Republicans in Congress Use Twitter ‘More Effectively’ Than Democrats [STUDY]


Many people believe that Democrats are the more tech-savvy party in the U.S., but Twitter-happy Republicans in Congress are turning that theory on its head.

Republicans in Congress use Twitter “more effectively” than Democrats, according to a recent study from Edelman. Tweeting members of the Grand Old Party not only saw more retweets, engagement and amplification than their Democratic brethren, but their tweets were also more substantive — Republicans were 3.5 times as likely to mention specific legislation and they included 52% more links and almost 60% more multimedia than Democrats in their tweets.

Edelman’s deep dive into Congressional tweeting habits went even further in an effort to determine the “best practices” for tweeting Senators and Representatives. The study highlighted Senate Republicans, who got the most mentions and had the highest “influence” among Congress, according to its analysis.

The study also looked at the timing of Congressional tweets. When are Congress’ thumbs firing away? Usually when members aren’t in the building, but they don’t have a problem tweeting away while in session, either. However, few tweets are sent immediately before or after a vote. It also found that members who tweeted in the morning and later in the week were most likely to be mentioned by others.

There’s also a great deal of across-the-aisle tweeting happening in Congress: about 49% of Twitter handles in the House and Senate reached across the “virtual aisle” by mentioning the handles of counterparts in the opposite party — and those aren’t all political jabs sent over the Twittersphere, either. 51% of those tweets were “collaborative” in nature.

Regionally, members from the western part of the U.S. saw the fastest follower growth and received the most mentions. Congressional tweeters from the Midwest received the most replies, while those in the Northeast got the most retweets and amplification.

What can Congressional tweeters do to improve their tweets? Edelman composed a list of the “Yeas and Nays of the Congressional Twitterverse:”

1. Tweet regularly
2. Tweet links to relevant and compelling content
3. Use hashtags
4. Tweet about specific legislation
5. Retweet other users
6. Be strategic with replies
7. Tweet early in the day
8. Tweet during the latter half of the work week
9. Don’t be afraid to tweet over the weekend
10. Tweet while in session

Edelman complied a list of 456 Congressional Twitter handles for use in the study. That was made up of 89 Senators and 367 Representatives, of which 194 were Democrats, 260 were Republicans and two were Independents. Analysis was done by Simply Measured from Sept. 2, 2011 through Dec. 25, 2011.

Do any of the study’s results surprise you? What do you think of Edelman’s advice for Twitter users in Congress? Let us know in the comments below.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, franckreporter

More About: congress, Politics, Social Media, Twitter, US

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2012/03/22/republicans-effective-tweeters/?utm_source=fee...

TiVo iOS app updated to v1.9 with a few new features, Android tablet app on the way

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The TiVo iOS app has been updated v1.9, and whether you're on iPad or iPhone there's a slew of new fixes and tweaks available. On both platforms, the Facebook login has been streamlined, there's To Do List / Season Pass management for Series3 DVRs, ability to create a WishList search and more. The iPad version features a new full-screen Browse UI (shown above) and collapsible folders while the iPhone receives high res retina display quality images. Zatz Not Funny mentions those higher quality pics will come to the iPad as well in the next few weeks, while TiVo's blog post mentions all of these features will arrive in its Android app(s) this summer. We say apps plural, because that's including a specialized Tablet version due in the springtime. For now however, the changelogs for the iOS versions are available at the links below.

TiVo iOS app updated to v1.9 with a few new features, Android tablet app on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Zatz Not Funny  |  sourceTiVo Blog, iTunes  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/tivo-iphone-ipad-app-update/

Obama Gets More Online Visitors Than GOP Candidates Combined


President Obama’s online efforts during his 2008 bid for the White House revolutionized digital campaigns — and if Nielsen’s latest numbers are any indication, his team is working hard for a repeat in 2012.

