I am excited to announce that I have come up with a new name for this blog. As you see above, I decided on the title, A Social Stroll. I came about this name because for one, I wanted to make sure the title had that nice little buzzword 'social' to convey not only the vast social media, but also the cooperative and interdependent relationships between individuals the world over. I chose the word 'stroll' because for one, I love a leisurely walk outdoors and because of my affinity for random research I stumbled upon this gem. The Stroll was a slow rock 'n' roll dance craze from the late 1950s that originated from American Bandstand. This is a small discovery that rolled a few of the little things I appreciate into one: dance, history and finding new information at random. Also, I realize that term stroll in the name lends to how my mind tends to wander where ever inclination directs. Maybe the name should be A Social Ramble. That may paint a clearer picture. You decide.
Transition! (Because I want to share a funny observation from my job.)
I have had a work experience all too similar to the movie "Office Space". Here's the story. I've got my own frosted glass desk here at work and proceeded to decorate it with file holders, a pen holder, a redneck wine glass filled with SweeTarts Jelly Beans, a homemade business card holder using a spring paper clip and a couple sock monkeys wearing sweatshirts. The sock monkeys were gifts from one of my clients. So my desk appears very kid-(and redneck?) friendly. I decided that I might as well complete my desk's look by adding a stapler brought from home. This stapler has been used by many people in my office. I am happy to share such things, after all it's only a stapler, but there's a twist! I was raised in the South where I was taught to say 'please' and 'thank you', especially when giving or receiving items. My stapler was used frequently by one particular co-worker that never used these polite words. So each day, I would get more and more irked when the stapler was taken without asking. Now I don't expect a person to ask every single time, but at least the first time. Almost daily, this stapler usage would occur and it would be returned to another random location from where it was not originally found, another action I found annoying. After weeks of this, it finally dawned on me that I was Milton Waddams from Office Space who is in love his red Swingline stapler. At this point of realization, I had already acknowledged how petty this entire thing was, but continued to feel negatively about it. So I eventually took the dang thing back home which made me feel even more silly about it. I have since learned that this rude stapler user has had their own stapler this entire time, yet claimed there were no staples loaded into it. I found the stapler (staples included), tested its stapling abilities and placed it on top of their desk with a sticky note that read 'Staples Included!' And wouldn't you know, this happens to be a fancy schmancy stapler of the Swingline brand. Finally, I think have solved the silly stapler issue! As I write this post, I think the stapler has yet to be noticed or used, but I have high hopes! No, I do not plan on burning down my office as Milton eventually did, but I do plan to work on my strange issues with manners and stapler usage. These are the fun office antics that I am privileged to experience on any given day. I learned a little bit more about myself and just how far I will (and will not) go for my black, plastic stapler. And as this post demonstrates, I am reminded that I clearly have a highly Type A personality with some minute obsessive-compulsive tendencies. I'm just wondering how far that will get me.
Don't miss my next post where I talk about putting paper and ink cartridges in the printer! (Goodness, I'm full of wise cracks.)
*Update: On the last day I worked for this company, I left that silly stapler as a parting gift. And my issues are resolved!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Renewal
Hello Blogosphere!
It's been some time since I've had words with you. In fact, it's been TOO much time. Since the last post (nearly two years ago), I've let this poor blog go and after this long period of neglect, I thought I was going to let it remain defunct. In the back of my mind, I always knew this was not the proper fate for this blog. I mean, what ever did it do to me that would justify me to leave it sitting there with only a handful of posts? It would not do it any justice if I fail to use it for what a blog was created to do: provide fresh content through regular updates. While mulling the fate of the blog around for a while, I was fortunate to come in contact with an accomplished and invaluable individual that I knew could offer the direction I needed. It's people like her that really care about others and I'm grateful to be one of those others. This ally gave me some great ideas and instilled the bit of confidence I needed to start blogging again.
