You may remember Chad’s excellent review of that app way back in October 2010, where I got a shout-out on the No Limit blog even before I had taken the job. This post will be sort of a spiritual successor to that, now that an early Android build has been out for a few months now and gone through a few iterations.

On the whole, SocialScope is a pretty good looking app by my standards. The home screen is very Windows Phone 7-like with large tiles for jumping to various types of updates such as notifications, photos, videos, check-ins, and more. The feeds themselves are very cleanly laid out and readable.

One of the reasons it looks so attractive is the fact that it gives inline previews of basically any type of media and upload service you can throw at it. YouTube? Check. Native Twitter/Facebook/foursquare pics? Lockerz? Check (ugh). Instagram and Picplz? Double check. This app is a content consumer’s dream.

This app also supports a pretty solid list of networks. Twitter and Facebook are included of course, as well as foursquare and tumblr. What you may not expect to sign in to, but can, is Instagram. That’s right, read and (limited) write functionality are available for Instagram in this app.

You can Like and comment on images in a dedicated stream, but unfortunately uploads are not supported. This can definitely hold me over until they come out with an actual Android app.

While there is plenty to get excited about, SocialScope for Android does suffer from a few bugs, as well as some feature omissions that made the BlackBerry app so great.

It isn’t the most consistent at notifying you of mentions and DMs, at least in a timely manner. The app also tends to forget how to refresh and load the latest tweets. Some glaring omissions as far as features go are no multi-Twitter account support and no ability to post as a Facebook Fan Page. I’m sure those features are in the pipeline, but it’s worth mentioning.

Overall, I’m very optimistic about SocialScope for Android’s potential as a killer jack-of-all-trades social app. However, knowing how the app developers have operated over the last 3 or 4 years, I am not as optimistic about the amount of time it will take to reach that full potential, if at all.

The app still has a way to go to be a daily driver for a large amount of people. For me, it was my go-to app on and off for about two months, but I’ve switched back to TweakDeck. That should tell you where the app stands for now.

If you want to give it a shot, leave a comment below or tweet me and I’ll hook you up with an invite!

A Blog Post By: Evan Connors (@evcon)
Evan is the Digital Producer at No Limit and enjoys bold flavors.

Economic woes coupled with a rise in online social networking popularity has created a playing field where food trucks win. Their recession weapon, you ask? Social media. Here are 5 ways food trucks are using social media to improve their bottom lines:

1. Facebook: For food trucks, having a strong social media presence reigns in importance over print flyers and newspaper placements. “Word-of-mouse” packs just as great of a punch as traditional word-of-mouth marketing. With knowledge of that, food trucks are using Facebook Fan Pages to connect, communicate and build relationships with their customers off the streets.

2. Twitter: Twitter is the golden boy for real-time communication. Tweeting up-to-the-minute truck locations connect hungry customers with their favorite street vendors and foods. As it’s uncommon for food trucks to hold set hours and a location, customers have to get tactical with using social media. Food trucks pose as moving targets; Twitter helps these targets become more hittable.

3. Foursquare: At the end of a treasure hunt there’s usually a reward. Food trucks use Foursquare to provide that reward. Although Foursquare limits badge development to selected brands and campaigns they want to associate with, there are other customer incentives that make checking-in worthwhile. Discounts for first time check-ins, a promo code for repeat customers or a free “x” if you try the day’s special, are all ways food trucks are encouraging their customers to engage with their business.

4. YouTube: Television placements are expensive, making a YouTube video is not. Most recently, food trucks are creating video content to promote their mobile businesses. With camera in hand, social-savvy street-vendors are vlogging and filming food tutorials & customer testimonials to promote their brands and real in customers.

5. Instagram: Food bloggers and amateur food enthusiasts love Instagram. Naturally, the fun photo sharing application has risen in popularity with street-food vendors as well. Food trucks are using Instagram to take and post mouthwatering photos of their daily specials to their Facebook Walls and Twitter feeds.

These are just a few ways social media can be utilized to help promote a growing business easily, effectively and cheap!

What food trucks have you seen that serve up excellent content through social channels?

A Blog Post By: Evan Connors (@evcon)

1. Product or Brand
2. Company, Institution or Organization
3. Local Business or Place
4. Arts, Entertainment or Sports
5. Other

Google+ pages are similar to profiles. Users can build out their profile, place followers into circles, host hangouts, share things on their page with their followers and +1 comments and photos. However, there are differences between profiles and pages that you can read here

How can Google+ be useful for my company/brand?