According to a recent Nielsen analysis, President Obama’s campaign pulled in more unique voting-age visitors than the four remaining Republican candidates’ sites combined throughout January. In total, Obama’s site received 4.2 million unique visitors over the age of 18 during the month:

A deeper dive into Nielsen’s data offers revealing demographic data for Obama’s and the Republican candidates’ sites in January:

Rick Santorum’s campaign site got the highest percentage of female voters (60%), while male visitors dominate the pages of Ron Paul (56%) and Newt Gingrich (51%).

Ron Paul, the oldest of the Republican contenders, has drawn plenty of the youngest visitors: more than 30% are less than 34 years old. More than 50% of the eyeballs on Obama’s site are older than 50, and people aged 50-64 are the most concentrated age group on his site.

Gingrich’s online audience is among the most wealthy and educated — more than 25% earn at least $100,000 annually, and 50% have at least a four-year degree.

Finally, Mitt Romney’s campaign had the highest percentage of Hispanic visitors (17%).

Do any of these results surprise you? Sound off in the comments below.

Thumbnail image courtesy of The White House

More About: 2012 presidential campaign, barack obama, internet, Mitt Romney, newt gingrich, Nielsen, Politics, Rick Santorum, ron paul, US

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2012/03/22/obama-online-visits/?utm_source=feedburner&utm...

When Social Media Meets TV, Are the Results Worth Watching?

blackbearnh writes "Forums and chat groups are letting fans organize and discuss their favorite shows with increasing ease, but what happens when the writers and producers of TV shows start paying attention? An article in today's Christian Science Monitor takes a look at how the production staff of recent shows has interacted with their fan base, and how the fans are having an increasing influence on not only the popularity, but also the plot and characters."

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from Slashdot http://news.slashdot.org/story/12/03/22/1247219/when-social-media-meets-tv-ar...

DirecTV iPad app adds (some) TV and movie streaming 'Everywhere' (Update: beta)

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After adding live TV streaming features to the DirecTV iPad app last fall, the company is expanding the feature today by pushing an upgrade that lets viewers watch video (but no live TV, yet) even when they're away from home. Dubbed DirecTV Everywhere, it follows up on the company's promises of more video for customer's mobile devices, offering "selected" video on-demand programming for on the go viewing. The Solid Signal Blog has an early preview of the new features with more screenshots and a video, revealing that available content at the moment consists of premium movie channels (HBO networks, Starz, Sony Movie Channel) and DirecTV's own Audience Network. While we wait for more content, other new features include the What's Hot social module pulling from your Twitter and Facebook friends to see what they're watching, and social checkins with Miso. We haven't gotten any official info from DirecTV on the upgrade beyond the changelog, but for now you can check out iTunes for the details.

Update: We've heard back from DirecTV, and their stance is that the DirecTV Everywhere service is still under beta test, which may explain the limited content availability at the moment. Other than the iPad app, content is also going to be available through DirecTV.com, and we should look for a national launch in late spring / early summer.

[Thanks, Brandon & Brian]

Continue reading DirecTV iPad app adds (some) TV and movie streaming 'Everywhere' (Update: beta)

DirecTV iPad app adds (some) TV and movie streaming 'Everywhere' (Update: beta) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes, Solid Signal Blog  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/directv-ipad-app-adds-some-tv-and-movie-st...

Sky dubs upcoming internet TV service 'Now TV', chases those currently without pay-TV

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After recently announcing plans to launch a new over-the-top internet based TV service in the UK Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch has revealed its name, Now TV, and what it will bring to customers. Speaking at the Media Guardian Changing Media Summit in London, Darroch indicated Now TV would operate as its own brand, targeting the 13 million UK homes that don't pay for TV from any provider. It will start offering instant access to movies this summer followed by sports and other entertainment soon after, with access by monthly subscription or PPV across a variety of devices. It will be different from the existing Sky TV service, and all of its online tie-ins like Sky Go by focusing on flexibility and "spontaneous access" Constantly complaining about a lack of access to programming like, say, Game of Thrones without a traditional pay-TV package? It sounds like this should be right up your alley, so while details like exact pricing are still TBA, feel free to hit the source links below for all of the info currently available including a transcript of his speech, or head to the Now TV website directly to sign up for updates.

