How do you use Social Media...

• Do you measure up?
• Do you know how to measure it?
• Do you know how to use it?

Check out this infographic. If you want to know more about how to make social media be a successful tool in your business...send me a tweet @MonteMartin with your phone number and I'll get right back to you...with a phone call...because the oldies but goodies still work for more indepth communication.

InfoGraphic: Coloring a story

If a picture is worth a thousand words, maybe we communication types should consider using less words and more images. And with the growing popularity of communicating through social media there's only so much you can say in 140 words.

HubSpot’s Dan Zarrella conducted research to help determine the science of tweeting and packaged this research into an easy breezy infographic:

Are you using infographics as a public relations tactic? Below is an infographic I recently created for FEMA in the Alabama disaster that was distributed to the media, posted and tweeted. It was picked up and used by several media outlets.

Contact me to help you design a graphic to tell your story!

Disaster Preparedness: Getting Personal

“Compared to other disasters, how does this one compare?”

I have been asked this interview question numerous times. My answer to reporters goes something like this: “Whether there is two inches of water your home or flooding covers a rooftop, disasters affect and impact individuals. The month before I graduated from college, my family's experienced a large house fire. I may work for FEMA, but believe me when I say that when disaster hits, it is personal, individual and comparison doesn't matter.”

No one was at home when our house fire started. A neighbor spotted smoke and called the fire department. My mom, on her way home for lunch, followed the fire trucks to our house already engulfed in flames. We were all in shock. In addition to the damage to the house, the fire ruined or burned many things. My great-great aunt’s antique crystal candlesticks melted. Mom’s wedding crystal and china burst into tiny pieces. Her beautiful handmade draperies burned. Paintings were ruined from water or smoke. My prom dresses were destroyed, my dolls turned brown from the heat, and smoke blackened the covers and pages of our books. My brother lost collectibles and the furniture in his room. Dad’s workshop burned to the ground as it was the first area struck by fire.

Fortunately, everyone, including our dog was safe. Our family had planned and practiced what to do in case of fire or tornadoes. My brother and I knew how to tie sheets together if we needed to climb out a second-story window. We knew which tree to stand under in order to account for everyone's safety. 

My parents had homeowners insurance. The insurance agent was onsite within hours and quickly hired a company to clean up the water and fire damage. The burned structural areas were reframed. Scorched living spaces were reconstructed. Insurance reimbursed my parents when they purchased new décor, furniture, clothes and replaced the molten appliances. Insurance funds covered a rental house during the months our home was being put back together.

In the midst of that situation, I would never have imagined how our house catching on fire might positively impact my future. I now know that fire was a pivital experience that helped prepare me for my work in emergency response and recovery.

I'm not very patient when driving on I-4 because I detest bumper-to-bumper traffic. Yet, as a disaster survivor shares their story, a heavenly amount of patience kicks in and my heart goes out to them. My ears are wide open to listen and between each deep breath, silent pauses and tears, I hear myself saying, "I've been there. I'm so sorry. I hear you. I understand. I'm here for you. People are here to help." I listen, encourage, share how they may recieve federal, state or local assistance, and occasionly we pray together.

Though I or the team aren't handing out money or fixing problems on the spot, once people learn help may soon be on its way negativity and tears become expressions of "Thank you," "You will be blessed you for what you do," and in the South, "God bless yall." I can say, this audible and visual feedback keeps me going the next day, sustains my faith and answers the call of my purpose.

Thanks to my mother, I learned how to plan (she's a big time list maker). I'm also strategic, creative, positive, an obsessed learner, and good at thinking on my feet - all valuable skills in the midst of a crisis. Extensive emergency management training and disaster field work are what I bring to government agencies, nonprofits and private industry when the time comes to plan, set up practice drills or manage crisis issues.

If you need help to create or update your plan, contact me at 407-341-9866 or at mmonte@hotmail.com.

Crisis Management: Training And Drills

Plan. Prepare. Practice.

The fact that training and drills needs to happen is not a debate, but for governments, costs in an uncertain economy are an issue. As well, for many companies and government agencies, exercises are scripted plays of cut and past scenarios that are practiced over and over again.

Check out this April 2, 2010 article in The Washington Post, "National disaster exercises, called too costly and scripted, may be scaled back."

