Strategic Social Networking - Archive

Check Out This Social Media Policy Pioneer

February 11th, 2010 | Posted by admin in News - (0 Comments)

While some companies have yet to venture out into social media and recognize it as a marketing tool, others have not only jumped on the bandwagon, they are the forerunners in creating employee policies and guidelines for social media use. In Pittsburgh Business Times’ recent article, the author discusses the potential federal regulations around social media use and misuse that are looming in the future. It was agreed by all those interviewed that writing the policies is the easy part; enforcing them is another story. As a potential employee who subscribes to the theory of social media, it might benefit them to research a company’s social media policy before signing on the dotted line of that employment contract. Ironically, the research vehicle used might very well be social media itself.

Melody K. Smith, Feb. 11, 2010

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Your Job Network Might be Bigger than you Think

February 11th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in networking | News - (0 Comments)

According to a Searchenginewatch.com article, using social networking to find a job just got a little simpler. The story reports that professional networking site Simplyhired.com integrated its Who Do I Know program with Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn in an effort to help employment seekers spread their net even wider. According to the company’s CEO, this will show job hunters, “that their network of connections is more powerful than they believe.” When performing a job search, it showcases all the hiring managers and recruiters hidden within your network who may be useful in the job hunt. In addition, users will also be able to pass along employment opportunities to other job seekers in their network. This innovative way to bind job hunters and social networking together might just be the advantage you need in this ultra-competitive market.

Patrick Roland, Feb. 11, 2010

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Take Time For ‘What Matters Now’

February 11th, 2010 | Posted by admin in case study | News - (0 Comments)

It seems big. It seems too long to read. Trust me, I know. However, “What Matters Now” is organized so you don’t have to read it all in one sitting – though once you start reading, you will want to. I did. Maybe it is the snippets of interesting facts; maybe it is the success stories shared by the most unbelievable characters; or maybe it is because it is like being fed by a mama bird with little bits of information that make you think and ponder, and then you go back for more. For example, pondering “What Buddha would tweet?” Despite the oxymoronic nature of the question, it would make for a great debate over a business lunch or fantastic conversation with friends and lots of wine.

Melody K. Smith, Feb. 11, 2010

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Don’t Expect Too Much From Social Media

February 10th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in Facebook | News - (0 Comments)

Remember Betamax? If you don’t, there’s a reason. Sony’s alternate to the VHS standard for videotape—touted as “the next best thing” in the 1970s—largely disappeared by the ’80s. It’s a cautionary tale for small business owners who believe the hype about social media use being essential for success. In a Business Week viewpoint article, Gene Marks says social media tools often don’t live up to their publicity. Most people don’t go to Facebook seeking products. The growing number of 40-somethings frequenting those pages, for example, are often checking to see how fat or bald high school chums have become. And the sites are not really “free.” Maintaining a useful site requires many hours spent responding to questions, posting insightful thoughts, adding graphics and monitoring activity. Social media can be useful, but use these rapidly evolving and ever-changing resources wisely, and do not forsake traditional forms of customer communication.

John Sniffen, Feb. 10, 2010

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Marketing and PR Principles Still Apply to Social Media

February 10th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in how to | marketing | networking | News - (0 Comments)

While it seems the publicity game is changing rapidly with the popularity of Facebook, Twitter and the like, marketers and public relations practitioners are encouraged to hold onto their core values. This article showcases four things to keep in mind as you dive into social media, ranging from the importance of research and transparency, to ethical responsibilities and even the importance of video. One interesting thing, however, is that these are strong principles for everyone utilizing social media. Whether you are a marketing exec or a job hunter utilizing social networking, these are perfect insights for looking good online.

