At the Charleston Social Media Club panel on February 16th, one of the audience members asked for recommendations on good books for learning more about social media. We all know that technology-related books can be outdated pretty quickly. However, “Web 2.0: A strategy Guide” by Amy Shuen is a good introduction for users new to the Web 2.0 world and since it covers strategy; it is a very relevant book. It goes beyond just the latest and greatest tools.
Amy Shuen encourages the audience to ask relevant questions before embarking on a social media plan. How will we draw people to our site? Can we learn from users as they visit us? What is the target group? How will it change our business practices? How much input do we want?
Shuen gives an overview of well-known applications, such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn, along with implications for their use. Web 2.0 tools make it difficult to control content, but more likely to generate interest from users because of its interactive nature. As I’ve mentioned to groups when introducing them to social media, people need to get past the idea of “control” and think more about influencing the audience. There are powerful multiplying effects of social media that people should tap into. After finishing this book, the reader should be able to begin implementation of a Web 2.0 plan and think strategically about maximizing online opportunities.
We are looking for qualified individuals to write guests posts for this site. The post could be a review of a book or tool, could be commentary about a particular social media site, or could even be about use and etiquette. In other words, if it is of interest to the social media public and isn’t trying to simple sell something, we would love to have you write a post for us.
If you are interested, and of course you would be give full credit and links and such, just send us a message via the contact form and we will get back to you. Be sure to let us know what you want to write about!
If you spend any time on Facebook, doubtless you’ve noticed all the business pages that are springing up. I bet you’re already a fan of several. Restaurants, retail establishments, hotels and numerous others find Facebook a great way to “reach out and touch someone” (currently, over 400 million some ones!). Given its many functions which allow you to add pictures, events, applications, etc., have we reached a point where your business no longer needs a Website if you have a Facebook page? Continue Reading »
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created a nine-page guide to Twitter entitled, CDC Micro-blogging Requirements and Best Practices. This is a fantastic document. Not only does it give specific examples on how to use Twitter and how to get those tweets to get retweeted and spread, but it also includes a good history of Twitter and some insight into security concerns that might be involved.
Additionally, if you are planning on using Twitter as an official means of communication from a business or organization, The Center’s Guide will give you a good place to start in creating your own policy and procedure guidelines.
These days, it seems everyone and his mother has a Facebook page. In the U.S., about 100 million unique visitors flock to the social network every month. Many business owners are among them, using Facebook profiles to promote their companies and create customer communities. For some entrepreneurs, social networks have also become a useful advertising platform. Ellie Sawits, CEO of Frutels, a New York City–based maker of chocolate candies used to treat acne, says ads on Facebook are an affordable alternative to the high pay-per-click rates for acne-related keywords on Google’s AdWords. “For me, the economics of Google just don’t work,” she says. But it’s not easy to make your ad stand out among the Facebook status updates, party photos, and comments. Here are four tips to help you get started.
I had all but forgotten about this great video until I saw it again today. I was at the College of Charleston taking part in a presentation on Social Media with Dr. Bing Pan. He is well respected in the field and in Hospitality & Tourism Management, and it was on honor to be on stage with him. Anyway, he started the presentation out with this video, and I was immediately reminded of how good it is and how hard hitting some of the facts are. To that end, I thought I would post it here for your enjoyment.
For more from the people who made this, just check out SocialNomics.
I seek to empower people by making technology a vehicle for driving businesses and communities. Just as you drive a car without worrying about how the engine operates, I will take care of your information systems as a data mechanic. This lets you drive the technology, instead of it driving you. I provide social media, web development and PC and Macintosh support services for small businesses and not-for-profits in Charleston and the surrounding South Carolina Lowcountry.
At the Charleston Social Media Club panel on February 16th, one of the audience members asked for recommendations on good books for learning more about social media. We all know that technology-related books can be outdated pretty quickly. However, “Web 2.0: A strategy Guide” by Amy Shuen is a good introduction for users new to the Web 2.0 world and since it covers strategy; it is a very relevant book. It goes beyond just the latest and greatest tools.
or could even be about use and etiquette. In other words, if it is of interest to the social media public and isn’t trying to simple sell something, we would love to have you write a post for us.
These days, it seems everyone and his mother has a 
