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An amazing thing happened a few days ago. An independent organization used viral video and social media to strike a huge blow against political corruption.
ACORN is an organization meant to assist low-income families with social needs and issues. They help people register to vote, find affordable housing, and secure health care, for example.
ACORN was at the center of a huge voter registration scandal during the 2008 election, and the organization gave millions of dollars to the Obama campaign.
Additionally, they were set to receive billions of dollars in funding from the federal government. $8.5 billion, to be exact.
Their funding was recently cut off, however, due to the unearthing of a massive scandal involving ACORN employees.
Independent activitsts in cities all over the country entered ACORN offices earlier this month with hidden cameras in hopes to uncover corruption within the ACORN organization. Uncover they did, as ACORN employeess offered assistance with prostitution, child prostitution, drugs and other crimes.
Armed with only their hidden cameras, these activists started posting their stories to blogs and on YouTube. As the number of hits and views started climbing, the story gained momentum on a national stage. The work of these social media users has created a huge buzz on the national political landscape.
Eventually, their work led to the House of Representatives voting to cut off funding for ACORN.
To me, this story is another lesson on the power of social media. When we create our own media, we are no longer the passive receptors of other peoples' opinions and agendas. We set our own agendas. We report our own news. We get our own results.
Showing posts with label SM Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SM Thoughts. Show all posts
Aug 28, 2009
Too much information
Facebook, Twitter, blogging--social media channels like these are opening doors all over the world.
Unfortunately, uninvited guests are starting to step through those doors. Literally.
Articles like this one, in which a man and his family were robbed after an innocent post on Twitter, are starting to pop up all over the Internet.
Mashable recently posted an article in which a "reformed burglar" calls Facebook and Twitter a "Burglar's goldmine."
There are two problems here: We, as social media users, are all too willing to share every bit of information about our lives, and we also tend to accept friend/follow requests from complete strangers without thinking twice.
A good rule of thumb: Don't accept a Facebook friend request from anyone you don't personally know. If you use Facebook for business or promotion consider building a Facebook page rather than using your own personal account.
As far as Twitter is concerned, expect total strangers to start following you. 99% of the time it's completely innocent--people follow you because of your content. Just make sure to remember that your followers aren't just your close, personal friends. Don't reveal any personal information that could put you or your family in jeopardy.
I know the only reason we go on vacation is so we can talk about it (at least it seems that way sometimes), but just try and refrain until you're safely back in your home.
Unfortunately, uninvited guests are starting to step through those doors. Literally.
Articles like this one, in which a man and his family were robbed after an innocent post on Twitter, are starting to pop up all over the Internet.
Mashable recently posted an article in which a "reformed burglar" calls Facebook and Twitter a "Burglar's goldmine."
There are two problems here: We, as social media users, are all too willing to share every bit of information about our lives, and we also tend to accept friend/follow requests from complete strangers without thinking twice.
A good rule of thumb: Don't accept a Facebook friend request from anyone you don't personally know. If you use Facebook for business or promotion consider building a Facebook page rather than using your own personal account.
As far as Twitter is concerned, expect total strangers to start following you. 99% of the time it's completely innocent--people follow you because of your content. Just make sure to remember that your followers aren't just your close, personal friends. Don't reveal any personal information that could put you or your family in jeopardy.
I know the only reason we go on vacation is so we can talk about it (at least it seems that way sometimes), but just try and refrain until you're safely back in your home.
Jul 31, 2009
Ashton and his 3 million followers
I just read the news, hot off the presses, that Ashton Kutcher has reached 3 million followers on Twitter. Kutcher, the former "Dude, Where's My Car" star, is Twitter's most popular user.
Forgive me, but... why?
Why are people flocking to Ashton Kutcher? What is he tweeting that's so dang interesting? (You can see for yourself at Twitter.com/aplusk.)
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure he's an interesting guy. There's a lot of interesting people out there. But 3 million? Was "That '70s Show" really that popular?
Maybe he's just riding Demi Moore's coattails. Maybe his step-daughter, Tallulah Belle Willis, is texting all her friends and telling them that Ashton is the coolest.
Whatever the case, congratulations to Ashton Kutcher. You've given hope to obscure, b-list celebrities everywhere. Even if people don't like you in movies, they might still like you in Social Media.
