HootSuite blog – Social Media Dashboard

HootSuite5

HootSuite users will see significant changes to the social media dashboard today beginning with a completely refreshed HTML5 user interface, plus geo-located search, native Twitter ReTweets, and integrated Google Analytics.

HTML5

With the recent announcement of Google’s HTML5 site and many other brands like Apple on-board, HootSuite has made a substantial investment in this new technology standard. HTML5 allows us to release unique features like geo-search and drag & drop, plus improve performance with quicker tabs and streams.

Geo-Searchable

Now, search for tweets by proximity based on geo-location information sent by some (not all) users. Using this HTML 5 powered feature, you can narrow down results to messages sent from your area, wherever you are. This feature will help you learn about local resources, get tips while traveling, and find new customers or followers.

Choose your Theme

Most noticeable is a fully re-imagined dashboard, with more space for updates and an intuitive arrangement for HootSuite’s many features. Additionally, you can now choose a design theme which suits your tastes.

Options include the familiar green & blue “Classic,” the sleek & stunning “Blue Steel,” or the darkly cool “Magnum.” Which one will you choose? Switch at your leisure to find your favorite.

Faces in your Book

Include a photo when you upload a link to Facebook, and then add titles and descriptions to make your update more meaningful and inviting. BTW, this media preview functionality was one of the most requested features on the Feedback Channel.

Another popular request? More keyboard shortcuts. We delivered: SHIFT+ENTER now sends your message to save you another mouse click. Stay tuned for more keyboard shortcuts to come.

New or Ol’school RTs

When Twitter launched, early users created shorthand to define actions and attributes, including @replies for addressing, #hashtags for context, and RT for Re-Tweeting or quoting a message. RT-ing became a powerful way to spread messages beyond users’ local networks.

To standardize the process, Twitter.com added an auto-Re-Tweet functionality, which HootSuite has now integrated. HootSuite users can choose whether to Re-Tweet with initials “RT” or to use the Twitter native auto-Re-Tweet tool.

We can now check this one off the feature request list too.

Google Analytics in Dashboard

Google Analytics users no longer need to switch screens to analyze site traffic and performance because all the data is now available in HootSuite’s dashboard. Using OAuth secure login functionality, you can track conversion to sales, lead generation, or other metrics from your Google Analytics, using advanced URL functions.

Drag it, Drop it, Send it

Quickly attach an image or other file to your social update by dragging directly from the desktop and dropping into the message box — this simple act will auto-upload the file to Ow.ly file sharing and add a pre-shortened link to your message. Then you are ready to send your enhanced note to any of your social networks.

Konnichiwa!

This release also features interface localization in Japanese, allowing more users to enjoy HootSuite in their native language. More linguistic choices are coming soon, to spread the international enjoyment.

Even Faster

The social conversation happens in real-time, so you don’t want to wait for pages and messages to load. Using HTML5 technology, HootSuite engineers tuned performance to make the web application more responsive — including caching to eliminate reloading when a user switches tabs.

This performance upgrade is especially useful for companies managing dozens of social network profiles with large teams of users.

Handier Help

Listening and learning from HootSuite’s userbase is an important part of making decisions which meet the needs of social media marketers and enthusiasts. HootSuite offers assistance via a Help Desk and and gathers opinions via a Feedback Channel. With the new release, these channels are easier to access directly right from the HootSuite dashboard. We invite you to share your ideas, and to enjoy a sense of pride when your requested feature is added to a future release.

Twitter Status

The World Cup football/soccer tournament in South Africa has shown the worldwide popularity of Twitter as fans everywhere document their opinions and the nuances of each match. This popularity is also evidenced in the massive demand on Twitter’s systems especially at gametime. Keep tabs on uptime and performance via Twitter’s status blog and API Status on dev.twitter.com.

Media

Press release with more info about the release and related features and benefits
Media Kit with company descriptions, logos, executive bios and media contact info
News articles social bookmarks of media and blog articles referencing HootSuite

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This news round-up focuses on a few posts discussing social media efficiency, international versions, media convergence, plus planning and measuring strategic campaigns.

Take some time to enjoy the knowledge and let us know which articles you particularly enjoyed.

As always, catch more HootSuite news via the social bookmark stream and point out any articles we’ve missed in the comments.

Here we go:

Business Week – Stop Wasting Time on Social Media

Karen E. Klein and Ivan Misner (founder and chairman of business networking organization BNI.com) in a Q&A:

There are great services they should be using like Ping.fm, Seesmic, and Hootsuite.com. You can go there and it ties all your social media together. In other words, they’re probably logging on to their Facebook account and going to their page and typing in their message, and then going to Twitter and LinkedIn and doing the same thing. It kills time. If you use sites like this, you write one message and they ping everything so you’re not spending 20 minutes to do what you can in three minutes.