Sky dubs upcoming internet TV service 'Now TV', chases those currently without pay-TV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceSky, Jeremy Darroch (PDF), Now TV  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/21/sky-now-tv-internet-tv-service/

New Samsung TV Watches You Watching It

CanHasDIY writes "Straight out of 1984, Samsung has unveiled a new series of televisions with integrated cameras and microphones, complete with facial and voice recognition software. Best of all, there appears to be no physical indication of the mic and camera's status, so consumers have no way of knowing when they're being monitored, or by whom... and if you don't find the idea of a TV that watches you creepy enough, apparently Samsung's Terms of Service include a clause allowing third-party apps to make use of the monitoring system, and use the data gathered for their own purposes. Nothing Orwellian about that..."

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from Slashdot http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/03/21/2117236/new-samsung-tv-watches-you-wat...

Apple: don't worry about hot iPad reports, it's cool

All this talk about overheating iPads isn't getting Apple all that excited, apparently. The company issued a fairly noncommittal response on the matter, stating that in spite of the tablet's LTE support, fast processing, battery life and resolutionary display magic, it still "operate[s] well within [Apple's] thermal specifications." That said, if anyone happens to have concern with regards to an overheated lap, "they should contact AppleCare." There may be a chance, after all, that you've been holding it wrong.

Apple: don't worry about hot iPad reports, it's cool originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceAll Things D  | Email this | Comments

from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/apple-dont-worry-about-hot-ipad-reports-it...

Legal Blogging: How to Craft the Right Strategy

Gavel and Laptop


Kevin O’Keefe is CEO and publisher of LexBlog, the leading provider of professional turnkey blog and social media solutions. The LexBlog Network (LXBN), with over 7,000 lawyers and other service professionals, is the largest network of professionals blogging.

For the better part of a decade, law firms have successfully used blogs to bring in high-quality work. Now, there is new industry research that measures the impact of blogs as business development tools.

A recent survey by communications firm Greentarget measured how in-house counsel use and perceive blogs. The findings have raised some eyebrows:

  • In-house attorneys exhibit widespread trust (84%) in blogs.
  • They read attorney-authored or firm-branded blogs more often than they read blogs written by actual journalists.
  • More than half of respondents said they think a prominent blog will influence clients to hire one firm over another.
  • While daily blog readership dropped 10% from 2010, weekly and monthly readership more than made up for it, shedding new light on the quality versus quantity debate.

Decision makers are relying on blogs for critical business information and in deciding which law firm to hire.

Law firms, in turn, are increasing the number of blogs they publish. Recent analysis found that 68 of the top 100 firms are publishing a total of 272 blogs. This is up from 156 blogs in 2010 — a 74% increase.

Given the increase in the number of law blogs, the question becomes, what makes one blog successful and one not? The answer is developing a strategy based on engagement.

Relationships and a strong word-of-mouth reputation are how lawyers have always found their best work — the Internet doesn’t change that. It is a relationship and reputation accelerator.


Outline for a Winning Strategy


  1. Identify the type of work and clients you want. The top blogs focus on specific practice areas and vertical industries, not firm brands.
  2. Identify your target audience. While clients and prospective clients are important, influencers and amplifiers are more important. Engaging reporters, association leaders, publishers, conference coordinators and leading bloggers gets you seen and referenced as a thought leader.
  3. Listen. Listening to what is being written and shared on the Internet is more important than content. The quickest way to earn someone’s attention is by listening to and sharing what they have to say.
  4. Network. Blogging is all about networking, not marketing. Be it interviews, quoting the work of others or even comments, use the blog as a way to introduce yourself to new people.
  5. Invest the time. Like any business development effort, blogging takes time. Unlike advertising, for which people expect immediate results, networking through the Internet to build relationships and a strong reputation can take a year or two — though, that’s faster than doing so offline.
  6. Complement blogging with short-form social media. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and even a website are all roads leading to a lawyer’s true identity: his or her blog.

Lawyer Role Models


Looking to other lawyers who’ve experienced business development success is a good place to start. Relationships and engagement are the keys to a blog’s success, per New York attorney Peter Mahler of Farrell Fritz, who publishes a blog covering business dissolution matters titled New York Business Divorce.

