I ran across this application and am intrigued. Basically,  paper.li organizes links shared on Twitter into an easy to read newspaper-style format. A “Daily” can be created for any Twitter user, list or #tag. I have created several “daily” papers. Below is a shot of my “Insurance Daily”.

While that is cool enough, I am thinking at this could be used by any organization or association in conjunction with a convention or educational event. For example, they would create a Twitter list of all their attendees (at least the ones that had twitter accounts) and then use Paper.il to create a unique “Daily” paper. They could also generate a “Daily” around relevant event topics.   It could used by an agency or broker to do the same by creating a list of insurance topics. I could also see and agency or broker creating a “Daily” made up of their customers.

What ideas do you have on how this could be used by your company?

Much of the “conversation” around the social web is focused on how to create a presence and get found. Yet, there is another significant value lurking in the social space. It is the amazing resource of information and knowledge residing here. As friend Mike Wise is fond of saying, “There is a hidden treasure in ‘social’ that can be used to feed your brain and increase your IQ.” While that may seem obvious to many, I find that its potential is under appreciated and is rarely used effectively.

I am talking about more than Google search. It is more than just researching a topic. Rather, it is using search in places like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to differentiate yourself and increase your competitive advantage.

Here is an example to demonstrate my point. During a breakout session on social media at a recent Agents Council for Technology meeting an agent recounted how a service provider showed up for a meeting and presented him with a book on a topic to of interest to him. Prior to the meeting, the service provider had researched the agent’s profile on Linkedin, and Facebook. Clearly, this gesture made an impression.

How are you using this rich information and knowledge resource?

Yes, on numerous occasions, I have championed the need to have a well thought through and comprehensive social media strategic plan – a plan that is consistent and integrated into an overall business plan. In a perfect world that is probably good advice. You know…. “ Unless you know where you are going how do you know when you have arrived.” Yet, I am fully aware that many small businesses don’t have a fully developed or well-articulated business plan let alone a plan for their digital presence.

While I still think there needs to be some general goals, when it comes to creating a social presence, I vote for less planning and more action. When I think of my own experience, it was after jumping in, playing and experimenting that I was able to really begin to understand the tools and appreciate how they could be used in business.

It is the low cost of entry into the social web that makes this a viable approach. Yes, it will take time and there is a learning curve but writing a blog, Tweeting, setting up a Facebook Fan page, engaging is a Linkedin Group discussion, and posting a customer video endorsement on YouTube will not cost a penny.

There is no one  “right” way to use social media. Almost by definition, each of us approach and use social media in our own unique way. Only through experience do we develop our individual social personality – the strategy will follow and evolve.

What has your experience been?

photo flickr curtesy of MacAllenBrothers