Promote Your Brand the Pinterest Way

Promoting your brand is as easy as putting a pin in it … with Pinterest of course.

Whether you want to put your products in the spotlight or showcase your brand, Pinterest can definitely help.

With “pinteresting” promotions in mind, here are a handful of ways your business can take advantage of Pinterest:

Top Companies on Pinterest

One of the best ways for your business to learn how to promote its brand on Pinterest is by gathering tips from the top companies on the site.

From expert pinning practices to unique boards, there are a number of companies that have taken marketing to a whole new level by using Pinterest.

Among them:

• Etsy – Everyone’s favorite handmade arts and crafts site uses Pinterest every day to put its artisans’ work in the spotlight. To avoid clutter, Etsy separates its boards into over 90 categories including home goods, clothing, and jewelry. Thanks to its marketing dedication, Etsy has well over 400,000 followers on Pinterest.

• Lowes – Home improvement has a huge following on Pinterest, which is why Lowes Home Improvement store is the perfect fit. Lowes pins DIY home improvement ideas based on the season as well as helpful design ideas complete with instructions. With 55 boards, Lowes now has more than 4 million Pinterest followers.

• L.L. Bean – As an early adopter of Pinterest, L.L. Bean has quickly found its place on the photo sharing social site. Not only does the company pin clothing and household goods on Pinterest, it also has boards that feature its products in action, such as the “Outdoor Fun” and “Wedding” boards. L.L. Bean has built Pinterest loyalty to the tune of 6 million followers.

Now that you have an idea of the Pinterest leader board, how can your business use the social site to promote its products?

Create a Presence

There is more to Pinterest than simply signing up for an account and pinning one or two boards.

The article, “5 Tips for using Pinterest to Market Your Message Therapy Business” describes the importance of frequently posting on the site.

Using other sites like Facebook and Twitter can help you attract more followers to your Pinterest boards.

By posting your Pinterest activities to Facebook at least once a week and tweeting your activities two or three times a week, you can create a real following and a real presence in no time.

Use Engaging Photos

Pinterest is a photo-based social site, so it only makes sense to upload interesting and engaging photos to your account.

Don’t just take a picture of one of your products sitting on a tabletop. Instead, take photos of your products in action.

Whether it’s someone running on the beach in one of your bathing suits or wearing your custom made jewelry, the key to marketing on Pinterest is helping users visualize your brand.

Pinning other’s photos is fine too; just make sure they are as visually engaging as yours.

Observe Repins

Finally, Pinterest makes it easy to learn from current and potential customers.

By keeping an eye on repin activity, you can quickly discover your customers’ interests and stay ahead of upcoming trends. Likewise, you can keep an eye on the popularity of your competition’s repins too.

If you need to reboot your brand’s promotional practices, then it’s time to give Pinterest a try.

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Facebook morphs “instant” technology for brands | Social You Should Know

Facebook’s New Ad Formats

When Facebook announced “Instant Articles” in May, the concept included Facebook hosting publisher’s content so they could provide a richer experience for the reader. At Cannes this week, Facebook indicated that they would use a similar mentality in new ad units they are likely to release some day. Picture a mobile ad unit that, when clicked, opens into full screen video, pictures or interactive content, all without leaving Facebook. It certainly appears to me to have potential for better user experiences, which are important. The skeptic in me is cautious about letting Facebook own the platform, the clicks and the parameters of the experience, but if it improves ad performance it may be worth the risk.

Twitter, Instagram Use Galleries Differently

To compete with Pinterest, Twitter is trying to become a better place for product discovery. When you click from certain tweets, you’ll be kicked to a gallery page with more information, a buy button (when applicable) and more tweets about the product. Instagram meanwhile is taking a similar approach with their enhanced “Explore” page. Instead of just people and places, you’ll now also see curated collections. And since you’re smart, you know that things that can be curated can often later be sold as ad units, so look for that monetization coming soon.

Brands Are Loving Gifs (and Emojis)

With Facebook allowing gifs to play in the news feed for the last few weeks, brands are increasingly using gifs for marketing. In many cases, it makes perfect sense, like the animated gifs Paramount Pictures made for the Terminator movie. I just urge caution, however, as brands abusing emojis for SEO caused Google to stop indexing emojis, and a certain brand that went nuts with emojis on a post this week (name omitted to protect the brand) got a lot of negative feedback. Please, gif responsibly.

And finally, if you’re considering issuing an RFP for social media services, I wrote a piece this week with some tips. I hope they help.

The post Facebook morphs “instant” technology for brands | Social You Should Know appeared first on Ignite Social Media.

