In an effort to educate and entertain, the Nestat Brothers’ YouTube Channel posted this Facebook Movie. It’s not the one that everyone’s talking about coming out soon…

… or is it?

Not much news here. In fact, it’s almost to be expected.

Barack Obama is the second most popular human on Facebook.

Who is #1? The Dalai Lama? Nope. The Pope? Ya, right?

Perhaps its soccer sensation Cristiano Ronaldo, pop-culture phenomenon Justin Bieber, or everyone’s favorite Kanye West stupidity victim, Taylor Swift.

Wrong, wrong, and wrong.

If you live your life a quarter mile at a time, you already know the answer.

Ahead of Vin Diesel are 2 games (Texas Hold’em Poker and Mafia Wars), a television show (The Family Guy), and Facebook itself. The President of the United States, however, is just below him.

Anyone who believes that Facebook pages are a true indicator of popularity haven’t been on Facebook much lately.

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Read more Facebook Facts on this social media blog.

We need help. This is a story that needs to be done properly with strong research and unbiased execution.

There are two possible headlines, and they can even be combined into point-counterpoint style if appropriate.

• Facebook’s is Successful Because of Mark Zuckerberg
• Facebook is Successful In Spite of Mark Zuckerberg

Those are the choices.

Success is definitely being judged by sheer size at this point. Financial, influential, and historical success are debatable, but nobody can deny that Facebook is huge and growing. Despite a planned “Quit Facebook Day” yesterday, the numbers continue to rise and more people joined yesterday than deleted.

If you know someone who car write all or part of this piece, please email JD Rucker. I would do it myself, but again I want this piece to be done the justice it deserves. It’s a good question and there are conflicting facts, including:

1. 500 million users on a site created by a guy who admittedly didn’t really know what he was doing and may still not
2. Outrage over privacy, yet very little action being take by the users
3. Nobody claims to want to join but eventually everyone does

The list can go on forever, so I want a person or people willing to put the effort in and come up with compelling, researched information about one side, the other, or both.

THANK YOU!

In a society that wants to be more social and asking for ways to make the world a smaller place, we haven’t taken much time to ensure our privacy.

We are indulging in social networks such as Twitter, Stumbleupon, YouTube, Facebook and many other social sites that have been provided to us for free.

Free? Maybe that is where the answer lies and we have mistaken that free is never really the case, like the old saying goes, “Nothing in Life is free”. With every action there is a reaction in the waiting and we are slowly starting to scratch our heads with curiosity of why our time spent on the web is not so private.

Sharing Personal Information Publicly IS No Longer Personal

In the days when the Internet first began, there was fear of it; fear of talking to people and putting any type of personal information – was something we were not willing to do. It was the case of common sense, however, with the Internet’s growth creating easy access from the comforts of home such as; online shopping, gaming, and especially social media. We seemed to have left our common sense to the waste side and now are furious that our personal information that we publicly share is no longer personal. With that said, today we should not fear, but instead make sure we continuously stay educated.

As the most popular social network continues to break down boundaries that is unforeseen to us. Facebook has challenged us with not providing information up front or as easily accessible as we would hope for them to do. With insurmountable discussion’s questioning its methods and scaring many who use the social network to consider leaving the site. Is it really Facebook’s fault?

But it’s FREE

Facebook has nearly 500 million active users on a free site where we have the ability to chat with friends, family and play games. Join pages, create pages, and enjoy a variety of applications. We can share videos, pictures, and links and the list goes on. All of this and more are available to us without paying so much as our internet bill every month.

Facebook is foremost a business and in order to keep it free for us, they must find a way to monetize. They use third-party sites to create advertising on Facebook. Those third party sites pull information from your profile and pages to make the ads you see more relevant to your location and interests.

Facebook has made a statement that they want to make the Internet’s default to be social, isn’t that what we want? As Facebook continues to step outside of its box they will continue to utilize your information to monetize the site. They are looking for ways to make the advertisements and websites to be more social by using developer’s to create what we as a society have asked for.

