Internet Provider

10 Ways Movie Studios Leverage Twitter

Posted by admin on 05/14/2012 | 0 Comments

Word gets around faster than ever now, thanks largely in part to social networking sites like Twitter, where it’s easy to blast out information quickly and efficiently to a large audience. So it was only a matter of time, and out of a need for self-preservation, that movie studios would adjust their marketing accordingly to incorporate these strategies. With the power to spread opinion at the speed of light, Twitter has helped change the way Hollywood promotes its product. The following are 10 ways that movie studios leverage Twitter:

1. Live tweets – Filmmakers and actors alike frequently tweet directly from the set. Knowing that first night tweet reviews can kill a movie by the second night, they are getting more proactive in creating an early buzz.
2. Twitter apps – Studios add a Twitter app to all of their official movie websites in order to gauge public opinion as early as possible. They want to stave off any negative publicity before it gains any momentum.
3. Contests – Production studios will sometimes hold contests for their followers, offering free tickets to previews and screenings, in an effort to help create some positive momentum prior to release dates.
4. Verified accounts – Movie stars and execs typically have active Twitter accounts, which have been verified so that followers know that it’s a real account and not an imposters, which they will use to gain followers and communicate with fans. Creating a network of followers helps smooth the way for good box office receipts when their movies are released.
5. Links to trailers – Movie trailers are often linked to by studio exec and actors’ tweets, so that they can take a pulse, as it were, prior to the release date and gauge the response from their loyal followers.
6. Keeping up to date with relevant tweets – Smart movie studio execs are always proactively searching tweets for hashtags and keywords that are relevant to their product. Like any shrewd business owner, they are keeping their fingers on the public’s pulse.
7. Direct interaction – Interaction with people is no longer an option – it’s a necessity. The most successful businesses keep in contact with their customers regularly. Movie studios now have full-time personnel who maintain their social presence on sites like Twitter for just that purpose.
8. Creating hype – Marketing resources have been drastically redistributed by virtue of social media’s impact. Movie studios now rely as much on sites like Twitter to create buzz for their films as they do in traditional advertising venues.
9. Exclusive scoops – Movie studios will also post exclusive content as well as web links to provide social media members with access that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly available. This strategy was instrumental in the box office success of movies like “The Vow”.
10. Ongoing consumer research – Research conducted by movie studios on Twitter has helped them determine what types of films they need to be focusing on, and what tastes are prevalent among the movie-going public so that they are able to tailor new movies accordingly.

Twitter has completely revolutionized the way that movie studios are marketing to their audiences, making it a more interactive and personalized approach. This way of marketing has helped create hype for upcoming movies, kept up a stead buzz after the movies have been released, and allowed viewers to gain an edge on upcoming and current films.

10 Blogs for People That Love to Gaze at Stars

Posted by admin on 05/01/2012 | 0 Comments

Astronomy being one of our favorite hobbies, we try to keep abreast of the subject as much as we can. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of available resources online that cater to both amateur and experienced astronomers alike. Photo galleries, star maps, equipment advice, plus tips on where to look in the night sky are just a few of the resources at the stargazer’s disposal online. The following are ten blogs where stargazers go to gaze and contemplate:

