Linda Konop: social media @lindakonop - Tumblr Blog

My Social Media Job Search

It has been way too long since I have written a blog post. The social media program I was participating in, Chicago Career Tech, ended in November and I have been wrapped up in my search for a full-time job while consulting with small businesses to help them with their social media endeavors.

As many of you probably know looking for a new job can be exciting, stressful, tiring and time consuming. There are so many different tools that can be used during the search, some new and some that have been used for years.

Social Media has been an important tool in my job search. I have used Twitter, Facebook and Linked In to assist me with my search. Along with Social Media I have also used more traditional tools such as attending networking events, scheduling informational interviews and applying for jobs through online job boards and company websites.

I am curious to hear how others have used or are using Social Media in their job search. Please comment below (job leads are also welcome!).

Surprise! There is No Such Thing As A Script in Social Media

What do you get when you mix frozen lasagna, bloggers and hidden cameras?

A. Satisfied diners

B. A Surprise Birthday Party

C. A night to remember

D. A misguided attempt to harness the positive power of Social Media

E. C and D

If you answered "E" you are correct, great job!

A recent article in The New York Times, "When Bloggers Don't Follow The Script, Much to ConAgra's Chagrin", describes ConAgra's attempt to get food and mommy bloggers to help them with the marketing of a new line of Marie Callender's lasagna. ConAgra and its public relations firm invited the bloggers to dine at an underground restaurant with a famous chef and food critic.

Well, it turned out that the bloggers were fed frozen lasagna, not a dinner prepared by the chef which was what the bloggers were expecting. The event was recorded on hidden camera.

Needless to say, it backfired. The bloggers felt like they were misled and deceived which led to negative blogging.

This demonstrates a lack of understanding on how Social Media works on the part of ConAgra and its PR firm. They should not have expected the reaction to be completely positive to begin with. If they were expecting the bloggers to react a certain way this leads me to believe they do not understand blogging. It is nearly impossible to control what a blogger is going to write, for the most part bloggers want to be honest and upfront with their experiences.

The article points out that hidden camera situations have been used in the past with Folgers, Pizza Hut and others. But the difference is they did not use bloggers, Tweeters or other Social Media participants. Social Media is powerful and messages can not be controlled like they have been in the past.

If you were invited to the event, how would you have reacted?

Social Media and the Schools- Getting It Right

About a month ago I had my first blog "rant" about Missouri Senate Bill 54. I was uncomfortable with us because I am not a ranter by nature. But I was very disappointed, dismayed and disgusted (I apologize for the overuse of "dis") with the bill that forbids teachers and students to connect on any social media site through private communication.

Today I read the article, "Social Media Goes From School Ban To Teachers Tool" from The Asbury Park Press. The article discusses how some schools are embracing Social Media rather than fighting it. Some schools are starting to realize that Social Media is a huge part of students life so they should start learning how to use it in a constructive and educational manner.

The article explains the various ways educators are using Social Media in their schools in classrooms. Teachers may blog about books that are being read in class, a science teacher is using Twitter as a tool to help students discuss their homework assignments and one district has even developed their own smart phone app.

This is great news. Students and educators should be learning and using Social Media in a positive way. Just like in any field Social Media can be used properly or not in education. Just because their are perceived "dangers" does not mean it should be avoided.

It will be important for schools and districts to draft policies that guide the use of Social Media just like they have policies on just about everything else. The policies and proper use of Social Media will only be a benefit to educators and their students as it will keep them up to date on new and innovative ways to keep learning interesting.

Do you think Social Media can be beneficial in a school setting?

#social media in schools #misso #missouri senate bill 54

Time Flys When You Are Learning And Having Fun

Today is my last day working at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy. The program I am involved in, Chicago Career Tech (CCT), includes two work study placements. Flashpoint was my first placement and has been an incredible experience. My supervisor, Kristin Hertko, has been an amazing resource and has helped me to feel comfortable and confident with my new Social Media skills.

On my first day at Flashpoint Kristin encouraged me to start a blog. She believes that strong writing skills are a must for success in the Social Media field. I have to admit that I was intimidated by this at first. I decided to blog about topics in Social Media, figuring that it would help me to learn about the field. Writing my blog has been a great learning tool. I have gained confidence in my writing skills and knowledge about Social Media.

I encourage anyone in the Social Media field who is intimidated by the idea of starting a blog to do so. It is a great way to learn, write and engage with others. Find a topic you are interested in or want to learn more about, start a Tumblr account and write. If you do not feel comfortable publishing your posts right away than wait. I listened to Kristin and I encourage you to listen to me.

