Digitalia | Indianapolis Social Media Marketing

PR professionals: 6 things to help get your content found online

An interview with Lee Odden, CEO, TopRank Marketing

I caught up with Lee Odden recently, whose widely regarded as on of the most influential online marketers. We talked about the relevance of value of blogs especially in the context of public relations that is focused on traditional media, bloggers, analysts, and, increasingly, consumers. Lee makes some great points. Here's the recap. Watch the interview (recorded on the fly at a conference hence the somewhat hushed tone in both our voices).

1. Use blogging software as your newsroom CMS

2. Archive everything - press releases, case studies and more

3. Categorize your content by topic

4. Categorize your content by keywords

5. Use keyword rich tags

6. Use RSS feeds for the newsroom and categories

News rooms can be link magnets and can dramatically improve search results. While push marketing is still important, there are more and more situations where writers, editors and producers under deadline are mostly turning to the web to find information and people. Optimized content can make a world of difference - that is getting your content found on search!

Do you have questions? Do you have a story of how a journalist found you because of your optimized content?

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

Interview with Emanuel Rosen: the Dean of Buzz

This was actually posted a few months ago. But I've been thinking that this needs to be revisited and its a great interview. So if you haven't seen it - and most of you haven't - please check it out!

I've been an admirer for a long time and had the chance to catch up with Emanuel Rosen, Dean of Buzz, at Patachou on the Park, downtown Indianapolis. We drank some great coffee and talked about word of mouth, buzz, visual buzz, and text buzz.

Its been a few years since the ground breaking book - The Anatomy of Buzz - by Emanuel Rosen. He's back with The Anatomy of Buzz - Revisited and he's on a cross-country bus tour. The bus is called Tootsie - it's powered by recycled vegetable oil that is used by NOLS--The National Outdoor Leadership School--to spread the word about their organization and about alternative energy.

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

Is twitter betting on search?

If you don’t have an automatic log-in, you likely noticed the debut of Twitter’s new homepage <www.twitter.com> earlier this week. It’s bright. It’s blue. It’s simple.

And it’s all about the search.


Behind us are the days of explaining Twitter. Enough people know about it now. It’s time to focus on searching, which is what makes Twitter stand out from the pack of social media outlets. It’s all about information in the most efficient way possible, and what better way to accomplish that than by placing a search box and the hottest trend topics on the homepage, categorized by the minute, day and week?

Upon discovering the new homepage, I immediately questioned the reason for the revamp. After a quick comparison of the old and new homepages and reflecting upon social media industry changes over the years, it seems to me Twitter is changing directions. Twitter is no longer aiming to serve as a place to build relationships. (That’s what Facebook is for.) Twitter is for information; to find out what’s being talked about in the world right now.

One of the most common reason I hear for why people haven’t joined the Twitter craze, or have an account and rarely log-on, is that they don’t see the point of constant status updates. Now, you and I know that’s far from the purpose  — with the exception of public figures — and Twitter knows it too. So Twitter marketing execs have decided to cater to these confused potential users by pitching Twitter as a search tool, rather than a social networking site, in an effort to get them hooked with the easy-to-use search box and trend topics, then reel them in with the quick and efficient search results that allow users to feel knowledgeable and relevant. 

The right move? You tell me.

Alyson (follow me @alyandthecity)

United breaks Guitars gets over 4 million views in 2 weeks

Is United in Dell Hell?

If you haven't seen or heard of the full story of Dave Carol who flew United last year - here's an excerpt from his youtube channel.

Full Story: http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/story... - In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didnt deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise. Follow me at http://twitter.com/DaveCarroll . Video Produced by Curve Productions of Halifax, http://www.curveproductionsinc.com

It's a story that you might have experienced - you fly somewhere, you lose your stuff or it gets damaged - and to make matters worse, the employees in charge pass you off and you ultimately get no compensation and experience great frustration. Only in Dave Carrol's case, he created a music video and its been viewed almost 4.2 million views in just under 2 weeks. People are sharing it online via facebook, twitter, email and more. Frankly, there are probably lots of us all over the world than can empathize with the way this has gone down.

Take a look at the statistics from the video as of July 26th, 2009:

• Total Views: 4,147,798
  
• Comments: 19,131
• Favourites: 20,945
• Ratings: 28,822
• Average rating: 4.94

*This doesn't include partial views, other non-YouTube conversations or comments.

