Marketing themselves as a communication oriented micro-blog for those having perspectives in professional or freelance style business, the concept of segmenting professional endeavors through multifunctional grouping ideas drove our reviews; in 2009 our journalists felt a requested need to pride the social platform for interpersonal directives. Aside from our reporting even TechCruch’s Crunchbase summary reflects that the objective of Blellow, is that of communication through easy conversation engagement. Such objectives were met with heavy criticism in weeks following our article. We took note of copious complaints directing us to take a further look into Blellow’s non-business related user spam, unjustified platform control from a single user, and a lack of control by the platforms administrative team. Several complaints were made appealing to us for our respected help in finding a resolution for the network gone astray, a large part of our measures was to seek justice and help guide the five member Blellow team to concerns of a members with the hope that such problems would be that of a isolated and taken care of incident. Proving truth to plentiful complaints, our investigative team was stunned with Blellow’s seemingly lack of administrative measures; our discoveries are described below, with respect to the names of the parties involved in this virtual social injustice.

Such injustice occurred as some described the problem as an internal hijacking in which our researchers noted was the trouble of excessive postings by a sole user of the platform — occurring several times a day, many days each week, and ongoing for months. This single poster was seen as having no respect for other members or the platform, often shoving members posts of legitimate value from notice on the prime page to a second and third page; obsessive in posting members referred to this as her “book of her life”.  This undue amount of bulk spamming allowed no others time to post and be viewed for their post. In a situation hard to believe it appears that while once prided for social communication, Blellow’s micro-blog has been unsuccessful to serve their members with respectful support; or show any indication that a structured support system existed to assist with such user-based issues.  Through conducted personal interviews with a large base of members, our research yields that many were forced to find alternative measures in business social networking; due to amorphous babbling without resolve — many others clearly stated they ceased attempting to communicate as much as prior and some stopped engaging publicly at all. Over all this single poster decreased interest for all in the platform they once enjoyed. Findings revealed that 94% of those interviewed found this user to be a problem and that 12% had complained to the Blellow staff; 0% felt their complaint mattered and noted no proper end occurred to the upset of stable business networking. Assuming accounts and posting within the TOS for the network, value was shown to be compromised by a single user; decreasing the standings and perception to those wishing to sign up with the network, leading 27% to turn their backs and leave after viewing the chaos. The first problem discovered was that Blellow had no ignore or block feature, in a statement the owner expressed that she felt a blocking feature was not one that was needed on the platform. This is a concept we cannot understand as our research showed a evident problem, while 98.2% of the population interviewed stated the need for such and that they would use such feature with maturity and continue forward with the network — 99% of those who left the network said they wouldn’t have made such choice had this feature been offered.

When our staff complained a response was made for them to keep to their own network and to cease viewing the ‘everyone’ option; which would limit Blellow in a way to cause the idealism for signing up to be a total failure, limiting the chance at communication, and ending the chance of new job probability. Second when some excessive messages of no benifit were properly flagged with justified reason, by multiple team members, they felt unjust responses were made to scorn them and nothing to scorn the one at fault. Third, our journalist’s show that the user in violation was never publicly warned on the topic causing members to complain and leave, being warned only once for posting within others threads. It was indicated complaints were also being made via Twitter to another staff member who shared concern but mentioned hands were tried due to ownership not wishing to resolve such problem properly; the staff member indicated knowledge of many complaints and members leaving. Our shock deepened when our own staff was accused of trying to provoke problems and were at fault, we questioned to find others who complained were also met with vile disrespect. Our research in total indicates an unprofessional problem with Blellow and highlights lacking support or staff influence. It can only be said that Blellow’s unwillingness to solve the complaint is decreasing its user base and allowing for warnings to be expressed of such horrific staffing. All in all this failure in a much larger picture will lead to the collapse of the empire of positive professional social media; as it’s already unstable with the problems noted within such article and our in depth research.  Our staff recommends complaining through Get Satisfaction, complaining directly with detail to Blellow staff, or joining a much more professional network like that of Sprouter; we are sorry for any problems that our reviews caused and would ask for all links to be directed to our current article while we fix internal links.

(Copyright © 2010 Social Media News)



Ubiquitous within the current workplace the social networks of YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace; LinkedIn being the only professional social concept in recent studies of workplace social media – highly dominate with corporate employees. Surprisingly common virtual worlds in the workplace include Second Life and World of Warcraft; reflecting that astonishing percentiles of workers are not only acquiring personal user-generated data but wasting corporate time playing Internet based role playing games. Other data, from this study, also shows the supremacy of personal blogs over that of corporate blogs. The prevalences of social media were not only found on the hard drives of corporate employees but appeared in almost equal amounts with employers, indicating that while employees choose to consume and contribute their personal user-generated media; high powered superior officials are no different in exploring the current day innovation. Manipulating the action of looking busy with social media methods totes quite a bit of risk; starting from pre-employment inquires, these risks, often expand through employment and end with the separation from the workplace — in other words, social media carries a weighty risk to an employee through the employment lifecycle. So much so that current day employers are sustaining extensive education as to the steps they should take to address the use and misuse of social media at various stages within the workplace; due to such a immersive focus corporations must consider workplace social media and come up with a systematic plan against such behaviors that have the potential of bringing profitability down.

