Google Sidewiki Changing Online Content & Conversation Forever
When I was reading info and researching for my Google Wave article, I ran across another cool but scary Google toolbar. Google has just launched a new sidebar called Sidewiki. You better get familiar with this because it takes commenting to a whole new level. Now TRULY, the conversation will go on with or without you and it is going to be attached to every web page. So ‘control’ is absolutely gone. So for those of you still holding on, this will help release that grip.
This is new, so go ahead and install this toolbar immediately… Go to all of your blogs, websites etc. and see if anyone has commented about you or your products. If anyone has a bad customer experience and makes a comment, it is going to attach to your page so that everyone who visits and uses the Sidewiki will see it. That is only half of the bad news. They can also share it via Twitter and other platforms. Now the converse is true, if they have a positive recommendation they can post and share that as well.
I knew something like this was coming… I knew websites would be coming out with social elements attached to them. I think the next step will be the same thing but internal inside the websites that allow your friends to tag products they like and do not like. It would allow you to subscribe to see those reviews & recommendations like you would on Twitter.
Time to think of a proactive stance… on how you are going to monitor and handle this new platform. This may be the first, but will not be the last.
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Chad, thanks for sharing your knowledge about this tool! As you noted, this stuff is just the beginning and we will all need to learn how to best handle the good and the bad. It will ultimately help all companies and organizations grow to be better. (P.S. I installed it and am playing with it a bit- made a comment on your blog.)
Chad - I couldn’t agree with you more. I wrote a post on my website blog that dovetails with your observations that Brand Managers should beware!! http://www.marsdenandassociates.com/perceptions/googles-sidewiki-brand-managers-beware/
It’s the awesome fun, fear and ultimate responsibility in our role as company standard bearer to know about and leverage these tools.
Chad- we have connected in a few places but not ftf yet,hopefully soon.
I have some clients in the Auto industry and this is what we did about the sidewiki- make sure to claim your sites. Here is the link to know how to do that… http://www.vizioninteractive.com/how-to-claim-your-websites-google-sidewiki/# Steve
Thanks Chad for the informaiton. I just got off a webinar where I stressed the importance of monitoring your reputation online. I wish I had this bit of information about an hour ago to share.