Social Media

OK, so getting votes is a bit of a popularity contest. You've already called everyone you know. And you've emailed everyone on your contact list - even your annoying aunt with all the cats. What else can you do? Funny you should ask. The following guide will give you tips on how to make your vote getting efforts go farther. And by far, we mean around the globe.

Please make sure you read and comply with the terms and conditions and community or user guidelines (if applicable) of all third party sites and services mentioned in this document. Please also refer to the Official Contest Rules to learn about which vote-getting activities are prohibited (for example we do not allow vote-buying or the use of paid advertising to get votes).

  1. Blog. Your face off.
    What is a blog? A blog is a web site that provides text, photo and/or video content in chronological order. If you have a blog, it may be hosted freely as part of a larger blogging community like BloggerTM, Tumblr, Typepad®, VoxTM or WordPress.com.
    What to do: Write blog posts that link to your ideablob idea page, with instructions on how readers can vote for you and don't forget to post follow up reports on how you're doing with votes! To set up your own free blog, go to one of the blogging communities noted above and follow the step-by-step instructions to set up your own blog.
  2. Podcast. Shout yours from the mountaintops.
    What is a podcast? Podcasts are digital audio recordings of a broadcast or similarly recorded program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player (like an iPod®).
    What to do: If you're a podcaster, don't forget to tell your audience about your ideablob page and encourage them to cast their votes for you! If you'd like to learn how to create your own podcast, go here, for step-by-step instructions: http://www.podcasting-tools.com/how-to-podcast.htm
  3. Vodcasts. Get your webcast on.
    What is a vodcast? Vodcasts are digital video webcasts created by any user, usually hosted in an online video sharing community like: Blip.tv, BrightcoveTM, Dailymotion, YoutubeTM, Vimeo or Viddler.com.
    What to do: Use your vodcasts to explain ideablob and your idea, while directing people to your URL/page to vote.
  4. Microblogging Social Networks. Give 'em all the gory details.
    What are microblogging social networks? A growing online segment of people are part of "microblogging" communities like Twitter, Jaiku® or PownceTM. The "microblog" platform is way to share details of your life or what you are doing in between the times that you sit down to write blog posts or emails to friends and contacts. Using a microblogging platform, you may tell your friends what you are making for dinner or the name of the new book you are reading, by sending short, 140-character messages via sms/IM/web. On twitter, these short messages are nicknamed "tweets."
    What to do: Use Twitter or Jaiku® to send a short message that includes your ideablob page URL and ask your followers to vote for you!
  5. Online or Mobile Social Networks. Work the room (virtually speaking)
    What is an online or mobile social network? Communities that connect people with friends or new contacts online or via mobile devices. Examples of these are Facebook, Imeem, Linkedin®, MyspaceTM, Plaxo® and Twitter.
    What to do: List and share your ideablob URL on your social network profile pages in communities like Facebook & MyspaceTM.
  6. Social Bookmarking sites. X marks the spot.
    What are social bookmarking sites? Social bookmarking sites such as Furl, Del.icio.us, Google Bookmarks, Ma.gnolia, Reddit, StumbleUpon are communities of people who save links or "bookmark" things they want to read/do/reference online at another time, and see what other community members are bookmarking/interested in.
    What to do: Set up an account, then save, share and tag your ideablob page/URL. Don't forget to include instructions to vote in the "notes" area of this tool so that other community members who are browsing new bookmarks know how to vote for you!
  7. Other online communities. Join the club.
    What are other online communities? Communities are formed to connect people with common interests, hobbies or provide information. In this vein, there are millions of online forums, newsgroups, bulletin boards and clubs that you can join.
    What to do: Start out by checking Yahoo®, MSN® or post the URL and directions on how to vote for you in forums, bulletin boards or other online communities you may be active in.
  8. Status Updates. Gone fishin'? Let people know.
    What are status updates? If you use instant message services such as AIM®, Facebook, Google Talk, iChat, MSN® messenger or Yahoo® messenger to communicate in real time with your "buddies," you can set "away" messages for your friends to see or read when you are away from the computer or busy.
    What to do: Remember to include your ideablob URL in your "Status" or "Away" messages and encourage your friends to vote for your idea!
  9. Web and mobile chat platforms. Quiet on the set.
    What are web and mobile chat platforms? Web and mobile chat platforms like Seesmic or Qik allow you to speak with other community members or respond to their videos via your own video or live stream, similar to videoconferencing but from your webcam, laptop camera or even cameraphone (Qik is a platform that allows you to create and post videos from a cameraphone with video!). Visit their home pages for step-by-step instructions to start your own online video conversation stream.
    What to do: Use this broadcast channel to speak about your idea and ideablob, while telling the community how they can support you by voting!