I would have used a description I've heard elsewhere - that Twitter is like the status update feature on Facebook, without all the other features on Facebook. But as this Time article describes, Twitter is well-suited for the job:

"It's free, highly mobile, very personal and very quick. It's also built to spread, and fast."

And Twitter is broadcast. The messages are publicly viewable, as opposed to private emails, Facebook status updates or messages.

Makes me think of that quote about freedom of the press:

Most people refer to the part about choosing between newspapers and government. But read it again, this time with Twitter in mind.

The article on Time.com

If you've ever done any shopping on Amazon.com, you probably know that they offer suggestions with just about every product they sell. If you look at a baseball bat, they'll show you related items that other baseball bat browsers have looked at, that you might be interested in: items like gloves, baseballs, and maybe even trading cards.

That's a different kind of social application than websites like Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. You're not communicating directly with the other people who are shopping for the same things you are, but those suggestions are coming from other users.

Hunch works in a similar way. It'll ask you questions, then compare your answers to the answers of other users... users like you. So when you ask it a question, like "What kind of dog should I buy?" - Hunch will tell you what kind of dog users like you prefer.

I've always liked the idea of suggesting related items. That's what the guy at the video store does: The better he gets to know the preferences of his customers, the more accurately he can suggest movies I'll like. Especially if he knows someone who has a very similar taste in movies to mine.

Hunch is like the video store guy with the perfect suggestion - but Hunch knows far more people, and knows much more about them than just what movies they like.

Check out the article and answer a few questions.

Learning is a huge priority. Gone are the days of working the same job for 30 years; now Gen Y'ers are looking for jobs that will give them experience they can use to get the next job down the line. Companies like Proctor & Gamble and General Electric have programs where employees can rotate through many departments - diversifying their skill sets. That's far more appealing than doing the same job for a year or two, and missing out on the opportunity to learn something new.

This BusinessWeek article might help shed some light on the subject - and it just might make your workplace a better place for everyone.

Apps are on the rise, too. First there was Apple's App Store, and now there are online storefronts to get apps for BlackBerry, Android, and others.

Interesting to see how technology is adapting to our lives, isn't it?

Also contributing to the increase in traffic will be "consumer hyperconnectivity" - streaming radio online, using a digital phone, recording shows on the DVR, and browsing the web simultaneously, for example.

Read more

There are about 34 millions moms online, and they're one of the fastest-growing demographics.

Here's the full report.

Ca-ching.

Matt Murphy, a partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, manages a $100 million fund devoted solely to investing in start-ups creating apps for the iPhone.  The guys at UrbanSpoon we're recently acquired by the media group that owns ask.com and other properties.

Take a peek at the full article

Many expect more sales and spin-offs in the next few months as companies squeeze their assets for cash and reassess business strategies.  Read more

Thanks again to the talented peoples at Common Craft for the work.

Your 'FREAL! confection is now easy to find thanks to the development of our fancy store locator.  For the technically curious, we used the Google Maps API on a .NET framework and MSSQL dB.  It's no simple coding exercise.

If you're in Philly a search will reveal 239 locations faster than you can say "I'll have a mint chip!"

Search here.

We'll call her Nadine.  Nadine contacted me asking about search engine optimization services (SEO) for her SF Bay Area company.  She revealed that she had spoken to several companies and was more confused than ever, with technical terms and jargon flying around the pages of their proposals and her brain.

Awesome, I thought, because I understand how confusing and full of B.S. the SEO world is, with empty promises of #1 ranking and all order of trickery.  My approach to selling SEO is, well, not selling.  I suggested Nadine Google 3-4 terms and look for our client, right there on page 1.  Click the result and you can see "Site by Wheel Media" down in the bottom.  Finally, if you like, I can provide references and you can call these fine customers.

