If you have been following me on Twitter and Facebook you know I use the term ‘Linkster’ frequently.  Since I get so many people emailing me asking what I mean when I refer to someone as a ‘Linkster’ I thought I would provide a brief definition I could refer to when I am asked this question.

Linkster: A person who:

1. plays Golf
2. posts in the social spaces (Twitter, Facebook..etc) online Links to blogs or articles posted by someone else and has no communication to those who respond to their posts nor cares to respond to any response or comment made to their any of their posts.

Obviously, I am referring to the second definition when I use the term in the context of how someone is socializing online.  Most of the time a Linkster will use programs and third party applications to automate their posts so they have little association with the social spaces they populate. There are a few Linksters who will manually post links and then leave the site without responding to anyone who is reaching out to them to get to know them better.

The individual Linkster usually are mimicking the larger businesses who are the major Linksters of the social spaces.  Their thinking usually is..if the big dogs are just posting links on Twitter maybe I should be doing that as well.

Linksters prefer their method of social networking to not be exposed and when confronted will explain they do not have the time to use traditional methods of social media and post ONLY Links to develop a higher Page Ranking.  Since this method of social (or unsocial) networking is looked down upon by the other residences of the social space the Linksters generally get blocked or deleted from people’s contact list since the majority of people using the social spaces are there to build meaningful relationships with the other members.

As Google and the other search engines move to clean up their feeds so more people will depend on their recommendation as being valid resources the Linksters method of social media will eventually be devalued, if not banned.  Unfortunately, many of the people who use the Linkster method of social media are part of a business or firm who has invested an absorbitant amount of funds in this type of marketing plan making changing to a more effective method of social media not an option.

Currently, the only way to get a Linkster to recognize the wrong doings of their method of broadcasting to their community is to confront them directly or to delete their profile from a contact list. Sometimes, seeing the number of followers diminishing will catch their attention or seeing their analytic programs showing their view rates dropping like lead balloons will get their attention.  Getting them to stop or change is the challenge since they have reams of unverifiable data they again paid dearly for that backs their reasoning for posting only links.  The only effective method of getting Linksters to move to more effective methods of social media have been those actions taken to reduce their revenue generated or bottomline.

Happy hunting for Linksters and hope this helps explain what I am talking about.

Let me know how I can help.

Over the past couple of years the subject of Privacy has really heated up.  At issue is what online social platforms gain from the information someone provides in their spaces.  The question is..What’s the big deal? 

The online social networks are pretty clear on what their intentions are, why is it a HUGE shock to so many people they are selling or using the information you provide them on their sites…key word here is "Their Site".

What some people do to be online, but attempt to keep basic information from being posted, is:

• No post a photo of themselves, but post a picture or cartoon character.
• Post nothing in their personal/professional profiles
• Post no status or anything in their personal stream
• Sign up using obvious Fake Names or pseudo names

No Hiding on the Internet

In reality, withholding a photo, an location is a total waste of effort.  Most of the platforms can glean from the posts and the servers the posts are being posted from most of the information the person, place or thing is trying to hide.  So, why are so many people still attempting to insult the rest of the members’ of the social spaces intelligence by not providing the basics..Real Name, Real Picture and Real Story?

Is what I have provided in my profile…my photo, my bio, my location, my sex…really me?  Do I need to answer that question?  I think what you will find in all my social spaces is pretty much the same.  Am I telling you everything about me…simple answer..NO! Nor should you.

Solutions:

Again, why are so many people surprised or up in arms about their privacy online?  There is a simple attitude people should maintain or adapt when they enter the social networks.  Only post what you want the public to know and see.  Simple as that. 

Of course, there are many people under the impression that the Freedom of being able to say anything or conduct any type of business online in the Social Networks is a Right so their private info they want to broadcast to everyone, including their likes and dislikes in shopping patterns, is not public information.  Really?!?  You are going to post your grandma’s birthday on Facebook but you don’t want anyone to know it..Really?? How is that going to happen?  You probably able to secure your privacy online better by staying to your own domain, but when you enter the social spaces all bets are off…its their ball game.