As a child, I learned to tuck and cover in tornado drills, how to stand in a door frame during an earthquake, and even way back then, we had a family plan of how to escape our two-story house and a specific location for our family to meet if we had a house fire. We practiced, and yes, we experienced them all for real, even a major house fire.

The measures our family put in place to plan, prepare and practice were small in comparison to larger state or national drills and training, but they saved us when it counted most! Whether a single family or a large agency, it is crucial to have drills and training. Scenarios should be as real as possible because they can save lives. Scenarios also should be goal oriented, measurable and practiced in a way that promotes communication, coordination and collaboration.

Having been involved in local, state and federal drills, some were for fluff, to receive a pat on the back for a “job well done” and only because they were mandatory. In one drill, I observed face-to-face communication and decision makers not being able to agree on next steps. I have been involved in training scenarios where if the situation were real, citizens may have been severely affected because people could not make decisions or made bad decisions.

During one particular training drill, upper management was not pleased with unsolicited feedback from those of us responsible for the ESF#15 function (comprised of county-wide communication folks) as we stood together (four of us at the desk during the exercise) to explain the potential ramifications of their directions and decisions. Fortunately, it was only a drill. After that particular drill, management decided to involve ESF#15 more closely in strategic planning, execution of drill exercises and asked for help in reviewing the entire operation for ways to tighten up. None of us should be afraid to make mistakes, and from our mistakes, learn from them the first time. After all, moms and coaches always say, “Practice makes perfect.”

Speaking as a communications professional, whether in public relations or public affairs, looking at all angles of a situation is ingrained in our thought process. As well, we are used to accountability when planning through objectives, strategy, goals, tactics and measurement. I believe it is our responsibility to encourage and work with management or government leaders to explain the rationale for implementing the same processes employed every day doing business should be used for crisis training and management. Most business and government people understand SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Those four things can be used to measure performance in training exercises or drills. We can only find the error of our ways, discover weaknesses and adjust when necessary if training exercises and drills are executed with thought, built-in realism and include a mechanism to capture and measure performance. If we don’t insist upon it, then as communication professionals, we are the ones left to clean up the mess!

Stepping back to be sure processes and procedures are in place is sometimes necessary to ensure effective crisis planning, preparedness or practice is in place for a family as well as at the federal government level. No matter the actual hard cost or methods used to practice and train (live or simulated), successfully having implemented those three steps are priceless in a real disaster because people’s lives are at stake.

Does your company or organization have a current crisis plan in place? Do you know if your crisis plan is workable? Have you practiced your plan? Confused about crisis planning and management? Contact me to learn more.

Social Media: Twittering About Twitter?

Termed, micro blogging, Twitter is a great resource for expressing a personal brand, thought leadership and corporate brand.

Nielsen recently released staggering statistics about Twitter:

• It is the fastest growing community site increasing 1382% in visits in February 2009 versus February 2008;
• The majority of the user base (42%) is between the ages of 35-49;

Here are helpful tips for tweeters:

• Check out and consider using a hash tag when appropriate as it is a way for people to search for tweets that have a common topic. #(insert topic)
• Change your bio often to reflect a description of a project, not just about you or the reason for your twitter page;
• Include a photo or logo to connect you or your brand to your tweeple for page personalization;
• Monitor your followers. Just because you have lots of them doesn't mean they are desirable followers. Check a few followers and see who they are and what they do ; - ) Let me know what you learn! (you can change your settings to accept or reject new followers); and
• Share the "love"birdies. Retweet! Copy and paste the original tweet, then put RT @ (insert originator’s username) at the beginning of the tweet and share the best links, tweets and gems with your followers. 

Still twittering about Twitter? Not sure how to use it for your business? Contact me today to turn up your Tweet volume and tune into Twitter.

SMT: An email teaser awaits

An evil plot is about to be unleashed upon Walt Disney World. The stakes grow higher every day, so stay posted. More clues to come.

What is this? It is a TEASER a.k.a. HOLD THE DATE

It is meant to:

• Entice the reader of the email;
• Arouse their interest;
• Peak some curiosity about what's next;
• Anticipate being pitched a story;
• Know something is happening on April 7: and
• To make them want to be a part before having all the details.

