Google+ Overhaul: What You Need to Know

My Twitter profile will tell you I'm one of @3ManFactory. Co-founder @PrestonSocial. Lecturer in Online Rep at UCLan. Radio presenter. Blogs, writes, thinks, makes, does It's all true.

My business card will tell you I’m the Creative Director of 3ManFactory. My other business card (targeted for the more serious networking events) will tell you I’m qualified in what I do – my obsession for tech, words and multimedia is underpinned with a first class BSc (First Class) Web and Multimedia with Creative Writing. My love for design is underpinned by a MA (Distinction) Graphic Design.

Actually, the most important thing about me is belief and passion in what I do. My approach to business might be unorthodox but it’s what I feel is right. Altruism and philanthropic tendencies make business worth it. Going that extra mile makes it worth it.

I’m what you might call a digital native. Perhaps an internet addict. Either way, getting online in 1995 has put me in good stead to do what I do. I design for web, design for print and I have an appreciation for methods of communion across multiple channels (online/offline). In 1999 I was teaching local communities how to use the internet. In 2001 I was an online journalist fostering a social network in the shape of Bigwideworld. Little wonder that my MA dissertation was based around hyperconnectivity and its impact on us as designers and people.

It makes sense then that I also lecture in Online Reputation Management at the University of Central Lancashire. 3ManFactory also work with schools, educating students about the importance and impact of their digital footprint

I'm also the co-founder of a The Preston Social - a monthly event in Preston, Lancashire, designed to bring together those interested in social and digital media from the local area to learn, teach and meet each other.

I'm also co-presenter of a social media oriented radio show (The Social on Preston FM).

Creative thinker. Busy do-er.

Google+ Overhaul: What You Need to Know

It was recently reported around 40% of surveyed brands with pages on Google+ have either never posted any content, or do so infrequently. It’s something echoed in the workshops and seminars we run – people and businesses just aren’t sure what to do there. Thankfully, Google have upped their game and radically overhauled the Google+ experience to lure more active users to their social network… (read more)

Facebook Cover Photos: What You Need to Know

When Facebook first rolled out the Timeline to businesses, the rules on what you could and couldn’t put on your cover photo were strict and quite prohibitive (no price or purchase information, contact details or calls to action). Well, they’re relaxed the rules a little. What they say now, is that your cover photo “can’t be deceptive, misleading, infringe on anyone else’s copyright or be… (read more)

RRA13 Red Rose Awards: Lancashire’s Big Night for Business

You might remember we recently told you that 3ManFactory were recently shortlisted for Creatvie Agency of the Year in the Red Rose Awards. Last night was the ceremony, and what an occasion! Though we didn’t win the prize this time, we already knew that the sheer hard work and focus that led to being shortlisted was an achievement we’re proud to shout out about. We… (read more)

Preston Social: RIP Preston Bus Station

Here at 3ManFactory, we like to keep on top of all things local and social. Part of our extra-curricular activities is running The Preston Social; the aim of which is to get Preston’s digital community together to learn, share, meet and tweet. We do it because we’re as eager to learn more about social media as you are. This month’s Preston Social saw a well… (read more)

3ManFactory at the E3 Business Awards

Those who know us outside our den of social media, marketing, PR, web and graphic design, know that we like a good knees-up. That’s why when were short-listed for the New Business Start Up of the Year, we knew that whatever the outcome, we’d make the most of being at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton, where 700 guests from the North West regional business community came to hear… (read more)

HMV Twitter Hi-Jacked

When we work with businesses to develop their social media strategy, access and team management is as important as the social media content strategies we create. Who in the organisation knows the passwords? Who in your organisation can post updates? These are questions that the folk at HMV might be wondering, after their Twitter account was hi-jacked in an effort to show the fight of… (read more)

3ManFactory Shortlisted for the New Business Start Up Award

3ManFactory are very proud to have been short-listed for an award: New Business Start-Up 2013. In their words, ‘the multicultural E3 Business Awards set out to recognise enterprising and forward-looking organisations; the entrepreneurs and educators from across the North West who are working hard today to lead the return to regional prosperity.’ It’s only a week until the event (7th February 2013), where we’ll be suited, booted and… (read more)

Facebook Knows Who You’ve Been Spying On

We frequently run online reputation management sessions for schools and universities, during which we look at the impact of the digital footprint we create. In recognising where we appear online, we can begin to manipulate, promote or hide that content accordingly. As search ventures into knowledge-sourcing and personalisation, it’s not just the content we create that matters: it’s what we search for and click too…. (read more)

Claiming Your Username on LinkedIn

If you’re looking to improve your LinkedIn profile or promote your personal brand, a lesser known (but incredibly useful) feature is to claim your username – or as LinkedIn call it, your Public Profile URL. So why would you want to do that? It makes it easier to market yourself: using your name makes it easier for you to be found Consistency across digital platforms: securing the same username… (read more)

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Tom Stables

Blog Posts by Tom Stables