It’s just 28 more days to Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and Singapore, been the first country to host such a game is doing everything they can to promote this event. The two weeks event which starts from 14 Aug to 26 Aug, aims to inspire youth around the world to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.

The committee also hope that this event will create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from around the world, as well as enhance and elevate the sporting culture locally and regionally.

With social media been the forefront of it’s marketing efforts, YOG community recently launched their own social networking site WhyOhGee!. Base onwhat I understand, the networking site features multimedia content produced by young people for young people, and aim to connect youths globally through the digital media site.

Features of the site includes integration of your social media profiles such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube etc, forums, groups, pictures uploaded by users and athletics profiles which users can send their encouraging and supportive messages.

Besides WhyOhGee!, Singapore also launch a series of other digital media sites:

• Singapore 2010 Odyssey: A 3D virtual world featuring the venues and sports of YOG.

• Million Deeds Challenge: Be part of the Olympic movement through sharing deeds of Excellence, Friendship and Respect, and join a virtual torch relay in the process.

• Facebook: Official fanpage of YOG.

• Twitter: YOG Twitter account.

• YouTube: Videos produced for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

• Flickr: Photos for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.

Are they overdoing it?

Personally, I like their idea of having a community site (WhyOhGee!) where youths can get engaged and interact with each other before, during and after the games. I also understand their need of having Youtube, Facebook and Twitter as their satellite medium to reach out to youths. However, I do feel they are slightly overdoing it.

What I don’t understand is: Why do they need a Flickr account? What is the value of it? What is the purpose of having  a two additional digital platforms (Singapore 2010 Odyssey and Million Deeds Challenge) without the element of community building?

What do you think? Are they overdoing it?

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People are more likely to trust information coming from people they know. Therefore, the folks at Google have come up with a new type of search engine that includes your personal online social networks.

In the tutorial video below, Google show you how their new social search engine works by giving an example of “getting to know Zurich”. In the video, Google outline that in the past, one can search and find information on Zurich on the usual travel site. But with the new “social search”, your friends on Facebook, Twitter, blogs and other networking sites will also pop up in the search should they mention the word “Zurich”.

The scope of information goes far beyond simply traveling to Zurich because the information is provided by the people you know and each of them have different level of relationships and different level of experience about Zurich. The information is as unique as the individuals itself. In fact, this type of information is the newest trend on social media as homogenized continues to fall out of fashion.

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In 2008, LinkedIn announce that they would open their platform for developers to build applications around it. In November 2009,  they announce that they allow users to login to LinkedIn using third parties websites. It seems like these two announcements are just baby steps toward evolving the platform. I am delighted to be one of the first to find out what plans LinkedIn have for the future, and yes, I will be sharing that with you here.

Evolution of LinkedIn

Phrase One: Destination Social Network

Description: A platform for career-minded users to login and interact with the each other there.

When: Since 2003

Phrase Two: Application Platform

Description: Allowing third-party developers to build applications that sit on LinkedIn Domain. Will be similar to how Facebook platform work.

When: Since October 2008. (Only selected parties are able to build apps on it. Not rolled out to everyone yet)

Phrase Three: Portable Data

Description: Third parties website will allow users to login using LinkedIn ID. Will be able to check which of your friends are present and send the data back to LinkedIn

When: November 2009

Phrase Four: Personalize your LinkedIn experience on third parties site

Description: Third party websites can provide personalize content for first time users by recognizing their LinkedIn ID.

When: Roll out by mid 2010

Phrase Five: Social CRM

Description: LinkedIn’s partnership with SalesForce, Oracle, Microsoft and SAP, allow daata in LinkedIn to be exported to CRM systems. The idea is that should customers have any queries or issues, it will trigger notifications to brand managers.

When: 3rd quarter of 2010

Phrase Six: Augmented reality

Description: Using a mobile device, users can hold a cell phone in front of their peer and see their LinkedIn data without even the need to have a conversation.

When: 2011

Concluion

As you can see, LinkedIn plans to add more value in terms of user’s experience. Another detail I discovered is that in the near future, your social reputation will be very important. Should augmented reality really be implemented across the social media space, it will be the key to make or break a business deal.

I can’t wait for the day when I can hold up a cell phone and look at the LinkedIn data of the person sitting besides me at a luncheon. It would be a good conversation starter.

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I received some encouragement after yesterday’s post that I almost forgot I need to write the conclusion for this topic. After we have seen the first 7 print-on-demand sites, mainly on T-shirts, accessories and books, I want to reveal another 8 sites that do totally different things.

Tastebook

If you are the kind who like creating cookbook, then Tastebook is what you might be looking for. Tastebook provides stunning hardcover, spinal bound cookboook binder that can hold up to 100 recipes together. What really set Tastebook apart from other print-on-demand sites is that users can upload their own recipes or choose from a large number of 3rd parties providers. So now you can create cookbooks for sale without being a chef yourself.

CDbaby

There are over 200,000 indie artists selling their work on CDbaby. They are not exactly a print-on-demand publisher, since they only handle the warehousing, selling and distribution of your CDs. They do offer discs duplication service on their site too. Check this site out if you are into indie music.

