Free Webinar on Social Media by Mario Armstrong and AT&T

Check out tech guru Mario Armstrong's new on-demand and FREE webinar on Social Media Training for Small Businesses offered by AT&T.  He shares his insights and knowledge on how to use Social Media to promote your organization for improved sales and service.










Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

The Example of Grandmama: A Tale of Larry Johnson

In the fall of '89, a family friend took me to an UNLV Runnin' Rebel's basketball practice. It was there I met a young man named Larry Johnson. As a 14 year old, I was in awe of his immense size. He seemed larger than life, but it was when this gentle giant sat down and drank a Coca-Cola with me that his true magic emerged.

We discussed his home town, and that I, too, had family there. We talked about Las Vegas, his new home and the place I had grown up. We talked about Dallas Cowboys' football, and the big UNR and UNLV rivalry. But it was him asking me where I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to be that made the largest impact that day. This warrior on the court, this local hero, this star in the paint seemed to care about me and my dreams. With real interest he listened to the ramblings of a child, and then said, "I'm sure you can do it. Focus on school."

Maybe they teach all starting Forwards to make that kind of lasting impact when they talk to children or maybe that was just one kid trying to mentor another that day, whatever it was, it stayed with me. A Pro career for him and two Masters degrees later for me, I got the honor and privilege of buying a Coca-Cola for Mr. Johnson last week at a Nike Fundraiser, while Mr. Johnson made a public appearance. He spoke to my own child as gently and genuinely as he had spoken to me so many years before. And I realized how powerful and lasting words and intent can be on someone.

While that interaction took place face to face, I would like you to think about social media for a moment - keeping that story in your mind. Who is your audience? Sometimes we don't really know. Mr. Johnson could have no way of knowing the impact of his words twenty-one years ago nor could he know they would be written about in the future. Could someone impressionable be reading your blog, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, or Gather postings? Might they be taking in your comments and locking them away? And if they are, what impression are you leaving? What "footprint" are you making with your typed words?

We will not always make the right decisions, but if we consciously think about things before we print and post them, we might find our influence to be like that of a man they call "Grandmama" - a man that I simply call "an example". 




Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

TweetDeck - Organized and Online

"Say hello to my little friend" - ok maybe not.  Maybe it's more like "He rocks in the treehouse all day long, hoppin' and a boppin' and a singing his song."  Welcome to Tweet Deck:  available for both your computer and for your iPhone.  I have spent a greater part of the day working on mastering its incredible resource, only to be brutally rebuffed because of its vast abilities and sweeping content.  And it tweets, and chirps, and sings because it is truly busy.  I am by no means a master, but I am functional.

TweetDeck allows you to manage multiple Twitter accounts, as well as others like LinkedIn, and Facebook from one system, and gives a sweeping view of what is going on with your Twitter world showing "All Friends", "Mentions", "Direct Messages", and "Recommendations" all in one screen.  The set up makes management of Twitter much more user friendly instead of the standard screen flipping required from the Twitter website.  Additionally the pop ups in the corner of your screen alert you to the activity going on with those you follow.  The ability to toggle between Twitter and other social media sites, allows you to stay current with all your online marketing and networking accounts.

However, the TweetDeck Directory - available through their website - may be the most valuable component they offer.  The Directory has both a search feature and a list of topics which you can run through and look for lists which are appropriate for your interests.  Either join the list you find or use those lists to identify individuals you would like to follow who have the same interests.  You can also see list stats including how many accounts someone is following, how many followers they have, their average number of tweets per day, and description tags.

I have now moved to the TweetDeck Application on my desktop to monitor my Twitter feed in the office.  As with all products, I remain skeptical until I have had adequate time to test it, but as of yet, I have not found a flaw that makes this anything less than a useful organizing tool worth recommending.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Should 'Tweens Be On the Internet: Sing it, Bobby!

www.babble.com

"Social" and "teen":  two words that just seem to go together.  "Social" and "'tween", well of course, 'tweens are social, but the question is:  should they be on social networking sites?  In a previous blog, we talked about the Facebook Panic Button that Great Britain was calling for to TRY and keep children safe from child predators online.  Yesterday I posted an article from ABC's Good Morning America about a New Jersey Principal calling for the parents of 'tweens to get their children off of social networking sites in order to reduce incidents of bullying.  The common thread?  Youth.  The real question, are 'tweens emotionally ready to be on the Internet?


