Twitter Launches Curator, a Platform for Media Publishers

Twitter wants to make it easier for media entities to tap into conversation on its platform. The company announced Tuesday the launch of Curator, a platform that surfaces the most relevant and popular tweets and Vines around a certain topic.

Media publishers can see a demographic breakdown of those talking about a topic, such as March Madness, as well as some of the most popular tweets and Vine videos.

Twitter Product Manager Matt Dennebaum wrote about Curator in a blog post:

Whether it’s Fashion Week, the Cricket World Cup or a TV show finale, surfacing great Twitter content in key moments is a powerful catalyst for engaging audiences and igniting conversations. Now we’re making it easier than ever to find and display the most relevant Twitter and Vine content with a new tool called Curator.

Curator was built to allow media publishers to search, filter and curate Twitter content that can then be displayed on web, mobile and TV. Those who have been testing Curator have seen strong increases in audience engagement, participation and attention. With these encouraging results, we’re opening up the product to all media publishers around the world, for free. This includes news organizations, production companies, broadcasters, local governments, and even concert venues.

To request access to Curator, click here.

Solar Light – Your Questions, Answered

There are fantastic ways to save money, use less electricity and be more energy conscious. You can make a difference by learning all about solar lights. If you’re tired of feeling like your questions about solar lights are never answered correctly then you should continue reading. Solar lights are a great way to brighten your ...

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: 700M+ Interactions by 53M Facebook Users

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 wrapped up with Australia’s victory March 29, and the tournament generated more than 700 million interactions from Jan. 1 through the final match, from 53 million Facebook users.

India’s victory over Pakistan Feb. 15 was itself responsible for 25 million interactions from 9 million users on the social network, and other matches drawing the attention of Facebook users included Australia’s semifinal victory over India (24.5 million interactions from 8.8 million users) and its final-match triumph over New Zealand (9.3 million interactions from 3.7 million users).

Facebook head of media partnerships for India Saurabh Doshi and strategic partner development manager for Australia and New Zealand Karren Rogers highlighted Cricket World Cup-related posts by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Australian actor Hugh Jackman, New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker, India captain MS Dhoni, teammate Virat Kohli and Bollywood star Aamir Khan, as well as from publishers including Cricinfo, the ICC, Aaj Tak and Star Sports, in a Facebook Media blog post, adding:

During the semifinal and final matches, Facebook selfie sticks and phones were taken through the stands by ICC hosts, and fans were asked to take selfies that captured the excitement of the finals. The photos were posted exclusively to the ICC Facebook page.

Through custom experiences built for the tournament on desktop and mobile, cricket fans on Facebook could get closer to the action. This included trending pages for fans to follow the matches and get live scores in real-time, custom status updates to share that you were watching a certain match and more. For example, you can experience the trending page for the final match here.

Cricket fans: Did you interact on Facebook during ICC Cricket World Cup 2015?

Watching Steve Smith hit #CWC15 winning runs! Congratulations to Michael Clarke on a brilliant One Day International career & New Zealand on a great tournament.

Posted by Tony Abbott on Sunday, March 29, 2015

MS Dhoni: “They played very good cricket, over 300 is always a difficult score, I felt it was just over par, they could…

Posted by MS Dhoni on Thursday, March 26, 2015

Anonymous messaging app Yik Yak is testing a photo feature

Yik Yak, the anonymous messaging app, is testing a new feature that would let users share photos, Mashable has learned.

Yik Yak is in the early stages of testing the feature on some college campuses for limited periods of time, sometimes as brief as several hours, in order to get feedback from users, according to sources familiar with the matter. Yik Yak confirmed the development to Mashable.

See also: How Ted Cruz's campaign speech played out on Yik Yak

Uploaded photos must be snapped from inside the app. (Photos from your camera roll need not apply.) Photos are moderated and approved by Yik Yak employees, which can result in a delay before the image shows up in feeds. Any photos featuring faces, nudity, or behavior the moderator deems "inappropriate" or "illegal" won't make into feeds. Read more...

More about Social, Anonymous, Startups, Social Media, and Apps Software

Twitter launches Curator, its free Storify competitor

Twitter just launched Curator, its new free tool for media outlets.

First unveiled in February, Curator is now available to any media outlet that applies on Twitter's website for access to the tool. It allows organizations to collect tweets and Vines based around specific topics, perform more advanced searches and get access to better analytics.

