Driving offline traffic via mobile technology

On the web, eCommerce sites are trying to reach higher rankings based on keyword search to drive as much traffic to their sites as possible. This trend is catching on offline as well. Retail businesses want to join in on driving traffic to their stores. How will they achieve this?


A new technology called ShopAlerts, powered by a location based startup Placecast are launching a new marketing service for retailers. ShopAlerts allows users to opt-in on receiving text messages in a variety of ways - at the store, online, text-message, mobile websites or on Facebook. When ShopAlerts has been activated, users will receive alerts via mobile on nearby businesses. Using virtual boundaries, targeted consumers within proximity will be able to see sales and special offers at the brand stores. Companies that join ShopAlerts will be able to customize their messaging and alerts to consumers. Some of the current major retailers include: American Eagle Outfitters, REI, and North Face..


ShopAlerts works on both smartphone and non-smartphones, so this comes real handy for fashionistas and shopoholics! Note that ShopAlerts cannot send more than 3 text messages from a retailer in a given week. This said, I assume that a consumer will receive individual texts from each retail store. However, don't worry, if you feel you will be overwhelmed by all the text messages. You may opt-out of ShopAlerts at any time.


We will see how well this mobile marketing service works out. Love the idea! However, one flaw that I see foreshadowing is the age range of people using mobile and how easily accessible it is to opt-in. Once retail brand stores opt-in, I'm sure restaurants and diners will be jumping on the band wagon or demand for a service similar to ShopAlerts for the entertainment, food, and hospitality industry. This will be followed by clubs and bars joining in. Do we really want to market bars/clubs to underage children?


My thoughts are as different lines of businesses join in on ShopAlerts, we will receive separate texts based on different business categories. Either by a difference service provider, or by ShopAlerts (if they expand and customize functionalities for other types of businesses).

Reference: Placecast debuts Location-based Mobile Marketing Technology ShopAlerts

Wordpress

I'm using blogspot currently, but I have been examining Wordpress. Wordpress has recently added so many new additions and enhancements to its platform; ie. integration of Google Buzz, proofreads in multiple languages, and new line in mobile apps. These functionalities all have a common goal. Expand audience base and readers via world wide web.

The new Google Buzz plug-in capability enables users to reach out to their google users. It just seems that all the information we share these days is everywhere. It's spreading virally, whether we like it or not, and also through different applications available for us to sync and link content in multiple communities.

Proofreading functionality shows that communication has become more glocalized, which requires for the demand for multiple languages in Wordpress. I'm sure this enhancement will make people around the world happy. I know I often make mistakes when I'm blogging, and thanks to spell checks, I am able to easily spot my mistakes and correct them.

Mobile apps is something we can't forget about today, especially when everyone these days has a small gadget that allows for internet surfing. Mobile devices have only made our addictions to social media and blogging worse. I can't even count with my two hands the number of times I secretly take a peek at my facebook to see if people have interacted on my profile or get updates on what's happening to my friends. Wordpress' mobile application enables users to view daily stats on traffick to their website.

I think it's a good thing that we can easily access information between different websites, but now I am just getting a little overwhelmed by all the information that's coming to me left and right...

Google Buzz lesson learned..

If you have been observing Google Buzz over the past week or so, you should know that it hasn't received many compliments. I'm sure Google knows that they messed up. There was much pressure to launch Google Buzz early this year, so it seems that the product was not tested out properly. However, aside from the rash decision, I think the main issue here is force-feeding users with Google Buzz.



We've had many discussions in class about the success of applications and/or online communities based on its user functionality and wireframe. This incident with Google Buzz and changes to Facebook design in the past few weeks have made me realized the struggles that providers face to balance amongst user functionality, usability, and flexibility...

In the last fifteen years, we have been comfortable purchasing PCs and MACs that come with basic programs; but as the owner, we have the freedom to install additional softwares/applications. Another example is the iPod, which comes with the essentials: Phone list and call functions, calendar, notes, clock/alarm, weather forecast, google maps, and iTunes (which allows you to install new/delete applications). People like the option and flexibility, but not so when it's forced upon us. Even when it's social-media related. With Google Buzz, people find it to be a clutter and it's a non-essential forced into Gmail. At the same time, people are struggling to figure out how to use it, especially since Google hasn't done the best in teaching users how to use the application. I just searched for Google Buzz on Howcast, nada. Facebook and Twitter have uploaded many how-tos on here in the past and have had millions of viewers.
Note to Google: Upload a video on Howcast!

Reference: Google Buzz Warning: Force Feeding Users can Result in Vomiting

Learn to speak English in 8D World

Currently in China, English training schools is a vast growing market. Aside from English classes required in the public education, parents are also sending their children to training schools around the country, which costs about $700. English is the hottest subject, and everyone wants to play part in it. 


In order to meet demands, a startup called 8D World, based in Massachusetts came up with the idea of a virtual world, Wiz World Online for Chinese-speaking kids who want to learn English. This platform will be used by CCTV's English competition for training and the competition and be promoted to millions of Chinese viewers.




so where's the catch? 8D World integrates education with the gaming industry. This is basically an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game), except that 8D's model allows you to learn English in this virtual world. Each player or student has an avatar and may interact w/ each other in English. In order to level up and earn more points, players will need to be able to pronounce words properly through a microphone. The software is subscription based at about $20/month and $160/year, which is alot less compared to the tuition at training schools. 8D has also created partnerships with about 1,500 of the training schools who will help resell Wiz World subscriptions and get a rev-share. What a great revenue model! 