I have family and friends with 'tweens on these sites.  Ultimately the decision is up to the parents of these children as to whether they should be on there.  If a parent determines a child can open an account, it is then the parent's responsibility to monitor it.  Each child is different.  Some are more mature than others.  Some have a higher level of integrity.  Some are great kids with fabulous boundaries and incredible decision making skills.  Some could find trouble in a padded room with no windows and no sharp objects.  Some kids could get in trouble while asleep.  It's just the way the world is, and the parent who can hold the child's hand, has the ability to monitor email accounts, web searches, networking accounts, and make sure little Christopher or little Christine has his or her Twitter clothes on might have a child who can be on the Internet.


I would not want the responsibility.  I have too many responsibilities.  Taking additional time out to go through website after website to read comments, see what Billy or Johnny, Sue or Polly are looking at online, what was said, how it was said, what information is being given out, who it's being given to, etc. is much too much work.  It is hard enough to keep a kid safe on your residential street, I would not want to keep a kid safe on the Information Super Highway.  Eventually kids need to have the skills to use the Internet which really should come gradually, and it should be monitored.  Always reminding him or her that with "great reward comes great responsibility".  Trust and freedom need to be earned, and age does have a way of letting hormones and decision making skills mellow which certainly helps too.  If you wouldn't want to let your child walk down the middle of a regular highway because the odds of something bad happening are high, then letting a child walk down the Information Super Highway probably has the same odds of something zooming by and hurting him or her there, too.


Remember that first time you got feedback that the email you sent out IN ALL CAPS WAS CONSIDERED YELLING, and you found out someone took offense?  Or when you accidentally sent out an email to the wrong person or with an error, and you wished you could recall it, but by then it was too late?  Or in 1992 when you got into an AOL chat room and pretended to be someone you weren't just to see if you could get away it?  If we can find ourselves in plenty of trouble with the Internet, how can we not question if our kids can handle it?


Is your 'tween emotionally ready to deal with seeing something he or she shouldn't, or reading something negative about his or herself that is posted for everyone to see?  Is he or she ready to deal with the fall-out that might happen if he or she posts something that hurts someone else?  If your 'tween is ready for all of that, he or she must be more emotional mature than I am, and more than most of the people in the world, because realistically, none of us like dealing with drama, and we don't stop struggling with it as adults.  


The fact is Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Loopt, even email can all seem innocent enough.  You can talk to your best friend's daughter in elementary school, your second cousin twice removed who's in Jr. High, and your neighbor's cousin's uncle's sister's kid, and it might all be fine because you're an upstanding citizen with good intentions and appropriate boundaries, but not everyone out there is like you and sooner or later someone will be the wrong person who was intentionally on accident let into that child's life.

If you're the kind of person who gets upset over Facebook privacy settings being changed because you feel you are being exposed, then think about how your child is being exposed by being on the Internet.  As the "wise" Bobby Brown would say, it really is your "prerogative (do what you want to do)."  Just make sure - as your children are growing up in a society where their world is no longer confined to the neighborhood you live in - you make sure that "every little step" they take "you will be there".

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Podcasting - Part Deux

www.everythingusb.com

Is podcasting social media?  No.  By its very name, social media implies that there is an element of connection - or, well, being social.  However, the purpose of podcasting is to enhance your product, website, etc. by adding a different medium for information delivery.   If you are setting yourself apart from the competition, a podcast can allow your prospective clients and current customers the opportunity to experience you or your organization with more depth.  Through an audio or video podcast, the site visitor is given insight into the sights, sounds, voices, etc. that surround your business.