This blog was originally created during PR independent study (overseen by the aforementioned ally) in which I reviewed companies that were sponsors during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games and their uses of social media focused around the event. (Hence the title - The Business of Sponsorships: Social Media for the Gold!) It was an opportunity to break into the blogosphere while exploring the world of social media via a relevant topic at that time. It was interesting, fun, new and overall it was a wonderful learning experience. Once I completed the independent study, I dropped it like a bad habit. I somewhat wallowed around wondering what to do after graduating college and finally landed a PR internship at a local marketing agency and suddenly I was too 'busy' to update anymore. The internship turned into a job and before I knew it, I was advising clients on best marketing strategies, social media practices, branding and mixed-media campaigns. And what would you know, I was also educating some clients on blogging, why they would benefit from having a blog and the importance of creating new content for their audience as well as their site's SEO (a website visibility in search engines). In a nutshell, I created a blog with a concentration on social media uses, and now I'm teaching others about blogs and social media uses. This was quite an unforeseen, yet interesting and surprisingly great turn of events!
That being said, I'm back with a different purpose this time. I would like to share some of my experiences now that I've had the opportunity to roam around the marketing industry. Some posts may discuss marketing/social media/PR know-how and some may surprise you with the next amazing event to take place on and around the job i.e. we resolved the iOS versus Android argument. Stay tuned!
I'm very glad to be back. Now on to renaming and redressing the blog. What should I call it?
It's been some time since I've had words with you. In fact, it's been TOO much time. Since the last post (nearly two years ago), I've let this poor blog go and after this long period of neglect, I thought I was going to let it remain defunct. In the back of my mind, I always knew this was not the proper fate for this blog. I mean, what ever did it do to me that would justify me to leave it sitting there with only a handful of posts? It would not do it any justice if I fail to use it for what a blog was created to do: provide fresh content through regular updates. While mulling the fate of the blog around for a while, I was fortunate to come in contact with an accomplished and invaluable individual that I knew could offer the direction I needed. It's people like her that really care about others and I'm grateful to be one of those others. This ally gave me some great ideas and instilled the bit of confidence I needed to start blogging again.
This blog was originally created during PR independent study (overseen by the aforementioned ally) in which I reviewed companies that were sponsors during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games and their uses of social media focused around the event. (Hence the title - The Business of Sponsorships: Social Media for the Gold!) It was an opportunity to break into the blogosphere while exploring the world of social media via a relevant topic at that time. It was interesting, fun, new and overall it was a wonderful learning experience. Once I completed the independent study, I dropped it like a bad habit. I somewhat wallowed around wondering what to do after graduating college and finally landed a PR internship at a local marketing agency and suddenly I was too 'busy' to update anymore. The internship turned into a job and before I knew it, I was advising clients on best marketing strategies, social media practices, branding and mixed-media campaigns. And what would you know, I was also educating some clients on blogging, why they would benefit from having a blog and the importance of creating new content for their audience as well as their site's SEO (a website visibility in search engines). In a nutshell, I created a blog with a concentration on social media uses, and now I'm teaching others about blogs and social media uses. This was quite an unforeseen, yet interesting and surprisingly great turn of events!
That being said, I'm back with a different purpose this time. I would like to share some of my experiences now that I've had the opportunity to roam around the marketing industry. Some posts may discuss marketing/social media/PR know-how and some may surprise you with the next amazing event to take place on and around the job i.e. we resolved the iOS versus Android argument. Stay tuned!
I'm very glad to be back. Now on to renaming and redressing the blog. What should I call it?
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Checkpoint
This blog began as a self-learning experience for me to get my foot in the door in the blogosphere as a professional on social networking. I'm using this post as a way to review my progress and recapitulate what I've learned as well as what I would do differently if I were to do it over.
I learned that writing a blog in itself really isn't all that difficult like I initially thought. Using what I know from previous classes in writing, research and analysis, I was able to create posts without being too self-conscious. Finding information and posting it became rather enjoyable. One thing I found to be somewhat difficult was the actual promotion of the blog. I have listed links to posts on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and PROpenMic. If I could do it again I would have tried linking though other ways like tweeting on other people's accounts as well as other social networking sites. My advice to anyone starting a blog would be to post as much as possible, promote yourself as much as possible in as many ways as possible and just put yourself out there and don't be afraid of any sort of feedback, positive or negative.
I have really enjoyed myself writing this blog and I definitely plan on continuing to post; however, the subject matter may change around a little. I'll stretch myself further into social media outside of the use by businesses that sponsor the Olympics. Stay posted for updates and I thank any of you that have read and/or given feedback.
