Putting the “social” into social good.
On Tuesday, December 6, I delivered a presentation on the ways organizations are using social media for good causes with Chelsea Aures (@chelseaaures) and Kristin Mommers (@kmommers) for Dr. William Ward’s (@Dr4Ward) Social Media Theory & Practice graduate course at the S.I. Newhouse School of Syracuse University.
You can see what was covered here:
Kristin’s blog contains details and links from our presentation if you’d like to know more than what is on the slides!
To put together this presentation, we used various social media platforms and e-mail. Here’s what we used:
Twitter. Twitter was awesome for this project. We were able to connect with both Steph Dickard of Wide Angle Youth Media and Peter Jackson of Give Corps who gave us some extremely helpful tips on social media strategy development from a nonprofit standpoint. Our presentation used the hashtag #social4good to get the conversation started on Twitter. According to HashTracking and TweetReach, our hashtag was tweeted 100 times and received over 15,000 impressions in just 36 hours!
Google+. Our team created a Google+ circle and used it for communication. We shared relevant links with one another on our Google+ profile and also utilized Google Hangout to hold a progress conference with one another and Dr. 4Ward. 
Google Docs. As a team, we utilized Google Documents programs to collect our information, organize it, and create our Powerpoint.
LinkedIn. We used LinkedIn to share links and start discussion on a LinkedIn group. The discussion fell a bit flat on LinkedIn simply because we were using so many other forms of communication as a group already. LinkedIn was also not as successful for connecting with people for informational interviews. This may be due to the season. Because this is the time of giving, those involved with nonprofit organizations are extremely busy.
Slideshare. We shared our presentation (embedded above) on Slideshare. Between the two versions we posted there have been about 300 views in just a few days!
Good old-fashioned e-mail. This was one of the best ways to communicate. It was reliable and instant like the other platforms, but also just kept a great record of the ongoing conversation happening.
If I were to put together this project again, I would probably only use the most effective social media platforms to reach out to various people/organizations as well as to communicate with my group and the world. This includes Twitter, Google Docs, and SlideShare. That way efforts would be more productive in those areas rather than trying to make something happen on Google+ when Google+ wasn’t the best platform for us to use at the moment.
Overall, it was a great experience to explore the different platforms we used for both research and professional/personal communication. It was a really fantastic way to end the semester. If you are interested in viewing other presentations from the Social Media Theory & Practice class, please follow the #NewhouseSM6 tag on Twitter!
#SocialRockU
Josie (@lastnamefox), Laura (@lcmiley), and Malory (@malorytoscano) delivered a really fun presentation on the evolution of music in the social space.
Music has always been social.
The Internet has provided easier access, pirating, and social music. Myspace changed the sharing game by giving artists the ability to interact with fans and allowed other users to put their own songs on their profiles. Music became a part of identity.
Now Spotify can be linked to Facebook, so people know what you are listening to. (Author’s Note: I think the Spotify Facebook app took a page from AOL Instant Messanger and iChat’s ability to put your current iTunes jam on your status.)
The girls mentioned the following pioneers in music’s social space:
Radiohead (@radiohead) released “In Rainbows” for free or allowed fans to pay the amount of money they felt the music was worth. This created social responsibility and sold 1.2 million copies on its release day. (Author’s Note: This trend still continues, Angels & Airwaves and GirlTalk have also done something similar.)
Mike Posner (@MikePosner) interacted with fans on Twitter and puts his albums online for free.
Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) used her personal connections and strong Facebook and Twitter presence to build her brand and create an undeniably strong following. Proof is in this video.
Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) has 14 million (and growing) Twitter followers and his Biebempire was created only a few years ago after his mother posted a video of him singing on YouTube.
Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) worked with Cake NYC to create YouTube and blog posts that gained her thousands of followers in build-up for her album. This organic integrated content included song previews, personal blog posts, and live performance clips.
So, let’s talk apps: Turntable.fm allows artists to host e-listening parties, a new way to socially share music. Our class was even able to start our own “room” - we were rockin in class. Google Music, iTunes Match, YouTube Merch Store, and Amazon Cloud Player are all some upcoming apps ready to make soundwaves.