The uniqueness of you, your office, your work, your product on a podcast helps to create branding and - if memorable - will help to differentiate you from others.  No matter what the learning preference of the viewer, the more ways and more times a person is presented with information, the more information will be retained.  A visual learner will find value and impact from the addition of a video podcast.  The audio learner will retain information provided from both video and audio podcasts.  But no matter who is looking at your page or site, the use of a podcast will add a new and superior level of engagement.

What's stopping you?  Feel you have a voice for silent pictures?  Think you have a face for radio?  We all have insecurities that make us second guess our abilities or our features; however, your clients and potential clients are more interested in the story of what sets you apart more than picking you apart.  So make a YouTube video and link to it.  Embed it in your website.  Capture your audience with a little extra flair, and your viewers will feel a little more connected with you, and connectivity is what social media is all about.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

That Sweet, Sweet Sound

Depth, dimension, daring, dynamic:  words we would all love to see if someone was describing our written work.  We want to engage the person reading our pages, tweets, feeds, blogs, etc.  We want people to be interested and to come back again.


The fact remains, however, that in our current, fast food, fast paced, instant gratification demanding society, people want things that grab them, pull them in, and capture their attention.  So our typed words need support. Social media is famous for its "links".  I use them all the time to either tie into another source or to reiterate a point.  Links liven up text and support comments.


Photos give that slight edge with the "picture that says 1,000 words" concept.  The right picture gives a brief visual description of your content and can either turn someone on to your writing or turn them away.  

http://www.musicwarehouseonline.com.au

So what's the next step?  Podcasting.  It's the way to bring your social media up a level.  Audio podcasts can be added to the majority of social media sights to give a different angle to your work.  Having the ability to connect with your audience through the use of your voice or audio can enhance the presentation and allow for engagement with a population who may generally shy away from those with more written content.  

So get ready - tomorrow, we take an in-depth look at putting more media in our social media with podcasts.



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Is Social Media Necessary?

www.searchenginejournal.com

Today I received the question, "It's (Social Media) necessary, isn't it? It's a must?"


My short response was, "The key is the word 'Media'.  It should be viewed as something for the public.  It is a must.  It's how the world is going to get reached for either Jesus or porn.  It can be used for the greater good or the greater destruction.  It's a medium for great connectivity or great isolation.  I choose to use it to be a better marketer.  Better friend.  Better family member.  I use it to reach people I would not, did not, and could not connect with before both professionally and personally.  It can be a time suck or a time releaser.  It's all about the mindset, intention, and purpose."


I have seen postings from multiple friends on tools like Facebook that he/she needs to take a break from the application because it is taking up too much time, distracts him/her, causes isolation, etc. In that case, I would certainly encourage the user to walk away and prioritize appropriately.  Anything that takes away from your true purpose or your true enjoyment is a negative.  In my opinion relationships and purpose are the main priorities for most in life.  If something is taking away from positive relationships and a sense of purpose, cut it off and move on.  


Could the use of social media be restructured in the lives of these individuals to play a better role?  In my opinion, yes.  But possibly he/she would need to step away from social media to rethink it and determine how to use it more effectively.  Social media can be used to share, educate, motivate, encourage, join, and develop.  If I have a skill or a talent, if I have knowledge, I can use social media to connect with others and share with them.  I can learn from them.  I can develop and enhance relationships with family, friends, coworkers, customers, and the community.  My company can learn about its clientele, tell them about new products, get feedback, promote new opportunities, etc.


Case in point.  I have discussed, in previous blogs, because it's been a current topic in the news, about NFL players and social media. Santonio Holmes, an NFL player, posts on Twitter.  He posts that fans don't sign his paychecks so they shouldn't have an opinion about his behavior.  He posts that a fan should kill himself because of a posted opinion.  He posts that he's going to go smoke weed.  Then this player, who was a Superbowl MVP only 14 months ago, gets traded to another team for a fifth round draft pick (for those of you not into football - that's an insult), and it's all over sports news that a four game suspension is going to be handed down shortly regarding drug use (how'd they get word of that, I wonder).  Why is this happening to him?  Why is he under scrutiny?  Because he failed to think about the fact that what he was doing on Twitter was marketing, and he did it badly.  

