In 2011, it is not surprising to find that there are millions of people who have fallen deeply in love with the iPad and other technologies that are in the works. It’s lightweight and sleek design, coupled with seemingly endless possibilities, make it the perfect life companion for both business and pleasure. I use my iPad all the time to jot down my thoughts, read, and to take advantage of its many other useful features. To tell you the truth, it was pretty difficult to pick just five apps to showcase for this post, but here are the five iPad apps I could not live without:

 

1) Instapaper

 

 

Nobody likes missing out on a good read. How many times have you come across an interesting article online when you’re busy with something else and have no time to read it? Sure you can bookmark the page, but I can almost guarantee that you will never go back and peruse through your bookmarks. Why? Because we are human, things come up, and when we finally find time to cuddle up with some words, we are generally not at the computer. We are in a park, we are on public transit, or we are somewhere other than our desk. So how does Instapaper differ from a traditional bookmark tool? Essentially, by installing the handy “Read Later” button in the Internet browser on your computer, iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, you can add articles to your Instapaper account. This compilation of articles is now ready to be read offline, so you can enjoy articles when spare time arises whilst you are nowhere near an Internet connection. After being turned on to this app, my iPad is now filled with interesting articles that range in length from a short wait at a bus stop to a multi-hour road trip.

 

2) HootSuite

 

 

As a social media marketing and public relations company, we are very picky when it comes to choosing tools to use with our social media initiatives. One of our can’t-live-without tools is HootSuite, which happens to have an incredible iPad app too! HootSuite gives you the ability to manage multiple social media accounts and platforms, from one easy-to-navigate interface. This app also has a great Facebook interface, which is a huge plus as a Facebook app for iPad has not been released from Apple yet. HootSuite has a strong customer service and support team on Twitter called HootSuite Helpers, making this a great app for anyone who is new to social media and hoping to synch all their online efforts.

 

3) Mint

 

 

This app is the perfect compliment to Mint.com, a free financial software tool that compiles all your accounts in one place. I don’t know about you, but each of my savings, chequings, and credit card accounts has a different login page, making it impossible to see them together and figure out how much I’m spending each month. The Mint app makes it possible to monitor your checking and credit card transactions, monthly budget, cash flow and investment balances at the same time. Don’t worry, it’s totally secure. Mint requires a security access code which protects your personal information should you misplace your iPad. Once within the app, you have a detailed list of all the transactions that have occurred in any of your accounts, as well as your current balances. It also gives you the capability to add new accounts or hide others that you do not use often. Along with balances, the app lets you implement a budget to track how much spending money you have left for the month and where you’ve been spending it. Lastly, Mint can monitor investment totals for the month making it a truly “jack of all trades” financial app.

 

4) Flipboard

 

 

If you subscribe to or visit multiple RSS feeds, news, and social media sites, this is a beautiful app just for you. Flipboard allows you to create your own aesthetically pleasing browsing experience by compiling all of your frequently visited sites into one gorgeous publication. Every Flipboard is different, depending on the iPad user. Some are laden with world news, some saturated with sports, but the majority are like mine with a little bit of everything. Here, reading tweets, Facebook feeds, and daily headlines is a quick, easy, and most importantly, an enjoyable experience.

 

5) Freebies

 

 

As a student, it’s not surprising that saving money is one of my favourite things. Freebies is a wonderful app, updated daily, that provides an exhaustive list of all the apps on the Apple store that are available for free. This list includes all the apps that are always free, and better yet, it lets you know when the paid apps go from paid to no cost for any given reason. Sometimes this will be a permanent change, but more often than not apps will be offered for free for a limited time. I’ve only had Freebies for a couple of weeks and have already snagged an app that regularly retails for $29.99 so it is well worth the download! By regularly checking Freebies, you’re guaranteed to be one of the lucky users to take advantage of these limited time promotions.

 

As you can see, my five favourite apps have a trend: compilation. By bringing things together in one, efficient place, these apps save you time and provide a user experience that is ten times better! Please give these apps a try and let me know what you think or of any other apps I should look into!

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

 

Public relations is nothing short of an essential part of business; people’s perception of your company can make or break you. A successful press release is worth it’s weight in gold, which is why it is imperative to know how to deliver one flawlessly. Nowadays press releases must appeal to three separate but key audiences: journalists, bloggers and consumers. In a time where we’re expected to express ourselves in 140 characters or less within social media, being able to write one clearly and efficiently is now more important than ever.

