| Praval's Musings |

Airtel needs more followers!

Praval — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:26:23 +0000

The title might misguide you, I agree. If you’re here to understand how to get more followers on twitter, I would say, you’re at the wrong place. If I knew the way I wanted to try that out, I would not have just 1500 followers, but a lot more!

We know there are several services which might help you with this, but why would a brand like Airtel need one? Airtel is supposed to be one of the best mobile operators in India. They have the highest number of GSM mobile subscribers amongst private players.

What more? Right after I retweeted this tweet ;

They deleted it!

I hope they would realize and move on with their core job of a real time, online support system via twitter and not get into the mess of getting more followers!

Find a AirSpot Near You!

Praval — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:45:38 +0000

Today, I came across an interesting concept, that encompasses the power of shared internet. Now, what’s with that?

Pronto Networks, the company behind AirSpot has come up with this idea of building up a pool of users in a city who would want to share a part of their bandwidth (which they might not use otherwise, all day long), to their friends and neighborhood. What’s good? The users who take this initiative get a 50 % share of the revenue AirSpot makes!

Technically, the ProntoPoint router, that runs the AirSpot service, has a dual SSID – one personal and the other public. I am sure you got it by now!

All you need is a existing internet connection (broadband), and a AirSpot router to get started! The mantra is – social internet sharing across AirSpots, Make money by sharing your internet bandwidth, a revolutionary concept to try out!

Just as they say – Do more with your internet.

I am yet to try out their service and would love to do the same. You can also check out an interesting contest they’ve floated and who knows, you may win a AirSpot router to try out! Check them out on facebook and twitter, they do share some great tweets, across the week with various interesting hashtags!

I would love to see some feedbacks, if you get a chance to try the service.

Facebook Ads can pay you back!

Praval — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:29:39 +0000

We’ve been doing facebook all day, all night. I use it both for personal and business reasons. We @MediaRedefined also handle several fanpages for world’s popular brands. But have you ever saved a penny off a facebook ad?

I happened to save some 7.5 grands! Now, how did that happen?

While my daily usage of social networks is pretty high (mostly because of the nature of industry I work in), I happened to stumble on a facebook ad that led me to a pathetic website. However, that website was of a well versed Apple Premium Retailer who assured me some great discounts after we exchanged a few dialogues over phone.

I could eventually get a huge discount on my macbook which I was planing to buy, otherwise. What happened next is a history!

Have you ever benefitted from a social ad? Do share your story!

I’ve got a Mac!

Praval — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:07:19 +0000

It’s been a week since I got one and my schedules have really been hectic. Does that mean mac comes with a busier life?

Whatever, but I am in love with this machine. I have been having an iPhone 3GS for almost 6 months now and getting a mac has just added to the charm. Not that I was a steve/apple fan, but just that!

After getting hold of few basic apps like office, adium, evernote, dropbox, etc. I happened to install ecto, today. The proclaimed desktop blogging client for mac. It’s not even close to the more civilized WLW on a PC.

While I shall figure out alternatives or possible ways to run WLW here, I would still say, this is one of the best investments one would ever do. Thanks to the 10 hour battery life and the crisp graphics.

More, later.

Is Social Media a fad?

Praval — Thu, 20 May 2010 20:48:21 +0000

The answer comes in a great video named “Social Media Revolution – Refresh”, based on the book Socialnomics by Erik Qualman.

What do have to say to this?

Round up post for those angular days

Praval — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:25:33 +0000

Last 2 months have been pretty eventful in terms of what I and we at MediaRedefined have seen.

We turned 1 on 19th January. That called for an awesome party followed by a 3D experience – Avatar! Though, I was too high for an effect to be felt!

Last month saw one of our first team-mates completing an year with us! It was a great moment. I thank him for being with us all those days when we had nothing to offer to him at all. Not even a computer to work. Today, I envy the 19” wide screen he works on against a dreaded 14” HP notebook of mine which keeps on giving SOS calls.

