“Geosocial” services have slowly integrated into our daily lives and routines. If you have to meet someone, there’s nothing easier than clicking the Maps app on your phone and knowing your route within seconds. If you’re vying to retain your seat as the Mayor of your favorite lunch spot, you make sure to never forget a check-in. Twitter can provide time, location and device information for your updates, and Facebook recently added a feature to include your current location in your status update.

Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project have revealed that 55% of Americans have used the GPS functions of their mobile devices, and 28% actively utilize “location-augmented activities.” These include general location and map services, check-in programs such as Foursquare and GoWalla, and social media platforms that include geographical locations in posts and updates such as Facebook and Twitter.

But what does this mean for our online security? The more information we are willing to share, the more conscious we must be in terms of privacy. Become familiar with the privacy settings of your social media sites. Who do you allow to view your profile? Is your Facebook page public? Can anybody read your tweets? Your privacy settings are an important start, but even the strictest of habits does not eliminate risk. Geolocation information can be included in the metadata of digital photographs taken by newer cameras and mobile devices. This metadata is retained during upload and can offer your home address by simply viewing the file information.

Flickr, one of the most popular photo sharing sites, has recently announced a new geofences feature that provides an aerial view of your intended sharing geography. The option allows users to customize specific locations, for example “School” and “Home,” that allow only friends and family within these geographic boundaries to view your uploaded photos. Flickr’s implementation is an ideal choice of providing an intuitive way to select your sharing boundaries without over-complicating the process.

Not everyone is so close knit that they can define their social lives within a mile radius of their home or place of work, so Flickr’s solution is not a cure all, but a well-needed bandage. By adding a service that goes beyond the normal security checkboxes, Flickr can begin to regulate the estimated 300 million geotagged photos the site currently hosts. Additionally, geofences can aid in the protection of minors, an audience which may upload photos without being aware of the sensitivity of data being shared.

Online security is crucial when it comes to social media. More and more, these social platforms are offering updated, more in-depth options for privacy settings. Be sure to review these changes whenever you notice an update and make sure you are comfortable with what you are sharing and with whom. It truly is a matter of common sense. Ask yourself, “Am I okay with sharing this to my friends? To my friends’ friends? To the world?”

What better way to commemorate the occasion than by bringing you our Top Trending Topic Tweets surrounding the #Tag #WhiteyBulger?!

The citizens of Vancouver are looking to undo the damage of the soon-to-be infamous Canucks Riot, which took place after Game 7 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Canucks fans flooded the streets after a 0-4 loss against the Bruins, overturning and igniting cars, smashing storefront windows, looting and partaking in various other criminal acts. In the aftermath, vigilant Vancouver residents have taken to the web as way to organize and target efforts.

The Facebook event “Post Riot Clean-up” has garnered more than 11,000 attendees in the few hours since created. The event creators have coordinated with the Vancouver Police Department, which has permitted the event members to assist in the clean up process. The event provides its attendees with streets and locations that are in need of assistance.

The Vancouver Police Department has also played a social role in the Canucks Riot. With nearly 14,000 followers, the Vancouver Police Department Twitter account voiced its disappointment with rioting citizens:

In the hours since, the Vancouver Police Department has urged citizens to evacuate downtown, identified areas in need and thanked various groups for their assistance throughout the clean-up process.

Twitter account VancouverClean has also popped up as an updating service for those participating in the Post-Riot Clean-up Facebook event. The group has been providing positive, motivational tweets to encourage Vancouver citizens in the recovery:

But cleaning up the city is not the only concern for Vancouver citizens. The police department is encouraging Facebook and Twitter users to upload their photos and videos taken of the Canucks Riot and tag any identifiable participants where they can. Tumblr accounts have been created, including  http://vancityriotcriminals.tumblr.com/, which is aiding in the identification of Vancouver rioters. In an age where everyone has a camera in their pocket, the Vancouver Police Department’s use of targeting criminals is a nod to social media and the potential it has for law enforcement.

As the hockey post-season ends with a bang, the repercussions will surely be felt as more evidence begins to surface.

Now, let me preface this blog post by saying I am extremely anti-LeBron and anti-Heat (insert disclaimer about the opinions expressed here being mine and only mine), so I was all too happy to put this post together. Much has been made about “King James’” receding hairline in recent weeks, but those who are surprised that a man who looks to be twice his age is battling a growing forehead need to reevaluate their love for the former Savior of Cleveland.

Enough of my ‘Bron bashing, let’s see what the Twitterverse had to say this week!

The other thing marketers are constantly trying to do? Find a way to show the real return on spending the resources required to create a robust social media program.

Among all of the misfires and close-but-not-quite-there social media strategies, there is one organization that is getting it right – the UFC. Yes, that UFC – The Ultimate Fighting Championship.

I guess it is no surprise that a business as envelope-pushing and in-your-face as the UFC would be ahead of its competitors, and most other businesses, in harnessing the latest technology to extend and engage its fan base.

