Take it away, Ian!

5 Social Media Tools I Can’t Live Without, by Ian Lurie

I’m not much of a tools guy. I’m writing this post in a text editor. To me, CURL has a really nice user interface.

But, I have my limits. I’m not going to script and number crunch one mind-numbing task after another if someone else already did it for me.

At the same time, social media is filled with all sorts of juicy data I want to sink my geeky teeth into. So, what’s a data-loving tools curmudgeon to do? Find some really fantastic tools, of course. Preferably that all work with each other. So, here’s my list of social media gadgets, tools and toys I just can’t live without:

1. Buffer

Buffer is numero uno on my list. If you aren’t using this yet, you need to go sign up right this instant. Go! Now! I’ll wait here.

Buffer lets you schedule tweets and posts to LinkedIn and Facebook. If you know me, you know I’ve been a huge fan of Timely for a while, because it does the same thing. But Buffer is a big-time over-achiever. In addition to the basic scheduling functions, it also:

• Lets you customize the posting schedule, including a different schedule for different accounts, pages and days of the week;
• Provides great high-level analytics regarding retweets, clicks and the followers who make them;
• Has a mobile version;
• Works with a huge array of other apps and tools, like Google Reader, SocialBro, Pocket and IFTTT. I’ll get to those next.
• Has an API (Application Programming Interface) for all you hardcore geeks.

Here’s some of the analytics awesomeness:
Buffer is free for 10 posts in your buffer and one account on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. It’s $10/month for 50 posts and about twice as much of everything else. You can see the pricing details here.

2. SocialBro

SocialBro is a bit of an odd bird. Which is why we get along so well. Instead of a web-based tool, SocialBro is a browser extension or desktop app (you choose) that you install. Once you have it, you can access all sorts of nifty reports and community management tools.

But there’s one report that made me swoon: The Best Time To Tweet. With it, I can figure out (you guessed it) the best days and times to post to Twitter.

And, get this: You can automatically import your best times into your Buffer account. I nearly wept when I saw that.

SocialBro is free to start. It costs a whopping $5.99 a month for the Pro version, which gives you a few more bells and whistles.

3. Pocket

Pocket, previously known as ReaditLater, lets you store and organize pages you want to read, but can’t get to right now.

I know: Yawn. But I like Pocket’s interface, snappy performance and the fact that it, too, integrates with IFTTT. Oh, and it has an API.

You’re probably wondering what the heck IFTTT is by now. Don’t worry—I’ll get there. It’s the last tool I talk about, and it’s not last just to torture you, I promise.

4. Google Reader

Google Reader is the one big-name player in this list. I love Reader, even after a soul-killing interface update. Reader lets you organize RSS feeds by the dozens (or hundreds, if you’re as psycho as me).

You probably already know about Reader’s ability to handle feeds. But it also offers:

• Feed and tag ‘bundling’ into custom pages and feeds you can provide to others;
• Buffer integration;
• And yes it has an API in case you want to do some extending stuff.

Bundles in Google Reader. Kinda neat, right?

Google Reader is free, of course. The only price: Your soul.

I’m kidding about the soul part. I hope.

5. If This Then That (IFTTT)

IFTTT is the glue that ties all of this together. It’s a kind of point-and-click interface for moving information around between various social networks, e-mail and other tools.

IFTTT is the plumbing between all these networks.

I use IFTTT to:

• Move any links that I tweet to Pocket, so I have them for later.
• Save Twitter handles for anyone who mentions me more than X times to a list, so I can thank them/make sure I reciprocate.
• Save any RSS feed items I tag with ‘portent’ to Pocket with a specific tag.
• Save any RSS feed items I tag with a client name to Pocket with that client name, so I can remember to forward those links to them later on.

IFTTT also works with Buffer, Tumblr, YouTube and just about any other network you can think of.

Integration is key

These tools work for me because I can tie them all together. They either work directly with each other (like Buffer and Socialbro) or via IFTTT. And, they all have APIs, so I can customize a bit if I want to later.

When you’re looking at tools, look for this kind of integration. You may not need it now, but the flexibility it gives you will come in handy later.

What tools do you use?

I’m always on the lookout for cool new stuff. If you’ve got a social media gadget you love, leave a comment! I’ll check it out.

Follow Ian on Twitter and check out the Portent blog for great search marketing content and tips!