Spotify will be announcing the new direction they will be taking their application into tomorrow. Be on the lookout for that.
Follow our class’s conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #SocialRockU.
Curation: The Third “C”
Brian (@bpmoritz) and Qlu (@qlu_online) delivered an awesome presentation in Dr4Ward’s Social Media Theory & Practice course today on curation. They call curation the “third C”, an addition to the two Cs that are already well-established: connecting and creating.
Note: curation is NOT aggregation. Curation gives the user control. It is the solution to information overload and duplication.
The new generation of social media start-ups build on existing social connections and are focused on story telling. In other words, the success doesn’t rely on creating a new Facebook - it depends on creating an extension and new opportunities with the connections social media giants like Facebook have helped to create.
How does this happen? Applications exist that allow you to “borrow” both Facebook and Twitter friends and link them to other applications. It’s important to also note most of these services only store links, making this effective and storage minimal for start-up companies.
Storify allows you to curate stories and organize Twitter streams, Facebook mentions, YouTube videos, etc. You tell stories using all the information that is already on social media.
Paper.li allows you to start your own online newspaper using Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. feeds. The user becomes the publisher. Brian made his own for our last guest speaker. Check it out!
Flipboard takes the beauty of print and projects it onto the web. It takes the links your Facebook feed and makes it look like a magazine. Trust me, it’s much prettier than what my Facebook feed looks like. You can also flip through the pages. But sorry PC users, this app is only for iPad.
Pulse.me is similar to Flipboard. They take your favorite websites and mobile based and curate the information into an interactive mosaic daily. Available for iPad and iPhone.
Summify aggregates and de-duplicated your RSS stories and social media streams.
This presentation was extremely insightful, and I’m left wishing for an iPad. So interested to see what the latest start-ups will come up with. Want to check out the presentation yourself? Click here.
Start-Ups an Option for Social Media Experts
Sean Branagan (@sean_branagan), Director of the Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, visited my Social Media Theory & Practice today.
Dr. Ward invited Branagan to speak with us about our career options post-graduation that can utilize our social media skills, particularly start-ups.
Here’s a recap:
Many companies in the communications space are becoming media companies. Social media is a type of media. Not a separate function. It should work as a leg of other media and should be understood as both a social marketing and media tool. Understand how it works, rather than simply driving/utilizing it.
Start-ups under 5 years old have contributed tremendously to net job growth over the last 40 years. This effect will only grow. Start-ups need talent, and they don’t have recruitment or a hiring process. Your skills and proof of your abilities are going to be more important than the big names you’ve worked with. “Lean Start-ups” are the new business model in the digital age. Forget the 60-page business plans.
Ideas are worthless. So if your idea is going to fail, let it fail fast. And move on to the next one quickly. If you really want to work from a good idea, you better have a lot in your pocket.
Don’t Forget! 12/2 @ 2pm Syracuse’s Career Development Center will have 4 start-ups Skype in to speak with students including Funny or Die, Broadcastr, DNA Info, and another TBA.
Want more Branagan insight? Visit his blog and follow his Twitter. Take the 1-credit lean start-up course or the 3-credit ICC400 and ICC600 (Digital Media Entrepreneurship) courses, you’ll be forming teams and creating your own business. This class includes a pitch to investors. SU also offers a minor in digital media entrepreneurship.
Have a business idea? Syracuse’s Student Sandbox will allow you to fund and nurture your business instead of grabbing coffee for someone at an internship. They also offer coaching for student businesses as well as connecting you to the right people in the Newhouse network. (Although, I have never had to make copies or grab coffee at any of mine!)
Looking for an experience? Branagan will be taking 5 lucky students to an all-expense paid trip to the interactive portion of SXSW this March. An informational meeting is soon!
Beyond knowing where you are.
My apologies for the lack of posts and reviews on our Social Media Theory & Practice class.
Today, Kate Brodock (katebrodock.com, @just_kate) was in class. Kate is extremely accomplished. She is not only the Executive Director of Digital and Social Media at Syracuse University, but is also the Founder & Chair of the Other Side Group and CMO of Girls in Tech Global. She spoke with us about some pretty awesome mobile trends and how the university is using them.
