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/.

Social Media and Impaired Driving

"Social Media and Impaired Driving" by A.A. Williams 

as appeared in Impaired Driving Update, Summer, 2010

Social media has permeated society.  It no longer serves as merely a way to connect with family and friends.  It is now a marketing medium, a business resource, and a way to encourage better decision-making regarding alcohol consumption and driving while under the influence. 

Facebook.com, one of the leaders in the social media trend, has over 220 pages dedicated to impaired or drunk driving, not including the businesses and professionals who have pages about their facility or organization.  Apple’s iTunes has over 35 applications for their iPhone or iTouch regarding alcohol usage including drink and consumption trackers, laws, and “tips”.  While many of these pages and applications do not give real solutions to a real problem, some groups are on the cutting edge of using technology to improve the safety of our streets and to help those in need of assistance – the end user - to get help.

For example, in Mary Elizabeth Hurn’s article, “Ad Council, Transportation Department launch drunk driving PSAs targeting women” (2009, www.dmnews.com), she describes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s update on their prevention efforts: 

Social media is a main element of the campaign. The initiative includes a Facebook application, which informs consumers about the latest drunk driving statistics, as well as a presence on Twitter. These elements drive users to buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org, where they can play an interactive game called “Spot the Difference” and sign a pledge not to drive buzzed.  The PSAs can also be seen on YouTube.

Last year, Max Levchin, the co-founder of PayPal, spoke to Caroline McCarthy of CNET about social media being used for the greater good and “an Alcoholics Anonymous app on Facebook.”  (2008, news.cnet.com).  His vision: 

"If you're trying to recover as an alcoholic, there's no easy way for you to join an anonymous group on Facebook. So creating an anonymous group type on Facebook for something that people have to get off their chest but don't really want to reveal their identity (in doing so)...it's pretty utilitarian."

While social media could never remove the need for face-to-face contact and group processing, the concept to connect with individuals to encourage, motivate, reduce feelings of isolation, and give resources and tools to make successful decisions can only enhance the process of reaching out to this high-risk population.  The easier and more accessible information is to the end-user, the more likely it will be used when needed.

SADD National’s Facebook page is connecting more than 4,300 people to “provide students with the best prevention tools possible to deal with the issues of underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, and other destructive decisions.”  With each page or status update, they send a reminder to all 4,300 members of the importance of clear decision-making, planning ahead, and the possible impact decisions might have on self and others. 12-step approach, iPhone applications like DBJApps’ “Steps Away – Locate Worldwide 12 Step Meetings”, which gives information regarding local resources, meetings, contacts, and maps to service locations, and Falesafe Consulting, Inc.’s Friend of Bill, which promotes sobriety and easily connects an individual with his or her sponsor, could be used as examples of what impaired driving programs could create to put additional resources in clients’ hands.  Social media and phone applications could be designed to provide numbers for transportation, guidelines for decision-making, consumption information, and a place for users to record his/her plan for getting home without driving.  For individuals in a government or treatment program, the application could also include required meeting times, emergency staff contact information, and probation officer contact information.

If used appropriately and creatively, social media can add an additional cost-effective and wide-reaching method of promoting responsible behavior and reducing impaired driving incidents.  Social media technology is moving from just marketing and entertainment into the realm of teaching and reaching.  A feeling of community, positive peer pressure, easy to access information, tools for permanent life-change, and means of obtaining assistance could be as easy as accessing a social networking site the individual may already be familiar with or one that is simple to learn.  Social media can be harnessed to not only be an effective tool for communication and marketing, it can be used to help those in need.  It can also help protect the unknowing who might otherwise be driving in the lane next to someone who got behind the wheel impaired.

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/.

Hope for One - Social Networking to Help Those with Porn and Sex Addiction

http://www.onlinemba.com

So often there are topics that when we discuss them, we drop our voices to a whisper because of the perceived shame and guilt that comes with them.  By doing so, whom are we helping?  And while I would agree that pornography and sexual addiction are not topics that I feel are appropriate dinner table conversation with children or - for that matter - my mother, not dealing with issues is much more damaging than addressing them.

