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!!”
Sunday, March 27, 2011
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.
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