Increase Social Media sharing and convert incoming website traffic
TORONTO, Canada (March 2012) – Sharingforce™ has announced the upcoming Beta launch of their share & C.O.I.L. APP. With the public launch, businesses are able to download and install the APP themselves, create reward campaigns and manage their accounts through a user-friendly interface.
Sharingforce™ is predicated on the belief that stakeholders, a business’ customers, should be rewarded for online referrals (Digital Word of Mouth™ referrals). By offering an entry into a contest or a small discount or promotion, shares have risen over 6000% and increased referred traffic by over 20 times in their test market. The last piece of the puzzle was introducing C.O.I.L.TM (Convert Opportunities Into Leads) to incentivize website traffic with coupons, driving more customers through the door.
“There were two imminent problems in the online marketing world that we noticed. One, SMB’s were struggling to navigate the Social Media space and encourage their customers to share them with their online friends, and Two, these same SMB’s were spending a ton of money on website traffic but were unable to consistently convert that traffic into high quality leads.” Says Sean Spector, Chief Platform Officer (CPO). “Sharingforce answers both of these problems in a seamless, easy to use APP that allows businesses to reward their customers for sharing and offer discounts and promotions to incoming traffic.”
Having successfully completed test campaigns with Victoria Duffield, Warner Music, StudentAwards and Decorium, along with a multitude of small and medium sized merchants in the Greater Toronto Area, Sharingforce™ is poised to fill a major gap in the online marketing world with the Beta launch of their platform. Interest has already been shown by many major potential media partners and resellers in North America, with deals in place for Canada and the Carribean.
“Our system is extremely robust right now, but we don’t want to overwhelm our users right out of the gate.” Says Spector. “ We believe that what we are launching with is of the utmost importance for our clients to see the power of Sharingforce™ and how it will affect their ROI. Over the coming months though, expect some major feature and reporting additions and overall experience improvements as we work with our partners to integrate fluidly into their suite of solutions.”
Walk into any female dorm room at any college in the modern world and you will likely find a collage of pictures strewn across the wall. Some will be adhered with masking-tape, while others will be pinned. There may be products or celebrities found on these walls as well. That is where Pinterest marks its territory. Taglined as a “virtual pinboard,” the service is essentially a collage of everyone’s collages from all over the web. They’ve socialized scrapbooking for lack of better definition.
Obviously based out of Palo Alto, Pinterest was founded in 2008. Four years later, the site has finally carved a niche in the social media clique of networks. Uniquely, Pinterest is still available by invite exclusively. Prospective members can request an invite and will usually receive one within a few weeks. Active members can connect to their Facebook or Twitter accounts and invite their entire database of friends. What’s truly unique is the lack of anonymity you feel when you first register. Rather than stare at a shallow pinboard, you are instantly following anyone on your Facebook/Twitter friendliest. This really eases the blow of having to start a new social identity from scratch. You feel like you’re already part of something happening in front of you, rather than a purveyor seeking acceptance. And that’s where the fun starts.
By simply dragging a little “Pin It” button onto your bookmark bar in your browser, you have enable “pinning” wherever you are on the web. Your pinterest profile page is preset with a few categories of topics like “My Style,” “Recipies,” “Products I Love,” “For the Home” and a few more. You can add as many board categories as you like. Suppose you are on a men’s apparel website and you see a pair of boots you love and want some feedback on, or simply want your friends to see…Pin It! By clicking on the “Pin It” button, a Pinterest page will open with all the images on the webpage snagged and divided. You find the pair of boots you love and select that image for pinning.
Once you’ve selected the boots, pinterest will generate a pop up for finalizing the share. Here you can add your comment, categorize which board to pin to, and decide if you’d like to share the comment to your Twitter or Facebook in addition to pinning it to your dashboard for all to see.
Once you’ve pinned it, you’re all set! You are now part of the Pinterest community. What’s great is that you’re not limited to just images. You can also post videos or use Pinterest for business purposes like sharing Inforgraphs or other media. Below, you can see I shared a trailer for Game of Thrones first season (April 1, 2011′s Season 2 premiere cannot come soon enough!)