Yes, Facebook could make it easier on us if every change they made that affected our privacy was announced to us and for some, given the ability to opt out if they chose to. However, how will it stay free, if we all opted out? It wouldn’t. The reality is, we need to use our own common sense when using any platform on the Internet and not share anything that you don’t want seen or used since it is not only a Facebook issue, it’s an Internet issue. If you want to leave Facebook, that is your choice, although, missing out on the one site that is most likely going to change the way we communicate on the Internet forever, may not be the best of decisions.

The responsibility is up to you to continue staying in the know of what is going on with whatever platform you use and to do your best to inform others. We cannot expect a free site to tell us what we can do to help demonetize them. This doesn’t mean that we have to agree with the workings of Facebook’s choices, nor do we have to like it. It is what it is, and we shouldn’t act so surprised or appalled that we cannot have our cake and eat it too, for the reality is, the more Social we get, the less private we’ll become.

With that said, here are some steps you can do to stay in the know about Facebook and your Privacy:

• Facebook Privacy Changes: Won’t Make You Less Social, Just More Savvy

• Your Facebook Privacy

Do you think Facebook has crossed the line or are we overreacting?

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Read more News about Facebook on Soshable.

Last week, the Facebook F8 Conference took place; which is a conference intended for Facebook developers and for those who love to know what’s going on with this heart stopping social network. Even underneath all the geek talk, you could understand the brilliance that was about to be unleashed unto the book of all faces. However, with all good changes come some bad, some that you may not be aware of and if not, here’s what you need to know.

As of April 24^th, Facebook has added a new Privacy feature under your accounts setting; this feature is called “Applications and Websites”. Since Facebook is looking to have your favorite websites connect to its platform, this also means that your information will be shared across the Internet. For those who don’t mind, this won’t matter, but for those of you who do care, you will need to check your Account Settings immediately and apply changes of any unwanted information sharing. Since this new feature was rolled out yesterday, Facebook made sure to leave the default setting to reveal your information.

1. Sign into Facebook > Account Settings>Applications and Websites
   

2. Start from the top click on all 6 settings and read the information provided by Facebook carefully to than make your decision.
   

3. Uncheck all that you do not want shared and click save

4. Choose “only friends” on the drop down to keep you information within the friends you have chosen to have on Facebook.
   

As Facebook expands it is crucial for you to keep up-to-date on your privacy settings, whether you use Facebook for Personal or Professional gain. Although spending time on the Internet does open up your privacy, it does not mean that you can’t still be knowledgeable to where your information is being sent, and further more, you should be entitled to make sound decisions on what information is being used as well as owning your online reputation. Always remember that being savvier won’t make you less social.

Did you know about this new feature and will you make any changes to your Privacy settings?

Erin Ryan has a passion for Social Media and is currently working within the industry as a Social Media Specialist. Contact Erin on Twitter @4u2wear2

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Read more on this social media blog.

This is a guest post by Nate Bagley.

One of the biggest problems currently facing many major Social Media sites (aside from trolls) is monetization. They thrive on VC and Angel funding while trying to find a way to be cash flow positive without turning off scores of users with intrusive ads. The most obvious example of this is the Twitters.

Twitter has yet to turn a profit, because they are avoiding “selling out” by diluting the value of their amazing service with a bombardment of ads or making their service subscription based. The simplicity of the site, however, doesn’t allow for many other monetization opportunities.

Unfortunately the data generated by Twitter isn’t valuable enough to be sold. Twitter Search allows companies to obtain a real-time sampling of the sentiment surrounding their brand. They get a taste as to what people are saying, but the information is rarely measurable or actionable. Data that can’t be measured is virtually useless.

The value of Facebook, on the other hand, is not only the sheer number of pre-pubescent digital farmers, mobsters and vampires using the site, but the amount of data they make freely accessible to advertisers. Facebook’s Ad Platform allows advertisers to target incredibly specific demographics, narrowing them down by age, location, gender, political affiliation, religion, relationships status and even entertainment preferences. They have taken hypertargeting to a whole new level, and have done so without infecting their website with an overabundance of crappy ads.