H.A.L.T. is an acronym for four of the most common triggers for an addict:  being hungry, angry, lonely, and tired can take a person from a state of recovery to a state of relapse or from a state of sobriety to backsliding.  But do we always know where to turn for assistance when we feel these things?  For a sexual addict, many live a life of shame or in a constant state of denial.  With 12% of all internet sites being pornography (www.onlinemba.com), being alone in the privacy of one's home can be a dangerous place for someone struggling.  But if you aren't in treatment and don't have a sponsor, whom can one turn to help hold his or herself accountable?

Hopeforone.com is an online social community for those impacted by pornography and sexual addition.  It is a community designed to let others know they are not alone.  "The members of our online community understand how difficult your struggle is.  Join our online community today for the hope and support you are looking for...If you are affected by the addiction of a family member or friend, we want to support you too."

The Hope for One's website, iPhone, and Adroid applications provide not only resources and contacts for individuals and families who are suffering, but provide social networking groups to allow for interaction and connectivity.  They provide a safe place to be vulnerable.

Member pages: Create your own personal page, and share your story through blog postings, photos, audio, and videos. You can also communicate with other members by commenting on their pages or sending them direct messages.

Group pages: These pages are focused on specific groups of members within the community.  For example, if you're a married man struggling with pornography, you can find a group page for other married men going through the same experience.  Group pages are an excellent way to easily find other members to start talking to.

Participation in the groups is anonymous but allow individuals to share, process, be open, and see that others have the same difficulties.  Individuals are encouraged to share their own stories so readers can learn from them, share successes and admit challenges.  Additionally, information on local counselors, meetings, and programs are also available for those willing to take the next step in getting help.

For those wanting to take an active role on the site, discussion boards for posting topics are available to drive communication and generate feedback.  Accountability tools are provided to help individuals take an active role in behavior change including downloads and site blockers.  Blogs, a Facebook page, and message boards allow community members to share information, post current news and media stories, and to discuss their pain and their road to recovery.  By removing a layer of the stigma and by bringing individuals together to remove the loneliness, sufferers can start working to develop successful coping skills and action plans for dealing with triggers and situations.

Thanks to the Internet - the very same tool that can cause us to stumble - and social networking (which most of us think of as an entertainment and marketing tool), men and women can seek comfort, encouragement and empowerment from both professionals and peers.  The same technology that brings them guilt and pain can also bring a world of promise and hope to their computer or their smart phone.

For more information, visit www.hopeforone.com/psa.




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/.

Tips from SmallBizGoMobile.com

Mario Armstrong has launched a new website for small business advice called www.SmallBizGoMobile.com and has also done his first webisode on social media advice for businesses.  Take a few moments to watch it on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqC8J7rt0M - it's an excellent five minute investment.


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/.

"It's What You Do That Defines You"

While we would like to think that everyone understands our motives, emotions, and "true self", the Warner Bros' movie, Batman Begins says this is not always the case.  As Rachel Dawes was so kind to remind us, "...It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you."  Who we are perceived to be and the impressions we have left along the way may or may not be what we intended.  While we've been taught that "we can't please all of the people all of the time", we would certainly like to think that most people would look back fondly on working with us.

However, what would people say about you and me if they could talk openly about our professional performance without having to give their identity.  Does total anonymity and an online, unlimited audience give individuals an open door to praise or slam you?  And are people full of enough honesty and integrity to give constructive feedback and true commendation without using this as a format to degrade, demean, and harm?  http://www.getunvarnished.com is testing these very waters.

According to their website:

"What is Unvarnished?

     Unvarnished is an online resource for building, managing, and researching professional reputation, using community-contributed, professional reviews. Unvarnished reviews help you get the inside scoop on other business professionals, providing candid assessments of coworkers, potential hires, business partners, and more.  By contributing Unvarnished reviews, you can share your knowledge of other professionals, giving credit where credit is due, and valuable feedback where needed.  Lastly, your own Unvarnished profile, which you may create yourself or claim one that has been created for you, helps you take control of and build your own professional reputation. Get recognition for your accomplishments and actively manage your career growth."

