HootSuite blog – Social Media Dashboard

Ready for Service

Here at the HQ, we are proud to be the first and only social media dashboard in the Apps.Gov catalog and are pleased to announce that HootSuite is officially approved* has released “federal friendly terms of service” and is now listed as a social media dashboard application for United States government agencies. {Note: See clarification/update below}

This designation means that we’ve worked with the GSA New Media team to amend the HootSuite Terms of Service to address a few specific requirements specific for US federal agencies. Now these agencies can use HootSuite without jumping through extra hoops, approval queues, or application processes.

The official GSA New Media Twitter account published the announcement to alert the various agencies:

Social for the People

Today, people are reaching out in all sorts of different ways through multiple social channels including Twitter, Facebook, and more. And governments are no different.

Smart agencies, task forces and departments are effectively utilizing the same efficient and inexpensive communications tools which “regular folks” use for socializing with friends. Who’d have predicted that one day tools like Twitter would play a role in international diplomacy as well as delivering basic services and information?

Gov Watch

Here are some of the innovative USA government agencies, authorities and organizations who chose HootSuite as their social media dashboard — and you’ll find many others on the @hootwatch/gov-ngo list.

• @whitehouse
• @USArmy
• @TheJusticeDept
• @ArmedwScience
• @usairforce
• @USNavy
• @NavyNews
• @americagov
• @tsablogteam
• @smithsonian
• @Oil_Spill_2010
• @BusinessDotGov
• @foodsafetygov
• @NatlParkService
• @EPAgov
• @fema
• @americagov
• @FS_Region1
• @HUDNews
• @ConnectStateGov

Any other US Gov agencies flying with HootSuite yet? Send us a note @hootwatch to say hello. Of course, we’re also watching municipal, regional and international governments and enjoy seeing the unique ways you are using HootSuite.

Has your organization conducted a successful social media-powered campaign using HootSuite? We enjoy hearing about these and making case studies. Let us know your ideas.

* UPDATE FROM APPS.GOV

Point of clarification regarding what it means for applications to be on the free social media page on apps.gov.

First, no application is “officially approved as a web application for United States government agencies.” Being listed on the apps.gov social media page means that the provider has amended their standard TOS to not comply with federal law.

While these TOS amendments resolve the major legal issues of the sign-up process, clarify expectations, and set the stage for productive use of these services, agencies must still comply with laws and regulations on security, privacy, accessibility, records retention, ethical use, and other specific agency policies and requirements when they use the tools. Agencies are advised to seek the advice of their counsel on whether the TOS is legally appropriate for their use.

See http://apps.gov and click on the Social Media Apps section in the top navigation for more information.

hootsuite news agencies, app, apps, government, gsa new media, HootSuite, ngo, organizations, social media, social media dashboard, us government

Email and social media are both powerful marketing channels on their own but, when by using the best attributes of each medium, you can enjoy even more successful campaign results.

With this in mind, HootSuite and email marketing company Constant Contact have announced a co-marketing partnership which will inject a bit of social-bility into your email blasts — plus provide ways to augment your social media outreach tactics with targeted email messaging.

Certainly, marketers want access to as many tools as possible so we’re excited to announce this new relationship which will add a few more implements to your mighty tool kit.

The gist of the partnership is summed up in the press release’s tag line “Partnership Increases Reach of Two Industry Leaders; Extends Marketing and Social Media Tools to Meet Broad Customer Needs.”

Read the full release: HOOTSUITE JOINS THE CONSTANT CONTACT PARTNER PROGRAM AS A CO-MARKETING PARTNER

Here’s a quick overview of some of the benefits:

• This agreement provides HootSuite with a marketing channel to Constant Contact’s more than 350,000 small business and nonprofit customers.
• A co-branded landing page will create a custom gateway to Constant Contact’s services for HootSuite’s rapidly growing client base.
• HootSuite customers will have access Constant Contact’s archive of tools, expertise, and educational programs through a partner extranet.
• HootSuite will share revenue and can utilize Constant Contact’s online reporting tools and emailing services.

Ryan Holmes, HootSuite’s CEO, had this to say about the partnership in the release:

“We look forward to working with Constant Contact as a co-marketing partner to provide more methods for HootSuite customers to spread messages and grow audiences. With Constant Contact’s stellar reputation and vast experience, we’re very pleased to add this powerful partner to our team.”

