The social media space is growing,  The Big Three – Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter – are the most popular modes of web interaction.  There are other common interest focused sites that are emerging; some interesting alternatives are:

Hot Potato.  The site allows users to organize tags by interest, such as music, books, food, etc.  This enables users to connect via common interest topics and share activities under a specific topic as well as engage in real-time conversations.  Please note, this site was recently purchased by Facebook (August 2010).  It should relaunch shortly.  Blog updates can be found here.

CitySense. A real-time geo mobile application that displays the overall activity of a city.  It answers the question ”where is everyone going right now?”  The application shows top activity hotspots and enables the user to link to Yelp and Google to map the venues.  Access the site @ CitySense.   The application is free and allows users to delete personal historical data to ensure security.

Hunch. The site is based on a question selection algorithm.  Based on a user’s response to a series of questions, usually 10 or less, Hunch will provide a recommendation to address the user’s query.  Recommendations are based on the collective knowledge of the community.  Responses are organized in a useful manner to offer customized answers.  Results may not align with your personal taste, but the concept is intriguing.  Try it for yourself @ Hunch.

Lunch.  This site is similar to Hunch in that data is based on recommendations and reviews of similar minded people.  Lunch enables users to share and discover personally information relevant information.  Looking for a local plumber?  Want to know where to find the best vintage wear?  Look it up on Lunch.

Above is a small sampling of new and interesting social sites based on you and your specific interest.  What are you interested in?  Have you found a site that caters to your specific interests?  Please share.

Geo-tagging is the new shiny object in the social media arena.  Therefore, we should expect similar applications (apps) to appear in its wake.  In line with that expectation an application called Shopkick has been developed for smart phone users.  The app tracks customer movement from outside the store to various points within the store such as the dressing room, cash register and moving from floor to floor.  Think of it as your virtual personal shopper.

Shopkick is similar to other geo-social apps in that users are able to accumulate points – called kickbucks – towards gift cards from the retailer.  Retailers have found their marketing edge – a customized shopping experience as well as an opportunity to influence and analysis consumer behavior.

Personally, I enjoy the evolution of technology.  My phone allows me to stay connected – email, Facebook, Twitter,  the web – but I draw the line at allowing myself to be tracked at any given moment.  What is the pay-off for that level of intrusion?   A $5 gift card?  Storage of my habits and preferences in the clouds?

What’s your opinion?  Is Shopkick the natural progression to geo-apps?  Are we exposing too much of ourselves in the world of Web 2.0?  Please comment.

Being social comes naturally to most people.  Before the popularity of the internet, socializing or networking was done formally – business conferences –  or informally – meeting at the local pub.   The development of social sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn has added another option to our ability to network, i.e.  socialize.

Evolution is inevitable.  Society seeks to improve upon existing technology – make it faster, more specific, more personalized, more available.  This wave of progression ushered in the popularity of geo-social networking – the ability to advice your network and your network’s network about your whereabouts at any given time of day.  This, in the moment, where am I, sharing can be done via a popular geo-networking site called Foursquare.

Foursquare is a location based social networking platform that allows users to “check-in” at venues using a mobile device.  Users are awarded points and/or badges by checking in at locations with certain tags or for the frequency of “check-ins”.  Users can share their location virally, via Twitter and Facebook, thereby blasting their location to their network and their network’s network and inadvertently to those with less than virtuous intentions for this information.

As a marketing tool, Foursquare and similar geo-tagging sites have their benefit.  Some advantages are:   promoting a sale or special for a specific area, determining the faithful followers of a specific business location and the ability to share comments about a specific location.  I have not created a Foursquare account and after read the following post doubt that I will:  please read.

In my role as a virtual service provider, I would use this service or one similar to it to promote my client’s business in line with their social media strategy.  Personally, virally sharing that I’m away from home for 2 weeks or won’t be home until late is a level of sharing that’s better achieved via word of mouth on a need to know basis.

What’s your view on geo-social networking platforms?

The media endorses it – most people engage in it – companies advertise on it – what is it?  If you answered Social Media you are correct.

Social media is represented in various mediums – Facebook, LinkedIn, instant messaging, and texting – all forms of communication.  I’m using another form right now – blogging.

Blogs are a means to engage, inform and share.  The key to blogging is fresh content, especially if your blog is attached to your main website.  Some blogs are personal. They enable family and friends who are separated by distance to keep in touch.  Other blogs are business oriented. They include updates from the CEO’s desk, announcements about major company initiatives and new-products offerings.

My website provides tips on business blogging. It also notes some ways to engage, inform and share information with your target audience.  Sign up for my “Social Media Marketing” series @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com to read more.

The internet has become an integral part of most people’s lives.  They interact with friends, family and even form new relationships online.  All of these online connections comprise a virtual community.

The members of a virtual community share pictures, videos, and specific news on various social platforms. Popular social platforms include Facebook , LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.  Sharing useful information with your virtual community keeps members interested and also provides an information pool to be accessed when needed.

There are several methods to share and engage your virtual community.    I have highlighted a few in my “Social Media Marketing” series.  Sign up to receive them @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com.

Reputation is determined by perception.  In today’s world of viral media – Facebook, MySpace and YouTube – comments, pictures and videos help to shape the concept of you and your business.  The cliché – good news travels fast but bad news travels faster – is evident daily in internet postings.

Safeguarding your reputation – personal and professional – requires vigilance and due diligence.  Two ways to monitor your online reputation are engaging a service provider and doing-it-yourself.  A powerful web-based tool that is used for monitoring is Google alerts.

This tool allows a user to set-up email notifications based on specific keywords and/or phrases. The notifications are delivered directly to your inbox. To learn of other techniques, sign up for my “Social Media Marketing” series @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com.