Small businesses engage fans using social media.

This is not a new concept. Nor is it a surprising one. Social media is a no-brainer, effective, and [relatively] inexpensive way for businesses to connect with their consumers and reach new ones. For small businesses, in particular, the opportunity to market themselves using outlets like Twitter and Facebook is invaluable as traditional advertising are likely out of budget.

Though the concept is an easy enough one to understand, it is always nice to see it in play, and successfully at that. This week, Mashable presented a case study of Tom Bihn, a Seattle bag manufacturer that has used forums, social networks, and blogging to communicate with its fans. Bihn takes its customer feedback seriously and has considered their opinions in the creation of new bag models. The consumer’s loyalty is reaffirmed with the knowledge that Bihn takes him seriously, wants to talk with him, and cares about his business.

[via Mashable]

Journos’ debate over the merits of Twitter

Earlier this week, George Packer of The New Yorker attacked Twitter, claiming that…

Twitter is crack for media addicts. It scares me, not because I’m morally superior to it, but because I don’t think I could handle it. I’m afraid I’d end up letting my son go hungry.

The NY Times Bits blog smartly countered Packer’s diatribe, pointing out the many ironies of Packer’s complaint—none so fantastic as the fact that Twitter itself was responsible for the attention brought to Packer’s piece. And more significantly, the fact that the news industry has been transformed by social media platforms like Twitter.

Most importantly, Twitter is transforming the nature of news, the industry from which Mr. Packer reaps his paycheck. The news media are going through their most robust transformation since the dawn of the printing press, in large part due to the Internet and services like Twitter. After this metamorphosis takes place, everyone will benefit from the information moving swiftly around the globe.

The ability to share information and news, and putting this power in the hands of laymen as well as journalists, has become a cornerstone of the digital age. Twitter has become a crucial tool in this democratization of information sharing. Journalists, businesses, and even politicians can choose to ignore the trend out of fear and intimidation or learn it, use it, and reap the benefits of the Twitter revolution.

[via NY Times Bits]

Twitter taking security seriously.

After this week’s news about Twitter phishing attacks, Twitter’s Director of Trust and Safety, Del Harvey, has spoken out in a post on the site’s blog.

Harvey warns consumers about changing passwords…

The takeaway from this is that people are continuing to use the same email address and password (or a variant) on multiple sites.

Which is a good reminder that we all need to protect ourselves online. And as businesses building online communities, we must take steps to protect our customers. At Culture Jam, we use OAuth, ‘an open protocol to allow secure API autorization,’ for all of our PromoJam Twitter campaigns.

For more information on how to launch Twitter promotions safely and securely, contact us!

Bravo rewards viewers via Foursquare.

Bravo is revolutionizing its relationship with viewers, extending its engagement with fans from the TV to the real world and back to the web.

Starting Monday, Bravo will begin offering Foursquare players “badges” and special prizes when viewers visit more than 500 Bravo locations. The locations will be picked by Bravo to correspond with select Bravo shows including “The Real Housewives,” “The Millionaire Matchmaker,” “Top Chef,” “Kell on Earth,” “Top Chef Masters” and “Shear Genius.”

[via NY Times Bits]

Coachella: 3-day pass or bust?

Coachella has announced that it will kill off its offering of one-day passes, forcing all fans to buy a 3-day pass or nothing at all.

Will Jay-Z fans go to see Charlotte Gainsbourg? Will Vampire Weekend groupies rally for Tiesto? Will consumers who are interested in just one day pay for all three and just eat the cost? Or will Coachella lose fans this year because of their new ticketing strategy? Time will tell…

[via Pop & Hiss; photo credit: Los Angeles Times]