Simplifying things...

In recent weeks, we have started to see a bump in the usage of the site. <-- Very Pumped!

As mentioned in the past, we're trying to create an experience that combines 'user interests' with watching videos AND shopping. Before we went live with a new release last night, the user had the ability to scroll through videos and shopping at the same time but could not do the same thing while watching a video. From the useage data, it became apparent that it was difficult for the user to want to do both.

Soooo, we started brainstorming and came up with a new, easier to use, video and shopping scrolling experience, as well as, added the ability to shop while watching videos.

Notice on this screen that the user can watch a 'Simpson's spoof on Star Wars' and also shop for 'Star Wars' goodies below the watching area.

We very excited about this new user experience. It puts shopping right in the middle of the action and also allows for room for great new features that are in our little heads at the moment.

Stay tuned for some really cool, engaging features to come in the near future!

-the BaconMarathon Team

Part 2: The new 'Igniter' --> YouTube Videos!

As mentioned in the previous post, we believe we are on to something by getting a significant amount of users to the site (using an inexpensive approach) but we did not see any increase in orders or authorizations. We needed a new igniter.

We started brainstorming how we tackle this issue by looking at other Facebook applications that users have virally embraced. (Important note: we're not talking about the applications that use mandatory inviting or spamming techniques)

Looking at Adonomics, the top 10 companies focus on: self-expression widgets, social games, non-profit causes, dating/meetup helpers and vertical reviewing (movies, books, etc.) All of these applications enhance the users experience on Facebook but none seem, on the surface, to give users an experience based on their interests.

The light bulb went off for us that since top3Clicks is already recommending items based on the users interests then it is feels natural that these users would want to see videos based on their interests. We hoping we can add to the YouTube phenomenon as the igniter. So we burned the midnight oil and launched the ability to select, watch and share YouTube videos in a way that may not have been presented this way before.

Here is a screenshot:

If a user has Guns N' Roses in their Facebook interests then notice how they can watch YouTube videos and also shop for items on Amazon. The igniter idea is that users tend to want to come back often to watch new interesting videos and if there is something 'impulsively' interesting they can buy right there.

So continuing from the last post, we dropped an ad to test our theory...

5. With the new Guns album arriving in stores today after 17 years, we decided to drop the following ad yesterday. -->

Our expectations: We focused the site and the advertising around watching videos and suggest that you can purchase items.

We learned: First, people love Guns N' Roses. Second, when users clicked to our site a much greater number of users authenticated in to watch videos. <-- big improvement! We also saw a great deal of clicking to Amazon but want to do more research into what users were doing. Conclusion: It is super early, only a half week, but we're already seeing the qualities we hope to see with YouTube videos. More users have authenticated to use our service and we're seeing the addictive qualities of YouTube.

The top3Clicks elevator pitch...!

We're very excited to mention here first that we're pitching top3Clicks to participate in the Facebook Fund. The submission is due by the end of this week but here is a taste of the video elevator pitch that will be a part of the submission package.

We're going to just have to wish ourselves luck...

..."luck" ;)

the BaconMarathon Team

When the Bay Area (San Francisco) hits 100 degrees it is time for the BaconMarathon team...

...to announce something really sizzlin...

The BaconMarathon team has been working feverishly on a project called top3Clicks.

The project consists of marrying the social network and notfication power of Facebook with the ecommerce power of Amazon.com.

top3Clicks is 'Social Commerce'.

To get started...

1. You will need to have a Facebook account. Go to: http://www.facebook.com/ and create an account. You may be the last one of your friends to not have one!

2. Once you have an account, simply go to http://apps.facebook.com/topthreeclicks, you will be taken to the top3Clicks Add Application screen.

3. When top3Clicks is added as an application, interests listed in your Facebook profile are placed in a top3Clicks item list. Item suggestions (from Amazon.com) will appear based on these interests. You can easily add and remove items, as well as notify friends about items.

4. If there is a item that your are interested in purchasing, simply click on the item and you will be taken to Amazon.com to complete the order.

So give it whirl...! Tell us what you think, we love the feedback.

-- BaconMarathon team