I found that I really am starting to miss the more personal ways of one-on-one communication with a person. When you wish someone a “Happy Birthday” via any social networking site, it’s very impersonal! You either don’t get a response from them acknowledging your comment, they hit the “like” button in acknowledgement, or your comment gets swallowed up between all of the many other “Happy Birthdays” that were sent out.
When it comes to special occasions, I refuse to comment on someone’s "wall,"… I actually pick up the phone and call them to talk about it. I don’t want my comments getting mixed in with all of those comments that are meaningless from most people!!
Also, if you’re thinking about me…. why do you “poke” me!?!! Most of the time I don’t even notice that the person “poked” me and it ends up sitting there for a few days before I can respond. So… why not just write a comment on my wall, send me a message, text me, call, or e-mail me!! It’s a whole lot faster!! And all you need to say is, “I was thinking about you, we haven’t talked in a while. How are you doing?” That’s all!! No one likes to be POKED!!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Zuckerberg Being Sued…AGAIN?
We’ve all either seen or heard about the movie “The Social Network.” The movie documented how Facebook was created. Marc Zuckerberg apparently did not come up with the idea for the social networking site on his own but he actually stole the idea from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss. Zuckerberg and his friend Eduardo Saverin (CFO) started the site on their own and later Marc Zuckerberg was sued and ended with a settlement to be paid to the Winklevosses.
Now Zuckerberg finds himself in another lawsuit! Paul Ceglia, who loaned Zuckerberg $1,000 to help him launch ‘The Facebook’ while he was at Harvard, is suing for 50% of the company!!! If in fact Ceglia loaned Zuckerberg $1,000 to launch the site, why does he think he’s entitled to 50% of the company???!!! Also, why wasn’t he suing Zuckerberg around the same time that Eduardo Saverin and the Winklevosses were suing him?! This sounds a little sketchy to me!
This was a statement I took straight from the article, “When Facebook does file for an initial public offering one of the risk factors will read like this: Everyone that has bought Mark Zuckerberg a cup of coffee at Harvard is now suing for a stake in the company.” And I believe it! $1,000 to start a company is minute to what the cost of starting a business really amounts to. And, Ceglia states that he “fronted” the money. “Fronting” money says to me that he “loaned” the money to Zuckerberg and now is expecting an OUTRAGEOUS return for his kind gesture.
Now Zuckerberg finds himself in another lawsuit! Paul Ceglia, who loaned Zuckerberg $1,000 to help him launch ‘The Facebook’ while he was at Harvard, is suing for 50% of the company!!! If in fact Ceglia loaned Zuckerberg $1,000 to launch the site, why does he think he’s entitled to 50% of the company???!!! Also, why wasn’t he suing Zuckerberg around the same time that Eduardo Saverin and the Winklevosses were suing him?! This sounds a little sketchy to me!
This was a statement I took straight from the article, “When Facebook does file for an initial public offering one of the risk factors will read like this: Everyone that has bought Mark Zuckerberg a cup of coffee at Harvard is now suing for a stake in the company.” And I believe it! $1,000 to start a company is minute to what the cost of starting a business really amounts to. And, Ceglia states that he “fronted” the money. “Fronting” money says to me that he “loaned” the money to Zuckerberg and now is expecting an OUTRAGEOUS return for his kind gesture.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Social Media Splits Real Relationship Building
Social media networking has changed relationships and the way we relate to each other. Way back when, it used to be that you had to actually go to someone’s house if you wanted to talk to them. Then came the invention of the telephone, the fax machine, and of course… the internet! The internet has provided us with so many different ways of communication through only one device. But how much has the internet really affected the way we build relationships?
How many teenagers, and even college students, refuse to pick up the phone to speak to someone, but instead will send a text message? How many people find out current news and updates on their best friends lives through Facebook instead of one-on-one in person? It happens all the time! To give you an example; my uncle recently had heart surgery and when he was checked into the hospital, I found out through Facebook! No one called me! But I had to find out through the most impersonal way, FACEBOOK!
Social networking has great advantages in spreading the word quickly but when it comes to really relating to people and getting to know each other, I think it’s lacking that real world experience. We cannot let the virtual world come between our reality. If we cut back on the social media networks just a little bit I think we could communicate with each other better and more effectively.
How many teenagers, and even college students, refuse to pick up the phone to speak to someone, but instead will send a text message? How many people find out current news and updates on their best friends lives through Facebook instead of one-on-one in person? It happens all the time! To give you an example; my uncle recently had heart surgery and when he was checked into the hospital, I found out through Facebook! No one called me! But I had to find out through the most impersonal way, FACEBOOK!
Social networking has great advantages in spreading the word quickly but when it comes to really relating to people and getting to know each other, I think it’s lacking that real world experience. We cannot let the virtual world come between our reality. If we cut back on the social media networks just a little bit I think we could communicate with each other better and more effectively.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Facebook in Danger of Extinction!
The “information super highway” can be a great place to spread news within hours, minutes, or even seconds! One comment, article, or blog can be posted and before you know it, it’s all over the globe spreading like wild fire!
On March 13, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will no longer be active and addicts will no longer be able to access their pages! He said Facebook has gotten out of control and it’s time to end the madness. The start of life without Facebook will begin March 15, 2012. Zuckerberg’s direct quote on the idea, “I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”
How could eliminating Facebook from peoples’ lives NOT be a big deal?! Does he not realize how many people check Facebook several times a day?! I work in sales, and my coworker has over 1,000 friends that she is contacting for business… without Facebook, she may not have had all of those contacts immediately available to her. I use Facebook myself for recruiting individuals to work with my company. It’s a great connection for business and social purposes!
Why would Mark Zuckerberg leave a multi-billion dollar company? He could easily sell it to another person who would be willing to own and manage the company… He doesn’t need to completely shut it down to get his old life back. Do you think this article could be phony? Either way, with this article posted on the web, word will and HAS spread very quickly! What do you think will happen to the future of Facebook?