 

Given the continuing rise of social networks, I’ve taken some great points from Lou Dubois’ article from Inc. Magazine and Michael Perulli’s tips from Marketwire.com to help you write clear, concise and social media press releases.

 

So what exactly is a social media press release anyway? One key notion to keep in mind is the fact that press releases must have optimum information, using as little words as possible and they must also be timely. As Lou says, “if your audience doesn’t find the content informative, useful or helpful, it doesn’t matter how hard you try or what the format is—you simply will not succeed.”

 

Without further ado, here are ten must haves when it comes to writing a social media press release:

 

1) Know Your Audience

 

Knowing who you are targeting has a major impact on the language that is used and other stylistic aspects of your social media press release. Whenever I’m preparing one, I always do a bit of research on my target audience before I even begin writing. For example, if you are targeting the mommy crowd, be caught up on the latest issues and trends that interest today’s moms.

 

2) Research Demographics and Track ROI

 

Use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool to choose relevant keywords that will help boost your article’s SERP and effectively increase the chance of your article being passed around in social networks. It is a great tool that is offered free of charge and has been very helpful in my experience on the net.

 

3) You Get What You Give

 

As much as a press release seems like the perfect way to increase sales, setting out to simply write about your product is not the way to go. It is important to come up with innovative ways to integrate your good into a social media release which will garner long term customer loyalty. An example would be to teach readers about a process which requires your product: if you sell ovens, send out a great new recipe that your readers will enjoy or if you sell shampoo, offer a “how to” article on an up-do that would be fabulous for the summer. I know that I am much more likely to read an article that wants to teach me something and enrich my life with a new skill than a role call of an upcoming fall product line.

 

4) Keep Your Readers’ Best Interest at Heart

 

This simply means that though it is important to rank high in terms of Search Engine Optimization, creating a social media press release that is user-friendly and enjoyable for your audience should always come first. Readers, just like you and I, want to feel special and that articles are written with our interest in mind.

 

5) Use Multimedia

 

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and by integrating them along with videos and other multimedia in your press releases you will be able to increase reader engagement. The likelihood of me passing on an article to my friends increases significantly when there are visually appealing aspects included.

 

6) An Intriguing Title

 

Your headline is the first point of contact with your audience, so be sure it sparks readers’ interests and encourages them to read on. If I saw an article named “Our Company’s New Fall Fertilizer Collection” I wouldn’t waste another second of my time on it, and neither would you.

 

7) A Brief Overview

 

It is best to keep the overview under two paragraphs to keep readers engaged. Be concise and thoughtful.

 

8 ) Informative Content

 

This is the body of a social media press release where you should get to the point you set off to make. Spread the news, and be sure to include answers to the who, what, when, where and why of your story. I find that if you at least provide the answers to the five Ws with great links, there is ample opportunity for readers to easily find further information.

 

9) Use Numbers!

 

Quantitative figures always bring a sense of authenticity to a piece, making it all the more important to include statistical data in your releases. I’ve also noticed that if you find the right numbers, they can add a shock value to your work which can increase readership and the likelihood of your article being shared across social media platforms.

 

10) Include Who You Are and How to Reach You

 

In my opinion, this is the most important part of a social media press release. It is essential to include information about your company at the end of any aticle, including links to your social media presences. Not only does it provide a means for readers to further research your company or contact you, it also encourages them to follow you on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook. Social plug ins that enable readers to share your press release are also great tools to help spread the word.

 

There you have it, ten ways to help you successfully create your very own social media press releases. We’d love to see what you come up with in our comment section.

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

 

Our computers are small, our phones are smart and it can feel like a bit of a rat race trying to keep up with what’s coming next. So let us help you. Here are five interesting technological trends that we believe are attention worthy. Take a read and let us know what you think.

 

1. NFC

 

NFC, or near field communication, is a variety of wireless technologies that require a close proximity (4 cm or less) to the content they are interacting with. It can be compared to Bluetooth, though NFC requires less power and does not need to be paired with another device.