Getting lost in Pinterest’s database of Pins and Re-Pins and Likes and Comments is kinda comparable to what getting lost in YouTube was like a few years ago (and still, today). Once you get into a groove of a category you like, 20 minutes has passed by and you can barely remember how you got there in the first place.
All in all, Pinterest is a fascinating platform and a whole lot of fun. How the machine has really started purring in the last 6 months is not exactly known, but it’s really no secret why. It was time for a new platform to come around that let’s us share what we like without the sometimes stifling and overbearing presence Facebook has on us. The exclusivity of it is partially a myth. It’s not like the incredibly difficult task of trying to get an Oink or Demonoid invite was in 2006. And it’s not like the instant rise-and-fall of Google+’s invite exclusivity was when they first launched. Pinterest is both personal and public, and mostly just fun.
2011 was not an exceptional year for comedies at the theatre. There were a lot of stinkers. Fortunately, there were still a handful of very enjoyable comedies. They range from the extremely naughty and in your face ‘R-rated’ variety that’s been so popular since 40 Year Old Virgin and Wedding Crashers to the more whimsical type that people like Wes Anderson and Michel Gondry are so good at.
Paul Feig and Kristin Wiig have a lot in common. Aside from having similar surnames, they also share many professional qualities. Feig spent years as an underappreciated writer, actor and author. His first significant break was as show-runner for 2000’s Freaks & Geeks. The show was cancelled by NBC after one spectacular season before gaining cult popularity on DVD. He spent years building his resume before he teamed with Wiig for the smash-hit Bridesmaids. For the better part of the last five years, Wiig has been a mainstay in comedies for her one-liners and downright wacky facial expressions. Those traits made her a favourite for small parts and Saturday Night Live sketches. She too strained for years to finally hit the big time, and that finally happened this year with Bridesmaids. Now almost 40, Wiig is proving that Aaliyah was right when she said “Age ain’t nuthin’ but a number.”
In the film, Wiig plays a cupcake baker down on her luck in life and love whose best friend (Maya Rudolph) gets engaged. Asked to be the Maid of Honor, Wiig sets out on a buddy romp so absurdly flatulent and silly, its often blush-inducing. This is the kind of material often reserved for the burliest and funniest of men in Hollywood. That is what makes Bridesmaids so special. Feig lets his cast of funny ladies do their thing and never holds back. Melissa McCarthy is a scene stealer who takes the tired “jolly and heavy-set best friend” cliche to reinvented heights. These gals are genuinely funny and interesting and not at all naggy or lispy as other mainstream comedies will have you believe women are.
Watch if you loved: Swingers; The Hangover; I Love You, Man
Horrible Bosses
Horrible Bosses is a movie about three men who decide to murder each other’s respective bosses with the guidance of a terrible hit man. Jason Bateman plays a man possessed by succeeding in the Rat Race. After being passed up for a much-deserved promotion, he decides his boss played by Kevin Spacey needs to die. Jason Sudeikis is an insurance salesman protégé to Donald Sutherland. After Sutherland dies, the company is left to his son played by a balding, cocaine-addicted womanizer played by Colin Farrell. Charley Day plays a kind dental hygienist to a way-too-touchy dentist played by a Jennifer Aniston. The three frustrated employees decide that with the oddly established help of a man they meet in a bar (Jamie Foxx), they will murder their happiness-thwarters. Charlie and Colin steal every scene they’re in, but it’s Aniston’s sexed-up dentist that really takes the prize for the best reasons to watch.
Watch if you loved: Throw Mama From The Train, Office Space, Grosse Point Blank
Hall Pass
In what was a mostly critically panned and scarcely seen slapstick, Hall Pass really does have some hilarious moments going for it. Quite a few, actually. In the film, Owen Wilson and (again) Jason Sudeikis are best friends; both happily married to hilarious women (Jenna Fisher aka Pam Beasley of The Office, and Christina Applegate aka Kelly Bundy of Married With Children). Wilson and Fisher are the “straight” couple in this flick, while Sudeikis and Applegate provide the debauchery and vulgarity. For reasons solely motivated to get to the point, the wives allow their wandering-eyed husbands a “Hall Pass”—one week to do whatever they, with whomever they want. Along with the brilliant Stephen Merchant (the original Dwight Schrute), and the portly Larry Joe Campbell, the boys set out on an adventure of “what would it be like to be young and single again?” style shenanigans.
