BLOMAP & Co.

Web-development and usability improvements

The web-developer completed only today the html link functionality for Blomap because he had holidays and other commitments. All usability improvements are pending. I have to accept the delay and let it accept to the team of publishers who were waiting for this functionality to start. I am confident the programmer will move on soon because of obvious money reasons.

 

Affiliate Marketing

However, I investigated and found possible to track the work of each publisher through the links provided by the affiliate marketing agencies. I will be involved more than I earlier considered in the controlling and tracking of the links. Next week will be decisive, I will have to start the work with the publishers.

 

Editorial plan and stance

I fell behind with the editorial plan, though my ideas are much clearer now.

I am totally self confident about the editorial stance I defined at first. In addition, I am re-defining the editorial plan as a mix of hot-topics (breaking news and holiday and travel topics) which help expand the community and the search engine optimisation and commercial topics such as affiliate ads.

 

Ads

I created the first Ad-words for Blomap to see what results I could get and it gave me reasons to insist on travel and holidays topics which still looks to be domain of traditional advertising. In addition to that I prepared some ads on Facebook which are geo-localised on cities where Blomap presents relevant information. Even if I created the possibility to select all European languages when writing, users feel immediately in a foreign country when the homepage is in English. It’s obvious that I would like to geo-localise the website in terms of languages, but for that I need investments I will have to look for very soon. Turning on the ads, according the above mentioned language issue, I had to select English speakers in countries where the mother tongue is not English. I’ll see the results and will adapt accordingly.

 

Business customers

I got the second potential business customer by a struck of luck. I was looking for an accommodation in London and the real estate agent looked really interested in my social media activity he got through my email signature. So I invited him to join Blomap, I told him I will advertise 10 apartments for free and then he will decide what to do, if he wants to continue alone or with my help. I’ll do it very soon.

As for the first business customer, an hostel in Germany I’ll contact him again after the first campaign with this very interesting second customer. Apartments in London are much easier to advertise.

After all of that, I will start advertising on Blomap other potential business customers  I will easily found in other social media. The strategy is simply managing their Blomap space and distributing the posts on other social media.

 

Partnerships

I am looking for at least a business partner and I am finding that very difficult.

Switzerland is not as advanced as UK and I am discovering that I have underestimated me so far, because when it happens to speak with other professionals I often have to explain business and marketing strategies well known to me. So all studies and experience have been profitable, this is a very good sign even if sometimes some people make me feel as a fish out of water. I have to overcome this feeling and replace it with simple confidence and optimism which are driving me through all the hurdles.

I am also meeting a lot of brilliant, proactive and positive people, I always keep it in mind and remove any negativity.

Social Media Basel Group, Apero and more

The first international Social Media Apero was very good for a start it only had some issues with the venue. However, I took video-interviews and knew very interesting people who had proposals for other social media events and posted interesting events in Switzerland on the Social Media Basel group page on Facebook. In addition, I had the opportunity to introduce myself, to mention Blomap and to distribute some advertising and business cards.

The first group’s online moderation duties were just routine: daily updates, Facebook ads, discussion openings, videos, pictures, commenting, thanking, rewarding, removing of disturbing people and irrelevant comments. I created a fan page after request of one of the most positive member. Sometimes I think it could confuse people to have both, fan and group pages, though I already did it. Then I created a Twitter profile for the group @smbasel and for the apero @smabasel. All of that implied work for the expansion of the community and followers. To expand the community in terms of Social Media students and Professionals more than enthusiasts is my new aim, since a couple of social media fans looked very difficult to deal in terms of culture and ethics. However, I solved most issues by posting on the Social Media Group page the Bloggers’ Code of Ethics by Jonathan Dube as a Manifesto, Best Practices and Terms and Conditions to be part of the group.

To create, share and pass on the social media culture is my first aim, it is a vital and professional need and the basis for the expansion of my own business.

I started a conversation with the Social Media Basel group members: I am discussing about the best next venue for the apero, I am looking for a guest star for the next Social Media Apero and for a location for a Social Media Surgery/Factory.

As for the guest star I invited Gerd Leohnard (international social media guru), who looks interested and immediately became a member of the group: WOW!

As for the next venue, I am very concerned about doing the right choice this time and it looks difficult to keep an informal environment and an appropriate location at the same time.

The coffee bars don’t let you reserve tables and don’t inform you about possible unexpected closing as it happened last time. We moved to another location but a couple of people felt upset. This is a cultural difference I must take into consideration, I do not want anyone to feel upset. I found also very difficult to let a couple of people understand the difference between horizontal and vertical organisations and many other social media aspects. So I am considering a monthly meet-up where to discuss about a book on social media I will regularly propose to read. Very interested people will join it, the others will spontaneously leave as usually happens.

 

Social Media Surgery/Factory

As for the Social Media Surgery/Factory, a brilliant student in media and communication highlighted the possibility to apply for the Start-up Incubator in Basel and I immediately requested information. I am waiting for a feedback. If it works, it will be the first open office and social media surgery in Switzerland, simply wonderful! I am also hoping to know there people who can help me with Blomap and work together for its improvement. Anyone will bring projects and new ideas which can positively influence each other.