This teaser was just emailed to television media contacts and outlets in the top 20 markets. It is being sent in advance of emailing the Satellite Media Alert and then verbally pitching a Satellite Media Tour (SMT) with Author Ridley Pearson. The SMT will be on April 7.

There is more to come...And if you want a great teaser for your next campaign, contact me at mmonte@hotmail.com or 407-341-9866.

Crisis Management: The Ambush Interview

A reporter sticks a microphone or camera in your face. What do you do?

Avoid these common mistakes:

1. Never ever say, "No comment."
2. Don't do the duck...i.e. acting like the reporter, camera or microphone are not there by continuing to go on about your business or leaving the area without saying a word.
3. Garbling an answer or blurting something out to satisfy the reporter quickly. In all likelyhood, even if you know your topic and the answers to their questions, you will look and/or sound ambushed and surprised.
4. Don't ask the reporter to call your office to schedule an appointment.
5. Don't say, "If you give me a list of your questions, I'll be happy to look at them and get back to you."

Keep in mind that the camera is rolling! Anything you say or anything you do can be put on TV! The only way a to engage with a reporter in this situation is the following:

1. The CEO should, stop, smile, look the reporter in the eyes (not at the camera).
2. Politely say, "Thanks for your interest in interviewing me. I would be more than happy to speak with you, but right now I am about to...step into a meeting, leave to pick up my child from school, file a report, meet with my staff, rehearse for an important presentation, etc. (something credible and real).
3. Now, let's set something up for (later this afternoon, this evening, or in the morning-the CEO inserts time of day to allow for prep time).
4. This way, we can sit down, and I can be sure to have plenty of time to answer all of your questions.
5. As well, I'll be happy to stop by your office/station if that is convenient or you may drop by my office."

Remember, a reporter is a person and they appreciate being directly spoken to and politeness counts! Never brush off a reporter! They have an assigned story to do and the CEO (good or bad) has a story to tell. How the ambush is handled can turn a story from bad to worse and bad to much better, maybe even decent.

As a spokesperson, you'd be surprised how many times they have asked me to stop by their station when I offered. Reporters are usually on a deadline and I have found that by offering to do the interview at their station, you are meeting them more than halfway when an interview is put off for a later time. Plus, sometimes it is in the company's best interest to not have reporters roaming around the office and an interview disrupting the workplace. By going to the station, the location is actually more neutral.

There is also something to the fact of the reporter/station playing host to the CEO vs. the other way around. As the host, the reporter may not be as agressive or "in-your-face" with questions...Note: May not...

So, the interview is set for later. Now what?

1. The CEO calls the communications team to advise them of the scheduled interview.
2. The PR person should call the reporter and ask, "If there are any specific questions or areas of interest for the interview because I may be able to provide backgrounders, bios, or fact sheets that will be helpful for the interview."
3. It is fine to email information to the reporter, especially if the background materials are technical or detailed in nature.
4. Staff gathers other appropriate information for the CEO including key messages, talking points, FAQs, backgrounders, fact sheets and answers to hard-hitting questions.
5. Then, if needed, the CEO has time to review the materials before the well-prepared and relaxed interview.

For more information about how to come across as a success on camera and nailing that interview, contact me to set up media training for your CEO, staff or key management.

Social Media: Santa Goes Viral

Suddenly Santa...flys on the World Wide Web...without the help of his reindeer.

Central Florida media outlets were invited to cover a sneak peak of Suddenly Santa, a “flash mob” video production being filmed today at the Winter Park Amtrak Station and in the surrounding park area. The script included an impromptu appearance by Santa along with hundreds of orchestral singers and choreographed dancers in a surprise performance to local cast members staged as families and tourists enjoying a day in the park. The joyous four-minute video, Suddenly Santa, was unleashed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009 at 2 a.m. on www.YouTube.com/SuddenlySanta.

Want to create your own viral video? Contact me and I will hook you up with all of Santa's elves, in this case it was volunteers, to fly around the world.

B-roll: More than pictures

B-Roll is video footage, with or without sound, used by broadcasters to supplement the main elements of a news story. In addition to the video, B-roll includes key images, copy and back-up material. It may include short quotes from spokespeople as well as sounds and images. It typically contains video without sound for broadcasters to select their own segment of the video for their story and they will match it with a voice over or on-screen explanation from the reporter or anchor.

