May 30, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Business, Events, Facebook, mobile, Social Media, Twitter, Uncategorized by Jennipher Prati

Social Media Awards 2011

And the winner is……. So exiting to be at the first awards of my life, and even better regarding something that I love too: Social Media.

I felt like I was in a movie. Conor was one of the judges and decided to bring us, his team, to a different type of training session, he said: “watch guys and learn as next year we will be on the podium!” I believe that, we are working hard, we have the passion and his knowledge, the perfect mix!

The inaugural Bord Gáis Energy Social Media Awards, which took place Thursday 26th May in the Mansion House in Dublin , organised by Damien Mulley and hosted by the inimitable Ricky O’Shea (radio 2FM), honoured companies that demonstrated innovation in their use of social media in business over the past year. The awards were judged by a panel of industry experts and members of the public.

The Grand Prix Award, for the best overall use of social media, went to Meteor Mobile, who also picked up the award for the best owned-managed business Facebook page. Here the link if you want to check it out: http://www.facebook.com/meteor

Well done to all the Social Media Awards Finalists and Sponsors, it was a great night! Good entertainments, well organised and I loved The Virtual Graffiti Wall, even if I didn’t win!

There is only one last question: will Social Media have “new ways of interacting with the public, provide better services and inevitably generate more sales??”

MORE PICS>>

Here below the list of finalists:

Facebook Page for a Business
Spin 1038 – http://www.facebook.com/spin1038
Facebook Page for a Non-Profit Organisation
Dublin Zoo – http://www.facebook.com/dublinzoo
Facebook Page for a Business (Owner Managed)
Meteor Mobile – http://www.facebook.com/meteor
Integrated Facebook Campaign (Page, App and Ads)
Maltesers Ireland – http://www.facebook.com/maltesersireland
Best Business Twitter Account – Marketing and Sales
Blacknight – @Blacknight
Best Twitter Account – Support, CRM
Eircom – @eircom
Blog of a Business – Sponsored by Frontline LED
Curious Wines – http://www.curiouswines.ie/blog/
Video/Video Campaign (non broadcast) – Sponsored by Publicis QMP
Laughing Kookaburra – Goldnomics
Online PR Campaign – Sponsored by ESOF 2012, Dublin City of Science
Wedding Dates - http://weddingdates.ie/wifecarrying
Use of Social Media by State Body/Org – Sponsored by pTools
Defence Forces
Best Mobile App
Oxegen 2010
Customer Care using Social Media (Integrated) – Sponsored by DoneDeal
Vodafone Ireland
Best Use of Social Media For A Sponsorship Campaign
Bank of Ireland Leinster Blue Magic
Innovative Use of Social Media – Sponsored by Arekibo
RTE’s The Rumour Room
Social Media Effectiveness – conversions, metrics etc – Sponsored by Kantar Media
Morning Ireland, RTE
Integrated Social Media Campaign – Sponsored by GrabOne.ie
Meteor
Agency for use of Social Media – Sponsored by Newsletter.ie
Irish International
Grand Prix – Sponsored by Bord Gais Energy
Meteor Mobile

May 30, 2011 in Blog, Business, Twitter, Web Development by Conor

Getting your business online for FREE

At the Google HQ for train the trainer workshop earlier for ‘Getting Business Online’ training with lots of people from the county enterprise boards!  See some FREE web site templates below and click here to get started with a free domain name, web hosting and training – well done to sponsors Google, Blacknight and An Post and thanks to Google’s Michelle Beirne for her short video message!

www.GettingBusinessOnline.ie

May 30, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Business, Social Media by Jolita Abromaityte

Bad Social Media campaign: How NOT to use Twitter @HabitatUK

Twitter quickly became a popular social media tool, allowing businesses to spread the word and offer promotions to their customers in a space of 140 characters. However as any other tool, if used incorrectly it might damage your reputation.

One of the symbols used in Twitter is called a #hash-tag. It allows to associate tweets with an event (or product) and is created to help people to categorise messages. Hash-tags allow tracking topics, communities, live events or breaking news.

Here’s an example:

Clicking on the hash-tagged word shows you all tweets in that category. It is advised not to use more than 3 hash-tags per tweet and of course only use them on tweets that are relevant to the topic.

That’s where HabitatUK went wrong.

 A trendy furniture store signed up to Twitter and wanted to make sure their tweets were noticed. HabitatUK have started using hash-tags that had absolutely nothing to do with furniture. They chose such popular words and brands as Apple, iPhone and even a contestant from Australia’s Masterchef that got voted off #Poh that week.

 This looks like a great spamming example and no wonder people were outraged and reacted.

 How did HabitatUK respond to these messages? They deleted their tweets and instead released new ones, related to the products they sell.  And a few days later they also apologised for their offending tweets.

Lesson learned: when marketing your products, services or brand, make sure you do put up relevant content.  Otherwise you might get more attention than you bargained for.

