Facebook announced last week that they plan to roll out a language change as part of a larger effort to improve user experience, increase engagement and promote consistency across the platform.

Users will soon be able to connect with your Page by clicking “Like” rather than “Become a Fan.” Source: Facebook

I absolutely believe that Facebook is making this change because they feel it will make users more comfortable linking up with a brand. The idea of “liking” a brand is much more natural than becoming a “fan” of a brand and this change in language is in an effort to lower the threshold between natural language and the call-to-action on the platform.

Yes, there are some arguments about the “lesser” commitment implied in the language alteration but I believe it will only help solicit even more engagement and opt-in from users on Facebook. In practice, nothing about the interaction is changing, only the language.

How do you think this change in language will affect user interaction with Fan Pages? Do you feel that this change is good for brands?

It is now possible to link your official Twitter account to your business’ Facebook Fan Page. What this essentially means is that you are now able to post to Facebook and Twitter at the same time.

While cross-posting is efficient for busy small teams and large organizations alike, I very strongly feel this is a spammy practice and should be avoided in most situations. Facebook and Twitter are very different platforms and users interact and communicate on each of the platforms in very different ways. These differences call for, at minimum, tweaked language per platform. Would you use the same copy for radio and television? Banner ads and text ads? Email campaigns and printed flyers?

If you would like to connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts:

1. Visit http://www.facebook.com/twitter/

2. Select “Link To Twitter” next to the Fan Page you would like to connect with. You must have admin privileges to do this.
3. It will redirect you to Twitter where you will need to log in under the Twitter account you would like to connect to the Facebook.

4. You will then be redirected back to Facebook and receive a confirmation of the link creation.

Note: Facebook has a built-in option for you to undo this connection if you should need to do so.

Do you cross-post your content? Why or why not? Do you feel Facebook integrating this new feature will turn off Fan Page fans or Twitter followers from the brands they connect with?

This afternoon I stumbled across this brilliant marketing campaign from Sony-BMG promoting Bob Dylan’s “ultimate” collection which was released a few years back.

Upon visiting DylanMessaging.com, fans are able to insert their own messages into the “Subterranean Homesick Blues” video and send it to friends.

There is also a coordinating Facebook application that replicates the functions seen on the microsite and features additional content such as the Mark Ronson remix.

This is an fantastic example of how you might be able to repurpose content you already have catalogued in new and engaging ways. Repurposing old content is a resourceful marketing approach for companies with limited assets and capabilities. Have an idea under the belt that once resonated well with a large audience? Find a new way to extend the idea that doesn’t “beat a dead horse” and provides relevant value for users on platforms where they are already engaged.

Today I have an exciting announcement — I have accepted a full-time position with the Atlanta-based “interactive idea agency” THINK Interactive as Senior Strategist, Social Media. I have been working in-house at the agency over the past month to see whether this would be a good fit for both myself and THINK and am very much looking forward to seeing what our future together develops into with this new step.

Since 1994, THINK has focused on helping companies and brands increase the value of their digital investments. The shop’s services entail digital strategy, digital experience design and delivery, digital marketing media and campaigns, and digital channel measurement.

My role as a Senior Strategist is focused on Social Media and encompasses activities such as social research and strategy, management of social research tools and thought leadership in the interactive and social community. Along with client initiatives, I will also be leading internal education at THINK — broadening our overall understanding of the evolving social media landscape, trends and best practices, as well as sharpening up THINK’s social presence.

It was over 500 days from being laid off during Super Deluxe‘s merger with [adult swim] before I was able to find a company and position that could motivate and excite me as much as my role at SDXE. THINK has casted this opportunity for me and I am eager to become a part of their growing team.

Tonight is the September meeting of the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association (AIMA). I have been invited to attend and live-tweet the event, “Big Brands Discuss Social Media Initiatives,” being held at Georgia Tech’s Global Learning Center. The event is presented by AiMA and sponsored by BLiNQ Media and Google.

DESCRIPTION:
Social media has gone beyond fad status to credible marketing strategy. However, few organizations know how to create “working” tactics. Comcast does. AT&T does. The Red Cross does. On September 30, you’ll hear how Comcast uses Twitter as a customer service strategy, how AT&T creates authentic conversations with the youth market, and how the Red Cross produces enterprise results on a limited budget.

SPEAKERS:
Comcast – Frank Eliason, Senior Director in National Customer Operations @comcastcares
AT&T – Mimi Chan, Director of Wireless Youth Marketing
Red Cross – Wendy Harman, Social Media Manager @wharman
Moderated by BLiNQ Media’s Dave Williams, CEO and Co-Founder @blinqmedia

I’m looking forward to seeing Frank again whom I met last year at BlogWorld as well as meeting the rest of the speakers. If you aren’t familiar with Comcast’s experience with social media, do yourself a favor and Google it. They are a fantastic example of a company that has learned to go where their customers live online and better brand sentiment in the process.

The event is sold out and no walk-ups will be admitted.

To follow the discussion, you can follow my tweets at @tessa.

Stumbled across this interesting blog post: The Hierarchy Of Tweets – Analyzing The Psychology Of Twitter

Alex Bogusky, Chairman of advertising powerhouse CP+B (Crispin Porter + Bogusky), has officially entered the world of blogging. His first blog post is being hosted on a popular new blogging platform, Posterous, similar to competitor Tumblr.

And while Crispin is on the table, Fast Company discusses how Crispin Porter + Bogusky’s Crowdsourcing Experiment Backfires when trying to crowdsource designers for a logo.