For the most part, B-roll enhances, adds dimension or visually tells the story, but the origin of B-roll was footage shot that could cover an editing jump cut.

In the world of film and documentaries, B-roll is quite often thought of as back-up footage. For film, the producer uses the footage to edit together unconsecutively shot clips or scenes. This is done by changing from the A-roll to the B-roll while the audio from the A roll shot or another source plays under the B-roll. The footage allows the editor to cut back to footage, so that it appears as if the two scenes, visual and audio, were shot together as one piece.

In the context of news, B-roll has a different use. B-roll footage is provided to a broadcast news station to complement a story. It is shot in advance of the story that will run on the news. Producers set up the the provided visuals, but add their own or provided script from a news release or fact sheet and the reporter or anchor does the audio narration so the story appears like it was all done by the news station.

B-roll for news includes the picture stories followed by a series of soundbytes from spokespeople, people interviewed, sounds or "words from the man on the street". Each section of the video is introduced by what is know of as a slate. A slate is a black frame that runs for a few minutes before the B-roll footage is shown. The slate typically includes the title of the slate/segment, spokesperson's name and title, a short description of the footage and the the time the footage runs (usually in seconds).

When footage is provided in this format, editors and producers use the copy provided such as a suggested script, talking points, a fact sheet, a backgrounder or other important information to describe the story with the visual B-roll footage to backup the story for a segment in their news program.

Video publicity needs high-quality, timely, newsworthy footage to get the attention of news decision-makers. Broadcasters are likely to use B-roll of events with celebrities, action-packed stories, and new products or services.

B-roll works best when it is carefully and concisely edited. Accompanying interviews or sound bites always follow the B-roll footage.

Remember to always include a table of contents of slates, logo(s), graphic(s), photo(s) and the contact name and number on a slate at the end of B-roll.

Satellite (SMT) and Audio (AMT) Media Tours

Shoot from here (location) up to there (satellite) and down to there (broadcast station).

Satellite Media Tours (SMTs) are used to book a company expert, CEO, spokesperson or celebrity on television to be interviewed for the news. They are usually live, but can also be live to tape (meaning the interview seems live when it runs later.)

Organized, pitched and produced by a public relations specialist, these one-on-one interviews, are booked by news producers or talent bookers. In what are called windows, the producer works with the person pitching the tour to secure a specific time for the interview. The interviews are typically booked within five to 10-minute windows. The interview, typically from one to 10 minutes, takes place within the window and the hit time is the on-the-spot time that the interview is scheduled to start.

To organize all of the information, the specialist uses a tour production grid which is shared with the client, the talent or person being interviewed and the production staff. The grid is the Bible, plan, part and parcel for the tour production team.

A typical grid contains the following:

1. Number of windows (6:00-6:10, i.e. 6 a.m.-9 a.m. with 5 to 10-minute windows
2. Hit time (6:03)
3. Segment length (i.e. 2-2.5 minutes)
4. Station name, location and affiliation
5. Anchor, host, reporter or talent name(s)
6. IFB # (more on the technical stuff later)
7. Control room number
8. Producer's name, phone and email
9. A back up phone number
10. Key information about the station, producer, talent, etc.
11. Address to send b-roll (Beta or DVD) before the tour

Media tours get out a specific and news worthy message to millions and can target a key audience!

Check out posts on the recent SMT for the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 with Buzz Aldrin at Kennedy Space Center.

For more about producing a tour, pitching and booking your tour or to discuss your next Satellite Media Tour, contact me at 407-341-9866 or mmonte@hotmail.com.

SMT: Buzz Aldrin KARE11 Minneapolis

Aldrin reflects on 'Moon Landing' 40 years later

kare11.com Twin Cities, MN Aldrin reflects on 'Moon Landing' 40 years later

SMT: Buzz Aldrin and Boston WCVB

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin recalls historic moon landing.

Col. Aldrin paints a beautiful picture about standing alone on the platform of the Saturn V rocket as he waited to board that July 16, 1969 morning.

