Threadlife: A Video-Sharing Evolution

Blog by @tjhucka

I often find myself wanting to use video to capture special moments but hesitate to do so because I know I’ll usually never do anything with them. They’re always too long, it’s time consuming to edit them down or upload quickly on the fly. Threadlife changes all of that.

Threadlife is a new mobile video sharing app from Zappos co-founder Nick Swinmurn and BLITZ agency co-founder Ken Martin. What makes Threadlife different from other apps is that videos are limited to 3 second clips, called stitches, which are then threaded together. When multiple stitches are threaded together it creates a storytelling experience. You can create different threads for different parts of your life (work, home, vacation, etc.) and you can even collaborate on threads with friends and family members. Stitch together clips of your night out on the town and share the thread with your friends.

Personally I like the convenience of quick video clips that require no editing. I like being able to keep separate threads for different things. I have a thread for downtown Las Vegas to capture the crazy things I see on a daily basis and an office thread to capture fun shenanigans around the Digital Royalty office.

We’ve seen how much people use other social platforms like Twitter and Facebook during big events. Instagram played a huge role in telling the Hurricane Sandy story. A service like Threadlife with its easy to use interface and quick uploads could change the way people tell their stories.

By mid January, Threadlife plans to roll out a big update to the app improving video quality and the apps performance as well as rolling out web profile pages.

Try it out and let us know what you think.

The Art of Social Media Event Activation

New class available at Digital Royalty University.

The beauty of the digital age is that you have free resources and tools at your disposal to share your experiences, emotions, and unique point of views to friends, family, consumers, and the general public who may not have the opportunity to experience an event in person. At Digital Royalty, we like to call this “virtual storytelling.” Because before you’re able to monetize, you must humanize.

Virtual storytelling allows you to expose the human behind the brand. In all sorts of scenarios – whether you’re a Real Estate Agent hosting an open house or a teacher running a fundraiser for your class or a brand hosting a large-scale event, you have access to content that your audience wants. Social media is all about delivering value when, where, and how your audience wants to receive it, which is why event activation through social media is such a valuable tool.

This class will give you insight into the three important parts of any event activation strategy: before the event, during the event, and after the event. This class will walk you through event activation strategy, how to incorporate all your social channels into your strategy, how to bridge the virtual world with the physical world, how to use tools and resources available to you to help leverage your event and how to measure your reach.

We recommend taking a spin through our Eight Royal Rules – Part 1 & 2, Personal Branding, Twitter 101, Facebook 101, and Emerging Platforms classes prior to taking the Art of Event Activation to make sure you have a full understanding of your social space so you can really rock your virtual storytelling.

For more information or to sign-up for this new class, visit Digital Royalty University. Remember, with each class you purchase – you help us give back a class to teachers with Teach For America.

The 2 Kings of Content in 2013

Blog by @natevegas

As 2012 draws to a close, we’re continuing to see the Social Media space evolve. Experienced social media managers are defining two distinctly different roles: as a content creator and the role of a content curator, and it’s best if we all know the difference. Some of the most influential people on the web are rockstars at both of these types of roles.

Type 1: Content Creator

The content creator’s job is arguably one of the most difficult roles on the web. These are the writers, editors, photographers, artists, directors, news reporters and basically, all of the engineers of what we read, watch and share online every day. In 2013, the content creator’s role will be to 1) Capture and create shareable stories, 2) Stay aligned with what their company sells and 3) Be great listeners to stay true to what your audience wants or needs.

Integrity and accuracy are increasingly vital for content creators. The best creators are able to balance those three key items. How often do you see a tweet or blog headline that doesn’t deliver, or totally misses the mark by not even relating to the article?

Type 2: Content Discoverers a.k.a Curators

In 2013 we’ll see the curator’s role become more popular. The best curators are the people who share the most relevant, most helpful, and most interesting information on the web. The curator’s role isn’t new. (Newspapers have been using the Associated Press to fill pages of papers for decades). There’s a heavy dose of integrity and massive responsibilities required.