Current day social media supplies corporate employers with data, almost unlimited in its subjectivity, about current employees and most importantly new applicants; providing a wealth of public information that priory wasn’t available, due to its public nature obtaining such plentiful data occurs with technological ease — needing only a name and location. Operating on the premise of standard public information disclosures or other types of voluntarily disclosures; social media provides knowledge regarding employees that would not be made available through the methods of resumes and interviews. With the contemporary idea of providing users with their own channel of media, the concept of current-day social media allows users to share and feel comfortable sharing an array of information; in some cases letting their guard down too much — which is just what corporate employers seek to find. Employers can legally make use of any data found through the means of social media that pertains to poor communication skills, poor worth ethic, illegal drug use, fabrications on resumes, poor writing skills, unprofessional feelings regarding past employers and co-workers, ethnocentric or racist remarks, and a wide array of other discriminating tendencies; making the hiring process easier and far more efficient for the corporation as a whole. With presence of such public information online the employer is given a broadened look into the image a person maintains online via their online persona. Such content that is deemed unprofessional, as described above, reveals poor judgment; while also reflecting truth as to how that employee may choose to carry their position within a company — such unprofessionalism can be judged to be highly negative for a corporation. Legally, a fine line exists for corporations as to what kind of information they are able to utilize in their judgments; material pertaining to ones sexual preference, race, age, ethnicity, creed, disability, religious standing, political affiliation, and other unlawful discriminatory content cannot be used; however it may be difficult for a employee or applicant to prove that social media was used to find such information — also it proves difficult if sued, for the corporate employer to prove such information was found, but was not used, to influence the hiring decision.

Amidst ones employment with a corporation and within the corporate environment, an employee who uses social media must be aware of posed risks; this type of media can cause an awkward and latent situation for harassment if another co-worker finds such to be a tasteless act. Usually this occurs when a co-worker or superior invites another co-worker or subordinate onto their social media list; there information may be found that to some may seem without class, harassing, and/or inappropriate for the work environment. Likewise, one not invited to join a social networking site may feel as other people are whispering about them behind their back. The most obvious risk that stems from using social media in the workplace is that of getting fired due to misuse and the effect social media has on a workers’ productivity, many corporations are now foreseeing such risk; blocking social media sites from their insider network and/or tracking employee’s computer use. Some corporations have started viewing social media as a workplace hazard due to the decrease in production and also seeing it as a great threat; such threat exists when employees disclose confidential information regarding the company such as insider trade secrets, personal matters, financial standings, and proprietary information. Passed material such as disclosing insider facts and trade secrets remains illegal and punishable under criminal courts, as insider trading causes an array of problems with a larger corporate stock scenario. A secondary threat to corporations, and possibly the largest of current-day social media, is that with great ease an employee can damage the successful reputation of the brand; skewing the methodical practice of corporate marketing, which takes a keen developed skill to sustain with profitability. Unprofessional employee blogs and other social media means can decrease customer attitude and also loyalty.

With such vilification a corporate risk, an increasing amount of employers are tightening the reigns with the concept of today’s social media influence; most private corporations have disallowed this modern technology in the workplace. With these private holdings, the chief to power has made the relative decision as that no benefit can come from social media, it has no place in the workplace, and is of no benefit to business. Other companies, on the other hand, may allow some social media due to twenty-first century benefits of marketing; these allowances may be controlled with an iron fist and only made allowable to certain individuals; in example customer based service that has been extended to sites such as that of Twitter. With quite an increased focus to a changing Internet, all superior ranking corporate personal should be trained in both the benefits and risks of social media, as should human resource officials, those in Internet based marketing, and chiefs in power. It is suggested to any corporation that allows such use of social media to create a policy that inserts broad language for the employee, each policy should state social media’s acceptable use, and clearly define that misuse of such tool can result in termination — lawyers for the company should also note that with the rapid changes of social media any constructed policy should be updated frequently. Those employee’s with access to social media should be educated in acceptable use verses misuse and use social media only with extreme professionalism; careful as to not expose corporate standings and give out false information that could harm the marketing of a brand. Those new hires to any corporations should be well aware that due to social media being that of public information it can be used to make the final determination of hire, thus it should be used maturely and with a professional eye.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2010)

Subsequent to our professional, in depth review of Alexa; Social Media News received several responses from our readers, several dozen of those were made in regards to how legitimate website reviews were being removed without reason; with a influx of retort occurring into 2010 — in valued appreciation of our reader’s feedback, we’ve decided to conduct a full investigation into the alleged corruption of such a chiefly ranked site. With resilient determination to delve to the bottom of such professional betrayal; we began our investigation, for the long term, by recruiting top-ranking informational analysts from a variety of peer companies — allowing Social Media News to retain our oath to provide only the most accurate in content, to our concerned loyalists. As a prime reporting ground strategy, we began with the Alexa platform itself; where site-based help inquires lead directly to an overflowing user centered help forum. Quickly our reporters were alerted to numerous possible corruptions that were flagged for further in-depth excavation; our initial findings very similar in agreement to the responses obtained through our personal reader feedback — causing us to open our minds to uncover the truth, to a site we once hailed with high achievements.