SMT: Buzz Aldrin and CTV.ca

Aldrin recalls moon mission on 40th anniversary

Updated Thursday, July 16, 2009 10:07 AM ET (Transcript of Media Tour-video not available) CTV.ca News Staff

Buzz Aldrin, an astronaut on Apollo 11, speaks on CTV's Canada AM from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Thursday, July 16, 2009.


They dreamed of conquering new frontiers, and 40 years ago today they made it happen. On July 16, 1969 the crew of Apollo 11 blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the historic quest to be the first men on the moon.

"Twelve, eleven, ten, nine -- ignition sequence start -- six, five, four, three, two, one, zero, all engines running -- liftoff, we have a liftoff, 32 minutes past the hour, liftoff on Apollo 11."
And with that, as the world watched on, a bold new era of space exploration began.
Aboard Apollo 11 were the men who would make history: Mission Commander Neil Alden Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin Eugene 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr. Four days later, on 20 July, Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon.

Looking back on that day four decades ago, Aldrin called it an "enlightened experience."
On CTV's Canada AM on Thursday, Aldrin described his wonderment at landing on the moon.
"I was looking out at lifeless scenery in front of me, no colour at all, shades of gray, black sky, no stars visible, and I just thought, this place hasn't changed in 100,000 years. And I used the words 'magnificent desolation,'" he recalled.

And he marvelled at what it took to get there. "I think of what a magnificent achievement it was for humanity to be able to progress to the point where we could fly airplanes, and then hop inside a rocket, a spacecraft and take creatures from the Earth and land them on the moon," Aldrin said.

The veteran astronaut was not only looking back, but also forward to the next journey into space -- to Mars.

"It may take us two decades, or a little bit more, to chart and fulfill an exciting, achieving pathway to the moon of Mars, Phoebus, prepare the surface of Mars for human settlers there for a growing permanence. I think it's an inspiring time, and we need to be optimistic."

In 1963, Aldrin was picked to join the select corps of early U.S. astronauts, and six years later he set a record -- now broken -- for the longest space walk by spending five and a half hours outside the spacecraft during the Gemini 12 orbital mission.

He was the back-up command module pilot on Apollo 8, man's first flight around the moon, and on July 20, 1969 he made the historic moon walk with Armstrong.

After retiring from NASA, the Air Force and from his position as commander of the test pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base, Aldrin remained a strong advocate of space exploration.
A crater on the moon, near the Apollo 11 landing site is named in his honour.

SMT: Buzz Aldrin and MyFoxDC

WASHINGTON - Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. spoke with FOX 5 News about his memories of Apollo 11 and about the 40th Anniversary of the launch.

LISTEN to the audio of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11_landing/

SMT: Buzz Aldrin interview with CBS News

Unplugged: Buzz Aldrin Promotes Mission to Mars
Interview with Bob Orr

July 16, 2009


Watch CBS Videos Online

The second man to step foot on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, took some time away from celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11's mission to explain his ambitions for space exploration on "Washington Unplugged."

"It is time to move on back into exploration. And I think now, with the new administration we are wisely re-evaluating the path," Aldrin told moderator Bob Orr.

Aldrin told Orr that he never felt like a hero during his 1969 mission rather "we felt like very fortunate people being given the opportunity to be responsible, alert and to carry out our task...enjoying what we were doing but also paying very close attention to our once in a lifetime opportunity that just came along."

The Satellite Media Tour was pitched and produced by WOW! for Kennedy Space Center at the Saturn V Center.

SMT: Buzz Aldrin and Good Day Atlanta

July 16, 2009

Buzz Aldrin Satellite Media Tour from the Saturn V Center at Kennedy Space Center for Kennedy Space Center. Pitched and produced by WOW! Interview time 4:21.

Online: Are you distinct or extinct?

The brand of Google. It began by being known as a search engine and a noun...www.Google.com. Then Google became a verb as in..."Have you Googled yourself?" or "Be sure to Google that new job applicant." or "When going on a blind date, be sure to Google them."

Have you Googled yourself lately?

Are you distinct or extinct?

Using Google in this way is fun and interesting, but it also is a way to proactively learn about online identity. Experts say online identity affects professionals in many ways, both positively and negatively and in the world of online communications, if you don't show up in Google, you don't exist. When applying for a new job, being considered for a board position or going on a date, you can count on being Googled. Knowing what Google says about you and proactively managing your name or company online can be a critical step on the road to success.

