Take for example, the viral video for Alfa Romeo (see link below). Its not only creepy but borders on seedy.
The point being that what was an original video about cuteness (to some) has been hijacked.

Lets consider some typical traits in viral video’s:

• Cuteness
• Funny
• Peril – My view it is bad to laugh at people that fall over
• Identifiable – Can people easily relate to what you are talking about
• Spontaneous – Remember Jill and Kevin Wedding video we spoke about.

Read more tips here.

There is an interesting article on understanding if viral video clips can encourage traffic to your website here.
Also, click here to read about and view the original Sloth video,  including news on a new festival to encourage associated creativity.
Quote, re: Lucy Cooke’s original video:

Within a week of visiting the world’s only sloth orphanage in Costa Rica last year, Lucy Cooke had made a rough-and-ready 90-second clip that was being watched by more than 160,000 people a day. Her decision to “go and shoot a bunch of sloths” put her at the epicentre of online viral video.

With her original footage still attracting thousands of eyeballs daily, Cooke is now in final talks with broadcasters about producing a full-length documentary. “I posted the 90-second video on my Vimeo site and very quickly it was favourited [sic] and pushed by Vimeo staff,” she explains. “I then put the word out via my personal Facebook page and also my Amphibian Avenger Facebook and Twitter feeds. The video was then tweeted and retweeted by a few key friends who have a lot of fans.

Personally, I believe that the quality of your brand image is essential. Being associated with something that is suspect should not overtake a firms zealousness to become mainstream or current. Then again, some may argue that any publicity is good publicity and that such content is just like flicking through a magazine. Corporate responsibility is also key to keep inline, else a costly law suit could commence.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The video shown above is the finished product.
NB The video below outlines the, ‘making of the video’ – NB beware of the bad language at the end.
Some of the camera’s used for this shoot are described here.

More importantly, with the ipad offering so much interactivity, these digital advancements are just the start of what could become a new art of expression.

However, at what cost?

The end product is certainly amazingly glossy and impressive and offers new promise to professional photographer and videographers. NB It is the cover that has been developed.

However, it is likely that smaller magazines will not be able to afford this but over-time just like augmented reality equipment became cheaper, it will become more accessible. KHL Interactive offer i-pad magazine conversion services. One of the advantages is the ability to include overlays that can launch video content – this could be an alternative, as video could be launched at the beginning or embedded within the publication.

The other issue is who will bare the cost of such expensive shoots / content in the short-term? If the paywall model works then we could find chargeable premium editions, for example fashion magazines can cost  upwards of £5 per issue. Will an on-line digital version be supplemented by advertising revenues?

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here are some suggestions:

• Great for registering at events, for example: a charity ride
• Again, at say an event using it for on-the-fly Powerpoints.

With regard to the latter, recently we recorded at the InfoSec2010 event in London. The crew saw lots of people with i-pads, albeit that it is not available in the UK until late May 2010. Many used it for the purpose of quick demonstrations with powerpoint slides.

• In meetings, communicate specific ideas on a light multi-media device
• For example, it could be great for communicating diagrams, concepts or enlarging specific images – helping the creative process.
• Marketing survey’s – Obviously, better looking than a clip pad. You will probably have to put the i-pad on a chain to stop an unsuspecting quick running robber from dashing off with it!
• Related to the latter, design really engaging questionnaires for market research or product feedback.
• In addition, to questionnaires, signing-up people to subscription services through a simple touch-sensitive form could be appealing, especially if access to a portable application or on-line magazine could be demonstrated on the spot.
• As the world becomes more social (on-line), companies with Facebook, Youtube, Linkedin, Ning, Myspace and shared bookmarking tools could be updated on the move with selective locally acquired content.
• Product demonstrations – showing multi-media views or insights of a product.
  You could develop a specific video tutorial or Motion Graphics film based promotion of a product.
• On-line magazine (interactive, flip-book type with rich media instead of or blended with flat images and text).

With regard to the latter, KHL Interactive offer online magazine conversions for existing PDFs. A proof-of-concept / trial can be set-up foc for upto 60 views.

What the i-pad brings us is what I have been dreaming about for years. An environmentally friendly unit that delivers rich engaging content. The video shows the potential for advertisers. NB The reality will be if more opportunities are given to many creative providers, not just traditional agencies. Why? Because everyone deserves a chance to bring in new ways of communicating messages within a commercial context.

