Archive for April, 2011

How Social Media is Changing The World — 140 Characters at a Time

By on April 30, 2011 in Social media tips, Twitter with Comments Off

It was Sunday night, about 9:50pm, just before bed.  I happened to check my iPad and went to Twitter, where I was barraged with a stream of tweets announcing that Osama Bin Laden was dead and President Obama was soon to make a major announcement.   I began quickly scrolling through tweets, and realized I was experiencing a historical moment in a completely new way.   I switched to Facebook, and saw a news feed that was equally active, with shouts of joy and glee over the death of Osama Bin Laden.   It was intriguing.  For the next two hours I was on a “social media bender.”

Where were you when you heard that Osama was dead?  There was laughter.  There was joy.  There were heartfelt comments by people uncertain of how to feel; there were political posts claiming that Obama had just won the 2012 election, and posts giving all the credit to George W Bush.   There were historical ties to the death of Hitler.  There was humor .  There were calls for peace and hope that the war on terror had been won – along with warnings that that there was still much to be concerned about.    I actively engaged in this event, posting three or four status updates on Facebook, and numerous tweets.    It was how I was able to be a part of the moment.  It felt historic.  It was the next best thing to being outside the gates of the White House.

But the event also struck me as a defining moment in terms of the role that social media plays in our world.   News is being fed to us in a constant stream – with regular updates.   But if you are not plugged in you might miss it.  Had I not checked twitter, I would have gone to bed, woken at 6am, and only then found out about it from the morning paper.

Each major news event in recent months has driven this issue home to me.    Earthquake and Tsunami? Wisconsin labor strife?  Budget battlers? Tornaodo’s?   Twitter was my primary source of info for each of these.  But not only can you LEARN about what is happening, with social media, you can be a part of it, 140 characters at a time.

Originally published at Michael’s Blog Rocky Mountain High

Why Have a Facebook Landing Page

By on April 25, 2011 in Facebook, Social media tips with Comments Off

When someone visits a Facebook page for the first time as it it used for business purposes, the ideal scenario would be for them to “Like” the page, thereby subscribing to the news feed from that page. When a landing page is not specified, a visitor will simply see your Facebook “Wall”, which may not be very engaging or inviting because it is merely a stream of posts over which you have only partial control.

Facebook lets users control what visitors see when they visit a page. And while the mechanics have changed over time (FBML, with tabs along the top to HTML and links or tabs along the left hand side), the functionality is still the same. What’s even better is that you can customize it so that fans get one view and non-fans will get another, allowing you to completely target your message based on the visitor’s status.

I discovered a nice little tutorial on YouTube explaining exactly how to create your very own landing page. If you are not familiar with HTML, you can easily learn a few vital key components at w3schools.com. Don’t be intimidated by this! If you can navigate your way around Facebook, you will likely be able to figure out how to use a few tags in HTML in order to insert an image, text or other on your landing page. And if you can’t, ask around. I’ll bet you know someone who can!

For non-fans, a Facebook landing page is a great place to place photos, a video introduction of yourself or your business, and most importantly, a call to action for them to “Like” your page.

A landing page for fans might include offers on products, and opt-in box, links to your website and/or Twitter, or any other number of items relative to your business.

While these are from the days of FBML and the tabs along the top no longer still exist, they are still great examples of good landing pages and can give you some ideas to get the creative juices flowing:

12 of the BEST Facebook landing pages according to DesignM.ag

@Midwest is a Meme

By on April 25, 2011 in Social media tips, Viewpoints with Comments Off

Smithsonian magazine often shares commentary on information technology.  I was fascinated by a recent article Have Meme Will Travel by James Gleick. …take the biosphere, call out the abstract kingdom and we then have ideas, said Parisian biologist Jacques Monod.   Ideas have spreading power or what he called “infectivity”.  Further, it was stated — ideas have power.

In 1986 Evolution Biologist Richard Dawkins declared that information, words and instruction are known as Memes. Basically a meme is an idea. Classic examples of memes include;  catchphrases like “read my lips”, the lasting impression of a melody or a tune, or the pervasiveness of an image – like mona lisa’s smile. Dawkins said Memes are complex units, distinct and memorable – they are units with staying power.    Things are not memes – a hula hoop for example, is an object of plastic not of bits. The hula hoop craze however is indeed a meme.  The thing – an actual hula hoop is a meme vehicle.  It’s amazing to think that all over the world people carry the swirl and swish of the movement known as the hula hoop in their minds.  How cool is that?

@Midwest the getting practical about social media conference was at one point an idea.  The pooling of energetic minds, resources, volunteers and collaboration has had the idea become.  We are now launching into the spread the wordphase.  This conference is happening!!  We will infect the idea using the tools of social media. Through blog posts, imagery, catch phrases like “walk the talk”, FB and Tweet blasts our marketing team will share. Those we share with will share.  The organic nature of a good idea will have more sharing.  Infectivity will occur!  Its a meme!  I am truly looking forward to this event!  What lasting memes might the day bring?   Only one way to find out!