According to Reach Communications, the company that developed a free tool to measure your distinctiveness online, "In the new world of work, your online profile plays a critical role in your ability to achieve your professional goals. Until now, there has been no way of evaluating the strength of your online personal brand."

Over 44,572 people have tried this application. Now, I am one more! It took about five minutes and my score shows that I am "Digitally Distinct." Well, I do spend a "certain" amount of time utilizing the World Wide Web.

Google results can change fast so, regularly monitoring an online identity is a must! If something negative, such as an anonymous character attack on a blog or forum pops up, it can be quickly addressed!

Click on the button above and discover your level of distinction. And heck, it is free to use!

Then, if you are less than digitally distinct or find something that is negative, contact me to to create a plan to bump up your brand or bump out negativity. It may mean the world to understand, monitor and make sense of your online identity.

Social Media: Buzz Goes Viral

Who "woulda" guessed this...back then...or even yesterday?

...In the Summer of 1969, Buzz Aldren flew to the moon.

...In the Summer of 2009 Buzz Aldrin flies across the World Wide Web.

Check out Buzz Aldrin's new song "Rocket Experience". A portion of the proceeds from the song sales of Rocket Experience will go to ShareSpace Foundation, to further benefit and support the work of the National Space Society, the Planetary Society and the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To learn more about Buzz, go to http://buzzaldrin.com/

Buzz Aldrin's Rocket Experience from Buzz Aldrin

I think both experiences qualify as "a giant leap for mankind."

Are you taking the social media leap seriously? It really can be fun!

For a campaign that's out of this world...I am your Houston. Contact me to launch your rocket experience that will fly across the World Wide Web faster than the speed of sound.

Social Media: twitter making you twhurl?

tweet, tweet, twitter aps are twsweet!

Twry twese twerfic twools twoo twake twitter twork twetter twor twyou.