Social Media Natives

I am convinced that this blog I am going to create will be a bomb though it will take me a lot of time to develop the research. I am very enthusiast and I will be definitely starting it next week. I am going to contact very soon the Reasearch Cen­ter for Infor­ma­tion Law at Uni­ver­sity of  St. Gallen in Switzer­land and the Berk­man Cen­ter for inter­net and soci­ety at Har­vard Uni­ver­sity in USA.

Further Networking

If all of that where not enough, I am building relationships with other social media events’ organisers in Switzerland such as Marcel Bernet, one of the organiser of the Social Media Gifpel in Zürich and Goldbach Media, organiser of a free Social Media seminar in Basel. I support their events I strongly believe in. I am just greateful to these people and associations to be so proactive in the Social Media industry in Switzerland.  I was invited as Vip guest at the next Social Media Gipfel and I accepted with great satisfaction.

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The second event in chronological order on 7th of April is a free seminar organised by Goldbach Media, time: 10.30 in the morning, language: German, location: Das Schiff, Westquaistrasse 19, Basel, title: “Social Media Marketing: Vom User Generated Content bis zur Community. Wie wirbt man dort überhaupt?” http://tinyurl.com/yfu7vzn

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Let’s prepare your alarm-clock for the Social Media Gifpel in Zürich on 7th of April at 7.30 in the morning (come at 7 if you want to chat, a place and your breakfast). The meeting format is partially made up of networking and partially of presentations. It’s in German and the main topic this time is: Libya… and mobile networks. Take a look at the interesting panel of speakers. Join it! http://socialmediagipfel.ch/

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I created a Social Media Basel Group on Facebook and I consider very important to post the Manifesto of the group, which could be considered a sort of Best Practices and Terms and Conditions to be part of the group.

One of the scope of this group is to pass on the social media culture, to share the culture itself and whatever information relevant to the scope. Events, workshops, conferences or whatever people fancy to organise will be supported by the group.

Members are invited to do that and to respect the code of ethics written by J. Dube which is what can be considered a manifesto for this group.

The following is the Blogger’s Code of Ethics by Jonathan Dube you can find in the book: “Online Journalism Ethics, Traditions and Transitions”, Cecilia Friend and Jane B.Singer:

“The Bloggers’ Code of Ethics was written by Jonathan Dube, an award-winning print and online journalist and now editorial director for the Canadian Broadcast Co.‘s Web site, CBS.cs.

Dube posted the code, modeled on the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, on his own website Cyberjournalist.net in April 2003.
His website is a news and resource site that focuses on how the internet convergence and new technologies are changing the media.”

BLOGGERS’ CODE OF ETHICS

1) BE HONEST AND FAIR

Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information. Bloggers should:

a) Never plagiarize

b) Identify and link to sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources’ reliability.

c) Make certain that Weblog entries, quotations, headlines, photos and all other content do not misrepresent.
They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

d) Never distort the content of photos without disclosing what has been changed. Image enhancements is only acceptable for technical clarity. Label montages and photo illustrations.

e) Never publish Information they know is inaccurate — and if publishing questionable information, make it clear it’s in doubt.

f) Distinguish between advocacy, commentary and factual information. Even advocacy writing and commentary should not misrepresent fact or context.

g) Distinguish factual information and commentary from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.

2) MINIMISE HARM

Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Bloggers should:

a) Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by Weblog content. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.

b) Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.

c) Recognise that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of information is not a license for arrogance.

d) Recognise that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.

e) Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

f) Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects, victims of sex crimes and criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.

3) BE ACCOUNTABLE

Bloggers should:

a) Admit mistakes and correct them promptly.

b) Explain each Weblog’s mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers’ conduct.

c) Disclose conflicts of interest, affiliations, activities and personal agendas.

d) Deny favored treatment to advertisers and special interests and resist their pressure to influence content. When exceptions are made disclose them fully to readers.

e) Be wary of sources offering information for favors. When accepting such information, disclose the favors.

f) Expose unethical practices of other bloggers.

g) Abide by the same high standards to which they hold others.

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Digital Storytelling ’10 — supported by the BBC College of Journalism.
http://digitalstorytelling10.eventbrite.com/ A unique event for journalists and creatives of the future. Bringing together pioneers of digital media and the technology behind them to solve the question:

How do we create better stories using digital media?

The event is free!
Any sponsor could get the attention of more than 100 important journalists.

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My production lab will be focused on the improvement of www.Blomap.com, my social network.

Posted via email from MA Media Suite — Production Lab

www.socialmedia-forum.com Europe’s leading social media event. Two day
event featuring four dedicated conference streams, workshops and
exhibition. Conference streams include: Social Media World Forum,
Enterprise Social Media, Social TV , Mobile Social Media Cloud
Computing Congress. Don’t miss it!

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Learn the newest techniques to attract and engage your readers,
customers and leads. Get ideas, see examples and gain valuable
insights on how social media benchmarking and actionable metrics can
deliver highly qualified leads to your sales department.
http://howto.commetrics.com/articles/effective-measuring-means-using-5-key-metrics/

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Swissite International presents the first Social Media Apero in Basel
which is meant to get together international social media people in
Basel, though we would be glad to have guests from other Swiss cities,
Germany and France and other countries according to the international
nature of the Apero.
It’s an unique opportunity at the moment
JOIN IT NOW!!!http://internationalsocialmediaapero.eventbrite.com/

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