Since the game players in this virtual world is exclusive to the Chinese only -- now the Chinese government has one less thing to worry about their people getting corrupted by foreign ideas/thoughts. I wonder if conversations and content within this game will be censored as well, either by the government or the creators.. haha.. 


SIMS - couldn't you have thought of this idea earlier??!?!??!

Winter Olympics 2010 -- mountain view

In preparation for the Winter Olympics 2010 at the Whistler Resort, Google takes Google Maps takes street view to another level. At the top of Whistler, a snowmobile equipped with a 360 degree camera presents to you mountain view of the slopes at Whistler.

This is simply amazing. Beautiful. The idea of providing people the experience the Winter Olympics venue virtually. I'm guessing Google will take this idea and expand to other Ski Resorts. How cool would this be? Before taking a trip around the world, you will be able to experience what it's like to be up on the slopes ahead of time. Oh you, snowboarders -- calm down.

See Whistler Ski Resort snowmobile video here.

Reference: Techcrunch

Google's first ad on Super Bowl

Probably one of the most simple commercials I've ever witnessed during Super Bowl. However, it's succinct and makes its point. Our lives can be found on Google. Whatever you need, Google is available to provide you service to find answers on anything or everything.. and not just anything or everything related to Paris.

I love the music in the background.

See the commercial. Google - Parisian Love

Taste the Rainbow..

Skittles recently made the decision to change Skittles.com after the last epic fail of turning Skittles.com to a Twitter Search page, which led to things from racial slurs to pedophilia talk.

The new design of Skittles.com allows visitors to experience the never-ending page of colorful images. These weird images have given them attention in social media space. Over 3,6900,000 fans on Facebook, and their Twitter page is growing, as the account was just created. When you visit Skittles.com, you will notice as you scroll that there are buttons throughout inducing you to follow Skittles on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook otherwise allowing you the option to tweet this image. I find this marketing scheme interesting, as it seems the sole purpose to launch the site is to gain more Facebook and Twitter followers. This shows to me how important it is for well-known brands to have social media presence to build and gain loyal followers.

I am proof that this tactic has worked, as I have just followed them on my Twitter.

Even so, Skittles should do more with their webpage. Relying are wacky images isn't enough. There seems to be a recurring theme of discussions in class. Listen and learn from your consumers by observing and interacting with them! True that Skittles will be gaining followers and fans, but what is the gain here in building this website besides trafficking people to Facebook and Twitter? Skittles.com currently does not provide room or space for visitors to comment or interact. The only interaction I am having on this website is with myself and scrolling my mouse....

Reference: http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/02/05/skittles-website/

Apartment hunting

For many years, Rent.com and Apartment Finder have been my best friends when it comes to finding a new home. Recently, I returned to Los Angeles to begin my Master program at USC. I literally did all my packing in Virginia in 3 days prior to my flight back to Los Angeles, a day before the semester began. So as you can see, I am in desperate need to find a place and settle.

Rent.com is a free of charge service, and a great resource for people looking for apartments. They provide photo images, property specs, apartment amenities, maps/directions, and floor plans. In addition, you can check the availability online and send direct messages to agents through Rent.com. Once you sign a lease, contact Rent.com to let they know about your recent move-in and they will send you a $100 dollar Visa card. Pretty awesome right? Only negative side, is that since this is a 3rd party site, it may not be able provide the most up-to-date details on special offers.

Side note: Be nice to the leasing agents! Sure, they are there purely to sell. However, they are also your soon to be next door neighbor, and/or manager of the community so don't burn bridges. When looking for apartments, always always try and maximize the amount of rent reductions/move-in costs you can get! Let them know your budget situation, and they may sometimes offer you a better deal or negotiate with you. Leasing agents usually won't bring this up, but you can get multiple reductions. For example, let your leasing agent know that you used Rent.com and you will receive $100 from Rent.com. Then, if you know of anybody that has lived, currently lives, or plans to live - use that as an advantage! Try to work out a referral deal. Leasing agents often times also has connections/hook-ups with cable companies.

Apartment Ratings reliable or not? Prior to and post visiting an apartment, I will check on this site to verify and see if this place is legitimate. However, over time I have come to realize that these ratings should be recognized as a precautionary rather as a determination for your decision making. Here are a list of things I suggest you consider:

1) They are all bad reviews! Rating after rating I have read and reviewed, and it seemed almost only 1 of 10 comments posted are positive. Why is this? People have the tendency to complain and speak out more due to a bad service than when they have experienced something average or good.

2) Give the apartment the benefit of doubt. I have reviewed apartments from different management properties and price ranges, and even luxury complexes receive their share of complaints. When you eat at a restaurant, you may complain and the restaurant server/manager can turn this mistake around to you all within 10 minutes. I believe apartment communities are a lot more complex in its operation and management. What I am trying to say is that, when you make a complaint to the community manager, it is usually a problem that they will take some time from 1 week up to 2-3 months. If the complaint is about a certain staff or maintenance problem some months ago, chances are the corrections have already been made.

3) Remember that user reviews are subjective. In other words, what is clean to you (even if you are hygienic, but you leave clothes here and there), may seem filthy to another person. Someone who grew up in the city may think music coming from the next door neighbor is small distraction, and vice versa.

4) Number of reviews. This is basic statistics. The more reviews you see the more reliable and accurate the data/information. This meaning that if you see 5 negative comments, you probably are only seeing a small portion of people complaining.

My own happy note: Honest, good people still come around! I lost my iPhone yesterday at a local Vietnamese restaurant called Trieu Chau (which by the way is very good - see reviews from Yelp!), thinking I for sure would not get it back. Turns out, the server turned it in for Lost and Found. Thank you, thank you!

Reference: Are Apartment Ratings Services a Reliable Source?