1. Bad Astronomy (Discover Magazine) – Created by Phil Plait, who spent ten years working on that little project known as the Hubble Telescope, and authored numerous articles as well as two books on the subject of astronomy. Check out one of his books here.
2. Skymania – A UK-based astronomy site that’s rich in news resources for the novice astronomer. Check out the Sky Tonight tab for current tips on what’s going on overhead, and where to find it. The Stargazing tab is a handy link to begin if you’re unsure where to start.
3. Wonders of Stargazing – This blog was created by the folks at Skymania, and is especially designed for targeting the beginner stargazing audience. Tips on night sky viewing, nearby planets, the moon, and even help with selecting a telescope are provided through the tabbed menu on the header.
4. NASA Blogs – Here is where space cadets can stay on top of what’s happening at NASA. There are also blogs for various ongoing projects and events, like a recent fireball sighting over Georgia and asteroid tracking noted in the Watch The Skies section.
5. Astroblog – Ian Musgrave of Adelaide, South Australia covers the Southern Hemisphere for astronomy buffs. He and his 8” scope, Don, partner to bring visitors some rather spectacular images and his blog makes for some very educational reading.
6. The Planetary Society – Co-founded by none other than Carl Sagan, this site is dedicated to the promotion of space exploration. Take a tour through the site, and discover all that the Society is involved in. Start with the Explore tab, and prepare to be amazed.
7. Universe Today – Fraser Cain, partnering with Phil Plait of the aforementioned Bad Astronomy fame (see #1), publishes this blog, whose Guide to Space tab, and forum are enormously instructional for the novice stargazer.
8. Will Gater – For truly awe-inspiring celestial photos, Will Gater’s blog is a guaranteed hit. Take a tour through his impressive library of astrological images, spend some time reading his enlightening micro-blog journal, or peruse any of his available articles for a more in-depth look at his take on astrology.
9. Astronomy Picture of the Day – Speaking of astro-images, on this site you can find a huge archive of deep space images, submitted from various sources, including NASA. Many of the full-resolution photos are visually astounding.
10. Women in Astronomy – Filling a unique and welcome niche for the stargazing community, Women in Astronomy provides enlightening background and inspirational examples for the budding future ladies of the cosmos

10 Ways to Spread Religion via Twitter

Posted by admin on 04/05/2012 | 0 Comments

If religion is your message, then the mountaintop from which you may spread it has no better modern-day equivalent than Twitter. Word travels fast on Twitter, which is a big reason for its enormous rise in popularity since its beginning just 6 years ago. So if you want to enlighten the masses with your own brand of spirituality, we’ve gathered some examples of how to do it. Here are ten ways to spread religion via Twitter:

1. Profile – The obvious place to start would be to establish a Twitter account for your church/group/synagogue, etc. Once you’ve got a profile for a pulpit, it’s off to the races. Use your profile to share what your religion is all about. Provide links and contact info.
2. Groups – Social media like Twitter have numerous groups within their membership, dedicated to all manner of interests and topics. Joining an existing group with a focus on religion/spirituality gets you to the audience you’re likely seeking.
3. Tweet – Share the message or news about your religion in your tweets. Provide excerpts or highlights of your philosophy or canon for readers to examine. Include links to relevant websites where appropriate.
4. Hash Tags – A very handy indexing tool (though somewhat misused), these provide a means for searching specific terms or topics. If, for instance, you wanted to establish or follow conversation about evolution, you could simply use the hash tag #evolution.
5. Follow – Look for other @religion people who are already followers of your brand of religion and network with them to help spread the word. As you develop followers yourself, then you can spread your religion via …
6. RT – Re-tweets are the echoes in the halls of Twitter, the repeaters in the phone line. When you post updates and info about your religion, followers will retweet across their network of followers, and that’s how word spreads like wildfire.
7. Events – Whether it’s a prayer vigil, discussion group, revival, or concert, let your followers know what’s happening, and when and where it’s going down. When you do schedule events to promote your group, another good marketing tool, so to speak is …
8. Promotional Contests – There are a number of ways to approach this. You could have a contest for who gathers the most followers, or gets the most retweets of an announcement for the event; or a simple trivia quiz, whatever. It motivates people to get involved is the point.
9. Twitter Feeds – You can carry the word directly to the people, right on their desktops and iPhones when you provide regular updates to transmit over feeds to apps and widgets everywhere.
10. Social Media as Mission Field – As it has done for millions of people around the world already, Twitter can be the tool through which you build personal relationships across the web. Connecting with people and developing those relationships first is the key to earning the privilege of sharing your message with them.

No matter what religion or belief you are promoting, Twitter is a great tool to use. Take a look around and see if you can find like-minded people to help you spread the word. But if you can’t find anyone right away, don’t be afraid to take the first step. After all, it only takes one voice to be heard.

30 Awesome Pro Sports Rumor Blogs

Posted by admin on 03/25/2012 | 0 Comments

MLB – Major League Baseball Rumor Blogs

America’s Favorite Pastime is also one of America’s favorite sources of sports-related gossip and speculation. From team trades to controversial salaries (we’re looking at you, Yankees!) there’s plenty of fodder for the MLB rumor mill. Here are 10 of the best blogs dedicated to any and all rumors swirling around Major League Baseball for those looking to keep tabs on all of the latest news.