The UFC trails only one major sporting organization in the race for Facebook “likes,” behind the NBA; pretty impressive for a “niche” sport. In addition to pictures and videos leading up to and following each event, the fan page features exclusive videos, a shopping tab and even fan contests that incorporate sponsors, like the current promotion calling fans to vote for their favorite Hooters girl. The “delightfully tacky, yet unrefined” favorite will be an honorary ring card girl for an upcoming event.

At this weekend’s UFC 130, the organization trotted out another genius move in its social media marketing efforts, this time looking to build its Twitter following. As each fighter was introduced and made their customary entrance to the cage, a graphic including the fighters name and, yes, Twitter handle, appeared in the lower third of the screen.

Sounds like a fairly simple ploy, right? But in an age where athletes’ every move are scrutinized, tweets from athletes cause a stir and negative press seemingly every week, and governing leagues have placed restrictions on social media activity of their employees, the UFC is welcoming and pushing viewers to follow the online activity of its fighters. In fact, given the public perception and understanding of just how off the cuff, rough and often times crude the UFC fighters are, there are probably few concerns over what exactly these men will do or say via social media. Image is important to the UFC, but clean cut and mild-mannered does not fit the bill.

Sure, not every rogue move is a smart one. Just because a company rows in the opposite direction doesn’t make it smart. But take a look at past elements that have helped propel the organization to its current status:

1)      Accessibility. How much would it cost for a day of training in a particular sport with some of the world’s best professionals? To give you an idea, Dwayne Wade’s Fantasy Camp in 2011 boats a gaudy price tag of $12,500. Yet nearly all UFC fighters train in public gyms or own their own facilities, and they train and teach with the “regulars” for the given monthly membership. This kind of interaction is priceless for fans, and Twitter, while not as exciting as swapping sweat with a champ, gives fans the connections they crave.

2)      Familiarity. The single greatest marketing move the UFC has made in its 10-year history was the creation of the hit Spike TV series, “The Ultimate Fighter.” The reality show pits 16 up-and-coming fighters in six weeks of competition with the winner earning a major UFC contract. The drama, antics and quality of competition have been great for the sport. However, the fact that fighters are now coming into the organization with a following despite no collegiate competition, and the ability for fans to follow the career of a warrior from prospect to champion (just look at Season One winner and former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin) are unparalleled in importance for the sports rise in popularity. By tweeting regularly, fighters are forming their legions of fans and driving ticket sales and Pay-Per-View buys for each passing event.

3)      Personalities. Hate them or love them, the fighters in the UFC have some pretty polarizing personalities. Whether it’s the crazed and hilarious “Rampage” Jackson, the unbeatable yet humble Georges St. Pierre, or the WWE superstar-turned-MMA champ Brock Lesnar, the athletes that make up this sport can reel in fans of any kind. Twitter is simply another vehicle for spreading the words and thoughts of these characters.

4)  Power. It’s not just the fighters and the organization’s marketing team that has Twitter in a triangle choke. UFC President Dana White actively Tweets about MMA news, live event happenings and scavenger-hunt type giveaways in the host cities of various fight nights. The often criticized and never filtered promoter has over 1 million followers.

No matter how you slice it, the UFC pushing Twitter on its broadcasts and developing the platform as a real asset is a win for the sport and the company. They are light-years ahead of where other sporting organizations fall on the social media trend line, and it is paying off.

For as long as we have been in the digital marketing business here at Discovery, convincing clients that Twitter will in fact bring them value and leads has been an uphill struggle. I think it’s safe to say that is typical at most agencies, especially those that deal with businesses lacking major spending. The thought process for most of the small- or medium-sized business we encounter is that unless there is a direct and measurable ROI, which is sometimes a gray area with social media, they just don’t have the “disposable” revenue.

Well, ladies and gentleman, spending on Twitter can no longer be thought of as “disposing” of your money. While marketers everywhere have been making this case for years now – DCG included—Google has now given us even MORE of a reason to create robust online communities.

According to “Inside Search,” touted as the official Google Search Blog, Social Search is now a thing of the present. The excerpt from the blog below summarizes what exactly will be changing:

“If you’re signed in, Google makes a best guess about whose public content you may want to see in your [search] results, including people from your Google Chat buddy list, your Google Contacts, the people you’re following in Google Reader and Buzz, and the networks you’ve linked from your Google profile or Google Account. For public networks like Twitter, Google finds your friends and sees who they’re publicly connected to as well.”

So what does it all mean, in simple terms?

Well, from the searchers’ perspective it means more news-worthy results with up-to-the-minute “buzz” factor, as well as a glimpse into the activity of your extended network surrounding your query.

It also may mean you should be more selective with who you follow on Twitter. Rather than simply using the “follow” function as a cheap means to build your network, you may want to implement a personal filter as to who you are inviting in to your network. If the Tweets of those with whom you are connected are not adding value, you probably don’t want their messages appearing in your search results – which means you better unfollow them in a hurry!

From a marketer’s perspective, this means you may want to begin using the follow function as a cheap means to build your network. Yes, this is what I just cautioned against for individuals and from a searchers’ perspective, but if what you or your clients are Tweeting can show up in the search results of your network, then you better grow as big a following as imaginable.