Today, Advertising is too ‘In your face’!
Many feel that advertising needs to be more innovative and less, ‘in your face’, i.e: surveys have suggested that text message based adverts / spam, windows pop-ups or what I call web-page over-takers (adverts that simply confuse and hijack your reading space) are irritating. Even advertisements before watching a video can really turn-off the viewer!

So, what kind of advertisement is acceptable?
It is a known fact that entertainment orientated, subtle and relevant advertising is popular. There is also no point is placing advertising on the back of rich content, as by that time the viewer or listener is ready to move on. Maybe sponsored space is the best way to go, for example, a classified section that is sponsored? Or, how about shorter commercials, e.g: less than 10seconds.

In summary, it is great to see new tools like the i-book store coming our way, what we don’t want is commercial dominance by some players else they will be ‘talking to the hand’!!

In recent years, McGonigal has grown especially interested in the way that massively multiplayer online gaming generates collective intelligence, and interested in the way that the collective intelligences thus generated can be utilized as a means of improving the world, either by improving the quality of human life or by working towards the solution of social ills.

For example,games like World of Warcraft give players the means to save worlds, and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. What if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems?

She say’s:

Instead of providing gamers with better and more immersive alternatives to reality, I want all of us to be become responsible for providing the world with a better and more immersive reality.

It also took me back to a scary Star Trek (original series) episode entitled: A Taste of Armageddon
In this episode (plot summary by http://www.ericweisstein.com/fun/startrek/) Kirk, Spock, and three crew members (including Galloway and Tamura) beam down and are met by Mea 3 and a security detachment of two who take them to Anan 7 and members of the High Counsel. Anan 7 claims that Eminiar VII has been at war with Vendikar, the third planet in the system, for 500 years. However, no evidence of warfare is evident to the landing party who witness a fusion bomb “attack.” In fact, Yeoman Tamura’s tricorder shows no radiation disturbances, despite Anan 7′s claim that half a million people have just been killed. A counter-attack is ordered by Anan 7 and carried out by Sar 6′s activation of the “attack unit.” Spock realizes that the war is being fought by computers which calculate casualties and that the citizens who are declared “dead” are then required to report to disintegration chambers.

Click here to view the embedded video.

On a positive note, I really like this video as it is both well presented and provides great lateral thinking. For example, recently she has suggested and developed 3 games that encourage resolving world issues in a virtual environment but with a possible optimism and input for real world challenges or reflections.

The 6 Social Media Sites You Should Explore – They are certainly leading the new social media revolution

Firstly, Foursquare – Ever heard of the term, ‘location, location, location’!? Well this is a location-based social network/gaming application that is gaining ground.  Members or  Users “check in” at local businesses and earn rewards for frequently visiting participating establishments.
Currently, the site is receiving greater than 1 million check-ins per week.  Business owners can get value out of Foursquare by offering incentives for users to check in, such as special offers for repeat visitors. There is also the ability to be crowned Mayor of an establishment!
i.e: What is the definition of a deal? One example, is a a free drink or appetizer or starter dish for the Foursquare user who checks in the most (Its the user who is called / hailed the Mayor).

Interestingly, this company has signed major partnerships with TV network Bravo and restaurant guide to functionality and usage.

In the video above, you can see Dennis Crowley, co-founder of Foursquare. Here he discusses the goals of this location-based social networking application.

Gowalla – According to Wikipedia: Gowalla is a location-based social-networking game created by Alamofire. Users ‘check-in’ at Spots in their local vicinity, either through a dedicated mobile application or through the mobile website. As a reward users will sometimes receive items from check-ins. Items have developed to become a promotional tool for the game’s partners e.g. Incase. As of March 2010 there were approximately 150,000 active users.

Rummble – Similar to the latter, the concept of trust and ratings is introduced. For example, their website suggests:

It is a bit like your social network, but based upon trust (or lack of) in peoples recommendations so you can discover cool stuff from thousands of people, not just friends or immediate trusted connections. Rummbling is really easy online or from your mobile phone.  Its the best to Rummble when you’re actually at a place you love or loath, then you can add a photo & if you want, share it straight away on Twitter, Facebook, Bebo or more…

Google Buzz – Buzz allows users to post status updates and upload pictures and videos to a Google profile, not unlike Facebook and Twitter.  A user’s network is formed by contacts they interact with frequently on Gmail. If a user makes an update public, the information also gets added to the “Buzz” layer now available on Google mobile maps.  Now, Google Maps users on iPhones and Android devices can view the things other Buzz users have said about businesses in the area.

