May 2008

I received a lot of questions from friends about Polyvore (see previous post here). They didn’t understand the concept or how to create a set with Polyvore.

So instead of making you read, I’m going to share two videos that show you how to use Polyvore. I found these videos on Polyvore’s site here and here.

Watch how you can create sets composed of individual images using an easy to use, drag and drop editor. After you have created a set, you can publish and share it with your friends and the Polyvore community.

The Clipper easily lets you import items from other websites into Polyvore.

I hope this helps - if you have any other questions, please leave a comment.

(Video Credit: Polyvore)

I stumbled across the brand builder blog and got hooked into the brand tags by Noah Brier.

The basic idea of this site is that a brand exists entirely in people’s heads. Therefore, whatever it is they say a brand is, is what it is. 760,000+ tags and counting

Polyvore is an amazing website that’s revolutionizing the way we shop online. Their web-based application is user-friendly making it easy for you to import images from any online store and create a virtual ensemble in your browser. Each item used within a set will link back to the online store where it’s available for purchase. This makes it easy for you to track where you found the item or if you’re like me, discover new retailers from sets created by other Polyvore addicts.

One you publish a set, you can share it with your friends online to get their opinions. You can even print it out as a shopping guide or save your sets as a part of your fashion wish-list (that’s what I do).

Here’s a favorite of mine by Meg:

For an interesting post on how retailers can leverage Polyvore’s platform, read “Why should retailers pay more attention to social shopping on Polyvore?” by Sarah Simmons.

A couple of improvements I’d like to see on Polyvore is 1) the ability to move the clipper box when adding tags - it appears in the upper right hand corner and blocks my view of the products details. And 2) enable right-click so instead of having to go to my toolbar, I can right click an image directly to Polyvore.

What exactly is social media and how does it affect you and your company?

One place I’ve found to be helpful on the topic was SlideShare.net. They have over 30,000 results on social media.

Here are three presentations that helped me understand what social media is and how to benefit from it.

All presentations can be found at Slideshare.net.

Also, if you come across another presentation that can help explain the social media landscape, please post a link here.

Crucial Conversations In Social Media

View SlideShare presentation (tags: kelsey ruger kelseyruger social media got social mediagotsocia…)

Introduction to Social Media

View SlideShare presentation (tags: pop labs poplabs kelsey ruger kelseyruger)

Social Media Strategy

View SlideShare presentation (tags: marketing duct tape marketing john jantsch social networks)

Jane created an awesome visual of how she interacts with brands from the moment she wakes up to when she finally hits the sheets.

Here’s how my average day looks like:

Gravatars are showing up on blogs everywhere and for good reason.

A gravatar, or globally recognized avatar, is quite simply an avatar image that follows you from weblog to weblog appearing beside your name when you comment on gravatar enabled sites. Avatars help identify your posts on web forums, so why not on weblogs?

3 Reasons To Get a Gravatar

1. Get noticed. Avatars help others easily identify your posts in forums. With Gravatar, you can apply the same exact principle when you comment on Gravatar enabled sites. I’ve already clicked on several Gravatars which led me to discover new blogs to add to my Google reader.
2. Consistency. Use the same avatar on blogs, forums, Flickr, or any other social medium you use and people are bound to recognize you.
3. Multiple personalities welcomed. Got multiple emails? Don’t want to be stuck with the same avatar? You’re in luck. Gravatar lets you manage multiple email accounts and avatars.
4. It’s Easy. You can have your Gravatar in just seconds. All you need is an email address and it’s FREE. Easily upload your image and crop to fit the avatar size. That’s it! You’re done.
5. Other Platforms Support it. Disqus and SezWho also support Gravatars.

So what are you waiting for? Get yours now!

Because when you’re after the hottest game, the Gamestop guy will hide it in the back until you get off work (even if you did get off at 6pm).