Our first infographic takes us back to a “simpler time,” and compares it to today – the topic: poker. Taking a look at how the cowboys of the wild west played poker compared to our modern day gamer, will make anyone insecure. Next, companies are making it a little easier on their employees by allowing them to bring their own devices to work, however the price isn’t so simple since personal use is on the company’s dime. Then we take a look at yesterday’s internet vs. today – the design, and how it has changed things like how we get an education. Finally, the oldest tricks in the book are still alive and well today – the seven deadly sins. Luckily, our modern brain hacking abilities may actually put these psychological issues to rest for good.

1. | Poker: Wild West vs. Online

2. | The Real Cost of BYOD

3. | The Internet of Yesterday vs. Today

4. | How has Internet Changed Education?

5. | Brain Hack the Seven Deadly Sins

Obviously the theme of this week’s infographics is social media. We begin with Mark Zuckerberg and a Facebook timeline of his career based on the movie Social Network. Then we look at the accomplishments of another technological genius, Steve Jobs, and how an Apple a day really does keep the viruses away. Next, we will explore the latest craze that will inevitably change our way of life just as the previous advances did. But is all of this greatness putting a damper on our creativity? Turns out we may be facing a war between productivity and creativity. Those joining the workforce have completely different views from those running the show. Finally, our baby millennials know nothing before computers and social media. How will the leaders of tomorrow view privacy and corporate mentality in a world where they live out loud and would rather have time on their side than make millions?

1. | Social Life: A Timeline of Life of Mark Zuckerberg

2. | Just how big is Apple

3. | Wake up Call

4. | Global Creativity Gap

5. | The Millennial Teenager

Courtesy of: Online Schools

We know that social media, across the board, has done great things, but where would it be without we, the people making it such a sensation? This week we take a look at our lives as “social butterflies,” and what our value or worth really is. First, the reason we do it: we want things now, no, yesterday. We are a fast paced society, and always ready to move forward. Next, social has bled over into our love lives: if you can’t find true love on the streets, just login to any online dating site, and you can enjoy romance in the comfort of your own home. Now let’s think about the younger generation, the teenagers: a group who was born with a cell phone in their hand, and bionic thumbs. Turns out most of a teens social life happens via text. Now, we will take a look at social economics – literally what a tweet, or pin, or Yelp review is worth. Finally, Pinterest: how are teachers using this popular site to communicate with their students?

1. | Instant America

2. | Looking for Love Online

3. | A Day in the Life of a Mobile Teen

4. | Social Economics: How is Data Valued

5. | 16 Ways Educators Use Pinterest

We have a fun theme for you this week: money, money, money, and the US of A! Nobody likes a salesman, not even salesmen, but just how far will the advertising world go to get the consumer to swoon? Also, let’s explore new waves in technology, a.k.a. mobile payments, and how credit card companies are in a run for their money (lol). And how are businesses using social? The numbers are finally in, and it turns out that social media is not a trend, and if you want to be a successful company  you had better jump on board. Speaking of social media, if you haven’t noticed all the hoppin’ mommy blogs out there, you’re about to find out just why they’re so fabulous. Finally, what do Americans love about America? More importantly, what do they hate?

1. | Comic Archetypes in Low-brow Advertising

2. | The High Stakes World of Mobile Payments

3. | How Social is B2B?

4. | The Intriguing World of Mommy Blogging

5. | What Americans Love and Hate About the USA

NowSourcing President, Brian Wallace, and Social Media Strategist, Jay Vasse, will be attending this year’s South By Southwest Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. The exciting event that is often the launch of new companies, technologies, and entertainment takes place March 9-18, with the interactive festival being March 9-13. If you’re interested in meeting up with Brian and Jay, we will be there from Sunday, March 11th through Wednesday, March 14th. We will also be wearing (and giving away!) infographic t-shirts that display some of our team’s favorite infographics.

This year promises to be a wonderful experience for those of us in the social media, technological, and interactive fields, as well as for musicians and filmmakers. Here is a video for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing SXSW, and we’ll be sure to post plenty of photos from the event on our Twitter and Facebook pages.

We hope to see you there!

1. | Darwin Awards: The Stupidest Ways People Die

2. | The History of CES

3. | Apple to Apples

4. | Everything You Need to Know About Facebook’s IPO

5. | Mulittasking: This is Your Brain on Media

To follow last years best infographics of 2010, we have put together a few of our favorites from 2011.

Update: we now offer social media infographics to the public.

1. | The Royal Wedding’s Social Impact

2. | Tech Germs

3. | What Does it Take to Get a Job at Google?

4. | Twacked: When Good Twitter Accounts Go Bad

5. | Inside 5 of America’s Largest Data Centers

6. | Global Internet Traffic

7. | Facebook vs. Google

8. | The Top 20 Most Expensive Keywords

9. | Top Online Scams

10. | The Tale of the New Year’s Fail

NowStreaming is our new collection of videos that we have created to help others learn the various aspects of Internet marketing. Stay tuned to our blog for more NowStreaming videos on everything from infographics to rage comics. To view all of our videos, head to the NowSourcing YouTube Channel.