Tweetr - This applications allows you to share files up to 10MB via Twitter. Tweetr will upload your file and covert it to a short URL. One other feature of Tweetr is that you can use your webcam to share images with your followers.
Twellow - In short, a yellow pages for Twitter users. This directory service enables you to easily search, find and follow people that interest you most. Registration is free.
Twitalyzer - Use this application to evaluate your impact and success of your Twitter activity. This tool measures your clout, generosity, influence, velocity and signal to noise ratios.
Twitter Job Search - Looking for work? This app searches and sorts available job positions discussed on Twitter. You can browse the jobs by category or use their helpful map of jobs tweeted within the last 72 hours.
Tweetmeme - This site tracks the most popular links found on Twitter. Search the business category for the most recent news and trends for your industry.
Topify - Give your Twitter email notifications more power. When Twitter emails you that you have a new follower, Topify provides you with all the important info you need without having to visit the person’s profile. Quickly see their stats, follow back by replying to the email, or send a direct message via the email.
Tweetake - Use this application to back-up your list of Twitter followers, the people you are following and all of your Tweets. You never know when Twitter may crash, so save yourself the headache by making sure you’ve backed up all of your contacts.
Tweetstats - Convert all of your Twitter activity stats in an easy to evaluate graphs. Quickly see how often you’ve tweeted, who you’ve re-tweeted, and who’s Tweets you’ve replied to.
Tweetlater - The free version of this application enables you to schedule Tweets, track keywords, send direct messages and much, much more. Saves valuable time and boosts productivity.
Tweefind - This Twitter search engine returns results based on rank, resulting in the most relevant results and users first.
Twiturm - Do you have musical aspirations? Share the music you create by uploading your MP3 files and turn them into a Tweet to promote your creations.
Twitzap - Find the stuff on Twitter that matters the most to you. Twitzap lets you divide info into channels which are then updated in real-time.
FollowWatch - FollowWatch simply watches your followers. You will receive hourly alerts of followers that you have lost or gained.
TwitterMass - TwitterMass consists of a whole suite of tools to help you grow your Twitter network. See the site for the numerous features available with this app.
Tweetbrain - This crowdsourcing app lets you pick the brains of fellow Twitterers. Post your questions and/or answers and build relationships while exchanging knowledge and info.
Qwitter - Monitor who quits following you with this app. You will receive an email notification whenever anyone stops following you.
Twazzup - Search topics and discover real-time Tweets, related photos and the most popular links. You can reply and retweet directly from Twazzup.
Twist - Search trends discussed on Twitter by topic. You can compare topics, view the most recent tweets and see what topics are “Hot Now”.
Twuffer - Keep on top of your Twitter activity by scheduling your Tweets in advance.
Twisten.FM - This app in real-time lets you explore and listen to all of the music Tweeted about on Twitter.
Twitterific - This iPhone application makes reading and updating your Tweets a breeze. If you want to learn more about the features, they have short video “Tweetorials” on the site. Twitterific is also available for Mac users.
TwitterContd - Need more than 140 characters to finish your Twitter thoughts? TwitterContd gives you 1250! Post your Tweet, shorten a URL and upload images, video or audio files in one easy step.
CalendarTweet - Tag, share and promote your business events with this handy application.
TweetPhoto - This is a photosharing app that can upload photos by email, mobile or web. You can also publish photos directly to Facebook. You’ll be able to track who’s viewing your photos, favorite other people’s photos, moderate comments and more.
Twitteranalyzer - Analyze your Twitter account activity in depth. You can look through your stats in detail along with the stats of your friends. This app is deceiving from the home page. You really need to put in your account name to get the full effect of what’s provided with this app.
TwitterGrader - See how your Twitter activity measures up.
yFrog - Easily promote your products or services by uploading and sharing images and videos with this simple application.
FileTwt - Quickly and easily upload and Tweet your files with FileTwt. You can share files up to 20MB.
TinySong - Share songs with this application. TinySong creates links for you to easily share with your friends.
TweetMic - This iPhone application helps you publish audio to Twitter. Great way to connect with clients and customers.
Twiggit - The name of this app results when Twitter and Digg meet. Let your followers know which articles you Digg with this automated service. When you Digg an article, Twiggit will automatically update your status with the link.
Twitter Toolbar - Downloading this free toolbar gives you instant access to Twitter. You can use the toolbar to access online Twitter tools, check your Twitter stats, post your updates and more. Versions are available for both Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Twitoria - This simple application lets you quickly find out which of your followers has not been actively tweeting. Easily sort through your network of followers and purge the inactive users.
Monitter - Get a live streaming view at what Twitter users in your location are saying about you or your small business. Simply insert keywords you would like to search for and the surrounding area you would liked monitored.
Bubble Tweet - This unique application lets you post a short video message that pops up on your Twitter profile in a bubble shaped player. You can personally introduce yourself and/or your business to anyone who visits your profile.
Twitter Gallery - A collection of free backround themes for your Twitter account. You can use the one click installation or manually install them yourself. Lots of nice designs and colors to choose from.
Tweepler - Simplify the way you manage your Twitter followers. Tweepler enables you to easily sort through new followers and accept them or ignore them on one simple screen. They have made accepting followers easier by giving the Tweepler user the followers stats and last 3 tweets in one screen view. This will save you time by eliminating the need to visit each individual follower’s profiles.
Twit This - Allow visitors to your blog or website to easily post Twitter messages about you or your business. Post the TwitThis button to your website or blog pages with the instructions and coding provided on their site.
StockTwits - Follow and join into conversations with traders and investors. An active community of investors are sharing their views on current market conditions and recent news happenings. You can quickly see what others are saying about investments in your portfolio.
HelloTxt - Update your status to several social networking sites in one simple step. You can choose from over 35 social sites to post to including Twitter.
TwitterFox - This Firefox extension is one of my personal favorites. You can post Twitter updates without visiting the Twitter site each time. A small icon is added to the bottom of your Firefox status bar. The icon opens to reveal your friend’s most current updates. You can add your updates from that dialog box, even for multiple Twitter accounts.
Future Tweets - Do you have something to promote on Twitter tomorrow but are afraid of forgetting to do it? With FutureTweets, you can schedule your tweet ahead of time for a specific date and time. Even schedule reoccuring tweets to post daily, monthly, even yearly.
TwitPic - Share your favorite pictures on Twitter. This would be a good way to introduce your new product to your network of followers.
twtQpon - Create exclusive coupons for your business services or products and share them with your Twitter followers.
Tweetburner - This site is designed to help you track your tweets. With Tweetburner you can shorten URLs and track the clicks your tweets accumulate.
Tweetbeep - Just like Google Alerts, Tweetbeep tracks Twitter conversations that mention you, your business or your products and services. Alerts are sent to you via email.
Twitter Counter - Proudly display the number of Twitter followers on your business blog or website. Add the badge to your site and invite customers to follow you on Twitter.
Group Tweet - This app enables all employees within your company to post updates which can be privately viewed only by your group of approved members.
Twitter Safe - This free service protects your years of hard work building your community of followers. This one click backup will restore your network of followers in the event that your list is compromised.
Twitxr - Post product pictures and updates from your mobile phone directly to Twitter.
Track This - This app enables tracking of any UPS, USPS, FedEx or DHL shipment. Updates are sent to your Twitter account direct messages whenever your package changes location.
CoTweet - CoTweet lets your company manage one Twitter account while allowing several employees to contribute. Each person maintains their own identity and their activity can be monitored.
Tweet Later - This one application contains several Twitter productivity tools. You can track keywords, track replies, schedule tweets, send welcome direct messages, and much more.
Splitweet - Managing and updating multiple Twitter accounts is easily done from one screen. Choose to send updates to one or all accounts in one step. You can also follow your brand with notification when your company is mentioned on Twitter.
Twimailer - Sign up to receive more extensive email notifications when your account obtains new followers. Instead of the generic Twitter email notification; the email contains the followers location, followers stats and their most recent tweets. At the bottom of the email, you can choose to follow the individual without even visiting Twitter.
Digsby - Keep track of everything your followers are doing at all times. The Digsby box display gives you a real time view into your Twitter account right from your browser.
HootSuite - Easily manage multiple Twitter profiles, pre-schedule tweets and measure your progress. You can even add multiple editors to your business profile.
TwitterHawk - This marketing app helps you connect with consumers in your area and related to the keywords you choose. TwitterHawk will send Twitter users your custom response when they tweet your keyword in locations that you specify. Say you sell shoes and you want your response to reach anyone within a 20 mile radius of your business. When someone 7 miles away tweets about shoes, your response will automatically be sent to that person.

