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To be Young and Naive vs. Old and Cynical

A repeat of an older blog post. This was from back in the day that I thought I could save everyone from the dangers of social media. How silly was that? I have learned my lesson. There are just some who cannot be saved.

I don't think much as changed since this was originally published. Have you ever tried to "save" someone from a social media mistake? What happened?
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A recent exchange from Facebook:

MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: Why does everyone at work feel the need to pick on me & be on my case today? For some reason when everyone in this office is having a bad day, I'm there punching bag! I can't stand that! I want to say something back, and I do, just not exactly what I'd LIKE to say! Oh well...I think this office would be better if it d...idn't have SO MANY bosses LOL!

MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: Just have to pray for them and me to LOL! "Lord Keep Your Arm Around My Shoulder & Your Hand Over My MOUTH!"

HER FRIEND: Just put some Super Colon Blow powder in the office coffee creamer container and I bet noone will pick on you for the rest of the day unless they need a couple...hundred....imodium.

MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: LOL!!! : ) Or I could be nice and make them some Special " Ex-Lax" Brownies! Nah I couldn't do it.....

ME: You do realize that your co-workers can read Facebook don't you?

MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: NOPE they none of them are my friends! And I have my FB security set to were not just any body can read my status unless you are my friends so no worries!


MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: *ok leave out the they*


HER FRIEND: Meh, even if they did- what you say online are your own opinions and its within your own personal space/your life. If they do somehow read it, maybe they will take it as constructive criticism and leave you alone.

ME: I am assuming that (my Facebook friend) is using her work computer to access FB. I'm just saying.....

MY FACEBOOK FRIEND: Actually right now I'm using (husband)'s lap top, but reguardless if they want to get that technical at work then 95% of the people who work at (employer) is in trouble LOL! I've had lots of fun reading there crap that they don't know that I can read! Older people @ work don't know how to use there security settings LOL!!!
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Ahhh...to be young and naive again. Just call me old and cynical.
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Young and naive view:
It's Facebook and I have my security settings pretty tight where, unless you are my "friend," you cannot see what I write.


Old and cynical view:
It's Facebook and even though I have my security settings pretty tight, I don't trust them so I assume that anything I write can be seen by anyone. I also know of the existence of keyloggers and savvy IT departments.


Young and naive view:
They are my opinions and I cannot be held accountable for them as it is my right to have an opinion.


Old and cynical view:
Opinions and civil rights are a privilege. However, what you say in the workplace utilizing your employer's computer might limit your civil rights. Please check your employee handbook.


As an old and cynical person, I don't even know how to respond to the friend's idea that the employer would take it as constructive criticism.


As a side note, I found the code of ethics for this company on their website. Excerpt below:


Employees shall not use the Company’s ... property for purposes other than those related to Company business. Employees are prohibited from the unauthorized use ... of the Company’s equipment, supplies, software, data, intellectual property, materials or products. Prior to engaging in any activity on the Company’s time which will result in ... the use of Company equipment, supplies, materials or services for personal or non-work related purposes, employees must obtain the approval of their supervisor.


Young and naive view:
While I used the company's computer to make the original post, I am now using my husband's laptop so everything is null and void. Whatever. Everybody does it so I can too, regardless of the company policy. What are they going to do? Fire 95% of the company at one time?

Old and cynical view:
I am going to channel my mom now. Please note that she is older than me. "So what if everyone jumped off the bridge, it doesn't mean you have to."


Of course they are not going to fire 95% of the company at once. What they will do is pick a few employees who will be fired to make examples out of. There will be a myriad of other "charges" against them that will get them fired. Following the firing(s), the company will announce their new social media policy. Both large and small businesses are being urged by their legal council to develop these policies.

Young and naive view:
Old people are stupid. They don't know how computers work. I'm so smart that I am in their business and they don't even know it.


Old and cynical view:
I am not as dumb as you think I am. LOL!! LOL!! LOL!!

Preparing for a Social Media Speaking Gig

I was asked to speak at the May meeting of the Senior Services Network on the topic of social media. I had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone.

When preparing for a presentation such as this one, it is extremely hard to decide what to include as the experience level of each attendee is as varied as the number of attendees. This event had a full house!

