Last night, Google+ announced that it will relax its stringent naming policy and allow nicknames and pseudonyms.
However the new policy will only go so far, allowing nicknames, maiden names, or names in another script. Google+ will also allow ‘established’ pseudonyms but only on the condition that the user can prove they are known by that name elsewhere (for example by proving they have an established identity offline in print media or online with a ‘meaningful following).
The move – which will likely be warmly welcomed – isn’t a significant move away from the current policy as it requires substantial proof that a user is commonly known by that name. It remains relatively consistent with Facebook’s username policy which states that username should be as close as possible to a user’s true name.
uberVu have published an insightful new white paper about what they believe to be the Four Pillars of Social Media Success.
uberVu believe the four pillars of social media are monitoring, analytics, engagement and reporting, with the White Paper focussing on how successful brands use these pillars to reach their goals and how they measure their progress.
The white paper also highlights the common sense approach that good social media outcomes are based on a clear business (not social media) goal and the importance of a strategy which outlines how and where to integrate social media to achieve that goal.
Check out the nifty infographic uberVu also published about the four pillars after the jump:
I recently read a post by @GrogsGamut (aka Greg Jericho) about his thoughts on the new Australian Public Service conduct guidelines, including some new content about online spaces and the obligations of public servants who comment in them – in a professional or personal capacity.
As acknowledged by Greg, there is some good advice about anonymous or pseudononymous use of social media, noting particularly the perhaps obvious but often forgotten point that such use can be reidentified regardless of intent.
But I fundamentally disagree with some of his arguments.
Not to worry, we have your lunchtime YouTube viewing sorted. Here’s our favourite YouTube videos under 30 seconds that had us weeping. Mainly silly, sometimes painful:
20th Century Fox: Flute Edition
Tonight dialogueconsulting.com.au will be going dark for 12 hours in protest against SOPA/PIPA .
Why is a small social media agency protesting proposed U.S. legislation? Because it affects us all. As outlined by Jane Wells at WordPress.org, SOPA and PIPA “would put publishing freedom severely at risk, and could shut down entire sites at the whim of media companies.”
Many of our favourite websites are hosted in the US – and they are now at risk. Some may even be forced to close should the legislation pass. SOPA will “establish a system for taking down websites that the Justice Department determines to be dedicated to copyright infringement” [source] and PIPA will “establish a system for taking down websites that the Justice Department determines to be ‘dedicated to infringing activities’” [source].
One of my greatest pet peeves is brands establishing a Facebook Profile rather than a Page.
In many cases, Facebook Profiles were established some time ago before the existence of Pages were well-known and in many cases brands are reluctant to make the shift for fear of losing followers.
In theory, Facebook could shut down your Profile as it violates the terms of service. Facebook states clearly:
“Profiles represent individuals and must be held under an individual name, while Pages allow an organization, business, celebrity, or band to maintain a professional presence on Facebook…. Maintaining a profile for anything other than an individual person is a violation of Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. If you don’t convert your profile to a Page, you risk permanently losing access to the profile and all of your content.”
Facebook is currently using the carrot, not the stick – focussing on helping brands shift from Profiles to Pages – but there is always the risk of losing your presence.
Why convert to a Page?
Dialogue Consulting’s Hugh Stephens recently presented at a local government forum about social media policy and strategy basics, with a focus on local government and not-for-profits who work with young people.
His presentation is below and a 3-page PDF guide including some examples to check out is below. Also recommended reading is the DHS policy available here.
Check out the notes here:
