Is there any difference between social media and social networking sites? There is quite a difference in the terminology social media and social networking. Although many people employ both these terms interchangeably, you can isolate them as well as the websites that epitomize one or the other successfully.

When you remove the word social from both terms, then you are left with media and networking. By this, we can suggest that social media is a strategy and a channel for broadcasting, while social networking can be considered as a device and a utility for connecting with other individuals. Basically, you can be able to piece the two terms together in one umbrella known as Web 2.0.

When you look in a dictionary, you will find each of the words’ meanings. However, the difference does not end in semantics alone. There are also differences in the features as well as the functions placed into these websites by their developers or creators, which lay down the way they are supposed to be used. The argument of which came first is also present; many believe that social networking came first, and this then evolved into social media.

LinkedIn, for example, is a great tool for social networking. Your interests, the companies that you have worked for, the schools that you have graduated from have all become links to other individuals who share the same history as you. It is perfect for business reasons. It allows you to recommend the work of other individuals and it’s also great for job fishing. A lot of small businesses nowadays use sites like LinkedIn to reach a wider range of potential clients. Social networking sites like LinkedIn act as functional websites for hooking up people, as well as businesses, with other individuals who might want to do business with each other or share similar interests.

On the other hand, YouTube is a good example of a social media website. Websites like these allow individuals to better express themselves visually. It is a medium that provides people the opportunity to share their expertise, knowledge, opinions, and experiences through video presentations. YouTube has become an excellent marketing tool for many businesses that wish to expand their reach in cyberspace. Websites such as YouTube also offer one of the easiest distribution outlets for video, since the video cassette known as Betamax. No doubt you have heard of people getting recording contracts because some Mr. Big saw their performance in YouTube.

There are, however, Web 2.0 sites that offer the whole package – social media and social networking in one website. Twitter and Facebook are such sites. Facebook, for example, provides you with a lot of space to broadcast your pictures, links, and everything in between. It’s perfect for individuals looking for friends, relationships, and work. It is also perfect for businesses to put their products out there and let the consumers decide if they’re good or not.

The bottom line is that social media and social networking work better hand-in-hand. One cannot reach to its potential without the other. In other words, they need each other.

Social media is actually a strategy to reach out certain groups of people while social networking is a tool to connect to people.

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Marketing on the internet offers the potential for many to become ‘independent’ from the bonds of a job however it is not for everybody. The single biggest contributing factor for business success on the internet is having the ambition to do what it takes to get the job done. Not ‘the ambition’ that comes with a ’spurt’ of enthusiasm but the more deeply ingrained drive to persevere through the inevitable challenges you WILL encounter along the way.

Here are 5 of the most common reasons many people ‘choose’ to quit prematurely in their pursuit for online success in business.

No Business Plan Strategy

Pursuing any type of business venture requires a map or strategy as to how you are going to achieve what it is you are trying to accomplish. A business plan strategy needs to be put together to help you pull together your own efforts in a coordinated fashion and without one you are literally chasing your tail. Without a strategy this leads to frustration quickly which then leads to giving up.

Lack of Work Motivation

As enthused as many may be about ‘forging’ their own futures on the internet they quickly find out that it will require an investment of at least effort on their part.

Being your own boss comes with its own pitfalls and in this case it is there will be no one telling you what to do. Hey, that is good isn’t it? Not necessarily since far too many are in need being given directions and lack the necessary work motivation to get the job done.

Being able to motivate yourself to do something (work) that is not too appealing to begin with and all without seeing ‘instant’ results requires a strong inner drive and focus. Sadly many lack these characteristics which will be needed to accomplish the success they are looking for online.

No Set Goals

Goal planning is also a key component for any successful business. How are you going to succeed when you do not know what it is you are striving for? Goal planning involves setting realistic and achievable objectives that are essentially stepping stones that will move you closer to the desired results you seek.

If you do not take the time to do this you will be without direction and once again get frustrated and quit.