Pretty simple way to evaluate a SEO company, right?  Proven results you can see!  Hmm.  To Nadine, notsomuch:

I felt the conversation slipping away, with Nadine caught in the dazzle of jargon instead of proof, but I was patient, explaining our methodology, educating her about the process, etc.  I shared our amazing offer of guaranteed results, where she doesn't pay the remaining fee until we have ranked in Google.  No slight of hand with technical terms (and excuses and apologies down-the-road,) just results.

Well, Nadine chose the snake oil.  I know I should have been more patient, but I truly wanted to believe that being totally honest and transparent would triumph.   Will I change my forthright approach?  Naw, I'm a consultant, not a salesman.

Not surprisingly, most nominees are the work of international ad agencies for big, big brands (...with big, big budgets.)  Also not surprising is the quality of the work-- most is right on target; a great fit for the audience and in some cases inventive, exploratory and fun.  Take a peek:

Best Visual Design

Design your own eco-car

Le Coq Sportif - Media Browser

Modernista! Website

NIKE ACG – Sweet Spots

WHITEvoid online portfolio

* Some (well, most) website "awards" are actually just advertising.  Pay a fee, win an award.  I know, it's sneaky.  We prefer to let our work speak for itself.

Now that the Yellow Pages are (nearly) dead and local newspapers seem to be in big trouble the question for small business is, where to advertise?

This article suggests that new websites that focus on the neighborhood-level will try and fill the gap, and my quick search of www.everyblock.com was very interesting.  There are plenty of ways to discuss the future of the local newspaper, but from an advertising perspective for the small/medium enterprise we're still years away from these sites being the best option.

The key is exposure and traffic.  An example:  If someone is looking for granite countertops for their kitchen in the San Francisco Bay Area, are they going to go to everyblock.com?  1 out of 100 sure, becuase they heard about the site.  The other 99 people are going to the search engines like Google and searching for "granite countertops in the bay area."  The search engines are where people go for answers, and if your site is on the first couple pages of the search, your phone will probably ring.

As information resorces on local neighborhoods, these sites are very cool.  read the full article here.

There are more "web-only" newspapers to come, so anyone who still relies on regular print advertising to make the phone ring should switch gears and consider a website.  A crisp, professional, well conceived and executed website.

Read More on the SPI >

Our friends at the San Francisco research agency Netpop have released some interesting new data on social media usage:

•    The percent of time people spend communicating online has increased 18 percent since 2006, while time spent on entertainment had declined 29 percent.

•    105 million Americans contribute to social media.

•    7 million Americans are “heavy” social media contributors (6+ activities) who connect with 248 people on a ‘one to many’ basis in a typical week.

•    54 percent of micro-bloggers post or “tweet” daily.

If it's time for you to evaluate the role social media can play in your marketing strategy give us a ring.

What can we learn from this move?  The market research teams at the biggest companies around believe that search engines lead to sales.  And they are making the investment.

For many clients, I like search engine optimization (SEO) more than pay-per-click.  Once our site appears on the first couple pages of search results we don't pay every time someone clicks-- a much more affordable tactic over the long term.  Article is below.

See some SEO results  GO>>

Original Article:

Retailers increased their search spending on Google, Yahoo! and MSN by about one-third in the first half of Q4, compared to the same period in 2007, SearchIgnite is reporting. Retailers increased their search marketing buys by 58% from October to mid-November...Read More (Free registration may be required.)

How did we do it?  First we created a smart search tool.  Search for all granite, or only varities with blue or green colors...from Brazil and China.  We appeal to the visitor who knows just what they are looking for as well as the customer just browsing.

Next, each product features a big, beautiful image of the stone, and (here's the key) a prominent link to "Check Availability."  Our goal is to inspire visitors to become leads by making contact, and how better to do it than a clear link next to the product they have fallen for?

A database manages all the products, and the staff at Sun can easily modify their online catalog.  Pretty cool stuff.

Take a look at www.sunmarble.com.

The new site contains hundreds of products and detailed information on each.  We used a programming structure that is especially friendly to search engines, because the broad range of product brands in the Cricket family are well known in the salon industry.