Yes, I actually found a picture of someone in a Snuggie drinking wine. And yes, I'll be adding even more further down the post. Courtesy: holdthegluten.net

Project Management for SEO (2012 Edition)

View this news item

This one was shared with everyone in the office. This post got our brains working on how we can refine our processes to do a better job at the already-kickass job that we do for clients. My personal favorite item in this article? Inbox zero.

A High Search Volume Doesn’t Mean It’s The Right Keyword For You

View this news item

Nick Stamoulis absolutely nails it with his article on why choosing a more specific, less searched on keyword makes a whole heck of a lot more sense than one that’s vague, too general but searched on more. This is a pain point that I tend to have with almost every single one of my clients when we are deep in the keyword discovery phase. I’ll be bookmarking this and using it as fodder for my canned email / phone call notes when this pain point happens again (because it will).

Dual monitors should translate to dual wine glasses. Courtesy: Flickr user lululemon athletica

Two New Analytics Webinars – For Advanced & Beginning Users

View this news item

Normally I wouldn’t think to put a post about upcoming webinars on Google Analytics in my SEO roundup… but these two webinars scheduled this month are being put on by Google themselves. And as every SEO knows – being able to measure results is crucial. So get educated on Google Analytics!

Why Your SEO & Social Strategy Should Include Pinterest

View this news item

This might be bleeding a little bit into Jessica’s Social Media Likes territory, but I’m including this in my roundup because I feel it’s important to be where audiences are growing online. As Steve Beatty states:

“Pinterest is growing in overall volume, becoming more gender balanced, increasing its age group range, and building out a global community.”

SO gangster. Courtesy: atlstdappreciation.tumblr.com

Are You Setting Up WordPress For SEO Success?

View this news item

I’m a huge fan of WordPress. I’m also a huge fan of Yoast’s WordPress SEO plugin (I am shocked that no one had that name of their SEO plugin before Yoast used it). Evolving SEO breaks it down from implementation to what settings you should be using. It’s packed full of info & screenshots. If you’re unsure how to configure the Yoast plugin or even the benefits of potentially using it, this post will help.

Yeah! Courtesy: Flickr user twojangles

My Own Personal Christian Reads…

Still powering though the first Game of Thrones book!

Readers Read… (So I Don’t Have To)

What have I missed? Did you read anything really awesome in May that you’d like to share? Please let me know in the comments!

Amplify Interactive provides SEO services to businesses of all sizes. Contact us to see if we can help amplify your online marketing efforts or download our SEM Secrets whitepaper.

Amplified Gold Posts

• How to Steal Killer Sales Copy Straight from Your Prospects’ Mouths: Great tips in this post on using words your potential customers use for effective ad copy. I’ve also mined LinkedIn Q and A for customer discussions to find ad copy ideas.
• Using Google Analytics To Collect & Benefit From AdWords Position ROI: Good article on how to find the optimal ad position for your ads.

Amplified Platinum Posts

• How to Turn Display Ad Clicks into Conversions: Read this case study on how ion Interactive developed a 47% conversion rate on a display campaign.
• PPC Warfare: Get Out of the Trenches & Gain a New Strategic Perspective: Joseph offers great tips and ideas on how to step back from your campaigns and identify areas to optimize.

Amplified Diamond Posts

• How to Identify Google AdWords Quality Score Problems: Brad shares some great ways to identify opportunities for improving your quality scores. The video is 17 minutes long but I’d highly recommend taking the time to watch it. Your campaigns will thank me later.
• Project Management for SEO: I know this is a “PPC” playlist but this post from Tom is applicable to anyone working in a search marketing agency. Tom offers great tips from tools, inbox zero, and I LOVE his tips on communication with clients. I’ve found communication with clients to be a challenge in agency life.

What did you read in the last 3 weeks that you’ve shared or referenced lately?

My personal playlist…

I’m loving this new song, “It’s Only Life” from The Shins newest album:

Infographic on Social Media . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The premise was that a lot of small business owners feel overwhelmed by social media. This is not a new theme when it comes to social media – it can be overwhelming and we know it. But I think a lot of people feel compelled to do it all and do it all at the same time. I know I am guilty of that from time to time as well. This article covers several tips and other advice for finding the right social media community(ies) for your business and how to get started.

About NeighborhoodNotes.com

NeighborhoodNotes.com is a fantastic hyper-local news site and business directory targeted at the various communities and neighborhoods within Portland Oregon – definitely check it out. Got an business in PDX? Make sure it’s in their directory – get yourself a link out of it.