Posts Tagged ‘internet’

Obama could lead us into the Golden Age of the Internet

Obama and his computer

A recent NYTimes Article stated that Obama has the opportunity to push the US into the position of being the leader in new ways to explore how the internet can build communities and improve American lives.

In a speech this month about his economic stimulus plan, he said that he intends to ensure that every child has a chance to get online and that he would use some of the stimulus money to connect libraries and schools. It is a critical goal. Children trapped on the wrong side of the digital divide are deprived of a fair chance to educate themselves and to compete for high-skill, high-paying jobs.

Mr. Obama has also been a strong supporter of “network neutrality,” the principle that Internet service providers should not be able to discriminate against any of the information that they carry. Net neutrality laws are necessary to ensure that Internet service providers do not block content they disagree with or give financial breaks to big tech companies, squeezing out smaller competitors and stifling innovation.

Read the full article here.

December 16th, 2008 by Jim Glaub | Tags: In the News, Internet Marketing | No Comments »

5 Free Ways to Promote Your Show on the Internet

1. Wednesday is the new Friday. Facebook is the new Myspace.

It’s awesome. You can create a fan page for your show which allows for people to comment, rate and view videos and pictures. You can also create an event and invite everyone you’ve ever met to come see the show. Comment on other theatre facebook pages “If you liked Cats, you’ll love the Gender Bending Three Sisters! Use code XXX for $35 tix!” Okay, maybe not that lame, but you get the idea. Facebook is the fastest growing social network and will continue to grow. (Myspace is still the most popular, but Facebook is much more valuable for promotion.) Click here for an article on how to set up a Facebook account.

2. You scratch my Eblast, I’ll scratch yours.

Get your friends who are involved with a theatre company to do placement on their eblast. It’s a common misconception that you can just ‘use their list’ – which is illegal. However, placement on the theatre companies already existing newsletter is prime exposure. If you don’t have a list to trade yourself, offer placement, a link or banner on your site under Partners or Community.

3. Times online reader reviews.

Get all your fans, supporters and friends to jump onto the NYTimes.com and write and rate. It makes them feel like they are important for the show, and it adds a personal touch to the existing review. (And may balance out if it’s a bad one.) The more reviews and higher rating your show gets, then it gets listed under Readers’ Highest Rated.

4. Video Schmideo.

It’s easy! Borrow your friend’s video camera. Go backstage and tape the actors. Upload it to your computer. Edit it. Upload it to YouTube and then post to your website and social networks. Be creative! Give the actors the video and let them create the content. Even if you are just taping the actors talking about their role, their hair, the dressing room, whatever! It helps to create a ‘Backstage Pass’ – it’s also easy to upload to YouTube, embed the code and post it on your website. It’s like DVD extras! If it’s funny, or interesting or different, it may just go viral…

5. Celebimonials

I know it’s cliche, but celebrities sell tickets. If you can’t afford 50k a week to have one in your show, get one to talk about it for free. You probably know a celebrity or two through 6 degrees (Your mom went on a date with George Clooney in ‘89 and they still keep in touch), so call in the favor and get them to write a testimonial for your website. Better plan: Get them to be on camera to say “I loved it! Go see it!”

June 27th, 2008 by Jim Glaub | Tags: Internet Marketing | No Comments »

Where the WWWomen Are

A few weeks ago, my friend Yvonne, who is in her early 30’s, invited both friends and family to a party. Her mother-in-law was particularly excited to attend because Yvonne’s college friend, Dave Gilbert, was a fellow party-er.  Gilbert, Yvonne’s mother-in-law had recently discovered, had designed her favorite computer game.  (Gilbert is owner of Wadget Eye Games .)

This cute coincidence is illustrative of a larger trend.

The game Yvonne’s mother-in-law loved is a “casual game,” which are those computer games that are not shoot ‘em ups or epic games, but simple games with simple rules — think Tetris and Bejeweled.

According to a report by the Casual Games Association, 200 million people play casual games online. Women account for 51% of this large pie (according to one report , this number is 76%.) Women also make up 74% of people who pay for games. And people over the age of 35 account for 62% of all gamers.

Casual games: designed by young men, played by their moms.

May 23rd, 2008 by Sheryl Ramer | Tags: Random Stuff | No Comments »