Again, there are the people who REALLY have something to hide. People (or at least they want us to think they are people) who are more than likely the people who are whining about online privacy policy.  Many are doing business illegally, or have a product that is nothing but a scam.  Naturally, they don’t want who they really are to be know.  And of course, these are the people who are making social networking online a living Hell. 

The question now becomes, why do social networks allow these type of people, places and things in their site?  Answer: It’s all a number game to most sites…I say most because the site that starts to put controls on their member’s entrance into their social space will be the Next Social Network of choice..Really!!!  (Google Plus..are you listening?)

So, for those who are out there with the blank avatars, Fake names and no profile info.  It could be your days are numbered.  The social networks..all of them..will get the basic info they need from you..like it or not.  So why fight what you can’t control. 

Join the trillions who learned the game that is being played and just post the basics info needed to be social.  Then start reaping the Real Benefits of social/business networking online.  It’s just that easy.

Let me know how I can help.

Recently, I attended PodCamp here in Dallas.  A great event showcasing the advantages of podcasting.  During the day I was interviewed by Mason Pelt of Clever Name Studio.  Following is Mason’s show.

Pocasting is just one way of getting a message out to people through the internet.  Videocasting is the next step up and is the most effective way to get a message broadcasted since it can offer multiple levels of information all at once.  If you are just blogging, podcasting should be your next step to take to establish a greater presence online.  After podcasting, videocasting or Vlogging, is a natural step to attracting more people to hear your message.

Attend the PodCamp near you….it is a great experience.

Let me know how I can help.

With all the changes being made in the social spaces over the past couple of years it really can be hard to keep up.  Unfortunately, many business people are not keeping up and are lagging behind in keeping up on how their Social Media campaigns change when the social spaces change.

There are three huge changes in social networking over the past year which, according to what I see going on in the social spaces, many business people are not aware of.  Here is a quick Update:

1.  Twitter is dying

There is no need in beating a deadhorse..sorry for the pun.  Much has been reported by many on why Twitter is Dead.

Since it’s launch the popularity of Twitter has been a mystery.  Conceptually Twitter would appear to a business as a place they could get their message out to a large number of people who are trapped at their computer or on their cellphones.  In reality, the appeal of pitching a product in less than 140 characters to billions is what killed Twitter.

The millions of businesses and thoughtless self promoters who hammered the Twitter feed with SPAM shutdown the interest of most consumers or business executives who just do not have time…or think more of themselves..to spend wading through dribble and Tweets of people checking into on Foursquare to announce they are entering a restroom. 

As a result the majority…vast majority…of people who view Twitter are not seeing any value to using Twitter to keep in touch with their contacts. 

Over the past year, the realities of Twitter have been seen by millions of business people..as well as people interested in how they spend their time online…as a place for time-bandits to reside.  This is resulting in Twitter being a place to Not Be! 

Of course, most of the large businesses and traditional mainstream icons of the business world who waited too long to enter Twitter are now making lame attempts to justify their existence on Twitter with tons of unverifiable stats produced showing their success on Twitter.

As it is true, there are some advantages to being on Twitter, the small list of reasons for using Twitter really does not justify the time when there are more productive social spaces.

2. Facebook Has Jumped the Shark

Yes, the stable icon of social networking that set the pace for many online social networks, and is part of the lives of many who grew up with Facebook, has started its descent into mediocrity.  As social-social network goes, Facebook is King…as far as a platform for quality-social networking Facebook is slipping to number two or three as effective use of time. 

There are many people still under the impression that business networking in a purely social network is the ultimate in social media for their business. However, today, promoting your business on Facebook is like trying to sell something to your brother-n-law…it just is not that productive.

As is the case in most endeavors that have been around too long, they start trying to find new ways to make something old look new and exciting..Jumping the Shark as it is called. 