NowStreaming is our new collection of videos that we have created to help others learn the various aspects of Internet marketing. Stay tuned to our blog for more NowStreaming videos on everything from infographics to rage comics. To view all of our videos, head to the NowSourcing YouTube Channel.

In this NowStreaming video, Brian gives his presentation on the rising popularity of infographics. Viewers of this video will learn what an infographic is, what it should not be, and why infographics have become an important addition to internet marketing. Brian also discusses two of the many successful infographics produced by NowSourcing that have generated an abundance of traffic for our clients. If you’re interested in having NowSourcing create an infographic, head over to the infographic page on our site and let us know.

In this NowStreaming video, Jay shares his knowledge on the social platform Twitter.  This basic introduction covers topics such as how Twitter has changed, the difference between replies and mentions, dos and don’t, and several tips for getting the most out of your tweets.  While this video may be most helpful for twitter newbies, those who have used the service before may also learn a thing or two.  For more tips on using Twitter, you can check out 10 Ways to Make Your Tweets Stand Out.

1. A Guide To UX Careers

Throughout the life of this blog, we’ve given you lists on a variety of topics.  From the top 10 technology infographics, to 10 reasons people aren’t commenting on your blog, and even 10 ways to change the world through social media, these lists provide quick and useful information that we think will make you a better Internet user.  We’ve also created a list on 10 Twitter ranking sites, but never have we given you the top 10 ways to get your tweets noticed.  So, here it is.  Below you will find what we believe are 10 of the most useful tips to get your followers to see and interact with your tweets.  The key to this list is not to pick one and do it, but to use it as a guide to shape every tweet you publish.  For the next few days, reference this list and try to follow the tips when writing your tweets.  After awhile, you should have a pretty good grasp on which tweets will get noticed and which ones will mix into the crowd.  Let us know in the comments below if you have more tips, or if after using the list you’ve noticed a difference in your follower’s interactions.

1.  Be Original

When most people find an article they want to share with their followers, they copy the title of the article and paste it into the tweet.  While this gives your followers an idea of what the article is, it’s bland and will mix in with all of the other tweets in their timeline.  Try coming up with your own creative title for the article.  This way if the article is popular, your tweet won’t be the same as everyone else who has also tweeted the same article.

2.  Be Short

Twitter limits the length of tweets so you can provide useful information in a way that is easy to read.  While 140 characters may already seem short, make your tweets around 120 characters if you can.  This ensures that there is enough room for others to retweet (the classic way) and include any opinions or thoughts they have on the subject.

3.  Tweet Like You Are Writing A Headline

Along with being short, your tweets should be straight to the point.  Imagine your tweet is a newspaper headline and your goal is to get a person to read the story.  You need to make the headline catchy and easy to read, while still grabbing the reader’s attention and hopefully luring them into the article.  Treat tweets the same way, grabbing a follower’s attention and getting them to either reply or click on an included link.

4.  Offer Interesting Statistics

People like to be shocked with interesting facts and statistics.  If a follower reads something they can’t believe, they’ll be inclined to click the link and look into it more.  Going back to the very first tip of being original, use an interesting statistic instead of the title of an article as the body of your tweet.

Credit

5.  Be Real

Twitter, and social media in general, is about connecting people and sharing interesting things.  Nobody wants to talk to a robot because it has no real thoughts or emotions.  Use your own voice to tweet and make it personal.  If you feel you must schedule tweets ahead of time, be sure to check and respond to any replies you get.  In addition, show your followers you appreciate them by replying and retweeting them as well.

6.  Time Your Tweets

Time your tweets doesn’t mean you should time them to publish every half hour.  It means you should know when your followers are most active and when you should be most active as well.  If you get the most replies, retweets, and updates in the middle of the day, then you should be on Twitter interacting and tweeting during those times as well.  The eastern time zone is the most populated time zone in the U.S., therefore it would also be wise to time your tweets when those people are most likely to see it.

7.  Focus and Provide Value

People use Twitter for various reasons, whether it’s to learn about marketing or to learn about teddy bears doesn’t really matter.  Find your reason for using Twitter, and stick to tweeting mostly about that subject.  By focusing on one or two subjects, people will see you as being a valuable contributor who they can learn from.

8.  Be Engaging

You shouldn’t focus on just growing the number of followers you have, you should rather focus on getting your followers to interact and discuss what you tweet.  Ask your followers questions to get them taking and giving ideas, but also remember to respond to their questions too.  If you do have a large following, asking for a good restaurant recommendation in a foreign city is always a bonus!

9.  Include Links

Unless it’s the score of a game or an update to something ongoing, 140 characters isn’t usually enough to provide much information.  You should use the space to attract people and lead them to your site or to an article that expands the brief information displayed in the tweet.  Twitter is a gateway to limitless information, not so much a place to learn directly from.

10.  Provoke Thought

Going along with being original and offering interesting statistics, your tweets should leave your followers questioning and wanting to learn more.  A tweet that creates no ideas is going to be read and passed along without further thought.  A tweet that makes a follower think will have a better chance of being retweeted or replied to, exposing you to a greater pool of potential followers.