Complete 3 of the following:
1. Conduct a “social media self audit” by listing all the different social media that you participate in regularly. Discuss how these social media are interconnected (for example, Twitter may act as your Facebook status update), and describe the values that each medium brings to you.
2. Search Ning.com for three firm-created social networks and evaluate them based on how well they raise awareness, connect events with attendees, inspire and educate, share insight and provide support, share tricks of the trade, and create community for customers.
4. Identify a firm that participates in multiple forms of social media. List all of those forms; describe how they are connected, and explain how the firm and its customers benefit from this effort.
1. If there was ever an assignment question written specifically for me, this one is it! I use Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Blogspot on a regular basis. As in, multiple times daily.
However, I have multiples of many of these. I only have on Facebook, but I have three “MySpaces:” My personal one, one that I created over the summer for when I had my radio internship, (which is my DJ fan page), and one that I maintain for CCCRadio. And, on Twitter, I have my own personal account, and another that I maintain, again, for CCCRadio.
On top of this though, I have applications on my G1 cell phone, so that I can stay connected on the run. I have a Facebook application called FBook that gives me a basic facebook page at the push of a touch-screen button. The MySpace application is just called MySpace. And the Twitter application that I have finally settled on, after trying out a bunch that didn’t feel right to me, is called Twidroid.
It’s easiest to say, first, how the MySpace and Twitter social media outlets are connected for CCCRadio. It’s as simple as CCCRadio needed help. We had two huge events in March, the launch of our website and Battle of the Bands, and we needed some serious marketing to get some attention to our causes. The easiest way to do this was to use MySpace (www.myspace.com/cccradio) and Twitter (@cccradio), gain some Cedar Crest friends, and some off-campus friends as well, and get the attention the the Radio Station really needed.
For my DJ Fan Page on MySpace, like I said, I created it when I had my summer internship at WKZA 106.9 Kiss FM in Jamestown, New York. We found that people were wondering how to contact me directly, and realized that I personally had a growing fan base. Aside from this, I had my own Sports segment on-air, commercials, and “Live Local Spotlight” where I was basically giving the weekend live music schedule, playing local music on-air. Need to create this page came up when I needed to get in touch with bands, and fans wanted to get to know me a little better, send me some direct messages, and leave me comments. I didn’t want all of this going on within my own personal page, so I created the fan page (www.myspace.com/djbetsyboop).
Finally, my personal Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, as well as my blog. Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are important enough to me that I have them on my phone. Facebook and MySpace both act as connectors between me, and friends that I maybe haven’t seen in years. Through these two, I am able to post pictures, leave comments on other people’s pictures and profiles, and, as I am finding more recently, form connections with various other networkers. For example, when I was in New York City, I met one of seventeen.com’s online editors, and I am now able to keep in touch with her through FaceBook.
Twitter (@betsydoll) is not only the status update for Facebook, but an amazing networking opportunity. First of all, I am able to link it and my blog… I can post a link on Twitter whenever I update my blog, and have a Twitter feed on the side of my blog. However, with Twitter, I am able to connect with a variety of people, often in the same field that I want to go into. I am able to look to complete strangers for help and advice, when I’m looking through the job market, or just browsing for an interesting marketing article. As a student that is going to be graduating in a month, this is something that I really need right now.
I think that people are slowly beginning to understand how social media can make or break a company, but I don’t think that they are understanding just how quickly this can happen. CNN and Ashton Kutcher had a race going on for about the last week to see who could get one million Twitter followers first. I received a CNN breaking news update in my e-mail this morning, seriously, that Ashton has won that race. Dominos just had a huge scandal as well this past week, as two employees filmed themselves being disgusting, and put it on YouTube. Dominos had to do major damage control. And both of these things are due to social networking.
2. Divapreneur - http://divapreneur.ning.com/ - “Daily Magazine & Network Connection Shopping & Selling Diva’s Shop DP”
Divapreneur is set up a lot like MySpace, except more cluttered. Think MySpace on your friend-who-has-downloaded-every-Application-in-the-App-store’s page. But, it has blogs, advice, giveaways, business, relationships, followers, technology and more.
People are able to submit their own blogs, articles and advice to this community. It looks like a very inviting community with a lot of insight brought by each of its contributers. The tips that it has sound amazing; in fact, I’m going to try a few of them myself!
I don’t really think that they do well in raising awareness, however. There don’t appear to be any set “events” other than giveaways. I’ve never heard of Divapreneur Magazine until right now, although they look very inviting with a great community.
The Vicary Law Firm - http://vicarylaw.ning.com/ - “For all your legal services!”
The Vicary Law Firm first of all has a much cleaner layout than Divapreneur, although it’s not as interesting. This site actually has a layout that is much closer to Facebook, with a news feed as to who has posted a new blog, who has updated their profile, and who has left comments for who. I actually really like the cleanliness of this site.
This, however, doesn’t look like a very active website, as the recent activity is from 6 hours ago, April 5, February 2, February 1 and January 31. The insight that is offered through many postings seems to be wonderful, but it’s not a very active website.
No one has even posted any events, so I’m supposing that there isn’t very much awareness as to this group either.
VerticleResponse Marketing Lounge - http://vrlounge.ning.com/ - “A cool spot for hot marketing”
This site looks almost like the MySpace “Status and Mood Update,” but it’s a forum, which I love and think is very helpful. People have done a lot of posting today and yesterday, and have gotten what looks to be a great number of responses.
Along the side of this site are members, a featured member, and a lot of recent activity, showing that this is a very active social networking website. And, my favorite part about this entire website is that down the opposite side of the page, there is a bog labled “Socialize with VR” and options to become a Facebook fan or join their Facebook group, or to follow them on Twitter or Friendfeed, something that means two things; they are very active in the social networking world, and that they have a lot of activity going on.
There are also many webinars and events posted on the page, with as many as 40 attendees. Overall, this looks like the best of all three websites that I looked at in terms of information, tips and tricks, and overall active community.
4. CNN is actually connected in multiple forms of social media, which impresses me. I feel like I can get information everywhere.
For example, I have the CNN Breaking updates emailed to both of my active e-mail accounts. I have CNN Mobile on my phone as an application.
CNN also has a Facebook page, and a Twitter account (@cnnbrk), which is where the social aspect comes into play. Also, you can comment on many of the CNN blogs and videos.
I feel that it always benefits both the firm and the consumers when there is a social network, or in this case, networks, set up. There is a constant flow of information. Consumers are able to take in this information and leave feedback on it. When they are leaving feedback, CNN, or whatever firm is using social media, is able to take into account the things that people are saying, answer questions and clarify things, therefore better suiting the needs and wants of their consumers.
When there are options to leave a comment, whether it be on a story, a Facebook page or a Twitter account, the consumer is able to feel like a bigger part of the process, and feel better connected with the actual firm, rather than just the idea of the firm. This is why many businesses are looking to have social networking sites that are constantly updated, and peoples needs are constantly being met.
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