Facebook remains the best place to communicate effectively with personal friends and family, but for businesses it is like giving a powerpoint presentation at the Thanksgiving Dinner table.  Business networking and social networking come apart in Facebook which is pushing many business people to pack their bags and go searching for better places.

3. Google Finally Takes Control

The biggest change in social networking, business networking and Social Media was made with Google Plus (G+) was launch.  Finally, the information giant introduced to the world a platform that effectively will change socializing. 

Even though most of what Google is planning to offer is behind tightly drawn currents, what they have shown thus far is very impressive..on a number of levels.  It is very obvious, they are focusing on developing a platform that can be shared both as a business marketing tool and a pure social network.

The phrase ‘Game Changer’ is over used in describing the power G+ will have over how we deliver our message, both professionally and socially.  Right now, Google is allowing people to build their foundation and get use to the tools they are introducing.  Those who ‘Get it’ have moved their primary operations to G+ and operating on a pure social level while waiting on the business portion of G+ to launch…a smart move more people need to make.

Google’s approach to spoon feeding the Internet with small portions of what they have developed is another sign of Google’s intelligence and understanding of Human Nature.  Their control on keeping their platform real by filtering out the scammers and people not taking themselves serious  will be the magnet that draws more real people to come online.  This will only strengthen Google’s position as the place to go to get real information.

The real value of Google Plus is in the searchablity of information.  Knowing that what is posted on G+ works towards building a professional and social image of the person who posts the information is what makes being on the Internet worthwhile. 

Gone are the days of posting a Tweet and wonder if anyone see it..of taking weeks to build a Facebook Page only to get 5000 Likes from people wanting only for you to see them and care nothing about seeing you.

The social space has really changed and it troubles me to see people I know floundering on Facebook and Twitter while the changes being made in today’s social networking has move way pass that environment.  The excuse.."Why should I change?  All my friends are on Facebook or Twitter!"… will become less valid quickly.  I really hate seeing hardworking people wasting their content and time in spaces losing ground.

Hopefully, more will see the value of the changes in social media and change with them.  Let me know how I can help.

OK, Decode t.co (http://decodet.co) isn’t the perfect solution but it is a Solution!  Decode t.co is there to offer a simple way for people to check short url’s before blindly clicking.  The overall issue is quite simple, Nothing online is safe..especially strange links someone sends you in an email or post.   The solution isn’t so cut and dried. 

While Decode t.co is done simply in WordPress it does get the job done.  Not everyone is an expert coder or hacker, but this site does address a fundamental issues everyone seems to ignore. 

This site’s developer believes short URL’s are pretty damn sexy, but also are pretty dangerous. Many short url’s you find are quite safe. Most are from people you know and trust. There are however many times when you can receive rogue url’s and you don’t even know it.

Let’s set up a basic phishing scenario:

Let’s say you receive a strange email from a trusted friend with a few strange link.  Most likely their email was phished, and you didn’t even know it. The problem now is most of you will blindly click that short url without thinking twice.

It’s too late to save some of you from making that error. I have been the victim of a scam such as the one described.  That is why I am trying to HELP YOU out!

HOW IT WORKS!

Bottom Line:

Yes, there are many things that can be improved on the site, but it’s nice to find a WordPress site being used for something other than for just another blog. 

The creator even asks for feedback – Decode t.co – Google Form (Google Form) and asks for a real coder to step up and help. This is a step in the right direction since there are just too many unchecked and dangerous (not sexy!) short url’s floating around.

One thing to keep in mind, this site is evolving, so if you reach it and something is broke or not working, it’s likely it’s in the middle of some on the fly code changes!

In closing you can click blindly, or try using Decode t.co to find out the real longer, bigger and not always better url behind the short sexy url you were going to click!

As individuals become more and more accustomed to sharing personal information with others on social networking sites like FourSquare, it’s easy to see how this free and easy exchange of information can be abused. For the businesses looking into using Foursquare as a promotional tool they might want to discuss their civil liability with their attorney before signing on.

