Dear Diary,

I've been trying to chat about social media with interested parties, but I keep finding that these experts seem to stay within a certain boundary of new media jargon. OK, I get it. In order to show the world we know what we are saying…we must use these common keywords to prove that we belong in the conversation. (ie. Facebook page, Twitter, MySpace & LinkedIn).

But come on people! If we know anything about social media, we should know that while Facebook and Twitter are hot tamales at the moment, they will eventually fade. This is why I believe it’s important to find social media mediums besides FB or Twitter. If you solely depend on the sites you hear about on 60 minutes – then you are missing the point of social media. It changes as quickly as it begins.

So, Be aware. Spend a little extra time searching for new, upcoming sites. Don’t be afraid to venture outside the obvious.

A Social Media Plan

Fact: When you decide to create a social media plan, you should define your goals, messages and target audiences. Without understanding these key points your plan will end up being a mash of random thoughts – sprinkled by a few common keywords (ie. Facebook page, Twitter, MySpace & LinkedIn).

Shift Happens

Staying Consistent

The Color Palette Generator is a super cool tool that helps users match an image with a color scheme. So if you are designing something based off an image or logo, I recommend checking out this useful gadget. http://www.degraeve.com/color-palette/index.php

Note: Enter the URL of the image - not the Web site. You can find this by going to Google and then search "images" for your picture.

Here is an example of what you will see:

I Use These The Most...so far...

AroundMe - "This app allows you to quickly find out information about your surroundings. How many times have you found yourself in need of finding the closest Gas Station?AroundMe quickly identifies your position and allows you to choose the nearest Bank, Bar, Gas Station, Hospital, Hotel, Movie Theatre, Restaurant, Supermarket, Theatre and Taxi."

I AM T-Pain - "With I Am T-Pain, the hip-hop artist's vocal style is merely a couple of taps away. All you have to do is sing into the microphone, and I Am T-Pain Auto-Tune technology will make you and your friends sound like stars. Record your versions of Buy U A Drank, I'm Sprung, Bartender and more. I Am T-Pain adds the Auto-Tune vocal effect made famous by T-Pain himself. "

Bubble Wrap - "Just the ticket when you need to fill 45 seconds until the stoplight changes (as a pedestrian, not a driver, people!) or until the next train comes. A piece of bubble wrap appears onscreen and you pop as many bubbles as you can (without doubling up) in 45 seconds. Race to see who gets the highest score."

Groupie or Fan President?

I'm in the process of creating a Facebook presence for a local DC Band that I help manage - The Fed. I've been trying to choose which Facebook format I should go with - A Group or individual Fan page.

One (Fan pages) is available to unregistered users which allow you to be found, while the other (groups) can be accessed by all members of the group...making it easier to 'bulk invite' users to the page.

Here are some other things to consider:

I've decided after careful consideration that the best bet for a band is an individual Fan Page. It's a better tool for keeping users active.

Don't Be Obnoxious...Or Else

Facebook spammer ordered to pay $711 million
(cnnmoney.com)

The social networking site wins damages against noted spammer Sanford Wallace for bombarding its users with junk mail.

Wallace, who has also been called the "Spam King," accessed Facebook members' accounts without their permission and sent out "phony" Wall posts and messages, the company said.

"Most notably, the judge referred Wallace to the U.S. Attorney's Office with a request that Wallace be prosecuted for criminal contempt, which means that in addition to the judgment, he now faces possible jail time," read the Facebook statement. "We will continue to pursue damages against other spammers."

This isn't the first time that Sanford was successfully sued by an online company. In May, 2008, MySpace won a $230 million judgment against Wallace for sending junk messages. Wallace was also fined $4 million by the Federal Trade Commission in 2006 for his excessive pop-up ads

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/30/technology/facebook_spammer/index.htm?postversion=2009103017

Clouds Are Not Only In the Sky

A Word Cloud is another word for Tag Cloud....I'm sure you've seen one before - I just created one on Wordle.com as an example:


(this is the tag cloud for IntheInCrowd)

Because internet users have little patience and short attention spans, Web sites use word clouds as a means to guide users through their site's with ease. This method helps to increase their SEO and direct traffic to targeted content. So basically, for users its a more refined search tool rather than a search bar.