Jun 15, 2009
Unplug
You may have noticed I haven’t updated this blog for a while. This is simply because I was nowhere near a computer. I was completely unplugged, disconnected and isolated.
It was great.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been out on the open road, then hiking through beautiful slot canyons and most recently diving through waves at the beach.
And I never even considered Tweeting, updating my Facebook Status or blogging about it. I just enjoyed the moment.
And therein lay an important message: Learn when (and how) to unplug. Not only that, but make a conscious effort to unplug. Online communities are growing exponentially every day, but never let social media destroy your personal social life.
You may not believe me, but I promise you can live without Twitter for a few hours… or days. Enjoy the people who can speak to you face-to-face, and the conversations that can last more than 140 characters.
It was great.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been out on the open road, then hiking through beautiful slot canyons and most recently diving through waves at the beach.
And I never even considered Tweeting, updating my Facebook Status or blogging about it. I just enjoyed the moment.
And therein lay an important message: Learn when (and how) to unplug. Not only that, but make a conscious effort to unplug. Online communities are growing exponentially every day, but never let social media destroy your personal social life.
You may not believe me, but I promise you can live without Twitter for a few hours… or days. Enjoy the people who can speak to you face-to-face, and the conversations that can last more than 140 characters.
May 26, 2009
Comment with caution
The best part of Web 2.0: Everyone has a voice.
The worst part of Web 2.0: Everyone has a voice.
Tell me if you’ve ever had this experience. You’re browsing your favorite newspaper’s Web site and you find an interesting article. So you read, and then you notice a link at the end of the article to an entire section devoted to reader comments. Thinking it would be interesting to browse through others’ thoughts on the story, you click.
Thirty seconds later you realize you’ve made a terrible mistake. The personal attacks, ignorance, hatred and profanity make reading comments unbearable.
After a few experiences like this, level-headed readers might come to the conclusion that comments are at best meaningless, and at worst bigoted, destructive and hateful.
These awful comments can be found everywhere, and it’s unfortunate that a vocal minority has the power to shed an ugly light on any group, person or belief simply by leaving a comment at the end of a story or video.
Therefore, it’s up to reasonable people like you and me to set things right. Here’s an assignment: Leave a constructive comment on something you view on the Web this week. Be thoughtful, say something useful and avoid personal attacks and profanity at all costs. Remember the three rules of commenting:
Only cowards leave anonymous comments
Only simpletons use profanity
Never say anything in a comment you wouldn’t say to a person’s face
Also, remember this: Usually it’s only the really passionate people who leave comments. The people with strong opinions. Comments do not represent the feeling of the general public… even though it might seem that way.
The worst part of Web 2.0: Everyone has a voice.
Tell me if you’ve ever had this experience. You’re browsing your favorite newspaper’s Web site and you find an interesting article. So you read, and then you notice a link at the end of the article to an entire section devoted to reader comments. Thinking it would be interesting to browse through others’ thoughts on the story, you click.
Thirty seconds later you realize you’ve made a terrible mistake. The personal attacks, ignorance, hatred and profanity make reading comments unbearable.
After a few experiences like this, level-headed readers might come to the conclusion that comments are at best meaningless, and at worst bigoted, destructive and hateful.
These awful comments can be found everywhere, and it’s unfortunate that a vocal minority has the power to shed an ugly light on any group, person or belief simply by leaving a comment at the end of a story or video.
Therefore, it’s up to reasonable people like you and me to set things right. Here’s an assignment: Leave a constructive comment on something you view on the Web this week. Be thoughtful, say something useful and avoid personal attacks and profanity at all costs. Remember the three rules of commenting:
Also, remember this: Usually it’s only the really passionate people who leave comments. The people with strong opinions. Comments do not represent the feeling of the general public… even though it might seem that way.
May 21, 2009
Make it exclusive
I had a great meeting yesterday with some representitives from TxtWire, a mobile marketing company.
They made a comment about mobile marketing that I thought applied well to social media marketing.
When an organization is sending mass texts to all the cell numbers they've collected, the number one priority for those organizations is to make those text messages compelling and exclusive. Otherwise your customers will drop like flies.