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Brands Jump on #LoveWins…And Some Lose, Big Time

As billions of people celebrated The Supreme Court’s marriage ruling this morning, every social channel was ablaze with rainbow accouterments and celebratory posts. #LoveWins was trending on Twitter, the majority of Instagram’s new Trending Tags were focused on the breaking news, and Snapchat created a Live Event for Marriage Equality, collecting user’s snaps throughout the morning.

But let’s not be naïve here, this is tricky territory for brands. Jumping aboard such a historic and political event requires finesse and serious discernment.

Today, we too rallied. We rallied up the brands that supported the cause in the best possible way and, dare we say, those that might have been better off refraining.

The Good:

Target totally nailed it with this looping video and earnest copy on Instagram.

Williams-Sonoma leveraged their famous cake mix to make a celebratory, no words needed video post on Instagram. Also, weddings…cake…it’s perfect.

Walgreens kept it grounded in this simple but evocative Instagram post.

Ben & Jerry’s and Gap stayed true to their supportive roots on Twitter.

Our client, Staples US played up color to show their support for #Equality.

The Bad:

Many brands, like MasterCard and Staples US, repurposed creative assets to develop new social posts for the occasion. We love that agility and efficiency! But when New York Life promoted their tweet from June 5^th, the tone didn’t totally fit the purely celebratory and supportive mode of most other social posts. Next week might have been a better time to start boosting a plug for life insurance. Timing is everything.

The age old “Put a logo on it!” technique doesn’t quite fly in this post from Oribe Hair Care.

Delicious as these cookies do look, they feel too random coming from a personal grooming brand.

The post Brands Jump on #LoveWins…And Some Lose, Big Time appeared first on Ignite Social Media.

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How to Get Your First 1000 Followers on Pinterest

Although there isn’t much talk about Pinterest these days, it doesn’t mean you should ignore it. It’s actually one of the highest converting social sites on the web… especially for e-commerce related products.

But how do you get started on Pinterest? Well, to get you off and running, I’ve decided to create an infographic that breaks down how to get your first 1,000 followers on Pinterest.

Click on the image below to see a larger view:

Click here to view an enlarged version of this infographic.

Conclusion

If you aren’t on Pinterest, you are missing out. Brands are spending big money to advertise their products on Pinterest, and if you can grow your accounts, you’ll be able to cash in on some of that ad spend.

More importantly, if you have your own business, Pinterest is a great place to promote it, especially if you are selling tangible goods.

How else can you get your first 1,000 followers?

Embed This Image On Your Site (copy code below):

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Is Artificial Intelligence Something We Humans Should Fear?

TitanbetPoker – Now that there is a computer that can beat humans at Texas Holdem poker, should players fear fraud in casinos or is this mostly a fantasy which has become exaggerated and warped into a kind of urban legend? Steve Ruddock says that there is no reason to fear the computer Cepheus which has in essence already solved the poker game, but is he really right about this? Let’s have a closer look at the field of artificial intelligence, AI, to understand a bit more about it and what we might expect of future computers and robots…

Artificial Intelligence

The term artificial intelligence was coined back in 1956 by researcher John McCarthy during the Dartmouth Conference. It was during this conference that the main mission of AI was outlined. Any computer program that could do something that we would normally considered exclusively human would be considered an AI program. The focus was on the completed result and not so much on the means, meaning the structures and processes leading to successful action do not have to look like the thought processes of a human being. This is still an important point to keep in mind. When speaking about artificial intelligence one could come to the conclusion that it has to function in the very same way that a human being’s intelligence does. However, this has never been the case in the history of the development of AI.

When talking about the field of AI it is important to define just what is meant by intelligence. The definition, according to Stanford University, of the type of intelligence that can be applied to computers is that it is the “computational part of the ability to achieve goals in the world.” Now, these goals can be very diverse. With the poker Cepheus computer the goal is obviously to beat real players by making the correct decisions based on many different factors such as the cards that are dealt. Thus, AI can be summarized as the science of making computer programs that are intelligent. However, it is very important to understand this doesn’t mean that the computers will ever achieve human intelligence. The programming looks in depth at how we humans solve problems and then creates intelligent programs that try to mimic this.