Preliminary to the forums, Alexa’s (FAQ) frequently asked question segmentation provides adequate notice in regards to the fact all listed websites has the supported possibility of being reviewed by outside sources; we found this information accurate and easily obtainable through both the FAQ section and individual website’s Alexa page — thus concluding that no website owner, listed with Alexa, would be blind to the fact that their website could be subjected to reviews from those who wished to share their opinionated thoughts about the site at hand. Tangled in Alexa’s confusing forum platform, the trained eye of our professional analysts sifted through the complaints since July 2009; one of these captured our attentiveness, so much so that the article lists it below. Listed in our research it appeared that website owners who have the distaste for a negative review, formulated a drawn out complaint for removal; while most reviews of violation ended with a correct Alexa action, many complaints towards reviews were made without reason other than hindered pride — the way in which these review complaints were handled, confirmed the possibility that Alexa seems to be corrupting some of its website reviews. As most twenty-first century social platforms, Alexa requires members to abide by a Terms of Service document; as well Alexa requires those wishing to accurately share their opinions in review form to follow guidelines. Alexa review guidelines begin with the stipulation that “Alexa reserves the right to edit or remove any review at any time.” One would understand this to mean that if Alexa received notice or came across a review that contained disallowed material, it would be edited or removed; Alexa’s guidelines state that content disallowed is that of abusive profanity, spiteful remarks, abusive obscenities, website URLs, commenting on other reviews visible on the page, single word and nonsensical text, personal information, solicitation for votes, and/or promotion and adverts for the reviews personal website. In most cases are records reflected that Alexa removed all disallowed promptly and properly; in many other cases reviews that were being complained about, containing zero violations, were also being unprofessionally ripped from the page. Social Media News inquired in regards as to why those reviews that followed stated guidelines were being removed without reason, Alexa has yet to provide us with a statement or reason; pointing to their guidelines of website reviews only. We have contacted Alexa directly demanding answers, by phone Alexa declined to answer our questions; however if an answer does surface we will bring that content to our readers attention in full text.

Please note, with respect to the author of the following complaint both the names and exact date of forum data have been removed. In proper accordance with our in-depth review of Alexa our analysts documented all questionable website reviews that resulted in a forum-generated complaint, any violations to the Alexa guidelines, and what actions Alexa officials made towards these website owner’s complaints. The most recent possible corruption, which our team documented, occurred in the prime part of 2010:

Case 1 – The Threat of Lawsuit
“I am getting very tired of Alexa being used to persecute religions folks, Very sick of it indeed. I am getting two women hounding me to death by reviewing my site unfavorable. they are claiming I am a fraud, as far as my business, if you do not remove those comments and ban those people I will sue Alexa for damages to my business I have written references, and will not tolerate a bunch of frigging atheists bothering me by leaving false reviews, now I want this dealt with immediately, or I will see a lawyer, two women have been hounding me since may, and now use alexa like some sort of frigging weapon against religious individuals, and I will not tolerate my rights being invaded by you people allowing just anyone to give a review without us being able to remove them it is ridiculous and believe me __ and the one below is merely either __ or __ logged in as someone else, you better fix it or I will be a rich lady because religious persecution and slander on my business is illegal folks”

Five recorded website reviews in the case of the above complaint were published, four of which occurred from four individual website reviewers; one from the website owner. Resulting from five reviews, our analyst clearly documented that one clearly violated Alexa’s site based review guidelines; that single website review violation was made by the website owner, the four other reviews were found to result in no possible violation. An in depth analysis of each four non-violating website opinions, revealed that each checked out as the truth; instead of having any business nature this website was a personal blog — the blog was even enlisted with one of the Internet’s top blogging platform, instead of personal host as a business would be. Alexa’s responded by clearing all five website reviews, despite the fact they four shared no violation criteria and checked to be the truth. We are left shaking our heads with the result of such complaint; however, it’s safe to say that when threatening Alexa with a fictional lawsuit a strong company quickly acts submissive to the false domination of the “sue happy” concept. Thus far, Alexa has declined to offer Social Media News an acceptable answer to our questions to why non-violating opinions were banished without reason, if this decision was made due to the threat of a lawsuit, and why no further investigation was made into the account to see that it was a blog instead of a business. We were only pointed in the guidelines to Alexa’s TOS and website review guidelines, which is not an acceptable answer to our inquiry; once again Social Media News ensues our viewers that if we receive such answer as to why this corruption occurred as it did, it will be added in full content to both this article and if sufficient enough sent to those viewers who have inquired regarding such corrupted behavior.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2010)

Without warning January 12, 2010 became a day in history that will not be forgotten, as a catastrophic 7.0-magnitude earthquake resulted in total deviation; a few miles from the capital city of Haiti. Unsettling the lives of 3 million citizens, in the most impoverished nation in the Western hemisphere; a nation in which 80% of the total population live on a mere $2 per day, 75% struggling with far less. With 100% of the region destroyed by the powers of Mother Nature, the nation screamed into the night hoping that the world would hear their outcries for search and rescue; simply because they could not suffice their own — not because theirs were inadequate, simply because they possessed none. Globally, a immense response poured; promises from nations to provide assistance, medial aid, and funds — unheard by those who suffered, trapped under concrete of structures or those who combed through rubble by hand to pull out the dead; lining them up as cords of firewood on the streets.  Wrenching the heart of a world that in seconds mourned for a nation afflicted far too much; mankind, from all across the globe, desired to contribute — the way in which The United States contributions were being made, has been memorized as a first for technology. Within fifty states, American mobile phone carriers are mystified at the outpour of support; accomplished through the utilization of text messaging SMS. In just three days following this catastrophe more than $8 million in contributions were made in $5 and $10 increments via automatic text transfer; with proceeds distributed to two tech savvy organizations, YELE and The Red Cross.  The American based YELE Haiti foundation was the first to set up such technological impressive methods, establishing its message through the new-age means of social media; Haitian founder and popular rapper Wyclef Jean asked for just $5 to be sent to 501501. Second to follow in the technological revolution, The Red Cross; requesting just $10 to be donated to 90999 – soon both of these organizations would be picked up by mass media broadcasting in the land of the free and quite humanitarian. Encouraging American citizens to donate, not only did such small monetary amounts make it possible for everyone to contribute comfortably; but the concept of text SMS allowed a younger generation to get involved.

Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and most state-wide wireless carriers are allowing contributions to be sent for free, providing extra encouragement and assistance for customer’s to contribute. Automatically funds are forwarded to the designated charity of choice via mobile corporation holdings, these well established and immensely profitable corporations would recoup the contributed amount from each account holder at the end of the billing cycle; by billing in the amount of SMS giving. Those customers who have cellular service with carrier Sprint have by far the widest range of cellular area to donate from; in just three days more than $882,000 was contributed to the relief fund. To add to their kindness of waving the fees for SMS donations, the corporation itself donated $50,000 to The American Red Cross; the spokesman for Sprint also professed that they will be matching, dollar-for-dollar, all employee contributions. The often news-negative AT&T matched Sprint’s $50,000 initial donation to Haiti, their corporate donation was selected to be distributed to Telecoms without Borders; to assist in repairing Haiti’s demolished telecommunications system. In just three days over $1.4 million in donations were gave through the mobile service carrier Verizon Wireless, from over 140,000 customers. Verizon also contributed $50,000 to support the relief effort in Haiti, their corporate donations were split between World Vision and Food for the Poor; in addition, a dollar-for-dollar employee contribution match up to $1,000 per employee will be contributed as an extra gesture. Offering free long distance to Haiti, for customers, T-mobile is assisting in the help of families in America connect with their families in the impoverished wrecked nation; the corporation did not release numbers for text donations. Making American history, the innovation of technology has impacted the world; as more than $300 million has been globally donated to the relief fund, a historical amount continues to coming in via text SMS.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2010)

A land ravished by a catastrophic 7.0 earthquake, twelve days into 2010, the impoverished nation of Haiti; found both a voice and embraced assistance within revolutionized social media — of twenty-first century existence. As death-echoed screams beckon into the night, thousands remain trapped under mangled concrete structures as even more of the unaccounted for are feared dead beneath slabs of rubble; families sift by hand through gray dusted confusion in hopes of freeing their precious loved ones — a grueling task, all too real, in a nation so poverty stricken that sufficient means of search cannot even begin; as no resources for such exist. These ghastly screams quickly find their transformation into textual pleas for authenticated wholesome support on an interconnected matrix of computers spanning the globe; unleashed onto the Internet through short text based micro-blog updated from few on the ground who found the ability to recount the horrific account of social mayhem. Near instantaneous, social media giants Twitter and Facebook, abruptly shifted into a source for personalized mainstream media; by the end of the night 62% of accounts from broadcast media would come from these leaders of socialization on the Internet — this single outlet, social media, took on a global role as few details were being released officially due to poverty and destruction.

The appeal for humanitarian aid also expanded the realm of technological innovations, in accordance with the usage of social media; as two recognized charitable foundations, requested compassionate consideration of monetary donations via text messaging SMS services. Creating the initial social media buzz, the YELE foundation, urged those who were comfortable in donating $5 to text “Yele” to 501501; immediately becoming one of Twitter’s top 10 trending topics — by the following morning YELE would remain at number one. Lead by Haitian rapper Wyclef Jean, YELE Haiti, was instituted to bring hopefulness to the destitute nation of Haiti. Prior to the illustrious earthquake of 2010, projects of The YELE Foundation assisted with education, health, environment, and community development; giving optimism to citizens that were once forgotten prior to its establishment. Priory known as the Wyclef Jean Foundation, like all other reputable charitable organizations, contributions remain 100% tax deductible as in accord with the Internal Revenue Code; 100% of the donations made to YELE are distributed to the people of Haiti. Second to follow in this humanitarian text message union, The Red Cross enlisted in urging those with mobile technology to give a donation of $10, to aid in relief; The American Red Cross itself pledged a primary $200,000 to relief in this dammed nation —  textual contributions were set up by texting “Haiti” to 90999. On Wednesday January 13, 2010, tweets urged millions worldwide to donate to both, as the subjectivity of Haiti achieved 9 of the 10 most discussed social patterns on Twitter – these patterns referred to as trends or trending topics, and controlled by a mathematical platform algorism; changing as focuses change. Both foundations automatically made it possible to give to a charitable foundation by cell phone use, adding either $5 or $10 to the monthly bill for service through SMS transfer – allowing a new generation, a much younger generation, to make a difference in someone’s lives.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2010)

Often confused, and used incorrectly when interchanged, the twenty first century concepts of social media and social networking; the easiest way to resolve an accurate definition for both words is to drop the preceding expression “social” — resulting in media and networking. Social media is responsible for the broadcasting measures of interacting with a masses, similar to the industrialized media of television, print, and film; like industrialize media, social media attempts to get a single message to millions globally — retained audiences and viewers of such methods are acknowledged as the media’s “reach”. Social networking involves all Internet interactions that occur individually, instead of mass socialization; communicative methods begin between two people and a growing established list of “friends” is then created — the concept of social networking is known as the more intimate of the two, as people often share the inner-workings of their life to others. Social networking considerably increases chatter on sites, referred to as social networking noise; its subject has no intelligent educational value but that of random useless information. In example, popular social media sites include the globally popular YouTube; known for video uploading and video sharing concepts, easily media can get from one to another while spanning masses. Businesses, of the twenty-first century, are moving both social media and social networking to increase their marketing presence in a changing business marketing society; many businesses are currently flocking to YouTube to bring attention to their products — industrialized television commercials for the globalization of products, are now appearing on YouTube.  Social networking sites are similar to professional LinkedIn, which allows users to establish a network via text with another; these networks are small in size. In a rapidly changing twenty-first century of online socialization presences, most sites have restructured their traditional designs to include both networking and media; such as Facebook and Twitter — due to offering something for all users, this is the prime reason for such term confusion between social networking and social media.