Getunvarnished.com says, even though identities are hidden, because reviewers can also be scored on the accuracy of their posting, there is a checks and balances system to make sure the individuals being reviewed are being treated fairly and comments are accurate.  However, the general public is not able to access this website to see if they are on it and manage their reputation.  Anyone interested must contact Getunvarnished.com and ask to join their website.  Requests are then added to a waiting list, and individuals are contacted when an "opening" becomes available.  Which begs the question, how do we protect ourselves if we are not always given access to what is being said about us?  The answer is we just keep checking and trying. 

According to a recent study by Pew Internet, we take our reputation and what is said about us online very seriously.  "More than half (57%) of adult internet users say they have used a search engine to look up their name and see what information was available about them online, up from 47% who did so in 2006. Young adults, far from being indifferent about their digital footprints, are the most active online reputation managers in several dimensions. For example, more than two-thirds (71%) of social networking users ages 18-29 have changed the privacy settings on their profile to limit what they share with others online

 (http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Reputation-Management.aspx)."

We need to think about what our employers and associates have access to reading about us online – from what we post about ourselves to what others post about us.  In an AP article today on this very subject, it states:  

...young people also are at a point in their lives where... they're looking for work and just starting to develop a name for themselves.  Consider also that the study found that a quarter of online adults said their employers now have policies about how they portray themselves online.  'Young adults have, in many ways, been forced to become experts in their own form of social revision,' Madden says.  They're also an extremely "brand conscious" generation, says Fred Stutzman, a doctoral candidate at the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina who co-founded ClaimID.com, a free online identity management service that he now uses as a research project. 'Increasingly, it's the advice that young people get from counselors and elsewhere: `You need to have your own brand and you have to watch that brand,'” Stutzman says.  Simply put, we need to monitor what we post about ourselves, what others post about us, and what we post about others. 

Integrity must start with the power of one.  Each one of us will have to commit to using technology correctly to treat individuals the way we would want to be treated:  to uplift, support, and critique appropriately without slander and malice.  We must guard our reputation online as closely as we would in public.  We need to think about the ramifications of our actions prior to the actual action because how others view us is truly based on what we do not our intention.  And as the Information Super Highway gets wider and goes farther, remember to keep your eyes on your reputation so it doesn’t get run over in the process and always "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/.

LinkedIn: The Social Media Account You Need

If you could only choose one social networking site, which should it be?  Not an easy question because not everyone has the same priorities; however, one that should be on your "must have" list is a LinkedIn account.  LinkedIn is not a very pretty or fancy website:  there are no games, contests, or meaningless groups about toothpaste preferences to join.  The purpose of LinkedIn is a simple one:  professional networking.

LinkedIn provides a way to connect with your professional contacts and reconnect with those from the past - colleagues, classmates, and associates; give and request recommendations; list your current business activities; share your resume; and join groups and associations.  Networking and relationship building open doors for new business ventures, professional development opportunities, employment, business to business connectivity, and other professional resources.  Providing an environment for sharing information and marketing both one's self and one's business, LinkedIn is the business person's Facebook.  Groups can share information regarding their organizations with members. Colleagues and coworkers can share upcoming event information, career news, and have professional chats and online discussions.

The more active and engaged a participant is in the use of LinkedIn, the more beneficial the site.  Active members can promote their skill sets, look for freelancing and job opportunities, develop new clientele, and ask for introductions to others to create new networking opportunities.

As with anything, the more information you share and more you are willing to put in, the more you will receive.  By giving recommendations, you are more likely to get recommendations or feel more comfortable asking for them.  Additionally, by offering to introduce your connections with each other, you are creating the opportunity for others to want to introduce you, and you are increasing your value by being a resource to others.

Like any other commodity, you are a valuable resource, and LinkedIn is perfect place to show that worth!




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/.

Read our Article in Impaired Driving Update

Social Media and the Pea has an article on Social Media and Impaired Driving in the summer volume of Civic Research Institute's Impaired Driving Update.  The Summer Edition will be available in June!




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/.

Your 15 Minutes of Fame: YouTube's 5th Birthday

www.youtube.com

96 million of us go to YouTube everyday, according to CBS news; however, longevity-wise, YouTube.com is a relative baby:  less than one month ago, they celebrated their fifth birthday.  The now social media giant, originally started out as a one man video about a trip to the zoo.  Now it is both a marketing and media mogul and an open mic night all rolled into one.  From wellness centers, like the Fountain of Youth, to jewelers, like West Coast, to CNET, and Train, and everything in between including River Dancing Monkeys, YouTube offers everyone the opportunity to star in their own video and get their own message out.