1. MLBTradeRumors – Just as the title suggests, MLB Trade Rumors is dedicated to reporting rumors regarding trades and contract negotiations.  Claiming that, “If it’s whispered, we hear it,” this hotbed of baseball-related gossip is definitely deserving of a bookmark.
2. MLBDailyDish – Billed as “the best and most reliable clearinghouse for MLB Trade Rumors from credible sources, covering every signing, transaction, and trade, with a heavy dose of analysis and fan reaction you can’t get anywhere else,” serious baseball fans should give this gem a place on their Favorites list.
3. ProSportsDaily – Pro Sports Daily’s Major League Baseball Rumors section is one of the best you can find on the web; rumors regarding trades and salaries are accompanied by gossip about the players’ off-time antics, statistics and extensive recaps.
4. ESPNMLB – One of the nation’s most trusted names in sports reporting, ESPN’s website boasts an exhaustive Major League Baseball section dedicated to rumors and speculation, which they call “news before it’s news”. Frequent updates make this website one that deserves regular visits.
5. SportsOverdose – With a live stream of constantly updated news, rumors and statistics, the baseball section of Sports Overdose leaves nothing to be desired in the world of MLB speculation. Check back frequently, the impressive number of updates ensures that you’re up-to-the-minute on your baseball gossip.
6. ProRumors – The name of this gem says it all: it’s chock-full of professional baseball rumors and gossip. With an emphasis on trade rumors and contractual problems, Pro Rumors is frequently updated with high-quality content.
7. BleacherReport – Another heavy-hitting name in web-based sports news, the Bleacher Report’s MLB-dedicated section is a treasure trove of gossip, rumor and confirmed news. Statistics, recaps and other content are regularly updated, making the Bleacher Report a site worth visiting daily.
8. YardBarker – The Yard Barker tagline proclaims it to be “real-time rumors, gossip, opinions and humor from the best sports blogs.” With dedicated sections for each and every team in the league, finding the latest on your favorite team is a breeze.
9. TheDugoutDoctors – In addition to news and updates in the Major League universe, the Dugout Doctors also offer an extensive section of rumors, gossip and speculation. From game-related gossip to tales of a more personal nature, the Dugout Doctors hold nothing sacred.
10. MLB on Yahoo! Sports – When it comes to sports reporting, gossip, injury reports and trade information, Yahoo! Sports certainly holds its own. Up-to-the-minute information keeps even the most hardcore fan satisfied with new dirt.

In addition to the general Major League blogs, there are a staggering number of fan-run blogs dedicated to each team. Diehards will also want to run a quick web search for their favorite club to stay up-to-date on team-specific rumors.

NBA – National Basketball Association Rumor Blogs

While shows like VH1’s Basketball Wives have turned gossip about NBA players’ personal lives into valuable blog fodder, there are plenty of sites and blogs dedicated solely to rumors within the teams themselves. Here are 10 of the high-scoring gossip sites from all over the web.