On March 13, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will no longer be active and addicts will no longer be able to access their pages! He said Facebook has gotten out of control and it’s time to end the madness. The start of life without Facebook will begin March 15, 2012. Zuckerberg’s direct quote on the idea, “I personally don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said in a private phone interview. “And to be honest, I think it’s for the better. Without Facebook, people will have to go outside and make real friends. That’s always a good thing.”
How could eliminating Facebook from peoples’ lives NOT be a big deal?! Does he not realize how many people check Facebook several times a day?! I work in sales, and my coworker has over 1,000 friends that she is contacting for business… without Facebook, she may not have had all of those contacts immediately available to her. I use Facebook myself for recruiting individuals to work with my company. It’s a great connection for business and social purposes!
Why would Mark Zuckerberg leave a multi-billion dollar company? He could easily sell it to another person who would be willing to own and manage the company… He doesn’t need to completely shut it down to get his old life back. Do you think this article could be phony? Either way, with this article posted on the web, word will and HAS spread very quickly! What do you think will happen to the future of Facebook?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
April Fools!!
April Fools Day is a day for playing jokes on friends and having a good laugh! And conveniently enough, I NEVER remember that April 1st is April Fools Day! Well, someone played a great joke on me through their Facebook relationship status change.
Two of my coworkers are currently in a relationship and have been for four years now. They are one of the cutest couples and are perfect for each other! Out of the blue, around 1:00pm “Joe’s” status changed to “single!” When I saw this, I was in shock!! I was out of the office for the day, and sent a text to two of my coworkers asking them what happened and if everything is ok. They told me, “No, ‘Sue’ is in tears and going home for the day!” I felt terrible for her and for him! I was also really upset that he would be that immature to update his relationship status to “single” and announce it to the whole world like that!
In the end, it was all a joke! But they had a lot of interesting comments come through. Joe had a friend comment with “Finally!!!! Thank God!!!!!!!!! It’s about time!” I really hope he was kidding!! If not, I guess the truth finally came out!
Two of my coworkers are currently in a relationship and have been for four years now. They are one of the cutest couples and are perfect for each other! Out of the blue, around 1:00pm “Joe’s” status changed to “single!” When I saw this, I was in shock!! I was out of the office for the day, and sent a text to two of my coworkers asking them what happened and if everything is ok. They told me, “No, ‘Sue’ is in tears and going home for the day!” I felt terrible for her and for him! I was also really upset that he would be that immature to update his relationship status to “single” and announce it to the whole world like that!
In the end, it was all a joke! But they had a lot of interesting comments come through. Joe had a friend comment with “Finally!!!! Thank God!!!!!!!!! It’s about time!” I really hope he was kidding!! If not, I guess the truth finally came out!
Ever wonder how women really feel about you?
Ever hear that women can’t get along with other women? Well Facebook proves that to be true! Women can be very judgmental and hard to impress. A survey found that women are annoyed by posts by others, especially those who update their statuses with complaints.
From personal experience, I find this to be true. I have Facebook “friends” that tend to get under my skin with their status updates. I actually removed a couple of friends from having their status updates post to my news feed. For example, I have a friend that was recently engaged, and every update she made was about her “future hubby.” And when I say every update, I mean EVERY update! Every status change was the same! I also hid someone else from my news feed because they always made negative, depressing updates. There are certain things that you should keep to yourself and no one wants to read about someone else’s complaints every day.
Facebook is great for allowing you to stay connected with the current news and events of your friends and it’s wonderful that we can pick and choose what we want to be updated with and what we don’t. Are there any status updates that your friends make that annoy you? Please share some with me!
From personal experience, I find this to be true. I have Facebook “friends” that tend to get under my skin with their status updates. I actually removed a couple of friends from having their status updates post to my news feed. For example, I have a friend that was recently engaged, and every update she made was about her “future hubby.” And when I say every update, I mean EVERY update! Every status change was the same! I also hid someone else from my news feed because they always made negative, depressing updates. There are certain things that you should keep to yourself and no one wants to read about someone else’s complaints every day.
Facebook is great for allowing you to stay connected with the current news and events of your friends and it’s wonderful that we can pick and choose what we want to be updated with and what we don’t. Are there any status updates that your friends make that annoy you? Please share some with me!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Last Night Never Happened!!
So Friday night you went out to party. You “pre-gamed” with some of your closest friends and then you went downtown and drank some more. You decided to get a little crazy that night and began updating Facebook with pictures throughout the evening and updating your status on Facebook and tweets on Twitter. You realize that most of your actions from that night were unacceptable and not “work appropriate” since your boss and fellow colleagues are friends with you on both social networking sites. Well, ….never fear! There’s now an app for that!!
The iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch now has an app that you can use to delete posts for the last 48 hours (for those of you who binge drink for the weekend). Although you posted them to Facebook and Twitter, and some people may have already seen them, you can still go in and delete them and update with a replacement status such as, “I was saved by Last Night Never Happened, the world’s first ‘morning-after’ app. Download it today!” or you can come up with something creative to bring some humor to your embarrassing night.
It’s humorous for the public to see your funny updates and all the embarrassment you caused yourself throughout your crazy weekend nights, but it’s not always fun when you’re the victim of it. So next time you go out and think about picking up your phone to update your social networking sites, think twice! Or better yet…. Enjoy the evening and when you wake up the next morning, break out the app “Last Night Never Happened!!”
The iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch now has an app that you can use to delete posts for the last 48 hours (for those of you who binge drink for the weekend). Although you posted them to Facebook and Twitter, and some people may have already seen them, you can still go in and delete them and update with a replacement status such as, “I was saved by Last Night Never Happened, the world’s first ‘morning-after’ app. Download it today!” or you can come up with something creative to bring some humor to your embarrassing night.