Loopt – This is another location-based social service. It aims to connect its users with their friends by visually displaying their location and availability on a localized map. Users can connect with friends in the area, see reviews and recommendations of restaurants, and find events in the area that might be of interest.  Businesses have tapped into Loopt’s location data to offer targeted promotions. Loopt is already accessible on more than 100 mobile phones and currently used by about 3 million people, giving it the widest distribution of any of the location-based services.

Blippy – Blippy aims to connect people around the purchases they make.  I guess people will need to be very careful about what they say or what could be misconstrued! Blippy publishes the amount and location of customer purchases, with user permission -that the rest of the community can then react to.

Groupon – This site offers “collective buying power” by providing deals to groups of people who buy products and services in bulk from participating retailers.  The site uses social networking to get users to share offers with their communities, in order to reach the target number of customers the “Groupon” requires to activate.

Businesses could gain exposure and new customers by making offers on the site—if Groupon develops a large following. However, one observation is to take advantage of group discounts you will have to find members with the same interest first. While the revenue from the purchase is helpful, exposing a large group of customers to your product is even more valuable.

This is by no means an inclusive list, only 5 exceptional companies striving to change the social media landscape with fresh ideas.

Which up-and-coming social application are you most excited about? Who did we leave off the list that should have been included? Please leave a comment below…

Other new services include:

http://www.Intent.com
http://www.akoha.com/
http://www.traxo.com/
http://www.socialight.com/
http://www.communike.com/Messages.aspx
http://www.yoink.com/

http://www.wombeat.com/

What about linking Social Media to Augmented Reality!?
Our article and associated videos about the potential of Augmented reality can be found at:
http://www.drsavi.com/opportunities-with-augmented-reality/

The following articles are also fascinating, i.e:  The future of social networking – a concept investigation with Augmented Reality & http://imod.co.za/2009/10/01/social-networking-and-the-future/

NB The following mock-up images from the latter, say it all!

Blogging for your Internet business is one surefire way to boost the visibility of your products and services. Here are a few ways to boost your internet advertising with the help of a blog:

1. Make your clients or customers abreast on your website’s alterations. Your new products and affiliate websites could also be announced through your blog. For example, a car dealer network (No, I’m not going to comment about recent recalls from a particular car company) could communicate the progress it is making on alterations(!) or special offers. For a sales force Business podcasting could inform sales reps / agents of special offers or even a motivational speech to urge the team on to achieve targets.
2. Keep track of your business objectives and plans through open writing. Your blog content can be easily stored through archives. What could be better than searchable information that could be easily accessed by anyone browsing the web, right?
3. Air your opinions, advice or reviews on specific services or products that are related to your business. Publishing is a very easy process with blogging.
4. Ensure that you respect your competitors by not slating them!
5. Include links that will fetch back links and subsequently improve your ranking on search engines. This could be better executed through putting well-written articles in your website. Affiliate links could also be included in your blog to earn more extra income.
6. Collect response through the ability of blogs to fetch comments from your blog readers. You can learn and improve your products and services through with the feedback from your readers.
7. Connect easily with other bloggers. When other bloggers notice that you have something good in your blog, they will put you in their favourite lists that will automatically link you to their blogs.
8. You can use your blogroll or front page link to help you ensure the latter.
9. Recently, I read that the content of your website should consist of at least 60% (in relation to) what you sell (services and products). Blogging should help you communicate more about your brand and value you can give
10. Get your clients involved by communicating case studies

In summary, communicating your business through a blog and corporate podcast can improve dialogue both internally (corporate/charity/organisation’s mission) and externally, to your clients getting a good feeling about your confidence  to provide them with excellent service.

So what is it that stimulates the flow of incoming blog traffic, keeps these visitors returning and encourages their comments and interacting?

Here are the 5 major ‘components’ of a blog that helps breathe life into and keeps it popular.

Consistent Blog Posting

Make no mistake if you do not consistently post to your blog it will be as deserted as any beach in the middle of winter. Maintaining a regular pattern of blog posting will allow your readers to know what to expect or even if they can depend on you for any future updates. The more you post the greater the chance that you will be abler to develop a popular blog amongst the readers of your particular niche.

Quality Content

Now the first step is consistent blog posting but just as important is whether your updates will be of any interest to the readers. The quality of the content you add to your blog needs to be something visitors new and old appreciate enough to keep returning. Posting just anything will not ‘cut the mustard’ if you want people to keep coming back.

Keep your content relevant, thought provoking, informative, humorous or whatever it takes to keep the interest of your readers. Over the long term this is what makes for a popular blog.