Google + Pages has many aspects that have the potential to be extremely useful for companies/brands.

Circles

Circles are extremely beneficial for Google+ page users because it allows them to place all of their followers into one place. One set back however is pages cannot add followers to their circles until they’re added first.

Circles give companies different options on how to separate their followers. Companies can place all of their followers into one circle, separate them into states or regions or do both. The benefit of separating followers into states or regions is that it allows companies to have post similar to Facebook’s geo-targeted post. If you have a message for individuals in one area, you can post the message in that particular circle and not have it broadcasted to the rest of their followers.

Hangouts

Hangouts may be the best feature Google+ has for companies because they can really use this feature to their advantage. A way companies can take advantage of hangouts is by introducing new products. They can have tutorials about the products and also host how-to’s on how to use the product.

However, the best way companies can use hangouts to their advantage is with customer service.

If a follower complains, a representative can reach out to them face-to-face. There is nothing better than to know you are talking to a human and having them understand your frustration and work with you to find a resolution. Another form of customer service is helping a follower who has questions or concern about a specific product. The follower can simply post their question and have a representative reach out and talk them through their issues.

Who’s using Google+?

There are a select few companies/brands that have their own Google+ Pages. These include:

• American Music Awards
• Anderson Cooper 360
• Angry Birds
• The Muppets*
• Pepsi

Many of them are using Google+ in a great way; both Anderson Cooper and Angry Birds are engaging with their fans by either hosting a contest or polls. The Muppets however are a great example of a brand using Google+ to their advantage.

The Muppets have been witnessed everywhere, including SNL and Dancing with the Stars and were one of the first brands to join Google+. They even recently held a Google+ hangout to give their fans a chance to talk with them.

So should your company be on Google+?

Google+ has been working hard to become the next Facebook and definitely has the potential to do so. The only set back is, are people actually using it or going to start using it? That is where companies are going to have to focus their efforts.

First thing every company must do is conduct research to see if their fans are on Google+. All companies must make sure they are where their fans are or they lose the ability to connect and help solve any issues there may be. If you find your fans are not present on Google+, then stay focused on your current social strategy. However, if you find there are fans on Google+, then jump on it.

So, what do you think? Is your company going to start their own Google+ page?

A Blog Post By:Keri Lyons (@kerilyons)

Keri is a Social Interactor whose favorite adjective is miserable.

Today, Foursquare released a brand spanking new website. The website, of course, carries the same features as before but also includes some more interactive features. Let’s walk through some of the changes, shall we?

Welcome to the new home page. When you log in to Foursquare, you can now see the ‘map’ feature that is on all mobile platforms in the upper half of the page. Your eye is immediately drawn to this visual as it not only shows where your friends are, but also gives recommendations based on the time of day and which venues are trending and have specials. This more visual and interactive interface can best be seen on tablets. Most of the changes made on the website could quite possibly replace the applications used on these devices.

The new personal profile pages did not change a whole lot. Of course, Foursquare adjusted them visually to include a new icon set that fits their new theme. Also, the new badges (accompanied with level) can be seen on the right hand side. The biggest difference that I noticed in personal profiles was the amount of friends/brands show up. It seems like Foursquare expanded on the number of thumbnails that appear. Overall, the profiles seem crisper. I really enjoy the simplicity in the overall re-design.

Venue pages were also given a facelift. Overall, the brand pages are much more aesthetically pleasing. Photos are displayed larger and more predominantly, in the center of the page. If the venue is running a special with Groupon or Living Social (like the one pictured) a photo that accompanies that deal is also displayed on the page. It seems that space was reduced for the map feature and more space was given for user tips and photos, making the pages much more user driven.

Bravo Foursquare. You are much prettier to look at now.

Chad Bryant (@chadATL)

Chad is the Director of Digital and Social Media Strategy at No Limit and a Foursquare junkie.

“You get paid to play on Facebook all day?” (sort of)

“You must watch a lot of YoutTube videos.” (not as many as you’d think)

“Did you hear about the…” (yes, last week)

But one of the most common reactions is probably similar to the incredulous disbelief of the first guy who had LASIK.