FourSquare, though entertaining and potentially useful for tips on the places around you and figuring out where your online friends are, does raise some security issues.

Everyone out in the social spaces has been guilty of accepting friend requests from strangers without thinking about the implications of who they are letting into their online social circle. As they check into places using FourSquare, a pattern of who they are, their tastes and most importantly, their day to day movements from one place to the next, draws a map for anyone who takes the time to look.

Reports are now coming in that the criminal minded are taking that time to figure out who the chatty people online are, and where they are going.  More and more of the criminal element is taking notice of the Foursquare post of someone’s exact information that is freely posted on the internet.  Stalkers, robberies and attackers are seemingly starting to take advantage of this information and investigation into incidents seem to be related to a person’s patterns of posting of their locations.

Any one can check out the Twitter stream and then find someone on Facebook or Google to get their photo. This makes it easy for someone looking for a quick ‘Mark’ find them from Foursquare posts. 

Leo Hickman, a journalist with Guardian.co.uk, put this to the test in his piece, “How I became a FourSquare cyberstaker.”

Of course, there are settings within these applications that allow users to be more guarded about what gets pushed out to the internet. The problem is these games, by their very nature, reward people for sharing their experiences and the frequency of their check-ins.  This motivation sometimes overrides a person’s common sense into thinking..if millions are doing this what harm is there for me to join in?

Local retailers are jumping in with rewarding users for repeating this behavior. The more someone checks into a place, the more likely they are to receive free food or gifts. In many cases, frequenting an establishment brings with a real-life reward; become the Mayor of Domino’s and get a free pizza once a week.  That temptation is hard to turn down.

There is some question on what liability a business would have if someone who frequents their establishment only for their Foursquare promotion then gets accosted in the establishment or in their parking lot.  Does the business’ offering of rewards produce an opportunity for the criminal element to lie in wait?  Does the promotion of the business’ offer generate some liability for the safety of those who agree to check in?

Yes, of course, it is an option for someone to check-in for the reward, or not, so some liability of something going wrong would be shared by that person who choices to let the world know they are there.  I am not an attorney nor a judge, but this would seem to not be the business’ fault if some misfortune incident occurs. 

However, does the business want the negative word of mouth marketing that would be associated someone being robbed, or worse, after checking into their establishment?  Does FourSquare want the reputation as a Stalkers Tool?  This is something for businesses who choice to use Foursquare to discuss with their attorneys before signing on for their campaigns.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with rewarding loyal customers, I’m all for it. However, more needs to be done to make people aware of the potential pit-falls of putting one’s life out there. I also acknowledge common sense plays a huge part in all of this, but to individuals that are new to social networking, it may not be so obvious.

Read the Fine Print

Foursquare’s privacy policy can be found here but when you sign up, the default settings leaves you open to everyone, and the sign up process does not encourage you to change your privacy settings or offer best-practice security tips.

Only by taking the time and effort to search through your settings can you make changes to protect yourself.

Another thing to bear in mind is that like so many other social games, there is a competitive aspect which encourages people to acquire as many badges as possible. This also pushes people to make even more posts of where they are located.

There have been instances where people have “checked-in” to their own homes, making them a potential target for burglary or other criminal behavior.

The point here is not that these applications are evil, but that in an ideal world, more should be done by their creators to encourage security and privacy.

The fact is, although social media and social gaming are not particularly new, technology is evolving at a crazy rate and we’re struggling to catch up. For the most part, I agree social gaming and social networking can be great fun and connect you with new people and places in a way that wasn’t possible not too long ago.  Unfortunately, the danger is in getting excited about the information being shared.   We may forget to consider the implications of what we’re telling the world about ourselves.

So before you decide to use FourSquare, Facebook, Twitter, Google and all of the other social media outlets available as the broadcast mechanisms for your social experience, take a step back and think about what the audience may be up to. 

Let me know how I can help.

Contact Scot Duke for a Complementary 30 minute Evaluation Session. When it comes time to check your business’ direction it’s time to talk to someone experienced in business operations.