Why are some words larger and bolder than others? The more dominant the word is in the cloud, the more frequently that term is used on that particular site.

• Smallest - The smallest tag (lowest count) is shown at size 8
• Largest - The largest tag (highest count) is shown at size 22

I recommend checking out these 2 sites to see the most popular words on your site and to create a word cloud for yourself:

http://www.webconfs.com/keyword-density-checker.php

http://www.metamend.com/seo-tools/keyword-density-analyzer.html

Interested in Social Media, and Networking with Fellow Practitioners?

Social Media World Forum - Santa Clara, 9/10th November 2009

Details on the event can be found on http://www.socialnetworking-northamerica.com which is part of the growing Social Media Series of events running in London and Singapore http://www.socialmediaseries.net .

The show has a leading conference line up, with ‘free to attend’ exhibition and workshops. The workshops will be announced next week, and give an interesting compliment to the 20 exhibitors, providing 2 days of quality networking. Social Media Group Members can save 20% off the conference ticket price – only $695 for the 2 days, or $396 for 1 day. For bookings please email ian@sixdegs.com , with code SMM# , or phone the booking line on the web site - + 44 (0) 117 946 8876 .

Leading speakers at the show include;

Chris Heuer, Chairman, Co-Founder, Social Media Club • Brian Solis, Principal, FutureWorks • Peter Pezaris, CEO, Multiply • Richard Jalichandra, CEO, Technorati • Michael Donnelly, Director-Worldwide Interactive Marketing, The Coca-Cola • Mike Trigg, VP of Marketing, hi5 • Dalton Caldwell, Founder & CEO, imeen • John Andrews, Emerging Media Sr. Manager at Wal-Mart Stores, Wallmart • Scott Monty, Head of Social Media, Ford Motor Company • Alexandra Wheeler, Director Digital Strategy, Starbucks • Ziv Navoth, SVP Marketing & Partnerships, Bebo/AOL People Networks • Angela Courtin, SVP, Marketing Content and Entertainment, MySpace • Jeffrey C. Taylor, CEO, Eons.com / Founder, CEO, Monster.com More than 500 people have already pre-registered, if you are only interested to visit the “free” exhibition, please register in advance on http://www.socialnetworking-northamerica.com/register/free-exhibition.html To stay up to date, join the LinkedIn event listing on http://tinyurl.com/yfowvej

If you have an interest in other subjects such as the impact of social media on TV, politics, PR – or the London events - please visit http://www.socialmediaseries.net to find out about the other shows.

ɯopuɐɹ

˙˙˙sı ʇı ǝɹǝɥ ʇnq - sıɥʇ pǝǝu ɹǝʌǝ plnoʍ noʎ ʎɥʍ ǝɹns ʎllɐǝɹ ʇou

http://www.en.fliptext.net/@ ʇı puıɟ ¿pǝʇsǝɹǝʇuı

Better Late Than Never

Until recently my mobile means of communication was the Crackberry, however I just jumped on the i-phone bandwagon. I'm looking forward to exploring the world of i-phone applications and will be sure to keep everyone posted on the best apps, the advantages/disadvantages, and the major differences between blackberry's and i-phones.

VIP List

(CNN) -- Google Wave, a product that promises to revolutionize online communication, will go out to about 100,000 beta testers Wednesday.

Want to be a Google Wave tester? https://services.google.com/fb/forms/wavesignup/

Dear A Bit Overwhelmed,

If you’re beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed when updating your Twitter, Facebook, LinedIn, MySpace, Jaiku, Ning and blog accounts - Don't fret...I have a solution for you!

Ping.fm is a free downloadable service that allows you to update all your social networks from anywhere at once.

Interested? Check it out @ http://ping.fm/

Back to the Basics

I apologize for being MIA - I was away on business/vacation...but now I'm back!

