Hootsuite, for those that may not be familiar with it, is a free, kickass social networking web application that provides social media users with a way to send updates to their Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ping.FM and WordPress accounts with just one publish. However, while publishing to multiple social channels is certainly a wonderful perk, in my opinion, it is not what makes this application amazing. What makes Hootsuite so amazing is the suite of secondary tools that accompany one's free account - tools that make managing multiple social media channels across multiple client campaigns very easy to do.

What are some of these tools? Some of my favorite features include the ability to create personalized Twitter and Facebook streams for monitoring updates (created using columns like TweetDeck), the ability to create and then schedule tweets to be published in the future, the ability to track click-data and see how people are interacting with your messaging, and the ability to auto-publish using RSS feeds. For a complete list of other tools and features, I encourage you to visit the Hootsuite site.

I am proud user of Hootsuite, and have been for nearly a year now. Hootsuite is a platform that I highly recommend using if you're a person using Twitter or Facebook for marketing purposes - as a way to engage customers or build a bigger, better brand for yourself or your company. I personally use Hootsuite multiple times each and every day (including weekends) as an easy way to manage and maintain control over my personal social marketing initiatives, as well as those of my clients. Using Hootsuite will make your social marketing life so much easier.

With that being, as is the case with any tool, program, or application, there is always room for improvements; there is always something that can be tweaked or added that will greatly improve the overall user-experience. The following are 6 ideas and suggestions that I'd like to offer to the @Hootsuite team, as I believe these would make fine additions to an already superb product.

1. Automatic Private Message to New Followers
I would love the ability to send an automatic direct message (private message) to each new Twitter follower I receive. This feature would come in handy as I could create and automatically send semi-personalized messages to my new followers - something like "thanks for following me" or "I'm an Internet marketer and post on these topics". I could also use this option to engage them with direct marketing messaging. Currently, I have to enlist the services of a platform called SocialOomph to do this, but would much rather keep all my activity under one roof... the Hootsuite roof.

2. Allow for more than 10 RSS/Atom Feeds
Hootsuite has this amazing feature that allows users to link RSS feeds to their account and create custom messaging so that when an RSS feed is updated a tweet or update is automatically generated and published to selected social networks. This is a great tool for syndicating a company blog and/or an industry news site directly into one's twitter or Facebook stream.

However, the problem that I have with this feature is that Hootsuite limits users to only 10 feeds. Obviously, having an unlimited number of feeds is probably out of the question, but I strongly feel that 10 feeds is too limiting, especially when considering that their platform was built to help social marketers manage multiple campaigns at the same time. I would love to see Hootsuite extend this limit to something like 20 or 30 feeds per account. Currently, I am using TwitterFeed to manage my overflow of RSS messaging, but, as I previously said, I'd much rather keep such activity under one roof.

3. Provide a Post After or Post-fix Option for RSS/Atom Feeds
When customizing RSS syndication for your account, Hootsuite allows users to enter a 20 character prefix that will be added to each of their auto tweets/updates. What I'd like to see provided is an option that will allow users the ability to also add a 20 character post-fix to each tweet/update. This option is currently available with TwitterFeed, and I love using it. I use this feature to better customize my auto-messaging by appending a "call to action" or a closing statement to each of my RSS updates.

4. Create a Full Version iPhone App
Yes, Hootsuite has a downloadable iPhone app and yes it is extremely cool. The app syncs directly with the main web application, and provides users with the ability to manage their Hootsuite account via an iPhone. However, the problem that I have with the Hootsuite iPhone app and one I'd like to see addressed is that it is very limiting in that it only works with Twitter, and none of the other social networking channels the main platform works with. I'd gladly pay for a full version iPhone app - one that allowed me to access all my tabs and publish to multiple social networks - and I'm fairly certain many others would as well.

5. Side-ways Keyboard compatibility with iPhone
This would seem like a no-brainer, but for whatever reason Hootsuite doesn't utilize the iPhone's side-ways keyboard compatibility - where if the phone is turned on its side the keyboard and message area also turn and become wider. This feature would make it easier for fat-thumbed individuals, like myself, to enter updates.

