SyNet Systems

You might like Facebook and Twitter for keeping up on the news and communicating with your friends, but big businesses like social networking because of the wealth of data it provides. Thankfully for those businesses and other entrepreneurs, DataSift has just announced that its officially licensed to sell access to tweets from up to two years ago. Previously, companies could only look back 30 days with competitor Gnips similar service, and Twitter users can only scroll back far enough to see seven days worth of tweets.

DataSift and others already offer expansive realtime analysis of tweets as they come in. Its current service doesnt just hand off millions of tweets a day to its customers instead, it adds context and insight to help companies make sense of all the data. For example, information like whether an update was positive or negative in tone, what topics were discussed, how influential the update was (using Klout), and where the update was placed are included. DataSift Historics, which is available today for existing DataSift users and in April for everyone else, lets its customers perform the same analysis on tweets all the way back to January 2010, at a rate of about 250 million tweets per day. According to BBC News, the service starts at $1,000 per month for an entry-level package suited for individuals, but prices scale up from there depending on how the data will be used and how big the company that uses the service is.

Why would companies want access to old, outdated tweets? Well, lots of companies track public opinion on Twitter in real time, but those corporations might decide months or years down the road that they want to investigate a trend that they hadnt recognized before. DataSift says its customers use the service to track brand and product opinions, follow news, and gain financial insights to help predict how the stock market will move.

While you might be concerned to hear that something you tweeted two years ago is floating around and being analyzed, it really shouldnt come as a surprise if you have a public account. Thankfully, if you delete a tweet or have a private account none of your updates will be available. Still, the idea that companies are mining your tweets for valuable data might make you think twice next time you want to share your opinions with your followers and everyone else.

Peanut Labs is launching its Crowdvibe site today to allow anyone to create quick polls or market research surveys with large numbers of respondents in a variety of targeted markets.

Crowdvibe (at the site Crowdvi.be) taps Peanut Labs network of more than 50 million consumers on 200 social networks to get users to fill out online surveys that you create. The cost comes out to a dollar per user or less, which is much cheaper and less hassle than setting up an online research campaign. And you can watch results arrive in real-time, with an average of 40 seconds for the first response.

You simply purchase virtual currency that lets you create a survey with one or two questions. The more respondents you want, the more virtual currency you need to purchase. One credit costs 10 cents. 100 untargeted responses cost $125. To get 1,000 untargeted respondents, the cost is about $900. For targeted responses, the price is higher. The web site is in beta testing now.

As speed becomes more of a necessity, we understand the value of time-sensitive research, said Noman Ali (pictured below), chief executive of Peanut Labs.

Thats a fraction of the usual cost for scientifically valid consumer market research, and the results you get are far less distorted than online polls, which can be thrown off if a biased party shares a link for the poll among his or her friends, Ali said in an exclusive interview.

We saw a gap where small and medium business could not get consumer insight the way that the big companies could, Ali said. Nothing else can get you data so quickly and cheaply.

Once you create your questions, you can refine the audience to focus on certain vertical markets, such as retail, electronic and mobile commerce, media and entertainment, consumer packaged goods, consumer electronics, travel and hospitality, or banking and financial services verticals. You can pick the age group of respondents, the income bracket, ethnicity, geography, gender, or other lifestyle characteristics.

Its a very simple process, as you just fill out the web form, Ali said.

Once you release the survey, Peanut Labs populates it into its network of users. It offers incentives to users on a variety of platforms. If they answer the survey, they get some kind of virtual good in return. That enables Peanut Labs to get a good response rate and to ensure that the polling is scientifically accurate, since the links for the surveys are controlled by Peanut Labs and are not publicly accessible.

Users respond by voting for any one of two to seven pre-written answers for the poll.

One cool feature is that you can watch the results for your survey arrive in real-time.

You can get access to 150 or 200 people in 15 minutes, or 1,000 people in 30 minutes to 45 minutes, Ali said.

The service is targeted at analysts, creatives, and marketers who want to bridge the gap between social media and market research by accessing a huge network of people, without spending a lot of money. They can get product opinions, brand perceptions, and a bunch of feedback on marketing campaigns, promotional offers, concept tests, and consumer satisfaction. Companies such as Endemol US, Landor, Takasago, Kaptur, and 360i have been using the product in the closed beta test.

The idea for the service started around June last year and the full team started working on it in the fall. The team has 30 people now and will likely grow to 40 this year. Peanut Labs is owned by online research firm E-Rewards.

The social networks include sites such as Facebook and Foursquare. Right now, the product is a generic one. Over time, however, Peanut Labs might be able to modify it so that it could be particularly useful to fashion or game companies.

That might happen, but its down the road, Ali said.

Is social media the next home buying revolution? As people change how they interact using the web and social media, how they buy houses is also evolving.

People no longer use real estate agents as taxis to look at houses – instead the web is now their key research tool.

Statistics from Nielsens 2010 Social Media Report show more than two in five online New Zealanders are interacting with companies via social networking sites. This reinforces the notion New Zealanders are open to engaging with brands and companies online.

Online customer feedback about new homes is instantaneous and accessible, enabling people to be more educated before they speak to a new home builder. This means the ease of the solution and the simplicity of the offering are becoming increasingly important. People use the web and social networks to pre-qualify and find the new home solution that best suits them.

People now have a greater awareness of the value of their time and their personal space and this is changing how they view marketing. Traditional methods no longer penetrate and new home companies now need a more personal approach – and the ability to withstand scrutiny.