In an another breaking news, I got my first iPhone, a 16 gig, 3Gs from US, last month. Thanks to my beloved sis and a smart young man who helped it reach me. Time flew thereafter! Great applications to play with, hands on jailbreaking and more!

The ability to connect your thoughts across various hours during a day is something which I could take away. Work has been more fun since then! I am sure you would understand it, if you use one.

Next was an intern completing 2 months with us! Glad that he’s learning and more importantly keeping my faith of doing what is best expected off him. We honored him with a small token – a cheque leaf. Yeah, signed!

I am still looking for a few people. But that’s here!

There is a lot of online reading that has happened in the past few months. Though, I am missing out on the books, for a while. I guess I’ll still keep a pause on it for the next 2 months. April and May shall be hectic. A few processes to learn and practice at work, family affairs to take care of and more.

My fascination for a Moleskine has finally made me use one. I am still a little conscious of using it, rather penning down my thoughts. Wonder why?

Next tasks include restructuring my Google Reader feeds ( and enjoy them on the Reeder App on iPhone), and plan the content strategy for the Mediaredefined Blog. It’s been missing me!

How to Create a Social Media Marketing Plan – One Day Hands-on Workshop by NASSCOM

Praval — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:17:13 +0000

I have been glad to be a part of the NASSCOM Emerge community. The group led by Avinash Raghava is one of the best online-offline intersection I have seen in recent times. Professional yet in-formal sessions, mentorship programs, Startup ecosystem awareness, networking sessions and more.

I have always been happy with the hospitality by these folks at NASSCOM events. Friday’s 2.0 is another great step to connect entrepreneurs and practitioners with Industry experts and veterans. You may want to stay connected to the community updates on the EMERGE blog.

NASSCOM EMERGE Forum has come up with an initiative to run a Social Media hands on Workshop titled, "Social Media Marketing for B2B Businesses". The workshop is in partnership with 2020 Social. Gaurav Mishra from 2020Social shall be leading the same.

The Venue and Date: 9:15am – 5:30pm. Friday, April 23 2010

NASSCOM, IInd Floor, International Youth Centre Teen Murti Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi – 110 021

Some of the key learning includes;

What is social media
What are the specific social media channels
How social media impacts marketing and business
How certain case studies will help in understanding the use of social media in marketing
The importance of social media listening and measurement

Check out the event details at the NASSCOM EMERGE Calendar.

If you’re a an Entrepreneur, CEO, CMO, Sales and Marketing Manager, Business Development Manager, or just a Social Media Enthusiast, I would recommend you for this workshop!

Feel free to post in your queries.

Drive Carefully!

Praval — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:35:38 +0000

Here’s a meaningful Ad. Deep insight!

Hat tip: Dhiraj

Positive approach and Business!

Praval — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:52 +0000

This was an interesting read I received by one of my team mates. Interesting!

Einstein’s Office Theorems

Praval — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:06:24 +0000

Came across an interesting set of commandments for folks who have had the chance to work in cubicles (or any office, for that matter);

1. Never volunteer for anything. That’s what interns are for.
2. It is better to assume and sit at home, rather than to call up and ask if it is a holiday.
3. The size of the HR department is directly proportional to the number of forms you have to fill when you join.
4. All information can be converted into a PowerPoint presentation. The reverse is impossible.
5. The CEO is always right. Even if it means only the CEO is left.
6. ‘A very rough draft’ means it was written with a BlackBerry on the loo.
7. When the coffee machine goes missing, it is time to sell stock.
8. ‘Industry standard’ does not refer to your industry.
9. ‘Cost to company’ is a shameless lie. But so is your LinkedIn profile.
10. Your IT team lives in a parallel universe where Firefox does not exist.
11. You are the ‘new guy’ till you get the water bottle with your name written on it in black marker.
12. The term ‘work-life balance’ usually refers to two different people.

Information Credit: DORK by Penguin

Image Credit: Tojosan