Watch if you loved: The Hangover, Revenge of the Nerds, Knocked Up
Friends With Benefits
Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are two unfairly attractive people who also happen to be pretty darn funny. Kunis is mostly recognized as Jackie from That 70’s Show and as the voice of Meg on Family Guy. Timberlake…well, you know. Unfortunately, in his off time from music, Timberlake has been actively upping his thespian resume. He’s gradually become a pretty likeable and accomplished actor. He’s not gunning for any of Giovanni Ribisi or Leonardo DiCaprio’s roles just yet, but in the meantime, he’s churning out memorable roles in films like Alpha Dog, The Social Network, and now Friends With Benefits.
In the film, Kunis and Timberlake are quick friends helping each other find love with other people, unsuccessfully. They decide to become lovers since they both apparently und unbelievably fail at love so habitually. This is not to say that Benefits is without its flaws. There’s a self-awareness to this film that constantly tries to avoid romantic-comedy cliche´s in much the same way director Will Gluck did in his previous film Easy A. In all that avoidance, they of course fall victim to all of the major romantic comedy cliche´s. The pair form greater feelings for one another that they just have to fight off… yadda, yadda, yadda…this movie is hilarious. It’s the kind of romantic comedy that both sexes will admit to enjoying. It doesn’t hurt that the supporting cast is equally impressive with Woody Harrelson, Patricia Clarkson and Richard Jenkins. It’s also considerably better than the Ashton Kutcher & Natalie Portman clone No Strings Attached, which apparently had no jokes attached. Hoo-ah!
Watch if you loved: Notting Hill, Easy A, 40 Days & 40 Nights
Midnight In Paris
Woody Allen has not made a movie so fantastical and whimsical as Midnight In Paris since Mighty Aphrodite (unless you count Antz). The film is about a Gil (Owen Wilson), a writer suffering from writer’s block while on vacation in Paris with his fiancée Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her parents. After a series of successively upsetting happenstances brought on by McAdams and an old professor of hers, an upset Gil decides to goes for a walk. On this walk, he drunkenly wanders and collapses on a set of stairs near a top a cobblestone street. At the stroke of midnight, an early 20th Century cab zooms up to him and its patrons encourage Gil get in. He fumblingly agrees. The group is dropped off at a 20’s themed dance party where champagne is flowing. Wilson discovers the man and woman he arrived with to be F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Obviously he is shocked and amazed at this dream-like situation blacking out. When he comes to in the morning, he is back in 2011 Paris.
The movie is about Gil’s quest to get back to this alternate universe where he continues to meet and be creatively inspired by other famous literary characters and artists. Needless to say, Midnight In Paris is a comedic romp with stunning performances from a massive ensemble cast of accomplished comedic and dramatic actors. The laughs almost never cease, much like Allen’s ability to produce mostly quality films for the better part of half a century.
Watch if you loved: Mighty Aphrodite; Vicky Christina Barcelona; The Darjeeling Limited
Why would anyone select the top 29 albums of a given year? Why not? The number is pretty arbitrary, but who cares? Why does a ranking have to be limited to even, logical numbers?
Some of the albums on this list are super popular. Some of these albums are totally unknown to many. Some are on the verge of Hipster-Backlash. Some are just on the cusp of that segments radar. The point is, there is no agenda on this list. I listened to a lof records in 2011, and these are the select few that left a lasting and meaningful impression. That is what’s so good about music. It’s personal. It cannot be qualified or quantified (unless, you quantify it in terms of ranking your top 29 albums of a given year, like I have here. In that case, it can be quantified. Just go with it…). You may have heard of some of these bands or artists. You may never have heard of any of them. The fact is, these are the 29 albums that made me swoon this year. Like it or not. But please do ‘Like It’ on Facebook. That stuff helps.*
29. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Mirror Traffic (Matador Records)
Check out the video for “Senator” which underwent a fan contest upon release to replace a certain expletive for the radio-edit. This video version starring Gary Cole (Lundberg!), Jack Black & Todd Levin) definitely includes the original version.
