In case you aren’t entirely familiar with the fastest growing website around, Pinterest works a lot like a virtual scrapbook. Users can create online bulletin boards for different categories such as home décor, wedding planning or favourite recipes. “Pin” images and links can then be “repinned” by other users who have shared tastes or interests. But what does Pinterest really have going for it? And how can it really work for your business?

It’s estimated that unique visitors to pinterest.com increased 429% from Sept to Dec 2011, according to mashable.com, and it’s certainly garnering a lot of attention with the female demographic. In fact, Pinterest hit 10 million U.S. monthly unique visitors faster than any standalone site to date, and the average Pinterest user spends 98 minutes per month on the site, as noted on comScore.

Source: http://econsultancy.com/us

Here’s a few ways you can turn Pinterest into a powerful marketing tool for your business:

Maximize your exposure

If you believe Pinterest doesn’t have what it takes to drive traffic to your retail site or other social media feeds, think again! Pinterest allows you to create an online profile where you can include a website URL to your business site, but more importantly, it supports connections to your other popular social media circles like Facebook and Twitter so you can share content more effectively across all of your marketing platforms.

Increase consumer engagement

By using Pinterest to hold contests, post tutorials, request product feedback or highlight brand personality, you’re guaranteed to boost consumer engagement and interest with a visually appealing brand identity. Who doesn’t love pretty pictures?

Form social connections

Pinterest is a great way to promote communication between your brand and consumer. Make your brand shine and strengthen social connections with your target demographic by creating boards that allow your customers to pin testimonials, case studies, and other ideas or suggestions for your business services or products.

If you haven’t already signed your business up for Pinterest, our advice is that you look into this social media strategy as part of your plan for 2012. Happy “pinning”!

Check out Carbonated’s account here: http://pinterest.com/carbonatedinc

This trend has been catching on like wildfire with the growing number of mobile and tablet users, and is a far cry from traditional web designing practices. The ingredients for responsive web design include a fluid layout, adjustable images, and media queries to achieve improved scalability.

This month we’ve scoured the web to bring you a list of the best responsive web design examples which look great on any screen size. Hopefully we’re able to spark some inspiration in you too!

While most Super Bowl commercials promote car manufacturers and beer, there’s a pretty good selection of commercials promoting Internet companies these days. We won’t lie – we’re pretty happy about this recent trend.

Here are some of our favourite Super Bowl commercials from web-based companies from years passed:

Are there any you would add to this list?

Responsive Web Design

As we’re moving into the digital age, end users are tapping into a variety of technologies to view websites on such as tablets, mobile phones, regular monitors and large/widescreen monitors. With responsive web design, one can create flexible and dynamic website layouts that fit the screen of all of these devices at any resolution. It’s a fairly new practice that started to get hot in 2011, but not a lot of designers have started implementing the technique just yet. Considering the continued growth of mobile and tablet use, I expect that in 2012 this particular trend will really take off.

http://thinkvitamin.com/

More Color and Texture Usage

Minimalistic design really had its heyday in the past, but 2011 celebrated greater attention to detail and the use of unique textures to jazz up white space. Stay tuned for 2012 when this approach is likely to explode onto the web design and development scene. I predict dull colour pallets normally seen in “retro/vintage” design will be ditched in favour of attention-grabbing bright colours and rich textures.

http://www.liptonicetea.pl/

Typography

I know you’re probably thinking “duh”. I must admit, typography is on my list every year, but it’s always a pretty safe bet to include because the variety of web-ready fonts being added every day is mounting and browsers are getting even better at supporting them. It goes without saying that in 2012, this trend is likely to attract even greater popularity in the web design world.

http://www.kccreepfest.com/

BIGGER and Better

With monitor sizes taking on Hulk-like proportions, designers are able to create on a larger scale than ever before. 2012 should see greater use of larger elements, including text, photos and icons. We’re starting to see web design that relies more on visual cues than oodles of content, so expect the trend this year to be large photos paired with more concise copy.

http://2011.festivalmundo.com.br/#inicio

Display Items

Banners, page ribbons, bookmarks or other types of display badges are going to be a top trend for 2012—guaranteed! These items are often used for mobile app and blogging websites, and since tons of free resources are now available on the web, there’s no doubt they’ll be sticking around in 2012.

http://www.wellsriley.com/

What kind of predictions are you making for 2012? What would you like to see? We’d love to hear your ideas!

To make your social media efforts efficient and productive, you need to identify who your target audience really is. That means you’ll have to a little good old fashioned research to figure out which social media networks are ultimately worth using. I’ll give you a generous hint…the ones your target audience are using!

