We found an iPhone application recently that’s really mastered the integration of social media and made it a core strength. It’s the Nike+ GPS application for runners / walkers. At only $1.99, it’s the bomb diggety. Yep, I said it, bomb diggety.

Based on this, October 17 Media has come up with a list of social media features you should try to apply to your own iPhone application:
(P.S. We do social media consulting and brainstorming if you want custom ideas… and in all honesty, we don’t cost that much either!)

• CHEER ME ON! When you start a run with the Nike+ GPS application it posts directly to your Facebook profile that you’ve started a run. Any comments or likes on that post results in a ‘cheer’ sound being played in your headphones or speakers.

  When you’re out running and hear that cheer, it motivates you to keep going and be proud of your efforts! Additionally, the longer you run the more likely you’ll get likes and comments from your friends on your status update.

  So, how can this apply to my iPhone app?
  How can you use Facebook to motivate or encourage your users? This will make them come back for more. Simple sounds are an easy way to communicate Facebook participation.

• PLAY TAG!
  Nike+ users can find their friends online and invite them to play ‘tag’. Tag can be the person with the least time, mileage or just plain old number of runs. It encourages users to interact with each other via the application and tell their running buddies about the application (i.e., Like @Tamara is doing with this blog post).

  So, how can this apply to my iPhone app?
  Think about ways in which your users can interact with each other. Camaraderie is an easy way to get them coming back for more and sharing it with potential new users. Nike could have just made a GPS application but instead they chose to allow users to engage and play games with each other. If you think outside the box, I’m sure you’ll think of something nifty too! (Or, we can help you with a social media brainstorming session)!

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Nike+ iPhone application features (according to iTunes):
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Map your runs, track your progress and get the motivation you need to go even further. Hear mid-run cheers every time your friends like or comment on your run status, or outrun them in a game of Nike+ Tag.

- Download it on the go and start running anywhere. With this app in hand, you can track every indoor and outdoor workout easily, without a sensor.

- Record your pace, distance and run route using the iPhone’s GPS and accelerometer technology so you can see your progress over time and push yourself to go even further.

- Celebrate your best runs with fun, motivational messages from Nike’s top athletes.

- Get voice feedback during your run on how you’re doing, or tap the map to see where you are.

- Quickly send each run to Nikeplus.com where you can brag to friends, join challenges, set goals and connect with the rest of the Nike+ community.

- Activate personalized PowerSongs to help you blast past your goals and records.

- Broadcast your accomplishments to the world via Facebook and Twitter.

- Keep a record of your best runs and see if you’ve got what it takes to break them.

- Localized app language support in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

-COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The Nike+ GPS App is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPod touch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations) running iOS 4.0 or later.

- Some features such as Share Run and Cheer Me On require users to be connected to a wireless network for full functionality. Note that iPod touch does not support GPS functionality. Also, please note that continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

What does Hootsuite’s “Schedule in Bulk” feature do?
You can schedule in advance up to 50 updates from a mere text file (we use their FREE downloadable sample spreadsheet). We should mention at this point that it’s only available on the PRO plan which is pretty reasonably priced at $5.99/month. (Nope, we’re not a referral partner, go ahead and click the link and we won’t be making any money if you sign up).

When you schedule updates you can include:

• the update text (140 characters for Twitter!)
• A URL link
• Desired delivery times

Hootsuite knows that this type of scheduling is especially powerful for agencies and marketing departments (like our Vancouver based social media agency, October 17 Media) managing complex campaigns. Interested in how we can train your team to use this tool properly, or just do it for you? Call us for a quote on social media consulting and execution!

Starbucks SRCH QR Code

A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific matrix barcode or a two-dimensional code that can hold thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. Often it features a URL that directs users to a site where they can learn more about the object or place. Dedicated QR barcode readers and mobile devices equipped with cameras can interpret these codes.

Popular in Japan and some European countries, QR codes are not new. This technology has been around since 1994, but it is becoming an increasing trend in North America. These codes can be found just about anywhere, such as on: product labels, billboards, buildings, newspapers, magazines, clothing and more.

Yesterday, Starbucks launched its “SRCH by Starbucks featuring Lady Gaga” campaign and they are definitely capitalizing on QR codes. Creating a QR code scavenger hunt for Lady Gaga-related prizes, fans can scan the codes on Starbucks banners and other material to receive digital clues and follow the hunt!

For Starbucks, the QR code initiative is to build stronger relationships with their most engaged customers. SRCH was also implemented to generate awareness and sales on the brand’s Frappuccino for the summer.

The future of QR codes is limitless! You can seamlessly incorporate it into your social media! Have you spotted Starbucks QR codes? Do you want a QR code to link to your website? Don’t forget to have a mobile friendly page.  If you need help with executing your QR codes, we are here to help!

A photo tag of your Page can represent a recommendation from a user to their friends, prompting curiosity to a user’s friend to visit your Page and possibly liking your Page themselves.

For now, Facebook Pages that can be tagged must be categorized under “Brands & Product” or “People”. If you are not in this category, don’t dismiss this feature just yet. Facebook says it is “looking to expand this functionality to more Page categories over time”.

Don’t forget to check your privacy settings. Tagged photos will only appear on a Page’s Photos tab if it set to be visible to everyone. Need help setting up your Facebook Page? Give us a call or send us an email. We are ready to help!

The professional services provided by the October 17 Media team prove, without a doubt, they are on top of their game. I would strongly recommend them to anyone expanding their business to include social networking.
- Dodi Thorhaug

One of our clients, Dodi Thorhaug, is a North Shore real estate agent and we began working with Dodi on her social media channels near the end of 2010. As much as we would love to show you the before and after shots, we can’t – because it was in fact her first time with social media! So we started right from scratch with Dodi, and now she is on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and tweeting, sharing, liking and all that social media jazz!

We like to take care of our clients and one of the things that we strongly believe in for businesses is maintaining a professional and consistent brand image across social media channels online. On Twitter and YouTube, this can be achieved with the profile image and custom backgrounds.

Profile photos are important on Facebook as well, but Facebook does not allow a custom background. “So how do I customize my Facebook Page,” you ask? Boy do we have an answer for you: building custom tabs! Custom Facebook tabs are just that – custom. They can highlight different things according to your business’ goals.

For Dodi, we created a Welcome tab (good for any business, shows people that you are who you say you are), a Listings tab for prospective buyers, and a Sold Listings tab for prospective sellers. And we must say ourselves, they look quite fancy indeed!

Now that we’ve got you drooling and thinking you could use some customizing to spice up your social media channels, give us a shout and we can help you out!