6. Spreadsheet Upload for Future Tweets
One of the coolest features, if not the coolest, that Hootsuite offers is the ability to create tweets / updates and schedule them to be posted at any day and time in the future. This is great tool for say small businesses that wish to participate on social media channels like Twitter and Facebook, but are very limited in the amount of time they can allocate to doing so. Small business can create their Twitter and Facebook messaging when time allows, and schedule them to be posted during those times that aren't convenient to do so.

One addition to this great tool that I'd personally like to see made available is the ability to create and upload future tweets/updates via a spreadsheet. I currently use a spreadsheet now to manage my messaging (as I imagine most people do when planning social marketing campaigns using Twitter and Facebook), and it would be amazing if users had the option to simply upload their excel file directly to Hootsuite. This would eliminate having to copy and paste each update separately, which would make me and other users extremely happy.

What do you think? If you're a current Hootsuite user, which ideas and features do you have or want to see implemented?

Labels: social-marketing, tools

I've been using Google Voice for a few months now, and for the most part I am fairly pleased with the service.

Google Voice, for those that may not know, provides users with a phone number (new, free, and your choice) that you can use to tie in all of your phones. This means that you can give out one number to family, clients, and friends, and depending on your settings you could have all calls associated with that number transferred directly to your cell, office, home or any other phone you might own. In addition, Google voice offers some pretty neat features such as a digital voicemail box and the ability to transcribe voicemails to text and email.

As cool as the service is though; I do have 5 suggestions that I'd like to share in which I believe would make the service better.

Day-Parting Features
I think it would be really great if Google Voice had day-parting features. A day-parting feature would allow users the ability to outline basic rules for how they would like Google to handle their calls. For example, while I am home for most nights and weekends, I do put in 40+ hours of work a week at the office. It would be great if I could program Google Voice so that during those "work hours" it transfers all calls associated with my number to my "work phone". Additionally, I'd want Google to transfer calls to my cell, home phone, and my voicemail during other specific day and time slots. How awesome would that be!

Caller ID Rules
I may be on an island with this idea, but I think it would be fantastic if I could create individual rules for how Google is to handle calls from specific numbers. For example, I'd like to have all calls from those individuals on my "A" list (close friends and family) to be transferred directly to my cell. Meanwhile, I'd like to have all calls from those individuals on my "B" list (my bosses, co-workers, and clients – jokes) to be transferred directly to my digital voicemail. Lastly, I'd like to have all calls from those pesky people in my life who can't seem to take a hint to be transferred nowhere - let it ring on their end, and do not notify me of any missed calls.

Usage Analytics
I'd like to preface this idea by letting you all know that I am a person that is really big into tracking and analytics. With that said, I think it would be great if Google Voice featured a reporting section that shared basic usage stats such as the total number of calls your Google number has received, a breakdown of how those calls were transferred throughout your numbers, the average call time, and other basic stats.

Multiple Voicemail Messages
While this is a feature that is said to already be included with the Google Voice service, I have yet to discover exactly how to utilize it. In any event, I'd like to be able to create multiple voicemail messages that can be applied to specific groups of callers. For example, I'd like a custom message that only my friends would hear. In addition, I'd also like one created for my family, one for my clients, and one for others. I should probably consult a technician or a help file, but in the event this isn't a feature, it definitely should be.

Voice Translation
While this feature is very cool in theory, I believe that it still needs a little work as many of the voice messages that were transcribed for me were in fact way off. I originally thought this was a one time issue or a mumbling caller issue, but it seems to happen quite a bit.

Labels: tools

I've been playing around with new Wordtracker Keyword Tool for a couple of months now and would have to say that I'm quite impressed with its new look and functionality. In my opinion, this new version is 100 times better then previous models and its interface is easy to use and understand - which wasn't always the case with past keyword tools.

To fully understand my excitement for some of the new features I'm going to be talking about, you would have had to have used the previous keyword tool. Features that are often considered as standard amongst keyword research tools, weren't exactly made available on Wordtracker. It is for this reason that I am very excited to see so many new features being added to the tool, with future updates coming every day.

