In case you missed it, there’s been some talk lately about whether or not RSS is dead. You may be wondering exactly what RSS is — RSS stands for Really Simply Syndication (sometimes just called a feed) and it’s a method for one website to send out it’s content in a way that other websites and programs can easily read. RSS feeds make it really easy for people to subscribe to your website and get updates via email or RSS readers (such as Google Reader or iGoogle). Whether or not RSS is used directly by people, RSS is still important for your business because it used behind the scenes by many websites, applications and social networks vital to your online presence.
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B2C
How-To: Setup Monitoring in HootSuite
A vitally important part of achieving success with social media is responding when someone does reach out to you. When you’re just starting with social media, this may seem like a pipe dream, but if you’re not watching for responses, you may miss them when they happen. As your social media presence grows, it’s equally crucial to monitor for mentions and responses so they do not become lost. I use HootSuite as my main Twitter application, which not only has monitoring, but also stats and scheduling. Here’s how to setup HootSuite to monitor Twitter for mentions, responses and keywords…
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Ustream is streaming our language
I’ll be honest, its Friday. Its gorgeous outside. I’m doing research on this post by watching shows on ustream.tv.
In truth it is hard to pull myself away from the high quality live broadcasts that sit up at the top of the ustream select channels. Shows like Buzz Out Loud (a CNET property) are slickly produced and highly engaging examples of what businesses can do with ustream’s distribution technology. While CNET may have more polish in their delivery, their setup really isn’t much beyond a set on a show floor, two suits in front of a a good mic and a stationary camera. Replace that show floor with a conference booth, or a marketing board room, store opening or factory floor and now you’re a broadcaster for your business.
ustream.tv has an interesting backstory. Co-founders John Ham and Brad Hunstable met as cadets at the Army’s West Point Academy. While serving as officers during wartime they experienced the troubles soldiers had in contacting many family members and friends within the short time given. They started ustream as a way to connect many people to one soldier broadcasting over the internet. From millitary to civilian, ustreams interactive technology fit comfortably into the Live Streaming space being left open by more established video hosting players. In a Fox News interview the founders seem comfortable in their monitization plans which involve traditional silos as Ad revenue, partnerships and sponserships. Funding for the live internet broadcaster has involved Angel funding from Ross Perot and the young company claim to list General Wesley Clark as a board member.
Getting away from the corporate About Us page for a moment, ustream does have a good man-on-the-street reputation. Their video community is well policed for copyright and inapporporate content, lending to their legit rep. Streaming tools available are intuitive to use, which is a must have for the competitve market. Offering Javascript embedding, pre-recorded video, and chat capability is also standard selection. Their monitization model is standard enough to say that most small broadcasters will be able to use their service for free. Really for me the distinctive asset is a customer base which includes CNET, Penny Arcade and Digg.
Someday Sazbean will ready yet for live broadcasting. When that day comes ustream will have our business. Unless, you know… there is someone better by then. Im looking at you justin.tv