 

NFC technology can be used in numerous different contexts. It opens up the possibilities for scan and pay options through encrypted digital wallets which are already set to hit Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank and TD in the fall. A feature of the wallets to launch later this year is ‘click-to-buy,’ where only an ID and password are required in online transactions as opposed to having to fill out your entire address, credit card number, and other information. For those of you transit lovers, NFC has already been integrated into mobile ticketing for transit in South Africa, Europe, Asia and the US making it very likely it will be used in Canada within the next few years. From a marketing standpoint, this technology is filled with opportunities for interacting with consumers through smart posters, social media, special discounts and other promotional offers.

 

 

2. AnatOnMe

 

Sci-fi lovers, this one’s for you. Microsoft has come up with a beautifully named device, AnatOnMe, that can show patients what is going on inside their body by projecting it on their skin. The handheld system consists of a projector, digital camera, infrared camera as well as a laser pointer that enables doctors to ‘bring to light’ what is going on and the impact it is having on the body. This device was designed to help improve the communication between doctor and patient and to reduce medical non-compliance (i.e. people choosing to not take medication prescribed from their doctors or failing to complete exercises from their physiotherapists.) This might just prove that a picture really is worth a thousand words.

 

See AnatOnMe in action here.

 

3. Video Resumes

 

Let’s be honest; finding a job is not getting any easier. In fact, getting an interview these days is not exactly a walk in the park either. Many people have tried to differentiate themselves by doing things like printing their resumes on coloured paper, using social media; anything that helps them survive the stack of applications that result from a Craigslist posting and lands them a chance to sell themselves to a potential employer. Enter video resumes.

 

 

Some creative job applicants out there have decided to construct cinematographic depictions of their qualifications and skills. Here are some examples of our favourites:

 

QR Code Content-Rich Resume – Victor Petit

 

“Hire Me” – Alec Biedrzycki

 

4. ThoughtFarmer

 

Instead of staring at the same boring email client to communicate with coworkers, many businesses are beginning to seek out innovations like ThoughtFarmer, a social intranet that brings a social element to traditional workplace software. ThoughtFarmer uses things like wikis, blogs, and social sharing to encourage a more collaborative workplace. Businesses like eHarmony, Continuum and MEC say this tool has helped them more effectively engage employees, improve employee communication and boost productivity.

 

 

See ThoughtFarmer in action here.

 

5. AMOLED

 

Mobile phones have become a staple in modern day life. We can’t leave the house without them, we’re expected to answer them and many of us are on a never-ending pursuit of the newest phone. For those of us who consistently drop our phones, upgrades are sometimes required due to things like a cracked screen, or other height-inflicted injuries, which can become quite costly.

 

This is where AMOLED (active-matrix OLED) comes in, a display technology that enables users to fold the screens on their mobile gadgets. It is lightweight, portable, and has been proven to evade creases after 100,00 folding cycles, making it a top contender in future screen technology for cell phones, tablets and televisions.

 

 

There you have it folks, five technologies to look out for in the future! Let us know if any of these sound life changing to you and join our conversation here.

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

Our favourite preschool show Tiga Talk is holding a contest that we think you should know about!

 

There is a brand new iPod touch up for grabs as well as other bi-weekly Tiga Talk prize packs. In order to win one of these fab prizes, all you need to do is use social media with flare: share Tiga Talk with your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, your blog, or through a YouTube video!

 

If you aren’t yet familiar, Tiga Talk is a sweet show for preschoolers that airs on APTN accompanied by a highly acclaimed iPhone app that helps children learn to speak. What’s not to love?

 

Prizes will be chosen every second Friday (including tomorrow, May 20th) until August 31st, 2011 so don’t delay! Keep in mind that you can enter once a day, as many times as you want throughout the summer so keep those entries coming and good luck!

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

 

Hello. My name is Mercedes Book and I’m super excited to join the gals at The Social Agency!
 
I’m pursuing a joint major in Business and Communications at SFU, and I’m three quarters of the way through my degree (at least that’s what I tell my parents). I’m an avid foodie, animal lover and have played hockey for ten years. I love the sport and will never be able to get enough. I am also an avid user of Facebook and Twitter, and I think that the Vancouver social media scene is incredible.

 

At school, I am a member of a group called SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Simon Fraser. We like to help people. Being around other passionate individuals has inspired me and really helped me grow as a person this past year.