Allow and Respond to Comments

Always remember your blog is a social community or you at least want your readers to feel that way. With that said it is absolutely mandatory that you allow comments on your site. If visitors do not have that option you have taken away the ‘spirit’ behind what a blog is all about. All you will have left is a ‘website’ that happens to be updated more frequently.

Along these lines when readers post comments take the time to look at them. They will tell you what is on the readers’ mind and can give you more direction as far as to what type content is most appealing to them. There will also be comments that may require your response therefore respond accordingly and help to foster an atmosphere where commenting is encouraged and people feel involved.

Appropriate Template

The template you choose should fit the mood you are trying to establish and the objectives you are trying to achieve.

If you are blogging for business your template should be more professional or at least reflect the business itself. On the other hand if your intentions are for fun your template needs to project that attitude or mood as well.

About You

Do not leave this page blank since it is your chance to introduce yourself to the visitors. Readers’ new and old readers are always interested in knowing something about the person whose work they are viewing. This also helps to breed a little more familiarity with visitors thereby giving the blog a more ‘comfortable’ feel.

Your bio should be brief of course and should contain things such as why you blog and any other information that may be relevant to the blog theme.

Adding a picture is also helpful unless you are currently a member of the witness protection program and if that is the case a suitable avatar will work just fine.

When creating a blog you will obviously want it to be successful since you will likely be investing your time and effort into it. As we mentioned previously most popular blogs have plenty of blog traffic along with visitors who post comments regularly. If you use traffic and commenting as a measure of a blogs success the 5 components we discussed above will help you get plenty of both. Now there may be other more subtle goals that you can target with your blog but having a broad popularity is always a good start.

Article Source

You can:

• Add google buzz button to your blogspot.

Use:

• Google buzz -keyboard shortcuts

Shift+l – like a message
m – mute (ignore) a conversation
r – add a comment

• Subscribe to a Google Buzz account in a feed reader

Google Buzz’s search feature shows the latest public messages that match your query.

Some useful searches:

• Hide Google Buzz counter

Google Buzz’s search feature shows the latest public messages that match your query.

Some useful searches:

author:@gmail.com – find all the messages written by a specific user (you can also use a partial name instead of an email address)

commenter:@gmail.com – find all the messages that have a comment from a specific user

has:photo, has:video, has:link – restricts the results to messages that include photos, videos or links (for example: vancouver has:photo)

source:flickr, source:twitter, source:reader- restricts the results to messages imported from Flickr, Twitter, Google Reader (for example: vancouver source:flickr)

• View Google Buzz photos in a slideshow

When you upload photos to Google Buzz, they’re added to Picasa Web Albums. If you click on a thumbnail, Google Buzz will open a lightbox to help you quickly navigate between images. Unfortunately, there’s no option to view the images in a slideshow, but Picasa Web Albums has this feature and there’s a small link that opens the photo album. Click on “view all” and you can select the slideshow option, export photos using Picasa or print photos.

Read more about Blogger buzz tips and tricks

With regard to the latter, when you start writing your blog posts it is important that you find keywords that will make it easier for your target audience to locate your content! This can easily be done using free keyword research tools.

However, what is more important is that you do it right! There are certain rules you need to follow when optimizing your blog content!

Rule 1: Don’t Overdo It!

Although the search engines do use keywords, among other things, to decide how a page should rank they don’t just rank the page with the most keywords the highest. The people working on the algorithms the search engines use are actually quite clever and they realize that people will just try to take advantage of this. That’s why you need to go with a keyword density that is no higher than 2.5%!

Rule 2: Use Your Main Keyword As Close To The Beginning Of The Title Of Your Blog Post As Possible!

The title of your page is very important to the search engines. For that reason it is important to put your main keywords close to the beginning if the article.

Rule 3: Never Let Keywords Ruin Your Content!

It can be tempting to flood your blog post with keywords. Don’t!

Doing so will not only make the post unreadable, but as mentioned in rule 1 the search engines will pick up on it. As important as keywords are to get your content recognized you should never sacrifice the quality of your content. It will only come back and hit you like a boomerang!

Rule 4: Above All Else Focus On Quality!

We talked a bit about it in rule 3, however, the importance on quality cannot be exaggerated! It might be possible to lure first time visitors to low quality content, but in the long run your blog will be far better served by providing only the highest level of quality. This rule applies not only to blogging websites, but to all websites!

Rule 5: Don’t Overdo It!

This is exactly the same as rule 1, but it’s so important that it’s worth mentioning as many times as possible.

Finding keywords that will boost your blogs search engine rankings is something you should always do to increase your blogs business potential. However, do make sure that you don’t overdo it!