How do you keep the audience engaged knowing you are going to see the follow three categories of learners?

1. The already-know-it attendee. I spoke with a gentlemen after the meeting who introduced himself as my twin. A fellow geek who was as proud of that moniker as I am.


2. The I-am-so-ready-to-get-this-stuff. I love talking to these people. They are not afraid to ask questions. Sometimes these questions and people make me go somewhere I had not planned to go with my presentation but I love their curiosity and willingness to learn.

3. The how-many-more-of-these-social-media-presentations-can-I-listen to? This classification has heard presentations about social media over and over (I mean, who hasn't in this day and age) and still don't get it. The don't plan to get it. That's okay. I like these individuals too. I try to convert them. Heck, it doesn't hurt to try.

Where do you fit in? What kind of learner are you when it comes to social media?

New Twitter App: Bufferapp.com - UPDATED

I recently blogged about my new BFF and now that we have been together for a month, I thought I would update you on how things are going.

I'm still in love. I was at a conference on Thursday where the topic was social media. I was singing bufferapp's praises up and down the hallway -- even in the restroom during a break -- where I had a fairly large crowd. My apologies to all of the women who were trying to get to the sink but we had SERIOUS business to discuss. :-)

My presence on Twitter has increased just over 30% in my first month and I cannot wait to see what the second month brings. Oh, I've lost a few here and there but the number of new followers has offset that easily.

I have used HootSuite for a long time and will continue to do so to reach my Facebook, LinkedIn and other accounts. The ease of bufferapp to schedule tweets is what sucked me in. In the words of Ron Popeil, "Set it and forget it."

Do you have a favorite app that makes your social media efforts effortless?

Thinking of Jumping Into Social Media? Five Things You Need to Think About

Everyone is jumping on the social media bandwagon and then finding out there is a lot to digest. Before you go biting off more than you can chew, here are some things to consider:

1. What do you want to accomplish? Determine why you want to utilize social media and whether it is just conversational or marketing a service or product.

2. Define your goals and determine how you will measure success. One of the most debated topics with regard to social media is how to measure ROI. One company might wish to raise their Google search ranking while another might measure their success by the number of fans/friends/followers they have.

3. Who is in charge? Is it the executive? Staffer? Marketing Department? Intern? Someone needs to head the project and be responsible for the success (or failure). You must have a commitment to make it a priority and become as much a part of your company’s culture as checking email.

4. Meet criticisms head-on. You should deal with any non-positive comments in an open and friendly manner. If you want to maintain your integrity within the community you are building, do not delete these less-than-flattering comments or pretend they do not exist. Simply ask the person who posted the negative comment how you can help them and make sure they are helped.

5. Does your company have trade secrets? Pharmaceutical reps can be fired if they discuss products or any aspect of their jobs on social media sites. Develop a social media policy to deal with these issues.

Once these items have been discussed, you can begin to formulate a more comprehensive plan of action and you will be one step ahead of the competition.

Outsourcing Your Social Media

I recently read an article on the Mashable website: Should You Outsource Your Social Media Efforts?

This article really hit home as these are the questions I have been asking during the first meeting with my potential clients. I am amazed at the number of companies that still think they should be actively engaging in social media because everyone else is doing it. Social media is more about strategy and time.

Here's the sales pitch -- if you need help, call us. We are more than happy to consult with you to increase your social media visibility, as well as develop a strategy that best fits your market.

Is There Such a Thing as a Social Media Expert?

I attended a seminar last week about social media. I've attended what seems like 1,000's of these over the past year and usually take away one or two juicy tidbits of information.

Let's talk about the word 'EXPERT.'

Early in my social media education, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal which stated that there was no such thing as a social media expert. The logic was that social media is changing so rapidly that not one person could claim to be an expert and know EVERYTHING there is to know about social media.

I have called myself a social media STRATEGIST as I felt that better defined my skill set.

The speaker in last week's session made a point of stating that you should use the keywords that your potential customers and competitors would be looking for. A quick search on Google results in 2x the number of listings for social media expert as there is for social media strategist.

The definition of expert:

1. A person with a high degree of skill in or knowledge of a certain subject.
2. A person who has extensive skill or knowledge in a particular field.

