We are coming closer to a day when all sites (blog, web pages, social profiles) will have a web widget of some sort, whether it’s a custom corporate widget, shared widget, or a link to an outside widget. The fact of the matter is everyone will have one in some shape or form. The up-side of a GOOD web widget (a living app) is unmeasurable.
If you can provide value in the web widget you’re producing the sharability of it becomes great because you are now offering a value to a customer/info consumers site they other wise didn’t have and now they feel strongly enough to share youroffering and your value to their readers site which will eventually in one form or another end up back on your site while increasing everyone along the way, including your own, authority. But remember this comes down to relivant content that applies to readers objectives. They need a reason to share the information. In this chain you’re building great content and providing information for everyone, but the underlying factor here is that you’re also building stronger brand equity and brand awareness because 1- the content, but 2- you are reaching more people than ever and even people you normally wouldn’t reach because everyone in contact with your web widget is finding entertainment and value.
Be careful here because the pit fall is relying too heavily on corporate messaging and branding and not enough emphasis on the needs of the people accepting your web widget into their sphere. Nobody wants to ready branded messages and less likely to share them on their page. The key is make it functional, branded, informal, entertaining, and content rich.
The bottom line is will this widgetprovide entertainment and brand building or it will just be graffiti on your page.
August 7, 2008
I was talking with a past journalism/PR professor of mine and I was amazed to hear that social media is not being taught at most Universities. This lack of understanding and teaching I believe is where a lot of the PR vs. Blogger problems start. These eager PR/marketing newly grads are finding positions and employers saying, “we hear all about this social media, and we want it,” or vice verse and the recent grad telling the employer, “I have this cool networking (insert popular network name here) and think we should be participating.” Both of these situations is great in that both parties are willing to participate and are understanding the changing environment we are working in, but there is one small problem. The lack of knowledge.
This is were a little guidance early in the education process could be beneficial. Most have learned this information on the fly, but the up and comers don’t have too. We can impart the knowledge gathered in the race to find out what exactly can be done with social environments and their power. This knowledge could help repair the bond between bloggers and PR professionals and instead of making the same mistakes over and over again and not breaking down this barrier the battle will only continue.
For all the Univeristies out there not adding social media to the journalism or communication programs out there you need to change. Teaching students the basic skills involved with these mediums is essential for building these relationships.
I am sure this is common concern, but I wanted to add my two cents because obviously there has continued to be a lack of adoption.
July 8, 2008