 

The Social Agency shares a lot of common traits with SIFE, which is just one of the reasons I wanted to work here. They care about their clients and take on projects that they can get behind, and I couldn’t agree more with that mindset.

 

Find me on Twitter (@mercedesbook) or shoot me an email at mercedes@thesocialagency.ca. I love connecting with new people!

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

Yep, you read that correctly. We’ve just launched a public awareness campaign for Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health to promote the use of meat and fridge thermometers. So that’s why we’re talking about turning up the heat these days.

The campaign features Theo Thermometer, a super hero (and stay-at-home dad) who is devoted to properly cooked meat and refrigerators that are set to the right temperature.  Theo resides at www.RUHotEnuf.ca, the fun and beautifully designed site from the exceptionally talented folks at Pound & Grain.  The campaign also features a suggestive (yes, meat thermometers can be racy) online quiz created by the game gurus at Ayogo. Last, but certainly not least, the campaign includes two online video PSAs starring White Spot executive chef Chuck Currie that were produced by the very awesome Jenn Strom). You can watch them here and here.

Other campaign partners include: BC Dairy Foundation, BC Chicken Marketing Board, BC Centre for Disease Control and EatSmartBC.

We’ve had so much fun working on this campaign. Hope you’ll check it out! Be sure to let us know if you were indeed hot enough…

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

We’d like to draw your attention to a provocative event series called Charity Matters, that brings together world-leading experts to discuss the most current issues in charity: its role in religion, politics, the law, culture and daily life.

If you’re interested in China, the mega nation with the biggest- yet least defined- role to play on the world stage you won’t want to miss the next Charity Matters public lecture entitled:

What the religious revival means for democracy in China

On Tuesday February 15^th at District 319 in Vancouver, internationally acclaimed scholar, Asian studies expert, and Pulitzer Prize nominee Dr. Richard Madsen will explore this topic, lecture-style.

For more information, visit: http://charitymatterslecture.eventbrite.com/

Event updates: @benefic

Enthusiastic conversation on FB

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

Have you heard?  The Intranet has gone social!  The Social Agency is excited to be working with the fine folks at ThoughtFarmer on the inaugural Social Intranet Summit.  

Taking place October 28th at the new (and still shiny) Vancouver Convention Centre, the Social Intranet Summit will focus on driving business value with social intranets. Microsoft SharePoint, the most common intranet platform, will be given special attention. The Summit will be preceded by a full-day Workshop focused on the practicalities of designing, building, launching and improving a social intranet.

Conference speakers include:
Dion Hinchcliffe, Enterprise 2.0 blogger for ZDNet and Senior Vice President for Enterprise 2.0 consulting powerhouse Dachis Group and Stewart Mader, noted wiki expert and author of “WikiPatterns”

For the full agenda and complete speaker list, see the conference website.

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!

 

The Social Agency is really excited to be part of Vancouver’s newest cross-media event!

Merging+Media 2010

// Where Media Makers Converge
// October 28-29, 2010
// Woodwards Complex, Vancouver

Merging+Media features two days of top-notch case studies, discussions on cross-platform business strategies, trends and best practices in cross-media production, the latest cutting edge technology and networking opportunities to form cross-media partnerships.

Produced by the Merging Media Productions Inc, in partnership with the Canadian Media Production Association (formerly CFTPA-BC), this is the first event of its kind in Vancouver, bringing together some of the world’s most noted cross-media experts to showcase the latest trends and technologies in this space. This event features an expert-lead masterclass as well as a full day of idea-rich conference sessions.

Merging+Media’s speaker line-up includes:

Robert Tercek, former President of Digital Media, The Oprah Winfrey Network [LA]
Anita Ondine, CEO, Seize the Media [NY/UK]
Darcy Jouan, CEO, Slam Internet [LA]
Caitlin Burns, Transmedia Producer & Editorial Lead, Starlight Runner Entertainment [NY]
Sibley Verbeck, Founder, Electric Sheep Company [SFO]
…plus many more!

For more information or to register, visit: mergingmedia.ca

 

The Social Agency is a social media marketing and public relations company based in Vancouver, BC. We take the “why” out of “why social media” and the “what” out of “what is pr” by providing our clients with top-notch Vancouver internet marketing services. Let us get people talking about your next big thing!