I guess that applies. I am a social media expert.

Are you an expert at something that has come as a complete surprise?

New Twitter App: Bufferapp.com

Meet my new boyfriend, Buffer. Once you get to know him, you will love him too. I promise.

This is from the Buffer website:

Buffer makes your life easier with a smarter way to schedule tweets. Work out all your tweets at one point in time during the day. Then fill up your Buffer with your tweets and Buffer schedules them for you. Simply keep that Buffer topped up and you will then be tweeting consistently all day round, all week long.

The basic account is free which allows you to have up to 10 tweets in your buffer to a maximum of 10 tweets per day. It also has an easy to understand analytic tab to see when you get the most reads, retweets and click throughs.

I have increased my number of Twitter followers about 7% since meeting Buffer a little over a week ago. I have mine set for three each day with one set for 1:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and another at 6:30 p.m. I get the most response to the 1:30 a.m. tweets. Who would have thought that?

I'm anxious to hear if someone else loves Buffer as much as I do. Let me know.

How to Keep Up With it All

I'm feeling just a little overwhelmed at the moment. There is so much technology being thrown at us on a daily basis that I cannot seem to ever get caught up. It seems that just as I grasp the concept of one little small piece of the pie, someone cuts another piece which throws everything off balance.

Some things that I do to try to keep up:

Read White Papers/Articles: Print or put them on an iPad or tablet so that I can read them in my downtime (not that I really have any of that). Now that I have access to a tablet, I will probably stop printing and killing trees but I still find it useful to have that piece of paper and a yellow highlighter.

Tech Sites: I follow a lot of techies on Facebook and Twitter. Let them keep up with it. I just want to be the sponge to absorb their knowledge.

Weed Out the Static: Figure out what's important to me, my business and my clients' businesses. I'm sure it's important but is it important right now? I saw an article this morning on mistakes that small businesses make when designing their websites. I have at least four clients who are working on their websites right now! They needed that information, not information on something new with Google Adwords -- at least not right now.

What are ways you utilize to keep up with this ever-changing techno world we live in today?

Notes from the Science of Timing Webinar I Attended This Week

Earlier this week, I was able to hear the audio portion of a webinar entitled "The Science of Timing" with Dan Zarrella who calls himself a Social Media Scientist. He's full of numbers, formulas, hard facts and a few theories. Sounds like a scientist to me. He talked a lot about contra-competitive timing for marketing. In other words, sending updates when others are not sending updates.

Here are a few of my notes. All times in notes are EST.
 

Fast facts

• More men are on social media sites in the evening.
• It is okay to tie your blog, Twitter and Facebook accounts together as long as you are not repeating everything. Add some original content to each outlet.
• Marketing events on Twitter should start happening two weeks out.

Twitter

• Most re-tweets happen during the day.
• If you post something to Twitter late in the day (2-5pm), it will be more likely to be re-tweeted. Also posts made late in the week have a better chance of being re-tweeted.
• Click-thru rates are stable throughout the week, including weekends. Monday and Thursday have the lowest click-thru rates.
• Click-thrus spike between 11am and 5pm.
• Do not fear that you are sending too many tweets. Tweet more!
• Tweet links to other sites more often than to your own site.
• Tool: tweetwhen.com to analyze your retweets

Facebook

• Don’t crowd your content.
• More articles are shared on Facebook on the weekends.
• 12am – 3am are the better times for Facebook postings.
• Post links to your site more often than other sites.
• Facebook is better for direct marketing.
• There is very little difference for marketing on Facebook between B2B and B2C.

Email

• Emails are read mostly in the mornings.
• Most emails are opened 5am – 8am
• Abuse/spam reports are highest on weekends.
• Open rates are higher on the weekends.
• Higher click-thru rates on weekends because of contra-competitive timing.
• Frequency – Know your audience.
• If you are sending quality, informative emails, once a week is good.
• Put the unsubscribe button right at the top of the page. Do not be afraid of unsubscribers. They help you keep your list up-to-date. Why would you want to market to someone who doesn’t care about your product/company?
• Send more emails! The more emails you send the lower your unsubscribe rates.