Nonetheless, with both social media and social networking the theory of user privacy is quickly diminishing in stature; controlled by the user, privacy remains — yet to successfully socialize filters of privacy must be removed from the equation. Privacy and security are the two recessional issues, questioned, by almost all Internet users who surf today. On sizeable social media and social networking platforms privacy, protection, and user security have been a raging concern. With social media and social networking often described as “a stalkers dream”, many have concerns that the citizens of a global internet are benevolent with their personal information; leading to the threat of stalkers and sexual predators. Users of these types of services, in which personal information of any sort is shared, must be careful to the data freely made public to a network — and in some cases, to the world. Sites such as Ning, Yahoo, and Myspace closely work with police for the prevention of illegal incidents; while every site holds its own privacy policy (TOS) against stalking, harassment, and misdeeds — for those being harassed it should not be taken lightly and reported with screen shots to police officials; if children (minors) are receiving questionable acts by adults that also should be reported as soon as possible. For a net generation, social networking sites have become the preferred interaction for a global community risking personal privacy along the way; more and more advances are being made to increase the informative share of data — even a new concept is among us, electronic mail streams; causing many who attempt to protect for the greater good to cringe in disbelief of its rising popularity.

Stepping social media and social networking into full throttle mode, is the ability to expose a very public domain; email. For socialization fanatics and those with no problems exposing their intimate detailed life online; Inbox 2 was created for media and networking extremists to open themselves up — this latest advance in social sharing methods is not recommended for everyone, due to those reasons of common sense — simply no one would value a spouse finding out about a mistress nor a boss finding out that three employees think he’s a fat balding loser. Sharing an electronic inbox may possibility suffice for a rather small percentage of people who segment their electronic mailing accounts to only house emails of no intimate relation of life events, bank numbers, phone information, and financial data. Prior to exploring the new application, known as Inbox 2, first one must delve deep into their electronic mail; prior to starting a account one must be knowledgeable of the risks — with professional recommendation first go through the inbox measuring the amount of intimate content. It should also be considered a brand new mail to test Inbox 2, so that full control can be enforced on what is streamed from the service.

Inbox 2 was developed to keep nothing private; collecting and synchronizing ones electronic mail, contacts, personal updates, status messages, and those updates and messages of a connected social media network. Similar to the inspiration of Google’s popular Google Reader and a combination of other Internet tools, information is streamed in real time and controlled by the user as to what information is visually public; offering some type of privacy. Using a process of aggregation, one that is best known by popular Friendfeed, data is fed into Inbox 2 by other acceptable applications; with flexibility of the user’s personal wants — desired digressions allow users to maintain the dominance over their sharing, turning data on for public visibility or off for personal privacy. Aggregation, for novices can result in confusion but Inbox 2 simplifies the experience of feeding through content by allowing viewers and owners to determinate the feed via icon; for example all Twitter messages bare the logo of the popular social network, all Google Gmail bare the logo of its service, Yahoo, and Facebook are dotted with their own logo graphic. Each user determines his/her unique user name, as on all social networking sites; this unique user name becomes the exclusive page URL and in the same way as other networking sites this becomes the URL that is handed to those curious folk; nosy to intercepted inbox messages and network print. Inbox 2 allows the user ability to control settings while exposed content appears in consecutive order, marked with time stamps. However, this application has obtained many reviews for its ability to allow average users to quickly sort through excessive electronic mail, utilizing personally created folders for material that must be kept; while professionals recommend that non-important electronic mail gets read and sent to the trash — reducing clutter and thousands of overwhelming electronic mailing items, freeing bulk from servers.

As many top ranked social networking sites of the current twenty-first technological century, integration is of great importance; Inbox 2 allows users to receive both status updates from friends located on Twitter and electronic mail — it’s system is just beginning, slowly becoming successful in use as more sign up for a powerful explosive service. Users to the platform will obtain Twitter updates within their network and also networked electronic mail, as of current Facebook users will need to leave the Inbox 2 platform; due to integration measures. Facebook currently lists all messages interwoven in their own electronic mail service, which is embedded within their platform, user status updates as “wall” postings; these easily cannot be incorporated into such system as Inbox 2. Inbox 2 most importantly offers replacements, with its simple and easy to use features; the most promising of these features allow users to get rid of the notion of purchasing expensive software to synchronize their mail, sort dates on a electronic calendar, or keeps tasks in a electronic point agenda. A wide variety of many preferred inbox applications, have currently been integrated with POP3 based mail accounts. With this program, the user will only have a single inbox to deal with instead of several; creating near perfect and quick organization — since it is a single electronic mailing program users have no need to be annoyed with constant log-in and log-off patterns. Most importantly with the growth in 2010 of social media, all confusing social media noise is eliminated; as Inbox 2 only allows the infiltration of connected network friends that remain on the users social media and electronic mail network. However, it must be pointed to again that this application is not for all electronic mail or social networking users who wish to maintain privacy in their e-mail; each user must become actively aware that this application is public instead of private — each single thing can be read by millions, bookmarked by thousands, and stalked by hundreds – changes are if the user to Inbox 2 doesn’t want someone to see a listing, it probably will be viewed and shared a number of times. Use Inbox 2 with complete and total careful digression and if any questions arise, professional recommendations point towards shying away from such exposure.