So what are some of these new features? The following is a list of 6 new updates that in my opinion have helped the new Wordtracker Keyword Tool to stand out from its predecessors:

1. Finding Keywords.
While the process for starting a new keyword research project hasn't changed all that much - you still need to enter "starter" keywords (as shown in my first image) - the number of search options that are now available to users has. Users are now given options to help them better deal with match types, misspellings, plurals, and adult related keywords all the while allowing each user the ability to determine the relevancy and complexity of their keyword research.

One other interesting new feature that pertains to how users find keywords is the way in which the research results are displayed. In the past, a list was generated to the side of your initial search and users would have to click on the keyword itself in order to add it to a compiled list (sort of like adding a product into a shopping cart). However, now a more complete list is generated according to the parameters set forth by the user and it features all the relevant keyword options at one time. Users can then "keep" or "discard" keywords at ease by selecting the associated check box next to the term.

2. Selecting / Deselecting Keywords Results.
As my previous picture highlights, users can now choose to keep or discard keywords by simply clicking on the check box associated with each search term. However, a new feature that really helps to sell this idea is the select / deselect keyword feature - basically a list of options that allow users to quickly manage their research results.

I personally enjoy being able to remove all non-relevant variations of keywords in one quick swoop. For instance, let's say your company sells pickles but not pickle recipes. To quickly remove "pickle recipe" keyword combinations from your list, simply type "recipe" in the box and click "Deselect". It's as easy as pie.

3. Integrating Google Counts for Each Keyword.
I'm really pleased that the Wordtracker team had decided to include the number Google results in with their keyword tool, as doing so has made the entire keyword research process a bit easier.

If you didn't already happen to know this, knowing the number of pages that Google has indexed for each particular keyword phrase can be a great indicator as to how competitive or even how difficult achieving top rankings is going to be. Having this information readily available across thousands of keywords can really help users to make better decisions when it comes to choosing the most appropriate keywords for their project.

4. Saving, Editing and Downloading Projects.
Having the ability to save your keyword research project for future updating and use is easily my favorite of all the new updates. Under previous versions, users were not given the option to save their work, and so they were required to scrap their previous research data before starting a new project. I'm happy to report that this is no longer the case.

5. Organizing Keyword Lists within Projects.
Another nice feature I'd like to acknowledge is ability to create, save, and edit multiple keyword lists for each of your projects. This new update specifically comes in handy when performing keyword research for a site that sells multiple types of products or even brands. Users now have the option to organize their keyword data into separate lists as opposed to just having everything listed in one big group set. For example, a shoe store webmaster might opt to create multiple lists breaking out "Nike", "Reebok", "dress", and "casual" related keywords.

6. Downloading Projects to Excel.
Being able to download your keyword research to excel is not only essential, but was a feature that had been long overdue. I'm glad this feature is now available.

After nearly giving up on the Wordtracker several months ago, I'm really glad that I stuck with it. In my opinion, the innovation and the necessary wrench work that went into these new updates, as well as those still on the back burner, have really made all the difference. Wordtracker's Keyword Tool is an ideal candidate for anyone looking for an affordable and relevant research tool. I recommend giving it a shot.

Labels: tools

I'm not what you'd call an "Apple Fan Boy" – at least not in the most traditional sense – but I am fan of the Apple iPhone... a big fan at that. However, that wasn't always the case.

Like most people, I was a very skeptical when the iPhone first debuted. I remember thinking could Apple really deliver a single handheld device that is capable of solving all of my communication and mobile media needs (not to mention 1000s of day-to-day needs), while further connecting me with friends, work, and the online world? At first, I wasn't convinced that it could and so I passed on it. However, it didn't take me long to see the light. Both Bossman and my friend Drew had iPhones and were constantly showing off its talents. I ended up purchasing the 3G model a few months later and have been in geek heaven ever since.

If you're an iPhone user, then you're already aware of the hundreds of thousands of apps that are readily available for download. However, today I'd like to highlight 6 very specific apps that I use on a semi-daily basis and that have helped me to be a better search marketer.