First and foremost, the best curators honor the author by always citing who created the content originally. We see this sometimes in the form of “via @Username,” after a tweet, for example. Next, great curators remember their value buckets and in the name of the gambler, Kenny Rogers, they know when to hold ‘em. Mix in your opinions and relevant, original content alongside the story if possible.

My top 3 content-discovery tools for 2013:

1. Scoop.it – Users are able to define topics and/or curators to follow, then get daily emails with the newest “scoops” to read and share. When a story is re-scooped, readers are directed to the users Scoop.it profile for a brief overview and direct links to the source. Nice upgrade options for businesses and pro users, and lots of options for outgoing social network sharing.

2. Flipboard for iPad – This one is very popular for a good reason.  Flipboard sports an easy, elegant horizontally-scrolling interface that allows users to set seemingly unlimited topics to read and share updated news.

3. Hopflow for iPad – Searching by interests rather than users, Hopflow is a hybrid of Scoop.it and Flipboard. There’s no preview of the story, but the primary image and the fast, smooth horizontal interface is very slick.

‘Tis the Season for Social Campaigns

Blog by @erinneray

‘Tis the season where we are bombarded by brands and retailers wanting to make sure their product or service is on our shopping list… and we’re all game.

Social Media has certainly been a game changer in shaping the way we compile and share our Christmas lists. From snapping pics and sharing on Facebook and Instagram to pinning your must-haves on a Holiday Wish List board on Pinterest – it’s gone beyond penned letters, that’s for sure.

Brands are making a big splash this season. They’re making sure we are aware of exactly what they’re offering this holiday. Here are some of our favorite holiday campaigns using social integration.

Stella Artois Holiday Carole Facebook App

Fun fact: Stella Artois has a seasonal heritage as it was first brewed as a holiday gift for the people of Leuven, Belgium. The brand has created a Facebook app that reflects their heritage and style. This season, send your friends what they really need – an ice-cold beer! Check out the Facebook app Stella Artois has created here and share a holiday greeting with your friends.

Through the app, fans enter a friend’s name, address and a holiday message. Holiday Carole delivers the message virtually at the recipient’s front door singing a holiday carol and presents a limited edition holiday Stella Artois bottle. The app integrates images of Carole on her journey with images of the recipient’s own city via Google Street View and Maps technology.

Topshop Winter Wonderland

Topshop’s holiday campaign features a YouTube video of actress Kate Bosworth singing a cover of “Winter Wonderland.” Everything featured in the YouTube video that Bosworth is wearing will be available for purchase at Topshop, including her makeup. The video is integrated at multiple touchpoints in Topshops communication channels – featured on their website, social media channels, cinema, digital billboards and in-store. The song is also available for purchase on Spotify, iTunes and Shazam. They had fun leading up to the premier of the video on YouTube by releasing photos and hints of the actress from different angles asking fans to submit guesses using the #whosthatgirl hashtag on Twitter for a chance at a TopShop holiday shopping spree. Check out the video here as well as additional footage of the making of the video and shop for Kate’s look.

30 Days of Pinspiration

What better way to get inspiration for the holidays than having it all organized in one handy spot? Pinterest is giving back to their community through a series of unique holiday boards from pinners, nonprofits, brands and celebrities.  This “30 Days of Pinspiration” holiday-themed board collection features the likes of Katie Couric, NBA, Paula Deen, Starbucks and more sharing what Inspiration means to them. Watch as the calendar is unveiled daily throughout the 30 days here.

#DoubleTreeHoliday Instagram

DoubleTree by Hilton is another brand using social to connect with their fans and followers during the holidays. They’re using Instagram to have their fans share their favorite holiday pictures using the hashtag #DoubleTreeHoliday for a chance to win their signature chocolate chip cookies. They’ve put a fun spin on the reason for the season by choosing weekly winners and giving them one cookie tin to keep and one to give to someone else. Sharing is social after all. Check out the sweeps here.

How are your favorite brands integrating social for their holiday campaigns?

 


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