“You’re going to shine a laser into my eye to make me see again? Riiiiiight.”

Social Media professionals are constantly faced with the hurdle of justifying the industry and it’s value as a key part of marketing strategy. Like many new technologies, much of the older generation of executives write Social Media off as a time waster for children. Even brands that do get into Social Media often under-fund and de-prioritize their efforts.

Why is this? Could it be that today’s decision makers still think in terms of myspance and refer to Facebook as “the Facebook.” I think it’s even simpler than that: people don’t understand the ROI of Social Media.

The connection between fans, follows and sales figures is not always transparent. Luckily for people like me, that connection is the subject of much research and study.

In one such study conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey, Facebook users 18 and over were found to be 56 percent more likely than non fans to recommend brands they liked on Facebook to their friends, and 51 percent more likely to buy products from that brand.

The same holds true for Twitter. In sister study by the same agency, Twitter users were 60 percent more likely to recommend a brand they follow and 50 percent more like to buy that brand’s products.

When you consider the user base for both networks (Facebook has over 800 million while Twitter has about 100 million active users), the implications of those statistics are hard to ignore.

Soical Media isn’t just a pastime for kids or a way to reconnect with old school mates anymore. It is vital part of every successful marketing strategy.

A blog post by:
BRIAN DIGGELMANN
Brian is a Social Interactor at No Limit and swears he isn’t addicted to lolcats–he can stop looking anytime he wants.

Full Name: Emily Driscoll

Birthday: February 27th

What cities have you lived in? Atlanta, GA ; Jakarta, Indonesia ; Oxford, Ohio ; Paris, France ; Washington D.C.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Bali, Indonesia – There’s the rain forest and the beach, what more could you want.

What is your favorite color? Green, obviously. (She was wearing green today)

When you were 5 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? Veterinarian because I love animals.

What is your biggest accomplishment: Getting this job, DUH!!

Guilty pleasure? Cheese – I could seriously eat an entire cheese platter myself!

What are your favorite shows? Any HBO show – True Blood, Entourage, Game of Thrones. And I am also on a Seinfield kick. I like Jerry Seinfield – he’s a funny guy!

And your favorite movies? Not a big movie person but I really like the movie Amelie. It’s a French movie, set in Paris.

Spill the beans, what’s your most embarrassing moment: While in high school, I went to Athens with a group of friends. We went to cross this huge (huge for Athens at least) intersection there, and the light started to blink. I started to run across the cross walk and fell… in front of the entire student body. Everyone started laughing and their laughs were seriously echoing!

What are your hobbies? I like running, hiking, writing, hanging out with friends and of course traveling!

Would you rather have the ability to fly or teleport? Definitely fly, because teleporting takes the fun out of seeing where you going. You can’t take in all of the scenery.

A blog post by:
KERI LYONS
Keri is a Social Interactor at No Limit and a die-hard UGA fan. Go Dawgs!

A Week of Check-ins on the Path to One Billion from foursquare on Vimeo.

Foursquare has officially surpassed “start up” status and cemented itself as a mainstay of social media. If you need proof, they recently hit 1 billion total check-ins and are currently racking up about 3 million check-ins per day. With such a huge audience, it’s impossible to ignore the marketing potential of the tool.

Check out this video they created of a week’s worth of check-ins. It’s amazing the amount of data they have now.

A Blog Post By: Brian Diggelmann (@briandigg)

Brian has been known to womp while he works.

If you are interested in getting Timeline for yourself, Tech Crunch has written a “how to” article: http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/22/how-to-enable-facebook-timeline/

Chad Bryant (@chadATL)
Chad is the Director of Digital and Social Media Strategy at No Limit and can never say no to double cheeseburgers and fires: chad@nolimitmediaconsulting.com

First up is ESPN. Every male in America knows this brand. That alone is something great to have in your arsenal when launching a social campaign. ESPN could have taken the easy route, not invested in social and still had the 6 million fans they currently have on Facebook, but they didn’t. Some things they execute with success:

1)  Daily, Engaging Posts: Every day, ESPN adapts their social calendar to revolve around what is occurring in the sports space. Photos are present in nearly every post (remember, photos increase interactions/impressions drastically.) Every post has a call to action and every post utilizes their irreverent, targeted voice.

