Group items tagged

This article explains how although it is not always possible to predict if content will go viral, there are some similarities between content that has gone viral in the past. For example, Walter explains that viral content shares common features like addressing real-world problems, by evoking emotion (such as anger or humour), and usually has an element of surprise. Walter also adds that how material is distributed and by whom (ex. if celebrities are endorsing it) often plays a key role in whether it will reach a level of virality.

This article analyzes the idea of how virality can be influenced by the emotions felt by the audience. For example, the article explains how people who feel emotions such as happiness as result of viewing certain content are more likely to share it with their friends and networks, therefore contributing to it going viral. The article also uses data collected from Fowler and Christakis' study in 2008 which monitored the emotions people experienced when sharing things on Twitter.

A website that shows the top 40 most popular social networking sites around the world. Each website has a brief summary of what it is and where it is popular. Very interesting contrast in popular websites that are international, and some that are more specific to different regions/countries.

*Note: this list is as of 2012

An article that discusses social media and how it can be a useful tool for a global organization/company that crosses at least one national or regional boundary. Provides tips on how to get their message heard, as well as provide the top used social media websites in different countries.

This blog post elaborates upon the possible implications of the continuous technological convergence occurring in society.  He touches on negative issues such as the growing dependence on technology such as cellphones, which have only been around for a number of years.  He also explains positives for advertisers and entrepreneurs such as the ability to reach a global audience at next to no fee.  I thought this article would be relevant because our course similarly reflects upon the impacts of media on our lives as citizens, students and consumers.

This short video talks about how the internet, mainly Google, is changing the way we think and how we learn. The main point being that we finally have an unlimited amount of information literally at our fingertips but this ability has made our brains work differently so we cannot absorb the information that is so easily accessible. It brings up the interesting topic of how this technology and social media is changing the way we work as humans and leads us to question where it will take us.

This article clearly points out the three most troublesome aspects of using the internet and social media today.

Have you seen Brian Sollis' ingenious "Conversation Prism"? If you don't I urge you to check it out and learn how it works. As Solis explains, the goal of any online conversation is to relate back to the user (you). It shows all the ways that a user can connect to the social web. The way I see it, it is complex and interconnected like a spider web.

This article speaks to the effects of listening to the radio compared to watching TV, surfing the web, or doing none of the above. Radio, according to this survey, makes people happier and gives them more energy as they go about their lives everyday when compared to people that watch television, people that use the internet, and people that consume no media at all. Could this be because of how engaged it forced us to be? 

This article relates to the prior discussion of "blindness" experienced by radio listeners.  To elaborate, radio is a simple form of media which can thus produce a more intimate relationship between host and listener.  Radio hosts often seem to have more authentic personalities vs those on other forms of media, which makes content more friendly and familiar to listen to.  This article reflects upon positive emotions experienced by listeners vs those experienced by other media.  

This is another very interesting article on the surveillance society.  I really enjoyed this article because it includes many lines that are relatable to everyone and that also help in understanding the issue. This article is very easy to understand and gives a bunch of interesting examples on surveillance and society.

Similar to the example given in class early in the semester about the young boy who asked for donations because of a disorder he had, this article also involves Reddit and users donating money to help those in need. The article is an example of concept of imagined communities. It features that idea of people from all over the world being unified because they read something on the same website and thus sharing an experience together by helping the orphanage.

In this article, Jonah Berger explains "what makes things go viral," essentially what common themes tie things together when being virally shared. Berger expresses that there is a science behind why content go viral- for example, he says that virality can depend on the medium of how it's shared and it's level of sharability (ex. Facebook or Twitter). Also, Berger notes that another reason why content goes viral is because individuals want to appear more intelligent by sharing certain links that make them look better. Berger also explains that viral content has a related theme of "triggers," meaning it appeals to our stimuli in the form of sight and sound.

This article is useful for individuals looking to edit their videos effectively. The tips provided are to guide a video editor in making the best edits possible. Before editing a video, it is a good idea to look for some tips to help you start well before messing up. Those 10 simple tips will be a good read before you start your editing session. This topic goes back to our lecture on how to edit videos.

This video refers to one of our readings, by Jonah Berger. He talks about why things go viral; the causes of it. The video is very informative , and gives us a different perspective of what Berger has to say, since he engages with an audience and demonstrates some pictures and puts emphasis on text on a PowerPoint slide, unlike his article. I enjoyed watching this clip and was able to understand it better than the article itself.

This article will help teach how to identify appropriate audiences for products and brands, etc.  There is also a short video which demonstrates how the author helps others build effective online platforms.  Without an effective platform to reach the desired audience it can be difficult to branch out and meet the desired goals.  

This article explores how many viewers can be brought in for specific, landmarking televised events such as Superbowl.

Steve P. Young (Director of SmartShoot) provides a simple framework for creating viral video. He provides 5 criteria to create a viral video. This resource is no boring read. It features claims as "be a purple cow", and "promote like a Kardashian". While fun and an interesting read, there is real truth to his points. .

Having issues getting view counts on your video? Don't fret; instead this resource may help you. Laura Stampler discusses the power of viral video, provides great examples, and even reveals the secrets of making a viral ad. What 2 things are crucial to making a true viral ad? Read on to find out.

This dynamic and info-packed Infographic highlights how to design for viral growth. The author, Morgan Brown discusses virality, how to make viral designs, and sums its all up in one neat infographic that is compelling, easily embedded into personal websites, and acts as a good reference sheet. A must to keep in mind when designing content for online promotion.