Likewise, if your company is on Twitter and is simply sending shorter versions of the boring emails people already delete, you can bet you're going to lose some followers.
Go write a message on Facebook, Twitter or your blog and make it exclusive! Give them a reason to follow!
They made a comment about mobile marketing that I thought applied well to social media marketing.
When an organization is sending mass texts to all the cell numbers they've collected, the number one priority for those organizations is to make those text messages compelling and exclusive. Otherwise your customers will drop like flies.
Likewise, if your company is on Twitter and is simply sending shorter versions of the boring emails people already delete, you can bet you're going to lose some followers.
Go write a message on Facebook, Twitter or your blog and make it exclusive! Give them a reason to follow!
May 15, 2009
Social media marketing according to Seinfeld
I’m fascinated with social media. I love the connections we make with each other, and I love what it’s doing to businesses in every industry. I’m also a huge Seinfeld fan. Bordering on obsessive. I know virtually everything there is to know about Seinfeld.
So I thought I’d use the greatest television sitcom of all time to help me answer this question: Why are companies around the globe devoting more and more money to social media marketing? Let’s take a look at quotes from two episodes of Seinfeld (courtesy of SeinfeldScripts.com) to see if we can’t shed a little light on our question.
First, from “The Yada Yada”:
Elaine: Guess what? Beth Lookner called me.
Jerry: Ooh, Beth Lookner. Still waitin' out that marriage.
Elaine: What are you talking about? That marriage ended six months ago. She's already remarried.
Jerry: I gotta get on that Internet. I'm late on everything!
Jerry is like any business in our social media world. His frustration represents the frustration of any industry which believes the same formula that worked for businesses in the past will work in this new era of communication. Those who won’t change with the times will constantly find themselves a few steps behind.
Social Media is changing the way businesses communicate—it doesn’t matter if they’re trying to reach a customer, the media or even the government. Social media marketing means embracing a new way of communicating with your stakeholders. It means it’s time to kill off your old antiquated notions of advertising and public relations, and start moving toward true two-way interaction with your publics.
Now, quote number two from “The Butter Shave”:
Kramer: Did you see Bania's set last night? 'Cause I read on the Internet he killed.
Since social media has given us the power to create, humans everywhere are discovering the joy they find in sharing their opinions on the Internet. They meet together and chat, and, as Kramer noted, they’re very good at sharing information.
An increased emphasis on social media marketing means an increased effort to be where your customers are. Millions and millions of people are conversing with each other every single day on the Internet. Many of them are talking about your industry. Some of them are even talking about your products.
Are you going to ignore that conversation?
The era of cold corporations disseminating information to mindless consumers is dead. It’s time go to where the people are and join the conversation. It’s time to listen.
If you’re still not sold, I urge you to visit Technorati.com, Google Blog Search or Twitter Search and type in your company name, your industry or your product. See what I mean? People are talking.
Take it from Jerry. Don’t get left behind.
May 13, 2009
Care enough to create
I wish I could claim ownership of that title, but I actually read it first on a blog I follow called PR Squared.
The post I'm referring to broke audiences into three categories: Passionates, Influencers and Ad-hocs. The passionate people, according to that post, are the original bloggers, Twitterers, social media marketers and adopters. They are passionate about their subject. They care enough to create.
That phrase sums up what social media means to me. Social media puts the power in our hands. It lets us speak freely about the issues and subjects we feel strongly about. No longer are we simply subject to a mass media agenda--now we create our own agenda.
Social media means we are no longer merely media consumers, we are now producers.
We don't just let stories and opinions wash over us, we create our own stories. We formulate our own opinions. We publish them for all to see.
I love it. Now go create something!
The post I'm referring to broke audiences into three categories: Passionates, Influencers and Ad-hocs. The passionate people, according to that post, are the original bloggers, Twitterers, social media marketers and adopters. They are passionate about their subject. They care enough to create.
That phrase sums up what social media means to me. Social media puts the power in our hands. It lets us speak freely about the issues and subjects we feel strongly about. No longer are we simply subject to a mass media agenda--now we create our own agenda.
Social media means we are no longer merely media consumers, we are now producers.
We don't just let stories and opinions wash over us, we create our own stories. We formulate our own opinions. We publish them for all to see.
I love it. Now go create something!
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