Early reviews suggest that TweetMeme is more effective – showing more Tweets than the Twitter Tweet button.

I couldn’t find a recent test or review so I decided to experiment with the two buttons side by side on my own.

The TweetMeme  button is visually more noticeable, in my opinion, than the official Twitter button. What caught my eye is that the Twitter button now tends to show more Tweets.  This is especially important for young blogs who wish to show activity. The fact is every blog wants to demonstrate they are worthy of following.

The Tweeter button doesn’t win in every case, but I estimate in about eight out of ten posts, the Twitter button shows far more Tweets than TweetMeme retweets. In many cases the Twitter button begins to display statistics before TweetMeme shares one retweet.

TweetMeme offers more features than the Twitter button, but this is rumored to change soon as new statistics are rolled out from Twitter.

My conclusion is that I will use and recommend the official Twitter button moving forward.

Rosh

Twitter recently rolled out their new photo upload button.  The camera shaped icon is located under the status update box under the heading “what’s happening?”. The add your location icon is next to it.

Use it – photographs help tell your story.

Over the next few weeks you will see another photo related feature rolling out; a photography gallery.  This gallery will hold the last one-hundred photographs you have uploaded to Twitter – including photos uploaded through third-party applications such as yfrog and twitpic.

I can see creative uses and designs coming soon to these new galleries.  If nothing else, be strategic with this new opportunity. Every photograph will help to tell your story. If you are using Twitter for business make sure every photograph represents your company well.

Rosh

If your goal is to develop relationships than focusing on a few blogs is the way to go.  If your goal is search engine optimization (SEO) than the more blogs you comment on the better.

Blog quality plays a role in SEO.  You want to comment on blogs highly regarded by Google. The best way to find such blogs is to use Google search.  Once you have found a few blogs as a starting point -  follow the blogrolls and links to other valuable blogs.

If you wish to develop relationships through blogs then look for quality blogs with few comments.  Before you engage too deeply review past posts to see if the blogger is responsive.  A good blogger will respond to comments.

Comments are not the best indicator of the quality of the blog.  A blog with a lot of comments can mean multiple things.   Some bloggers are great networkers while other bloggers write great posts that encourage engagement.  I believe being highly active in the social media encourages participation with your blog more than quality or expertise.

Comments are also good for driving traffic and introducing your expertise – keep humble.

Commenting should be thoughtful.  We (Synectics Media) often comment on various blogs for SEO purposes, but we have a policy.  If you have nothing relevant or of value to add to the conversation – don’t comment.

Rosh

• A) tumbler passes WordPress.
• B) Google image and voice search.
• C) Twitter integrated into new Apple ios (no Facebook).
• D) Google Calendar appointments.

• A) Forget the coffee.
• B) Give them a title.
• C) Let them have fun.

5) Action item: Get an intern!

You understand the importance of a plan. We use the solar system method to layout our strategy for Synectics Media and our clients.  In the solar system method the sun represents your website in the center.  This is where you convert.  Closely orbiting your sun is your blog representing you or your company’s personality.

Beyond your sun and blog are inner planets.  These are generally multi-media sites such as Youtube and Flickr to share your story.  Lastly, are your outer planets such as Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. The solar system method is worthy of expanding on at a later time.

You get the concept.  Now what?

Your job is to drive people to the center of your solar system.  You do this with three types of status updates, tweets and posts.

Engage, Drive and Convert.

First you must engage with people.  I sometimes tire of word engage, but it is the correct word.  You need to connect with people, develop relationships and community.

Next you drive traffic to other parts of your solar system.

Lastly, you convert.  Converting means the visitor does what you want them to do. A conversion could mean to email you, fill out a form, download a PDF or call you on the phone.

Each update doesn’t carry equal weight.  Most of your time should be spent engaging people with valuable content, information and conversation.  No more than twenty percent of your time should be designed to drive people to other parts of your solar system.  Lastly, once in a while you ask for the sale.

Asking for the sale should not be done more than once out of every twenty updates.

Every tweet doesn’t have to be calculated, but you should keep a mental note of the ratio between the three types of updates.

The Twitter Tweet and Facebook Like buttons are standard.  Every page should have them available for viewers to share with their friends and followers.

New buttons such as the Google +1, Twitter follow, Tumblr and Facebook share buttons are important.  How important depends on your social community.

I strongly believe if you give people too many choices they will choose nothing.  I found this to be true with social media plug-ins such as Sociable and many other any-all-in one buttons with multiple sharing options.

If you don’t have a strong Twitter presence, it would not be worth adding a Twitter follow button to your web pages.  The only exception would be if your plan is to build a strong Twitter following.

The Google +1 button is helpful for blogs and websites with a lot of traffic.  Most active social media participants don’t follow other people’s Google accounts close enough to catch +1 recommendations.  But, familiar faces listed under Google search results can make the difference whether someone clicks a link or not.

The Facebook share button is perfect for people who have a community heavily into Facebook.  Some industries or communities lean toward different social media platforms.  An example of this would be the Tumblr community.   Tumblr is excellent for photography and any topic that finds short-form blogging beneficial. Professional websites will benefit from a LinkedIn share button.

New buttons will continue to be released.  Don’t jump on every button.  First consider your community and the profile of the people you want to attract.

As always, when in doubt – test.

Rosh

It seems logical that the bottom of the page would be the best place.  Obviously, when people are done reading they will want to share your great article on Facebook and Twitter.

I’ve been experimenting and found that keeping the buttons at the top of the page is more effective than on the bottom.

My unscientific conclusion: people share first and read second.  Not everyone makes to the bottom of the page no matter how good your article.

What has been your experience?

Every event should have a hashtag.  This is a keyword with # sign next to it. This symbols helps people find, follow and connect with people tweeting about your event though twitter search.

Once people find the hashtag they can save it and follow all the tweets related to the event.

Why?

This builds a conversation and awareness outside the actual event. Building interest before, during and after an event will help improve name recognition, engagement and excitement.

If you have regular events such as monthly meetings make sure you keep the same hashtag and remind participants to tweet using the hashtag during the event.

The reminder is key.

Don't assume people will find the hashtag or even remember to Tweet during your event.  Make an announcement, print it in programs, newsletters and create a section on your website about the hashtag. People often Google a hashtag to figure what it's about, make sure your webpage is the best resource.

If you are looking for #hashtags to follow or information on hashtags you can goto hashtag.org.