De-Suckifying Leaderboards
Leaderboards, like points and badges, are an unarguably popular convention of games, and the steady march of gamification means we’re seeing them turn up in an increasing number of places. Ranking top users based upon known and agreed upon metrics, leaderboards are an increasingly popular way for offering feedback since they incorporate a performance measure (“how am I doing?”) and make it social by allowing easy comparison with others (“how do I stack up against the competition?”).
But there is a subtlety to leaderboards which is often forgotten by the gamefiers of the world. When done well, a leaderboard can increase engagement – the sense of competition they bring can encourage users to get better at things they care about. The mass-adoption of leaderboards comes with many pitfalls, however, that not only disincentivize users but irritate the hell out of them as well.
Relevancy is the name of the game when it comes to feedback, the more relevant your leaderboard is to a specific user the more engaging it will be. Here are 3 things you can do to make better, more relevant leaderboards: Read more
Employees Leading The Charge: Building Your Brand’s Digital Reputation
—Fearless and Equipped (via Wikimedia)
With the death of passive audiences, age-old brands are seeing their lives flash before their eyes. Today, no outrageous claim goes unchallenged, no gaff remains unmocked, and no bad corporate behavior occurs without uproar. The protectors of corporate reputations feel bombarded on forums, Twitter, Facebook, and any other medium supporting online conversation. And their PR campaigns, poorly produced content and advertising fail to make a dent. Lately, many corporations have turned to their employees to represent their brand in places where only a human can. Read more
Hulu, It’s Your Move
—Internet TV on your TV
It’s been a bumpy year for streaming entertainment. The players that established the space on upstart momentum have been faced with the harsh realities of their chosen business model.
First, the Netflix meltdown. While speculation about what actually happened behind the scenes persists, one thing is clear: this streaming gorilla lost some major steam in 2011 and may have permanently damaged its otherwise stellar reputation with customers and shareholders alike.