Some great tips for working efficiently – thanks Karen and Ivan.

ADO Strategies – Application Convergence: Have you seen the new Hootsuite?

Application Convergence: Have you seen the new Hootsuite? from ADO Strategies

Matthew Snyder writes:

What we have seen is that our friends in Vancouver  (Hootsuite) have really looked to market differentiation with these translation tools.

{snip}

When I saw the announcement in April by Hootsuite I felt like they were really listening to the customer; as there must had been lots others like me with the same predicament.  In my mind this is a big move by the Hootsuite folks in their attempt  at this and even though we have not yet seen this capability on Facebook,  MARK MY WORDS….. This is going to be one of the most important features for them with their 500M users in the coming months.  If they do not buy Hootsuite, then they will do this themselves by the end of the year.

Interesting points Matthew — we definitely feel it’s important to embrace users from around the world and take a true global view of the impact of the social web. Now, about HTML 5 …

CommunicateAsia – Hootsuite Awarded a Big Hat Tip (from me) for Thinking Like an Internationalist

Michael Netzley writes:

Hootsuite, one of the major tools for Twitter lovers, now has translation built into its iPhone app — Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. While this does give us access to one of the world’s truly leading digital markets, Japan, other Asian countries are not yet included (I remain hopeful). Still, a big hat tip to Hootsuite for thinking like an Internationalist! A rare thing in the 21st century, so much appreciated.

We’ve since added localization for Korean and Arabic to the iPhone with more language choices to come – thanks Professor.

thoughtpick – 4 Awesome Web-based Twitter Clients

M. Bamieh writes:

If you can appreciate the utility of an electric screw driver over its traditional cousin, you will appreciate Hootsuite. {snip} This is a heavy application, and certainly more enterprise centric providing you with a command console worthy of a marketing department HQ. If you have many Twitter accounts to manage or you are a star and would like to manage the accounts of your Twitter account ghost writers this is the tool to use.

HootSuite loves marketing departments and Twitter stars alike

inmanNews – How to measure social media strategy and success

Katie Lance writes:

Along with Google Analytics, I utilize the statistical feature in Hootsuite. I think Hootsuite is a must for any social media manager or anyone who is consistently managing a social media campaign on different platforms.

Once you are logged into Hootsuite, to view your statistics, look at the lower-left-hand corner of your screen and click the “Launch” button. From there you can check your stats summary or individual messages by clicking “Summary.”

Glad to hear Katie – have you tried the custom URL parameters yet?

Youngentrepreneur – 8 Awesome Tools Every Entrepreneur Needs

Navid Zolfaghari writes:

Through Hootsuite’s unique social media dashboard, you can collaboratively schedule updates to Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Wordpress and other social networks. Hootsuite helps organizations launch marketing campaigns, identify and grow audience, and distribute targeted messages across multiple channels.

Thanks for putting HootSuite at the top of the list Navid – we concur with many of your other tips too.

The WELDer – How To HootSuite Like A Pro

How To HootSuite Like A Pro from The WELDer

Gretchen Stone writes:

The beauty of HootSuite is that unlike some other apps, you can update multiple accounts from just one platform. So, for instance, if you’re tasked with managing your company’s profile, you can also update your own without having to log out. You can even send the same message to both, cutting your typing time in half.

{snip}

Short cuts like HootSuite take the frustration out of keeping up with your online presence and more importantly save time for busy executives.

Great tips and love that header graphic with the superhero lad.

StayOnSearch – Using Hootsuite to Manage Your Twitter Engagement Efforts

Mark Thomson writes:

In my personal opinion, I have found Hootsuite to be by far the best Twitter client out there.  I’m sure a lot of people can make an argument for clients like Tweetdeck and Seesmic, but I find Hootsuite to be the most user-friendly, feature-rich, and up-to-date Twitter client available.

The interface is clean, customizable, and includes a wealth of information about your twitter account.  Let’s take a detailed look into how Hootsuite can be used to manage your daily engagements for both personal and business use.

We’re glad you are on-board Mark and props on a very comprehensive roundup about HootSuite.

Social Media for Dealers -  Twitter tools profile: HootSuite

The first tool we’re covering is HootSuite. HootSuite is a “professional Twitter client”, fancy for “free tool that allows you to post, schedule future posts, track, follow and stay updated with your Twitter strategy”.   Check out the article “How to Get the Most Out of Social Media Using Hootsuite” by Zachary Sniderman on Open Forum. He does a great job over-viewing Hootsuite.