It’s humorous for the public to see your funny updates and all the embarrassment you caused yourself throughout your crazy weekend nights, but it’s not always fun when you’re the victim of it. So next time you go out and think about picking up your phone to update your social networking sites, think twice! Or better yet…. Enjoy the evening and when you wake up the next morning, break out the app “Last Night Never Happened!!”
Grasp the Attention and Interaction of Your Friends
Ever “like” a friend’s status update? How about dislike? … Didn’t know you could? Well, there’s an app for that!! It’s called Status Magic. All you need to do is give Status Magic access to your Facebook and you can create another option for your friends aside from just “liking” your status. It doesn’t just have to be “like” and “dislike” but you can customize it to what you want it to be.
As I’ve talked about in earlier posts, over the years Facebook has become more complicated in different ways. One being the many ways you can screen the information that is shown to different friends. Some may want to add their coworkers to their Facebook but don’t want their coworkers knowing every tiny detail about their personal lives. So, you can add all of your coworkers to one list and name is “Work” and then block them from your relationship status, photo albums, and any other information you may not want them seeing. You can even block them from being able to see or post on your wall. But then what would be the fun in that?!
Finally, have fun with your status updates!! Plain old boring “I’m at the beach right now, come join!” doesn’t always catch the attention of your friends! Different apps can be used to flip your writing upside down or even spell the sentence backwards. Now, it may be a little more difficult to read, but at least it will draw in the attention of users who otherwise may have looked past your ‘average’ update! Add some symbols to go along with your unique writing as well!! This article even recommends playing a joke on your friends and writing “Worst. Profile. Ever” and posting the URL of a friends profile page!! Will you be more creative with your status updates?
As I’ve talked about in earlier posts, over the years Facebook has become more complicated in different ways. One being the many ways you can screen the information that is shown to different friends. Some may want to add their coworkers to their Facebook but don’t want their coworkers knowing every tiny detail about their personal lives. So, you can add all of your coworkers to one list and name is “Work” and then block them from your relationship status, photo albums, and any other information you may not want them seeing. You can even block them from being able to see or post on your wall. But then what would be the fun in that?!
Finally, have fun with your status updates!! Plain old boring “I’m at the beach right now, come join!” doesn’t always catch the attention of your friends! Different apps can be used to flip your writing upside down or even spell the sentence backwards. Now, it may be a little more difficult to read, but at least it will draw in the attention of users who otherwise may have looked past your ‘average’ update! Add some symbols to go along with your unique writing as well!! This article even recommends playing a joke on your friends and writing “Worst. Profile. Ever” and posting the URL of a friends profile page!! Will you be more creative with your status updates?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
@TagYourIt
Ever go out with a friend on a Friday night and want to update your status letting your friends know? You may update your status with something like, “Going downtown tonight with Jaimie!! Text me if you’re out!” Well now, you can even tag your friend in that post! This is just another enhanced way for Facebook users to really connect as much as possible with others throughout the social media network.
In order to tag your friends on your status update, you would just need to type your status and then type “@friendsname” and it will tag them! As easy as that! What are the benefits of doing this? Well, maybe your friends will notice that the friend you tagged is also an old mutual friend of theirs too, they can reconnect with your friend on the spot, just by sending them a simple friend request. Or, what if your friends see that you’re hanging out with a person that they are attracted to? Then they can know where you are and who you are with and network and connect in person.
Some people may be hesitant to tagging their friends in their status updates, but it is “untaggable” so your friends can choose to opt out of this if they wish, but in the end it’s just another way to announce to the world what you are doing and how they can connect with you better.
In order to tag your friends on your status update, you would just need to type your status and then type “@friendsname” and it will tag them! As easy as that! What are the benefits of doing this? Well, maybe your friends will notice that the friend you tagged is also an old mutual friend of theirs too, they can reconnect with your friend on the spot, just by sending them a simple friend request. Or, what if your friends see that you’re hanging out with a person that they are attracted to? Then they can know where you are and who you are with and network and connect in person.
Some people may be hesitant to tagging their friends in their status updates, but it is “untaggable” so your friends can choose to opt out of this if they wish, but in the end it’s just another way to announce to the world what you are doing and how they can connect with you better.
The Chatter about Japan’s Earthquake
Facebook statuses are used to gossip, release feelings, keep others updated on your day, announce places you have been, and to unite in a time of crisis. According to the article, “How Facebook Users Reacted to the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami,” there were 4.5 million status updates by 3.8 million users on March 11, 2011. All contained updates on the reactions to the tsunami in Japan and some announced that their thoughts and prayers are with those going through this hard time.
The article also states, “A partnership between Zynga, Facebook and Save the Children allows users to donate money through the purchase of virtual goods in Zynga games.” It’s great to see that Facebook has joined in the force to helping the victims of this terrible disaster that has occurred in Japan. When loved ones are hurting or a country is in time of need, Facebook is there to allow everyone to connect and support each other, as well as, let the world know how they can help in a crisis like this one.
The article also states, “A partnership between Zynga, Facebook and Save the Children allows users to donate money through the purchase of virtual goods in Zynga games.” It’s great to see that Facebook has joined in the force to helping the victims of this terrible disaster that has occurred in Japan. When loved ones are hurting or a country is in time of need, Facebook is there to allow everyone to connect and support each other, as well as, let the world know how they can help in a crisis like this one.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Social Media to the Rescue!!!
When disaster hits, YouTube and Facebook, and similar sites have provided solace for those who are suffering. In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan this week, many relatives were left without contact. How wonderful that they have had mechanisms of letting their relatives abroad know that they are safe and sound.
