Trade Tips: Twitter in Small Steps

Trade Tips: Twitter in Small Steps

By Nicole Hayes

A personal goal for some this year (like myself) is finding more time to practice and/or develop social media outreach skills. Even if you hire/task someone else to conduct your social media outreach, it's imperative you understand the use and impact of such tools. I’ll start with Twitter, which in some respects is outpacing Facebook in advancing conversations. What is Twitter? Per Wikipedia, Twitter is an online social networking service and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets". It was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July. The service rapidly gained worldwide popularity, with over 300 million users as of 2011, generating over 300 million tweets and handling over 1.6 billion search queries per day. It has been described as "the SMS of the Internet." Users can group posts together by topic or type by use of hashtags – words or phrases prefixed with a "#" sign. Similarly, the "@" sign followed by a username is used for mentioning or replying to other users. To repost a message from another Twitter user, and share it with one's own followers, the retweet function is symbolized by "RT" in the message.

Given this basic overview, here are a few Twitter tips for maximizing your outreach:

*Use Hoot Suite application for your phone to manage your tweets on the go

*Use Tweet Deck onto your computer; it's great for managing multiple Twitter accounts and allows you to edit retweets unlike the regular Twitter

*Participate in "Tweet Ups" which are "meet ups" with people/professionals you've met on Twitter you want to know more about/share similar interests (discretion advised)

*Join Twitter chats to engage in regular discussion topics of importance to you, as this will help your dialogues and build your followings

*Socialoomph a tool to help schedule your tweets;

*If you're busy (that's a silly statement) you can also ask friends, your team to push out tweets you've crafted in advance for promoting a campaign, issue

*Tweetreach.com is a tool to measure impact and reach of your tweets via your hash tags used

*Good etiquette and use of social media platforms is like building a relationship: Interact with people, take interest in what others are saying, retweet what they're saying if you like it, thank them for retweeting your tweet, when deciding who to follow it's all about quality of that person not their quantity of followers

*Remember to share information that is helpful to people—don't only tweet the buttered toast you ate for breakfast

Now you’re ready to “tweet tweet!”

PR Tips: Showing Reciprocity in Social Media

Showing Reciprocity in Social Media

By: Nicole Hayes

You know the generic phrases: “Follow us on Twitter.”  “Like us on Facebook.” And as we’re nearing the holiday season, you’ll certainly see more “donate” links.  All of these ‘invitations’ call upon the reader to act on the organization’s behalf, whether for internal or altruistic purposes. But isn’t an invitation supposed to benefit the invitee somehow? How does the generic request show reciprocity, or a mutual, cooperative exchange of favors?

Most of us would send a call to voicemail or ignore emails from persons always asking favors but seldom offering anything in return. All relationships require some form of mutual reciprocity, to show value for each other. Though social media platforms join communities and allow for quicker response to information, it should occur with thought and consideration.  Tell your reader why they should follow you, like you, and how you can enhance their lives/partnership. Tell your reader what’s in it for them. Here are additional social media interaction tips we invite you to read for better engagement with your communities.

Trade Tips: Sometimes Less is More

Trade Tips: Sometimes Less is More

By Nicole Hayes

Can one have too many “friends”? When is networking ineffective? We’ve all been to social events, “meet-and-greets,” with plate and beverage in one hand and business card in the other. Handshakes and smiles are exchanged followed by the infamous, “What do you do?,” then surfaces the business card. Each card representing a person’s livelihood or passion—is stuffed into pockets, purses and wallets, maybe never receiving further study. We may later “friend” the person on Facebook, add them to our Linked In, Twitter and monthly mailing lists. It may temporarily boost our ego that our “contacts,” “connections” and “friends” numbers have increased—but what sustaining value has been deposited with the increase? This May 30, 2010 New York Times article suggests that “friending sustains an illusion of closeness in a complex world of continuous partial attention.”

In a business world that demands everything happen faster, the best relationships require an investment of our time. Most of us have a select number of people in our lives who because of a developed closeness and trust,  will move mountains to support our efforts and goals. The worth of these trusted few will productively grow your efforts. Networking is good when there is a genuine interest in supporting the other person’s goals.  Otherwise, it results in the collection of forgotten business cards and Facebook “friends” of whose status you’re unaware.

The Intern Diaries: The Voice of Social Media

The Intern Diaries: The Voice of Social Media

On yesterday, while on my lunch break I experienced my first earthquake. I was sitting in a park, near my place of work when the ground started to shake. Like many of the bystanders, I too was confused with what had just happened. Quickly, I reached for my iphone but when I went to call out, I had no dial tone. So I tweeted, in hopes that someone from my immediate family in SC would be able to view the tweet and to know that I was ok. I got a reply from who I thought was my sister but it was my grandmother tweeting from her page. Who knew my grandmother knew how to tweet?

I never realized how much social media had grown until that moment. I knew it was evolving but I had no clue that it reached a different generation until I found a study from PEW Reach Survey Findings about America's Largest Generation and social media.

Social Media has become an important source of communication. 

As we were given the ok to re-enter the buildings, I observed as my colleagues tweeted, text, e-mail and instant message their loved ones. Social media has become our voice when all other communications platform silences us.

Back to School: Are you on Facebook?

Back to School: Are you on Facebook?

Parents may want to consider adding cell phones to the back-to-school list, and not just to keep tabs on their kids.

According to a USA Today article today, online and social media access are becoming increasingly prevalent and valued learning tools in the classroom, with some teachers asking students to use their mobile devices to access online polls and information, and adapting Facebook pages to serve as classroom sharing spaces.  

‘"Being literate in 2011 means being digitally literate," says Chris Lehmann, principal of Science Leadership Academy, a public high school in Philadelphia that has been using social media since it opened in 2006.’