{snip}

HootSuite offers the best tracking options of the Twitter tools we’ll cover. It offers statistics and tools that can tell you anything from what links were clicked on (and when) to which sites are sending traffic your way.  Of course it also measures retweets, replies, and mentions.  It’s a great way gage your success and set benchmarks for the future.

In case you were wondering, “Dealers” in this case means RV dealerships – nothing nefarious

More

As always, catch more HootSuite news via the social bookmark stream and let us know about any we’ve missed in the comments.

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Social World Cup

With the football matches in South Africa dominating the Twitter streams, HootSuite is here to help you stay on-side of the global chatter as the social web carries the conversation up-field for a goooooaaaaallll!

This fresh release of the HootSuite mobile social media dashboard for iPhone features localization for Arabic and Korean plus OAuth security migration, push notifications and deeper conversation browsing.

“Salam and Annyong Haseyo”

Building upon the localizations added in the last release of HootSuite iPhone, two more languages join German, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese to (almost) round out the top 10 worldwide Internet languages. Now, the dozens of Arabic-speaking countries, along with the voracious Internet user population of Korea, can enjoy full interface elements in their familiar language.

سلام

Use of Arabic language on the web increased 2,297.7 % from 2000-2009 compared to world average of 399.03 %. The total adoption was led by Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Algeria.

HootSuite’s new Arabic localized version reads right to left and will be a communication boon for over half a billion people who speak Arabic as a first or second language in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere around the world.

안녕하세요

As an early Internet adopter, South Korea was the 5th country to join the 30 club for over 30 million Internet users in 2004 (following US, China, Japan and Germany). South Korea remains in the top ten of total Internet users per country and boasts the highest Internet penetration rate of any top 10 country at 77.3 % (as of end of 2009).

Though Korean is a top 10 language on the web, scant statistics are available for Internet use in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (AKA North Korea) aside from a ranking of 227th in the “Internet Hosts” category by the CIA Factbook.

Push Notification

Fresh from the HootSuite Labs comes baked-in push notifications via Boxcar. This integration will alert you with a noise, buzz or pop-up whenever a new messages arrives. Tune it to receive @ replies, DMs or your whole home feed, and you’ll have one less reason to miss any mention of your name, brand or keyword.

Deeper Conversation

In the previous release, we added a threaded conversation view. Now we’ve made the conversations interactive allowing you to drill deeper into the back-story to quickly grasp context.

This update allows you to dig back into the stream to send replies and follow links from previous messages in the thread.

Avatar Zooming

Wondering who that stunning new follower is? Does that face look familiar? What’s your friend holding in that picture anyhow?

Zoom in on their profile pic to see their face in a full screen view. Handy at conferences and bars alike.

Security Migration

This release stays in step with Twitter’s evolving systems with a migration to the OAuth security protocol.

After installing the new version of HootSuite iPhone App, simply follow the prompts to upgrade your authentication scheme to OAuth which is: “An open protocol to allow secure API authorization in a simple and standard method from desktop and web applications.”

Keep in mind, you must update your app to OAuth before July 1st 2010 to keep your HootSuite app happily hooting with Twitter.

Owl-ized Addresses from Safari

Want to shorten a link quick while browsing the web? Just add “owly://” (no quotes) to the start of the URL in the Safari browser bar to instantly create a message in HootSuite including the short URL.

Kick Off

Get Hooting with HootSuite for iPhone by downloading from the iTunes App Store – all new features are released in both the Full ($2.99) or Lite (no-cost) versions and upgrades are FREE.

More Stats

Many nuggets of information for this article came from http://www.internetworldstats.com – thanks!

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Designed to Simplify

HootSuite keeners likely noticed a handful of new features for HootSuite iPhone released recently including language localization and a batch of handy tools which allow you to forward Twitter messages by email and save links to Instapaper. But this was only part one of the “Elf Owl” release.

Today, you can fill your toolbox with even more goodies designed to make social media experience more efficient and enjoyable. Ahhh … feels better already doesn’t it?

Get Your Fingers Working

HootSuite for iPhone update is available at the iTunes App store in Lite (no-cost) and Full ($2.99 USD) versions. Follow @HootSuiteiPhone for updates.

Internationally Comfortable

We know it’s nice to see an interface in your own language so we added full localization for Japanese, German, Spanish and Portuguese speakers.

Users will see all interface elements including options, settings and basic functions translated so no more fumbling to figure it out.

The localization is an industry-first for a Twitter iPhone app — including Twitter’s official app (formerly Tweetie) — and reflects Twitters rapid growth in markets beyond the US.

Which languages would you like to see localized next? Add your thoughts at the Feedback channel.