If your message isn't on YouTube, you're missing out on a large audience.  An audience to the tune of 96 million, and even if only a fraction of that are exposed to your organization, that's a fraction of the market that you didn't have before.

As the owner of a videography business, we have created professional videos for organizations and companies to use online.  However, YouTube allows anyone with a webcam or a camera that takes video to upload their footage to share with the world.  Businesses can:

• showcase their products
• introduce their staff
• demonstrate their community involvement
• promote specials
• create instructional videos
• broadcast training sessions
• show commercials
• have customers give testimonials
• etc.  

The uses for video - and specifically YouTube - can be endless, easy, and lucrative.  As has been discussed in previous posts, the medium of video is one of the most engaging resources that can be used for communicating with potential customers and current clients.  Make sure your content is appropriate. Think about how your video represents your company.  Keep your content suited for your audience, and then use this free site to connect with people in a whole new way.  Create an account, upload your video, add titles that give clear descriptions of what will be viewed, mark the video public, and you are on your way to your 15 minutes of fame!


YouTube has revolutionized the way we share information.  Keep in mind you are creating a professional image, and the old adage is true: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."  Before you share your video, make sure it conveys the message you really want to send.

And make sure to wish them a "Happy birthday!"  All together now!  "Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday, dear YouTube!  Happy Birthday to you!"

(Please tell me you got that?  Did anyone have their camera ready?  You mean no one got that?)





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/.

Verizon and the Kin: Poor Marketing Promotes Dangerous Behavior

http://png.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles

Dear Verizon and Microsoft,

I would like to say that I have taken the time to appreciate your newest device, the Kin; however, I have been so troubled by your inappropriate marketing of the product that I can say the uniqueness of the phone itself is no longer of any interest to me.

Originally there was the controversy over the "sexting" commercial which appeared to be Verizon and Microsoft's promotion and encouragement of youth taking sexually explicit pictures and sending them via MMS or email.  It appears the negative publicity you received was enough to discourage you from running the commercial further because it was pulled.  I cannot dictate what consenting adults do with their telephones:  they have to reap their own consequences.  However encouraging youth to do it is utterly irresponsible.

Now, Verizon and Microsoft, you've done it again.  During primetime television last night, a commercial for the Verizon Kin ran which blatantly encouraged dangerous and ill-thought through activity.  The commercial speaks of a young woman "friending" someone she doesn't know on Facebook.  Facebook, themselves, have stated this is a dangerous and potentially troubling activity.  Yet this commercial seems to not only make the statement that it's fun to connect with people you don't know through Facebook, but then you can set up a place, date and time to meet up.

In the commercial, two young girls go to the home of this "Facebook friend" only to find out he's 20 years older than his picture indicates.  In the commercial, the girls have a good laugh about it and send out a text to all their friends letting them know he's a faker.  In real life this scenario could have resulted in a much different ending:  ask Ashleigh Hall, oh, you can't because she died this way.

This is simply poor marketing.  Having seen plenty of Microsoft and Verizon commercials in the past which have been funny, entertaining, and engaging, I would assume there has been a change in marketing direction that was not clearly thought through.  If adults want to make poor decisions about how to handle their personal safety, let them do it on their own without your encouragement.  Whoever the intended audience for this commercial is - it targets young people, and it sends a disturbing message.  In a world where children get abducted after meeting people online, where a college student gets abducted off a couch in a home and gets raped and killed, and where cyber bullying takes place and at times results in death, what favor is Verizon and Microsoft doing by advertising their product this way?  And whoever their ad agency is isn't doing them any favors either.

Until we, as consumers, stand up against such inappropriate marketing, it will continue.  However, if we choose to speak up with both our mouths and our dollars - which is our right as much as it is theirs to air this ad - they will be forced to chance their strategy.  You can choose to say nothing but remember, if it weren't an issue, there wouldn't be related topics already in the news talking about how deadly this behavior can be.

Hey, Verizon - "Can you hear me now?"







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/.

Here We Go Loopt De Loopt

www.loopt.com

"Here we go loop de loop, here we go loop de lie.  Here we go loop de loop.  All on a Saturday night."