Lack of Confidence

We all gain more confidence as our experience in a particular field grows. Starting out online however it is safe to assume that most everybody lacks the experience since the internet is a relatively new frontier. Our confidence level as a result is non-existent and for many this is more discomfort then they can handle.

Working online you must have the ability to accept that you will have a lot to learn and the resolve to stick with it but again not everybody possesses that ability. The result is that with the first challenge or perhaps minor set back, many will be convinced they can not succeed at online marketing and quit.

Fear of Failure

This is a strange phenomenon of the human mind but many are so afraid of failing at something that they are more comfortable with not even trying. Fear of failure can hold back even the most talented and intelligent amongst us and it is certainly no different for people working online.

This is closely related to a lack of confidence except that lacking confidence at least involves making an attempt whereas fearing failure demonstrates ‘quitting’ before they even attempt anything.

Marketing on the internet can be very challenging but the financial rewards are worth the effort. The opportunity for anyone to achieve success in business online is a realistic one however many fail to do so. Often times this ‘failure’ is due to the simple fact they do not possess the ambition needed to succeed. In a way striving for business success on the internet can be a ‘gut check’ for many as they realize the level of their own self motivation. As these 5 common reasons we sited above for people quitting’ before’ they succeed online illustrates it often can be the obstacles inside of us that keep us from our dreams!

Courtesy of Ezinearticles.com

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Directgov is launching a major integrated campaign in the new year in an attempt to revitalise its mission to establish itself as the central consumer brand for government services.

The move is part of the government’s streamlining of public service information online and its strategy to close more than 95% of approximately 4,000 citizen-facing websites and move their content within the Directgov government citizens’ portal by 2011. The ambition was first outlined in June’s Digital Britain report.

The integrated branding campaign, rolling out in January, features celebrities including Suggs, Kelly Brook and Janet Street-Porter, all prompting the call-to-action “I’d go direct, gov” to build awareness of the brand and URL.

The online campaign will feature an online survey to find the nation’s official choice in specific categories, such as food and cars, related to Directgov content.

Directgov now hosts government information previously found on standalone sites including the DVLA and The Pension Fund. It provides UK citizens with a single online access point for services and resources such as applying for a new driving licence, information on tax returns and employment rights.

The changes place great responsibility on Directgov, which has previously struggled to become a highly recognised brand in the UK.

According to ComScore the site has seen a 45% increase in unique visitors, from 4.5m to 6.6m, between October 2008 and October 2009.

However, Mike Hoban, Directgov director of communications and engagement, said the campaign is reaching out to a wider audience and addresses concerns that the public is unclear what Directgov stands for and to push that it is now the hub of government services information online.

“There are more than 4,000 government websites which are being rationalised into three super sites – Directgov, NHS Choices and Businesslink,” he said.

“The whole thrust behind this is to provide the public with easy access to government services and information, to save money for government, and to make government more transparent and efficient,” he added.

“The public can see what’s going on, they can access what they need, and the government can talk more directly with the relevant audience for any particular initiative.”

The streamlining of public sector information within Directgov is part of a wider “web rationalisation” strategy currently being undertaken by government departments.

Alex Butler, board director for interactive services at the Central Office of Information (COI), which has consulted with Directgov on aspects of its online strategy such as how it can integrate content from previously separate sites, said all online government resources are becoming more transparent to show their accountability.

“In April, all government departments, including DirectGov, will publish exactly how much money is being spent on a website, how effective it has been – using industry standards – and how many people are going to it.

“That’s the bit where we start to see the impact of how government websites are being delivered and what taxpayers’ money is being spent on.”

Butler added that civil servants are also being encouraged to become more involved with relevant community sites to boost the visibility of online government resources.

“We’re encouraging the public sector to get involved with private sector sites – so, for example, getting civil servants who understand about parenting policy involved on MumsNet forums, giving proper advice and signposting government information,” she said.