Patrick Roland, Feb. 10, 2010

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Watch Changes in Newspapers for Job Hunt Clues

February 10th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in News | prospecting - (0 Comments)

An IBM study of online habits shows some surprising trends, according to Poynter Online. The computing giant surveyed over 3,000 people worldwide and discovered some interesting shifts in the way users get their news, thus creating intriguing business possibilities. The powerful 18-to-24-year-old group was reading fewer online newspapers, while those over 50 increased their utilization of the medium for news instead of newspapers. The article predicts traditional news outlets will have to discover even craftier ways to secure cash flow as hardcopy news dwindles in popularity. The piece suggests “Blending” may be the wave of the future and a possible boon for a business that properly harnesses it. By combining information outlets, personal messaging and entertainment, Blending may be the latest vanguard idea for generating business and dollars and seemingly applies to more than just the newspaper industry. Keeping an eye on these trends may give you some insight on where to look for job listings as newspaper usefulness declines.

Patrick Roland, Feb. 10, 2010

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Do’s and Don’ts of Internet Culture

February 10th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in guidelines | News - (0 Comments)

A recent Chameleon Associates article attempts to define do’s and don’ts of online life. The lengthy piece lays out many unspoken and possibly unknown rules of handling digital etiquette in the twenty-first century. From proper places to report spam, to effectively communicating on social networking sites, to avoiding malware, to safe filesharing, to noticing signs of an infected computer, to properly caring for your laptop and more, this is a big step in defining how responsible people interact with the online world in the computer age. Since many companies have guidelines for conduct but realize the internet is so vast they could never catalogue the highlights, this could be a useful document in corporate settings. This clearly written, focused article is perfect for setting expectations and advising employees of proper online behavior.

Patrick Roland, Feb. 10, 2010

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Is Facebook a Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing?

February 10th, 2010 | Posted by admin in Facebook | News | security - (1 Comments)

With all the chatter about Facebook’s privacy policies and horror stories around, Gawker’s recent article could send chills down your paranoid spine. My husband jokingly refers to Facebook as IdentifyTheft.com. I get why, but I haven’t worried about my info. After reading about how Facebook employees are so lackadaisical about user’s profile data and the extremely loose security structure around access to the data, maybe I’ll pay a little more attention to the security settings that I have control over in my chosen social medias. I think we all need to remember that what we put into any profile of any database and/or program can and is read by others — others that maybe we weren’t planning on.

Melody K. Smith, Feb. 10, 2010

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Tracking Social Media Direct Marketing Can Revitalize Small Business Brands

February 9th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in branding | News - (0 Comments)

Social media platforms can give your small business a boost when endorsements are streaming in. However, if the news is negative or rumors are flying around, it can quickly poison your valuable social network. Fortunately, there are experts who track and analyze where you should be spreading the good news. Matt McCullough, director of interactive services at Rauxa Direct, told BtoB magazine that understanding where customers are talking about your business is just as important as what they are saying. Entrepreneurs should know whether the biggest influencers of their brand are tweeting or using Facebook. The next step in an effective direct marketing campaign is to determine what type of messages you want distributed to which social networks.

While social media is rapidly evolving, the nature of success in this area remains the same. Entrepreneurs should cultivate connections through real-time posts that address the right topics in the right place.

David Thimme, Feb. 9, 2010

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Social Media Raising Cultural Awareness

February 9th, 2010 | Posted by Jessica Bratcher in marketing | News - (0 Comments)

The new “sit-in” museum in Greensboro, NC, knows how to utilize social media to attract fans, but it also seeks to raise awareness about the civil rights movement and its origins. This article highlights the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, that opened February 1, the anniversary of the Greensboro Four – four men who started the “sit-in movements” of the ’60s and beyond. Today, their message “could have reached 70,000 people within minutes” through social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. The museum already has a Facebook page with 4,700 fans and will continue to use an online presence to attract visitors and activists. The message of civil rights, spread virally across the social media landscape, mirrors any message, be it ethical or commercial, that flows through user content and conversation. This open dialogue is exactly what any idea needs to flourish.

Sam Hartman, Feb. 9, 2010

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