Since the disaster, many YouTube videos have appeared of people videotaping themselves with messages such as "See, Mom, look, I'm fine - no injuries!" or "Hear my voice, I'm unshaken." What a relief for families to have such confirmation about the state of their families. Facebook has had similar posts to assure family members of their wellness.
Google has created a mechanism for families to search for their loved ones, if they have not had the comfort of hearing from them. We hope that this will become the site of good news for many!
Since the disaster, many YouTube videos have appeared of people videotaping themselves with messages such as "See, Mom, look, I'm fine - no injuries!" or "Hear my voice, I'm unshaken." What a relief for families to have such confirmation about the state of their families. Facebook has had similar posts to assure family members of their wellness.
Google has created a mechanism for families to search for their loved ones, if they have not had the comfort of hearing from them. We hope that this will become the site of good news for many!
Cyber-Bullying
This morning, the President and Mrs. Obama are using Facebook to send out their message on the high rate of bullying going on with the children of our nation. They are using Facebook as a natural link to youth and their mentors to release this information and encourage solutions to this epidemic. As Facebook, Twitter, and text messaging are used as weapons in the verbal abuse of bullying, it seems fitting that they use this platform to release this information.
The website related to this presentation even lists an article from FAU’s own professor Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Dr. Justin Patchin from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire as support of their mission. The article discussed the roots of bullying and the extent that Cyber-bullying has extended and expanded the reach of the harm done to individuals. Harassment and humiliation are just two of the consequences of bullying.
It is one thing to bully an individual in a face-to-face confrontation, but to be able, with the click of a button, have that information be distributed to all Facebook friends give much more power and reach to the Bully.
Can you think of some ways to stop this harassment?
The website related to this presentation even lists an article from FAU’s own professor Dr. Sameer Hinduja and Dr. Justin Patchin from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire as support of their mission. The article discussed the roots of bullying and the extent that Cyber-bullying has extended and expanded the reach of the harm done to individuals. Harassment and humiliation are just two of the consequences of bullying.
It is one thing to bully an individual in a face-to-face confrontation, but to be able, with the click of a button, have that information be distributed to all Facebook friends give much more power and reach to the Bully.
Can you think of some ways to stop this harassment?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Pets Join in on the Facebook Fun?
Not only are social networking sites meant for individuals to connect with old friends, classmates, and colleagues,… but for their pets to connect as well?! From my own experience, it seems more common now than ever that people are creating Facebook pages for their cats and dogs! According to a recent survey, 55% of people answered that they have one dog and only 14% answered “yes” to having a Facebook page for them.
86% of people who have one dog, or more, reported that they do not have a Facebook page for their dog. For the 14% who do have a page for their dog,…really?! Get a life! Facebook is enough just to have for your own personal use, it is ridiculous to have one for your pet! They have created a complete profile for the animal. Included in the page are pictures, a complete biography with the name, date of birth, interests, etc. Why would anyone feel the need to create a Facebook page for their pet? I feel that creating a page for your pet would be a waste of time and not very useful. What benefit do animal Facebook pages really have in the social media community?
86% of people who have one dog, or more, reported that they do not have a Facebook page for their dog. For the 14% who do have a page for their dog,…really?! Get a life! Facebook is enough just to have for your own personal use, it is ridiculous to have one for your pet! They have created a complete profile for the animal. Included in the page are pictures, a complete biography with the name, date of birth, interests, etc. Why would anyone feel the need to create a Facebook page for their pet? I feel that creating a page for your pet would be a waste of time and not very useful. What benefit do animal Facebook pages really have in the social media community?
Social Media Marketing Benefits
Traditional business models usually include making a personal connection with your customer to ensure follow up business. Television and online sales, although increasingly popular, miss that personal touch that brings customers back. They are often one-way communications. Online businesses are trying to bridge that gap. More and more businesses are adding personal sales people and blogs to their sales plans; some companies will invite customers to be the personal Facebook friends of their representatives.
Take Beachbody.com as an example. They are the company that markets P90X. Besides the videos and some instructions on their website, Beachbody has a number of blogs that add that personal touch. There are message forums where recipes are shared and support is provided. Company representatives share some of their personal experiences with the products, allowing the customer to get to know them on a more personal level than with traditional online purchases. Information is bi-directional, like in a one-to-one transaction. This encourages customers to keep coming back to the site, which often leads to additional purchases as new or support products are offered.
Take Beachbody.com as an example. They are the company that markets P90X. Besides the videos and some instructions on their website, Beachbody has a number of blogs that add that personal touch. There are message forums where recipes are shared and support is provided. Company representatives share some of their personal experiences with the products, allowing the customer to get to know them on a more personal level than with traditional online purchases. Information is bi-directional, like in a one-to-one transaction. This encourages customers to keep coming back to the site, which often leads to additional purchases as new or support products are offered.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Revolution by YouTube and Dating Websites
Revolutionaries in Libya knew that the government and police would be monitoring Facebook and Twitter for signs of any plots against the government through planned demonstrations. In true human spirit, in the face of diversity, the anti-government forces found a way around the eyes that were watching them. By using the most popular dating website in the Middle East, they were able to share information that stirred up the spirit of revolution.
Messages in the form of poetry with opposing opinions, references to Jasmine - for the Jasmine Revolution, and making statements about wanting love (when really meaning wanting liberty), the revolutionaries quickly spread dissent and encouragement throughout the nation. Videos taken at demonstrations proving that Qaddafi's forces are killing innocent protestors have appeared on YouTube. The nation that has been ruled by an iron-fisted despot for over forty years may soon be taken down through a dating website. What has taken decades to accomplish in the past, has taken social networking weeks to accomplish.
Click Here for Amateur YouTube Video
Messages in the form of poetry with opposing opinions, references to Jasmine - for the Jasmine Revolution, and making statements about wanting love (when really meaning wanting liberty), the revolutionaries quickly spread dissent and encouragement throughout the nation. Videos taken at demonstrations proving that Qaddafi's forces are killing innocent protestors have appeared on YouTube. The nation that has been ruled by an iron-fisted despot for over forty years may soon be taken down through a dating website. What has taken decades to accomplish in the past, has taken social networking weeks to accomplish.