You likely know about HootSuite so here’s a little about Constant Contact in case you haven’t tapped into their services yet:

Constant Contact’s email marketing, event marketing, social media marketing, and online survey tools help small organizations grow their businesses by building stronger customer relationships. More than 350,000 small businesses, nonprofits, and member associations worldwide rely on Constant Contact’s easy-to use, affordable online tools to create and deliver personalized, professional communications that engage casual customers, members, prospects, and passionate customers wherever they congregate online — from their email inboxes to their social networks. All Constant Contact products come with unmatched education, training and personal coaching services, and award-winning technical support. Founded in 1995, Constant Contact is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq: CTCT) with offices in Waltham, Mass.; Loveland, Colo.; and Delray, Fla.; and a Silicon Valley office scheduled to open in 2010.

To learn a bit more about Constant Contact check out their site and blog. Oh, and of course Constant Contact can also be found on Twitter @constantcontact and on Facebook plus a great blog Constant Commentary.  Read more about the co-partnership agreement from the press release and let us know ways you add a bit of social to your email marketing campaigns.

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While in Toronto for Sprout Up, HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes sat down with Karim Kanji of Tech Vibes to deliver his insight about the SXSW experience, Vancouver’s start-up community, how HootSuite got started, and what the company is working on next.

Ryan Holmes, CEO of HootSuite – Interview with Karim Kanji of Techvibes

As a bonus, check out this guest appearance by Dave Olson, HootSuite’s Community Marketing Director again by Karim Kanji.

A HootSuite shout-out to Karim Kanji for these great interviews.

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In an industry first, HootSuite announces that we will be supporting the expansion of social media into the third dimension.

“HootSuite’s unique F3DSMD technology validates our position as a global leader in 3D home entertainment,” said Ryan Holmes, CEO and Co-Founder of HootSuite. “By building a full line-up of 3D Social Media Dashboards and cultivating alliances with content and device providers, Hootsuite will set a higher benchmark in the global 3D entertainment industry.” Read more…

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Last week, HootSuite released a version for Android – Google’s open mobile platform. It turned out so well that now HootSuite has acquired the company behind the development of this Twitter client – Swift App.

This acquisition is indicative of HootSuite’s support of this open source platform which is now available on dozens of different handsets by manufacturers organized under the Open Handset Alliance.

Consider reading the whole press release to see the quote from the CEO and more breakdown on reasons for the deal: HootSuite Acquires Android Developer Swift App.

Swift, Lightweight and Cute

Swift App was helmed by ace mobile developer Sebastian Delmot @sd who will assist HootSuite in further development as a mobile adviser. He previewed the news to his band of enthusiastic followers saying:

“NEWS FLASH: @swiftapp has partnered with @HootSuite and it’s now “HootSuite for Android”. More info at http://hootsuite.com/android.”

Plus he celebrated the released by issuing a “Cute Alert” for the”Robots Need Love” video featuring music by @DanManganMusic and assured his followers that his the app is in good hands.

Android Flashback

Like HootSuite iPhone, HootSuite Android features multiple Twitter accounts, message scheduling, realtime search, keyword tracking and on-board statistics in the Full version. HootSuite will continue to evolve the app with Facebook integration on the docket.

You likely caught the Android/iPhone “Pygmy Owl” release news roundup post with dozens of pundits chiming in about the release including Mashable, TechCrunch, GigaOm, Leo Laporte, Robert Scoble, and ReadWriteWeb, along with dozens more including many Android specific news outlets (see even more via the HootSuite Delicious stream).

Know your Robots

The Android open source mobile platform is now available on handsets from a variety of manufacturers members of the Open Handset Alliance who have produced phones such as the Motorola Droid or Google’s own Nexus One manufactured by HTC. The software is open source under an Apache license meaning that vendors can add proprietary extensions without submitting those back to the open source community.

In case you aren’t overwhelmed by all the news coming from HootSuite HQ – including Foursqaure and MySpace launch – here’s a dossier of info and articles about the Android mobile platform plus discussion about industry trends and market share:

Android Market: http://www.android.com/market/

Open Handset Alliance: http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/

Android (OS): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

Android (list of devices): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Android_devices

Swift App: http://www.swift-app.com/

“The importance of HootSuite’s Android app” Kristen Nicole, Appolicious

“The Android app from HootSuite is significant, however, as it expands the company’s reach and validates the launching of multiple versions of a single mobile app.  As Google’s mobile platform, Android continues to gain market share, and offer itself as a viable alternative to the iTunes App Store.  With adoption for Android devices increasing, so too does the need to have a single mobile app on multiple mobile platforms.”