-Supported Electronic Mail-

Due to its substance and new growth Inbox 2, remains in the beta phase and accessible via invitation only; release to the public is set to be released by mid 2010. If this is a concept that has a deep appeal in the passion of online socialization, requests can be made here. A valid electronic mail address is required and all form information must be correct; as the owners of such applications are gathering all requested information for research purposes. This information will be used in the future to better market a successful tool.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2010)

These meticulous website appraisals allow the owner proper determination as to what level the website is measured on and the success of marketing techniques to increase influence — this unique influence setting it apart from the competition. Most importantly, these website assessments reveal if the website itself is flourishing or faltering in the production of the desired results for both profitability and sustainability. A number of websites currently provide inclusive informational website analysis, for free; in addition a number of websites are available as comparison resources of various performance metrics. These technical metrics function to determine the importance of the path viewers took to route to the website, the website’s sustained audience as opposed to one or two time viewers, the popularity of individual keyword choices within search engine optimization, which keyword draws the most visitors to the site, the search engine most used to obtain website visits, bounce rates, how a website stacks up when measured side by side with its competition, and so forth – metrics are highly critical factors, to a website’s overall functionality.

Leading the competition, Google Analytics, performs a full website informational analysis; at no cost, Google’s only requirement is that an account be held with its service — membership is free and simple to obtain, in a few easy steps and completed verification. Google Analytics details statistical results, in relation to a website and its visitors. Information is harvested in relation to the number of visitors for a particular duration, ratios of new viewers as opposed to repeat viewers, the average time the viewing audiences spent viewing a particular page on the website, the most successful keyword used to bring in viewers, which search engine brought in the most website viewers, the routed path for incoming traffic, and much more — this information is given within numerous pages of data, figures, chart, graphs, and website maps. Google’s target, in this service, remains those who utilize Internet marketing as business professionals and owners; as opposed to those who maintain a website or perform the data technology on a website. As the most widely used statistical service, Google Analytics (GA) is currently used by over 40% of the 10,000 most popular websites; usage for such service is far-reaching globally. Its approach is that of a top-ranking dashboard service, influential to data regarding poor performing websites and top ranked websites through an intensive segmentation of features.

Web information company, Alexa, a Californian subsidiary company owned by Amazon.com; is a leader in web traffic reporting. This free service is a leader, often known as the best, in the detailed allowance of statistical figures to be determined so that web owners know as to where they stand on the concept of performance metrics. Traffic rank, through Alexa, remains based upon three aggregated months of data; and includes website rank for those gaining over 1,000 web views per month, a separate rank by country of origin and around the world, the number of sites that are linking into the website, website reviews based on viewer feedback that can make or break a website due to Alexa’s reach, total traffic percentages, website reach percentage, visitor page viewing styles and ratios, bounce rate percentages, an average of time spent on the site, and search percentage — yielded though graphs, arrows, and integers. As a analytical site, that measures metrics at a top level, Alexa also provides contact information for the website, links in relationship to the website, search engine optimization usage via keyword tracking, clickstream results, and demographics. These demographic figures set up to show, absolute detail in who identifies as the website’s audience as well as implicit contact related characteristics. Alexa.com features metric based trends and popular searches and offers a top recommended web browser toolbar option. The Alexa toolbar collects data on browsing behavior which then is transmitted to the website where it is stored and analyzed — unique features of the toolbar includes trends in current happenings and all-encompassing website figures of traffic rank for the site visited, related links for the website, structural changes, and website reviews.

With a multitude of sites detailing information for such detail to business owners, it should be noted that both Google Analytics and Alexa are leading examples of both active categories of point-by-point analysis — informational and performance metrics. These sites were professionally designed for businesses yielding conclusive website information; so that profits increase and alterations to website marketing can be established as successful or non-successful. Again, these websites must be pursued in an aggressive stance, for maximum sustained profits. In addition, the following sites also help when attempting to scan through the figures and segmented data; that proves to increase the demand of a website.

Google Trends – Compares keywords and key phases, as the importance of both increase the traffic rates; as to influence the website via trending currents. Two or more key points can be comprehensively compared for the resolve of effectiveness against each other — results are then returned for the search request in graphed form. Google Trends allow each search to be widened to uncover results on specific target locations. Recommended as a performance metric type tool, this Google based service should be used for website and business website owners who want to increase profitability and traffic rates by using trends. One Riot is also a new tool, with spot on trends; that should also be looked into.

Complete – Identifies strategies for websites who are competing against each other, its function combines intelligent site and search analytics to assure the website owner improved assistance in online marketing initiatives. Knowledge of such information assists with a business’ search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO) by increasing the relation of the two concepts; in a competing market.

