Still Considering LinkedIn
For those that may still be considering whether LinkedIn is for you, there is interesting demographic information and news about LinkedIn over at TechCrunch.
Do You Need to Join the Conversation? Yes, No or Maybe.
There are many Social Networking groups. These groups can bog you down and distract your daily plans if you don't manage them properly. I decided after finishing the book Groundswell: winning in a world transformed by social technologies that I would take a look at a few groups. My focus when evaluating them is to determine how they may help you grow your business.
But first, a few comments about the book.
It is geared to those who work in mid to large companies that may be feeling the need to enter the Social Media world. It has very good case studies and basic steps to move from little to no Social Media to joining the conversation whether it be internally or externally. The strongest point it makes is that Social Media is "about person-to-person" activity, not technology and software. It is valuable if you don't know about social media or are trying to convince yourself or someone you work for that it is a necessity. It is a quick read too.
So, here is my snap shot view on three Social Networking groups.
Facebook - If your business is a B2C it will help you find out what others are saying about the products or services you have. You can meet people and dialogue with those who may become your customers someday. A word of warning don't join just to start promoting your business - that is not what it is about.
MySpace - If your business sells to a younger audience (a high percentage of members) you can use this as a research tool to find out what they are thinking, saying and using.
LinkedIn - This is geared to people in the business world. If you are a B2B or a B2C this will allow you to connect to other business people, reconnect with former colleagues, join specific network groups within LinkedIn, ask and answer questions in your field of expertise.
Of the three I determined my strategy would be to join LinkedIn and focus my networking time there. Since then I have reconnected with former colleagues, strengthened my networking with people I have met in person and joined specific groups in my field and target market.
In further posts I will discuss other Social Networking and Media tools.
For now, I am interested in hearing from you what groups you have joined and have they helped you at all? What do you like and dislike about them? How do you manage your time when using them?
The Use of Foul Fowl Language to Capture Attention.
The use of foul fowl language to capture attention is unoriginal and more...
Marta Kagan Kaplan has a good presentation on Social Media, but I don't think it is necessary to use the "F" word. I think it is a crutch. The information in the presentation is valuable, the presentation is clear, and she really seems like she is trying to help people. So, why use the word?
To capture individual attention is the only reason I can think it is used in this specific case. And she has captured attention.
But, what if she used non violent communication instead. Non violent communication works on the principles of:
"Imagine connecting with the human spirit, in each person, in any situation.
Imagine interacting with others in a way that allows everyone's needs to be equally valued.
Imagine creating organizations and life-serving systems responsive to our needs and the needs of our environment."
According to Harvard Professor Dr. Pinker, the use of swears "elicited negative emotions" as Lincoln Kim writes in his blog post. What would the presentation be like if she simply did not use the word? I think the needs of the readers are still met. Go through the presentation and read it with and without the foul fowl word. Do you sense a difference in the way you interpret the information?
Finally, would you use foul fowl language in your marketing materials? I would love to hear why or why not.
Thanks.