See also: Why Twitter launched Curator, a Storify competitor

Think of Curator as an even more advanced version of Twitter's advanced search. Users can fine tune their searches to find tweets based on very narrow criteria — such as exact location, word count or what type of smartphone was used. Read more...

More about Media, Twitter, Social Media, and Business

Facebook Adds Subscribe Button for Pages’ Events

With the oft-mentioned drop in Facebook pages’ organic reach, page administrators of event-heavy pages, such as those for musical artists, have been hit hard. The social network launched a feature this week aimed at solving that issue.

All pages on desktop and mobile now have subscribe buttons in their events sections, according to numerous reports, and users who click those buttons will receive the same types of notifications that they would see from other users’ events.

Karissa Bell of Mashable pointed out that the new feature allows users to stay informed about events from pages in their event dashboards, both via the Web and Facebook’s flagship mobile applications, rather than being required to check those pages, avoiding the whims of the social network’s News Feed algorithm.

And Josh Constine of TechCrunch reported that users’ friends will be able to see which events they have subscribed to, the same way they can see pages they have liked.

Constine added that musical artists in particular suffered when Facebook began preventing pages from setting default landing tabs in 2012, which the social network has attempted to address with its Shop Now call-to-action button by enabling those pages to lead users to non-Facebook destinations such as stores on artists’ websites or on iTunes.

Readers: What do you think of the subscribe button for pages’ events?

Screenshots courtesy of TechCrunch and Mashable.

6 Awesome MailChimp Automation Hacks – Lead Scored Emails, Pre-Filled Forms & More!

For the last couple of years, I have been running marketing automation campaigns for large corporations and multinational brands that want to take their marketing strategy to the next level. The work involves advanced clustering and segmentation, automated email flows, social media integration, lead management, and other push and pull mechanisms for personalizing the brand’s […]

Mobile Signals Report: Will Your App Reach $1M in Revenue?

Tapjoy, a marketing automation and monetization company, has released its Mobile Signals Report, which studied the mobile app behaviors of 149 million users and found five major trends that may be useful for developers to determine whether their apps will reach $1 million in revenue. Tapjoy examined user behavior in 479 apps with session counts over 1,000, from October 2013 to December 2014. The report focused on developers from Korea, Japan and China, a fast-growing but still relatively new market.

First, Tapjoy found a strong connection between the number of players making three or more in-app purchases and the likelihood the game would reach the $1 million revenue threshold. The study found 84 percent of apps with 1,000 or more users who complete three or more in-app purchases within the first 83 days eventually reached $1 million in revenue. Apps that had 4,000 or more users completing three or more in-app purchases reached $1 million 100 percent of the time.

When analyzing these three individual purchases, the study found users are more willing to make the first purchase, with \"dramatic drop-off rates\" afterward. For that reason, Tapjoy says first-purchase rates are potentially misleading when determining whether an app will reach a desired performance threshold. The report showed 35 percent to be the key number for reaching the $1 million revenue mark, with the \"vast majority\" of apps that had at least 35 percent of their first time purchasers go on to complete a third purchase reached that revenue number.

Tapjoy went further, analyzing average gameplay session length, in-app purchase trends in relation to the time of day or month, and more. The report showed the top 10 percent of games by revenue had an average gameplay session of over 25 minutes, and that 20 percent of monthly revenue is earned during the first four days of the month.

Since this data doesn’t provide a guaranteed formula for determining the lifetime value of users or the eventual revenue of new mobile games, Tapjoy says developers should \"rely on multiple perspectives, with close attention to nuances, to piece together [their] revenue picture.\"

The full Tapjoy Mobile Signals Report is available here.

6 Simple Steps to Creating Your Content Marketing Strategy

Creating a content marketing strategy is no simple task. In fact, 2/3 of marketers feel they aren’t successful with their content marketing. For both small and large businesses, the content you create is the main bridge connecting your brand to your customer.

Last week, the hot topic of the Social Media Marketing World gathering in sunny San Diego was the critical importance of strong content marketing that captures and converts your customer. Captivating, concise, and consistent content is a core part of any brand. Joe Pulizzi, founder of the well-known content marketing hub Content Marketing Institute and author of Epic Content Marketing shared a simple 6-step process to create your content marketing strategy. Although his session was mainly geared toward small, new businesses and entrepreneurs, it serves as a great reminder and framework for big businesses to take a second look at their current content marketing strategy.

Here are 6 simple steps to creating your content marketing strategy:

1. Sweet Spot: The key first step to building your strategy is building an audience with a targeted group of people. It is not only about finding the sweet spot of what your audience wants to hear, but also finding the sweet spot of your knowledge and passion, so the content you are creating can connect on a shared level.