Yesterday Kristin and I were discussing how to be successful in Social Media (which we do regularly). We were talking about how some people are intimidated by the Social Media field and make it more complicated than it has to be. Kristin said the bottom line is it is a conversation, the tools are there to give people a place to talk.

That bottom line will be what I remember as I continue my career in Social Media. If I ever feel overwhelmed or unsure about what I am doing I will remember that when it comes down to it Social Media is about guiding the conversation no matter what the topic is.

Next week I start my next placement at Jewish Child and Family Services. I am looking forward to a new experience and continuing my learning. But as I move on I will continue to remember what I have learned during my first three months in the Social Media field.

#chicago career tech #blog #writing #community #social media #tumblr #social media conversation

Keeping Your Cookies In the Jar

Managing on-line privacy is an important issue in regards to Social Media and web use in general. There is the desire for marketers to obtain useful information about their sites and Social Media campaigns balanced with individual's desire for privacy.

Flash cookies are large capacity data files stored on a computer after visiting websites or Flash applications. They are not deleted when users delete cookies on their browser. Recently Flash cookies have been the subject of class action lawsuits with plaintiffs arguing that the Flash cookies are an unfair invasion of privacy.

Recently a class action lawsuit was filed against web analytics firm Kissmetrics Inc and over twenty of their clients including Etsy, IVillage and Spokeo. The lawsuit alleges that the methods Kissmetrics used to track data violated state and Federal privacy laws.

The case alleges that:

Plaintiffs and Class Members reasonably expected their browser controls to block or delete cookies, preventing them from being tracked online, profiled, and served behaviorally targeted advertisements. Plaintiffs subsequently discovered that, despite their use of browser controls, Defendants had been tracking their online activities and had stored a number of files on their computers.

The plaintiffs believe that Kissmetrics went around accepted privacy controls to obtain information from individuals who thought their privacy was being respected.

I am not an attorney so I am not going to attempt to analyze the legality of what Kissmetrics did. But I do have thoughts from a Social Media Marketers perspective.

While I do understand a marketer's desire to obtain as much useful information as possible I do not think it is in their best interest to invade individual's privacy. The plaintiffs in the case were doing what they thought they should do to delete cookies.

Blocking cookies makes it more difficult to get a full picture of web analytics but perhaps this is something marketers should be able to consider when they are analyzing their data. Circumventing accepted privacy controls is only going to anger consumers which is not the way to gain credibility and trust.

On the consumer side this is a lesson on how quickly technology can change. It is important to not assume that a privacy method that worked yesterday will work today. This is true of Social Networking sites and web tracking. If privacy is important to you then keeping up with changes in the industry are best done on your own. Unfortunately not all companies and sites are clear in regards to their privacy polices (or they assume most consumers are not going to read the "small print").

Do you delete your cookies? Why or why not?

#online privacy #kissmetrics #analytics #privacy controls #class action privacy #flash cookies

Going Against the Grain On the Grid

Over the weekend the New York Times published an article, "Our Plugged in Summer." I was immediately intrigued by the title because it was different from other articles I have read lately where individuals or families vow to "unplug" or go "off the grid" for a period of time. Was I about to read an article about someone who was so addicted to technology they could not disconnect or a family that has so little to say to each other they spent their summer with their noses in their smartphones, Ipads or laptops?

The answer turned out to be none of the above. The author of the article, Bruce Feiler was influenced by "the insistent finger wagging one now encounters that the only way to spend quality time with one’s children is to disengage from technology," to do just the opposite:

I concocted a scheme. During weekends this summer, I would pursue the opposite of an unplugged vacation: I would check screens whenever I could. Not in the service of work, but in the service of play. I would crowd-source new ideas for car games and YouTube my picnic recipes. I would test the prevailing wisdom that the Internet spoils all the fun.

His idea intrigued me, so I read on. I wondered how did he do it? Did it work? Mr. Feiler found many uses for staying plugged in during the summer. He used it as an outdoor education tool. His kids learned about sea turtle hatching from an online resource. He learned about bug prevention, grilling the perfect fish, and even how to fix his mother-in-law's garbage disposal, just to name a few.

Mr. Feiler concluded that there were a few pitfalls but for the most part his experiment was a success. He found that he was able to use technology and social media as a way to learn and communicate throughout the summer. He was able to teach his children new lessons and share his experiences with friends and family members who could not spend time with him physically.