The Nielsen report shows social media is playing an important role in product and service purchasing decisions – 44 per cent of New Zealanders have published opinions about products, services and brands, while 73 per cent have read other consumers product opinions.

Research director Tony Boyte said: New Zealanders engagement with online word of mouth communication is going to increase in coming years as social media plays an increasingly important role in consumer decision making.

Social media can initiate contact but, crucially, must point back to an informative website and a person to interact with. Online interaction should not replace traditional customer relationship management, it should extend it.

The show home is still important, just as shops are important for people who want to see an item after viewing it on the web. But visitors are now more likely to have already have taken a virtual tour before they arrive at a show home.

It takes time and commitment from the sales team to maintain an online presence, but the investment is essential for the company to do business with consumers in the way they are increasingly choosing.

Good sales processes have to be in place and rigid quality assurance principles have to be followed, so any customer service challenges can be fixed before a problem develops.

We get satisfied customers involved in our business through the use of networks, including Facebook, Twitter and our blog. It fits with our value of creating communities.

We believe that the more we can open up to feedback, the faster we can advance our business.

– Paul Marshall is the Rotorua director of Generation Homes

By Mark Terry. Every brand wants its brand advocates. But just who are these unofficial salesfolk? And what are their habitats, behaviours and motivations?

For one thing, brand advocates are 83% more likely to share information about a product than typical web users, and 50% more likely to influence a purchase, says BzzAgent in its Field Guide to Brand Advocates report. They also enjoy solving problems and helping others make better purchase decisions. They are 75% more likely to share a great product experience, and three times more likely to share product opinions with someone they don’t know.

And brand advocates are 2.5-times more likely to use social media to expand their social circle. They are also prolific content creators, and share more than two times as many online comms about brands. Plus they talk about the products they use every single day.

Brand advocates genuinely enjoy sharing product information and are always looking for new things to talk about. They value their relationships with brands, and their biggest motivation is to be seen as good resources by the brands themselves.

Laptop, iPod and phone its all three or nothing!

by Drey Wingate / @ProStatus85

Whats good young world? Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Drey Wingate, also known as Pro Status to my peers and the world of social networking. Basketball player, youth activist, future author and gadget geek. I have been given the opportunity of sharing my views on the latest technology and my products of choice. As a basketball player, Im constantly traveling. I believe I speak for all players when I say that the type of gadgets you have in your possession make or break the experience of always being away. I need something to occupy my time and keep me entertained whether I’m on the road or in the sky.

Technology is moving faster than ever. As soon as you buy something you look up and see something else that you want. It’s not about what looks good and what everybody is talking about though, it’s about having the device that works for YOU. You don’t have to empty your pockets to get the best product, all you have to do is be willing to invest in what fits your liking and what you are comfortable with.

Theres three things I need when I travel. My laptop, my iPod and my phone. If one of those things are missing, I just write it off as a lost cause. Right now Im in a laptop transition. Thinking about getting the HP Envy 14 joint with the Beats by Dre stereo system or possibly the iPad 2. The HP Envy 14 makes you want to take it home just because of how it looks. The design is sick! I got a thing for black and red (Go Bulls!) so seeing a laptop that’s outlined in that colorway gets a check plus from me. In my opinion, it’s the best series HP has ever created. You can check it out here.

Now that iPad 2…. Uh yeah, that piece right there is a problem. To be honest I wasn’t too crazy about it the whole idea at first. I looked at it as an oversized version of the iPhone. After I had the chance to experiment with one, all of those negative thoughts went out the window. Its very light, great speed and the 10 hour battery life is the best part. Nothing like having a device that can survive without a charge for a long time. I also like how you can have your own custom-made covers too. For people like me who stay on the go, portability always helps. The fact that the iPad 2 is very small and can basically fit anywhere, it draws consumers closer to the thought of actually buying one. Peep it here for more info. You gotta be careful in those Apple stores though. It’s a tech lover’s heaven.

But until I make that decision, I’m able to stay informed with what’s going on thanks to my Blackberry Curve 9330. Now I will admit, the BB curve isnt the flashiest thing on the market, but it is very reliable and gets the job done. And most importantly, the price is great. Im able to sync all of my email accounts into it. Between Facebook, Twitter and blackberry messenger Im able to communicate with my people directly if Im not able to talk to them. The expandable memory card slot allows me to store a lot of pictures, videos and music on my device. The track pad and the key pad allow you to have easy navigation to your apps and typing is easy. To all my blackberry team members who are looking for something simple but cool, take a look at it. My only complaint is the camera quality and the internet speed can be a pain at times, but other than that, everything is a go. Don’t be surprised if you hear you talking about the Blackberry Bold on my next post.

My 80 GB iPod classic has been with me for a minute now. Not many people believe that someone can possibly use that much space. Well, now you have met someone who actually does. Truth be told I probably need more. If you were to see my iTunes library then you would know why. Im a young cat, but my love for music goes back to the ’50s and ’60s. So yes, I do need that much space. Being able to have my movies and pictures in the palm of my hand is great. But I will admit, its time to upgrade. The next thing I want to try out is the 64gb iPod touch with the HD video and video calling. The face time and internet access doesn’t hurt either. You can peep this piece at apple.com/ipodtouch. Now that’s what I call #DOPE. Gotta love Steve Jobs and his crew! I look forward to sharing of product opinions with you and keeping you up to date with whats hot on the streets. Until next time y’all.

Signing off,
Pro Status

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