Twitter, for the uninitiated, is a  social networking and micro blogging service utilizing instant messaging, SMS or a web interface that encourages users to share their answers to the question, “What are you doing right now?” Think IM on steroids.

But while there are those who are compelled to twitter minutiae (just like the ‘real’ world) there are others who are using Twitter to share ideas and pass along news and information. USA Today reports that Twitter has been used to communicate news in emergencies and natural disasters, and that brands, such as Comcast and Zappos, are utilizing Twitter to establish a dialogue with customers.

So is twittering a good idea for your brand? Take a look to see how Comcast customer service manager Frank Eliason interacts with other Twitterers online and utilize Twitter Search to learn what Twitters are twittering about your brand. Before you dive in, spend some time on the site first, to make sure you understand Twitter culture. And remember that communication on Twitter, just like any successful conversation, is based on authenticity and trust.

If you’re not used to twittering your way through the day it might seem odd…at first. But in time you may wonder how you (and your brand) did without it.

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As if marketers don't have enough to worry about, they can now add online reputation management to the list.

Google Alerts, Yahoo Alerts, Yahoo Pipes (which lets you aggregate and search feeds) and Boardtracker.com (a forum search engine that enables users to search & track threads on forums and boards) are just a few of the free tools you can use to monitor what's being said about your brand online.  Don’t be afraid to respond to negative comments but focus on addressing the problem, without attacking or trying to muzzle the messenger.

Blogfuse is a Facebook application that enables users to publish their blog's articles on Facebook, increasing the brand and "viral-ness" of their blog.

Via Techcrunch

Information-Online is the magazine for publishing information online about your business.

promotion, viral

Pop-up marketing, also referred to as pop-up retail, pop-up stores, or simply pop-ups, are a blend of event marketing and retail. These temporary retail locations can be very simple or elaborate, and range in size from kiosks to multi-level stores.

Typically pop-ups open for short durations, usually just a few days to a few weeks which helps imbue them with a sense of ‘coolness’.

Pop up stores are typically used to bring a brand to life with an engaging experience, to showcase a product or brand, and to promote buzz and urgency for a new or limited edition product, but could also be opportunities to test products and obtain market research.

To create a false impression of a spontaneous grassroots response to an issue or event --- as in fake grassroots, get it?

While an individual can be guilty of astroturfing, the term typically refers to political organizations, public relations agencies, lobbyists, etc.., who are attempting to sway public opinion by generating emails and letters to make it seem that they are coming from the general public.

A fake blog created to give the impression to have been written by consumers who support a company and/or brand. Most flogs end up backfiring when they are exposed as not being written by consumers, as some companies and agencies have learned.