Location based sites like Foursquare and Gowalla are pushing the envelope of innovation and breaking new ground yet again. If they play their cards right, they can avoid the awkward financial walk of shame experienced by Twitter by offering an incredibly unique data set to their clients.

Foursquare is already pouncing on this opportunity by offering an analytics service to clients. Foursquare’s analytics platform includes information regarding where customers are coming from, peak hours of business, and the gender and frequency of returning customers.

In my opinion, Foursquare’s vision will have an industry-changing impact when they take their analytics service to the next level by implementing a survey feedback tool. Customer feedback surveys allow businesses to get detailed, real time information regarding quality and speed of service, cleanliness, friendliness of staff, etc.

Rewarding customers with a popsicle or a Dr. Pepper for helping improve the systems and service of their favorite establishments with real-time, relevant data helps build relationships, form a community and is essentially the future of social media. (You’d be surprised what some of us would do for a free Dr. Pepper.)

The Customer Feedback Managment Industry is a very fragmented, multi-billion dollar market. These location based sites are the future of the industry, and most people don’t have the foresight to see it. Before you know it, Social Media is going to dramatically shift hundreds of industries once again, and those who aren’t prepared are going to get left behind.

The fact of the matter is that Social Media is still in its youth. We are still learning how to measure its influence and impact. As the Social Media world evolves, and companies like Foursquare develop tools that provide real value, Social Media will become mainstream and essential to a business’ long term success.

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Nate Bagley is a Communications Major at Utah Valley University, and will be graduating April 2010. He has over 3 years of experience in SEO, PPC and Social Media marketing.

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Read more social media strategy on this social media blog.

For entrepreneurs, one of the best features of Twitter is it’s API. Twitter allows developers to tap into its stream of 1 billion monthly tweets to create new applications and websites. This Twitter API has spawned several unique applications and projects that have benefited internet users in a variety of ways. This API has also spawned several real time search engines, such as Sency, which tap into sources such as Twitter to offer real time results for internet users.

A result of this API is that Twitter’s real time data is syndicated across the web. So, even if you are a not a user of Twitter, you can get real time information from multiple places. So people whom have never signed up for a social networking site – can still see what is being said right now on the real time web. However, Facebook is very different.

When you visit Facebook.com – you can’t easily search other users status updates. And, since Facebook doesn’t give out its data via an API – other websites can’t leverage Facebook’s real time data to offer something for internet users. There are tons of Facebook apps, but those are there to benefit existing Facebook users. Since the Facebook API isn’t available to outside developers – if you aren’t a user of Facebook – you probably aren’t going to be able to learn much about what is going on at Facebook.

Facebook wants its users data to be shared with users’ friends, not the world. Web developers would jump at the opportunity to “run” with the Facebook stream of data to build exciting new websites and to improve existing websites. However, without an API – this hasn’t happened yet.

Twitter wants developers to run with external applications because if those applications grow, Twitter will be the glue that holds those applications together. This, in effect, ensures Twitter’s future. For example, there are hundreds of websites which Twitter has no ownership in, but which take advantage of Twitter’s free API. If those sites grow and receive 100 million visitors per month – that will benefit Twitter because it makes “Tweeting” even more important because now your Tweets will get distributed not only on Twitter, but also on the sites all over the web which are powered by Twitter. By empowering web developers, Twitter has an army of entrepreneurs out there baking in the Twitter feed to their properties. So, the question is – will Facebook ever play this game?

In October of 2009, Facebook announced Open Graph API which was a move in this direction. This API, which is net yet available, will allow other websites to develop a Facebook like page, powered by Facebook technology, without the page having to be on Facebook.com. This would empower websites to have the tools offered to Facebook users live on an external website controlled by an outside webmaster. While this will be something new for webmasters to tap into– it most certainly won’t offer anything close to what Twitter currently offers.