Click Here for Amateur YouTube Video
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Corporate Offices use Facebook to Connect
As I've stated in previous blogs, I work for Northwestern Mutual. I've noticed how they have started to use their Facebook fan page more to their advantage. Almost every day they are creating a new post. These posts have several ways to engage Facebook users with Northwestern Mutual's fan page. For instance, during the Super Bowl they updated several times with new statuses in regards to cheering for Green Bay. This would attract any Football fans to their page. The evening before the game they even posted this picture:
This image alone had people talking around the office all day! They also have different quizzes that people can take indicating if they are spending their money wisely or if they should be saving more. With 6,961 fans, Northwestern Mutual is definitely heading in the right direction to growing their exposure through the internet. Because Northwestern Mutual operates mainly on a referral basis, as more people suggest that people "like" their page, they will continue to grow and have more name recognition in the social media community.
They also try to engage the younger individuals by posting Youtube videos, such as this one.
This image alone had people talking around the office all day! They also have different quizzes that people can take indicating if they are spending their money wisely or if they should be saving more. With 6,961 fans, Northwestern Mutual is definitely heading in the right direction to growing their exposure through the internet. Because Northwestern Mutual operates mainly on a referral basis, as more people suggest that people "like" their page, they will continue to grow and have more name recognition in the social media community.
They also try to engage the younger individuals by posting Youtube videos, such as this one.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Networking for Financial Companies
While reading chapter 7 in the book, "Blogging to Drive Business," I began thinking of my company Facebook page. The Ruhl Financial Group is a branch of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network working in the financial services industry. A few months ago, we created a fan page in order to draw more family, friends, and other members of the community to our network. We wanted the community to know that we are an organization within the area that are able to help people manage their finances as well as offer paid internships and full-time career opportunities.
We began posting pictures, updating statuses of newly employed financial representatives, and even noticed one person had commented on our page with a testimony. We wanted our clients and coworkers to feel more connected by utilizing this page for updates. If you visit the fan page, you will notice that it was created in July and we have not had regular activity since we started the page.
In our management meetings, we expressed our concerns of updating the page too often, and causing people to have a negative feel for our organization and even "unliking" the page, as stated in the book "Blogging to Drive Business." Recently, we decided to have one main person held responsible for updating our status with news articles and events that the company is involved in. We recently had a softball tournament between all of the local Northwestern Mutual offices and my immediate office won the championship!
If we begin updating our page with current business news, news about the company, and different activities that the office is involved in, I think we can really network through the internet and this will allow us to have higher name recognition within the local community.
Check us out on Facebook! Go ahead and "like" our page!
We began posting pictures, updating statuses of newly employed financial representatives, and even noticed one person had commented on our page with a testimony. We wanted our clients and coworkers to feel more connected by utilizing this page for updates. If you visit the fan page, you will notice that it was created in July and we have not had regular activity since we started the page.
In our management meetings, we expressed our concerns of updating the page too often, and causing people to have a negative feel for our organization and even "unliking" the page, as stated in the book "Blogging to Drive Business." Recently, we decided to have one main person held responsible for updating our status with news articles and events that the company is involved in. We recently had a softball tournament between all of the local Northwestern Mutual offices and my immediate office won the championship!
If we begin updating our page with current business news, news about the company, and different activities that the office is involved in, I think we can really network through the internet and this will allow us to have higher name recognition within the local community.
Check us out on Facebook! Go ahead and "like" our page!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
LinkedIn, Quietly Powerful
It is no secret that MySpace began as a social networking mechanism for younger people and was used mainly by middle schoolers, high schoolers, and their predators and monitors. Facebook began as the college alternative and spread like wildfire. Although Facebook has certainly attracted people of all ages across the world, it is socially a very casual mechanism of sharing.
Professionals now have an alternative, and although they certainly don't make the news much, they are silently growing in unbelievable numbers. Starting in 2003, LinkedIn grew to a million members in 494 days. By 2011, LinkedIn has almost 250 million members across the world adding a million every 12 days. It's like a huge pyramid scheme - without any losers. In a professional, but sometimes casual format, professionals can share ideas, job opportunities, promotions, and events.
Like any social networking site, LinkedIn is an inexpensive way to share information to colleagues, partners, and those who would benefit by receiving it. . . no trips to the copy store, no expensive mailings, no un-received mail. Unemployed? Check out your LinkedIn contacts. Hate your job? Try LinkedIn for ideas. Need a reference? The people who know your work the best are right at your finger tips. . . all without the family and friend drama.
Have you tried LinkedIn? What have your experiences been like?
I recently joined LinkedIn myself and I'm looking to grow my network, feel free to add me: Laura's LinkedIn
Professionals now have an alternative, and although they certainly don't make the news much, they are silently growing in unbelievable numbers. Starting in 2003, LinkedIn grew to a million members in 494 days. By 2011, LinkedIn has almost 250 million members across the world adding a million every 12 days. It's like a huge pyramid scheme - without any losers. In a professional, but sometimes casual format, professionals can share ideas, job opportunities, promotions, and events.
Like any social networking site, LinkedIn is an inexpensive way to share information to colleagues, partners, and those who would benefit by receiving it. . . no trips to the copy store, no expensive mailings, no un-received mail. Unemployed? Check out your LinkedIn contacts. Hate your job? Try LinkedIn for ideas. Need a reference? The people who know your work the best are right at your finger tips. . . all without the family and friend drama.
Have you tried LinkedIn? What have your experiences been like?
I recently joined LinkedIn myself and I'm looking to grow my network, feel free to add me: Laura's LinkedIn
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Do you Flaunt Him/Her or is it a Secret?