“My blog has not only been a powerful business generation tool for a niche practice like mine, but it has also opened the door to a host of professionally rewarding relationships with other lawyers, law professors, judges and experts. My blog’s success comes from consistently posting about interesting topics in an engaging style that tells the reader not only what happened in this or that case, but why it happened, how it fits into the bigger picture and what the reader’s takeaway should be, all of which allows me to demonstrate my expertise as a business divorce lawyer.”

In addition to making his legal practice more fulfilling, Chicago attorney R. David Donoghue of Holland and Knight, publisher of both the Chicago IP Litigation Blog and the Retail Patent Litigation blogs, reports that his blogs have been a powerful source of both reputation and business generation. “While it took time for my blogs to begin generating business, over time they have helped generate significant patent litigation matters,” he says.


Execution of Your Blogging Strategy


Like any business development effort, execution is key. Some law firms will have individual lawyers blogging, while other law firms will blog by practice group or industry.

Philadelphia attorney Sean Wajert publishes his own blog, Mass Tort Defense, regarding defense of mass tort cases and large scale product liability claims. At the same time, Wajert is chair of the mass torts and product liability practice group for Dechert, an 800-lawyer multinational law firm.

The Privacy Law Blog, published by the Privacy and Data Security Group of Proskauer, another global law firm, has 16 lawyers contributing as writers with one lawyer serving as editor.

Though quality over quantity is key, good law blogs publish two to four times a month, with many choosing to publish more often.

Developing a social media policy which complements the firm’s existing communication policy helps guide lawyers on issues such as taking a strong position on a law blog and conflicts of interest.

The blogs that in-house counsel want to read give them information and insights they can’t get elsewhere. In revealing that in-house counsel read firm-branded blogs more often than blogs by professional reporters, the Greentarget survey respondents signal an important trend: They see value in going directly to unfiltered sources of information from true subject matter experts. Journalists are no longer the primary conduits to a mass audience. Self-publishing means attorneys can go there directly.

Even with a strategy in place, attorneys want to see the blog’s impact, that it isn’t falling on deaf ears. Greentarget’s report indicates that may not be the easiest thing to do, but it’s still happening.


Is it Resonating?


The Greentaret survey touched on an interesting “invisible user” phenomenon. The research reflects that 68% of respondents use social media to “listen” exclusively. So, if a blog isn’t generating comments or tweets aren’t being retweeted, that does not mean in-house counsel aren’t depending on these platforms for information and hiring decisions. Social listening campaigns to measure the effectiveness of a blog’s content strategy — compelling metrics for consumer-oriented blogs — don’t necessarily apply to the in-house legal community.

Lawyers and firms need to focus on the right set of measurable objectives when it comes to blogging.

Rather than focusing on data-based metrics, a mistake that many law firms make, the real ROI for blogging and social media activity should be measured in the following ways:

  1. Is your reputation being enhanced?
  2. Is your network of relationships growing?
  3. Are you establishing yourself as a subject matter expert?
  4. Are you getting not just clients, but high-quality clients?

Law firms have access to valuable information and perspective and should view blogs as a way to leverage this information to build and deepen relationships with clients and allied organizations.

Lawyers and firms are arguably in the greatest of positions to self-publish and produce compelling content because they are at the intellectual apex of most legal, regulatory and economic developments impacting business worldwide.

In capitalizing on this, lawyers and law firms have the potential to bring in high quality work with a level of efficiency and interpersonal engagement they have never experienced before.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, shironosov

More About: blogging, contributor, features, law, law firm, Marketing

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from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2012/03/21/law-firm-blogging/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_m...

Cloak Automatically Secures Your Browsing on Open Wi-Fi Networks, Is About as Hassle-Free as It Gets [Security]

Mac/iOS: Connecting to open Wi-Fi networks, like those in coffee shops, can leave you open to all sorts of attacks. To keep your personal information safe, free app Cloak encrypts and reroutes all your traffic through a VPN whenever you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5894959/cloak-automatically-secures-your-browsing-on-op...