I think Mr. Feiler's experiment teaches an important lesson. Social Media and technology are not flawless but when used correctly can be a benefit in just about any situation. If Mr. Feiler had spent the summer checking his email and allowing his children to play video games for hours on end, that would be a failure to use his resources in the best way.

I give Mr. Feiler credit for questioning the articles and advice telling people to unplug. He took a different perspective and taught us all a lesson. It is easy to to tell people (especially when on vacation) to unplug or go off the grid but the reality is what difference would that make if everyone who did this ended spending time alone.

What do you think about Mr. Feiler's experience? Do you believe people should unplug when on vacation?

#Bruce Feiler #plugged in #summer unplugged #technology addiction

Quality or Quantity

Newt Gingrich has 1.3 Million Twitter followers, Groupon has 115 million subscibers and I have 547 friends on Facebook. Two out of three of these statistics have made news during the past few months.

Numbers of followers, fans or friends is often the first thing that people or businesses look at when gauging the success of their participation in Social Media tools. Who can blame them? It is readily available and quick to figure out.

Recently, the number of followers Newt Gingrich has on Twitter came into question. His campaign was accused of creating "dummy" followers and it was discovered that perhaps only 8% of his followers were actual people. I would think someone who has confidence in their community building skills would not feel the need to inflate their numbers. Sure, it might intimidate his opponents, or make people think they are missing out if they are not following him. But beyond that I cannot understand the purpose of inflating the numbers, especially to that extent.

115 Million Groupon subscribers is an impressive number, that would be about equal to one-third of the United States population. Of course they would want that number shared with potential investors, subscribers and competitors. Who could beat that? But to me the focus should be on the consistency of the subscribers. Do they feel a connection with Groupon? If Groupon and a competitor were offering the same deal, who would they go with?

Unfortunately, numbers like these can become too much of a focus in Social Media. Yes, numbers are important and should be paid attention to, but they should not be the only goal. The quality of fans and followers engagement should also be a focus. Forgetting to focus on building your community with people and keeping them interesting will lead to failure in the long-run.

Social Media Articles For Small Business

This morning Mashable posted an article discussing recent studies that examined Social Media use among small businesses. The studies found that small businesses are not completely jumping on the Social Media bandwagon.

Hiscox, an insurance company for small businesses, found that only 12% of businesses described social media as a must and nearly 50% are not using Social Media at all. Emarketer also did a survey and found that 64% of small businesses either did not think Social Media was necessary or did not have an opinion about it.

My first thought regarding the studies findings was that although Social Media is not necessary for all small businesses, participation rates could and should be higher. I have compiled 5 articles that I think could help small businesses feel more confident as they get on the Social Media bandwagon.

1. 10 Social Media Mistakes Small Businesses Can Avoid

Pamela Springer lists important tips that can help a small business be successful in Social Media including not having a plan or too much too soon. This post is a great starting off point because it is concise and to the point.

2. I Don't Have Time For Social Media Marketing...I Have A Business To Run!!

This blog posts recognizes that implementing a successful Social Media campaign takes time, something that many business owners do hot have. But the writer, SocialAmateur, suggests techniques so that Social Media can be managed in less than an hour a day. This post will help to make starting the implementation of a Social Media plan less daunting, time-wise.

3. The ROI of Social Media

This article from "Small Business News" suggests ways for small businesses to analyze their ROI related to Social Media. It discusses ways to determine what outcome small businesses want to reach from their Social Media plan. The conclusion of the article asks small business owners to answer the question, "What would happen if you did nothing?" This is an important question to be answered before you take a hands-off approach.

4. Avoid These Top 5 Social Media Mishaps

Robbi Hess discusses 5 mistakes that those who are new to the Social Media field make. Her mistakes are helpful hints that should be remembered when starting off in the field and for those with experience. My favorite tip of hers is, "It's not about the glitz and glitter." It is more important to focus on the needs of the community. For example having a fancy website with a lot of glitz may bring customers in but will not automatically build a community.

5. Three Tips For Communicating Your Message With Authority

Jeff Korhan works with small businesses to help them with their Social Media planning. In his blog post he offers tips on how a small business can be concise in their communication. His advice is succinct and worthwhile, and takes a "less is nearly always more" attitude. This is excellent advice that can help take the pressure off a small business when diving into the Social Media field.

Implementing Social Media can seem like a daunting task for some small businesses. Doing research and reading advice from those with experience in the field can be incredibly helpful.

What tip from above (or elsewhere) do you find most helpful?