2. Content Tilt: Because there is such a vast and relentless content overload flooding the Internet, your content needs an edge or a “tilt.” So how do you make your content unique and differentiate yourself from other people out they’re writing about the same topics? When creating content, you should ask yourself: Is this story worth telling?
   
   Your content should be niche. To start, Joe suggests you follow in the steps of every media company and create an editorial mission or as he calls it: A Content Marketing Mission Statement.
   
   In this mission statement there are 3 stages that must be touched on: 1. Define Core Target Audience. You really should only target one. If you target more than one group, you aren’t going niche enough. 2. What will be delivered? 3. The outcome for the Audience. Tip: Add a column to your content marketing calendar spreadsheet called “outcomes”. This will help you define what the audience will get out of the post.


3. Building the Base: In this step, you actually begin creating your content. You should focus only on one content type, one main platform, having consistent delivery over a long period of time. In this step, consistency is key. Another important thing media companies can’t do is miss deadlines and neither should your brand.


4. Harvesting Audience: Building your audience is one feat, but maintaining subscribers is a whole other battle. One of the key metrics you should focus on is subscribers, your frequent flyers. After all, we as brands do not own Facebook or Twitter followers. Subscribers to your blog or email should be your main focus. Next, you should begin building an influencer list. This should consist of a small key base.
   
   However, many marketers make the mistake of thinking that these influencers will become advocates. The key for building this initial influencer list is to use them for reach. After that, you shift your focus on building more authority with your newly acquired eyeballs.


5. Diversification: Focus on being great at one thing on one platform. Then diversify.


6. Monetization: After successfully building your subscribers and you feel confident you have a solid base, then you can begin to think about monetizing your brand. On average, it takes 15-17 months to monetize your content. Your goal in the beginning should not be how to make money. First, build an audience with a targeted group of people. Then, monetize it.

YouTube megastar Michelle Phan launches new lifestyle network

If launching her own beauty line and record label wasn't enough, YouTube beauty guru Michelle Phan announced today that she's partnering with Endemol Beyond USA for their new lifestyle network, ICON.

Phan will be the creative director for Endemol Beyond, which currently boasts 500 million monthly views via its multi-platforms: YouTube, Yahoo, AOL, Amazon Fire TV, among others. The 27-year old will mentor other online personalities while cultivating a streamlined vision for the network.

See also: 8 Not-So-Magical Secrets From a Former Disney Princess

Endemol Beyond, under the Endemol Shine umbrella, currently boasts over 500 million monthly views with its Premium Channel Network available across more than 20 platforms. Endemol Shine is best known for producing shows like American Idol, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Man v. Food and more. Read more...

More about Video, Media, Youtube, Social Media, and Celebrity

Portable Solar Panels – Tips To Buy The Right One

The clean energy industry is a booming market in recent times, when the protection of the environment seems to be a priority for all. Solar energy has long been accepted as the best source for the safest and efficient energy that humans produce electricity for our consumption needs. Most countries are opting for this system ...

2K Unveils WWE 2K Simulation Game for Mobile

2K has announced WWE 2K, the first simulation-based WWE video game for mobile. Developed by n-Space, in conjunction with 2K studio Visual Concepts, the game will offer gameplay inspired by its console-based counterparts in the original WWE 2K franchise.

In WWE 2K for mobile, players will have access to multiple gameplay modes, including a career mode and live multiplayer matches. Gamers can choose from a roster including WWE Superstars John Cena, Hulk Hogan, Sting, Triple H, Undertaker, Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt (among others), or create their own Superstar to take into the ring.

WWE 2K will feature three match types, full WWE Superstar ring entrances and comprehensive move sets. As gamers play, they’ll unlock various rewards.

In a statement, Greg Thomas, president at Visual Concepts, commented on the game:

WWE 2K marks a great milestone in 2K’s partnership with WWE, as we bring the first authentic WWE simulation experience to market for mobile devices. WWE gaming enthusiasts will soon experience WWE action and several fan-favorite modes inspired by the WWE 2K flagship console series in an engaging new way.

WWE 2K is expected to release on iOS and the Amazon Appstore in Spring 2015. The game will cost $7.99. Check back soon for more.

Indie comedy starring all your favorite Vine celebs launches Kickstarter

Comedians and Vine stars Jason Nash and Brandon Calvillo have a new project that is largely inspired by their real lives: a full length film called FML: A Social Media Adventure.