1. Google
Aside from having the ability to search Google for everyday queries, I often use this app to check up on my client's organic and paid search listings while I'm away. This really comes in handy when I'm in a different state and want to see how Google's location parameters affect organic search rankings, or when I need to verify the accuracy and delivery of certain ad / promotion copy.

Performing these tasks isn't as difficult or time consuming as one might think. The Google app is equipped with voice recognition technology – easily the best I have ever used – and so searching Google is as easy as speaking your choice keywords into the phone.

2. Pro RSS
Pro RSS is a mobile RSS reader that allows me to quickly connect to all of my favorite industry related blogs, newsletters, and resources. I find myself using this app when I'm at the airport (even in the air), riding shotgun on a long trip, or even when I have a few moments to kill while the wife gets ready to go out. I love the idea of staying updated on industry happenings when I'm away from my computer. Plus, in some situations, it helps to kill time – much like a newspaper or magazine might.

While there are several RSS apps available, I chose Pro RSS because it has the ability to link-up with my Google Reader account (as well as other RSS readers) and sync my new and old feeds. This perk means that I do not have to manage 2 separate lists of feeds, and ensures that I only see new content.

3. RedDelicious
RedDelicious is an app that provides me with quick mobile access to all of my Delicious bookmarks. With one push of my right thumb, I can access, browse, and even read any one of the industry related bookmarks I have registered - articles, guides, how-tos, tips and strategies, research reports, tools, and other viable resources.

This app has saved me on a couple of occasions as I mainly use it to brush up on a particular topic before meeting with clients or industry friends, and, similar to my Pro RSS app, I also use this app to entertain myself while traveling or when I have time to kill.

4. LinkedIn
Having LinkedIn on my iPhone has literally made my life easier. With a few quick thumb taps I am easily able to access all of my industry connections and their contact information from anywhere. This comes in handy when I'm attending conferences and want to meet up with industry friends at a particular session or most likely at the hotel bar. This app is like having a second "Contacts" application specifically for my network of industry friends.

5. Twitterific
Twitter this. Twitter that. Twitter is everywhere these days... even on my iPhone. Twitterific is a Twitter app that allows users to manage and update their Twitter account on the go. I primarily use this app as a way to remain social with my little community of followers, as well as to keep updated on recent industry happenings.

6. Skype
The Skype app is exactly the same as Skype for your computer, just in mobile form. Skype is the preferred chat client in our office and so I use this app to stay connected with my team when I'm away on vacation or off attending search conferences. It works beautifully.

Moving forward, as mobile technology continues to improve I imagine that one day soon we could see mobile versions of PPC platforms and website editing programs – therefore allowing SEMs the ability to manage their search marketing campaigns on the fly. However, until then, these are the 6 most valuable apps (that I know of) that continue to help me be a better search marketer. What about you? What apps do you use to assist in your search marketing efforts?

Labels: tools

Sometime ago, my good friend and free-lance graphic artist Drew Solorio introduced me to this really cool tool called "ObjectDock", created by Stardock. ObjectDock is a program that enables its users to organize their programs into a dock... very similar to the small panel found on computers running Mac OS X. ObjectDock enables users to have more control over how they organize their desktop. Rather than having a bunch of icons on the desktop, these icons can be placed onto the dock.

I've been using ObjectDock for over a year now and even though it's such a great tool, I never thought to Blog about out it... until now that is. Why now? Well, a couple of my colleagues at the office noticed ObjectDock on my computer, and instantly fell in love with its easy-to-use interface and of course its ability to clear and organize one's own desktop. I thought that because many of them appreciated this tool that maybe many of you will as well.

Above is a screen-shot of ObjectDock, but because getting a really good screen-shot of the program in action is incredibly difficult to do (mostly because my dock is about as long as my entire screen), I went out and found some.

Click Here To View Screen-Shots from the Stardock Website.

In addition to having a clean and organized desktop, some of the cool features that I personally enjoy are its highly flexible visual appearance, mouse-over zoom effects, and the optional Start Bar replacement feature. However, above all that, my absolute favorite feature is its ability to "hide" off-screen when it's not being used. If hidden, I simply place my mouse on the far right-side of the screen (location is changeable) and ObjectDock appears.

