Perhaps the most prestigious symbol of social proof today is the Facebook “Like.”  Among many companies, there is a Facebook arms race in progress as competing brands do anything necessary to gain the upper hand on this important metric. As you might predict, an underground market has emerged that will happily sell you manufactured Facebook Likes. Almost every corporate Facebook account I know of is run, at least in part, by an advertising agency. There is a practical business case for being a Facebook fake, right? The essence of social proof. even find it. MORE >>

I’ve written quite a bit about the special opportunity we all have to create influence through our content. But beyond content, I was interested to know what people thought it took to gain influence on the social web. So I asked a few of my friends … What do you think it takes to become powerful on Facebook? Facebook forces companies and people to compete for attention pixel-by-pixel. We create outstanding visual images that people like to share on Facebook, driving traffic back to our own website.” But on the Internet, we HATE rules. Human. MORE >>

Facebook is creeping into every nook and cranny of our personal online experiences so it’s not a surprise that they’re taking a crack at the professional market. My friend Brad Lovett has been looking at this issue and offers this insightful guest post: Looks like Facebook is taking a whack at LinkedIn. Facebook for business? With the launch of BranchOut , Facebook is giving LinkedIn a punch in the chops.  BranchOut is an app that piggybacks on Facebook’s existing structure, much like Farmville and other independent add-ons. just got a raise.&# MORE >>

As marketers, we know that the best way to generate quality leads for our businesses is by creating great content.  A strong content marketing strategy offers informational and educational materials to interested readers, allowing them to learn more about your industry, your company, and your product or service, and hopefully become prospective customers.  But while it is extremely important, having a good content strategy isn’t always easy.  Here are 7 reasons your content strategy might not be generating leads as effectively as it should be. MORE >>

A Facebook site for US government agencies. Expectations are that the techno-savvy young Nigerians will monitor the 2011 elections civic journalism-style via their accounts on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and blog sites. The debate is took place last week on the Presidency’s Facebook page. Consulate in Lahore Pakistan is having a Facebook contest and giving away iPods. The Love UK Facebook page has discussions about favorite bridges, natural wonders and people of the nation. Embassy in Jakarta has more Facebook fans than all other embassies combined. MORE >>