With Valentine’s Day a day away, statistics were taken from Facebook and Myspace users about their love life. Why do some people list their relationship status and some don’t? Are they embarrassed of their significant other? Do they not want their friends and family to know? Or do they keep their life so personal that they don’t want the entire Facebook world to know about their business unless they are close friends with the person?
Some popular answers to these questions were “That is my business,” “He asked me not to,” “Relevant people already know,” and “So when I’m single I don’t have to change it.” For those that answered, “So when I’m single I don’t have to change it,” they should really rethink the reason they’re in a relationship and maybe they’d be better off single.
Many people who are on Facebook and Myspace love to flaunt their significant other, by posting pictures and constantly updating their Facebook status with things like, “Movie night with the boy friend,” or “Walking on the beach with my fiancé.”
Statistics show that 14% of people who are single, 18% of people that are dating, and 17% of people that are engaged, do not show a relationship status. 35% of people who are in a relationship, and do not list their status, is really high! I would think that those in a relationship would want to show it off and let it be known. I think the 14% of people who are single and don’t reveal it, just don’t want to publicize that they are single and “looking,” maybe they just want to “play the game” and keep guys/girls wondering what’s the story behind them.
According to the movie “The Social Network,” Mark Zuckerberg knew he needed to add one more thing to Facebook before he could launch it…. a relationship status! Everyone wants to know whether their friends and crushes are single or taken. Many people search Facebook daily just waiting for the one they love to break up with their significant other so they can swoop in and snatch them up. So what kind of person are you…. Do you list your relationship status? Whether single or taken? Or do you leave it up to everyone else to play the game and figure it out?
Some popular answers to these questions were “That is my business,” “He asked me not to,” “Relevant people already know,” and “So when I’m single I don’t have to change it.” For those that answered, “So when I’m single I don’t have to change it,” they should really rethink the reason they’re in a relationship and maybe they’d be better off single.
Many people who are on Facebook and Myspace love to flaunt their significant other, by posting pictures and constantly updating their Facebook status with things like, “Movie night with the boy friend,” or “Walking on the beach with my fiancé.”
Statistics show that 14% of people who are single, 18% of people that are dating, and 17% of people that are engaged, do not show a relationship status. 35% of people who are in a relationship, and do not list their status, is really high! I would think that those in a relationship would want to show it off and let it be known. I think the 14% of people who are single and don’t reveal it, just don’t want to publicize that they are single and “looking,” maybe they just want to “play the game” and keep guys/girls wondering what’s the story behind them.
According to the movie “The Social Network,” Mark Zuckerberg knew he needed to add one more thing to Facebook before he could launch it…. a relationship status! Everyone wants to know whether their friends and crushes are single or taken. Many people search Facebook daily just waiting for the one they love to break up with their significant other so they can swoop in and snatch them up. So what kind of person are you…. Do you list your relationship status? Whether single or taken? Or do you leave it up to everyone else to play the game and figure it out?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Keeping Your Private Information, "Private"
Have you ever wanted to add an old teacher on Facebook? How about a coworker? Or even your boss? How about adding your mom?! Many people steer clear of adding these people because they want their personal lives to be kept private... not necessarily because they are doing anything "wrong" or "bad" but because they deserve to live their own lives and not have everyone hovering over their shoulders and examining their every move (that's usually a mom thing).
In one of my past blogs I explained how annoyed and aggravated I am with Facebook's invasion of privacy. Well, I came across this article that tells you the 10 settings you need to know about in order to remain private.
One of them explains how you can create "Lists" and this allows you to customize all of your settings to each list. For instance, if I create a list named "Work Friends" I can then go in and block my coworkers from viewing certain photos or other information. You can even block friends from viewing and commenting on your Wall.
Now, all of this is great if you don't want to offend someone by "ignoring" their add request just because you don't want them to see certain pictures of you (on those crazy Friday nights out), but some people can take the lists to an extreme. I had a coworker who friend requested me and then blocked me from viewing EVERYTHING on his Facebook! I couldn't even see which friends we had in common... the only thing I saw was his profile picture. What's the point in adding someone as a friend if you can't even connect with him? And the funny thing is, it's only been a few weeks and he is already trying to friend request me again!
Facebook is meant to be a good way to connect with friends, family, teachers, and coworkers. If you are using your privacy settings in a limited manor then I don't see anything wrong with it, but you don't want to block people out so much where they can't even comment or write on your wall. Those are all of the positive things about Facebook, everyone loves to see "Sally Sue wrote on your wall" or "Brad Smith commented on your photo." We all love the attention. If you have a Facebook, use it for the purpose it was created for... connecting with people!
In one of my past blogs I explained how annoyed and aggravated I am with Facebook's invasion of privacy. Well, I came across this article that tells you the 10 settings you need to know about in order to remain private.
One of them explains how you can create "Lists" and this allows you to customize all of your settings to each list. For instance, if I create a list named "Work Friends" I can then go in and block my coworkers from viewing certain photos or other information. You can even block friends from viewing and commenting on your Wall.
Now, all of this is great if you don't want to offend someone by "ignoring" their add request just because you don't want them to see certain pictures of you (on those crazy Friday nights out), but some people can take the lists to an extreme. I had a coworker who friend requested me and then blocked me from viewing EVERYTHING on his Facebook! I couldn't even see which friends we had in common... the only thing I saw was his profile picture. What's the point in adding someone as a friend if you can't even connect with him? And the funny thing is, it's only been a few weeks and he is already trying to friend request me again!