Over time, developers hope they will have more access from Facebook, and slowly, some more tools and functions may become available. At the same time, developers are being empowered by Twitter to run with great new products. Twitter is clearly leading the charge to fuel continued innovation for everyone to have access to throughout the mainstream web.

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(image: LoneWolfLibrarian)

Read more on this social media blog.

Facebook and Twitter are the two power houses of the Social Media Industry. Social Media has become a new medium within the Media family, its siblings being Radio, Television and Newspapers.

What Makes Up Social Media?

So, what makes up Social Media? Metaphorically, Social Media is the body that holds the various limbs that enables the Industry to grow, and allows you to reach outside of the box and communicate with the world. The “limbs” I am referring to are what we call Social Networks.

Social Networks are made up of sites that you are probably already familiar with, such as; YouTube, MySpace, Flickr, StumbleUpon, Mixx, Reddit, and many others that are not listed here, two of those being, Twitter and Facebook. Each social network enables a person to share content, whether it is photos, videos, music, news or conversation. A social network permits you to engage with other people via the Internet. So what is the heart of social media? You are. You are the very reason social media is alive, it is you who pumps the information out into the social networks and in return, it is you that keeps social media breathing.

What Is the Difference Between Twitter and Facebook?

Twitter was originally created for texting purposes via a cell phone which is where the 140 characters come into play, for texting on a cell phone; you are only allotted 160 characters. Twitter included your username and therefore left you with 140 characters to express whatever happens to be on your mind. Twitter is in real-time, meaning that you will receive information as soon as someone you’re following tweets.

Facebook is more complex. It was originally created for internal use at a University, but as its popularity ignited, Facebook as we know it today, was born. Facebook is not only a place you can socially engage through status updates that are longer than 140 characters, but it also offers socially inclined games, profiles and pages that initiate sharing in whatever form of media you choose.

Both social networks offer a different format to express oneself, although Twitter is more commonly known for sharing news links and is becoming a predominant resource for breaking news, people still make connections and utilize it to talk about the events of their day or to promote their business in a fast and for many, more convenient way. Which is why I compare it to a drive-thru, it is quick, easy and you always leave full.

Facebook is more like a sit down restaurant, a place where you get lost in its menu of choices, from applications, status updates, photos, games, videos, pages and many other tempting interactions. Therefore you need to sit down and dig in.

Whether you crave Twitter more or salivate over Facebook, we seem to be starved for these two social networks and for those who use them, you may tend to agree that you can’t help but eat them up everyday.

If you are new to Social Media and unsure which social networks to begin with, I would suggest sampling both Twitter and Facebook, for in their own ways, they will satisfy your social appetite.

Erin Ryan has a passion for Social Media and is currently working within the industry as a Social Media Specialist. Contact Erin on Twitter @4u2wear2

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Read more on this social media blog.

The debate has been raging for ages (at least in Internet time).

Facebook was once the “contender” against MySpace. That didn’t last too long, but soon Twitter emerged as a pseudo-social-network-competitor-thingy to Facebook and the competition heated up again.

Whether or not that competition is valid is arguable since:

1. Twitter incorporates the communication and sharing aspect of social networking but is in many ways easier defined as a microblogging news aggregation site, sort of.
2. Facebook has nearly 10 times more users, hundreds more features, and thousands more apps.
3. Twitter has a clear business model, but only a dozen people in the universe know exactly what that is, while Facebook has dozens of business models, but nobody in the universe knows exactly what they are.

Still, these and many other glaring differences do not take away from the human need to compare the two and argue about them since they are the biggest “buzz” in social media right now (sorry Google).

Here, you will find several pieces of content that take the argument in one direction or another. Some bring up MySpace, LinkedIn, or other social networks. Rather than rehash them, I’ll give them to you to decide what goes where. Why rehash when we have the power of “link and regurgitate”? After all, that’s the way of the Internet today.