Handier Translation

The localization is a great addition to the translation tools which interpret to/from 50+ languages. Extra useful for monitoring brand sentiment which is critical for social-savvy marketers who must be aware of public opinion to amplify messages or prevent PR blunders.

Plus, now a single click translates foreign messages into your phone’s default language so you can get the gist of what your customers from Thailand to Timbuktu think about you, your brand, or your industry.

Fun: Try translating comments from rival team’s fans during the upcoming World Cup matches .

Clear your Mind

Whether you are reading Twitter and Facebook for business or pleasure, you want to interact with your social streams efficiently. Some people call this “getting things done” but we call it “simply handy.” Meet some of the new tools the mobile owls sprinkled in to clear your mind — many of which were submitted by HootSuite enthusiasts through the feedback channel.

Conversational Context
Don’t let replies confuse you – know the original context of conversations from days before with threaded messages arranged chronologically in chat-like bubbles.

Facebook Comments
Easily participate in the conversation by commenting on anything on your Facebook News Feed — along with posting messages to Facebook Pages and Profiles.

Keep your Place
HootSuite remembers your position and places you right back in the stream so no more re-reading to find your place when you take a phone call or use another App.

Saved as a Draft
Need more info for your update? Interrupted while typing? Save your message as a draft and finish it up later at your leisure without starting from scratch.

Read it Later
Don’t want to read an article right away? Just click to save links to the (free) Instapaper service to save for future reading on the big screen when you have the time.

Email that Tweet
Want to share a message with someone not using Twitter? Send any micro-update by email to share the news with bosses or pals to bring them into the conversation.

Remember to Bump
Released a few weeks ago in HootSuite Labs, the “Bump to Follow” tool is gaining fans in noisy clubs and quiet rooms alike who follow by “bumping” phones. Try it ~ but hold on to your phone!

Spreading the Word

HootSuite isn’t in the league of Ichiro, Godzilla or Spinal Tap in Japan… but we’re getting there. CEO Ryan Holmes recently visited Nippon to show off the localized iPhone at numerous events including speaking at Open Network Labs Live event, meeting users at a Tweetup, attending a Maker Faire, plus talking tech with the CEO of Softbank — Japan’s largest “keitei” mobile phone provider.

Curious? Catch the recaps of Ryan’s journey to Japan including pics, vids, and interviews.

While not quite as “exotic” as Tokyo, Community Director Dave Olson spoke about community building and shared HootSuite power-tuning tips in Bellingham, Washington plus hosted a mobile-industry trade mission visiting Vancouver from the Netherlands.

Stay up with all the HootSuite news and recaps here on the HootSuite blog and by following @hootwatch as well at @hootsuite and @hootsuite_help.

Seeking more company information including descriptions, logos and media contact? Visit the online Media Kit.

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Languages, Email and Instapaper

Hoot hoot! We’ve listened to your feedback and suggestions added new tools into a fresh update to the HootSuite iPhone apps (both Full and Lite versions). This release includes localization for four languages plus makes sharing content even easier – both with others via email and yourself with Instapaper.

Translation to 4 Languages

First off, on the internationalization front: HootSuite for the iPhone now has native support for Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese!

We’re excited to make HootSuite easier to use for non-English speakers and wonder “What language would you like to see next?” Let us know in the Feedback channel.

We’ve also made it a little simpler to see what people are saying in other languages with a single click to translate a tweet into your phone’s default language rather than scrolling through 50+ choices. This is extra handy for monitoring brand sentiment from other countries as well as tapping into local conversations when traveling.

Tweet to Email

Want to send a tweet or link to someone who doesn’t use Twitter? Perhaps an interesting link or compelling comment about your company? … No problem.

With the new “Email Tweet” option, you can pass content along to your non-Tweeting friends and co-workers with a quick click using your phone’s built in mail app.

Save it for Later

Also new in this version is another frequently requested feature: support for Instapaper. This popular web tool allows you save web content to read later with a quick click directly from HootSuite. This allows you to peruse the content at the end of a link when you have the time.

How sweet is that? Folks commuting by transit or mining brand mentions will certainly love this feature. Let us know it makes life easier for you.

Both the Email and Instapaper tools are accessed from an expanded menu with finger-friendly buttons … starting by clicking the arrow.

More Down the Road

That’s not all from the HootSuite iPhone team as even more updates are in the works with even more compelling features coming soon to make HootSuite iPhone the fave choice of jet-setters, commuters, marketers on the go and anyone with a need for convenient communication.

Have a great feature idea? Please contribute to the Feedback channel which allows other users to vote for your idea … plus you’ll experience lovely warm fuzzy feelings each time you use the new feature that you requested.

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