SocialStartups.com

Here are my predictions for 2010:

1. Badges and game mechanics – Driven by the success of foursquare and Farmville, everyone is going to want badges and game mechanics embedded in their apps. Hell, we might do it, too. Not only do well-tuned game mechanics increase engagement, it also increases user exploration and education. Of course, it's easy to do it badly, and the results are not pleasant (see: Digg's leaderboard). Josh Porter has a good post on leaderboards.
2. Social media spreads deep within organizations – This is one of the bets we're making at Postling. The idea is that representing your organization on social media sites like Twitter will spread beyond the marketing department or the corporate communications / PR department. What if your salesperson at Bergdorf Goodman or Topshop had a twitter account and could provide fashion advice or tell you about sales? What if the chef at your local gourmet restaurant shared photos on his flickr account in addition to the blog and twitter account the restaurant manager may use? What if your local car mechanic posted short videos explaining what he was fixing and how it all works while the car dealership posts news about events, sales, and recalls?
3. A brief tech bubble – I think the financial markets are going to tick up a bit (although temporarily, as consumers still have more debt than they can manage) and VCs are going to be pushing for returns since their funds have done horribly over the last decade. You'll see some M&A and a couple IPOs (Facebook, Yelp, or Zynga, anyone?) in the rush to get liquidity before the window snaps shut. Also, some smart deals made by early stage firms like First Round and USV are going to see some sizable follow-on rounds.
4. Social media content as advertising – This one might not happen until 2011, but it's starting with HuffPo and VentureHacks. Basically, social media content – created to educate and inform – is the next form of brand / display advertising. Banner ads don't work, but how about blog posts or tweets? Bloggers have known that their content builds their brand reputation for years now, but I predict in 2010 we will finally see serious ad spend shifted into content creation. Next up: social media content ad networks. Postling will be there.
5. Rise of incubators and early stage funds by giant firms - In an effort to save themselves from almost certain death thanks to the sheer size of their funds ($1 Billion) coupled with the tiny amounts of capital needed to fund internet startups (< $1 million), the big funds will shrink in half and try to invest in early stage startups. Related to #3, this means it will be easier for new startups to get funding, but many won't get the support they need because the big funds simply do not have enough time / manpower to give their full attention to each of their investments. Why? Because to satisfy their investors, they need to return a huge amount of money, and they need to invest in hundreds of early stage startups (at $500k a pop) to have a chance. Eventually the big funds will give up and either shrink down to <$200 million or turn their focus to pharma, cleantech, and other life sciences investments. 

So that's my tech and startups predictions for 2010. What are yours? 

Kyle just showed me this simple survey tool created by Hiten.

If you have ever used Postling, you will make my day by filling in this survey.

Thank you!!!

Postling is a social media management tool for businesses, allowing them to do all of their blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and reputation management in one place. We are looking for a sales expert who can go out and sell our premium product to PR firms, digital agencies, media companies, non-profits, and more.

Job Description:

• Continuously find new leads using Internet, phone, connections, etc.
• Present Postling to potential customers in person at client sites or via phone, web conference, or trade show.
• Compose sales proposals and maintain communication relationships with customers.
• Close the sale! Leads are nice, but money in the bank (and in your pocket) is way better.
• Teach us something new about our customers based on your conversations with them.

Qualifications:

• You LOVE sales. There is nothing you'd rather do. (Be honest.)
• Track record of selling technology to corporations.
• You can close the sale yourself.
• You use and understand why social media is valuable for businesses.

Compensation:

• Competitive base + commissions, medical / dental / vision benefits, phone.

Our office is located in Union Square (12th and Broadway).

Application: Send email to dave@postling.com. Your email should include your resume and a brief explanation of 1) why Postling is great for businesses, 2) your sales experience, and 3) a link to your blog or twitter account and LinkedIn account.