 Case Study by Jolita Abromaityte

May 30, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Careers, Digital Video, Social Media, Studio, Training, Uncategorized, Web Development, Wordpress by Stephen Coughlan

SocialMedia.ie Studio – Part-time Interns Wanted

SocialMedia.ie is a specialist social media marketing agency with services including consulting, training and creating digital content. We have worked with an impressive list of clients including start-ups, SME’s and large organisations from Ireland & the UK.

We are looking for interns in the areas of graphic design, web design and digital video to help us grow in 2011. These positions are part-time and unpaid. This is a great opportunity to gain industry experience with one of Ireland’s top social media specialists.

Requirements:

-          Each candidate will have excellent skills in at least one of the following areas – graphic design, web design or digital video

-          You will be very professional and have excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills

-          You will be capable of working on your own initiative as well as within a team

Each candidate will have the opportunity to receive training in digital and social media marketing. Upon completion of your internship you will have an excellent chance of being hired by SocialMedia.ie or one of our clients or partners.

For more info about SocialMedia.ie please visit our web site and forward your curriculum vitae to conor@socialmedia.ie

May 26, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Business, Digital Video, Events, Facebook, Social Media, Strategy, Twitter, Web Development by Stephen Coughlan

Social Media Case Study-10C’s – The Duke of York’s Cinema

The following is a case study on how The Duke of York’s Cinema engaged with their target audience, fans and followers in conversations via various social media platforms in order to create a continuous awareness generating campaign. For ease of understanding, we break this campaign down into the 10 parts that make up the SocialMedia.ie 10 C’s Strategy Model.

SocialMedia.ie 10C’s – The Duke of York’s Cinema
	Context - Cinema actively using social media - Objectives are to increase awareness amongst film followers and to engage with their community online - Small team available to manage activities
	Consumers - Duke of York’s Cinema Facebook fans - Duke of York’s Cinema Twitter followers - Fans of film, Edwardian architecture, comedy and music
	Communities - Young professionals living locally - Those interested in film - Their social media fans and followers
	Concepts - A cinema club/community of sorts - Links to film teasers & exclusive movie announcements - Special events for invited guests
	Collaborations - The general manager of the cinema interacting with their community in discussions - Announcing special deals and events from partners
	Content - Use of Facebook apps and photos - Create discussions through their podcasts - Regular posts on their blog - Use of the Picturehouse Cinema’s YouTube Channel
	Connections - Promoted online through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and blog - Featuring on various other third party websites such as Yelp and The Guardian’s Blog - Existing website and email list
	Conversation - Regular Facebook updates while also engaging with fans - Regular engagement on Twitter - Blog entries – at least once every two weeks, which has resulted in national recognition
	Contagious - The awareness campaign has increased sharing and word of mouth - Users have to like the page to be able to access exclusive offers which contributes to a viral wave - The Guardian included the blog in its movie Blog Roll thus increasing awareness
	Conversion - Twitter account grew to over 1,200 followers and continued to grow to over 4,000 followers - Facebook fans increased to more than 700 fans initially and today, they have over 3,900 fans - Visits to the cinema increased!

The SocialMedia.ie 10C’s Strategy Model is the complete guide to creating a digital & social media marketing strategy. It can be applied to almost any business, beginning by analysing the business itself, outlining objectives, and then achieving those objectives by following the step-by-step process.  Contact us if you want us to help you with our training and consulting services based on the SocialMedia.ie 10C’s Strategy Model.

Case Study by Jolita Abromaityte

May 17, 2011 in Blog, Business, Social Media, Strategy, Training by Conor

Digital marketing training in Galway with DMI

Down in Galway at the Pillo Hotel to give the first of 2 social media workshops for the digital marketing institute.

Tip for the day – A blog post per week will give you 52 new web pages per year which are super indexed for the Google search engine!

May 16, 2011 in Blog, Digital Video, Facebook, Social Media, Training, Wordpress by Conor

Social media training in Fingal County Enterprise Board

Met a great bunch of start-ups in my all-day training session on Social media training in Fingal County Enterprise Board today. Its great when trainees have laptops and make real progress during the day!

Hope to meet some of the again for next steps now they can see the best way forward for their businesses.

May 14, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Events, mobile, Social Media, Wordpress by Conor

Mobile blogging with an iPhone and WordPress

Finally got around to testing mobile blogging using an iPhone with the WordPress app. Seems to working well for the socialmedia.ie test blogpost and will give you a full review asap but it works well for basic posts. Just uploaded a test image from my gallery and all looks good! Well done WordPress!

May 9, 2011 in Blog, Blogging, Business, Careers, Conferences, Events, Presentations, Social Media, Web Development by Stephen Coughlan

Designer Dublin Website Launch

SocialMedia.ie client Dublin City Enterprise Board (DCEB) has successfully launched their new website and blog www.designerdublin.ie to promote Irish arts and crafts for the month of June. SocialMedia.ie designed and developed the website and is also involved in promoting the various events that will take place to showcase the work. Come and enjoy the craft and design that Dublin has to offer!