Twitter is fun. Twitter is fundamental. Twitter is fundamentally horrible if you’re following these people.
5) Shaquille O’Neal, Former NBA Player. Twitter Handle: @SHAQ
4) Louis CK, Comedian/Actor/Writer. Twitter Handle: @louisck
This guy is, no hyperbole, one of the funniest storytellers on the planet. He also hates social media. He hates Twitter the most. But, he uses it when he absolutely has to. This unfortunate fact means he has an innumerable (not really, he has 800k+ followers) amount of followers, and in return tweets about once a week, and follows a total of zero people. For the mere fact that he is that funny and tweets that infrequently, he makes our list for worst celebrity twitter accounts.
3) Billy Ray Cyrus, Country Music Singer, Dad. Twitter Handle: @billyraycyrus
Just about 2 years ago, the salvia-smoking daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley, decided to quit Twitter cause her boyfriend told her to. Her father, Billy Ray, somehow managed to get over his achy-breaky heart and keep that train rolling. To us? Terrible decision. To Miley? That’s pretty cool.
This entry is mostly due to the fact that he and his family are still culturally relevant. Do ya thing, Cyrus’s!
2) & 1) A TIE! Kris Humphries & Kim Kardashian, NBA Athlete & Celebrity Celebrity. Twitter Handle(s): @KrisHumphries & @KimKardashian
On August 20 2011, NBA role-player Kris Humphries took on his biggest role-play job ever, marrying the daughter of OJ’s defense lawyer, Kim Kardashian on National Television. Buying her a $2-million ring, they said “I do.” Then on October 31st, a mere 2 months later, they said “I don’t.” The gossip world cried hoax. Kim & Kris denied their marriage was for publicity and financial gain. If the world never finds out the truth, no one will care. And yet, these two still go on Twitter and talk to their millions of followers about how hard life is when you’re rich and famous. Check out what the lovebirds had to say before, during, and after the marriage meltdown. I assure you, it’s riveting.
Well, that’s all for this edition of “BEST of 2011.” For more, keeping checking in with Sharingforce all December long. We will be covering countdown lists of so many different and random categories. Coming up next: Top 10 Television Shows of 2011
Until next time, just remember, “God Always Has Your Back™“- Kim Kardashian, 2011
2011 is 340 days in. This also means there’s only 25 days left til 2012 (Shhhh…Nobody tell Roland Emmerich). And with the end of the year approaching, so to will the void of “Best of ____” lists.
Here at Sharingforce, we have opinions too. Lots of them. So in the coming days and weeks leading up the big ball drop, I will be posting some of our Top 5′s, Top 10′s, and Top 25′s of various categories for 2011. But these lists won’t just be coming from me. I will be polling some of the other Sharingforce team members on some of their favourite “anythings” of the year that was. Expect movies, music, technologies, tumblr blogs, twitter accounts, TV shows, cancelled TV shows (the best of the awful), memes and so much more.
To kick things off, here is the official Sharingforce Top 5 Viral Current Events Photos of 2011:
4. Before & After of a residential street in Joplin, Missouri torn apart by devastating tornado in May. ( zeitlosimagery )
3. Though the photo of a boyfriend and girlfriend making out in the street during the Vancouver Riots in the spring might be totally tired and over-exposed , it’s impact and viral influence was massively undeniable. (Getty Images / Rich Lam)
2. In one of the most heartwarmingly sad photos of the year, Man’s Best Friend lays down, devastated, next to his masters casket. The dog’s name was “Hawkeye” and his slain master was American hero, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson.