#hiscox #emarketer #small business social media #social media mistakes #pamela springer #social amateur #social media plan #roi for social media #small business news #social media mishaps #robbi hess #jeff korhan

The Learning Curve

So far learning about and working in Social Media has been an amazing experience. I have had the opportunity to learn from individuals, including my teachers, supervisor and classmates. I have also learned from other resources such as blogs, books and online courses.

This morning I read a blog post written by SuzeMuse, "The Secret to Success with New Skills." Currently, SuzeMuse is teaching Social Media at a college and doing corporate training. She recognizes that sometimes she sends people off with new skills and they are able to utilize them, but other times people leave and do not have the confidence to use their new skills. SuzeMuse believes some of this is due to the fact that people do not always have the time to apply their skills to "real world" situations.

I found SuzeMuse's blog post relevant to my current situation. It was interesting to read what she thinks as a teacher are the keys to taking what is learned in class and turning that into an even more worthwhile learning experience.

SuzeMuse offers her advice on how to achieve success with new things that are learned:

Use it or lose it.

SuzeMuse tells the story of a student who was very dilligent in class (paid attention, took notes), but towards the end of class did not feel like she "got it." When asked how her Twitter account was going (Twitter was the topic of the day) it turned out she had not set it up yet. SuzeMuse believes the only way to learn something new is to try it.

I agree with SuzeMuse. I cannot imagine learning to use any Social Media tool simply by reading about how to use it. My most successful learning experiences have been through DOING. The best example of this is my blog. I could have spent many hours reading about how to write a blog. But the best way for me to learn about writing a blog has been to....write a blog.

Keep the learning on tap.

SuzeMuse believes learning should never stop. She believes that training courses are a great starting off point but that people should not leave a course thinking they are a complete expert.

This is great advice. The Social Media course I am taking is 6 months long. I have learned a lot but know that even after the class ends I must continue to expand my Social Media knowledge. It is such a fast-paced field that keeping up with what is new is essential to success.

Enjoy the ride.

SuzeMuse believes people should embrace and enjoy learning new things. Learning should be fun, not feared.

Again, I think SuzeMuse is correct. Social Media should be fun. There is so much to learn which should keep people on their toes. If someone does not embrace learning in the Social Media field it will be difficult for them to be successful.

SuzeMuse's tips are helpful for anyone learning Social Media skills. One tip I would like to add is:

Read, read, read.

Although doing is the best way to learn Social Media; reading news and other blogs has also been very helpful. No, I would not be able to learn as much about blog writing if I did not have my own, but there is value in reading what others have to say. Reading about Social Media helps me to remain aware of new and relevant topics in the field. Knowing what others are thinking and doing is very helpful.

How do you utilize new skills so they remain relevant and useful?

#suzemuse #social media education #new skills in social media

Missouri Senate Bill 54: My Very First Rant

Today I saw an article that REALLY made me angry. As of August 28, Missouri will be the first state to prohibit social networking between students and teachers.

Missouri Senate Bill 54, also known as, Amy Hestir Student Protection Act, forbids students and teachers to connect on any site that allows for private communication. Teachers may not friend current or past students (age 18 and younger), but they can set up public fan pages.

This makes no sense to me whatsoever. We trust teachers with children every day. Sure, there are teachers that have behaved inappropriately but this is not caused or even made easier by private communication on Social Media sites. There are still text messages or after school meetings. If a teacher is going to be inappropriate they will find a way.

Where do we draw the line? Why are teachers being singled out? The law does not address Social Media relationships between children and their neighbors, piano teachers, camp counselors or any other adult they come in contact with. If they are going to regulate teachers why don't they disallow any private communication between adults and children?

Parents need to monitor their children's interactions on Social Media sites, email and text messages. Why does there need to be a law that focuses on Social Media? Inappropriate relationships between children and adults are wrong no matter how and where they take place.

The Amy Hestir Student Protection Act is misguided. It would make more sense to set up programs to educate parents, students and other adults about appropriate use of Social Media. The regulations set fourth by the act are just a way for legislators to place restrictions on people but not solve the deeper issues. Legislation reflects a misunderstanding of Social Media and is in essence shooting the messenger.

What do you think?

#facebook #amy hestir #amy hestir student protection act #missouri senate bill 54 #mo senate bill 54 #student teacher relationship #sb54 #mo sb 54

Bringing Social Media To The Streets

Getting people involved and engaged is a huge part of Social Media. But since most Social Media interaction takes place through computers or a mobile device, businesses need to get creative in order to reach beyond the "plugged in" bunch.

