The brochure we designed for Cody Camps has finally been printed, and it looks spectacular! These pictures don't really do it justice, but scroll down for a link to the PDF version.
You can download a PDF copy of the Cody brochure or visit the Cody website, also designed by 829 Studios.
As you've probably seen throughout the Internet, those Facebook 'Like' and 'Share' buttons are quickly becoming an ubiquitous feature on many blogs and websites. Many of our clients have asked us the difference between the 'like' and 'share' buttons, and, which one they should implement into their website. Moreover, they want to know which one will ultimately drive the most qualified leads and business. Our answer: they're so easy to integrate, you need to try both.
When a user clicks the Facebook 'Share' button on a website, a 'Post to Profile' window appears to confirm the action. The unique element of this window is that it not only attaches the item that is to be shared, but it provides an open text box allowing the user to explain why they've shared it. That open text box is the primary difference between 'Share' and 'Like,' and can play a major role in adding (or detracting) value from the item being shared.
When a user 'Shares' an item, it appears on their Facebook Wall and is broadcasted to all of their friends via the Facebook News Feed. This distribution is what makes the 'Share' button so powerful. Let's say a user shares a link to a new restaurant that just opened nearby. If they type a positive response in the open text field (for example: "This restaurant has the greatest hamburger in town!"), their friends may be inclined to visit the restaurant and try the food for themselves. If they type a negative response ("This was the worst meal of my life - greasy food and bad service"), the mass distribution of the comment may significantly hurt that restaurant's business.
The Facebook 'Like' button is a bit more straight-forward than the 'Share' button. If a user clicks the 'Like' button, the content that they like is added to their profile page and Facebook News Feed, giving it the same distribution as the 'Share' button. But, without the potentially ominous open text box, it's a bit quicker and easier for users to 'Like' an item. And, users wouldn't have anything bad to say about an item they 'Like,' right?
Most social media analysts agree that the 'Like' button is a fun and easy way for people who aren't necessarily tech-savvy to participate in the social media realm. I have also read that 'Liking' is often a gateway to 'Sharing' - once users get a taste of distributing content, they tend to get addicted and more involved.
The Facebook 'Like' and 'Share' buttons are very easy for most developers to integrate into new and existing websites. The only trick is placing the buttons in a prominent place that will elicit user interaction.
Instructions for integrating the 'Like' button can be found here, and instructions for the 'Share' button can be found here.
'Liking' something is easier for users than 'Sharing' it, mainly because casual Internet surfers don't like to be burdened by the text box. But, sharing accompanied by a positive comment could potentially add more value to the webpage/product/video/etc. being shared.
There is growing speculation that the 'Like' and 'Share' buttons will have a significant impact on SEO - especially as Facebook gains more traction as a search portal. We will certainly be keeping an eye on this as more concrete evidence emerges.
Overall, we are strongly recommending that our clients integrate the 'Like' and 'Share' buttons as quickly as possible. I definitely agree with the speculation that they will have an SEO impact, and it's always better to be ahead of the curve.
If you'd like us to help with Facebook 'Like' and 'Share' button integration, or need some guidance on your overall social media strategy, shoot me an e-mail at nick [at] 829llc [dot] com (subject: Help%20with%20Facebook%20Integration) or call 617-933-9824.
829 Studios is hopping a Duck Boat from Brookline down to the Boston Common this fall! On September 1, we'll be moving our office to 75 Arlington Street in downtown Boston.
Our new location offers incredibly convenient transportation options (we're just 1 block from the Arlington Green Line stop) and a ton of cool amenities. We'll have an amazing new conference room and reception area, making client meetings a lot easier.
We'll post some pictures once we move in on September 1 - and make sure to become a fan on Facebook so we can invite you to the office warming party!
A few months ago we met with several Deans at Boston University to discuss an iPhone app for students, staff, and alumni. In typical BU fashion, we got the run-around to several different departments before ultimately discovering that their in-house IT team was developing their own app. But, I'm still pretty happy with how our UI came out. Here are a few UI screenshots from the proposal:
In simple terms, strategic planning is the process of developing an organization-wide strategy that can be executed over the course of a long period of time (usually between one and five years). A strategic plan reaches much further than a business or marketing plan; a business plan may focus only on a particular product or service, while a marketing plan may only focus on the promotion and sales of a business or product.
While there are dozens of strategic planning methodologies and philosophies, the following are the most common and general:
1. Goals-Based Strategic Planning
Defines goals that the organization will work to achieve, the strategies for achieving them, and who at the company is responsible for driving results.
2. Issues-Based Strategic Planning
Defines issues the company is facing (or is projected to face) and how the company will effectively address them.
3. Organic Strategic Planning
First determines the organization's core values, then defines an action plan for promoting them and developing a culture, products, and services around them.
Regardless of the strategic planning philosophy or methodology, execution is typically where many plans fall apart. Because a strategic plan is an inherently long-term exercise, it often takes a backseat to more immediate problems, projects, or tasks facing the organization.
RapidInfluence, a company that specializes in strategic plan implementation, recommends three steps to quickly implement a strategic plan:
1. Define an Initiative
Decide on an initiative (product launch, market exit strategy), describe it, add key start and completion dates, and define financial measures and expectations.
2. Group Key Elements
Group action items together so they can be easily shared and reviewed. Assign key items to particular teams or individuals.
3. Add the Action Items
Create a detailed list of the action items and tasks it will take to achieve the goals of the plan. Assign items to relevant people or teams, and measure progress at regularly scheduled intervals.
Strategic plan development and implementation are core competencies of our team at 829 Studios. Whether it's business planning, marketing, or online initiatives, please send us a message if we can help your organization effectively implement a strategic plan.