The film centers around two men who travel across the country making short videos on a Vine-like app called Reload, trying to boost their social media following. Along with achieving viral fame, FML is also about the strong friendship between Nash and Calvillo's characters, as well as the real-life one that inspired it.

See also: 19 Viners Funnier Than Anyone You Know IRL

FML: A SOCIAL MEDIA ADVENTURE • Kickstarter Campaign Video from Fantail Entertainment on Vimeo. Read more...

More about Videos, Movies, Social Media, Comedy, and Vine

‘Money and Violence’ Proves the Value of Original Content on YouTube

YouTube has become one of the most democratic distribution platforms on the internet. Anyone with a camera and an internet connection can upload, and (if their content is good enough) achieve acclaim. A low budget original program called Money and Violence has shot up in popularity since its launch in August, a demonstration how important original web content has become.

Money and Violence was created by Moise Verneau, and all 24 episodes were released on the Cloud9TV YouTube channel over seven months. Verneau told Digital Trends that he was aware his project would have to be a self-starter, because the content of the show is unlike the traditional gang-violence narratives of television.

Most of the episodes have received more than 300,000 views each, and Digital Trends reports that there may be some interest from companies like Netflix in taking the show to a more mainstream audience. However, Verneau said he and his cast are ready to avoid television and do it independently in order to keep the show’s authenticity. Still, the truckloads of YouTube money aren’t rolling in yet.

Money and Violence is an example of creator-started independent projects on YouTube that can achieve success. YouTube has been trying to foster the creatives its network attracts, either through exclusive content agreements, or through direct project funding. Given that YouTube stars are more popular than Hollywood stars in some cases, it’s a wise move.

As the video market gets more competitive, and bigger companies move in, it’s clear that independent content is an attractive investment. If Money and Violence is able to attract an even larger audience, the possibility exists for it to transition easily to the mainstream. That said, with Woody Allen working for Amazon, and Spike Lee releasing a Kickstarted movie on Vimeo, it’s hard to say what the mainstream is anymore.

Don’t Get Caught with Your Pants Down: 3 Steps to Increase Your Search Traffic with Google’s Next Update

On April 21st, 2015, Google will roll out an update that will make mobile friendliness a bigger part of its algorithm. If you don’t think this is a big deal, think again. Why? Because Google is saying the mobile update will have a bigger impact than its Panda update. Should you be worried? Yes! Here’s why, and here are some  [click to continue...]

Chosen Launches Video-Based Talent Competition App on iOS

Chosen, a video-based, crowd judged talent competition platform, has launched by invitation only on iOS devices. Headed up by former CEO of Beats Music, David Hyman, Chosen allows users to become performers or judges of musical content.

As a judge, users can play mini-games including \"Star Spotting\" and \"Judge the Judge.\" In Star Spotting, users watch three 15-second performance clips submitted by the community, and choose the one they believe has the most star potential. Users are then shown the trio’s vote totals, and players \"win\" if they’ve chosen the most popular star.

Part of the app experience encourages users to be more than passive observers, and become actual reviewers of the submitted musical performances. With this in mind, users can record video reviews of a chosen performer, which leads to the app’s second game: Judge the Judge. Here, viewers watch two reviews, and pick the better of the two.

For performers, the app’s karaoke mode allows users to choose from up to 75 rotating songs (from a library of over 8,000 pre-cleared tracks) for each performance. The app offers a video karaoke experience that includes noise canceling technology (and other effects) to make each performance the best it can be. Other performance modes include Lip Sync and Perform Now, in an effort to allow all kinds of performers, including those who prefer musical instruments to singing, to have a place to shine.

Users receive experience points for their actions, climbing separate judge and performer leaderboards for a chance to win prizes. For its inaugural prize, Chosen has partnered with Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. One Chosen performer will win an all-expenses-paid trip to Bonnaroo 2015, and the chance to perform live on-stage, while the winning judge will receive a trip to Bonnaroo for two, as well as all-access passes to the event.

In a statement, co-founder and CEO of Chosen, David Hyman, commented on the app:

We designed Chosen for tastemakers, up-and-coming talent and the more than one billion fans of online music videos, traditional reality competition TV shows and mobile gaming. On Chosen, fans and performers are able to get in the game in a way that simply isn’t possible while passively watching TV shows like American Idol or The Voice, or endlessly surfing online videos. In addition to being a powerful performance platform, Chosen is a completely new way for fans to interact and engage with music and video content.

Chosen is available to download for free on the iTunes App Store. Users can request an invitation to the app, here.