Clearly, United didn't expect this and monitoring the problem via social media couldn't have solved this problem - which points at a larger problem of customer service. Let's face it - United isn't what it was a decade ago and it certainly ain't no Zappos. How will this citizenship journalism affect the complaint process in the future? Should customers be more customer oriented - if for no other reason - fear of this type of backlash? What do you think? Maybe more companies should study Dell's admirable approach after the Jeff Jarvis episode? I think so.

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

7 Things That Make Great Websites

1. Purpose

The purpose of a website is huge. It defines everything in the site. This is basically obvious with any website though. When you first make a website, 99.9% of the time you are going to have a purpose for it. It could be a website for your company, selling items, etc. This is important because you do not want to have a website that does absolutely nothing for no one.

*Screenshot Example: Worldvision.org

2. Graphics

Graphics can make a website aesthetically pleasing. Your graphics could include vector drawings, clip art style images, or real photography. Good graphics are eye popping, but not distracting. Ensure your site has a balance of copy and pictures. We are all kids at heart and a site without any pictures/graphics is just boring.

*Screenshot Example: Davi-t.com

3. Navigation

Navigation is often considered the most important part of your website. It helps the user flow through your site. With poor navigation, the user cannot easily get to the information they are looking for. You want to make your website navigation very easy to use and easy for users to get where they want to go (or where you want them to go) in the fastest way possible.

*Screenshot Example: Clearleft.com

4. Accessibility and Usability

I use Mozilla Firefox on a PC, a co-worker uses Safari on a Mac, another co-worker uses Mozilla Firefox on a Mac, and my mom uses Internet Explorer on a PC. People have different browsers, different computers, different screen sizes, and different Internet speeds. One of the most time-consuming parts of making a website is ensuring your site works in different settings. You cannot expect all of your users to have the same settings. This can be very time consuming, but when you look at big sites (Google, MSN, Amazon, etc.) you will notice the same site - no matter what you use (excluding mobile browsing). Making your site usable and accessible separates your site from the amateur sites on the web.

*Screenshot Example: W3.org

5. Color Scheme

A color scheme on your website is something similar to the icing of a cake. Like graphics, it pulls the site together. It adds something to the look of the site. A good site will have consistent colors throughout.

*Screenshot Example: Viget.com/extend

6. Content

Content can make or break your website. You need a good balance of copy and graphics to make up a site with good content. The content is almost a summary of the above. A lot goes into content, but as long as the aforementioned copy and graphics are really good, your content should be fine.

*Screenshot Example: W3-markup.com/order

7. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO is similar to usability. Just as we want users to easily navigate your site, you also want to ensure the search engine “spiders” can also easily navigate your site and find the appropriate information. Doing the necessary steps to optimize your site for search can ensure higher search engine rankings and increased traffic.

*Screenshot Example: Google.com

Article by: Zach Reed // Firebelly Designer (Follow me @bluetidepro)

There’s an app for THAT?!

With the recent release of the Cannabis app for iPhone and iTouch — an app that helps people legally allowed to purchase marijuana to find legal locations to buy it — I began questioning how many crazy, funny, weird, strange (you pick your adjective) apps exist. I did some research through the more than 50,000 apps available for download in the iTunes store, and here’s some of the most bizarre apps I found: 

Annoy-a-Teen: Apparently there are store owners out there that send high-frequency sounds out from their stores to keep teenagers from vandalizing and congregating and whatever else youngsters do in their spare time. Those sounds, which adults have grown past being able to hear, has been put into this app. If you want to clear out the bass-bumping, loud-screaming party at your neighbor’s house at 2 a.m., there’s an app for that. ($0.99)

Hello Cow!: Push the cow’s face. It moos at you. I’ve used it to entertain children of all ages during long car rides or while waiting for a restaurant reservation. ($0.99)

Hold On: This app is completely pointless but endlessly entertaining. I see people playing it on the subway all the time. Press the ‘Hold’ button and challenge yourself or your friends to a holding contest. It’s like a staring contest for your phone! ($0.99)

iSteam: Isn’t it fun to leave messages to your roommates in the bathroom mirror after a morning shower? Now you can have the same fun on your iPhone, no shower necessary! Blow on the screen to create the steam (you’ll need to activate your external mic), and have a ball! ($0.99)

TWSS: That’s What She Said. Push the red button on this app, and you’ve made any random comment an instant joke…just make sure it’s the appropriate time and place. (FREE) I’m sure I didn’t even scratch the surface, so please comment with the apps that have you asking, “There’s an app for that?!”

