Propeller | Social News Watch

New Blogs Focus on What Did NOT Hit the Front Page of Digg

Saturday, May 24, 2008 by JD Rucker 1 Comment

On an episode of The Drill Down 3 weeks ago, MrBabyMan, Zaibatsu, MSaleem, and about 50 people in the chat room of their Ustream broadcast discussed putting up a site where stories that didn’t make it to the front page of Digg could “find a resting place.” After a quick brainstorming session, Lost Shovels was born.

While it hasn’t taken off yet as hoped with only 4 stories posted there currently, a variation of the idea was created at PopFAIL. This one has much more activity currently (I am one of the contributors) and each submission is accompanied by an analysis of why it didn’t make it and why it should have made it to the front page of Digg. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Digg, Mixx, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, Social News Sites, StartUps Tagged With: Digg, lost shovels, Mixx, popfail, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, Social News Sites

Social Media Outcry Brings Competition to the Table

Sunday, March 2, 2008 by JD Rucker 4 Comments

The negative comments to this post are already coming. I can feel it. Why? Because I am about to be completely ambiguous and talk theoretically, even though I have knowledge that the things I’m about to discuss are facts.

Ever since Digg, Slashdot, and the other early social news sites took hold of a new market on the internet, there have been clones and competitors popping up left and right. The next “Digg Killer” has emerged and subsequently fallen almost every week for the last couple of years. Newer networks have been proposed, many are getting worked on, and I know a lot about some, little about others. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Digg, Mixx, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, Social News Sites Tagged With: Digg, Mixx, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, Social News Sites, socialmedia, socialnews

A Social Network for Social Media (brilliant!)

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 by JD Rucker 4 Comments

Strange. It’s one of those things that pops up and you think, “was there really nothing like this before?”

That is what comes to mind when you look at the Social Media Social Network at Social News Central. It is a simple Ning site, but it has started off very strong. With 160 members joining since its recent creation and a member list that boasts “heavy hitters” from social media websites like Digg, StumbleUpon, Propeller, and Mixx, Social News Central promises growth and a world of potential. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Digg, Mixx, Newsvine, Niche Social Networks, Propeller, Reddit, Social Internet, Social Media, Social Networking Sites, Social News Sites, Stumbleupon Tagged With: Digg, Mixx, ning, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, social network, social news central, Social News Sites, Stumbleupon

Call for Quotes from Social Media Superstars

Friday, January 18, 2008 by JD Rucker 14 Comments

We are putting together a piece about social media superstars and what motivates them. Looking for opinions. Please leave your opinions or quotes in the comments of this story.

There are those who spend several hours every day on social media websites like Digg, Reddit, Propeller, Mixx, Sphinn, and StumbleUpon. These sites invariably get huge benefit by having these people, as they can themselves become part of the news. The question is, “What’s in it for them?”

Is it the fame and notoriety? Few use their real names as their profile name, so that COULD be it, but I tend to think it’s a small part.

Power? Most have heard of the Digg Effect, while a power Stumbler can have a huge effect on a website with a click of a button. Do they enjoy knowing that they’ve helped out a blog or website tremendously (or possibly killed their server) by sending thousands of people to their website? Perhaps.

Is it an earnest desire to spread quality content? Maybe they’re promoting an opinion, a trend, a product? Helping a candidate or a cause?

Maybe it’s just fun. As one top Digger who already answered the question for me noted, “Some people play Xbox 360.” He, on the other hand, shuts down servers. Hopefully, we’ll know soon enough.

The story itself will probably be posted here, but it may end up on my new blog (with nothing currently on it) at soshable.com. Either way, I’ll let you know. Please post your comments.

Visit some of the sites we recommend.

Filed Under: Digg, Mixx, Propeller, Reddit, Social Internet, Social Media, Social News Sites, Stumbleupon Tagged With: Digg, Mixx, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, socialnews, sphinn, Stumbleupon

Sick of Social Media Political Spam? Just wait. It’s Going to Get Worse.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008 by JD Rucker 2 Comments

Social Media websites are flooded with postings promoting one presidential candidate or insulting another. Conventional wisdom says that after the nominations are handed out, we will see a decrease simply because there will be fewer people to post stories about. This assumption is incorrect, but we’ll explain that later. Right now, the landscape for social media coverage is starting on a temporary downslide. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Digg, Propeller, Reddit, Social Internet, Social Marketing, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Stumbleupon Tagged With: campaigns, Digg, google, marketing, politics, Propeller, Reddit, Social Media, Stumbleupon

Going Social for Marketing, Business, and Fun

Tuesday, January 1, 2008 by JD Rucker 10 Comments

Social Media Marketing isn’t new. 2008 is simply the year that it emerges as THE thing to do if you want your business, charity, or blog to be “in” instead of “out”.

With companies that aren’t traditionally forward thinking in their marketing techniques, such as Ford Motor Company and Starbucks, making a push to enter social media marketing, it is clear that both big and small business are starting to take notice. Even local businesses are approaching anyone knowledgeable they can find on the subject to help them.

Below are some of the social media initiatives and trends from 2007 that tell of things to come in 2008. First, there are ways to create a web presence that goes beyond building a website or a blog. Then there are ways to drive traffic through social media to these websites. [Read more...]