Walking and talking? Or texting? Or gaming? Or…

By on April 25, 2011 in Social media tips, Texting with Comments Off

There is no surprise in the statement that people are using their mobile devices for much more than making phone calls.  It probably isn’t much of a stretch either to say that making phone calls isn’t even the primary use of mobile devices among a large segment of users, especially for smart phone owners.

Consider this: according to the agency, “the use of non-voice data applications on cell phones has grown dramatically over the last year. Compared with a similar point in 2009, cell phone owners are now more likely to use their mobile phones to:

  • Take pictures—76% now do this, up from 66% in April 2009
  • Send or receive text messages—72% vs. 65%
  • Access the internet—38% vs. 25%
  • Play games—34% vs. 27%
  • Send or receive email—34% vs. 25%
  • Record a video—34% vs. 19%
  • Play music—33% vs. 21%
  • Send or receive instant messages—30% vs. 20%

While these stats are a bit dated, the trend is clear – mobile devices are becoming less of a phone and more of a “communication” or “connecting” device.

The opportunity exists for marketers to leverage mobile to achieve their business goals, as long as it fits into their existing marketing plans.  There are many ways to achieve this, and a good agency can help develop and implement a plan that makes sense for your business.

Mobile marketing, along with many other topics relating to social media marketing will be covered at the conference.  See you there!

Environmental Visual Essayist Goes Video

By on April 22, 2011 in Blogging, Social media tips with Comments Off

Environmental Visual Essayist Goes VideoIt’s Earth Day !  I thought I’d introduce you to a blogger, artist, and environmental essayist from Toronto, Frank James.

Franke’s blog was the very first blog I ever visited. Once you see her work you will understand why I was so impressed. She has her own way of sharing.

Franke is one of my green heroes.  She is a woman who walks her talk big time!!  She’s not an in your face green advocate, more like someone who graciously leads by example!  She asks provocative questions and she is someone who humbly wonders outloud! I first learned of her when she let go of her SUV, yes she completely stopped driving! I then watched her turn her driveway into an unpaved paradise . I’ve admired her further when she developed workshops that provoke and inspire young adults and their green consciousness.I’ve even recommended her as a keynote to my daughters college and to the corporation I work for simply because I find Franke’s messages so very compelling.  More so, I love the creative way she shares them.  Franke recently turned her most recent illustrated essay intovideo! Franke examples social media with a consistent message.  Adding video to her particular expression is very fitting.  This particular video message helps us understand the collaborative and forest protecting efforts of FSC Canada.

Gunfight at the Twitter Corral

By on April 19, 2011 in Twitter with Comments Off

Gigaom.com posed an interesting question earlier this year. Twitter is a great tool. What happens when it’s wrong?

The internet, and more specifically, the social space, is often referred to as the wild, wild west. A wide open space waiting to be explored and settled. And just like the wild west, there aren’t many rules to guide us. And just like the wild west this sometimes leads to bodies left lying along the trail.

The cowboys may not have had many rules, but over time they developed a code.  If you read through the Code of the West you’ll see things which wouldn’t necessarily apply to social media.   Like, “Remove your guns before sitting at the dining table” or “never try on another man’s hat.”

But some of what the cowboys agreed to just might apply to the wild, wild west of social media.

Do not practice ingratitude, give your enemy a fighting chance, real cowboys are modest, and honesty is absolute.  And of course – live by the Golden Rule.

Too often people swagger into the Twitter corral guns blazing.  Then, when the dust settles and the smoke clears, relationships and reputations lie dead.  The gigaom post is right, Twitter is a great tool.   We’ve come to depend on it.  For  cowboys the gun was their tool.  Their lives depended on it.  But they respected its power.

The very next time your Twitter post is cocked and ready to fire think about this quote from the classic western, Shane.  ”A gun is a tool, Marion, no better or worse than any other tool, an axe, a shovel or anything.  A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it.  Remember that.”

From Solitary to Social

By on April 15, 2011 in Facebook, Social media tips with Comments Off

As a mother of five, I can pretty much guess that any other parents out there will agree to the fact that life changes once children come on the scene.  Daily routines go down the drain, plans change, and basically, life as you knew it is gone forever!

For those of us who went from working and having a “life” outside of the home to staying home with the wee ones, life as we “knew it” becomes even more of a blur. When you’re home with a newborn, sometimes just getting out of the house that day is a major chore.

I remember those long days. They were bittersweet, as I enjoyed my new baby and was thankful for the ability to stay home, I missed my friends and co-workers, trips out to lunch, and just socializing in general. I missed having a conversation with someone who didn’t need me to make them a sandwich or to wipe their bottom.

Enter the internet – blogging – social media. Now, the face of motherhood may be seen and heard by as many who wish to tune in, and who wish to interact and to share. Moms are able to connect in all sorts of ways and on a myriad of topics, ranging from serious to informative to comical.

Moms are able to feel like they are contributing members of society again (beyond the immense contribution of raising a decent human being, which I am not snubbing) and are able to get FEEDBACK from other (**adult**) people.