-Alyson Ahrns (@alyandthecity)

8 social etiquette suggestions you can't live without

Manners & other social necessities (and debunking some "gurus")

It matters how you engage people both online and offline. Below are a few suggestions to follow (and some I still aspire to!):

1. Be on time
This will put you ahead of 70% of the population!

2. Say please and thank you
When you appreciate a link someone shared, or some advice they've passed along - say thank you. Its so easy and yet it can validate the person's approach.

3. Be nice
It really does matter especially online! Word travels quick.

4. Don't be a monologue
I live in Indianapolis and I can't tell you how much it bugs to see this one particular "social media guru". All he does is announce his business life - "in meeting with brand X" or "Just arrived in Montreal to see brand Y". When intercepted - he glibly says - "well it got you interested". Don't be that guy or girl! Keep it balanced and have a conversation.

5. Caring matters now more than ever
I sat and listened to an expert dismiss someone's complaints because of their relatively low influence online. What if that one person is Jeff Jarvis? To quote Gary Vee or roughly anyway - when did it become okay to not care?

6. Don't be a hater
No one has time for haters. See point #3.

7. Don't share every detail
We don't need to read your tweets from your wedding aisle or your wedding bed. Get a life bud. We'd prefer to read a balance of busines and personal.

8. Think before you retweet
Recently I saw Rohit Bhargava say that MTV was irrelevant because they were showing "16 & Pregnant" when Michael Jackson had just died etc etc etc. First, I'm a huge MJ fan so I immediately retweeted it. And then my friend Amy Magan retweeted it. So then I did what I should have done to begin with - check MTV. It was showing Michael Jackson videos. I'm sure the rotation is different in different markets. I apologized. Of course it was even funnier to see a big time guru recently use that in her presentation - the MTV being irrelevant part. Wonder if she had checked a well. Doubt it though.

Got some you'd like to add? I'm sure there are a lot of you that have thoughts on this!

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

Current TV does it again with Celebrity Twitter Overkill Video

Lain (follow @lainerbainer)

5 Myths about SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

A lot of people out there claim to know everything about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but the truth is, we are always learning. Search engine sites are CONSTANTLY changing the way their engines work. As time goes on we need to adapt to those changes to make our websites have the best SEO possible. Here are some myths I have heard in the past about SEO.

1. MYTH - Link Everything!

The key to links on your website are relevancy. It used to be that all links helped your rankings in organic search but search engines have evolved. In this case, 40 links might NOT be as good as 10 relevant links.

When referring to relevancy, I mean links that are relevant to the topics your trying to bring up in SEO rankings. Quality links that do not just link to broad topics.

2. MYTH - Secret keywords on pages.

This is something you do NOT want to do. I have been seeing this more and more lately with unwise marketing groups. They tell their clients to put a bunch of keywords at the bottom of their pages and they have them style those keywords so that the user does not notice them but they are “picked up by search engines.”

This directly goes against Google’s (and others) terms of use. You are not fooling anyone. This will directly end up hurting your rankings. This is considered spam and it is also very unethical.

3. MYTH - Overnight Success with SEO.

I have heard/see many websites say that they can make you appear at the top of Google results in 24 hours. THIS IS A LIE. SEO is something that does not happen overnight.

Things like constantly updating your website, having rich content, using the right code for your site, and other various things are what truly help your SEO.

4. MYTH - Flash is bad - in all cases!

This is a myth – sort of. Flash can be bad if all of your content is inside of those flash pieces or your navigation is in flash. Flash pieces are okay if they are used for pieces of your site that truly need flash. Just be sure that you do not have important links, copy or pictures inside that flash.

5. MYTH - Meta keywords are the most important!

This – at one point – was truer than now. Google and other search engines pretty much skip the “keywords” Meta call now. You are better off with content that is relevant on your pages than just simple relying on the “keywords” inside the Meta tags. Now, I am not saying do not use them at all – I just think people over exaggerate how useful they really are.

Article by: Zach Reed // Firebelly Designer (Follow me @bluetidepro)

Weird Wide Web: Customer Tweets During Bank Heist

Annemarie Dooling, a 26-year-old web producer from NYC, announced to her 2,000 or so followers on Twitter on Tuesday “My bank was just held up – with me in it. HSBC 34 and 8.” 