Facebook vs Twitter Infographic

(via Flickr)

Articles that (attempt to) Answer the Question of “Twitter vs Facebook”

• Web Strategy Matrix: Google Buzz vs Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter (Web Strategy by Jeremiah Owyang)
• Moving Pixels: Facebook vs Twitter (Pop Matters)
• Facebook vs. Twitter Clickthroughs: More Bang For Your Buck (htmlist)
• Twitter Versus Facebook, A Comparison Of The Top Users (AllFacebook)
• Sharing on Facebook vs. Sharing on Twitter (Digital Inspiration)
• Buzz vs. Facebook vs. Twitter and Us (The Relationship Economy)
• Fight: Facebook vs Google vs Twitter (iTWire)
• Web Faceoff: Twitter vs. Facebook (Mashable)
• Twitter vs. Facebook Analysis: What Users Want (Internet News)
• Twitter vs. Facebook – Battle of the Social Goliaths (Inventor Spot)
• Twitter versus Facebook: Should you Choose One? (Twitip)
• Facebook vs. Twitter: How will you stream your world? (CNet)
• Twitter vs. Facebook: Who Will Win in Real-time Search? (Mashable)
• Tools of choice: Twitter vs. Facebook (Social Media Today)
• The Coming Facebook-Twitter Collision (Business Week)

Twitter vs Facebook Cartoon

(via Hubspot)

Facebook vs Twitter on the iPhone

Another Facebook vs Twitter Infographic

(via TheNextWeb)

It doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of preference. Most Twitter users use Facebook. Most very active Facebook users are on Twitter now or will be sometime this year. Whatever it takes to enjoy, share, learn, and engage, that’s what is important. Who will win in the end?

Us.

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Read more about Twitter and Facebook on this Social Media Blog.

“Knock, Knock” is the sounds that use to symbolize a salesman’s presence, with a great haircut, suit to match and briefcase in hand.

Although presentation was of importance, it wasn’t exactly what got him in the door; and even though what he was selling may have been what the client was looking for, it would be his persona that would get his pitch heard.

Reviving Old Habits in New Media

Yes, that sounds like a scene from the 1950’s and although years and technology have taken on a predominate role in the way we sell to others, doesn’t mean that the old way of doing so doesn’t still play an important role in how we sell today.

In today’s world, a new media has been born, and although Social Media is the prime way to be seen, old habits die hard. Here are tips on how to apply old ways of selling to a new medium. Like previously stated, presence is a key role in what will appeal to your client, even though it is now online, doesn’t mean that it necessarily goes away.

Presence is everything, whether it is on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. No matter what Social Network you use to promote your business, you need to look stylish, clean cut and always up-to-date. Take a Facebook page for example. No matter what it is you’re trying to sell, that page needs to be maintained, much like a car.

It needs to be appealing, easy to handle and like an oil change, constantly needs to, well, be changed. You need to look active, it can’t just sit in the driveway and expect to run when you see fit in driving it. It needs to be added to everyday, and instead of trying to push a sell, utilize your customer service skills instead. This applies to a blog, a website or any other type of online presence you are trying to accommodate for your potential customer.

People Like To Interact With People

With the new media explosion, this is your time to capitalize on gaining new clients and retaining old ones. Chances are they are looking for you online and you may be unaware of it. What you need to do is make your presence known. Search out every Social Networking site possible and sign-up, use your real name and incorporate your company within, instead of the other way around. Since you should already have a website, you don’t need to name your Social Networks as a business; instead you need to introduce yourself, since people much prefer interacting with people, instead of businesses.

Realize that the people you are interacting with are smart enough to search your page. On the page is where you will list where else they can find you, hence your occupation, business and what your hobbies are. Be sure to include in your hobbies what it is you’re trying to sell, for example, if you sell cars, cars would most likely be a hobby of yours.

Make your page friendly, by chatting with others about various things, this is important, do not just talk about what you’re trying to sell and be sure to not constantly sound like a sales rep. This will be a sure way of finding yourself on the “unfriend” list.

What you want is to have presence that is of a friendly nature, leave it up to those you friend to figure the rest out and they will.

