10 things Fiona likes most about Google+

Since Google+ launched for brands and businesses in November 2011 I have enjoyed thinking about ways we could incorporate Google+ into integrated digital marketing strategies and build a brand presence for our clients. Here are a few things, listed in no particular order, that I like about Google+:

1. Hangouts are great for product demos and launches, group chats, document screen sharing and music promotion.


2. Google is socialising all its services including search which is why Google+ content shows up in the search results, so great for increasing your search engine presence (Search Engine Optimisation).


3. Linking all the Google products like YouTube and Blogger in one Google Account. The new Gmail interface integrates with and even looks similar to Google+.


4. Optimised Google Places and My Places location maps, with a special offer and the new map snippets for sharing directions. Images can be geo tagged and found on Google Earth.


5. Customisable widgets, RSS feed, social share badges making real time updating relevant.


6. Allows animated gifs as well as static images in profile, which integrate with Picasa photo management service.


7. The chance to be an influencer and to find influencers in a certain field using the Ripples interactive diagram.


8. Great search ability of Google+ accounts, Google Direct Connect, lots of lists of profiles, categories and content related searches to find people of interest.


9. Linking Ads with +1 recommendations and being able to +1 images that I like.


10. Google+ bringing in location deals and mobile check-ins, which are great for in store promotions linked to Google Maps.

I don’t play games, as I am usually at a live music event but if I did, Google+ has those too.

If you want to find out more about Google+ and how it can benefit your business, please do go back and visit by November Blog, Creating a Google+ Page for your business. Alternatively give our sales team a call, they will be happy to discuss how we can help you further with digital strategy planning.


Author: Fiona Anderson

Geek Video of the Month

Dear Santa,

For Christmas, I would like an EXOdesk to replace my office desk at work, thanks.

Unfortunately though, it might have to wait until next year, as the video above is currently only a prototype. Built by the Canadian software company, EXOPC, their interactive desk is a tabletop computer, allowing you to manipulate objects by touch and dragging across the surface. If you’re interested in checking out more innovations about the ExoDesk, take a look over at their official development blog, EXOPC Lab.

The release date is set rather vaguely for 2012, with a rather heady price tag of $1,299. Whilst that might seem like a lot, it’s under ¼ of the price of Microsoft’s equivalent of the interactive desk, so if you’re dead set on your desk of the future, it might be something to keep an eye on!


Author: Alice Cheetham

EBay's new approach to Christmas shopping

To celebrate the Christmas season, eBay is opening their first ever UK store, though it’s not quite shopping as we know it...

Their temporary boutique opened yesterday, as scheduled, in London’s West End for just 5 days, allowing shoppers to browse their potential purchases before splashing out online. This is by no means eBay’s first foray into expanding from their online auctions; why not check out our previous article on their augmented reality app from earlier this year.

The shopping emporium works by making use of QR, or Quick Response codes. If you’re interested in learning more about QR codes and how they work, check out our previous post here. Customers can wander around the store and browse to their hearts content, purchases can then be made using a smartphone (or any other connected device that can read QR codes).

"Shoppers simply scan the QR code with their smartphone to make their loved ones’ Christmas wishes come true – no tills, no queues, no bags, no stress. Using your mobile phone, you can literally complete your shopping in a matter of clicks," claims eBay’s spokesperson.

Experts expect approximately 5.8 million shoppers to log on during the five day sales, with sales peaking at 30 gifts per second, almost double during the same period of 2010. EBay say they are expecting around 120 gifts to be purchased every minute via smartphone.

If you’re interested in learning more about how your business can take advantage of smartphone technology, or want to know how you can promote yourself over the festive period, why not get in contact with Rocktime and talk to our Sales team about the opportunities avaliable


Author: Alice Cheetham