Facebook is meant to be a good way to connect with friends, family, teachers, and coworkers. If you are using your privacy settings in a limited manor then I don't see anything wrong with it, but you don't want to block people out so much where they can't even comment or write on your wall. Those are all of the positive things about Facebook, everyone loves to see "Sally Sue wrote on your wall" or "Brad Smith commented on your photo." We all love the attention. If you have a Facebook, use it for the purpose it was created for... connecting with people!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Blogging to Keep Families Connected
Just decades ago, the internet wasn’t even a thought. Now, the internet is the most common means of communication. When loved ones were in the military and stationed overseas, the only way they were able to keep in touch with family and friends was to hand write letters. For someone with a big family, writing individual letters to each family member could be tedious and time consuming. Now, within minutes, they can type up a letter and with one click of a button, the message is sent to all family and friends.
My brother went to the United States Naval Academy and when he graduated, he was stationed in Japan for two years, then the Gulf, and is now in South Korea. Phone calls are very costly and would reach only one or two at a time; and with the major time difference it makes it very difficult to keep in touch. So my brother decided to open his own blog. He wrote about the many sites he got to see while he was in other countries. At least once a week, he gave us an update on his life and the things that were going really well for him and the things that he had concerns about. We really got to experience his heart instead of what he could have shared in a 2 minute conversation from a bad connection in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The whole family was able to read his blog and feel as if we were right there with him, experiencing all of it together. He took a trip to Nikko and posted this picture:
It looks like a gorgeous place. My brother's blog created a way of central communication between him and the family. We were able to comment on the things that he wrote and discuss it with the rest of the family. Without my brother's blog, we may have had to wait long periods of time for a phone call, that we would risk missing if we were not home at the time he called. We wouldn't have had such a great way to keep in touch with his new experiences in a new place.
My brother went to the United States Naval Academy and when he graduated, he was stationed in Japan for two years, then the Gulf, and is now in South Korea. Phone calls are very costly and would reach only one or two at a time; and with the major time difference it makes it very difficult to keep in touch. So my brother decided to open his own blog. He wrote about the many sites he got to see while he was in other countries. At least once a week, he gave us an update on his life and the things that were going really well for him and the things that he had concerns about. We really got to experience his heart instead of what he could have shared in a 2 minute conversation from a bad connection in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The whole family was able to read his blog and feel as if we were right there with him, experiencing all of it together. He took a trip to Nikko and posted this picture:
It looks like a gorgeous place. My brother's blog created a way of central communication between him and the family. We were able to comment on the things that he wrote and discuss it with the rest of the family. Without my brother's blog, we may have had to wait long periods of time for a phone call, that we would risk missing if we were not home at the time he called. We wouldn't have had such a great way to keep in touch with his new experiences in a new place.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Has the "Social Network" Destroyed MySpace?
Today, News Corp announced that they will be selling one of the social media websites, MySpace. I was one of the original users of MySpace many years ago. I remember getting so excited when receiving friend requests, updating statuses, and moods with the many different types of smiley faces. MySpace was a mixture of Facebook and blogging. Your friends could comment on your page as well as read about your life and what was on your mind.
It has changed so much since then. MySpace became a world of spam, harassing friend requests, music fan pages, and advertisements everywhere. It became a very unpleasant place to visit each day. I decided to discontinue the use of social media networks, although I did not terminate by account with MySpace, I was just an inactive user. While writing this blog, I decided to take a look at my account. I signed in and it looked completely different then the last time I had used it! I didn't even know where to start exploring! There were music video advertisements and the tabs at the top, which allowed you to access your page to make changes, add friends, etc., were very small. I decided to cancel my account and it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to cancel it!
Freshmen year of college, I decided to try Facebook... I loved it! It was nothing like MySpace. Although Facebook has many things I dislike about it today, there are rarely any pestering friend requests from "creepy" guys that you have never met and the users of Facebook are genuinely there to reconnect with friends.
I believe that Facebook has done everything right to keep the users they currently have and to draw in new users each day. Many users of Facebook are actually addicted to visiting the site! They cannot go one week, one day, even one hour without checking to see if their friends have commented on their page or what everyone else is doing at that moment.
MySpace has big shoes to fill, even with these upcoming renovations, I find it hard to believe that they will ever become a large social media network again.
It has changed so much since then. MySpace became a world of spam, harassing friend requests, music fan pages, and advertisements everywhere. It became a very unpleasant place to visit each day. I decided to discontinue the use of social media networks, although I did not terminate by account with MySpace, I was just an inactive user. While writing this blog, I decided to take a look at my account. I signed in and it looked completely different then the last time I had used it! I didn't even know where to start exploring! There were music video advertisements and the tabs at the top, which allowed you to access your page to make changes, add friends, etc., were very small. I decided to cancel my account and it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to cancel it!
Freshmen year of college, I decided to try Facebook... I loved it! It was nothing like MySpace. Although Facebook has many things I dislike about it today, there are rarely any pestering friend requests from "creepy" guys that you have never met and the users of Facebook are genuinely there to reconnect with friends.
I believe that Facebook has done everything right to keep the users they currently have and to draw in new users each day. Many users of Facebook are actually addicted to visiting the site! They cannot go one week, one day, even one hour without checking to see if their friends have commented on their page or what everyone else is doing at that moment.
MySpace has big shoes to fill, even with these upcoming renovations, I find it hard to believe that they will ever become a large social media network again.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
"Google Offers" vs. "Groupon" ?
Whenever there is a good idea, there is often someone(s) ready to copy it. The Groupon situation this week is an example of “Big Brother” copycats. Google and Amazon, two giants in the internet world are ready to swallow up Groupon.
Groupon has a wonderful idea to help companies to quickly market themselves by offering a deep discount coupon advertised to a very extensive e-data ban. When they refined to be purchased by the Google-shark, they became fair game as competition. This reminds me of Google vs. AOL a few years ago. We don’t hear much “You’ve got mail” anymore. Now Amazon has joined in the fight. This is survival of the fittest capitalism at its best (worst).