I learned that writing a blog in itself really isn't all that difficult like I initially thought. Using what I know from previous classes in writing, research and analysis, I was able to create posts without being too self-conscious. Finding information and posting it became rather enjoyable. One thing I found to be somewhat difficult was the actual promotion of the blog. I have listed links to posts on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In and PROpenMic. If I could do it again I would have tried linking though other ways like tweeting on other people's accounts as well as other social networking sites. My advice to anyone starting a blog would be to post as much as possible, promote yourself as much as possible in as many ways as possible and just put yourself out there and don't be afraid of any sort of feedback, positive or negative.
I have really enjoyed myself writing this blog and I definitely plan on continuing to post; however, the subject matter may change around a little. I'll stretch myself further into social media outside of the use by businesses that sponsor the Olympics. Stay posted for updates and I thank any of you that have read and/or given feedback.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Oil Spilt
As I was browsing my Twitter homepage, I noticed a tweet from the 2010 Winter Olympics people saying there are no changes expected in the BP sponsorship deal, despite a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. BP signed as a major USOC sponsor, saying the commitment to environmental issues coincides with their own green initiatives.
BP's Facebook page looks a lot like GE's page from my last post with a company description followed by related posts. These related posts; however, are from friends from my own account, most of which were negative. The related global posts follow those from my friends. Many people are outraged by this oil spill, so hopefully this sponsorship will help them cling to some sort of positive reputation after this oil spill catastrophe. I'm thinking BP should have some sort of response on their Facebook page.
Their Twitter account, however, offers frequent updates on the issue. They've tweeted information on a call center created for oil spill-related claims as well as a hotline for those who are interested in the aid for clean-up. I am now very interested in how this will all turn out and I am now following their account so that I may do so. How convenient.
BP's Facebook page looks a lot like GE's page from my last post with a company description followed by related posts. These related posts; however, are from friends from my own account, most of which were negative. The related global posts follow those from my friends. Many people are outraged by this oil spill, so hopefully this sponsorship will help them cling to some sort of positive reputation after this oil spill catastrophe. I'm thinking BP should have some sort of response on their Facebook page.
Their Twitter account, however, offers frequent updates on the issue. They've tweeted information on a call center created for oil spill-related claims as well as a hotline for those who are interested in the aid for clean-up. I am now very interested in how this will all turn out and I am now following their account so that I may do so. How convenient.
Imagination at Work
Forbes ranked General Electric Company, or GE, as the world's largest company which undoubtedly is a product of countless seriously working imaginations. The company is a Worldwide Partner and exclusive provider of products and services integral to the Games.
According to their website, GE works with the Organizing Committees as well as hosting cities that plays an integral role in producing successful Olympic Games. Their partnership was launched in January 2005 with GE providing infrastructure solutions including power, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with ultrasound and MRI equipment used to treat athletes.
The question that comes to mind is, can the world's largest company effectively use and manage social networking? Twitter research reveals there are many of what seems like random users posting and updating GE's news, but nothing that looks officially run by people at the company.
Their Facebook page offers a description on the company followed by an interesting section offering related posts that global Facebook users have written about the company. Posts range from individuals trying to sell their GE products to others posting news clips covering company products. I find this is particularly exciting because unless they do some serious screening, it means they are not afraid of what people have to say about them, good or bad. Any feedback is helpful, positive or negative. Even the largest company in the world isn't squashing the public's thoughts or opinions, at least not on Facebook. Kudos GE!
According to their website, GE works with the Organizing Committees as well as hosting cities that plays an integral role in producing successful Olympic Games. Their partnership was launched in January 2005 with GE providing infrastructure solutions including power, water treatment, transportation and security, and to supply hospitals with ultrasound and MRI equipment used to treat athletes.
The question that comes to mind is, can the world's largest company effectively use and manage social networking? Twitter research reveals there are many of what seems like random users posting and updating GE's news, but nothing that looks officially run by people at the company.