Fears of AI

Which #ArtificialIntelligence Categories Are Seeing the Most Innovation? http://t.co/0UBbS3yb6r http://pic.twitter.com/RisGguPyg0

— Khalid Hamdan (@KhalidHamdan0) June 14, 2015

There is a lot of talk about AI and also a lot of fear surrounding this subject. The discussion may bring up half-joking fantasies of computers killing humans or at least taking away our jobs. The latter idea is easy for many people to relate to since we’ve already seen how developing technologies are making many previous job assignments unnecessary. So the fears around the smart computers might have some grounds to them. However, the question is whether we are being influenced somewhat by movies like Terminator and other stories from Hollywood where the robots come to life and take over our world. Looking at the current state of AI in different fields this is far from reality. And even if there arerobots that look like humans and that can handle tasks such as the check out in stores these robots are not really like humans and it is hard to believe that they ever will be. So while we might see pretty robots with hundreds of facial expressions dealing the cards at the poker tables it is hard to see that they will eventually make the presence of humans at the table unnecessary.

Until today, no researchers have managed to develop an AI system that reasons just like a human being, although of course, they have been trying to do so. Still one could definitely state that there is much more emphasis on the type of AI that is meant to accomplish tasks and make life for us humans easier. These systems are hardly something to fear since they clearly need human intervention to succeed. It is true that in the process these smart systems terminate certain jobs but at the same time new job opportunities arise so there will still be a need for human manpower despite the robots’ increased abilities.

Getting a Computer to Think for Itself

It might seem impossible to make a computer think for itself. After all, the programmer instructs the computer how to analyze the information it receives. There is a field, though, where scientists are indeed trying to make computers understand and do things without being told so. This field is called genetic programming. This is a method where a population of computer programs is bred in order to better solve problems. The programs are made to transform existing programs into new ones using the Darwinist approach — survival of the fittest — to arrive at the best results. If this sounds a bit confusing, don’t worry. This part of AI is not easy to understand. However, it might come to influence the way we look at computers in the future and make them better at working without our intervention.

Although genetic programming uses terms and expressions from the field of evolution, the programs aren’t actually reproducing themselves. Instead, they are set up to have the ability to select the right program for the problem that needs to be solved. The ability for software to upgrade and select the best possible choice of different options is exactly what is needed to create poker software that can handle more advanced situations where several players are involved in the game and more parameters come into play.

Ruddock Says We Have Nothing to Fear…

In Ruddock’s article we learn that poker players should not fear AI poker. Ruddock means that Cepheus is like Lego Duplo in the world of poker and that it will take an immense amount of time to get anywhere close to Lego or Lego Technic. He admits that Cepheus did beat the poker master Daniel Negreanu in Heads-Up Holdem but he claims that the computer program stands no chance in more complicated situations with several hands and Pot or No Limit rules. His conclusion is that Cepheus can beat bad players but not as fast as a regular good player could. So should we all just relax and forget about AI poker as a concern for fair poker rooms?

Well, Ruddock seem to forget that the majority of players in online poker rooms are indeed very poor players. They don’t necessarily join the big games with many hands. It is exactly this type of player that the computer software knows how to beat and if the software is to be used by poker sites then players will definitely have something to worry about. For a bad player playing against the computer it simply won’t be worth it when the opponent is going to win at all times.

For Learning Purposes

There is however a very important point to Ruddock’s article on AI and poker which has to do with the learning aspect. Cepheus has brought the possibility of making great learning software for players who want to advance faster without losing money on the learning process. Many players are looking for poker schools that let you play over and over again with real situations and scenarios. The advanced computer technique can simulate poker games in a fantastic way, making the practice games exciting and well worth the time spent on them.

As for poker sites using computer software that can outsmart the less skilled players there might be a point to developing certification which assures the players that they are not up against Cepheus but rather regular software where they still have a chance of winning. Perhaps testing facilities like TST (Technical Systems Testing) can incorporate this task of checking whether the poker room is using AI in its poker software or not.

Awareness

There is yet another aspect to consider and that is the awareness of the players themselves. Not many people are aware of the connection between AI and poker and who has actually heard about Cepheus? If people look at AI’s connection to gaming online in the same light as the relationship between online gaming and random number generators popular demand might actually request AI involvement to ensure that the poker games are standardized. Till then, poker rooms can decide to use Cepheus software in games that are mainly used by poor players without ever getting caught. This is an aspect that Ruddock doesn’t bring up in his article. We should all be aware of the fact that AI is something which evolves and that just because the University of Alberta Poker Research Group took well over 20 years to come up with Cepheus it will not necessarily take another 20 to create something even more effective. Ruddock is absolutely right about the fact that the discussion on poker versus AI will continue — and well it should, so that players can become aware of the issue and understand the implications of smart poker software in online poker rooms.

Further reading:

1. http://ift.tt/ObgUJO
2. http://ift.tt/1RE58lf

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Is Your Online Portfolio Social Enough?

If you’re trying to take your online portfolio to new heights, social media can help.