We opted for very large detail views of products because we want the visitor to see and appreciate the quality and precision in the product design.

Next, we created an easily searchable database of suppliers, moving our visitors seamlessly from browsing to purchase.  To stay top-of-mind with our clients and coordinate efforts at tradeshows and events we envisioned an email marketing campaign.  We'll use rich HTML emails for promotions, product launches and more, and the back-end will manage the mailing and tracking of each campaign.

You'll also find a pretty engaging animated product tour on the homepage.  Thanks to all the sharp folks at Cricket for their work on the project.

Take a look at www.cricketco.com.

I'm also pleased to say that I have the go-ahead to share a few words about another inspirational new startup flying under the radar, So Much 2 Say.  We can't share many details at this point, but in short our client, a soldier who has served in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, will help professionals who work in harms-way create messages for their loved ones.  For now all we can share with you is the logo we created-- launch of the online service is planned for this Fall.  We'll keep you posted.

If you decide to dive-in make sure you have systems in place internally to track where the leads are coming from.  For example, if you don't know if a new client came from your MSNBC ads, was referred to you by your favorite customer, or just discovered a mailer you did last February, you won't know if the ads are making the phone ring (and are paying for themselves.)

Take a look:  GO

More Info:

MSNBC.com is looking to reach beyond its core national advertiser base by offering a new self-service ad platform aimed at small to midsized business.

Through a new partnership with AdReady, a Seattle, Wash.-based advertising technology firm, smaller businesses who lack big budgets and major agency relationships of the Cokes and McDonalds of the world can now launch banner campaigns on the news site for as little as $50, said officials. The self-service tool, available at msnbc.adready.com, allows advertisers to create made to order banner ads in minutes which can then be targeted geographically, according to MSNBC officials, who expect this offering to appeal to local advertisers, particularly retailers.

Also, MSNBC’s new ad tool will allow brands to optimize their small scale ad campaigns as well, just like major online advertisers do on a regular basis.

The new AdReady partnership potentially nudges MSNBC, and display advertising in general, into territory that has been hugely successful for Google, which has built its ad business via a Web-based, self service ad platform that appeals to many businesses with modest budgets. "AdReady gives the small advertiser a simple, yet sophisticated marketing tool," said MSNBC.com’s vp of sales Kyoo Kim.

I've found that Social Bookmarking is still unfamiliar to most of my clients, so I've posted another fantastic video from Common Craft to help people along.  Hey, click the arrow.

Curious about who's making a difference a but further up the supply chain, helping large corporations recycle their cardboard and plastic?  That would be Rincon Recycling.  They provide the equipment and systems to help companies like IKEA recycle their packing materials.  Working with the team at Rincon, Wheel Media created a new website that visually ties together the equipment, services and systems with the benefit to the natural environment.

Congrats and thanks to Rincon Recycling.

Visit site:  www.rinconrecycling.com

Cool Stuff.

Wheel Media created a bright and engaging website to present what they do in clear terms, not focusing on the technology so much as the way it can improve your quality of life.  With a service like "Home Automation" we found that MIT needed to connect with not just the guys who love big TV's--   they also need to reach the spouses that want to know the investment will make their home safer and more elegant (and be easy to use.)

We're pretty impressed with what MIT Systems is up-to.  Visit them online at www.mitsystemsinc.com

Women read blogs for fun (46%)

To get information (41%)

Stay up to date on family and friends (36%)

Stay up to date on specific topics (34%)

Connect with others (28%)

Entertainment (26%)

It looks like the value of the blog is growing faster than I had guessed, with the 2nd most common reason being to get information.  Wow.

Read the full article here  (I'm pretty sure the data isn't just based on responses in the San Francisco Bay Area)

Read more about what a blog can do for your business here.

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ADMIN:  21-ch4:  Bay Area San Francisco

Congrats to Contour for doing an old thing in a new (and fair) way, and getting rewarded for it.