twonfused?
Try a couple of them for fun and you will be hooked. I love tweetdeck!

Email, call or tweet me at http://twitter.com/MonteMartin if you'd like to know more info about how twitter can twork for you!

Measuring Media: Feedburner

Can't cook?
Don't Panic!

Feedburner has nothing to do with overcooking a meal.
If you are not a chef in the kitchen, you CAN certainly cook better online with feedburner.

Feeds are ways that online content is distributed to a broader audience than to just one online user or reader. They kind of work like customized subscriptions to online info...and the info is automatically delivered to your refrigerator, then table and can either consumed or thrown out...errrr...delivered to your news reader, email or web portal.

With the growing use of "crackberries," content can also be delivered through "widgets," "gadgets," mobile devices, and posted to other blogs, websites podcasts, and news/sports/weather/outlets to anywhere to be read, heard or viewed by other users.

Who feeds?
Internet content feeds for most major news media such as CNN, ESPN, USA TODAY, ABC News, Washington Post, AP, Reuters, PBS, etc.;
Anything that is a news item and appears in Google News from local papers to congressional staffers to favorite magazines;
Hundreds of thousands of bloggers, podcasters, and videobloggers; and
Apple's iTunes offers mucic and podcast downloads.

There are literally more than 2,000 different feed reading applications, aka "news aggregators."

Here are some of the more popular ones:

NewsGator - Inbox for Microsoft Outlook(Windows)

NewsGator - FeedDemon 2.0(Windows)

Firefox(via "Live Bookmarks" feature)

Safari(feed support in the Apple OS X native browser)

Google Reader (My personal favorite and I have it post in an application on my igoogle page for easy updates)

NewsGator(Online)

My Yahoo!

Bloglines

Pageflakes

Netvibes

Botbox (paid service)

Confused about what to shop for? It is a bit abstract, but once you have the right recipe, you will be serving a customize feast that is what you want to know about, listen to or view.

For more info...contact me to learn more about where to shop and to get the perfect list!