Her updates continued throughout the ordeal: 

"they won't let us leave the bank." 

"police just arrived. maybe theyll let me go now." 

"they want to question us. i didnt even notice this gappenning while i was standing there."

"no i didnt hit the floor. i didnt even notice and he was 2 people in front of me." 

"honestlt i didnt notice anythung. bank was very professional, teller calm." 

"we are fine. cops questioning us now." 

"im out!!!!!!!!!" 

Dooling has received criticism from bloggers, fellow Twitterers, and other Web commentators for tweeting instead of calling 911. She later explained her actions via Twitter, saying “Not only did the Manager already call the cops, but I could only use Twitter because of Blackberry issue.” 

If interested in following Annemarie on Twitter, she goes by @TravelingAnna

Chad Richards Twitter | Facebook

Fans vs. Groupies: Which markets better?

Playing around in Facebook land, I’ve noticed many companies, organizations and individual people have both groups and fan pages related to their message. Now, whether that’s because one was developed before the other (groups before fan pages) or because having both is the best marketing technique, I’m not sure. So in this week’s blog, let’s weigh the features of both and see if we can determine an answer to this social media marketing quandry. (Oh, how I love a good pro/con list!)

It’s important to point out a few details about the above pro/con list, while I have you reading:

• While both Facebook groups and fan pages have mass messaging, groups allow you to invite all your friends at once, while pages force you to go click through one-by-one. Who has that kind of time? 

• Facebook’s promotional features cost money. I haven’t looked into how much, but one of the best qualities about social media in the marketing world is that it’s free! Plus, it’s so easy to spread the word on your own, this feature isn’t even that helpful. 

• Visitor statistics are more useful than one might think. I know you can produce your own site audits, but if you don’t live and breathe social media like we do at Firebelly, you likely don’t want to spend the time or energy figuring out your weekly unique visitors or growth in membership week-to-week. For that reason, this feature may be a +1 on the Pages side for most Facebook users. 

• Pages are visible to those not registered on Facebook. Although users cannot send messages or post information without registering, social-media-wary audience members can still access details and view new information about a person or place, inviting them to the conversation without forcing them to pull up a chair. 

• The privacy settings in Groups are much more controlled. Groups can be made invite-only or completely open, allowing the administrator to determine who can participate and who can’t. Pages don’t allow this level of control, but an admin can regulate who can and can’t post on the Page wall. 

Conclusions 

Pages are best for larger companies and public figures aiming to reach out to fans without connecting them to a personal profile. Plus, Facebook restricts profiles to a maximum of 5,000 fans, and if you’re as popular as most companies and celebrities are, you’ll reach that number quickly and start denying fans access. That’s not very good social media etiquette! Groups are better for smaller-scale activities focused around a cause. Use a group to stay in touch with your high school graduating class or to get the word out about a weekend bake sale. You won’t have to spend time clicking through your hundreds (maybe thousands) of friends to invite each one, and you can delete the group after the event ends. For larger companies and public figures with Pages, Groups can be used to promote a one-time event like an upcoming appearance or promotional contest. Facebook Groups and Pages are both great marketing techniques that offer many options and are free and easy to use. 

My conclusion: make a Page to be permanent — use it as the social media equivalent to your website. Get Groups going for one-time events — use them as the social media equivalent to a press release. 

Alyson (follow me @alyandthecity)

Google Chrome OS, will it "just work?"

On July 7th, Google announced that they are getting into the operating system game with their new Google Chrome OS. An unwelcome piece of news for Microsoft. Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks, with desktops to follow. The OS is designed to be fast and light weight to get you connected to the web in seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. Can you say cloud computing? Google Chrome OS should fit well with users who are already consumers of the Google ecosystem: Gmail, search engine, web tools, Google Analytics, Android, etc... The press release says it should “just work.” Hmmm, seems like I’ve heard that line somewhere before...

Pros:
1. Google Chrome OS compliments and anchors all of their other services.
It’s open-source. Open source is always good!

2. An alternative to Windows. (Not so much Apple as Apple’s OS is tied to it’s hardware.)

3. Much cheaper for companies like Dell and HP to implement into their bundles.
Who doesn’t love Google?

Cons:
1. It appears that this is a form of cloud computing. Some people love the idea of cloud computing, some hate it. I think cloud computing takes the power away from the users and puts them at the mercy of the OS masters. It's a bit more totalitarian than democratic.