Blogs

• Most blogs are read in the morning between 10-11am
• Blogs have the most page views on Mondays, least amount of views on the weekends.
• More blogs are shared on Facebook on the weekends.
• More comments to blogs are made on the weekends.
• If you are blogging so others will share a link to your blog, then you should publish on Monday and Thursday.
• Blogs posted between 6-7am get the most links.
• The more frequently you blog, the better your stats

Sharing Client Videos

We help our clients create videos to showcase their products and services. If you are not including video in your blogs, email campaigns and social media, you are missing out! You can easily create videos from photos.

How are you utilizing video in 2011?

Main Event Productions LLC

Liberty Party Rental

Visual Elements

Video - #1 Item to Include in Your Social Media Plan in 2011

I have been preaching for some time now that 2011 is the "Year of the Video" in social media. I thought it was high time to practice what I preach.

When you watch this, you will laugh and all that jazz but the message is to just do it. My flipcam and I are going to get a workout over the next few months and cannot wait to show you what we have learned. One of these days we will go back to this first video and laugh (even more than we are now) at how professional we/I have become.

In the meantime, think about ways you can use video to enhance your social media plan in 2011. Please share with the entire class.

Stuff We Do

When I say that we assist companies and individuals with their social media efforts, I usually get a stare that says "I don't get it" or a nod of the head and "that's nice." Well, it is nice but I'm sure they fully understand what we do.

At the urging of a client, I came up with the following that we have added to our monthly electronic newsletter, as well as to our website.

Stuff we do: Newsletters | Social Media Strategies | Electronic Communications | Social Media Set-Up and Maintenance | Photos-to-Video | Branding | Promotions | Social Media Research | Consulting | Target Marketing | Even More Stuff We Haven't Thought of Yet

You can check out our website to see samples of our work. If you see something you like, complete our inquiry form and give us a call. We love to hear from new people!

It's Been a Busy Month!

Since the Recap of 2010 blog post, we have added more clients! We would like to welcome the following companies to NetConnect Group:

Main Event Productions LLC - The main event family of companies includes The Bake Shoppe, A Catered Affair, Fantastic Flipbooks, Events @ 1418 and Legacy Farms. The first area we will focus on is branding and pulling all of these companies into one brand, Main Event Productions. Kellie Bryson is a great marketer and has a greater understanding of social media than any other client. It's going to be a fun ride.

Taylor Entertainment - Working with Robert Taylor to develop his Facebook page is going to be a blast. I have worked him in the event planning world where he produced some casino parties and a game show that has been the talk of that group's annual convention for years. Be sure to check out his Facebook page for photos of his interactive entertainment options, especially the crab races!

Event Logistics, Inc. - I started talking to this company back in the summer of 2010 and they just weren't ready to even think about their social media presence but, six months later, here we are -- ready to start this ball rolling. In addition to their outstanding meeting planning division, they also manage a venue on the floor above their offices that I am also going to be working with.

One Eleven - Nashville's Premier Rooftop Event Venue is one of Nashville's secret gems. Located above Big River Restaurant, this venue provides a sideline seat to all of the action that is happening at Riverfront Park and on Second Avenue.

Isn't it time you added your company to this list?

Using Social Media to Gain Attention to a Problem with a Corporation

In the November 2010 Reader's Digest, they ran a story titled "Buyers' Revenge." It told the stories of a few people who had used Social Media and the Internet to get the attention of the higher-up-on-the-ladder-execs-at-companies-who-appear-to-not-give-a-hoot-about-their-customers. From Volvo to 1-800-FLOWERS, consumers found a way to get their voices heard by the people in a position to make a difference.

I have never gone to such extreme measures but I would if a situation would merit it. I have complained on Facebook on a couple of occasions to companies and it is all in how they responded that got my attention. And loyalty.


The first time was to a national budget hotel chain. I had made reservations online at one rate but when I checked in, the new owners refused to honor the rate. No matter how much I talked to the owner, he refused. I paid the higher rate but, upon my arrival back home, I looked up their corporate website to make a complaint. I completed the online form and the response was that I should hear something back within 14-21 days. Say what? You have a disgruntled customer and they may have to wait three weeks to get any type of response from you? I went to Facebook and put my compliant on their wall. It took about 15 minutes before someone from the company posted a phone number for me to call. I did. They refunded me the difference in a timely manner. In fact, the refund arrived before they responded to my first complaint.

