Fine Print

It’s true. I’m cheap, let’s face it. Still using the free version of LinkedIn, Blogger for my personal blog, and Google AdSense to cover my hosting costs. All free and doing the jobs I need them for.

But yesterday I bought my way into a social network for $20, which is something I never thought I’d do. Not to be part of the “in crowd,” but for one simple reason: curiosity. After pre-ordering a copy of Tribes I got an invite code to Triiibes which apart from giving me an extra pair of i’s for my investment, enables me — as member #160 = 159 keener people than me — to join an exclusive social network, for a while, at least. My curiosity spurred me on to find out who else was in there. It’s an interesting move by Seth Godin, or a blatant money-making exercise. I will participate for a while and let you know what value it brings …

So, to balance things up, I also joined the specifically-numbered alpha 0.1a version of PitchEngine which launched yesterday. And is FREE. I did this for two reasons: (1) I am already a member of the PitchEngine social network which I think is pretty useful, and (2) creator Jason Kintzler has always been helpful, polite and prompt in his replies to my questions, and that goes a long way in my book. The site offers a social media release builder which I’ll test out, and also a (coming soon!) custom media newsroom which, as it’s an upgrade, suggests will carry a fee for using that.

Jim Tobin is predicting that social networks will become portable, so I hope that Godin and Kintzler have that aspect built in for the future. I can’t wait to send out social media press releases from a beach in Hawaii on my mobile device. There’s a joke in there somewhere.

And if you want to leave me a message on today’s post, give me a quick call on Slydial to guarantee that you won’t reach me.

On that note, it’s a long weekend here in Canada, so see you Tuesday; have a good one!

~ John Carson, Senior Digital Media Specialist, GCI Canada