Yesterday we pinned, today we flip. And, today I’m flipping out about the awesomeness of Flipboard. I added my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google Reader, LinkedIn, Flickr, Tumblr, favorite news sites and blogs, and I’m probably forgetting something but you get the idea.

If you’re not flipping out yet, here’s the deal: Flipboard is a social reader app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. According to Mashable.com “The app has been downloaded more than one million times in its first week.”

That’s pretty impressive, but what’s the big deal?

Well, for starters it’s extremely user friendly allowing you to flip through content similar to pages in a magazine. However, the biggest appeal is the content is at your discretion. Pick your favorite news source, your favorite blog, your Facebook timeline, your Twitter feed, and then add it to your board and BAM! Everything you want to see in one elegant place, just waiting to be flipped off (wait, that’s not right).

What does this mean from a business standpoint?

Well, the increase of streamlining networks makes time management more effective, and as the technology grows your campaigns look better and better within these platforms. Not to mention from a small business standpoint your reach is visible in multiple communities. Post something on your website or Facebook, and you can almost guarantee it’s being scene in some format or another. The ability to put all your sources, messages, and feeds in one application tucked into one tight-jean pocket, lets us devote more time to projects without missing the content we love.

The idea of having all the information in the world, the ability to take and share 1000’s of pictures, and still have the time to enjoy the simple things in life is Flipboard’s ad campaign. I’d say it’s heartfelt and effective, but it’s no cat campaign.

Have you ever met one of those people that are very adamant about not beginning the Christmas celebration until AFTER Thanksgiving is over? Annoying right? Well, I’m one of those people. That’s right, no eggnog, colorful lights, reindeer or Christmas music until the last Friday of November.

I have several reasons for this, but mostly I just think it’s a bad idea to glance over the part of the year where we focus on our capacity for gratitude. We all could stand to say “thanks” more often. Yes, I know that Thanksgiving has come and gone and it is now December 1st, but I’m still achin’ for some thankin’.

To put a “GannettLocal” spin on my gratitude, allow me to introduce to you to 10 Technology People and Things for Which I’m Grateful. This list does is not meant to be completely comprehensive, but … almost. (more…)

Why should businesses integrate social commerce into their marketing mix? Well first, let’s think about where our consumers are spending their time. Thinking about this makes me remember days of being in large lecture classes in uncomfortable chairs while trying to not fall asleep. I remember looking around the room at the hundreds of students around me and instead of seeing students furiously taking notes I recall the familiar white and blue Facbook screen on just about all of the laptops of those around me.

It’s no surprise that about almost 23 percent of time spent online is spent on some form of social media¹. Considering this, why not make it easy for your consumers to buy without leaving their Facebook window? Let’s not make anyone do anything crazy like open a new window!

We all know how effective the original form of marketing – word of mouth – can be to a business’s success. And let’s face it, consumers trust other consumers more than they trust marketers. That being said, a whopping 70 percent of consumers are going to research their purchases online before purchasing and 60 percent will look for ratings and reviews during their research¹. By allowing consumers to purchase on your social outlets you are creating a one-stop shop. No leg work required. (more…)