Visit them here.

I'll rely on the talent at Common Craft again, and thank them again for sharing the info.  Ready for your first podcast?  I recommend the earnest, enlightening stories of This American Life.  Find them here.

ROPV is an alternative perspective on the current economic, political and cultural environment in Russia today.  In-depth news, research, interviews and more inform academics, analysts and everyone interested in following the growth of Russia.

Our services included the creation of a design to meet client preferences, custom programming to enable the posting of images, articles and files within the blog's pages, and training to enable the CCI team to maintain and grow their blog.  Unique features include email subscriptions to help drive traffic to the blog, and a search tool to enable visitors to find information on topics of interest.

Congrats to CCI for their introduction of a new voice in media coverage of Russia.

The site is bright, clear and easy to navigate, with online coupons, descriptions of the units and all of the info you need (without the clutter of competitor's websites.)

Our favorite feature is above the storage units - the solar panels on the roof provide the power for the facility.  Payless is "off the grid" (and ahead of their time.)  Gotta love the commitment to the environment.

Visit Payless Self Storage >

A special thanks to Heather at Viaspire for the discovery.

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Wheel Media is pleased to announce the launch of JP Research, a global leader in safety research.  JP Research serves the automotive industry, legal community and numerous cities and companies around the world, providing professional consultancy on consumer and automotive safety.

Our task was to translate a complex analytical service into an online message and website that would build trust with the visitor.  We felt that if prospective clients could grasp the depth of experience and leadership in the space achieved by JP Research, the site would help generate new revenue.

We used clear-yet-detailed descriptions of services and case studies to show the research in action, and developed a bright and warm visual design to make the firm approachable.  Thanks to the entire team at JP Research for their vision and direction.

Visit www.jpresearch.com

Hat's off to everyone at Pro Insurance for their collaboration.

Visit www.proinsurance.com

In addition to the design work, Wheel created content that would resonate with each audience, communicating the unique benefits of Fundability to both investors and entrepreneurs seeking funding.

Thanks to Kenneth Miller for his development expertise and everyone at Fundability; we're sure great things are coming.

www.fundability.com

After learning about the unique mix of services of Sabot and their goals for the coming year we settled-on a navigation scheme to make it easy for prospective clients to understand (and appreciate) the breadth of their services:  STRATEGIC, ORGANIZATIONAL, PROJECT.

A single link for "SERVICES" wouldn't draw-in the visitor to the full-scope of Sabot expertise, so we broke the services into 3 specific links.  A simple but effective way to ensure visitors recognize each offering.

See the site:  GO >>

Visit CALICO online at www.calicocenter.org.

For small companies that rely on search engines to drum up customers, search engine optimization is an essential part of doing business. While a committed individual can learn the basics of optimization, the process can be complicated and time consuming. But if you're thinking about hiring a consultant, avoid going with a firm whose pitch sounds too good to be true... more

To see some search engine optimization results, see this google search for "san francisco web site design"   GO.  Wheel Media is our result (and also the SEO firm)

For a product specific search, see this google search for "used anesthesia machines".  GO.  Anesthesia Plus is the client.

SEO doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg.  Get a quick quote here.

Visit the site here.

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Sacramento web design

The idea that Google has some edge because they've got super-duper rocket scientists may be a little antiquated now.

This is from Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, when he announced in Tokyo that they will be releasing a collaboration-based search engine to challenge Google.  For those not familiar with Wikipedia, it's an online encyclopedia edited by readers.  Take a look and search for a topic you know something about-- I bet you'll find the results pretty impressive.

Another search engine, you ask?  Sure, I say.  Competition and alternatives make the net-go-round!

Our design is crisp and clear, with an clear emphasis on the clients and projects that have made Greene a leader in their industry.  We figured we'd connect with more visitors by talking more about our work than about ourselves, so case-studies and project-profiles dominate the content.

Take a peek here.

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San Francisco web design