So it's Saturday, you say.  Ok, it's really Thursday, but by now you are already thinking about Saturday. Many of you are getting ready to make plans for the weekend, and you really are already thinking about Saturday night.  And as you do, you should think about going Loopt'ing as you make your plans.  Businesses - my question to you is:  are you also Loopt'ing?

Loopt is yet another location-based social networking program that, like other programs we have studied previously, connects you with your friends to tell them where you are and your opinion on the business you are visiting.  The biggest difference - and most valuable feature - is the Loopt "Pulse".  The Pulse allows the user to search not only for places near him or her and see a quick view of what Loopt users think of the business, but more importantly, it allows the user to access a list of events in the community:  baseball games, plays, concerts, specials, etc.  

So like Foursquare and Gowalla, I can share my location with my friends, post pictures, and share my opinions.  From that standpoint, it's not much different.  Instead of a game; however, it functions more as  a networking tool.  The Pulse feature is what truly makes it stand out.  If I am looking for something to do, not only does it give me locations in my area, but the events feature gives local business the ability to market to me by giving me options as to what I can do tonight:  handy for the end-user and a great marketing opportunity for businesses.  For example, in the "Pulse" section under "Events" was listed a baseball game, its start time, and location.  By clicking on it, I was able to obtain additional information such as a route to the stadium, the stadium's website and phone number, and I was given the ability to check in to the event and share the event with my friends. Other events such as the local bar having a live music event this evening offered savings at the event by checking in via Loopt and then showing the checkin to the hostess.

Networking, event notification, and savings for the customer, easy marketing for a venue - that's about perfect no matter which way you look at it.





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/.

MediaPost's Social Media Users Go Mobile

Check out the article, "Social Media Users Go Mobile".  Additional support for the fact that if you're not using social media to market your business, you're missing valuable opportunities!




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/.

So Why Foursquare and Gowalla?

The question was posed to me this week, "Why do you use Foursquare and Gowalla? Is there a benefit?"  


Answering honestly, I replied, "I originally thought it would be a friend/social networking tool."  The concept of seeing where my friends are, what they are up to, what they think of various places, etc. is another way to connect and share interests.  

comedyshirts.co.uk

After giving it additional thought, I realized, "However, I use both Foursquare and Gowalla more for the tips and feedback.  I have more of a relationship with a couple of businesses now because they were interested in knowing whom was taking the time to participate."  Businesses are using these applications to learn about their customer base:  why do people go there initially, and what keeps them coming back.  And then some go the step farther to use the apps to learn more about their customers as people and to reward them for their loyalty.  


If the old business philosophy of "it takes three new clients to compensate for the cost of losing one current customer", then establishing and maintaining brand loyalty is not only a benefit to the organization and the customer both - it is a necessary symbiotic pairing.  The customer needs to feel appreciated, and, especially in today's economy, the organization needs the customer to return again and again.


So the benefit is networking and knowledge. I participate as a consumer because it identifies me as a loyalist and gives insight to my true likes without having to wear a badge or t-shirt advertising my favorite places, and my hang-outs don't have to hope against hope that I'll fill out a comment card on my way out the door.


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/.

"And It's Outta Here"

www.nytimes.com

Welcome to the season opening of Major League Baseball.  Baseball fans meet your unknown hero - Txtstation - who will be bringing social media and baseball together beginning this season.  In true social media fashion, fans will be able to interact with each other and their team.  Currently it seems only New York Mets' fans will have the initial benefit; however, as social media continues to penetrate society, we can certainly expect to see it hit a homerun in a stadium near us soon.

According to the Springwise website, the new Mets' features will include:  uploading fan camera phone photos, polls, and communication opportunities.  The more any organization, MLB not excluded, can engage their customers, or in this case - fans, and make them feel a part of the experience, the greater the customer loyalty.  Sports fanatics are generally a loyal bunch, and Mets fans are known to be faithful without the additional gimmicks; therefore, it would certainly be a safe place to roll out such a technology.

Social media's most important role is to bring people with similar interest together.  Organizations capitalize on social media by using it to connect with their customers and potential customers.  The Mets have not only found a way to do both but their fans are going to only get more excited when they get to see themselves and their texts on the JumboTron® during the game.  Bring on the 7th Inning Stretch and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"




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/.