Even though this tool will not, in anyway, affect your search engine marketing efforts, I highly recommend it as a tool for organizing your desktop... thus your whole computer experience. You can download/buy ObjectDock from the following websites:

Download a free version of ObjectDock 3.1 from Download.com

Buy ObjectDock Plus from Stardock

If you're a current ObjectDock user or someone who learned about it here and decided to give it a try, please feel free to comment. I'd love to know your thoughts.

Enjoy!

Labels: tools

Here's a pretty cool tool for you design folks out there... check out ColorBlender.com. ColorBlender is a free online color-matching tool, and is perfect for both Graphic and Website Designers. Best yet... it's very easy to use and will actually save you time in your design efforts.

ColorBlend is structured with 6 horizontal color palettes (boxes) in which the first color palette can be manually tweaked to get a starter color (your main/dominate color). Entering a color in the first palette will automatically generate 5 additional color suggestions (in the other 5 boxes) which will perfectly compliment the original. Users can then use these color options to build an esthetically pleasing color scheme.

Obviously the idea behind this tool is to save time. Using this tool, designers will no longer need to spend time developing an appropriate color scheme for each project, as the tool will suggest which colors work best when a certain color option is entered. ColorBlend is also the perfect tool for those that are "design and color coordinated impaired".

My favorite part of this tool is that after a user finds the perfect blend of colors, they can export their scheme using Photoshop Color Table (.ACT), Illustrator Colors (.EPS), and by email. There is even an option in which users can easily save/load color schemes... allowing them to easily experiment and compare several of the color schemes they've created.

If you haven't done so already, have yourself a peak at ColorBlender... its definitely worth a look.

Enjoy!

Labels: tools

Those of you who are regular readers of my Blog are well aware that my girlfriend's hard-drive had crashed several weeks ago, and that just recently I was given the task of extracting some of her more important documents and files before reformatting the drive. Well, if you were lucky enough to have followed the comments associated with that post than you've already read the conversation I had with Kid Disco regarding GSpace. And if you didn't... shame on you, but thank you lucky socks that I've decided to Blog about it today.

For those of you without out a clue, GSpace is a special FireFox add-on that is set to interact with a designated Google Gmail (email) account. The outcome is a free 2 Gig easy-to-use and easy-to-manage mobile storage solution... more than capable of storing all of your important documents and files.

After chatting with Disco, I went ahead and downloaded the necessary FireFox add-on, opened a new Gmail account, and began playing around with GSpace. To my surprise, the GSpace interface is very similar to an FTP program, where once a user is logged into Gmail they can highlight and move any file from their hard-drive to GSpace. Files are then stored as attachments within your Gmail account.

One of my favorite reasons to use GSpace is that its 100% mobile. Because files are saved within the confines of a Gmail account (as an attachment), users can access their stored items from any computer that has the FireFox browser and the GSpace add-on. I enjoy being able to transfer files from the office to my home or to my hotel room (when I'm away at a conference) and back again without a single worry or problem. Also, as Disco highlights, GSpace is a great place to back-up some of your more important digital information in the case that your hard-drive should someday crash.

If you're interested... here is the set-up process:

1) You must have the FireFox Internet Browser. If you don't, download the latest version here.

2) Create a Gmail account. If you already have one, you might want to consider creating a new one specifically for this project. I was advised to do so, and so I'm advising you to do the same. I'm guessing that the reason is because the stuff you upload will become intertwined with your actual email files... and that's not a good thing.

Gmail is still in beta and so one cannot just go to their site and sign up. What you'll need to do is track someone down who already has an account and ask them to send you an invitation to join. If by chance you don't know of anyone (or don't want to take the time to think about it) just shoot me an email and I'll hook you up.

3) Download the GSpace add-on here:

4) Once GSpace has been downloaded and installed, open up your FireFox browser and click on "Tools" on the top menu and then select "GSpace" from the drop-down menu. Doing so will bring up the GSpace interface.