On the other hand is a player named Chad Ochocinco.  He tweets daily.  He tweets about the products he's endorsing.  Tweets about his career.  Tweets about the weather.  Tweets about movies.  Tweets about his training, his team, and how much he likes his fans and his coworkers.  Tweets about businesses he likes and frequents.  And what happens?  He makes more money through sponsor deals and sales.  He creates fan loyalty.  He creates team loyalty.  Difference?  Someone taught him about marketing.  Someone told him that you never know who's paying attention.  Someone taught him that he could use Facebook, Twitter, Skype... social media to benefit him if he used it correctly.

Do you and I have that kind of access to as many people?  Probably not, but the fact remains we never know who's paying attention, where it could lead, or what it might lead to.  How will we use it?  For good?  For bad?  For noteworthy or for wasting time?  It all depends on perspective.  

How will you use social media?  It has a direct result on not only how you feel about it, but how others feel about you.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Suicide Isn't a Joking Matter - Tweeted or Not

More and more we find sports personalities tweeting their daily events - sometimes even moment to moment.  And why not?  It's great and, more importantly, cheap press.  People from all over the world get to connect with the athlete and feel like they know him/her resulting in them rooting for the athlete.  The readers also learn more about the team or the sport and get to participate in conversations about a sport they feel passionately about or at least a topic they enjoy.


I'm an avid sports fan.  I have very specific opinions on football, baseball, hockey, swimming, the Olympics, and basketball.  I could take or leave golf - but I can respect a true fan of the sport because a fan is a fan.  And like the word "fan", you could describe me as "fanatical" in some instances.  I have my teams and my athletes whom I stand behind - win or lose - good and bad.  But on the other side of the coin, I have those that I feel just as passionately about disliking.  It's the age old concept of the rivalry.  


However, I'm not a jeerer.  I have better things to do with my time than "boo" and "hiss".  To support my theory on jeering, there are a lot of Philly Eagles fans who attended the NFL Draft in 1999 who, years later, now look like idiots for booing the choice of Donavan McNabb as their first round draft pick for quarterback.  Since I'm never sure what player will ultimately be traded to my team, I try to keep my mouth shut publicly as much as possible regarding demeaning comments.  Of course what I say to the NFL Network on my TV screen in the comfort of my living room is a different story.


I understand there are fans who think jeering is part of the game.  They enjoy it - they look for opportunities.  I can think back to an episode of NFL Full Contact of two guys at last year's NFL Draft wearing some very unique (nice term for they looked odd) Patriots' costumes yelling at Marshall Faulk from the stands.  All I could think of was "get over it - the Greatest Show on Turf is part of NFL history." 


So was I shocked that Santonio Holmes, Super Bowl XLIII MVP, is on Twitter self promoting?  Of course not.  Was I shocked to find out that someone decided to heckle him on Twitter?  No, I'm sure most of the players who put themselves out on social media sites get it on a daily basis from at least one loud mouth.  Was I surprised that someone being sued for assault would be doing anything other than trying to make himself look like a shining star and a valuable member of society?  Yes because I thought any good attorney would give such PR advice to his/her client.  However, I was horrified to find out that not only could Holmes not self promote in a positive way, but that he would go so far as to recommend someone kill himself because of the heckler's opinion.  


"Shud try finding the worst thing that you could drink n kill urself".  Really, Santonio?  Is that where you wanted to go?  Think that's going to help you out in the eye of public opinion?  I thought the purpose of your Twitter account was to advertise yourself and get more positive attention - more attention equals more viewers of your games - equals more pull for your when you go to negotiations for more money.  More fans also equals more jersey sales.  And, Santonio, do you really think that Twitter is the place to announce to the world that you don't think fans sign your paychecks?  Because I'm pretty sure if the fans turn on you and decide not to watch you then those jerseys stop getting sold and your contract bargaining power goes down the drain.