May 5, 2011 in Blog, Business, eCommerce, Social Commerce, Social Media, Web Development by Stephen Coughlan

Quick Familiarise Yourself with QR Codes!

Although they have been around for a number of years particularly in Japan, Quick Read (QR) codes seem to be becoming more mainstream only now within the surrounds of marketing in Ireland. By and large the west have been slow to adopt them. In short, QR codes allow smartphone users easy access to information by scanning in the two dimensional code using the camera. Businesses are sharing information such as text, photos, videos,music and URLs through this medium. Creating your own code is very accessible, there are a variety of generators such as Kaywa and QRStuff. To take advantage of QR codes you will need a scanner which can be downloaded through your app store for most smartphones free of charge.

Here are some examples that we found of how Irish businesses are taking advantage of QR codes.

Business Cards

Having a QR code on your business card is not a particular new phenomena but it is yet to catch on to become widespread. It is an effective way to become more interactive allowing your contact easy access to your website, contact details, blog or LinkedIn profile. However, with the undoubted popularity of smartphones expect QR codes on business cards to become common practice in the near future.

Luas

The operators of the Luas have  developed an app for its users and QR codes have helped to boost its profile. Luas user can be linked straight to iTunes to download the app when they scan in the QR code which appears on posters at every Luas stop.

The Organic Supermarket, Blackrock

The Organic Supermarket have deployed QR codes to boost their Facebook profile. The image below is at the cash desk in their store encouraging you to “like” their Facebook page and the QR code links you directly there. QR codes can be applied  to any marketing material to provide information on such issues as special offers, coupons, product instructions, directions to your business and many more.

98FM

98fm are really embracing QR codes displaying them on posters, on print and on their website. The two examples below, one from their Facebook page which directs you back to their website to enter the “Mad Money” competition while the other is on their website page and it links you to their “listen live” media player. Absolutely no need to remember an address!

….Mad Money ….Listen Live Media Player

Imagine WiMax

Imagine WiMax are also using QR codes in an innovative manner. On their Facebook profile, the landing page is a QR code which links you to a page to enter a competition with the opportunity to win an iPad 2 for you and nine friends. Again, this is another example of a seamless transition to a web address. This competition is still open so why not scan in the code and enter!

The widespread use of smartphones makes the possibility of QR codes becoming mainstream extremely viable. Their uses are limitless from location based marketing to creating excitement about a new product to store front displays. It is an area where businesses can be very creative to connect and engage with their community.

May 5, 2011 in Blog, Business, Facebook, Social Commerce, Social Media by Stephen Coughlan

Meet the Candydates – M&M’s Election Campaign

Summer 2011 is off to a sweet start with the M&M’s Election campaign! Vote for your favourite M&M – with Red, Yellow, Green, Blue or Orange in the running it’s a tough choice! I had a chance to listen to the Candydates put their cases forward this week, with hilarious party lines from each of the characters. There was lots of fun at M&M’s HQ with pizza, beer and of course lots of yummy M&M’s!

So who are you going to go for? Blue, a.k.a Mr Cool, confident and contemporary, is hoping that his charm with the ladies and varying degrees of coolness will help him to sway the public vote. Red, a power colour by nature, was born to lead and he is a pro at bossing people around, he’ll be forcing your hand for you to vote! Orange isn’t quite sure how he got sucked into this in the first place and is feeling somewhat nervous so is in desperate need of some support.

Yellow thinks all the nicest things in worlds are yellow like sunflowers, so feels he deserves to win. Miss Green is out to prove that sisters are doing it for themselves – she is not too happy with the lack of women voted into power in the recent election. A feisty lady, Miss Green is not afraid to use her female charms to get what she wants!

“We are very excited to launch the M&M’s Election campaign and we look forward to seeing the characters battle it out”, M&M’s Brand Manager Sarah Keenaghan explained “There’s our dedicated new website www.m-ms.ie and our fabulous Facebook page,www.facebook.com/mmsireland” The interactive campaign is exciting indeed as those who vote on the website are in with a chance to win an incredible trip to the exclusive Election Party of the winning M&M’s in New York City!

“Tonight is a snapshot of the different characters personalities” Laura Greer, Account Director at WHPR added “A chance to have a bit of fun! Everyone has their favourite so get voting!” There’s certainly a feel good factor as the M&M’s talk themselves up! Check out Ireland’s first electronic polling booth, on the website, where polling stations are open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. You will also have a chance to meet the candydates before casting that all important vote!

Watch out for the brand new M&M’s Election TV ad which you can also view online. There are lots of prizes to be won – so rally the troops on Facebook – and keep an eye on what rival supporters are saying! Just for the record, Yellow’s got my vote – they say blondes have more fun!

Cast your vote on www.m-ms.ie and for regular updates check out
www.facebook.com/mmsireland – your M&M’s need you!

Written by Lorna Keating