The Game Crafter

The Game Crafter is an excellent service for those who are interested in selling their own boardgames or collectible card games. All you have to do is upload your art work and game rules, pick the pieces (dices or pawns) that need to be included in the set and you are ready to go. The Game Crafter will handle the printing, packaging and delivery each time an order comes in. I have to admit the end product may not be as polished as those you see in stores, but the results are quite good considering they are print-on-demand. I am sure The Game Crafter service will improve over time.

Spoonflower

Have you watched Project Runway? If you have, you will know that the kind of print will make or break a design, right? Won’t it be great to have your own design turn into a printed fabric? Spoonflower, a print-on-demand fabric seller does just that. They allow designers to create and sell their designs on either quilting or upholstery weight cotton or organic cotton sateen. The pricing may be expensive though, ranging from US$18 – US$32 per yard  (0.914 m).

Ponoko

Ponoko will take your 3D designs and turn them into real products using a variety of materials. It can be materials such as MDF, bamboo, cardboard, leather and acrylic. End result? You can create your own products such as toys, furnitures, housewares, jewelry and even electronics and sell them in your own storefront.

Shapeways

Similar to Ponoko, Shapeways allows the users to upload their designs and turn them into real products using the 3D printing technology. The site will provide you with a storefront to sell your products. Some users are using the site to sell their art, toys, jewelry and other gadgets while others are using it as a platform to create product prototypes.

ImageKind

If you are an artist who want to sell your print art work, ImageKind is the place to be. This site is own by CafePress and specialize in print and cards with a variety of different material, size and framing options. For photographers using Flickr, you can easily import your work to ImageKind and offer it for sale with custom framing.

DeviantART

Finally, the last but certainly not the least print-on-demand site. DeviantART is one of the largest art sites on the web with over 81 million submissions to date. Every member are eligible to sell their art through the site’s store mugs, mousepads, coasters, magnets, puzzles, prints and other items. Print can be offered in a variety of sizes with a handful of different frame types.

So now you have uncovered some of the best print-on-demand sites on the web, I hope you will be excited to start creating artistic products for sale. If you have any recommendations of print-on-demand sites that wasn’t listed here and you think it should, please recommend them at the comment box below. Cheers!

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In the past, creating your own product means that you have to invest alot of money purchasing a minimum order quantity, paying for warehousing, packaging the products and other overhead costs before a single product was ever sold. However, with the rise of the print-on-demand technology and recently the social media, anyone can start creating products and selling them on the internet.

Here is a list of print-on-demand sites that can help you create and sell everything,  from T-shirts to clocks to books. If there is any print-on-demand sites that you know of and it wasn’t listed here, feel free to add them on the comment box below.

CafePress

CafePress is one of the pioneer in the print-on-demand industry and they offer one of the largest selections of products in which you can print your logo and design on.  They offer products such as mugs, T-shirts, hats, calendars, posters and even clocks. With a growing and thriving community, the users created about 45,000 different products for sale on the website everyday.

Zazzle

Like CafePress, Zazzle too provide various different products for sale. They have T-shirts, bags, ties, jackets, shoes, skateboards, calendars, magnets among other things. Like CafePress, the community in Zazzle are growing. Till date, their members have created mind blowing 19 BILLION items.

Spreadshirt

Spreadshirt main focus are on sweatshirts and T-shirts. But they also include fashion accessories such as bags, aprons and neckties where you can print your designs on them. One of the major selling point of Spreadshirt is the ease of use of their online product designer. It makes it simple enough for anyone to design an item and sell them online.

Pikistore

Pikistore does t-shirts and a few customized items such as mousepads and mugs. Though the range of offering isn’t alot, they does it with such excellence that most print-on-demand sites may have a hard time to matching it. For those who want a really interesting storefront which to sell you customized items, you can check out Pikistore.

Lulu

Lulu is great for anyone who wants to leave a legacy. If you are a flimmaker, an author, photographer or a musician, Lulu can help you publish your book (hardcover or paperback), CDs or DVDs in an instant. Another advantage of using Lulu is that they can help you list the books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble as well as tools for you to sell and promote your work through social networks like Facebook.

Createspace

Createspace is another Lulu look alike that is own by Amazon. That means if you publish a book or music, it is a guarantee that your work will be included into Amazon’s huge catalog. It also means that you can sell on Amazon’s Kindle, Amazon’s mp3 stores or even movie downloads. Been guarantee a spot in Amazon’s marketplace is a huge boost for most people.

Blurb

Blurb is the site that specialize in just books. Like Pikistore, they does books beautifully. Blurb specialize with printed books that doesn’t have a print-on–demand feel. Because they create such great picture books, most of the users there are artists and photographers. Blurb also make it very easy for users to create a book with pictures from Flickr, Tyepad and Piscasa.

These are just some print-on-demand sites which you can use to create products for sale without investing a huge sum of money. Look out for part 2 tomorrow as I reveal more sites where you can make money using print-on-demand technology.

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