1. HoopsHype – Serving up their gossip with a side of pro basketball players’ tweets and Facebook posts, Hoops Hype is one of the most popular sources for NBA rumors anywhere on the web. A favorite of sports writers and fans alike, Hoops Hype is definitely worthy of a place in an NBA fan’s Favorites folder.
2. HoopsVibe – In addition to their plentiful gossip and speculation, Hoops Vibe also offers a plethora of newsworthy content, opinion pieces and expert predictions. Frequently updated with interesting information, Hoops Vibe is worth visiting regularly.
3. InsideHoops – As well as the juicy rumors that frequent this site, Inside Hoops offers statistics, player interviews and a fan discussion forum where diehards can come together to share opinions. The simple layout also makes navigating a breeze.
4. ProSportsDaily – The NBA section of Pro Sports Daily’s site is a veritable goldmine of professional basketball-related information. Rumors, speculation, statistics and opinion articles all make for quite interesting reading.
5. BallTrends – With sections broken down into live news, items from the last 24 hours, week, two weeks, month or an entire year, combing through the archives of Ball Trends rumors is easy as can be. Staying up-to-date on current standings, trades and scores by visiting a single site makes Ball Trends worthy of a bookmark.
6. SLAMonline – A one-stop shop for all things NBA, SLAMonline should definitely be at the top of any hardcore fan’s list of daily must-visits. Rumors and featured content stand alongside a collection of video highlights and photographs; there’s very little of importance in the NBA world that can’t be found here.
7. BleacherReport – The NBA section of Bleacher Report is filled to the brim with current information, breaking news and rumored changes. Opinion articles and other featured content round out the impressive collection.
8. The Big Lead – Trivia, breaking news and fantasy league information abounds at The Big Lead, in addition to rumors and speculation galore. The NBA section of this sports-reporting giant leaves no stone unturned; expect to visit regularly.
9. ESPN – Few names are as trusted when it comes to sports news and reporting as ESPN. The venerable cable network’s website and NBA blog section is no different; rumors stand alongside confirmed stories and statistics to provide a complete picture for Fantasy League players.
10. NBADimensions – Billed as a “website powered by NBA enthusiasts,” NBA Dimensions is filled with fan gossip, speculations and passionate discussion. The blog section is regularly updated with statistics, news and rumors, but the discussion forums get their fair share of traffic from pro basketball diehards.

The NBA-dedicated corner of the blogosphere is heavily populated with blogs dedicated solely to specific teams; hardcore fans should make it a point to find the ones that cover their favorite team. A quick search turns up dozens of team-specific results.

NFL – National Football League Rumor Blogs

Football fans love their gossip and speculation just as much as their celebrity-obsessed counterparts; rumors can prove to be a very valuable commodity during Fantasy Football drafts. Even if fans are simply looking for something to discuss during commercial breaks, the web is rife with NFL-centric gossip. Here are ten of the best sources for pro football rumors on the internet.

1. The Big Lead NFL – The Big Lead is a powerhouse in professional sports reporting and rumors. The NFL section of the site is home to lists, articles and valuable (if as-yet unconfirmed) information.
2. YardBarker – Billing themselves as “Real-time rumors, gossip, opinions and humor from the best sports blogs,” YardBarker is a great resource for all things football. Collecting the juiciest rumors and facts from around the web, this frequently-updated gem deserves a place in your Favorites folder.
3. ProFootballTalk – NBC’s ProFootballTalk blog is another bookmark-worthy resource in the National Football League land of speculation and reporting. Ranging from the hinted at to the confirmed, there’s very little that can’t be found here.
4. FanNation – The NFL section of heavy-hitter FanNation is another incredible source of insider information, conjecture and discussion. Staying up-to-date on the goings-on within the league is as simple as paying FanNation a visit.
5. Pro Sports Daily – Packed with gossip from league insiders regarding trades, contract negotiations and other potentially game-changing situations, Pro Sports Daily’s NFL section is a one-stop football rumor shop.
6. CBSSports – The professional football section of CBS Sports’ website features blogs and articles that focus on rumored activity, as well as confirmed facts. Making the CBSSports page one of your daily must-visits is a great way to stay abreast of changes and shakeups within the league.
7. NFL on Yahoo! Sports – In depth coverage of trading rumors, contract negotiations and even gossip about players’ personal lives can be easily found on the front page of Yahoo! Sports’ NFL site.
8. ESPN NFL Insider – Line-up changes, trades and other alleged upheavals within the National Football League are reported at ESPN Insider, alongside verified facts, statistics and game results. Video highlight reels and all of the other information you’d expect from an ESPN-affiliated site are included as well.
9. Pro Football Weekly – Featuring news items, rumors, speculation and video recaps, the regularly updated Pro Football Weekly is sure to be a favorite with professional football diehards. Frequent changes and updates to previously posted items also make it a good idea to bookmark this particular goldmine.
10. NFL Trade Rumors – The name of this site says it all; lists of restricted and unrestricted free agents stand alongside the names of those rumored to face impending trade within the league. A clearinghouse for NFL rumors, this one is not to be missed.

In addition to these blogs, there are also dozens of team-specific blogs dedicated to the rumors within your favorite franchise. Many of the 32 teams in the league have several dedicated fan-run blogs apiece; finding information and gossip is as simple as finding a search engine.