Some critics say opening the Web to students is too risky given the presence of explicit content that filters don’t always catch, but proponents of the non-traditional learning style say it’s a mistake to ignore the Internet as an educational tool to teach students responsible online behavior.

Republicans Follow Obama’s Twitter Steps

Republicans Follow Obama’s Twitter Steps

The first official republican debate held via Twitter is underway.  Candidates – including Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich – are poised to answer tough questions in 140 characters or less.

The debate started a little after 3pm, with Sarah Elizabeth “S.E.” Cupp of the Glenn Beck show serving as moderator. Here’s a quick look at the opening statements:

An Insight Into Twitter's Mastermind

An Insight Into Twitter's Mastermind

Twitter co-founder Biz Stone was recently on NPR's weekly program, "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" a weekly hour-long quiz program where you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up. Could they have picked a more perfect guest then the co-founder of the micro-blogging website where the line between what's fact, fiction, fantasy, and opinion are unclearly blurred? The episode with Biz is mostly humorous, as are most Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! programs, but there were also some really interesting insights into the world of Twitter, Silicon Valley, and those who run our social-networking worlds. Take a listen and let us know what you think about Twitter's head-honcho. Does he come across as a young, socially savvy, genius? Or does he seem as deep as about 140 characters? 

Social Media May Have the Final Say

Social Media May Have the Final Say

He's not going to the prom...now he's going to the prom. Shelton High School Administrators in Connecticut banned honor roll senior James Tate from attending prom after he and his buddies posted 12-inch cardboard letters on the school's exterior asking his potential date, Sonali Rodrigues, to prom. The school's punishment spurred a flurry of social media activity on Facebook and Twitter, gaining Tate international support to reverse the school headmaster's decision in a week's time. By Saturday, May 14, Shelton High School headmaster Beth Smith caved on her decision and granted Tate permission to attend his senior prom. During this time, Tate and the school were placed in the national media spotlight; one the villain, the other the hero.

A study released on January 28 from the University of Masschusetts' Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research found that top, thriving companies increased their Facebook usage from 54 percent in 2009 to 84 percent in 2010. More companies are harnessing the power of this social media vehicle, understanding its ability to tip the scales. Some would say, "Don't mess with Facebook," witnessing its power to mobilize protestors to overthrow a longterm Egyptian president to reversing a school administrator's decision.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, May 16, 2011:

"Facebook Credited With Prom Ban Reversal"

By: David Muir

Score one for all the young men, and women, brave enough to draw up the courage to ask their love to prom.
And score one for the power of Facebook, Twitter…and a little heart.

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Two Young Super Stars Driving Social Change

Happy Birthday to the White House kitchen garden and Twitter!  The two March prodigies turned two and five, respectively, this week with lots to show for their young years. The garden has influenced the nation’s eating habits. Twitter has transformed the way the world communicates.

First Lady Michelle Obama planted the White House vegetable garden in the spring of 2009 with the help of local elementary school children.  Yielding a constant supply of fresh produce, the garden is a centerpiece of the First Lady’s campaign to end childhood obesity. Obama’s message, one supposes, is that gardening is good for the heart, soul and mind. There’s nothing quite more rewarding than planting a seed, nurturing its growth, and harvesting the fruits of your labor.

Launched on March 21, 2006, Twitter has revolutionized the way people around the world communicate. Creator Jack Dorsey equipped everyday people with a powerful tool to make the globe a better place. 

Highlighted Clips for Tuesday, March 22, 2011:

"The White House Kitchen Garden turns two"

By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams

While the first family has been traveling abroad, the little veggie garden in their backyard turned two years old over the weekend.

 

"Twitter turns five: Celebrating the service that changed the way we communicate"

By: Melissa Bell

Five years ago, a message was sent out across the Internet: Sent by Twitter co-creator Jack Dorsey, it ushered in a program that has revolutionized the way news is delivered and credited for spurring on social unrest in the world. Will that tweet go down in history along with Alexander Graham Bell’s “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you”?

Pictures Worth a 1000 words: The Power of Social Networking in Egypt's Fight For Freedom

Pictures Worth a 1000 words: The Power of Social Networking in Egypt's Fight For Freedom

The current battle for freedom and the removal of President Mubarak in Egypt is a complex, constantly shifting, increasingly violent, and confusing situation to watch. It's hard for anyone to really understand what's going on in that country, but one thing is clear. This revolution was organized and sustained through the use of the internet and popular social networking platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. It's no wonder then, that almost immediately once protests started taking place, the Government of Egypt attempted to shut down the internet and these websites. Thankfully, they were unsuccessful and the Egyptian people were able to continue to organize themselves and their opinions via these powerful tools. Social Networking was always meant to connect us to those around us and around the world. To see how these tools have been used to shape a revolution is truly awe-inspiring. 

(Photo: Egyptian protester holding sign “Thank you Facebook” Taken by NBC reporter Richard Engel)

 

(Photo: An anti-government protestor holds a blooded Egyptian flag in Tahrir Square on February 3, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. The Army have positioned tanks between protesters who had been battling with supporters of President Hosni Mubarak for the second day in and around Tahrir Square in Cairo. By Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images.)

(Photo: A young Egyptian anti-government demonstrator flashes victory signs as a stone battle rages between fellow demonstrators and pro-regime opponents at Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 3, 2011 on the 10th day of protests calling for the ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak. By Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo: Egyptian soldiers try to prevent anti-government demonstrators (L) from battling pro-government opponents (R) in Cairo's Tahrir square on February 03, 2011 on the 10th day of protests calling for the ouster of embattled President Hosni Mubarak. By Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images)