Posts Tagged ‘MySpace’

Convert Your Gmail Ad Space to a Contact Info Sidebar

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Every once in a while, I stumble onto a product that just makes life easier.  Rapportive, defined as a social CRM tool for Gmail, is the most recent add-on to find it’s way onto my PC.  Rapportive (available for Firefox and Chrome users) replaces the advertising space in individual emails with up-to-date social networking contact information on the people you correspond with.

My first thought was “this looks like XOBNI for Gmail” and, according to the comments and feedback I have read on this product, I am not alone. XOBNI is another fantastic tool, but unfortunately is only available for Outlook users, and a product that I have missed terribly since switching from Outlook to Gmail.  Both of these products make it very easy to see what social networking services your friends, family and even customers are using.

Once installed, the social networking information on the person/company that emailed you appears out to the right of an open email.  Icons (with links) are provided for services like Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, MySpace, Facebook, etc.  Simply click on any of these to open the profile page of that individual in a new tab.  Below the links you will find a comment area that you can use for keeping track of customers, but I am sure individuals will find some other creative and unique ideas for this space.

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Google Buzz – A Look at the Lite Side of Social Networking

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Social Networking is the heart of the internet right now.  Scratch that, social networking is much, much bigger.  Terms like Facebook, Twitter, share, social, follow, fan, etc. are hurled at us, at the speed of light, both online and offline.  Every individual and company (including JumpstartMyPC.com) is trying to figure out the “best” way to share information with fans, friends and family.  And now, Google has stepped up to the plate with their offering… Google Buzz.

I realize that many of you have already been exposed to Google Buzz, or at least heard the name, and that this article might seem a little untimely.  After all, Google Buzz was released about a month ago (February 9, 2010).  The reason I waited to comment on Google Buzz was two-fold: 1) The initial reaction to Google Buzz was panic! (early issues with privacy) and 2) I wasn’t sure if I would even use Buzz for personal and/or business updates.  Why would I review or recommend a product for the JumpstartMyPC.com audience if it (Buzz) wasn’t a useful tool that would help you get more out of your PC?  Well, I finally spent some time with this new application and I think I’ve wrapped my mind around it.

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Google Social Search is Coming! Are You Prepared?

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

So, you have a question about… anything.  Depending on who you are or how you operate, you are probably going to do one of two things.  You are going to ask friends, family and co-workers for the answer or you are going to go directly to the internet (specifically Google).  Sure, there are other options like phone books and ….. well, I don’t know.  I think the vast majority of people in the world will use one of these two options.  Now, thanks to Google Social Search, these two methods might begin to merge into one very useful solution.

Google Social Search is a new way to search the web.  You simply Google as you always did and a new section will appear in the results, aptly titled “Results from your social circle.”  These results will include more relevant, personal web content from your friends and online contacts.  These links, images, blogs, etc. are taken from the social networking sites that your friends are part of, like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc.  We could explain it further, but this video (by the amazing commoncraft) does it so well.

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Social Media Credit Score Tools and Tricks

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

toolsFor part 4 of our week-long look at the concept of a Social Media Credit Score, we are going to focus on the tools and tricks of researching yourself or someone else on the internet.  We have already defined what a Social Media Credit Score is, documented the “SMCS formula” and discussed who would possibly research your SMCS (in our previous articles).  So logically, we now want to give some very specific ways to track yourself or others through social media outlets.

In our article What is the Social Media Credit Score Formula we outlined the areas of the internet that make up the majority of what is currently defined as social media.  While social media continues to grow and change, so will the areas that you need to keep an eye on.  We’ll start you off with some tools for each site/area, but it will be up to you to add to your toolbox as time goes on.

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Who Sees Your Social Media Credit Score and Why?

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Monday began our week-long review of the new Social Media Credit Score concept, developed right here at JumpstartMyPC.com.  Today’s topic Who Sees Your Social Media Credit Score and Why? is part 3 of our look at the idea of  a Social Media Credit Score and how it might one day (or currently) affect your life.  We encourage you to look back at our last 2 articles (Article 1, Article 2), if you have not already read them, but here is what you’ve missed so far (flash card version).

Both

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What is the Social Media Credit Score Formula

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

social-media-3Yesterday, JumpstartMyPC.com began a week-long look at the concept of a Social Media Credit Score.  In case you missed it, Social Media Credit Score is a measurement of social risk, for an individual, based on information available through social media outlets.  Today we are going to focus on the elements that make up your score, so you’ll know how you are seen and what you need to keep an eye on.

Although the idea of a Social Media Credit Score is based on the more well-known financial credit score, there are some key differences that make the development of a formula very difficult.  This social media measurement (SMCS) has no governing body and there is no required reporting that most be followed by users/creators of social media web sites.  Also, most areas of measurement are not black or white, but gray.  As we look at the components of the SMCS, you will see the difficulty in developing a true formula for your Social Media Credit Score.

The idea I want you to walk away with is this.  How do others see me? “Others” can be defined as any person/group who has an interest in you as an individual (an area that we will focus on later in the week.)  What are the first impressions of a would-be researcher?  How do your actions, or the actions of others, (in social media) portray you?  Are you a positive or a negative?  Are you a strength or a liability?  These are not numbers or a traditional “score” but they are a measurement of an individual nonetheless. (more…)