Oh Golly: Gowalla

In my expressing of my love for the social application Foursquare, I have been told I am missing out on the social impact of Foursquare's closest competitor, Gowalla.  A GPS-based locator program as well- this time straight from the promised land of Texas - Gowalla, allows friends to connect and share information about spots and locations all over the nation in exchange for game pieces and honors.

After starting to play the Gowalla game, it seems the main focus of Gowalla is just that - to act as a game bringing friends together for the purposes of true socialization at hotspots and establishments.  Additionally, unlike the more self rewarding Foursquare, Gowalla is a game of give and take where players can leave game pieces at locations for others to pick up and add to their stash (although, it seems the most coveted of the pieces are rarely left behind).

In the news last week, Gowalla announced a partnership with the New Jersey Nets:  those checking in at the Bobcats' game on April 12th and who find the mystery Nets game piece/item are eligible to win pairs of Nets tickets - a game within a game which has true fans raving online.  Additionally, Gowalla has also participated in fundraisers such as "Check In For Haiti", again showing they are more than just a social media site for social gamers but are wanting to be part of the give and take of real life.

Further proving I need to spend more time developing my relationship with Gowalla is their "best site in the Mobile category" SXSW Web Award from March.  So as I go through my days this upcoming week, I will be "Gowalla"ing to see what else I've been missing out on. 

"The stars at night are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas":  let's see if Gowalla really does bring that same Texas' style oomph to the table both here, there, and everywhere.

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/.

Foursquare: Not Just for the School Yard Any More

For those of you not yet familiar with Foursquare, it's a social media site connecting both friends and businesses.  The concept is a GPS-based locator system which you log into letting your friends - and the business you are visiting - know you are in "X" establishment.  By creating a Foursquare account and inviting friends, colleagues, and associates to join, you can share your interests and opinions about locations you visit.  The location benefits by getting your feedback on the experience and learning how often you visit them.  

So let's say I'm in the mood for an onion bagel with garlic cream cheese.  When I walk into Einstein Bros.®, I use my smart phone, text message, or computer (via WiFi) and use the "check in" feature.  Now my friends and Einstein Bros.® both know I'm there.  I can also post the information on my Facebook and Twitter account in case my friends are not currently logged into their Foursquare application.  The concept is friends can meet up with each other - if interested, learn about your experience at that location, and get tips for having their own successful experience there.  The business or location can read your feedback, can learn their loyal customers are, and how often they visit.

Privacy settings on the Foursquare website allow you to control who sees your information, what information they can see, and what user name you send out to protect your anonymity.  Just as with everything, knowing the people you are sending and accepting invitations from helps to keep you safe as you are out and about.

In addition to being a networking tool, Foursquare acts as a game for those of you, like me, who enjoy extra instant gratification.  Each time you "check in" at a location you earn points.  Points can be accumulated for going somewhere new, revisiting places, adding "tips", going somewhere for the first time that day, going to a near by business running a Foursquare special, etc.  Points earned and tips/comments entered equal the opportunity to earn "badges" that post to your profile.  You can even become the "Mayor" of a location by being the person to check in the most times at a specific place within two months, but watch out - that can be snagged from you quickly.  I would know:  I've not been a Mayor for more than one day.  It's tough competition.

My newest goal:  The Starbucks' Barista Badge.  In his posting "Starbucks and Foursquare", B. Nelson recently announced that by checking into five different Starbucks, this new badge will be added to your Foursquare profile.  Additionally, Starbucks is encouraging its fans to add tips to Foursquare about what makes the experience at that location unique or enjoyable.  

Businesses can also use the application to help build customer loyalty.  Businesses can track how often you check in at their location and give special offers, coupons, etc. as a way to reward frequent visitors and purchasers.  Since a successful business must keep current customers and add new customers, Foursquare not only markets to individuals and draws them in by offering points for a new visit, it allows the company to make a connection with their returning customers adding a sense of relationship and appreciation.  

So now not only does my Barista know my name and smile and greet me, but if she's off so might the other person at the register.  And when my friends are driving by, they can come by and see me too.

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/.