HootSuite releases Android Twitter app because “Robots Need Love, Too” by Andrew Kameka, Androinica

“Desktop Twitter client HootSuite has made the jump to mobile with a new app for Android. It seems Android Twitter apps are born faster than the average American birth rate, but HootSuite has the brand recognition to carve its own lane as “the professional Twitter client” geared towards people who need analytics and other business-centered features.”

Andrew also share the QR codes – thanks for that.

Computer World – Seth Weintraub

In October, 2009, Gartner Inc. predicted that by 2012, Android would become the world’s second most popular smartphone platform, behind only the Symbian OS, which powers Nokia phones and is very popular outside the US. Meanwhile, BlackBerry would fall from 2nd to 5th place, iPhone would remain in 3rd place, and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile would remain in 4th place.[90] Taiwan’s Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC) predicted that in 2013, 31.8 million Android phones and 126 million Android-based portable products would ship.[91]

Analytics firm Flurry estimates that 250,000 Motorola Droid phones were sold in the United States during the phone’s first week in stores.[92]

“In the last month the iPhone has lost 3.2% of its marketshare compared with RIM and Android both gaining considerably.   This isn’t just a monthly blip either, at least with regards to Android.    Google’s phone market has grown 44% over the past quarter and almost doubled over the past year while the iPhone has lost around 5% and 10% of the overall market over those same periods.”

hootsuite news acquisition, android, HootSuite, mobile, news, phone, swift

The web is full of clever money making ideas, and NYC model Tanaya adds another to the mix with “She Wears Your Tee“. Basically, she sells a promotional service based on the humble t-shirt — and her ability to look good wearing it:

Companies such as L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, and Lucky Jeans have hired me for thousands of dollars a day to help promote their brands but I am offering my services to you for a fraction of that cost.

Interesting to see the parade of web companies using her promotional services already – the days are selling out and she’s a better “ad” than Chris Pirillo’s chest.

NYC Fashion Model Tanaya wear Shirts for fun and profit

Lucky for us, Tanaya is a HootSuite user. Hence, she offered a true assessment of our contribution to the social web in her January 23, 2010: Hootsuite “release”:

Hootsuite is a great tool for Twitter users. Hootsuite allows you to manage and track links, auto-shorten, have multiple accounts, and even pull data. Hootsuite supports Facebook, Twitter, and more. You can even schedule tweets to go live at a later time! Get Hootsuite at http://www.hootsuite.com, and make sure to get the iPhone app as well.

xoxo, t

How it works:

Go to my calendar, find the day that you want to advertise on, and click Buy.

Send me your smallest shirt at least two weeks before your ad date.
*Don’t have a shirt? Contact me and I will help you.

Wait for your day to come and think of ways to make it more successful for YOU. I will try help you reach your goal. Whether it be promoting the grand opening of a new store or increasing the followers on your twitter account. We can work together and even create special offers and incentives for my viewers.

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G4Tv.com’s Attack of the Show featured HootSuite in the Feb. 3, 2010 episode Top Twitter Tools Review. They do a stellar job of sharing the key benefits of using our beloved social media dashboard (and they seem to be using HootSuite as well).

Here’s how they set it up: “Nothing is more important than letting the world know about your current status in 140 characters or less. Check out our favorite Twitter apps that allows you to microblog your heart out.” ~ enjoy the vid!

Read more: Attack of the Twitter
Follow @aots

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Reach Magazine with HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes

The new issue of Reach Magazine features Boys Co, Carlie Wong and HootSuite complete with mug shot on the front cover and a “day in the life of Ryan Holmes” narrative inside.

The article: “The Who’s Who of HootSuite” by Melissa Welsh delves into the day-to-day events of a start-up company from early wake-ups to constant connectedness plus sheds light on Ryan from his attire to yogic practice with at least 2 mentions of his hair :

When Ryan Holmes rolls over in his bed in the morning, regaining consciousness from an unusual lapse of solitary respite, instead of stretching a lazy limb to grasp a cup of coffee like most morning inefficient people, his fatigued fingers clasp his iPhone. They rest but for a moment, until they jump into action typing, checking email.

Tumbling out of bed, the tweet update is the next item of business, even before as much as a morning bite or sip of herbal infused tea. With Holmes’ dog Mika in tow, the pair take a quick jaunt down the streets of downtown Vancouver’s east-side and enter the doors of Invoke media’s trendy work studio, just off Dunlevy Avenue, to begin the already started work day. Their entrance diverts my eyes from the black, blue and white art graffiti on the walls of the foyer.