Twitter is for marketing.  Not for suicide promotion.  It's not funny.  It's not entertaining.  It doesn't make people like you, respect you, or other wise want to support you.  Suicide isn't a joking matter.  It's not appropriate, and it shouldn't be tolerated.  So my recommendation is, Mr. Holmes, get off Twitter and go get a volunteer job at a suicide prevention center and see the impact that harsh words can have on people.  When Mr. Holmes has does something of value, try Tweeting about your ability to contribute to society instead of showing us that not only do you not value fans, but also doesn't value human life enough to watch your Tweet comments.


And Mr. Holmes, if you need a social media advisor - give me a call.  



Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

What Would Mickey Do?

I was watching the Disney Channel.  I know.  I know.  I was surfing, and I landed on Harriet the Spy:  Blog Wars, and well, as a blogger, I was intrigued.  Mesmerized?  Ok - pathetically sucked in.  Call it what you will.  I made it through about seven minutes.  Then a commercial came on that I have now watched three or four times:  I had to - someone after my own heart wrote it.

So the gist is, Disney has public service announcements called "TTI" or "The Time I...".  In this particular commercial called "Katie:  The Time I was a Lousy Friend," two girls are texting.  Katie informs Nat that she has told unnamed person/persons about Nat's crush on Drew.  Turns out the young, wippersnapper, Katie accepted a dare from two other "buddies" to post the information about Nat's crush on Drew's "profile".  Katie attempts to apologize multiple times via texting, but it takes accidently running into each other and Katie apologizing in person for the issue to reach resolution.

The Afterschool Special moment comes with Katie's commentary at the end:
I was lucky because Natalie is a super friend.  But I almost lost her because of one stupid web post.  From now on, I'm going to think about what I do and say online.  Because what you text or post can embarrass you and hurt other people.  And when it's online, you can't deny it, and you can't erase it.

And it got me thinking, there is no etiquette book for blogging, texting, or social media of any kind, but Disney found it socially important enough to address it with tweens.  The fact is when using social media, we need to realize, just as in conversation, tact and appropriateness need to be key.  The same social norms apply - even if you think you're hidden by the anonymity of a user name.  Tween or adult, we are all ultimately responsible for our behavior.

On the other hand, I have no idea how good ol' Harriet the Spy ended.

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Churches - Social Networking Site for You!

Churches - a new application has been created for iPhone users to help them connect with your church through social media.  Check out AppChurch on iTunes.  It costs your church a nominal fee and the app is free to your congregation via the Apple App Store.  Facebook, Twitter feeds, Blogs, and your church website can all be set up making it easier to reach your community.

(www.appchurch.com)

Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Obviously I Need to Expand to the UK

In the currently overwhelming number of posts on the blog - I can see how someone might have missed my article "You May Want to Keep Your Twitter Clothes On".  Obviously, my article did not cross the pond to the United Kingdom or "Elaine", the poor speller, would not be the butt of my posting today.

Last night, enjoying my almost daily obsession with reading GeekSugar, I came across the posting "Teen Gets Fired From Job Via Facebook."  My initial reaction was simply, "this is wrong on so many levels."  But lets hit the highlights.  As a professional who has worked for several Fortune 500 companies, I can safely say, I have seen things done well and not as well.  This one falls under "what were you thinking"!

If you want to be respected, you must give respect:  firing someone via Facebook isn't just disrespectful - it's down right foul.  If an employee makes a mistake and needs to be let go, have documentation to back up your decision:  you'll want it, if you don't want to wind up in court.  If you would like to avoid being sued for slander, I would certainly watch out for confidentiality and not post things for all the world to see - and especially in a place where there would be lots of witnesses who would not likely be on your side.  And finally, if you must speak publicly about your profession or represent your company - learn to spell.  Or get someone who's willing to proof read your work.  "Elaine", your posting is rude, poorly thought out, sloppy, and makes you look like a fool.  I'm assuming that is not the look you were going for but it is the one you created.

Had "Elaine" put her "Twitter clothes on" before hitting the post button, I would have hope that she would have deleted the entire posting and waited for the appropriate time, place, and method for handing the situation with "Chelsea".  However, not knowing "Elaine," I cannot be entirely sure of that.  So here is my advice to all of you, unless you want people from all over the world mocking you and making you fodder for water cooler conversations, think before you post.  If thinking is not your strong suit, get friends who will proof read your work for you and who will disconnect your Internet connection as appropriate.