The next time was a locally-owned restaurant where service and food quality was an issue. I posted on their Facebook page how disappointed I was as I was hoping for better. It took a week for someone to respond to the Facebook post and their response was for me to enter my mailing address so that they could send me coupons for a free dinner. Say what? I'm going to post my mailing address on Facebook? I provided them my email address (mine is all over the Internet anyway so I wasn't worried about that) and asked them to contact me via email for the mailing address. I'm still waiting. That was in October. I haven't been back to the restaurant and may never go back.

If your company is going to go to the trouble to set up a Facebook page, Twitter account or website, you need someone to monitor it on a frequent basis. Don't let disgruntled buyers have their revenge at your expense.

2010 - Year in Review

It was not easy being a start-up in 2010. The economy was in the tank and my "vision" for the company wasn't (and still isn't) understood by the masses. However, as the word gets out and more of NetConnect Group's work is seen, the better things have become.

January 2010
I attended a reception in the later part of the month and sat down with Sharon Hill from the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. They were thinking of  hiring an intern to set up their social media accounts. I gave Sharon some key points to ask while they were interviewing interns but it seems she didn't need them as I got a call the next day to come by and talk to them! They were my very first client and I thank them for that.

March 2010
A mutual friend told me that I needed to call Carol Hodge at Visual Elements. Carol had commented to our friend that social media was "kicking her butt" and she didn't have the time to devote to it properly. We met for breakfast and discussed Visual Elements, as well as the Music Valley Event Center. By early spring, NetConnect Group was taking on the daily tasks of maintaining a social media presence for both companies. Thanks for your confidence in us!


June 2010
I have Carol Hodge to thank for introducing me to Monica Holmes at The Clean Plate Club. Monica was looking for a new way to promote her catering company and wanted to give social media a try. We started working with her to promote her company via Facebook and an electronic newsletter. While our time together was short due to a change in marketing philosophy, I loved working the Monica and getting to know her quirky sense of humor. She is very much a free spirit.

September 2010
NetConnect Group's September electronic newsletter was distributed a few days after Labor Day and a call from Sue Chasteen, Executive Director of the Tennessee Academy of Ophthalmology, soon followed. She was having some trouble setting up a Facebook page for her organization. After asking her questions about why she thought Facebook was the way to go, we decided that LinkedIn might be a better option for what her association would like to accomplish. I look forward to continuing to consult with Sue in 2011.

October 2010
Julie Hurst from Liberty Party Rental called and said, "I give up!" She had been attempting to keep up with their company's social media but it was just too much with her busy schedule at work and at home. Julie and I met and came up with a plan of attack and attack it we did! Updates to their Facebook page have been posted almost daily since that meeting and their first electronic newsletter, The Liberty LowDow, was distributed the first week of January. I produced a video today to be posted soon. I am really enjoying working with Julie and the team at Liberty Party. It's never a dull moment!

December 2010
In support of the Meeting Professionals International Tennessee Chapter's fundraising auction, I had donated a consultation to the highest bidder. Just before Christmas I had a telephone consultation with the gang at Stardome Comedy Club in Birmingham, Alabama. The majority of our time together was spent discussing Google Adwords but we also talked about Facebook (they are having tremendous success with FB ads) and electronic newsletters.

I met with what will be our first 2011 client just before Christmas as well and yesterday was when I received the call that they want to hire NetConnect Group. More information on this one coming soon but they saw the first issue of The Liberty LowDown and called Julie Hurst to see if she would be interested in producing their e-newsletter. Julie referred them to me and the rest is history! I cannot wait to get start with this one.

What We are Doing in 2011
We will continue doing what we have been doing but will add more services as the year progresses. We announced in December our offer of a free social media program to associations and non-profits (within a 50 mile radius of Nashville). We will hold one of our highly popular "ask anything" social media workshops in the first quarter of 2011. Lots more to come.

Thanks for your loyalty and support. I hope to do you proud!