OK, so I'm currently trying to put together marketing pieces for my company and I'm beginning to realize how much of a pain it is to find a happy medium between company colors and the colors I'd prefer to use. In a conversation with a friend (an artist) about my dilemma, she suggested using complimentary colors. Genius! I mean, I knew that - I just hadn't referred to a color wheel in forever.

Study up on your complimentary colors - it will make life easier when trying to design something online. Thanks Katherine!

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Applicable From Old Skool to New Skool

A man has a property in his opinions and the free communication of them.
James Madison

Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.
William Butler Yeats

A world community can exist only with world communication, which means something more than extensive short-wave facilities scattered; about the globe. It means common understanding, a common tradition, common ideas, and common ideals.
Robert M. Hutchins

To be social is to be forgiving.
Robert Frost

To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.
Anthony Robbins

Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Side Note...About Me

I have just been elected to join the Young Professionals in Transportation (YPT) Communications Subcommittee (CS)! Which means I will be helping their communications team raise YPT's online presence using social media!

I'm excited to take this interest to the next level!

Curious about this group? Check them out @ http://ypt.transportation.org/Content.aspx?id=1

Don't Forget Your Mints!

Airlines are jumping onto the Social Media wave. How - you ask? Well, I'll tell you...

They are developing web-based seating assignments, creating their own inbound social networks, and finding a way for passengers to stay in touch after their flight lands. This will allow travelers to connect, whether that be for friendly convo, romance or to find fellow backpackers. Sites like vtravelled and Dopplr , already allow you to do just that, but airlines now want a piece of the pie.

My thoughts:

While some business travelers were incredibly disappointed they woud no longer be getting ‘work breaks’ while in flight due to the internet being accesible in air (boo hoo) – I am incredibly on board with this idea.

I’ve read about people who marry after meeting on flights, I’ve seen friends evolve from it and I personally have met many fellow backpackers aboard flights. I think there has always been a strong social component to traveling and its about time the aviation industry take advantage of it.

Read more details @ http://sparksheet.com/above-and-beyond-airplanes-are-social-media/

Opinions are like assholes...Everyone has one.

LinkedIn Discussion Groups allows users to meet people with likeminded interests and share thoughts/opinions about any and every topic. I, obviously, am in a ton of Social Media groups as I find it incredibly interesting to see what is being said or shared about current trends. I recently posted my first discussion opinion: (my response is in purple)

How Much is Too Much? How Much is Not Enough? How Often do you Tweet for Your Business?

My goal is to tweet 2-3 times per day for my company, Face Time Marketing. On my personal twitter account however, I find myself tweeting more. I think it's because I feel a bit less constrained by the conventions of business communication.

I follow several people that I would like to hear more from. I also have some that over-tweet for my taste. What do you think is the Magic Number?
And for that matter... follow us on Twitter @facetimePDX

I've just started a Twitter account for my company, FastLane Hires and I've found that it's best practice to have a simple strategy: 1/3 be something about your company, 1/3 about your industry and a 1/3 misc. Readers want to learn more than they want to be sold...marketing your name just comes along with the territory.

That said - I don't think there is one award winning formula...Just know your audience and treat them as if they were acquaintances from your personal account. Nobody wants a full-time advertisement in their face - that's why social media has become successful.

Best bet: Keep them engaged and keep a balance of the type of tweets you post.

http://twitter.com/fastlanehires
Read more about my thoughts on social media @ www.intheincrowd.blogspot.com

I dunno...Google it.

I thought Google was as common as getting dressed, brushing your teeth or being on Facebook. However, after several conversations with friends it has come to my attention that this is not the case. Most of us understand how to search use basic search criteria, but I say - take it a step further.

If you can't find the answer with a simple word search... ask Google your questions. Literatly.

Google (bloggers, ppl with similar stories and experts) have all had the same questions you have. There is no original thought. Once Google produces answers to your questions (links) - read a handful of the responses to find your conclusion...and Voila - your an expert.

Here are a couple examples of my past few questions fo Google:

1. What causes a child to have a night terror? (for a friend)

2. How do I embed a YouTube video on my blogspot account? (for my blog, obvious work in progess)

3. Where can I find FastLane Hires jobs? (shameless marketing)