HOWEVER (there’s always a caveat) you need to be pushing quality content that is getting shared in order to establish authority. This important factor will greatly influence how often (if at all) your content appears in the search results of your network.

So continue building a large online audience on Twitter, and push valuable content. The same thing we have all been preaching for years! Only now it is a necessity, not an option.

I recently heard that Distilled, a SEO agency headquartered in the UK, and SEOmoz, a SEO software company, were holding their PRO Conference in Boston this year. I really wanted to go! As a digital marketing agency with an emphasis on SEO strategy, it is imperative we stay current on industry trends. However, when there wasn’t extra money in the budget for me to attend the conference, I turned to social media to see if I could score a free pass somehow.

When engaging in social media for any reason, be it personal or business, your efforts need to be campaign-like. And like any campaign you need a strategy, resources and a mentality that you are, “in it to win it!” And that is exactly what I did!

I come up with a strategy for how I would influence SEOmoz and Distilled to give me a free pass, I evaluated the resources available to me, and I knew persistence would be the key to reaching the goal. Social media is all about building bridges. You can’t tweet once or slap up a Facebook status and give up because no one read it or followed you. This is a long-term commitment and like any relationship, your networks grow stronger as you share experiences, information, wisdom, and yes, even a little humor.

In this case, I wrote a blog post about my cause, stating the 10 reasons I should be given a pass. I also made sure to optimize the post to the best of my ability. I then used Twitter and Facebook to share this post and to drum up supporters to champion my cause. Humor was a big part of my strategy, stating the #9 reason for giving me a free pass to the conference was that I was willing to tattoo the SEOmoz Roger Mozbot mascot on my body. Furthermore, I promised to allow this to be filmed and used as a viral video campaign.

Being persistent about sharing out my message paid off and I was rewarded with a free pass to this amazing SEO PRO Conference. So maybe you are at the beginning of this process or possibly you are firmly entrenched in it, the key is to be persistent. You need to keep plugging away at it knowing that every blog post, every upload, every tweet and status update makes you one step closer to reaching your social media goals.

The Discovery Communications Group is an award-winning, fully-integrated marketing agency located in Salem, NH, that specializes in professional web design, search engine optimization, and social media marketing strategy. DCG also provides printing and mailing services to meet every advertising need, servicing clients throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Now that you know how to be more productive without sacrificing your social media and internet addictions – ready, set, work! And when having issues with your “diet” just remember to set goals. Are you on Facebook for fun or for business? Be respectful and mindful of your time. Do you feel better when you are productive and kick butt at work or waste your time checking your friends status updates? Be honest. Set Goals. And be more productive!

The Discovery Communications Group is an award-winning, fully-integrated marketing agency located in Salem, NH, that specializes in professional web design, search engine optimization, and social media marketing strategy. DCG also provides printing and mailing services to meet every advertising need, servicing clients throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Mick Foley, the professional wrestler formally known as Cactus Jack, Dude Love and the menacing Mankind, may seem like an unlikely advocate for preventing abuse, and that’s exactly the point. Foley’s history as a WWE legend makes him not only a powerful spokesperson, but one that knows the impact of violence. RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, has allied with Foley in an online campaign to raise money and awareness.

In April 2011, Mick Foley kicked off his “10 for RAINN” campaign on the web and Twitter. The idea is simple: make a $10 donation to RAINN and then tweet the hashtag “#10forRAINN” out to your social community. The more people donate and tweet, the greater the audience. For every $1 donated, 92 cents goes directly to preventing sexual violence and supporting those affected.

In typical Mick Foley fashion, he has taken the normal conventions of fundraising and added a truly spectacular aspect to it. If you make a $100 donation, you will be sent an autographed picture of Mick. For $250, Mick will personally give you a call. And for $5,000 or more, Mick Foley will head down to your neighborhood and mow your lawn. Or, if you’ve got an event going on that’s a little more exciting than yard maintenance, Mick Foley is happy to come, hang out, mingle and maybe even dance if the song’s right.

The goal was to raise $10,000 by Mother’s Day, which is Sunday, May 8, 2011. As of May 4, the donation total has exceeded $100,000, ten times the original goal. What’s could be better than that? An online wrestling memorabilia auction to raise even more money for RAINN. Items up for bid include Mick’s favorite pair of wrestling boots, featured in numerous shows throughout his career, one of only two Mankind masks, and an original manuscript of Countdown to Lockdown, Foley’s recently published book. The real treat, however, are the original Cactus Jack and Dude Love outfits and the iconic Mr. Socko puppet, which will only be parted with if the bidding is high enough. For Mick, the sentimental value of these items is through the roof but he is willing to part with them for a good cause.

Even as the deadline nears, there is still plenty of time left to donate toward the “10 for RAINN” campaign. The online auction begins today, May 4 and 100% of the proceeds of the auction will go to RAINN. If you would like to make a contribution, please visit the campaign page at http://www.rainn.org/mickfoley. You can find Mick Foley and receive updates on the campaign by following him on Twitter @realMickFoley or the trending hashtag #10forRAINN.