Their Facebook page offers a description on the company followed by an interesting section offering related posts that global Facebook users have written about the company. Posts range from individuals trying to sell their GE products to others posting news clips covering company products. I find this is particularly exciting because unless they do some serious screening, it means they are not afraid of what people have to say about them, good or bad. Any feedback is helpful, positive or negative. Even the largest company in the world isn't squashing the public's thoughts or opinions, at least not on Facebook. Kudos GE!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Yes Ohno?
He is named after the Greek words "ap," meaning to "steer away from" and "lo," which means "look out, here he comes." If you haven't already heard, Apolo Ohno is an American short track speed skater and eight-time medalist in the Winter Olympics and if you watch any reality television, you may have seen him win Dancing with the Stars in 2007. Not too shabby for someone who's only 27!
Soon after the 2010 Winter Olympics began, I found Ohno on Twitter and began to follow him. It's most definitely really him and not someone working for him posting random facts and news updates. Side note: I discovered that account or no account, anyone can view public tweets! I think it's pretty smart to allow non-users to see what's going on.
As for Ohno's sponsorships, he's gotten them from Coca-Cola, Vick's, Omega, Alaska Airlines and the Washington State Potato Commission. I went to Vick's Web site (or "website" according to AP Style) and typed in "Apolo Ohno" in the search box and revealed no results! So I logged into Facebook and searched for "vicks' and found only a few fake sites under "Vick's NyQuil". And after further research I discovered they do not frequent social networking sites whatsoever! It's interesting they don't do something because if anyone else is like me, when I'm sick, I stay home and spend more time on the internet and social networking sites. Also, many people look up cold remedies and other sicknesses online and they could offer advice, news, etc. It almost makes me crazy thinking about the possibilities and opportunities they are passing up!
Soon after the 2010 Winter Olympics began, I found Ohno on Twitter and began to follow him. It's most definitely really him and not someone working for him posting random facts and news updates. Side note: I discovered that account or no account, anyone can view public tweets! I think it's pretty smart to allow non-users to see what's going on.
As for Ohno's sponsorships, he's gotten them from Coca-Cola, Vick's, Omega, Alaska Airlines and the Washington State Potato Commission. I went to Vick's Web site (or "website" according to AP Style) and typed in "Apolo Ohno" in the search box and revealed no results! So I logged into Facebook and searched for "vicks' and found only a few fake sites under "Vick's NyQuil". And after further research I discovered they do not frequent social networking sites whatsoever! It's interesting they don't do something because if anyone else is like me, when I'm sick, I stay home and spend more time on the internet and social networking sites. Also, many people look up cold remedies and other sicknesses online and they could offer advice, news, etc. It almost makes me crazy thinking about the possibilities and opportunities they are passing up!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Social Media to the Side
While thinking about the ways businesses use social media, I began to wonder why many businesses do not use it. In a world where technology and the World Wide Web point toward the future, it seems that joining in on Facebook, Twitter and other social media giants would be the most commonsensical thing to do. From what I've gathered from research as well as an interview with one of these non-conforming companies, fear of negative feedback and uncertainty of employee reception seem to be the most common reasons businesses are not participating.
A Google.com search under "businesses that do not use social media" found many websites listing reasons why, how to use and other helpful ideas on the use of social media. Very few yielded negative results such as this one which gives reasons businesses should not use social media; however, it maintains social media can be positive if planned and maintained on a regular basis. While many listed websites were opinion-based, the benefits of using social media can be obvious, from the immediacy of getting information to target audiences to positive ideas being spread around the Net.
Twitter has over 100 million active users worldwide, Facebook currently has more than 400 million users and there are countless other websites out there dedicated to social networking. It seems like a no-brainer to find a way into social networking for businesses to create or build relationships with their publics.
A Google.com search under "businesses that do not use social media" found many websites listing reasons why, how to use and other helpful ideas on the use of social media. Very few yielded negative results such as this one which gives reasons businesses should not use social media; however, it maintains social media can be positive if planned and maintained on a regular basis. While many listed websites were opinion-based, the benefits of using social media can be obvious, from the immediacy of getting information to target audiences to positive ideas being spread around the Net.
Twitter has over 100 million active users worldwide, Facebook currently has more than 400 million users and there are countless other websites out there dedicated to social networking. It seems like a no-brainer to find a way into social networking for businesses to create or build relationships with their publics.
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