2. Data-mining. Google has already caught a lot of flack for data-mining. If you have their OS on your personal computer, they can data-mine everything you have! It’s a possible end to user privacy on PC’s.

Google’s Top Ten blunders:

Google Chrome sounds amazing, but let’s not forget their other genius innovations that didn’t stand the test of time:


1. Google Catalog - 2002    
An attempt at a search engine for any product a user could ask for. One catalog to rule them all!  It never gave up-to-date offerings, thus it never really worked.

 

2. Google Answers- 2002
Even though we already had a very entreanched Yahoo Answers, Google wanted to answer your questions too. The only question it couldn’t answer is what happened to Google Answers? It died in 2006

3. Google Viewer - 2002
Do a Google search and the viewer will load all the pages in your query as a slide show for you to peruse. Who’s got time for that?

4. Orkut - 2004
Orkut was Google’s attempt at a social media site. Ever heard of it? Didn’t think so. It IS however a huge hit in Brazil!

5. Google Web Accelerator- 2005
Do you need your webpages to open in 1/10000th of a millisecond more than the already do? No, you don’t. Oh, by the way, the Accelerator was also data-mining you.

6. Google Video Player-2005
Even though the web was filled with video players of all shapes and sizes, Google thought you may need yet another way to play your videos, with yet another video format. It got yanked in 2007

7. Google X - 2005
Google X was a redesign of the Google Home Page, that borrowed from Apple’s OSX. The line at the bottom of the screen read: "Roses are red. Violets are blue. OS X rocks. Homage to you." The site lasted one day.

8. Google Coupons - 2006
“The Coupon has expired”

9. Google Voice Search - 2007
Call the Google hotline and speak your keywords, then go back to your computer to see the results. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.

10. Google Checkout - 2007  
Sorry Google, we’ve already got Ebay and Paypal, but thanks for the offer.

Michael Jackson Tribute "Eternal moonwalk" has global participation

MJ Fans upload moonwalking videos

I saw Pete Cashmore's tweet and followed the link. Transfixed I watched videos of people on this site moonwalk in one direction almost seamlessly for hundreds of meters. So what's the story - Studio Brussel aka Stu Bru, a Belgian readi station has created this website called the "Eternal Moonwalk". Fans from all across the globe - of all ages, both genders, a variety of age groups - have filmed themselves and uploaded videos of themselves (in some cases animations - home made, videos from Second Life, and more - all in honor of the "the king of Pop". To keep the flow, all videos are in the same direction and hands and feet are visible. All kinds of moonwalkers you have to see it to believe it. You'd think that the fact that people have plan something, execute it, shoot video and upload it would be a barrier to entry - but obvioulsy not!

Note: 697 m of moonwalking at the time of this screenshot!!

My friend Mark Juleen has been saying this for months - "social media ain't new" - whether its websites or email or itunes - its been around for a while. This site is about shared values - a love for Michael Jackson's dancing. I can remember being 15 years old - wearing a glove, white socks and jacket and shades - and moonwalking at a party on Woodland Terrace with my pals from La Martiniere for Boys.

As Pete says and I paraphrase - come on baby - ain't you gonna moonwalk for the whole world to see! BTW there are some MJ remixes on my profile at Blip.fm

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

Best of the Web - 20 Creative Websites (Getting Out-Of-The-box!)

Sometimes it can be hard getting out of the realm of simple, boring designs. The following websites can give you the inspiration you need to make your website become less generic and ultimately an even better one! Hopefully you will find these resources very inspirational, awesome, and let them feed your creative side. Enjoy! (websites listed in no particular order)

http://inside.nile.ru

http://jasonsantamaria.com

http://www.nikolamircic.com

http://spacecollective.org

http://www.tri-win.com

http://www.serj.ca

http://baristaapp.com

http://www.nofrks.com

http://www.volll.com

http://dannyblackman.com

http://alexarts.ru

http://www.rabotilnica.com.mk

http://www.ideo.com

http://www.bootb.com

http://www.ericj.se

http://sunrise-soya.com

http://creativeperson.info

http://youlove.us

http://www.getlondonreading.co.uk

http://missscha.com

Article by: Zach Reed // Firebelly Designer (Follow me @bluetidepro)

Are Facebook Vanity URL's pointless?

