thedailyfeed:

Smartphone users now spend more time on Instagram than Twitter.

In August, some 7.3 million people pulled up Instagram on their phones every day, compared to only 6.9 million who opened Twitter’s mobile platform religiously, according to data released by comScore, a digital market research firm. What’s more, fans of Instagram, which lets users snap, edit and share photos, spent almost 4½ hours using the app in August, compared with just under three hours for serial tweeters, who blast out short messages to “followers.”

Twitter still has more smartphone users, but not as many log in daily. The social media start-up had 29 million unique mobile visitors last month, compared with 22 million who used Instagram. Twitter also has almost 300 million total visitors — including those logging in from desktop computers — while Instagram is only on phones.

It’s a lot easier to tell a story, give a glimpse into your life, or really — say something without really saying anything via a photo, IMHO. Twitter is important, of couruse, but I think we’re learning to express ourselves more and more via photos (think Facebook timeline). 

There’s this though, something I heard in church last week: “We all want to live in a land called “instagramia” where nothing is dull. Everything is painted as a classic dream sequence, void of reality.”

But, this is the “dark side” of social media, anyways, right? Always connected, but disconnected. 

(via thenextweb)

Source: thedaily.com

Here is why Facebook bought Instagram

With all the chatter about Facebook buying Instagram yesterday for $1 Billion dollars, I saw a post from one of my friends on Facebook who said, “Still don’t get Instagram. I get it, but I don’t get it. But, I’m not a billionaire either, so there’s that.”

When I asked him what he didn’t “get” about it and he replied:

I don’t get the idea held by some that, because a picture has a filter applied to it, it’s suddenly a better picture. I guess I just see it going the same way as all those men’s fashion monochrome shirt/tie combos went away once Regis and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” went off the air. It’ll be something we look at and go, “Wow, circa 2012!” when we show these pics to our grandkids.”

I get what he said, but I think he’s missing the true essence of Instagram; I replied: 

I totally get what you’re saying, but I think to people who are active on Instagram don’t really love it because of the filters, but really the community and the perspective of those behind the camera. I mean, I follow strangers, brands and friends who all tell their unique stories through a photo. I hate to compare social networks, but it’s sort of like “the twitter of photo sharing.” I get to see what people are up to in realtime and tell my own story through photos. Are photos on Instagram prettier than they are in real life? Yes, but most things on the web are a little exaggerated too. ;)

I think why I like it has a lot to do w/my personal online behavior- i like to create and share and dig into the lives of others. Instagram is an awesome way to to do that. 


Over half of all devices at this year’s CES were Internet connected and nearly 60% were non-traditional computing devices such as TVs, cars, refrigerators and washing machines. Connected devices are proliferating throughout our homes which means consumers are about to become a whole lot more connected to the world.
The Brave New Media World his here, SayMedia.

Are you still rolling your eyes at Foursquare? It’s only as interesting as you are

I’m currently trying to consolidate things I’ve written professionally from their various presences across the Web to one main hub. I was going through the Ad+Geek blog that I contributed to while at JWT and found this little gem from Josh:

In the category of “things most people learned in 2009,” it turns out that Foursquare is only as interesting as you are. The second your check-in list tips in the direction of work, fast food restaurants or (god help you) your apartment, it’s over. The corollary is you’d better have interesting friends or… I’m not naming anyone, but honestly, I don’t really care about your Applebee’s check-in.  Joe.

It made me LOL, maybe because I know him and could hear his voice as I read the post, but regardless, it’s a great post about the value of Foursquare. He basically argues that the service really is what you make it- and he’s totally right. 

People still roll their eyes and say, “what do the points even do!?” If you’re approaching Foursquare based solely on the points factor, you’re doing it all wrong. Here’s what I use Foursquare for and how I get value from the service:  

-Recommendations at restaurants. I have a really hard time picking what I want to eat when I go to a new place. When I find myself between 2-3 dishes that I want to order, I just go to the tips section of Foursquare to see what other’s have recommended. Nine times out of ten, this makes my decision for me. 

-Stay in touch with friends. I’ve literally logged into Foursquare to see that friends were in my neighborhood and have gone to meet up with them. It almost feels serendipitous, but it always feels fun. 

-To make memories. I don’t have to sit here and tell you that most people my age document their life in a away that no other generation has, thanks to technology. With tools like Timehop, I can be reminded where I was and what I did exactly a year ago based on my Foursquare check-ins. 

Anyways, if you’ve tried Foursquare in the past and gave up on it, try again with these tips in mind. Feel free to follow me on Foursquare here, and don’t forget to read Josh’s post. 

Don't check in at Olive Garden

transmedia in story telling and brands

“Transmedia, as I define it for the work I do in publishing, is a project that uses multiple platforms to create one seamless story through: the written word, video, audio diaries, illustrations, websites, apps, and social media. But transmedia is an evolving concept. It can just as easily describe a book series that’s been made into a movie or a TV show. Or maybe the series simply has a really cool website.”

-an excerpt from Read Beyond the Lines: Transmedia has changed the very notion of books and reading where author Patrick Carman discusses how hes attempting to transform books and stories for today’s distracted youth via technology and transmedia.

This is a great read for brands and adverting professionals, too. Our consumers are distracted and have a zillion choices when it comes to the products they use. Creating meaningful, unique experiences that increase loyalty and time spent with the brand is a big way to stand out in the crowded marketplace.

How User-Generated Content Is Changing SEO

I really like the way this article broke down UGC (kind of more specifically: product reviews) to show how it correlates to traffic and purchase. In my own personal life, I rely on reviews a lot, be them yelp reviews, Foursquare tips and music or electronics reviews. When it comes down to it, I want know know what other people’s experiences are before I embark on my own. Like, if I’m at a new restaruant and am unsure of what to order, I’ll check Foursquare tips or Yelp reviews to guide my decision. Now, those aren’t necessarily driving SEO the way this article suggests, but the idea of influence (via UGC) is the same.

I liked the advice that the author left for businesses:

There are a few important steps that businesses can take in order to continue receiving traffic from Google:

  • Execute better than anyone on the fundamentals. Consumers are looking for the right product at the right price, an easy-to-navigate user experience, with a pain-free checkout and fast delivery. Google is not in the retail business, but it is monetizing the way people will find yours. As a result, sites that execute on the fundamentals will have an advantage over those who don’t.
  • Increase the quantity and quality of customer reviews. This user-generated content matters now more than ever, including that which is generated via mobile while consumers are in your brick-and-mortar location. Organize reviews into the mobile experience so that they’re easy to find and browse, with at-a-glance summaries highlighting pros, cons, and best uses of a product, in addition to average rating.

    • Search and social used to be two separate spheres, but those worlds are quickly colliding. While Google is doing all it can to catch up with Facebook, you would be wise to try to catch up with Google as well.

Really awesome idea:
Where Are Your Facebook Friends Sitting? Ticketmaster Tells You

Ticketmaster’s research suggests that every time a ticket buyer shares his purchase with friends online, the activity converts to $5 in additional ticket sales. The hope, says Levin, is that Facebook seat-tagging will encourage ticket buyers to more frequently share that they’re attending events and drive up ticket sales as a result.