blog.eliotsykes.com

SendSocial is a new service (available in just the UK initially, other countries to follow) that lets you post anything to anyone when all you have is their twitter username or their e-mail address.  You don’t need to know their home or work address.

This is one of those ideas that made me think wow, that’s a cool idea.  I’m a tad amazed this hasn’t been done yet (if it has been, let me know in the comments, sounds like the sort of thing that someone would have tried back in the original dotcom bubble).

The idea has legs and the track record of one of the guys behind it, Ben Way, makes you think it has got a great chance of doing well.  I hope so, I love to hear UK startups making it worldwide.

A few ways that come to mind on what to use SendSocial for apart from sending gifts to virtual friends:

1. Say thanks to a blogger or twittering friend
Is there someone who’s given you help through their tweets or blog? You could send them a note or even a gift – much more personal than an e-mail. I was thinking of sending some food to one or two people I follow virtually who’s advice has helped me out but that’s probably a bit of a bad idea, would you feel 100% safe eating something that a near stranger sent you? A gift voucher or a handwritten note is probably a safer bet.

2. Let influencers know about your new product/book
Launching a new product that lends itself to physical samples or a book? Send samples in the post to blogger and twitter influencers related to your industry.

3. Get the attention of a journalist/blogger/celebrity
Send something in the post to get the attention of a blogger who gets way too much e-mail from strangers for you to stand a chance of being heard over the crowd.

7 things to send:

1. A handwritten note
2. A Xmas/Birthday/Holiday/Thank you card
3. Home made treats (if you know the recipient)
4. Chocolates, but not (I think people won’t be keen to eat food sent by strangers).  Send a small gift card instead for somewhere they can buy chocolates of their choice (I’m having a hard time coming up with ideas for this – Thorntons? WHSmith do chocolate now too right? Any other ideas?)
5. Cup of Coffee – send a Costa/Nero/Starbucks/Pret/etc. gift card is what I mean
6. A Book or DVD you think they’d like
7. Gift card for Amazon or any other shop you think they’d like

3 things not to send:

• Ticking alarm clock
• Lock of your hair
• Anything written using blood

What do you recommend sending, or not?