Any of our current MashedIn beta users will notice that we have now included Linkedin as a widget option. This means that widget owners will be able to add Facebook, Twitter and now Linkedin to let visitors to see common connections. If you are already using a widget, the linkedin option will now be visible to your visitors. Give it a whirl and let us know of any bugs you see happening.
ShareHave you ever been to a party or business 'networking' function and been standing around not knowing how to connect with anyone. You sit and say to yourself "how much longer do I have to be here?". Then, someone start a short conversation with you. It's a little strained but you both are trying to make an effort. Then, all the sudden, that someone mentions the name of a person you know and you think "holy crap, you know so and so, and OMG I can talk about so and so..." and then you have a totally engaging conversation. You've connected because you share a common connection. Well that's what MashedIn does.
There was a lot of talk at the recent Pubcon about changes in search. Bruce Clay did an interview describing why ranking is dead. While it's arguable whether or not you can say ranking is dead, search engine changes have changed the search marketing game. Recent changes in personalization will have a dramatic affect.
You can see some of the search personalization changes in Google's search results now allowing users to delete results they see and promote ones they like. An example below:
I expect the tool will affect the results that user flags themselves, but Google's entire community of searchers will also have an impact on the search results based on overall blocking and promoting.
How does this affect you? As a search marketer your web presence(s) have to add value. The content needs to be clear and valuable. Moreover, your overall reputation matters more and more. This tool directly affects your search reputation but reputation is many things. It's how people rank your site, it's how they vote on comments you make in communities, it's what you say about yourself and what others say about you. Not only do you need to manage your online reputation now, but you have to pro-actively build it and promote it.
So we have a few days under our belt at VendAsta! We've been settling into our new office space in the Innovation Place research park. Our new surroundings have brought a bright warm spot to the middle of a cold dark Saskatoon winter. Our office is just to the right of the photo below.
There's a ton of logistics behind getting a business going from the ground up but I have to say it's such exciting work. I was just as excited sitting down and putting my chair together as I was getting on to the first day of white board work. We'll have some website updates coming down the pipe shortly. As we prepare to get stuff live for the world to see, we'll try to let people see what's going on inside our walls.
Jeff