This FEEDBACK is so great. It’s one thing to be able to just get it all out there – to write a post or share some photos or a great story about your day on Facebook, but it  takes things to a whole new and satisfying level when you know someone is paying attention, and they give you their input. It’s what being human is all about – connecting.

My friend Veronica Herr recently harnessed the power of Facebook, YouTube and other social media tools to reach out to friends and family regarding several video contests she and her family entered. Here’s what she had to say:

Recently, our family won two national online video contests! To win, we had to receive as many votes as possible, and we used social media to spread the word. Through many emails, Facebook messages, and Facebook wall posts, we were able to share our videos with all our family and friends. Even if they were far away and we hadn’t seen them for a long time, social media helped us to reconnect, and people took pride in being a part of something bigger than themselves.

What’s more, many people shared the link with their own family and friends, so it really spread fast. We were able to get thousands of votes for our two videos. We made a Facebook ‘event’ page where people could sign up to receive daily reminders to vote, and we got a great response that exceeded our expectations. Because of the thousands of votes we received through the internet, email, and Facebook, we were able to win a trip to Disney World for our family of five and $15,000 in cash!

~Veronica Herr

Check out her cutie-pies in their latest winning video here.

Another friend, Hannah Marcotti created a beautiful website where she gets to fuel her passion, be a mom and to run a business, all from the comfort of her own home. I asked her how social media has impacted her as a mom and as an entrepreneur (she knows all about big bananas – and hers is great.)  Here’s what she said:

Social media has allowed me to bridge the gap between being a mom and running a business. My face and my voice are my business, as is being a mom. Social media allows me to connect to various groups of mothers from the stay at home to the empty nesters.

Facebook alone has allowed me to connect to moms I know and then in turn they can share me and my voice with their community. It’s wildfire. I cannot imagine running a mom business without it.

~Hannah Marcotti

Check out her website, her blog, and her banana – you know you want to!

http://hannahsharvest.com/

http://hannahsharvest.com/mama-space/

Why I Use Social Media For Insurance

By on April 5, 2011 in Facebook, LinkedIn, Social media tips, Twitter with Comments Off

I have been dragged into the social media world slowly and sometimes grudgingly.  The insurance world is tough and I work hard for my agency and for my clients.

I didn’t get why I would want to take more time out of my busy day to post, comment, blog, hyperlink, tweet, and all those other fancy things social media geeks do.

Like many people I started a personal Facebook page, opened a Twitter account and put my name on Linked In.  That seemed good enough to me.  I couldn’t figure out why this wasn’t helping my business.  Duh!

Over the past couple months I have forced myself to become more active on Twitter by providing value added tweets, starting a Facebook business page, interacting with others more consistently through various social media outlets, and I started a blog.  Big shout out goes to Karen Hanrahan of Blogaroo Blog Consulting for guiding me.

It’s only been a couple of months since I fully hopped on board and while I have much to learn,  I can’t tell you how exciting and engaging this experience has been.

I have thought, learned, interacted, laughed, and been moved everyday.  Social media is just another tool to build relationships, but without the boundaries of time or geography.

My business is 100% about building relationships.  What an opportunity.  I can’t wait to see what the next many years will bring.

How has social media impacted your business?  What has worked? What have you struggled with?

Book Review — “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk

By on April 1, 2011 in Social media tips, Viewpoints with Comments Off

have been trying to read some more books on social media and personal branding over the past few months.  The most recent one I read was “Crush It” by Gary Vaynerchuk.

This book had received some great reviews,   I was a little hesitant to give it a read.  I just wasn’t sure if it would be a book for me.

If you don’t know Gary, he is very vibrant, flamboyant, opinionated, and loud.  I am not saying that’s a bad thing, it’s just who he is and I think he embraces it.   Gary started www.winelibrary.tv as an extension to his father’s liquor store business and has had tremendous success.

This book is all about personal branding and the opportunity that social media provides for people to cash in on their passion.   Gary is extremely passionate about what else, “your passion.”

He discusses how he was able to make his passion turn into a huge success through the power of social media and in his case a vlog (video log).  He takes the readers though numerous examples of how he made it work and provides tips to help you try and create the same type of success.

The book is not overly well written and Gary even admits that he dictated this book.  He acknowledges that he is not a great writer and that is why he started a vlog instead of a normal blog.   I admire Gary for being straightforward with the readers about this.

What I most appreciated about this book was Gary’s conviction and passion.   I could definitely tell he fully believes in his ideas and that regardless if you are stuck in a job you don’t like or if you love your current job, building a personal brand is critical.

Some of the concepts may be overplayed for those who have been dabbling in social media for a while, but what Gary may lose in context for some, he makes up with his fireball energy and conviction.

This book made me think.   Gary is a true entrepreneur and there is no doubt his success comes from hard work and passion and I respect him for that.  He understands the power of social media and that the game is always changing.   You have to think outside the box and put your time in energy into what you love.

Gary’s brashness and ego may rub some people the wrong way, but you have to appreciate his success and forward thinking.   This book is a quick read so if you are interested about building your own personal brand I recommend you check it out for yourself.

Have you read this book yet?  If so what were your thoughts? What are some your favorite books about social media?