Your iPhone is Tracking You As You Read This!

Apple’s operating software on the iPad and iPhone runs an app that tracks its user’s movements IRL and then uploads that information when it syncs to their computer? WTF? I’d expect this from Darth Vader but Apple? Oh wait, no that makes sense.

“Security researchers have discovered that Apple’s iPhone keeps track of where you go – and saves every detail of it to a secret file on the device which is then copied to the owner’s computer when the two are synchronized.

The file contains the latitude and longitude of the phone’s recorded coordinates along with a timestamp, meaning that anyone who stole the phone or the computer could discover details about the owner’s movements using a simple program.” ~ Charles Arthur, The Guardian

Is this a complete invasion of privacy? Absolutely, but one to be expected.

It’s safe to assume that companies that manufacture devices with geo-location technology are going record the activities of their users.

Researches, Alasdair Allan and Pete Wardened presented their findings at the Where 2.0 conference in San Francisco laying on a thick layer of paranoia induced distraction with talk of stalkers, and crazed ex-boyfriends.

What I want to know is what is Apple doing with the data? Hopefully they’re using this information to resolve the issue with the alternating volume on my wife’s shuffle. Now that would be impressive.

I’m curious what the fall out will be for Apple when the dust settles? Hey, we all know Steve Jobs is tight with Obama. And, wasn’t Zuckerberg in that picture too?

What’s your call?

Facebook Page Marketing & North Social

Content drives engagement on Facebook. Develop a content creation strategy that is realistic and achievable and simplify the process by creating a content calendar to help you maintain a release schedule that supports your sales and marketing goals.

Each post should be specific to your page, short and to the point. Posts with 80 characters or less are ‘liked’ 60% more than longer posts so brevity is rewarded on the platform. Add media to tantalize your audience and make it clear what action you want your fans to take. Create exclusive offers for ‘liking’ the page and incorporate a value proposition whenever possible.

Facebook now offers several different types of pages to suit your industry with varying options so be sure to select the right type of page for your brand/business.

Capitalize on every opportunity to engage your audience by responding to comments, likes, shares and posts to your wall. Each engagement comes up in the newsfeed of your fans and repositions your content to the top thus extending its life and value.

There are several third party applications with a host of features to give you a competitive edge and foster engagement with your audience. Facebook recently switched from FBML to iFrames which as it turns out is actually better in terms of flexibility.

North Social offers a slew of kewl applications to customize, monetize & videoize your page. It’s easy to use and has great video tutorials. The only aspect of North Social that’s not so hot is the annoying prompt to ‘connect’ via your Facebook account when checking out their site. It pops up like every 3 seconds… what’s with that?

Be sure to make use of Social RSS, Notes, polls, Quizzes, email capture forms and promotions to maximize exposure for your page’s brand.

Secure a vanity url for your page as soon as you’ve hit 25 fans. Choose a name that’s descriptive and memorable like your brand’s name or tag line and if you’re working for a client be sure to check with them first because once you’ve selected it, it cannot be undone. If someone has claimed your brand’s name and tries to sell it back to you report the violation to Facebook and they will reassign the url to you as squatting is a violation of their terms.

Check back with us next week for more tips on Facebook pages. We’ll be getting into page optimization techniques, SMO and robots who dream of electric sheep.

Community Management 3.0 is the Nu Sex

The roll of Community Manager albeit relatively new to the corporate realm, is amongst the most valuable in a company’s social media program. They are the front line of engagement for the brands they represent. However, all too often companies assign an intern or entry-level employee the position and this is a mistake.

Underestimating the influential and public nature of social media inevitably yields grievous errors, often in 140 characters or less. A prime example is Kenneth Cole’s recent Twitter Gaffe:

“Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online at http://bit.ly/KCairo -KC.

KC’s tweets are now run through a filter before hitting the social web. Some lessons only need to be learned once!

A great community manager is worth their weight in gold and possess a specific set of characteristics:

1. They truly love people.
2. They are genuinely empathic with those with whom they engage.
3. They can establish a natural rapport with just about anyone.
4. They are emotionally intelligent.

Not to be sexist, but women tend to have a higher level of efficacy in this role over their male counter parts. And with good reason; the softer female communication style is often more effective on social networks as they have a tendency to engage rather than instruct which is a major asset. Plus, they can talk about just about anything and love to do so.

Competent community managers, engage consumers with a voice that is indicative of the brands they represent while simultaneously aligning their communication style with the culture of the social network they are using at any given time. They simultaneously keep track of myriad conversations on multiple networks and are personable, consistent and helpful.

They do not engage trolls or fall into conversational traps and know when to “join in” or “bud out”. Not every discussion requires their presence and like every relationship, sometimes people just need some time with other friends.

Successful community managers can repair damaged relations with consumers caused by poor service or dissatisfaction with a product often times earning loyal customers in the process. They can build a fan base of targeted followers and inject a brand’s marketing message into their conversations in a transparent and meaningful way that resonates with their audience.

As social media continues to evolve and its perceived value to companies along with it community manager version 3.0 will be recognized as a linchpin in the marketing machine and beyond. Nu Sex here but it does make for a catchy title.