In July, Directgov worked with Google to help local government make better use of online resources, launching a website that instructs local authorities how to use online media to increase efficiencies and engage with residents better.

Courtesy of NMA News

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Marks and Spencer is the UK’s top family brand according to research carried out by YouGov for advertising agency Isobel.

Supermarkets performed well in the poll with the Co-op, Morrisons, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s joining M&S in the top ten.

Legacy brands such as Cadbury’s and Warburtons were also well perceived by consumers, but restaurants and airlines fared poorly in the study.

The 2009 FamilyBrands report identifies brands that are seen to promote and support family values. The study polled more than 1500 UK adults in October, asking them to identify brands they considered to be “socially responsible”, “caring”, or “good listeners”.

Isobel planning partner Steve Hastings says: “The recession has focused people on the home and family, giving family-facing brands an advantage in creating emotional links. Retail brands have an advantage in that physical proximity and scale breeds trust and affection,” he adds.

The worst performing family brand was Ryanair with only 1 per cent of respondents believing the company to be either “caring” or “good listeners” or “promoting family values.”

Hastings believes this shows the dangers of rising consumer expectations.

“We want low-cost air travel, but find it hard to give up the sensitivity, responsiveness, and family-friendly consumer choice,” he says.

The research also revealed that consumers overwhelmingly believe that brands are not responsive to their wishes. Only 8 brands polled above ten percent in response to the question “which brands do you consider to be good listeners?”

Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman blames unrealistic expectations.

“Consumers can begin to expect brands to be unnaturally responsive to their needs in the way a parent would be,” he says.

Top ten

1 Marks & Spencer
2 Co-op
3 Boots
4 Kellogg’s
5 Morrisons
6 Warburtons
7 Andrex
8 Waitrose
9 Cadbury
10 Sainsbury

M&S has this month appointed former Morrisons chief executive Marc Bolland

Courtesy of Mad.co.uk

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BBC News has joined a small number of media groups and appointed Alex Gubbay as its first social media editor.

He will be responsible for managing the existing UGC hub within BBC newswire, co-ordinating UGC newsgathering, comment and debate on all of the newsroom platforms. He will also help develop new ways for users to have their say on BBC news stories.

Mary Hockaday, the BBC’s head of newsroom, said, “The way audiences consume and interact with news is changing. Social media platforms allow audiences to get, share and comment on the news and are becoming distribution channels in their own right.

“Alex will lead our work in this area to build an open relationship with our audience and make sure our distinctive journalism reaches as many people as possible,” she added.

The new role is being funded by redistributing budgets within BBC newsroom.

Courtesy of NMA.co.uk

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Simon Cowell’s decision to give the twins John and Edward a reprieve on The X Factor may have prompted 3,000 complaints, but ITV is set to cash in on the controversy.

The broadcaster is selling 30-second adverts to late buyers for an estimated £190,000 this month. Television industry insiders believe that the figure could come close to £250,000 for the last show in December.

“There’s no doubt that this is the television event of the year for viewers and advertisers,” said Jim Marshall, a senior consultant with Starcom, which buys television advertising for well-known companies. “It has become the British version of the American Superbowl”.

ITV strives to keep its sales figures secret but in the leaky world of advertising rival broadcasters have enough information to calculate that the final weekend of The X Factor will generate about £6 million in advertising, as brands such as Nintendo, Argos and Britain’s music and film companies chase its predominantly young audience. At nearly £3 million an hour it is expected to be the most lucrative event on commercial television since England played and lost in the Rugby World Cup final in October 2007.

The broadcaster also makes money from its sponsorship deal with Talk Talk, the value of which has never been made public. Industry sources believe that the deal will contribute another £500,000 for the final — plus a share of the cash generated from phone voting.

Phone revenues — split between Simon Cowell, his producers Fremantle, ITV and the phone companies — will add another £1 million with at least two million votes expected to be cast. Mr Cowell’s earnings this year from ITV and the royalties from No 1 records such as Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke, last year’s winner, are predicted to reach about £6.5 million.

