Banning usage may not be best choice

Many IT professionals are down on social media usage in the workplace, both because they believe it hinders productivity and might compromise security. As companies adopt usage policies, employees continue to check out Facebook and other potentially forbidden sites.

According to a survey by security solutions provider nCircle, about three-fifths of US security and IT professionals say their company has a social media policy, and two-fifths ban all usage of social media on the job.

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Social Media can be quite confusing coming from different markets, leaving many businesses confused on how to develop their online marketing campaigns. The main question always tends to be this; Which online networks do I utilize first to gain effective results? At Vigor, the we answer this dilemma with three simple words: ALL OF THEM!

It makes no sense to try sites out individual and wait for results before moving onto the next one. Start with all of the sites and learn from your mistakes quickly and learn which sites are least effective. This is a better and quicker way of getting rid of “the bad apples.” You want your content to be everywhere from Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Youtube, and even photo sharing sites to spread your company brand. Many different tools are offered today to help manage all of this content from one site. Ping.fm allows you to maintain blogs along with any social networking site with the ability to post to any or all networks with a single click. Of course there is a lot of time put into the development of these accounts, but maintaining the content with frequent updates and business-to-consumer information has become much more efficient thanks to tools such as ping.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

Want to really customize your company or band’s fan page? With the use of the FBML (Facebook Markup Language) application you open a new window of possibilities for sharing your information. Build fully customizable pages where users can interact with your companies site right from Facebook. Don’t force people in a certain direction; be where they already are.

The Static FBML application enables users to render HTML and FBML for a more enhanced page customization. Many bands and corporations are utilizing this app to promote and sell their products while still keeping the user on facebook for direct contact with your consumers. These are just a small list of some of the companies:

Best-Buy

Honda

Now you see the list of possibilities opened up to you with FBML. Do some research and bring a NEW look to your Facebook Page.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

Linkedin has been an increasingly successful business network of over 65 million users, connecting them to exchange information, ideas, and potential business opportunities. This network allows users to connect with other professionals within three degrees of separation (a friends, friends, friend). This gives those who don’t know you the ability to see some of your posts, activity, or ask you questions.

Today Linkedin launched their, Facebook-like, sharing features. Now, posted links in your status box will have a drop-down with a photo from the link along with an article excerpt. You also have the ability to set who sees each post with the option to edit and/or delete. Each post can be automatically sent to your twitter account, which is why they will be launching a url shortener today as well.

The main things everyone is wondering now is: Will business professionals share articles with the Linkedin network along with Fcebook and Twitter? Could link sharing and these Facebook-like features take away from the business sharing aspect of the site? The last thing we want to see are people spamming an idea-sharing network to sell their professional brand or product. This may weaken Linkedin but it is, as always, up to the users to determine the success of this controversial feature.

By: Mark G. Valente | Online Marketing Director | Vigor Interactive Branding

If there are any doubts about social media’s permeation into everyday life, or if anyone doubts its reach, power and effect on brands, well, this video is for you.

Everybody wants more word of mouth business for their company. It’s a need and want that supersedes the B2B and B2C specific interests. However, there is no magic bullet that builds more word of mouth beyond wowing your current customers. Until Blabberbug.com was launched. (more…)