Social Media helping finding long lost loved ones......

Just saw a great story on The Today Show - about the wide-spread use of social media and the impact the Internet has had with reconnecting long lost families.....  Those who have been adopted, etc., can use the Internet to help them find their family members.  I can't think of anything greater or powerful than reconnecting family with social media.

Such a great story!! 

Sue.

No social media - no draw...

It is becoming increasingly clear, that without the proper marketing on the Internet using the many available social media outlets, there is not much of a draw to your business.  With so many free avenues for taking your product and message to the masses on the Internet - - what company can afford to not use all that the web as to offer?

I'm learning that if you properly use social media, you can save money and still market yourself and your product.

I'm thinking that some 'causes' could better use tools like You Tube to creatively incorporate their message into something that becomes so popular and gets seen by so many.....  I'll have to think about this a little more.  But with some having had their careers started by You Tube (Beiber Fever anyone?), I think the power of this tool could really help to draw attention to causes too.  =)

Social media can be the draw -- for your business or product or cause or branding yourself!

Sue.

Relief at the pump . . . . Right timing or politics??

Finally, the President is releasing some of the oil reserves..... A little relief at the pump. It may be totally politically motivated (I mean the price per gallon has come down in recent weeks) and the White House may be looking to the 2012 election, but who cares! I'll gladly keep a little more of my hard earned $$ in my wallet!!

Makes me wonder when the economy is going to turn around......  things don't seem to be getting any better.  And everything (consumables) is skyrocketing in price.  It gets hard to keep up.  If politicians want to be looked on favorably - especially in order to be re-elected or elected - - why don't they act in their constituencies best interests more often?? 

Sue.

Making Social Media work for you.

I've read four articles on social media, branding and making these tools work for you & your business.

Social media takes the "by word of mouth" philosophy to a whole new level.  It is a way to reach the masses with a particular message or product.  Many of these media outlets can jazz up your material within the programs themselves.  It is about putting yourself and/or your product out there for others to engage in.

Knowing which outlet will best fit your company's needs will help ensure you are reaching your target audience.  Just posting something on one of these outlets, will not ensure that everyone will read or see it.  It is also imperative in marketing your business to know your audience and use key strategy when using social media to relay your message.  Knowing what sets you apart from the rest - even if the product is the same as another compan - will be the draw to your business and will ensure more exposure for you.  Set up your media outlets to work to their maximum capacity for goods.

Using Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. can be great ways to take you and your company to more people, but with too much language that goes on and on can hurt the goal too.  Using social media in a precise and well constructed manor can really be a key in putting you and /or your business to the next level.

Sue.

It's all about Power...

...Hmm - what 'power' am I referring to?  LOL.  I'm talking about the power behind social media.  When you think about the outreach, the world-wide impact and the fact that anyone can use it - the power behind social media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Talk Fusion, You Tube, etc.) is nothing short of amazing.

Now - what some people choose to do with that power is another story - - I mean anyone can really post anything.  Look for credentials!  For recent, well documented information!  And mostly make sure you monitor what your kids are viewing on the web!!  Powerful tools - but let's keep the power within ourselves for relying on relevant, creative and well done sources of information.

Sue.

Scammers, scammers, everywhere!

Did you read about the Doctor in Florida who bilked elderly out of money by performing fake skin cancer surgeries??  He made millions.

Where is the honesty?  The integrity?  What has this society come to?

You know - with all the scandals - I've been saying that maybe we are privy to too much information through social media - - until I read about something like this!!  Whatever gets the word out for people to be on the lookout for bad, dishonest, hurtful people. 

Be careful!!

Sue.

Who to "Friend" on your social networking site

Read an interestig and lengthy article on who one should "friend" on their social networking site.  The article was a look back at Friendster (2003) and social networking sites to present. 

I was unaware at what might go into "friending" someone on your site.  But after reading the article - I'm sure that subconsciously or consciously I think of some of the very same things before adding people to my Facebook or accepting other friend requests.

Very interesting reading at:  http://firstmonday.org/

Sue.

Weiner Finally Resigns!

Wishing it didn't take a spectacle of media, press coverage and many outraged citizens before the guy finally did the right thing - - but hopefully this scandal will subside.....

..... in plenty of time for the next big story to hit!

Quite cynical today --- enough of that! :)

Sue.

Social Media History

We've been given several articles on the history of Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc.  I am so amazed at the intelligence and creativity of some people out there in Cyber land.....LOL.

And that these venues of communication are so easily accessible for all for a wide range of uses (i.e. social, marketing, blogging, etc...) is incredible.  I think one is really behind the 8-Ball if they are not at least familiar with social media outlets!!

I am very much so enjoying the content of this class thus far.

Sue.

Weiner-Gate!

Is this guy unreal or what?  He admits to sending these explicit photos of himself to women online, but refuses to step down from his job. 

How can any of his constituents trust him or want him to advocate for them and their district?  When someone has been 'proven' so untrustworthy in the national spotlight - is there any other way of stopping this insanity or brining some closure to the issue than to step down and handle the matter privately?

I'm in awe at the lengths people in the headlines go to - to stay in the headlines.

Sue.

Twitter Regret

On some news broadcasts and even news on the Internet - - I notice so many stories about celebrities or famous politicians, etc. commenting on things said or leaked on Twitter.  Or that some regret that they posted some of the content they do on Twitter in the first place.....

I have to really ask - What were you thinking??  Maybe some people with that amount of celebrity don't need to have a Twitter account in the first place.  Most famous people have official web sites or ways in which their fanbase can "follow" them and their activity.  Do they really need to partake in letting the world know what they are doing or thinking at every minute they are doing or thinking it?  I guess I'm wondering - when is it too much information?

A good example is Mr. Weiner!!  Why are you on Twitter??  What possible enhancement to your life and career can being on Twitter bring? 

Just some of my thoughts on Twitter Regret.

Sue.

First ever Blog Post!

I can't believe that I am blogging....  LOL. 

This weekend's assignment for my communications course called Social Media is to create a blog on Blogspot.com and start blogging on experiences with different types of social media as well as what I'm learning in this class.

While I am an avid Facebook user, I really don't participate in Twitter, blogging, MySpace or any other types of social media that don't involve regular email and texting.  I feel like I'm growing, in the technical sense anyway, lol.  :)

Stayed tuned.  I just might end up "hooked" on this. 

Sue.