. Matser said. "Most in-stream ads come from brands with engaging content, like entertainment properties and cars. We'll see what happens when the washing powders catch on."
Fear of Preroll Ads Eases
New Study Helps Dispel Belief That Online Video Viewers Will Surf Away
Published: August 18, 2008
LONDON (AdAge.com) -- The perils of preroll appear to have been vastly overstated, according to Nate Elliott, research director at Jupiter, who suggests audience loss as a direct result of prerolls could be as little as 5%.
The figure comes as Jupiter releases a major European report about online video and in-stream video advertising.
Online video and ads surging
The research firm found Europeans are watching double the amount of online TV than they were a year ago, and that online video advertising is keeping pace with the trend. It is expected to account for 20% of Europe's online display ad spend -- or nearly $1.4 billion -- by 2012, up from 6%, or $224 million, in 2007.
"When I was doing the research for this report, I asked sites how hard their traffic had been hit by the introduction of in-stream ads," Mr. Elliott said. "The answer was very little. Usually they reported flat growth for a month or two or a few percent down before normal growth continued."
Netherlands-based video-content network Zoom.in reports that 17% of its 15-second preroll ads are abandoned before completion. U.S.-based video ad network Tremor Media, which plans to launch in Europe next year, says 20% of its 15-second preroll ads are abandoned before completion.
By comparison, many sites report that at least 10% of users abandon videos within 15 seconds even when there is no preroll ad.
'Like flicking channels'
Mr. Elliott said, "Half the people that leave because of the ad would have left because of the content anyway. It's like flicking through channels on TV." He calculates that on sites that do it well, only a 5% loss is directly attributable to advertising.
"It makes sense that in-stream ads are more popular, because everyone has broadband now and we expect to see richer content on the web," said Jeroen Matser, strategy director at Tribal DDB, London. "It's also a return to allowing people to sit back again. People can relax and be entertained, which might be refreshing in this cluttered, call-to-action environment."
As consumers grow to accept online video advertising, so do marketers and web publishers. In 2007, only 26% of European sites accepted in-stream video ads. This year the figure is 55%.
Traditional media properties have embraced in-stream advertising more quickly than internet-only brands: 69% of TV channel websites and 63% of newspaper websites accept in-stream ads, compared to only 43% of "pure play" internet properties.
Sites that rely on user-generated content and promotional material will inevitably find it more difficult to introduce in-stream ads, but for sites with professional video content it is a whole different story.
"They give online publishers access to a revenue stream that many are still missing out on," Mr. Elliott said. "They are frightened to accept ads, because consumers always say they don't like them and YouTube terrifies them by saying that ads lose them the 'vast majority' of traffic."
YouTube holds off on prerolls
YouTube has said a preroll can cause a video to lose 50% of its audience, which may seem high until one considers the site's environment; YouTube is loaded with short-form, user-generated clips. The company hasn't ruled out preroll but right now doesn't offer it.
Mr. Elliott admitted he is "an unabashed supporter of online video ads." But, he said, if done poorly, they "can be horrendous for viewers."
Europeans prefer to watch free ad-supported online video than paid online video, with 48% opting for ads and 26% preferring to pay. Marketers can capitalize on this new acceptance as long as they obey a few golden rules, Mr. Elliott said.
First, they need to control the frequency of online video ads, especially when dealing with short-form clips. One ad for every 2.5 clips is about right.
Next, they need to keep the length of the ads to no more than 15 seconds. Not surprisingly, the longer an ad continues, the higher the level of viewer abandonment; 12% of an audience left within 10 seconds, and 17% within 15 seconds.
Prerolls just part of the picture
Clutter is also off-putting and needs to be controlled. A preroll, plus companion banners, plus as many as eight other ads on a page will frighten consumers off. And lastly, creative rotation is also key for a better user experience.
Consumer acceptance "still comes down to how creative you are: As long as you provide interesting things to watch, people will watch it," Tribal's Mr. Matser said. "Most in-stream ads come from brands with engaging content, like entertainment properties and cars. We'll see what happens when the washing powders catch on."
More committed I promise
I have decided to commit to myself that I will add at least one article a day. The penance if I don't add an article is no chocolate for a week! I can't believe I just wrote that, that is seriously hard.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Current.com
I just found out today about Current.com, a TV site that is essentially all UGC content. What is also very cool about it is that it has an area dedicated for users to create ads for advertisers. They call them VCAM's. Essentially what happens is advertisers open up a brief to Current.com's users, which they in turn go off and create amazing ads for products. Some of the brands that have taken advantage of this are Toyota, O2 and T Mobile.
Check them out here
Check them out here
Monday, 11 February 2008
Restaurants to check out (Tatler awards)
Best small restaurant: Barrafina, 54 Frith St, W1
Most consistantly excellent restaurant: Bibendum, 81 Fulham road, SW3
The 'It' Room 2008: La Petite Maison, 54 Brook's Mews, W1
Fabulous Food: Hisbiscus, 29 Maddox Street, W1
Best newcomer: La Cafe Anglais: 8 Porchester Gardens, W2
Restaurant of the year: Scott's, 20 Mount St, W1
Most consistantly excellent restaurant: Bibendum, 81 Fulham road, SW3
The 'It' Room 2008: La Petite Maison, 54 Brook's Mews, W1
Fabulous Food: Hisbiscus, 29 Maddox Street, W1
Best newcomer: La Cafe Anglais: 8 Porchester Gardens, W2
Restaurant of the year: Scott's, 20 Mount St, W1
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Google's move into Social networks
Google announced today a new open API for social networks. The new project, called OpenSocial is a set of common APIs that application developers can use to create applications that work on any social network that choose to participate.
Google wants to create an easy way for developers to create applications that work on all social networks, as opposed to the current situation where you have the likes of Facebook requiring developers to create applications in their own markup language.
This way Google is encouraging social networks to subscribe to an open API philosophy and will mean (if it is successful) Google will be at the center of equation, controlling the Open API network of social sites.
Already signed up as participating hosts are: Orkut, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Ning, Hi5, Plaxo, Friendster, Viadeo and Oracle. Developer partners include Flixster, iLike, RockYou and Slide.
The list above is an impressive one and should mean that developers will take advantage of the new opportunity to build once and reach many, through this new API standard. No doubt the developers who get in their early will reap most of the rewards, as they did on Facebook, so it will be interesting to watch who gets there first.
Google wants to create an easy way for developers to create applications that work on all social networks, as opposed to the current situation where you have the likes of Facebook requiring developers to create applications in their own markup language.
This way Google is encouraging social networks to subscribe to an open API philosophy and will mean (if it is successful) Google will be at the center of equation, controlling the Open API network of social sites.
Already signed up as participating hosts are: Orkut, Salesforce, LinkedIn, Ning, Hi5, Plaxo, Friendster, Viadeo and Oracle. Developer partners include Flixster, iLike, RockYou and Slide.
The list above is an impressive one and should mean that developers will take advantage of the new opportunity to build once and reach many, through this new API standard. No doubt the developers who get in their early will reap most of the rewards, as they did on Facebook, so it will be interesting to watch who gets there first.
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