Usually the consumer comes out on top, unless a monopoly rises from the fray. We will need to keep an eye on these guys. This doesn’t exactly look like a fair fight!
Groupon has a wonderful idea to help companies to quickly market themselves by offering a deep discount coupon advertised to a very extensive e-data ban. When they refined to be purchased by the Google-shark, they became fair game as competition. This reminds me of Google vs. AOL a few years ago. We don’t hear much “You’ve got mail” anymore. Now Amazon has joined in the fight. This is survival of the fittest capitalism at its best (worst).
Usually the consumer comes out on top, unless a monopoly rises from the fray. We will need to keep an eye on these guys. This doesn’t exactly look like a fair fight!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Facebook's New Way to Make Money. . .at our Expense
Today, Facebook is launching a new form of advertising. They are going to allow advertisers to take your picture and use your likeness in adds to promote their products to your friends. If you innocently "liked" a product in the last few months, this could happen to you.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????
It used to be that companies had to pay models and actors to advertise their products - now they can simply steal your picture.
So after I calmed down from my initial shock, I tried to find how this change would benefit me. Quite frankly, I couldn't think of a thing. Is it anyone's business what products I like? Do I care what products my friends like? Why should I be giving these companies free advertising when I “like” their product and they decide to post my picture next to it for my friends to see?
Then I thought about the ways that it would benefit Facebook. . . the millions of dollars of ways $$$$$.
They do say that they guarantee that only our friends will be able to see these adds. How comforting!
You're the new face of Facebook ads
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????
It used to be that companies had to pay models and actors to advertise their products - now they can simply steal your picture.
So after I calmed down from my initial shock, I tried to find how this change would benefit me. Quite frankly, I couldn't think of a thing. Is it anyone's business what products I like? Do I care what products my friends like? Why should I be giving these companies free advertising when I “like” their product and they decide to post my picture next to it for my friends to see?
Then I thought about the ways that it would benefit Facebook. . . the millions of dollars of ways $$$$$.
They do say that they guarantee that only our friends will be able to see these adds. How comforting!
You're the new face of Facebook ads
Friday, January 21, 2011
T.M.I.
Facebook, as we all know, has grown to be maybe the biggest social networking website we will ever know. Most of us, if not all of us, taking this course probably have a Facebook account and check it at least once a day. In August 2010, Facebook announced its launch of Facebook Places. Places was created to allow users to "check-in" to their locations so their friends knew where they were. The purpose of this application was to connect with friends even more than we already do. For instance, if I am at a restaurant and check-in using the Places application then any of my friends near by would know where I am and could come see me.
Great idea! But, not so much. Do we really want our friends, family, and coworkers knowing where we are at all times? Taking a more paranoid approach, what if we have "friends" on Facebook that aren't really our friends and want to hurt us. They could rob our homes while were gone, or they could stalk you to all of your locations throughout the day. Also, if you are meeting a friend for dinner, your friend can check you in using Places. What if you don't want to be checked-in to a location because you would rather your Facebook friends not know your exact locations at all times? Yes, there are ways to opt out, but it's just one added thing that you need to keep an eye on.
I believe Facebook is a good way to stay connected with old friends and family, but I think sometimes we are TOO connected. It's nice to be able to run an errand to the grocery store without having to announce it to your friends through Facebook or to put yourself in danger. And, in the same respect, I would rather not know the every move of my friends. I see this app as something that could really get people in trouble.
Facebook Places
Great idea! But, not so much. Do we really want our friends, family, and coworkers knowing where we are at all times? Taking a more paranoid approach, what if we have "friends" on Facebook that aren't really our friends and want to hurt us. They could rob our homes while were gone, or they could stalk you to all of your locations throughout the day. Also, if you are meeting a friend for dinner, your friend can check you in using Places. What if you don't want to be checked-in to a location because you would rather your Facebook friends not know your exact locations at all times? Yes, there are ways to opt out, but it's just one added thing that you need to keep an eye on.
I believe Facebook is a good way to stay connected with old friends and family, but I think sometimes we are TOO connected. It's nice to be able to run an errand to the grocery store without having to announce it to your friends through Facebook or to put yourself in danger. And, in the same respect, I would rather not know the every move of my friends. I see this app as something that could really get people in trouble.
Facebook Places
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Welcome to My Blog!
Social media is a growing industry. When I was in middle school, Myspace and Livejournal.com were two very popular websites for connecting with friends and blogging about subject matters that were important to you. Ten years later, social media is everywhere and used in many different ways. Facebook, founded in 2004, has grown to be one of the largest social networks in the world. Originally created to stay connected with college classmates, it is now being used by people of all ages, at all different stages in their lives.
Facebook is great for networking for business and advertising. I work as a recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and by having a Facebook for corporate, as well as for our individual offices, we are able to advertise to those people who we may not have connected with if we didn’t have a page. We are also able to use it as a way for our office to connect with one another. On a day-to-day basis we are so caught up in our own lives and making sure that we are being successful, but it’s nice to be able to go to our Facebook page to see group photos and our office family enjoying spending time together, outside of work. As social media continues to grow, the advantages for using it will continue to increase.
Join me on my exploration of social media, the pros, the cons, and how it works in supporting companies and individuals in networking to a new generation of customers.
Facebook is great for networking for business and advertising. I work as a recruiter for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and by having a Facebook for corporate, as well as for our individual offices, we are able to advertise to those people who we may not have connected with if we didn’t have a page. We are also able to use it as a way for our office to connect with one another. On a day-to-day basis we are so caught up in our own lives and making sure that we are being successful, but it’s nice to be able to go to our Facebook page to see group photos and our office family enjoying spending time together, outside of work. As social media continues to grow, the advantages for using it will continue to increase.
Join me on my exploration of social media, the pros, the cons, and how it works in supporting companies and individuals in networking to a new generation of customers.
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