Twitter may go public sometime in the next two months, sources say, with Goldman Sachs likely to lead the initial public offering. The social network reportedly is seeking a credit line of as much as $1 billion ahead of the IPO — a standard practice intended to help smooth over any pre-IPO jitters, but one that might also allow the network to make additional acquisitions to increase its appeal to investors. New York Post
Marketers love the idea of bringing together their customer-relationship-management databases and their social media followings, but fusing the two is proving to be difficult. While the technology exists to integrate CRM and social data, navigating social networks’ privacy rules and developing a scalable system is too much for most brands. “Everybody says they understand, but nobody really knows,” says Syncapse chief Michael Scissons. Advertising Age (tiered subscription model)
Being funny can be an asset for bloggers, but it’s important to create fresh, original material and avoid insulting your audience’s intelligence by explaining the joke, writes Erik Deckers. Being able to surprise readers with misdirection and being willing to make light of powerful people — or even yourself — can go a long way toward livening up your social media presence, Deckers writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media
Public relations professionals who reach out to bloggers will find more success if they get to know the blogger first and give the blogger time to respond to an inquiry, Jay Dolan writes. Having a professional e-mail address and a familiarity with the author’s work also are helpful, Dolan writes. TheAntiSocialMedia.com
Success in using social media most often depends on a company’s ability to adapt to change, according to a survey of Fortune 500 marketing executives done by Booz & Co. and Buddy Media Research. The survey found that 94% of respondents identified adaptability as most critical, with having a social media evangelist and firm executive backing rounding out the top three responses. MarketingProfs
Analysts predict eBay will soon announce closer ties with Facebook and point to the addition of Facebook platform and mobile marketing chief Katie Mitic to eBay’s board as evidence. Mitic is one of the scheduled keynote speakers at eBay’s X.commerce conference this week, and an announcement is expected then. Facebook and eBay currently partner to allow the use of PayPal to pay for self-serve Facebook ads and credits. Reuters
There are enormous potential synergies between social media and e-mail or SMS outreach, writes Signal CEO Jeff Judge. Your Facebook and Twitter audiences already are opting in to receive information from you, and it’s a small jump from there to persuade them to sign up for an e-mail or SMS subscription list. “As people who have clearly expressed an interest in your company, your social media followers are an ideal audience for your cross-channel marketing efforts,” Judge writes. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media
FCEdge 