WeWe Score – Provides a rating with regards to the website customer/viewer’s focus. Customers find their website through searches and keyword options that have been properly established by each company; customers/viewers care as to how the website will meet their unique needs. In a successful business venture, the website must focus on the customer/viewer to flip a profit above the overhead required to run their website sources; this focus is conveyed through the wording used on the website, and how that wording appeals to the unique customer make-up. WeWe Score counts certain words on each website that are key indications of a focus and if that focus serves the needs of the business customer relationship; failing business focus’ is identified as a focus on the business and not broadened to the customer. Analysis of such words offers helpful understanding to the impression made on prospects and identifies any possible changes that need to be made; from a personal to a customer/viewer level, noting that word usage plays a major part to the metrics of how long the average customer views the website.

(Copyright © Social Media News)

Zoho, a web-based customer relationship management tool, offers crucial functionally in the procurement of data for sustaining revenue; with numerous functions — utilized by both small business and large corporations, it comes highly recommended for any proprietorship. Offering free services with the limitation of three users, Zoho Inc. also extends its services to businesses with inexpensive monthly rates per user; each payment plan is set up per service sought. Empowering the relationship establishment between enterprises and customers, Zoho provides complete lifestyle management solutions for the running of a business; in a single web-based service inventory management, sales, customer service, and marketing can be attained though business applications and productive collaborative applications that appear with software similarities. Zoho strives to meet the needs of corporate customers with organizational management, role-based data access security, and information sharing with an extensive interface of features.

Productive collaborate applications:

→ Electronic Mail
→ Web-based Word Processing
→ Online Spreadsheets
→ Presentation Tools
→ Database Management
→ Notepad
→ New-aged Wikis
→ Centralized Public Data Sharing
→ Data Planning
→ Group Chatting

Business applications“:

→ CRM (limited to 3 users)
→ Forum based Discussions (limited to 2 forums)
→ Web Conferencing (limited to one on one)
→ Application creation (limited to 2 users)
→ Sales Invoicing (limited to 5)
→ Project Collaboration (limited to 1 project)
→ Online Reports *
→Applicant Recruiter (new feature) *
→ Online HRIS *
→ Electronic Mail Hosting *
→ Application Marketplace *

*Business applications are limited on a free plan for try out, each plan comes with a sectioned monthly price per user

Zoho utility programs:

→ Online testing
→ Website Monitoring
→ Business Polling
→ Document Viewer

(Copyright © Social Media News)

Engaging in a Internet marketing business is often classified as a truly rewarding task; knowing dreams and seeing those dreams through, with successful professionalism, years after launching. While thousands of people engage in Internet marketing research very few act to launch their plans, often overwhelmed with the true amount of work that is needed for a reliable plan; research often reflects that even fewer of these personal Internet enterprises are successful past the first year, often closing without a second. Having skill and education are also two important concepts to becoming a professional business entrepreneur; to succeed one must first find a niche that they are heavily skilled in and act to never cease learning — which requires keeping up with changing Internet and global trends.

Unlike traditional brick and mortar construction, Internet businesses are often preferred due to low overhead start-up investment; architectural design has been replaced with that of website creation, business operational permits swapped with domain name registering, renovation substituted with planning website features and internal page design, and costly business marketing replaced with low cost online small business advertising techniques. Conventional business expenditures have also been interchanged with minimalistic requirements of Internet based entrepreneurship, making this decision a favorite due to sustaining a lowered investment concept; cost requirements include office supplies and technological innovations that are suitable for business such as a quicker and more reliable cable Internet connection, custom built computers for operations, a terabyte or greater of external storage, business related software/hardware, and a telephone/fax.  Optional recommendation is to include mobile business tools, so that away from the home profitability can be sustained; options include a mobile phone, blackberry device, I-phone, palm pilot, tablet PC, or netbook. Monthly costs, would also be lowered so to keep profitability maximized; including basic acquired bills for use of the Internet, telephone, and electricity — in addition entrepreneur’s would pay web hosting and all advertising, if by monthly choice instead of a annual fee.

Existing as a professional entrepreneur requires the attainment of knowledge, to beat off the competition that is often involved in internet based marketing. Seemingly overwhelming, it is best not to rush so that each concept can be researched to the fullest degree and understood properly; knowledge requirements include internet marketing strategies — such as affiliate marketing, techniques in advertising, principals of search engine optimization, marketing blogs, and the utilization of social networking. Within a constantly changing technological revolution these primary strategies will continue to also grow, thus it is important to keep up with modern trends that will increase your lead on lacking competitors; as the Internet is saturated with endless business opportunities that benefit in changing innovation. Full utilizations should be made focused on the Internet for the consumption of research, all research should be properly written down and classified as to how it will promote the growth of the business model; businesses tools should be used, blogs read, social media searched, and key topics researched in full – millions of websites exist to provide knowledge in internet marketing businesses, again this must be used for a successful advantage.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2009)

Many attempts are made in making money via Internet means, with only a small percentage yielding a success; one must treat marketing online as a full time job — having a intense desire, at times one that is greatly desperate, to create a successful feat. Research reflects that a great number of failures emanate from those who operate their attempts as a mere hobby, internet revenue must be treated as a profession not a hobby; those who believe internet marketing will be as simplistic as that of a meager hobby, should quit immediately and seek out conventional means of work. Greatly time consuming, real effort remains a substantial requirement; starting with proper research, solid business planning, professionalism, and assistance — seeing the desire from planning to well beyond launch. Focus is a essential provision, as research statistics show that the largest amount of failures in such objective are handed to those who act with greed; often dabbling in a number of money based techniques at once, focus is quickly lost for each — as well as the proper amount of time that must be established with a single strategy. Again, finding the right niche is important; as working in the proper Internet industry will reduce confusion regarding what plans need to be created, yielding both a proper effort and focus for successful outcomes,

With many opportunities; one could begin blogging to promote products from paying affiliates, create a subscription based videocast on a hot topic, indulge in freelance writing that is marketed properly and picked up by content buyers, provide a work-at-home service such as web design or development, dabble in right brained creativity via promoting personal digital based self expression, etc. One such option is that of digital based self expression, obtainable though Cafepress; an online retailer of stock and user-customized “on demand products”. As principal objective to its highly successful business model, started in 1999, is the allowance for users to start making money by uploading graphic designs that will later be added to a wide-ranging list of products and sold world-wide; account creation is free.