This year’s X Factor winner is also likely to reach No 1 in the charts. The unlikely stars of this year’s show are “Jedward” — the Irish twins John and Edward Grimes — who owe their survival to chaotic, high-tempo performances of songs such as Ghostbusters and We Will Rock You, engendering a viewer appeal that has overcome the apparent fact that neither can sing. Each week more viewers tune in to see if they can survive, and more pay to vote.

An average of 11.2 million people have watched each show — 1.8 million more than a year ago — and The X Factor, with Mr Cowell’s other project, Britain’s Got Talent, are the most popular programmes on British television. No entertainment show has topped the ratings since The Price Is Right arrived in Britain in 1984.

The biggest surprise for ITV has been the success of the newly introduced Sunday night results show, the audience for which has increased week after week and reached a record 16.6 million last weekend as Mr Cowell decided to give John and Edward a second chance.

Having previously promised to leave the country and “sulk for about six months” if the 18-year-old Dubliners won, Mr Cowell surprised viewers by turning down the chance to throw them off the show on Sunday. His decision meant that Lucie Jones, regarded by some as a possible winner in part because of her telegenic looks, went home because she had fewer public votes — creating a controversy that is likely to increase the audience further. “Whatever happened to Strictly Come Dancing?” asked Mr Marshall.

Source : The Times

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EA has joined Simply Marketing Jobs

Electronic Arts – EA Video Games – Ea Mobile

EA Mobile is the world’s leading publisher of interactive Mobile entertainment software for mobile phones, smart phones, and advanced handheld devices. With the worldwide market rapidly approaching 1 billion new handsets per year, we are committed to staying in the lead and driving the reach of interactive entertainment. EA Mobile is a true leader within the EA family, with a business model that positions us to dominate the wireless entertainment market

EA are now searching for Sales and Marketing Manager to support the UK&I region and account manage one of EA Mobile’s most prominent UK clients. The Sales and Marketing Manager (UK&I) role is a newly created position and we are ideally looking for someone from a Marketing Agency background to partner with the Sales & Marketing Director and really make this role their own.

View Electronic Arts Jobs

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Woolworths is launching a TV, press and online campaign this month to promote the retailer’s first Christmas since relaunching as an online brand in the summer.

The campaign uses the strapline ‘Back online with more toys than Santa’ and features two Laurel & Hardy-style animated snowmen called Stan and Ollie.

TV and press ads were created by Brooklyn Brothers, while Glue London developed the digital work, which includes a photo diary featuring the snowmen, social media activity on Facebook and online ads.

As part of Woolworths’ Very Important Families loyalty scheme, customers are also offered the chance to win £300 worth of gifts by saying why selected presents would make their family and friends happy.

The campaign follows a multi-channel Halloween campaign designed to re-establish Woolworths as the place to buy all the family’s essentials for the holiday.

Courtesy of NMA

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Online retail will reach £8.9bn this Christmas, representing 20% of all UK sales, according to a report from Kelkoo.

The report, undertaken by the Centre for Retail Research on behalf of Kelkoo, predicted online shopping would account for a fifth of all shopping this Christmas, a 24% growth from £7.2bn last yea.

It predicted retail sales would increase by 1.9% (£832m) this Christmas after overall retail sales fell by £27m last year.

The research predicted that if etail’s 24% annual growth rate and all retail’s 6% rate continue, then by December 2015 online sales will account for over 50% of all Christmas shopping.

Bruce Fair, MD of Kelkoo UK, said, “It has been a very tough year for UK retailers, so a busy Christmas is the news they’ve been waiting for. There has been talk of green shoots for some time but it has taken a while for retailers to see any clear signs of a recovery. A seasonal cash injection will help create jobs and generate a renewed sense of optimism across the sector.”

Courtesy of NMA

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