Posts
You can't avoid social media. Chances are you’ve talked about it with friends, you’ve had meetings about it at work, and you’ve read stories about it in the news. Probably all three, actually... every day.
Social Media channels are becoming the avenue of choice for companies, entertainers, news outlets, politicians and other public figures and entities to share critical information. I’m guessing you don’t want the information to pass you by, and therefore here for your convenience are five SM sites with which you NEED to have an account.
1. Blogger. Blogger is one of the world’s most popular blogging platforms. Creating your own blogger profile will not only enable you to start your own blog, but you’ll be able to easily browse others and leave your own comments. Trust me: Nobody likes anonymous comments.
2. Facebook. Facebook has 300 million users around the world, and it’s time you got on board. Not only is Facebook a site in which you can connect with colleagues and friends, but you’ll be able to view pictures and content from causes, organizations, companies and others through Facebook Pages.
3. Twitter. Twitter, the unique microblogging platform, is probably the fastest-growing social media site in the genre. Millions of people are tweeting interesting things every day, and while you probably don’t care about most of it, I guarantee there are Tweeters out there that you DO care about.
4. YouTube. A YouTube account allows you to both upload your own videos and leave comments on others’ videos. You haven’t really lived until you’ve uploaded your own video to YouTube.
5. LinkedIn. A platform for professional networking, LinkedIn allows you to connect with business associates and colleagues. You can upload resumes, update work experience, join professional groups and lead discussions.
Visit the sites above and create your own free profile. It really won’t take you very long. Link them all to your primary email address, and make sure to upload a real picture of yourself (so you aren’t that annoying, faceless, blank avatar that everyone hates).
Having an account with the social media sites mentioned above will give you access to vast amounts of new information, as well as the ability to leave comments and create your own media.
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Sep 16, 2009
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.
May 14, 2009
The three "C"s of blogging
Quick story: I was talking business with my wife last night. We both have jobs in Social Media, so we often talk business. Anyway, she was telling me about a presentation she would be giving soon entitled “The three Cs of Social Media.”
I smiled, but it was the nervous kind of smile one might flash while in the presence of a mind-reader… or a plagiarist (just kidding, dear).
Anyway, I told her about my idea for a post entitled “The three Cs of blogging,” and she flashed the same smile.
Great minds think alike, I guess.
Blogging is a hobby of mine. I enjoy expressing myself, and I operate under the assumption that someone, somewhere (probably in Malaysia) likes what I write.
During the course of all this blogging, I’ve picked up a few principles I try to live by when I write. I call them the three Cs of blogging.
1. Content. If blogging were Lincoln Logs, content would be the long fat pieces you use for the foundation. You can’t build a good cabin without long fat Lincoln Logs, and you can’t build a good blog without compelling content.
Before you even begin blogging, identify your area of focus. What will you write about, and who is your audience? Start by filling in the blanks of this “Focus Statement”: My blog will be where ______________ come to learn about _______________.
Once you identify your theme and your audience, write passionately. You probably wouldn’t be blogging at all if you didn’t have a little passion, so let it shine through your writing. Write with emotion, and keep it light. I got a great piece of advice once: Write like you’re trying to make your two best friends laugh.
2. Consistency. Nothing kills off readers like inconsistency. One post to your blog every third month just won’t cut it. Before you start your blog, figure out a schedule and stick to it.
You don’t have to post every day, but your readers should know when they can expect a new post. And they should start to get antsy when that post doesn’t come.
I have a good friend, for example, who posts to his blog just once a week. One post a week isn’t much, but we all know that post will be there every week.
3. Communication. So you’ve created a new blog and you’re extremely proud of your work. The writing is crisp, the sidebars are filled with crazy widgets and ideas are buzzing all the time.
Problem: no one knows about it.
Now it’s time to promote yourself. Remember that audience you identified earlier? Well, find those people and tell them about your new project! Send emails, encourage people to subscribe to your posts and be your own publicity agent.
Promote your blog (in an authentic and not-annoying way) in other forums. Tweet about it, Send links through Facebook, leave comments on related blogs and otherwise keep your friends updated. No one will read your blog if they don’t know it exists.
So what do you think? Feel a little better about starting your own blog? I hope so. Please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to follow my own advice and tell everyone about what I’m doing here.
I smiled, but it was the nervous kind of smile one might flash while in the presence of a mind-reader… or a plagiarist (just kidding, dear).
Anyway, I told her about my idea for a post entitled “The three Cs of blogging,” and she flashed the same smile.
Great minds think alike, I guess.
Blogging is a hobby of mine. I enjoy expressing myself, and I operate under the assumption that someone, somewhere (probably in Malaysia) likes what I write.
During the course of all this blogging, I’ve picked up a few principles I try to live by when I write. I call them the three Cs of blogging.
1. Content. If blogging were Lincoln Logs, content would be the long fat pieces you use for the foundation. You can’t build a good cabin without long fat Lincoln Logs, and you can’t build a good blog without compelling content.
Before you even begin blogging, identify your area of focus. What will you write about, and who is your audience? Start by filling in the blanks of this “Focus Statement”: My blog will be where ______________ come to learn about _______________.
Once you identify your theme and your audience, write passionately. You probably wouldn’t be blogging at all if you didn’t have a little passion, so let it shine through your writing. Write with emotion, and keep it light. I got a great piece of advice once: Write like you’re trying to make your two best friends laugh.
2. Consistency. Nothing kills off readers like inconsistency. One post to your blog every third month just won’t cut it. Before you start your blog, figure out a schedule and stick to it.
You don’t have to post every day, but your readers should know when they can expect a new post. And they should start to get antsy when that post doesn’t come.
I have a good friend, for example, who posts to his blog just once a week. One post a week isn’t much, but we all know that post will be there every week.
3. Communication. So you’ve created a new blog and you’re extremely proud of your work. The writing is crisp, the sidebars are filled with crazy widgets and ideas are buzzing all the time.
Problem: no one knows about it.
Now it’s time to promote yourself. Remember that audience you identified earlier? Well, find those people and tell them about your new project! Send emails, encourage people to subscribe to your posts and be your own publicity agent.
Promote your blog (in an authentic and not-annoying way) in other forums. Tweet about it, Send links through Facebook, leave comments on related blogs and otherwise keep your friends updated. No one will read your blog if they don’t know it exists.
So what do you think? Feel a little better about starting your own blog? I hope so. Please leave a comment and tell me your thoughts.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to follow my own advice and tell everyone about what I’m doing here.
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)