Trying to rub shoulders with real industry professionals? Try LinkedIn. If your target market includes males between the ages of 25 and 34, try Google+. If you’re looking for mainstream consumers, give Twitter and Facebook a shot.

Here’s a handy infographic that shows who’s using what (focusing on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace):

Here are some more statistics you may want to consider in your research:

Social Media Users by Gender:

• Twitter – male = 48%, female = 52%
• Facebook- male = 46%, female = 54%
• Google+ – male= 63%, female = 37%

*source: Flowtown

Social Media Age Demographic

• 35+ demographic represents 30% of Facebook Users
• 77% of LinkedIn Users are 25

*source: onlineschools.com, mindflash.com

Top Occupations on Google+

• Student
• Software Engineer
• Consultant
• Manager
• Photographer
• Software Developer
• Designer
• Marketing
• Teacher
• Graphic Design

*source: findpeopleonplus.com

It’s important to set goals for your social media efforts, but it’s also important to know what you’re going to do with your “following” once you reach that goal if you want to stand out from the crowd. Adding real value to the content you put out will keep people coming back for more and improve your business relationships. Want to have less people tuning out to your social media channels and more listening in? Here’s how:

• GIVE THE FOLKS WHAT THEY WANT – EXCLUSIVE CONTENT!
  Content is key. You’ve heard it before and we’re telling you again. People love original, engaging and helpful material, so give it to them!
• CREATE VALUE
  Cut out the “me, me, me” lingo and pay attention to your audience. Their needs and desires should be your foremost priority. Start off by offering exclusive sales and discounts, useful information, awesome customer service, and maybe even fun contests with cool prizes. We guarantee they’ll be coming back for more.
• BE WHAT YOUR FOLLOWERS WANT
  Use your own voice, be honest and show a little personality. Your audience will appreciate it. Start meaningful conversations and invite others to participate, and always remember to stay relevant and active.

Good luck with your social networking efforts and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Winter Wake-Up

Constantly biting your lip over the unpredictable winter morning commutes or concerned about getting to work on time when the next blizzard could be waiting around the corner? No worries. The Winter Wake-Up app will rouse you earlier if there’s been snow.

You get three helpful options:

• Set it __ minutes earlier if there’s frost
• Set it __ minutes earlier if there’s snow
• In addition, you can check off the option “Don’t bother to wake me if the weather’s too bad. I’ll work on Saturday”. We highly recommend this choice.

http://www.boondoggle.eu/#/case/55

*for iPhone or Android

RunKeeper

This one’s for those of you who made a new year’s resolution to lose weight and get fit. In other words, pretty much everyone. This app uses GPS to track your fitness activities including distance, time, pace, calories, heart rate, and path travelled. It’s a great way to kickstart that healthy routine you want to achieve.

http://runkeeper.com/

*for iPhone or Android

Starbucks

This is a new app from Starbucks which allows you to manage that Starbucks Card you got in your stocking and even pay for your drinks from the comfort of your smartphone. Easy, convenient and delicious!

http://www.starbucks.com/coffeehouse/mobile-apps/starbucks-card-mobile

*for iPhone

App.bg

App.bg lets you see nearby Instagrams, Foursquare Tips and tweets all in one place!

http://app.bg

*for iPhone or Android

Playd

This app is much like Foursquare only it’s for video games. Become the “MVP” of your favourite game, discover new games, and win awesome rewards!

http://playd.it/

*for iPhone

Buffer

This app allows you to add a lot of tweets to a queue. Stop flooding your followers with tweets over a short period time and spread them out over the day. We bet they’ll love you for it.

http://bufferapp.com/

*for iPhone or Android

Get Glue

This is another app similar to Foursquare. Check into TV shows, Movies, and Music.

http://getglue.com/

*for iPhone or Android

Analytics Widget (Android) or Quicklytics (iPhone)

Both apps do essentially the same thing. See in real time how many people have viewed your site on your mobile desktop.

http://www.jonaspiela.com/analytics-widget/ http://escoz.com/quicklytics/

*for iPhone or Android

Kdash

This app shows you what your current Klout score and topics are.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kdash

*for Andriod

Out of Milk

This app shows you what your current Klout score and topics are.

http://www.outofmilkapp.com/

*for Andriod

For those of you who didn’t get in on the action last year, Darcor’s interactive Christmas Cart Launcher game is inspired by the story of Santa’s workshop. In order to help the elves load Santa’s sleigh and get all the presents delivered on time, Darcor gladly equipped Santa’s crew with the kind of durable, smooth-rolling casters that would get the job done right.