Don’t Mask Yourself

After you have established yourself on all Social Networking sites, it is now time to find people to interact with. Use Twellow (A Yellow Pages for Twitter) and sign yourself up. This way, people will have an easier way of finding you, someone they may share common interests in or perhaps is in need of what your business sells. Here you can also search and friend those that share the same interests as you or your business. This is an easy way to create relationships that have a substance even prior to your first conversation.

Remember, that when you make contact do not sound like your trying to make a pitch and even after creating a relationship, be sure to not bombard him or her with what it is you sell, unless they ask. There is nothing like connecting with someone under a false pretense, many sales people do this and it is what causes them to fail.

Be genuine, and you will see, that overtime people will find interest in you as the person in front of the business instead of behind. Masking will be seen and will cause you and your credibility to be jeopardized.

Your Pages Equal Your New Business Card

Now that you’re Social Networks are up and running, it is important to maintain them. Do not just create and abandon. You need to stay on top of all of them, everyday or every few days at the very least. Your pages have now become your new type of business card. Have everyone that sells from you, online or in real life, know where to find you. Have them be aware that you are online and friend as many as you can.

Facebook is a great place to start, since the demographic is of an older age and a place where you can create a profile for yourself and a page for your business. This is the way to build a community, and to socialize on both. We have been taught that socializing while working; do not go hand in hand, Social Media has proven this otherwise. Chat with people, leave comments, click the like button and show that you are in fact active.

Have Your New Social Media Buddies Feel Special

When you have built up friends, create a page and invite them, create a grand opening sale for example and give an exclusive to your new Social Media buddies. This will entice them to not only fan your page, but to share it as well. You can also now share it on your other Social Networks, Tweet it out, that if they fan your business page on Facebook that they will receive a discount, or whatever it is you are able to give that is extra to only those who take the time to fan or friend you.

Make a short three minute video of this and post it to YouTube, stumble it on StumbleUpon and get the word to spread. You can even create events on Facebook and ask for people to attend, incorporate the launch in real life at your business too. Have your online presence blend into your real life presence and watch them become one in the same. Just remember, you must continue to socialize afterwards.

Be Professional, Fun, and Sociable.

With New Media, you don’t always have to play the sales rep role, just be yourself and create relationships with others. If you remember to share details on your various pages that will let others know what you do, people will remember that as long as you stay active. Have fun while remaining professional and people will flock to you, people like those who can show their fun side and will want to interact.

Asking random questions will get you responses, share tips on what you know or even on the type of things you sell. This way it shows your intelligence on the subject, without it being so in your face. People will appreciate your knowledge and the fact that you were willing to share.

Share Your Business and Socialize At the Same Time

Create lists, for example, if you sell cars; create “top 5 cars of the year” or Affordable Cars lists, create lists that intertwine what it is in fact you do sell. Share something that is not only useful and helpful but always remember to be truthful. Just like offline, people can smell a liar. Throw out a poll every so often like “what do you think is the most popular color on a car”? And list the various colors, one being the actual color and then share which one it is at the end of the day.

Without even realizing it, you are sharing your company and socializing at the same time. Give special offers when you can and entice people to fan or friend you on other sites when possible. Also, when you do get customers or people who inquire, take note of them and give special treatment, this will build a good report with them and that will in turn have them share you with their friends. Mixing business with pleasure will be the sure fire way of getting noticed.

The Old Fashioned Way is Still of Importance Today

Ping, Ping is the new sound that symbolizes a sales person, with a great look, logo and Social Networks in hand. Your presence being presentable will get you seen, although very important, it may not necessarily get you in the door, even if what you are selling is exactly what the client is looking for. Although it is far from being the 1950’s, it will still be your persona, by being active and most importantly, social, that will get your pitch heard even today.

Erin Ryan is a Social Media Devotee, who is very active on various Social Networking sites. By day, Erin is a freelance image designer for various online stores and is currently a Social Media intern. You can contact her via Twitter http://twitter.com/4u2wear2

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Read more about sharing on Social Media Blogs.