(http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/AV1283-001/Stone)


Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Recommendation of the Day: Mario Armstrong

www.marioarmstrong.com

www.Twitter.com/marioarmstrong

www.facebook.com/marioarmstrong

Mario's Bio from his website www.MarioArmstrong.com

"Mario Armstrong is a technology advocate, talk show host, commentator, media personality, social entrepreneur, public speaker and youth non-profit co-founder! He translates technology for non-tech audiences. He is the on-air tech contributor for NPR's Morning Edition program reaching 17 million households. He appears weekly on CNN and hosts a weekly technology talk show on Sirius XM radio and hosts shows on public radio stations WYPR & WEAA. He's also hosted a show on PBS-MPT and appeared on CNBC, TV-One, PBS and C-Span.

Mario covers the stories, issues, devices and news makers of the day through the lens of technology! He explores how technology impacts our lives, education, institutions, entertainment, politics, society and business.

Mario has created 2 educational youth tech programs to inspire students to pursue STEM (academics and careers):
1) TechTechBoom.com - a social & educational community for teens
2) The travelling science and tech event "STEM Rockstars - Dream, Create, Go!""

You May Want to Keep Your Twitter Clothes On

Being a typical girl, I loved my Barbie® dolls.  I was always of the opinion, however, that they needed to be dressed to the nines at all times because I never knew who might see them:  Prince Charming, Ken®, G.I. Joe®, Mickey Mouse®, etc.  How horrifying it would be for them to be tossed into the toy box naked and run into someone that way!  Their clothes, their shoes, their hair always needed to be perfect so they would be ready to put their best face to the world.

Now I realize some of you are naked Barbie® people.  Naked Barbie® kids are the ones that got the doll out of the box, immediately removed their clothes, and then the dolls laid all over the house showing off all their glory.   They truly let it all hang out.

Our Twitter® accounts are the same way.  There is the theory that since you never know who might be reading your posting that you should be on your best behavior.  What if the viewer is a prospective employer, your current employer, a writer, an organization?  Are your postings helping or hindering your reputation?  Is the Barbie's® hair done and clothes looking sharp?  There is also the theory - Twitter® is a place to express one's true opinion to the masses for anyone who cares to read it:  essentially the naked Barbie® theory.  Here it is, look at me.  Don't get me wrong, I've done that, too.  The question is what kind of reputation do you want to create for yourself?   Since you don't always know your audience, how do you feel about the President reading what you've written?

So who is your Twitter® account for?  Is it for you?  Is it your outlet regardless of the consequences?  Then be free and show your plastic buff to the world!  If your micro blogs are for your audience, you may want to keep your Twitter® clothes on.




Social Media and the Pea by Alice Ann Williams is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.socialmediaandthepea.blogspot.com/.

Barbie® is a product of Mattel, Inc.

Social Media and the Pea

You've heard the story of the Princess and the Pea. The stranger, claiming to be a princess, shows up on the doorsteps of the palace all drenched and looking pathetic. They decide to test her royalty by placing blankets and mattresses upon more blankets and mattresses all on top of a pea. The stranger comes down to the royal family the next day to express she had a horrible night of sleep. All rejoice because her royal heritage is proven by her inability to sleep as the pea was enough to keep her up at night.

Social Media should be no different. Knowing that someone is out there and has not heard your message, learned of your product, or been introduced to your group should be keeping you up at night. Your means of getting the information out there is Social Media. All the soft, fluffy, warm-fuzzies should not convince you that you are doing enough if you are not effectively using Social Media to promote yourself or your organization.

It keeps me up at night. It is my pea under the mattress. So commences this blog. Join me as we look at Social Media, reach those we missed, keep in touch with those we have connected with, and learn how truly impacting word of mouth - or in this case, word of Internet - is in our lives and how we can best use it. So we can all sleep better at night.   

(Painting:  The Princess and the Pea.  Artist Sharon Furner)