2)  Live Chat w/ Personalities: It’s all about transparency. ESPN often holds live chats with their anchors, sports experts and others on their Facebook page. Questions are taken from their following, creating an engaging, live event.

3) Promotion: During their prime time shows, ESPN can be seen advertising their social networks in prime real estate on the TV screen. Something many shows have caught on to and have begun implementing.

Remember college? If you do, you were not enjoying this next brand enough. That’s right; I am actually applauding the social media efforts of one of the cheapest beers of all time, Natural Light. In case you are not familiar with this brew, this is a beverage the majority of college students enjoy due to the fact that you can buy a 30 pack for $15. Here are some highlights from this brand’s social footprint:

1)  Embrace Your Brand/Following: Natural Light knows that 99% of their consumers refer to their beverage as ‘Natty Light’. The company embraced this, named their fan page appropriately and secured the proper vanity URL. Their posts are dedicated to the college demographic with irreverent photos and embracing the party scene.

2)  Photos, Photos, Photos: Natty Light does an excellent job of creating entertaining content in a simple photo. Their posts are often puns of the photo itself. Again, I cannot emphasize the importance of using photos when posting on behalf of a brand.

3)  Promotion: Once again, this brand displays their Facebook presence on their website in quite dominant fashion. Instead of simply placing a 10×10 Facebook icon below the fold, they invest some actual, legitimate real estate and give a reason for the user to click on the icon.

Your brand may not have the following that these mammoths have, but it doesn’t matter. Every day, I make it a mission to highlight engagement and interactions on clients’ behalf. The value in interactions and engagements far outweighs the fan count. Implement some of these posting/promotion strategies and you will start to see activity on your fan page.

Chad Bryant (@chadATL)

Chad is the Director of Digital and Social Media Strategy at No Limit. If you want him to review your brand’s footprint, be sure to email him: chad@nolimitmediaconsulting.com

Let’s see what else we can dig up about one of the newest members to the No Limit team…

Full Name: Marilyn Cody Lintel

My middle name is from Buffalo Bill Cody, because he is in my family tree on my mom’s side. He is real, believe it or not.

Birthday: Jan. 28, 1988

What cities have you lived in? Atlanta; Statesboro, Ga.; Newport Beach, Calif.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would love to live in Malibu, because I could be close to the beach, the weather is always beautiful and perfect, and I like the people there. But, I’d like to move everyone out there with me.

What is your favorite color? Blue — probably because my eyes are blue. You know how people always try to get you to like pink when you’re a little girl. Yeah, I never really liked it growing up.

When you were 5 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? A movie star. My baby sitter used to put me in all of her plays, and I wanted to be in movies up until I went to college. At that point I started to think a career in PR might be more realistic.

What is your biggest accomplishment? I’d say moving out to California, because it was something I wanted to do my whole life. I went out there without a job, but when I graduated I just decided that I was going to do it no matter what. It was scary, but it was also an awesome experience.

Guilty pleasure? Chocolate and reality TV, especially Real Housewives

Speaking of TV, what are your favorite shows? Desperate Housewives, Lost and Real Housewives

And your favorite movies? All of the Twilight movies, Gone With the Wind and Bridesmaids

Spill the beans, what’s your most embarrassing moment? Hands down, it was dressing as a cop when I was an extra on CSI: Miami. I had to wear men’s combat boots, pants that went up to my chest, a tucked in shirt and my hair in a bun — in a hair net. The worst part was that we had to all run around in a fake crack house with guns, and the producers ended up not even using me in the episode because I wasn’t holding the gun correctly.

Did you ever end up on any of the shows you were an extra for? Yes! I was able to be in the background on my favorite show, Desperate Housewives. I was there for a seven-day shoot, so all of the cast members were there an it was awesome. I was also on CSI: New York, 90210 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HntzJGmo3E0)  and a few pilot episodes of different shows.

What are your hobbies? I like to play tennis and go out with my friends. I’m just now starting to get involved with the Atlanta Humane Society, too.

If you could only karate chop or high kick for the rest of your life, which one would you do? It would have to be the Chuck Norris roundhouse kick.

Would you rather have the ability to fly or teleport? Teleport, because I’d be able to get places faster.

A blog post by:

Brittany Cofer
Brittany is very excited for Georgia football on Saturday. GO DAWGS!!!!!