Cafepress is the world’s largest and most popular enterprise for self-expression through merchandise. The site receives over 11 million buyers, per month; these shoppers purchase a wide-range of T-shirts, posters, mugs, mouse pads, buttons, key chains, and other unique gifts; reflective solely of their unique passions, interests, affiliations, and/or beliefs. Gaining success over its competition, the average user has full access to making money by exposing themselves and their artistic creative design. In immense growth, Cafepress has excelled to well over 6.5 million members who each have exhibited a source in creativity; each marketing to a separate target audience as they properly use this “print on demand” retail service without risk. Statistics reveal each day more than 45,000 unique products are being added from the 2,000+ new daily memberships; growing at a rate of 60% over a time period of five years. Cafepress has the proper establishment, audience, traffic, and sustainability that is wanted when attempting to create a niche of money making; as well as its exceptional marketing policies and SEO techniques — as the site itself has grew into that of a household name; clearly reflecting greatness for users who have dreams.

With more than 150 unique products and gifts, Cafepress offers something for the diverse needs of global buyers; specifically created and priced exclusively by the user, with each user having his/her customized shopping page — items can be searched for via web-based search, for ease-of-access controls. Each user maintains a choice in which item their personal design will be available on for product sales, commonly offering a large assortment of products in various creative expressionisms; products exist for women, men, children, infants, and even beloved pets — extending past basic retail items of t-shirts and bumper stickers. Offering extensive gift ideas Cafepress’ extensive product list includes common gift ideas, such as; aprons, bibs, coffee mugs, dog t-shirts, framed prints, keepsake boxes, magnets, mouse pads, note cards, ornaments, posters, ‘Sigg’ water bottles, throw pillows, wall clocks, and more. Attributing to their uniqueness and sustaining their own personal uniqueness, Cafepress offers clothing items made from organic and natural materials; while other items reflect a concern for environmental awareness, on team green.  Some items such a buttons, key chains, magnets; note cards, and stickers can be purchased in bulk and distributed by the buyer at will. Absolutely no out of pocket set-up is required, nor will a user rack up inventory costs, stocking, and printing fees; this balance is maintained by Cafepress setting a “base price” for each item that covers all fees; to spin a profit, users sell items over the set base price, for a sustainment in income that is mailed by check after purchases clear — at current Cafepress accepts three payments to them from buyers, in the future data amendments will be made to include PayPal for payment means. To keep the website within reason, on prices, users are only allowed to go $15 above each base price per item without fee; however, users will incur a fee in an overage exceeding this limit of $15. A 5% surcharge will be required for the user to pay for all price overages, in example if the mark up in price is $20, 5% will be charged — mathematically working out to 25 cents per item sold. Cafepress stands clear on the fee’s that are charged to the product seller, such as base price includes printing on a single side with $3 being charged for duel side printing layouts; $3 is also charged in addition to the base price, per item, in sizes over 1X. An easy-to-understand invoice is handed to sellers, detailing their net gain; including all product surcharges, fee’s for mark up, and duel side print fees.

As any retail company, Cafepress often has sales that will be distributed to user products; earnings for sellers will remain the same and at no cost will affect the seller’s revenue — by extending the offer of sales to buyers, Cafepress keeps profitable and sustains their own business base as a marketing technique. Users may want to purchase their own items, which the team at Cafepress takes in full consideration; base product prices are charged for these purchases, regardless of shop mark-up prices. Buyers are required to pay all shipping costs, so this is not reflected to seller’s profits; shipping costs are reflected in their order completion. Other frequently asked questions can be clearly viewed on the website with solid answers; new users will also have selling, design tips, and tutorials at their fingertips for utilization to achieve the highest successes with the site — other questions can be addressed around the clock for both sellers and buyers, either web-based or by phone.

Keeping in mind Cafepress is just a single option in a building list of Internet marketing techniques, options are establishing each month as more influences are shed to a variety of these money making endeavors; again, it should be noted that a considerable amount of scams also exist. With Cafepress, and all other techniques, the user must focus with hard work and great effort; success will not come from unprofessional workings. Internet marketing, regarded in all undertakings, must be complete of research in how to sustain a profit; sites should behold a clean design, proper user personalization techniques, and be free of personal cluttering. In successful feats of business, the client should come first and seller second; operating with a profound ethic to professionalism — for sites like Cafepress items must be created with the sellers desires removed from the product, as these products are being sold globally and should never reflect what the seller finds “cute”. To increase profit labor must be exerted on properly establishing a name, creating an audience, and using tools to market the product to other people; without traffic failure is bound to happen. However, prior to making the grand leap, the most important thing to any business users must be understanding that enormous work focus must first go into any plan; Rome was not built in a single day nor will any successful business.

(Copyright © Social Media News 2009)