As these networks expand, more and more job seekers as well as employers are using social networking platforms as recruitment tools in the hiring process. Candidates use these tools to learn about an organization and organizations use these tools to learn more about candidates.

As of 2010, over 200+ million active users are on Facebook and over 39 million are on LinkedIn.

When the numbers of social networking users are this extreme and employers begin using these networks to make decisions about potential job seekers, employee-related legal issues can arise.

According to a survey of 3,169 hiring managers done by careerbuilder.com, 22 percent of candidates are screened using social network sites.

Samples of information recruiters are using that could impact their hiring decision:

Pros:

• Professionalism
• Good communication skills
• Confirmed qualifications

Cons:

• Drinking and/or drug photos
• Poor communication skills
• Provocative photos
• Lying about qualifications

In some cases the excitement around Facebook and LinkedIn overshadow the fact that use of these sites for recruiting and hiring carries with it many legal obligations. To keep social media from being mixed up into legal issues it’s imperative that recruiters use the right tools and are not violating federal anti-discrimination regulations.

Recruiters cannot ask personal questions based on personal and protected information. All recruiters should treat every candidate the same and put all job seekers through the same process and apply the same selection criteria.

If candidates and recruiters alike can follow the basic etiquette for using social media as a hiring tool, a world of possibilities can be delivered.

 Google Buzz has one great advantage, it is easy to use. It is native to your personal gmail account and shows a beach ball icon right below your inbox. This is very smart on the part of Google, because we all know how often we check our inbox. However, Google enterprise accounts will not be able to access this option for a couple months.

 What is smart about this new application is that if you have a gmail account already there is really no setting up. You just have click on the buzz logo and start editing your buzz profile. It’s a simple way to keep all your social networking applications in one spot. Buzz gives you the option of creating and maintaining your own social network list in one spot so it’s easy to navigate through all your sites.

 Google Buzz gives you the option to add friends who are on Buzz and share information, upload photos and videos, etc.

 Only time will tell what implications Google Buzz will create.

The concept makes a lot of sense, and there are many way of addressing the need. In most cases companies want the best of both worlds – that is, a unique and professional website that is not cookie cutter, and that addresses their unique market and market positioning.

At the same time they want their website to be dynamic, streaming useful, current, information that is relevant to their markets and customers.  This is best achieved if the company updates information directly.

By carefully planning the structure of a website and the unique areas that a company would want to self-edit, such a website can be achieved. With little training key company staff can self-edit.

We have developed a sandbox website where are own non-technical staff are self-editing posts. This website is a fun, experimental location. Our intention is to demonstrate the potential of a website concept that enables our clients to update their own content, while also showcasing some ideas and concepts that may inspire.

In addition to reviewing your traditional marketing tools such as brochures, trade show booths and advertising, here are some things your 2010 marketing workout should include:

Websites standards, styles and best practices on the web are constantly changing. Is your website fresh, fast, consistent and integrated with social network applications? Does it reflect your 2010 strategy? If not it may need a redesign, pronto!

Behind every successful website is a dynamic search engine optimization program (SEO). This year make sure your website is upwardly mobile and easily found. According to the local SEO guide, in 2010 more business are going to start realizing the power behind search and social media.

PPC ads turn internet browsers into buyers with an effective PPC (Pay-Per-Click) campaign that is targeted, measurable and highly responsive.

Social networks can help you build engaged relationships with your business communities, and establish a social network campaign. Thanks to the tools of the social web; Twitter, Facebook, blogs, online bookmarks, etc, news and information travels immediately. So for marketing purposes this can be an exciting tool to reach out to customers.

Use press releases to get your news noticed and drive traffic to your website.

Your customers and community want to hear from you- develop a monthly newsletter distributed to build and manage your mailing list.

Use E-Flyers for special announcements and to raise awareness levels.

Don’t sit around and wait, let WIZULTS help your company create its own marketing workout!

By: Natalie Zambrano

Having a Facebook URL is like a personal destination, or home, on the web. People can enter a Facebook username as a search term on Facebook or a popular search engine and find you or your page much faster. It’s an efficient route to take if you want a way to publicize a Facebook page. Usernames allow public entities to easily promote your presence on Facebook with a short URL. This username can be used in your marketing communications, company website and business cards.

The addition of a Facebook username will make it much easier for people to find friends, coworkers or businesses with common names. Usernames are now available for Facebook profiles as well as pages.

However, URL’s are offered on a first come first serve basis. With nearly 345,000 people creating a URL just minutes after the application was accessible, don’t miss your opportunity to create your very own username.

It’ simple, there are only a few guidelines. All Pages created after May 31, 2009 or that had less than 1,000 fans on that day are eligible to claim usernames if they have more than 25 fans. Just type in, www.facebook.com/username to start.

Remember that usernames were created to make it easier for Facebook users to identify their profile and share with others. As a public figure, business or brand with a Page on Facebook, your username should be straightforward. Like WIZULTS for example J

Follow us at:  www.facebook.com/WIZULTS

The report, “Online Video Media Spend: 2003-2010,” calculated ad sales for short- and long-form preroll video, in-banner video, podcasts and other video variations.

While many viewers find preroll video ads annoying, preroll ad inventory expanded by 12.6% in 2008, following 16.8% growth in 2007. AccuStream is forecasting 27% growth in preroll inventory this year and next.

In-banner video impressions grew 65% in 2008 and accounted for $1.5 billion in gross media spend, according to the company.