Monday, November 15, 2010

The Last Original Idea Contest

Free Pass to SMX Toronto
In case you missed it, back on October 15, 2010 “The Last Original Idea – A Cynic’s Guide to Internet Marketing” became available on several online book reseller’s websites. Yesterday we held our official book launch and now we’re kicking off a huge contest - “The Last Original Idea Contest”. Yes, we know that a “book contest” is hardly an original idea.

6 Months Free
As pointed out in the book, there really aren’t any new ideas in marketing, just different tools that in some cases make it easy and fast to screw things up. Well we actually assembled some of these tools (worth thousands of dollars) as prizes that in the hands of professional Internet marketers can help create successful campaigns. Prizes include tools from Raven Tools, SEOMoz Pro & gShift Labs.

6 Months Free
The basic premise is simple, just tell us what you think “the last great original idea in marketing” was and why in 350 words or less or say it in a video in under 2.5 minutes. We’ll be posting them on the book’s website on December 1 and then using the not very original Facebook Like button ao that people all over the world will have the opportunity to vote. Of course you are encouraged to get the vote out as you see fit. The winners will be voted on until January 31, 2011. 

6 Months Free
It’s that simple and no purchase necessary. There are a few other minor details which are posted on the contest entry page .

We look forward to your entries and while we have your attention, we’re starting to plan a book tour in the new year, so if you’d like to be part of the Last Original Idea tour just let us know.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Free Tweets – A Thing of the Past

Everyone has been wondering how long it will take until someone finds a way to monetize Twitter. Well ladies and gentlemen, the day has come and soon there will be no such thing as a free Tweet. As of November 1 there are now “Promoted Tweets”. What is a Promoted Tweet? Companies tweet on their own accounts and then pay Twitter to promote them. At the top of each search results page these Tweets will say “Promoted by” on them. The more clicks a particular Tweet gets the longer it remains promoted. Promoted Tweets are being rolled out in 3 phases:
• Searches on Twitter.com
• Searches through its partners
• In the user timeline
Is this a new idea? Sounds a lot like a sponsored link at the top of a search engine results page to me.
Is this going to work? Starbucks has already signed up. Reaction has been mixed with many predicting a backlash from users who do not want advertising on the site, but if it makes money it will continue. It is next to impossible that the backlash of those against Promoted Tweets will be able to put the genie back in the bottle.