We sit in one of the office’s boardrooms; the walls and table are white. Holmes sits in front of me, dressed in a red plaid shirt and jeans. A baseball hat dons his head, covering a crop of slightly disheveled ginger hair.

Even though his days are filled with navigating the convoluted and interconnected roads of the virtual social networking hemisphere, he seems at ease. Perhaps it’s a bought of clarity that he managed to hold onto from his yoga session the night before.

Not only does Ryan’s dog Mika get name-checked but also manages to get in the photo – peering out the window keeping a close eye on the proceedings. Ms. Welch goes on to explain about HootSuite features like admin/editor control, integration points beyond Twitter including Facebook, a list of recent awards and some solid quotes from ‘Tenacious R.’

Ryan Holmes at HootSuite HQ with dog Mika

The software’s universal usability has caused HootSuite to take home a number of notable awards. This past year alone, HootSuite has won Mashable’s Open Web Award for Best Twitter App, a Shorty Award for Best Application, and most recently a Canadian New Media Award for Best Social Media Application. The software was also finalist in the prestigious 2009 Forrester Groundswell Awards.

“It’s such an honor,” Holmes said, taking his hat off to rake his fingers through his tousled hair. “I think we have pretty good gut instincts on stuff.”

But even though Invoke may seem to be doing impossibly well, Holmes knows even award winning companies will always be in a competitive process. Sitting at the sleek white table, leaning forward, this rather inconspicuous-looking man is actually a tenacious businessman.

“It’s all been grinding,” Holmes said, adding that while the company’s reputation helps, you as an entrepreneur have to make things happen. “Nothing is owed to you, you have to earn things.”

Download the entire Reach Magazine issue to learn more about Ryan and Melissa’s conversation about the behind-the-scenes happenings at HootSuite.

hootsuite news HootSuite, interviews, mika, reach magazine, ryan holmes, ryan's hair

As part of their mission of “Uniting the Tech Community,” online tech news source Techvibes partnered up with Carlson Media for a series of one-on-one interviews with leaders in the Vancouver tech community hosted by Victoria Revay – spokeswoman for many fine companies.

The video came at a great time in which the “incubating company” Invoke Media was launching HootSuite & ow.ly into an orbit of it’s own.

“Up in this second episode is Ryan Holmes of Vancouver’s Invoke Media. Invoke is an interactive agency that has been in the news of late after spinning off it’s HootSuite social media dashboard and raising $1.9 Million from outside investors.”

Watch the TechProfile: Ryan Holmes of Invoke Media and HootSuite and jump in with your comments about Ryan’s remarks.

TechProfiles: Invoke Media from Justin Carlson on Vimeo.

hootsuite news business, CEO, HootSuite, interview, Invoke, ow.ly, ryan holmes, techvibes

While many folks were eagerly watching Apple’s new release sideshow, you may have noticed HootSuite was included in list designed to showcase emerging companies with a significant chance of success in our home province of British Columbia. The list is created by business analysts after data-gathering and research so it’s not “just another popularity contest” (not that there is anything wrong with those ).

Specifically, HootSuite was included in the “Emerging Rockets 2010 – Internet, Wireless and New Media” category. Joining HootSuite on the Emerging Rockets list are some other fine Internet, wireless and new media companies: Aegis Mobility, AppSocial, EcoBuddies, Mobidia, Mingleverse, Tagga Media – congrats to each.

Here’s how the Rocket Builders describe themselves:

Ready to Rocket is a unique business recognition list that profiles technology companies with the greatest potential for revenue growth. Each year, based on analysis of trends that will drive growth in the information technology sector, Rocket Builders identifies twenty-five (25) private companies that are best positioned to capitalize on the trends for growth. This selection methodology has been an accurate predictor of growth with “Ready to Rocket” companies exceeding the industry growth rate. Also, many of these companies raise investment capital and each year many of the profiled “Ready to Rocket” companies are acquired.

Follow along with Ready to Rocket’s news via Twitter: @readytorocket and/or #r2r. Also worth reading the follow-up stories about the 2009 awardees.

Of course, Techvibes is covering the story with 2010 Ready to Rocket list announced and we’ll keep an eye out for more coverage.

Vancouver’s Rocket Builders announced their eighth annual Ready to Rocket 25 list this evening naming 25 privately held BC companies that are “best positioned to capitalize on the 2010 technology sector trends that will lead them to faster growth than their peers”.

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