I’m back in Atlanta after three weeks in New York for some conferencing and work!

I may have mentioned before that I co-founded Social Media Club Atlanta? Well tonight, in partnership with PR Camp Atlanta, Social Media Club Atlanta is hosting a tweetup at the new WaterHaven in Midtown’s Technology Square. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar available.

Come out and meet with fellow social media advocates from Atlanta’s business, media, advertising, PR, design, education, non-profit, and government community.

• RSVP for the SMC ATL August Tweetup
• Follow SMCATL on Twitter
• Join our Facebook Group

Don’t always trust tech bloggers, even on reputable sites, because some of them just don’t know what they’re talking about.

This morning I found this article on Silicon Alley Insider via Atlanta startup chick, Jen Bonnett on Twitter arguing that URL shortening services are unreliable and should be avoided, in response to the URL shortener tr.im (owned by Nambu) deciding to shut down. I highly disagreed with this article and think that all of Frommer’s arguments were poorly supported and commented as reposted below.

I can’t say I agree with this article in the slightest. URL shorteners are primarily used via Twitter, IM and other such short-in-breadth communication methods.

These also are platforms where messages tend to be more short-lived in lifespan vs something like a webpage, blog post or even an email. MEANING that messages posted on these shorter lifespan environments are usually digested immediately or within a week or so of their publishing date. These messages then are in essence archived and only stumbled upon by those researching the author or searching for related content on the specified medium.

In regards to tr.im specifically? Yes, there will be many broken links when they phase out the service at the end of 2009. Will it hurt the internet? Not much. By the time they phase out the service, those who had utilized their link shortening earlier won’t need to be using those links anymore because they won’t be relevant. If it is something that is still relevant after this long period, I don’t expect it will be something difficult for them to re-shorten using bit.ly if they deem it necessary.

bit.ly has never proven service issues. @Daniel – from israel: Twitter, in the words on tr.im, “has all but annointed bit.ly the market winner” and is not likely to go anywhere for awhile. They are running a tight ship over there.

Branded URL shortening methods are a great idea from a marketing and branding perspective but isn’t a viable option for everyone.

Long URLs junk up the social streams and should be avoided. If you tweet a long link, Twitter will shorten it with bit.ly ANYWAYS. You might as well use a bit.ly account so you can keep your stats from all of your links in a single place for reference. By doing this, you can also see the lifespan of your shortened URL. bit.ly not only tracks clickthrough but WHEN those clickthroughs occurred.

What are your thoughts? What URL shortener do you use?

There are so many great tech events coming up in Atlanta over the next month. Below are the highlights! I will be attending most of these.

Startup Chicks July Networking Event
Wednesday, July 15 6:30-9PM
WaterHaven in Tech Square

SMC ATL July – The Case For Investment
Thursday, July 16 7-9PM
Manuel’s Tavern

Atlanta Chicks Tweetup
Thursday, July 16 6:30PM
St. Regis Hotel (W Paces Ferry)

Mobile Camp Atlanta 2009
Saturday, July 18
The King Plow Arts Center

iPhone Camp Atlanta 2009
Saturday, July 18
The King Plow Arts Center

Atlanta’s First Official Google Meetup
Monday, July 20 6PM
STEEL Restaurant & Lounge

July ATL Tweeters Tweetup
Tuesday, July 21
Center For Puppetry Arts
Facebook & Upcoming

Open Coffee
Tuesday, July 28 5PM
Tech Square Starbucks

Atlanta Web Design Group
Marketing by Design with Brandon Eley
Thursday, July 30 7PM
Portfolio Center

Startup Chicks – Roundtable Discussion
Wednesday, August 19
Hodges room reserved at ATDC

PR Camp Atlanta
Friday August 21
3 hrs of social media workshops for PR & marketing pros

Earlier today, Palm asked on their blog and Twitter profile, “Got opinions?” They are calling out for a few “Real Reviewers” to try out a Palm for six-months and regularly blog, tweet, and share online what they think of the product. (Which is exactly what I am doing right now for Nintendo’s DS Lite.)

I can see those of you who know me shaking your head and asking, “Have you met Tessa???” Yes, I applied. I have had my iPhone since my 15-hour wait on 2.0 Launch Day and while it’s been lovely, I don’t necessarily think it’s the end all. It serves my needs but I am open to the idea that someone else might be able to suit my needs better.

I’ve been playing around with the idea of picking up a BlackBerry after the BlackBerry Bloggers Brunch I was invited to attend at SXSW earlier this year. Personally, I need the function that the enterprise-focused mobile devices offer but enjoy the applications that make a device more than another tool in my work day. It needs to be able to come with me out on the town or across the country alike.

My biggest complaint about my iPhone is the battery life. Not only have I had to verse myself in the ways I could preserve the last inklings of life (turning down the brightness, turning off location services, turning off 3G coverage and avoid using applications) but I have also had to purchase a portable battery source for my long days chock full of meetings, work and social outings — away from power outlets or vehicle-charging.

I’ve owned a Palm Treo before and enjoyed it. We had happy times. I eventually traded it in for a shiny new thinner BlackBerry. This country really does idolize the thin don’t we? (Disclaimer: I just finished watching American’s Next Top Model so thin is on the brain.) Anyhow, I’m interested in giving Palm another go! So I applied for the gig. They will begin contacting individuals they have chosen next week on Friday, May 8th. I will let you know if Palm chooses me!