Whether you’re building your portfolio in order to boost your career search or you just want to increase your online presence, social media is a great place to start.

Here are just a few ways social media can help you get your online portfolio on the right track:

Polish Your Work

Before you even begin to think about growing your online portfolio, you must first polish your work.

The word “work” covers anything from your résumé to any tangible items that display your talents.

For example, if you want to change career paths and become an online retailer, then your work would be the merchandise you’re selling and any selling experience you may have.

In other words, make sure what your planning on putting in your portfolio is ready for the online world.

If you have past employment experiences or a collection of experiences that prove you’re ready to up your career game, polish that information and make it ready for online audiences.

An online portfolio can take many shapes and forms.

Business professionals have online portfolios filled with corporate benchmarks whereas creative professionals have portfolios filled with examples of their artistic talents. All of these areas fall under the portfolio umbrella.

Promote Your Professionalism

Once your work is polished, you can set your sights on social media.

As the following article looks at, when it comes to the power and impact of an online portfolio, LinkedIn is a great place to promote your professionalism. Not only does LinkedIn allow users to upload their résumés, it also lets other users endorse one another.

Another great thing about LinkedIn is the fact that having a LinkedIn account is basically like having an online portfolio.

You can post your work experience, career updates, and professional connections via your LinkedIn homepage, which is the perfect starter portfolio.

Promote Your Brand

LinkedIn can help you boost your professional portfolio, but if you want to increase your overall social portfolio, then Facebook and Twitter are the answer.

More and more businesses and professionals are using Facebook and Twitter to promote their brands and stay current.

You can do the same by posting industry topics and tweeting industry related information through your social accounts.

If you’re in search of a new career, then it’s important to know hiring managers are turning to Facebook profiles to get more information on potential candidates.

With that said, keeping your social activities clean and professional is always good practice.

Consider a Portfolio Website

Creating a website that’s dedicated to your continuously progressing portfolio is an effective way to grow your online presence.

With a personal website portfolio, you can create a custom design and layout that puts your skills and accomplishments in the spotlight.

Once you’ve built an amazing website, you can then share your portfolio on Facebook, LinkedIn, or any of the other social avenues out there. By doing so, you can direct traffic to your website portfolio while also growing your social presence.

When you’re ready to increase your presence and career possibilities, keep in mind the online portfolio pointers above.

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Google’s autonomous ‘pod’ cars hit the road

USA TODAY -  Attention, people of Mountain View, Calif. Don’t call the police on those pod-like vehicles now roaming your suburban streets. They’re just Google’s autonomous two-person vehicles getting the lay of the land.

After months of fine tuning at Google’s private testing facility in central California, a few of the search company’s bubble-shaped vehicles have started to circulate around the company’s headquarters to further adapt to real world driving scenarios.

The cars represent concrete evidence of Google’s vision for self-driving cars, which amount to fully automated vehicles that can carry two people and a modest amount of groceries or other items. (There is no trunk).

While these polished white prototypes do have rudimentary steering wheels and pedals for the on-board safety driver, the ultimate iteration will demand that occupants fully trust the machine to get them safely to their destination.

Neighbors who wish do more than gawk or yell at these new road warriors can post their comments at a website dedicated to the project.

Google also announced Thursday a competition to paint the cars with creative designs, a more down-home version of BMW’s now-famous 1970s art-car project, where famous artists such as Frank Stella and Andy Warhol used the company’s most iconic racing and production cars as their canvases. Entries for Google’s competition are open to anyone 13 and older, and are due before Aug. 30.

Google has been driving the streets of Mountain View for years now with a fleet of two-dozen Lexus SUVs that are strapped with all manner of radar and Lidar sensors. In total, the cars have logged more than a million miles on city streets, resulting in about a dozen accidents that the company said were, in each case, the fault of other human drivers. Google recently agreed to keep a running web-based tally of any such incidents going forward after it was criticized for not doing so during the past few years.

The Google autonomous car is a significant advancement over the Lexus mules, as much of its sophisticated tech is smoothed into its skin. But its dominant feature — a black bubble on the roof containing scanners that map the world around it in 360-degrees — is the biggest giveaway that this isn’t your father’s automobile.

Self-driving cars are likely to go from sci-fi to reality rather quickly, thanks not just to Google’s long-standing efforts but also to recent commitments to the field from other tech and auto companies. Uber is busy hiring robotics engineers from Carnegie Mellon University, and Ford, announced this week that it was moving its autonomous cars efforts from a research project to a full-fledged engineering division.

Image from Google 

Article by Marco della Cava for USA TODAY 

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