Here’s a summary:
Geo-tagging: a way to allow your friends to know where you are, deal-based incentives from businesses
»Foursquare: if you use social media, you probably know what this is.
Rich media layering: Having multiple layers to your experience
»Bizzy: Checking into places and reviewing your experience there.
»Broadcastr: Create a story about your experience: tell the world where you were, how much you spent, and rate it.
Specialty Services: using utilities built into phones to enhance experiences, apps built into functionality of your phone.
»Taskr: location based setting changed, need your phone to automatically switch to silent when you walk into school? This one is for you.
Future Check-Ins: checking in prior to being at a place.
»Ditto!: an attempt to catch a user before they check in somewhere so your friends can meet up with you for lunch and no when and where to go.
Aggregated apps: centralizing specials
»Not one particular app, but there is one solely for lunch if you’re interested in lunch specials.
What is Syracuse University doing to promote these services?
»Homecoming check-in race to promote events and local businesses (SU has it’s own FourSquare badge!)
» Scavenger hunt orientation games to interact with peers, learn about campus and build team work
»They are on the edge of creating the total Syracuse experience when you aren’t even on campus using Broadcastr and hoping to clinch event check-in privileges with FourSquare soon.
These apps are good for business.
» Loyalty programs can generate business.
» Referrals systems allow customers to leave reviews and tips.
» Create an influence.
The pioneers of location-based marketing.
»@aaronstrout
»@schneidermike
»@mr_lbs
»@jbruin
I am notorious for disliking foursquare, and the gamefication of it. But Kate’s lecture softened me a little. There are many apps going beyond making checking into places (that your friends probably don’t care about) a game. Rich media layering is creating an experience that can benefit business and allow consumers to become influencers. This is a new level of social, one that not everyone is comfortable with - but there is enough advancement on these platforms that suggests its here to stay. And it’s only going to get crazier.
Thanks to Kate for giving us such an interesting presentation!
So, share your experience. How do you feel about geo-tagging and these rich layering social apps?
Emerson Social Media #ESM: UnThink: The Anti-Facebook?
Last week saw the launch of Facebook’s newest competitor, UnThink.com. Many have tried - and failed - to compete with Facebook, but UnThink, which bills itself as a “social revolution,” rather than a social network, may have found a way to truly stand out in the…
Source: emersonsm
Link your Connections to Create a Career Chain.
This week my social media class focused on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn is a social network designed for professionals. The career-based platform allows users to build profiles that focuses on their achievements and professional/educational history. However, it’s much more than an interactive resume. Your connections can link you to other connections. The site offers many other options to help you organize your connections, keep track of them, and boost your presence within your network.
My favorite aspect of LinkedIn is the Recommendations feature. Anyone you are connected to can create a recommendation for you, and you can ask for them. This means potential employers can get to know you from multiple angles: from the eyes of your coworkers, faculty, organizations, and peers. LinkedIn is the new way to connect in the professional world for individuals and businesses.
If you don’t have a profile, I suggest you sign up.
LinkedIn’s John Hill (@MSUAAJohn) visited Syracuse University on Wednesday. Here are some highlights from his presentation:
- “Networking is how to get from Point A to Point C.”
- Have a diverse network. You know where you want to go now, but you never know where you’ll end up.
- Most people get jobs based on affiliations (in this order): family, friends, universities, shared work experience, and public service.
- Many recruiters only look at LinkedIn profiles that are 100% complete.
- Use LinkedIn’s “notes” feature for contacts. It’s a great way to remember “who is who” and makes networking much more effective.
- Remember: Ask contacts for advice, not a job!
Need some extra help with your LinkedIn profile?
50 Helpful LinkedIn Tips
LinkedIn Video Tutorials & Tips
Innovation needs to be part of your culture. Consumers are transforming faster than we are, and if we don’t catch up, we’re in trouble.
Social Media puts the ‘public’ into PR and the ‘market’ into marketing.