1. Probably the most seen current events photo this year also wins the award for most famously doctored photo. Here are both photos of the Obama National Security Team watching a live feed of the Osama Bil Laden compound invasion that took the evil terrorists life. The second photo is missing a certain special lady. (Reuters / HANDOUT & Der Tzitung Newspaper)
Stay tuned for more year-end lists from Sharingforce.
5) Amazon amzn.to/rCfUoi 25-30% off Shoes with coupon SHOECM11
4) Staplesbit.ly/sdZOJ1 Some great deals on Laptops/Office Supplies/Phone Accessories/Storage/Etc
3) Mr. Porter bit.ly/sAuySe Up to 50% off great menswear fashions like Common Projects, A.P.C., Rag & Bone, Gant Rugger, Gitman Vintage, Band of Outsiders, Drake’s of London, Woolrich, and so much more.
2) Endless bit.ly/vuZ7Xq 30% with Coupon “CYBERMON” Great deals on tonnes of shoes.
1) J.Crew bit.ly/rWK6cR 25% sitewide with coupon “SURPRISE” Can be used on many of their collaboration brands as well.
Where are you shopping today? Are you shopping at work? At home? On your phone/ipad?
Last week, we explored the history and infamy of Black Friday. As a companion, Cyber Monday serves as the 2nd piece of pumpernickel bread in the Thanksgiving Weekend sandwich (Saturday and Sunday are obviously thick slices of leftover Turkey).
Cyber Monday is a term that first gained traction in the mid-aughts (there have been notable uses of it as far back as 2005). It was designed to counter the door-crashing all-nighters shoppers participated in 3 days earlier. Agoraphobic or not, Cyber Monday was designed to allow the more media savvy to get their share of the discount pie. Sites like Best Buy, Amazon, Apple, all offered deals to the back-at-work men and women now returning to a stable Internet connection.
Every year, shortly after Americans finish re-buckling the top button of their jeans, the meal they recently devoured becomes an afterthought to what Thanksgiving is truly about – going out in the middle of the night to line up for Black Friday[1] retail sales. In a country with a greater likelihood of being divorced than happily married, and obese to comfortably full, Black Friday is excess personified. So what exactly is it and where did it come from?
While Black Friday as a spectacle is definitely a result of the iPod Generation, it’s been going on for decades. The term originated in Philadelphia (if you believe Wikipedia) and was coined “Black Friday” to indicate the immense pedestrian and vehicular traffic that occurs. Others have suggested that its meaning stems from the accounting term to be “in the black.” In the black is to be noting positive financial returns for business as opposed to the red ink used for losses. On such a ridiculously successful retail event, most businesses depend on “Black Friday” to indeed ensure no red ink. But why exactly we celebrate this shopping event is also vital to understanding its power.
Traditionally, shoppers often attempt to cram all their Christmas gift purchases until the last minute[2]. We’re a society of procrastinators, are we not? Retailers know this and thus will not likely have their product discounted in the last couple days leading up to St. Nick’s ride. So in order to get a head start and snag the best “deals,” Black Friday was born. Thanksgiving is the last major holiday before Christmas. It always falls on the fourth Thursday in November. Employers know that their employees are going home to celebrate Thanksgiving and thus give them the Friday off to ensure a long weekend is had (though it is not the law to grant the Friday off). Retailers decided to take advantage of this day off by herding in shoppers with supposedly massive discounts.
Remember all those times you wanted to share a link that was like 423 characters long? But then you realized that you could go to “tinyURL.com” and shorten the link? Soon afterwards, everyone’s links were care of bit.ly. Nowadays Twitter does the shortening for you, automatically. Essentially, there are two purposes for the “micro-URL:” shortening and tracking*.
Take a look at this screen shot from our twitter feed (below). Four successive tweets all containing micro-URLs. Obviously this is something that is happening often and everywhere. We see stjo.es, j.mp, bit.ly, and linkd.in. Are all these people tracking their clicks? Perhaps.
The best way to understand what exactly a micro-URL is, is to go to the source. Below, you see how bit.ly explains what they do.