After the buzz - what is it worth?

We’ve all noticed the similarities between Facebook  and Twitter lately. Since trying to purchase Twitter earlier this year, Facebook has faced a sort of identity crisis, adopting the question-based status updates, revamped news feed and, most recently, the vanity URL.

Now, people say the vanity URLs add a personal touch to social media and allow users to jump directly to specific pages, rather than searching through hundreds of fans. Seems useful and efficient — exactly what people want and need…in theory.

Clicking through a random sample of every 10 of my 620 friends, 18 had vanity URLs registered. That’s 29% of my profile’s friends, which actually surprised me considering how little I hear Facebook vanity URLs discussed. In the entire Facebook population, the personalized Web addresses are even more popular than among my personal population. Within the first three minutes of the feature’s inception, 200,000 people had registered a custom name. Three days later, nearly 6 million users had jumped on the bandwagon, according to a survey conducted in June.

Despite its quick rise to fame, it seems the feature has flatlined since it was introduced in mid-June. Are vanity URLs on Facebook pointless? On Twitter, they make perfect sense. Tweeple use Twitter for information more so than pictures, videos and other personal information many seek on Facebook. Facebook is about relationships, while Twitter is about networking.

Therefore, it makes sense that if a Twit wants the latest updates from CNN, they will go directly to @cnnbrk. No muss. No fuss. The information you want, and only the information you want. That’s what Twitter is all about.

Facebook…not so much. I guess it might be useful for individual public figures and larger corporations with Fan Pages, who use Facebook in much the same way they use Twitter. But for individual profiles, I don’t see the need for a vanity URL.

Final rant: Where do you find a Facebook profile’s vanity URL? It’s not listed anywhere on the page. It’s not listed when you search a user. You can only make use of the shortcut if the user informs you, and who really remembers to do that? Again, pointless.  Rant over.

Alyson (Follow me! @AlyandtheCity)

8 tips to get more from local search

Local search is getting bigger and bigger.

Here's 8 tips to get local working for you and an interview with Kim LaFleur from Local.com.

1. If you can - be the first to create local listings online
2. If you're already up there - get your listings updated
3. Be specific - what is your service or brand? What are your hours?
4. Provide real information that is valuable to your potential customers.
5. Enable ratings and reviews
6. Post videos - people really commit to video
7. Use coupons where you can to drive traffic
8. Upload photos - people want to see who you are

1 out of every 5 searches is local. Are you ready?

Duncan Alney Facebook | Twitter | Naymz | Blip.fm

Best of the Web - Twitter Resources (Apps to Icons)

Sometimes with these trendy new social media sites you can be lost or confused but here are Firebelly we are here to help. The following resources can help your Twitter experience into an even better one! Whether or not you are new to Twitter, you will find these resources very useful and handy. Enjoy!

Articles

"How Twitter helps designers" // A great article that includes a handful of tips to help designers with Twitter.

8 Useful Tips To Become Successful With Twitter // A supurb article that explains 8 ways that you can become more successful with Twitter.

Application // Downloads

Tweet Deck // The best (from what I have heard and seen) desktop Twitter app (that uses Adobe Air) that can track everything associated to your Twitter account ("Tweets", "@Replies", "Direct Messaging", etc.)

Twitter Feed // A service that will automatically tweet any post that you publish on your blog.

TWT Poll // A feedback tool that helps you to create and distribute polls on Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.

Free PSD Twitter Background Template // An Adobe Photoshop file (.PSD) of a Twitter background to make the most out of your twitter page look and feel.

Icons

400+ Beautiful Twitter Icons for your Website // Literally, hundreds upon hundreds of Twitter icons ("birds", "follow us", etc.) to use in your designs.

Statistics

Twitt(url)y // A very unique tool (But very neat) - Each time someone tweets a URL to their followers on Twitter, it takes note of it and applies it as a vote for that URL. The more votes a URL has in the last 24 hours, the higher it ranks on Twitturly's Top 100.

Twitter Counter // A very powerful system that allows you to see top "tweeters" and view their number of updates, friends, followers, etc. You can even find your own statistics here!

Twitter Holic // A very similar tool to "Twitter Counter" but much more simply. It allows you to see "tweeters" in real time and see individual statistics.

Article by: Zach Reed // Firebelly Designer (Follow me @bluetidepro)