If you already use GSpace or know of another really cool FireFox add-on that's worth downloading please feel free to share.

Enjoy!

Labels: browsers, tools

A few weeks back I posted a review of Calipers, a screen-sizing tool created by Iconico, and now I'm back today with yet another kick-ass tool. The tool is called ColorPix and it was created by a company called Color Schemer.

Like with Calipers, my colleague Kelly recommended this tool to me long ago and I haven't thought to use or even look for another like it. ColorPix is a useful little color picker that grabs the pixel under your mouse and transforms it into a number of different color formats, allowing users to use that color in their design efforts.

With this tool users can track down the CMYK, RGB, HEX, and HSB values for any color that appears on their computer screen. Simply by activating the tool and placing the mouse over a desired color, users can copy the color and use it in their graphic editors and websites.

Just messing around with it today, I found that Coca-Cola's trademarked color red has the following values.

RGB: 232, 0, 1
HEX: #E80001
CMYK: 0, 100, 100, 9

I also found that Klog green has these values.

RGB: 10, 162, 50
HEX: #0AA232
CMYK: 94, 0, 69, 36

Here's a quick run down of my favorite features, and those that help it to stand out against similar tools.

Easy Handling: The tool's unique small size, and its ability to stay on-top of all other applications and out of the way make handling the tool very easy.

Color Lock: When hovering over a desired color, the tool's ability to lock-in colors by pressing any keyboard key is very helpful. This function allows users to find a color and preserve it until their ready to use it.

Easy Copy Function: Once a user has found their desired color, they can simply click-on the color value and their ready to paste. This feature helps to speed things up a bit when working in graphic programs such as Adobe's Illustrator and Photoshop.

Magnifier: The tool comes equip with a built-in magnifier and has the ability to zoom in on your screen, thus making it easier for users to snag the color their searching for.

Labels: tools

About a year ago, Kelly Wilson, an All Web colleague, introduced me to this really neat, easy to use screen ruler tool, to which I now find myself using on daily basis. The tool is called "Screen Calipers" and it was created by an online design and development company called Iconico. Heard of it? If not, you may want to become acquainted.

Iconico is well known for their ability to create premiere tools and services for Graphic Designers and Web Developers. In fact, I've become familiar with several of their tools, such as the Iconico Color Picker, Iconico Screen Protractor, and the really cool Iconico Screen Compass... most of which offer FREE, although limited, downloadable versions.

I've used several screen-sizing tools in the past, but none were able to offer quite as much as what Iconico has been able to offer in respect to design, usability, and accuracy. Screen Calipers can be used with any program, whether its an Internet browser or a WYSIWYG graphics editor, as it floats over all applications allowing for quick and easy measurements.

I personally use this tool to measure how long or wide a specific section is on a website or when cropping a photograph/design to exact proportions. For instance, using Screen Calipers I found that this Blog's right navigation is 260 pixels wide. Knowing this, if I wanted to add any kind of picture or design element than it would need to be 260 pixels or less.

My absolute favorite element of this tool is its ability to measure not just in inches or centimeters, but in pixels, points, picas, and twips. I know, I know... what the hell is a twip right? I don't know, but Screen Calipers has it covered. In addition, to all of these options, users have the ability to create custom measuring units.

This actually reminds me of when I used to work for Wal-Mart retail. One of my many jobs was to hang signs from the ceiling using fishing line and clips that would connect to the drop ceiling. To ensure that every sign hung at the same height from the floor, I had adapted the arm measuring system. I would wrap the fishing line around my arm, starting with my hand, go around my elbow and back up to my hand again. That was 1. I believe that the correct measurement for this project was 14 arms (of course this would only apply to me).

Iconico has allowed for its users to measure in similar fashion. If your company is one of those odd companies that measures projects by office supplies, say a paper clip, than rest assure that you can do so with Screen Calipers. No more holding a paper clip up to your computer screen. Simply create a custom measurement for the length of a paper clip and you're done. (Note: I actually knew a person in High School that would measure graphic projects in paper clips. I think he tried really hard to different.)

Enjoy!

Labels: tools