If you’d like to join in the fun today, follow the link below and start playing for your chance to win an iPod Touch. You can try out the game as many times as you want and get your friends involved too by sharing the link on Facebook and Twitter. Click on Play Now! to go to the launch pad where you’ll find out everything you need to know to get started. Just remember the most important rule…to have a blast!

www.darcor.com/christmas2011/

Since its beginnings back in 1937, they’ve been bringing the joy and excitement of Christmas to generations of families, implementing charitable initiatives that give back to the community, and wowing colleagues and loved ones with the most unique forms of entertainment (we have it on good authority dancing elephants and circus bears once made the cut – enough said).

Well this year, they decided to step it up a notch with a full website dedicated to the party and its tradition, including a special focus on the first ever Dofasco’s Got Talent competition! Carbonated was ecstatic to be a part of a project which paid homage to a festive tradition at the heart of our very own community. Check out the link below for more information about the event:
www.arcelormittaldofascochristmas.ca

If you’re interested in tracking memories caught on camera throughout the years, browse the photo gallery on their new website:
www.arcelormittaldofascochristmas.ca/photo-gallery/

And make sure to take a look at the talent showcased in their competition Dofasco’s Talent competition. Some of the entries have received over 2000 votes and there are some amazing prizes to be won!
www.arcelormittaldofascochristmas.ca/dofascos-got-talent/

Just to heighten the excitement of the celebrated event, Carbonated has created weekly e-mail newsletters that have been distributed leading up to the party. Each week, we’ve been announcing new and exclusive information about the party to build everyone’s anticipation. I know…we’re such teases.

We wish all those volunteering and attending the party a great time, but who are we kidding? We wouldn’t expect anything less from a group that’s been throwing the kind of parties Hamiltonians have been raving about for the past 75 years.

The new fizz headquarters is conveniently located in the heart of Ancaster on Wilson Street West, just off the 403. Featuring spacious work stations and upgraded amenities, you can bet our team is enjoying the extra elbow room to get those creative juices flowing. We’ve decided to stick to trademark open concept common area to facilitate team work and collaboration on projects (and the occasional paper airplane flying contest, of course).

Here are a few pictures of the new office location:

The jury’s still out on what aspect of our new location packs the most awesome, but we’re pretty sure everyone’s rooting for our fully stocked kitchen which has been keeping us fuelled up so inspiration is always easy to find. Either way, we all agree that the office relocation is a great opportunity for Carbonated Interactive to grow and better serve our clients.

It’s been an exciting year for us, to say the least, and our move represents a fresh start for this new chapter in our evolution. We can’t wait to see what is in store. If you’re in the area, please feel free to stop in and say hello! We’d love to show you around.

Our New Mailing Address:

114 Wilson St. West, B101
Ancaster, ON, L9G 1N3

That’s where social media dashboards come in. If you don’t know about these heavenly tools by now, it’s about time you were educated. You can thank us later.

A social media dashboard allows you to access all your profiles in one window, with one login. What does this mean for you?

• Submit posts for different profiles like Twitter and Facebook at the same time
• Schedule posts in advance by picking a specific date and time
• Shorten your URL within the dashboard
• Monitor your brand by managing comments, likes, posts and re-tweets
• Monitor keywords
• Depending on which dashboard you go with, and which package you choose, many offer work flow management where you can assign items to a team member (ie. maybe you have a customer service rep that will respond to negative feedback or a tech support rep who will respond to technical issues)
• Most dashboards put helpful mobile apps right at your fingertips
• Social media that doesn’t take all day
• Most dashboards offer statistics/analytics tools, although sometimes it’ll require you to fork over some extra cash

Here are a couple social media dashboards we’d recommend…

HootSuite

The downloadable free version of this essential social network management tool is anawesome choice for small businesses. Unlock the power to:

• Track the effectiveness of your posts by using the link shortener within HootSuite to get statistics (which will note how many times the link has been clicked on, retweeted and more)
• Manage and monitor your social networks in your web browser or mobile app
• Automatically update your social profiles from your blog or newsfeed with RRS/atom feeds

TweetDeck

This free social media management tool which is owned by Twitter will keep you up to- date on what’s happening with your contacts across Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Google Buzz and more. A variety of versions are available including desktop, chrome, beta web or mobile app. Features vary across different versions, but TweetDeck will allow you to:

• Track the effectiveness of your posts with powerful statistics and analytics tools (which will note how many times the link has been clicked on, re-tweeted and more)
• Manage and monitor your social networks all in one place
• Use scheduling tools to check-in or send posts in the future

Try one out today and tell us about your experience. We’d love to hear about what worked or didn’t work for you.