Savvy companies and brands are expanding their reach by taking Social Media to the streets and coming up with innovative ways to combine platforms such as Twitter and with traditional marketing techniques. Doing this allows companies to reach more people in different and unique ways, and expand their community.

This past week Jell-O Pudding unveiled a billboard in Times Square that features a huge face that looks happy or sad depending on the number of positive or negative emoticons sent to Twitter. The billboard allows for real time interaction through Twitter but also allows people in Time Square to experience the changing mood of the Pudding Face.

This summer, Chicago-based Threadless participated in their hometown's 2011 Gay Pride Parade in a unique way. Their float was a robot- but not just any robot. Those who followed @Threadless on Twitter could Tweet comments for the robot to say. This created an even more interactive way for fans to Tweet, and also helped to engage those who were not already fans in Threadless's rich Social Media community.

Recently, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese gave anyone who Tweeted about the product the opportunity to have their Tweets turned into a television commercial. This is a great way to cater to the Tweeting and Non-Tweeting crowd: Tweeters share their ideas for great ads, and non-Tweeters get to enjoy the fruits of their labors (and are maybe inspired to join the online community themselves). This benefits Kraft because they get new ideas from their followers. People who get their commercials made will likely become loyal customers and a part of the Kraft Mac & Cheese community.

I hope the above examples are just a taste of what is to come. As Social Media and Technology progress the ways in which Social Media can be used to enhance traditional marketing could be endless. I look forward to implementing these ideas and technology in Social Media.

What ideas do you have for bringing Social Media to the streets?

#Threadless #Kraft #Macaroni and Cheese #Pudding Face

My Changing Definition Of A Social Media Expert

Today is the two month anniversary of my blog; Happy Anniversary Blog! Starting the blog has been an amazing experience that has allowed me to expand my knowledge of Social Media.

The first post I wrote, "Social Media Expert Wanted...or Not," discussed what it means to be a Social Media expert and whether there is such a thing. As I have learned about Social Media my understanding of what defines a Social Media expert has evolved. And I do believe that there is such thing as Social Media expert but that the definition is constantly changing and will continue to do so as the field evolves.

Here are some of the traits a Social Media Expert should possess:

Don't Be A Control Freak, Be A Guide

Trying to control Social Media is almost impossible. Issues will come up that are beyond your control. Seeing oneself as a guide will allow for the most successful outcomes. Allowing the community to have power will allow for engagement and a sense of ownership.

Learn From Those Around You

There are many opportunities to learn from others in the Social Media community. Don't be isolated, Social Media is meant to be social. Ask questions, read other blogs and observe other community sites. An expert will take the responsibility to continually learn seriously.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Understanding your community and what they will respond to is key. Just because a strategy works for one community does not in anyway mean it will work for another.

Remain Aware of the Bigger Picture

Social Media is important but is just one piece of the puzzle. Working with others will allow the Social Media plan to me most successful. Learning what other departments are doing and educating them about Social Media will lead to the most successful outcomes.

Have Fun! Be Enthusiastic!

Enthusiasm and excitement shine through when working in Social Media. Having fun will be reflected in your work which will positively impact those around you.

What traits do you believe define a Social Media Expert?

Helping Whole Healthy Pet Get Social

The main assignment for my Social Media Marketing class is to implement our own Social Media plan. I will be working with Whole Healthy Pet, an internet-based company that focuses on selling healthy supplements, treats and food.

As I look ahead, here is what I am hoping to get out of the project for the Whole Healthy Pet, their customers and myself.

Whole Healthy Pet is a growing company that has little time to focus on Social Media Marketing. Without Social Media (or really any type of marketing) Whole Healthy Pet has been able to grow their customer base and profits. The owner, has been interested in implementing a Social Media plan but knows it takes time and dedication. While he certainly has the dedication, running Whole Healthy Pet on a day to day basis takes up most of his time.

My goal is to give Whole Healthy Pet a chance to show off the personal side of their business. The people behind Whole Healthy Pet are true animal lovers and believe strongly in the products they sell. Implementing Social Media will help this shine through. It will allow customers to see Whole Healthy Pet as more then a place to buy pet supplies. In turn this will increase profits and customer loyalty.

I am confident that implementing Social Media will help the business grow by building a strong community from their current customers while also gaining new customers.

I plan on turning Whole Healthy Pet customers into a community. Many pet owners love to talk about their pets and I am confident that Whole Healthy Pet customers will look forward to engaging with the company and other customers.

I want to give customers a place where they can learn from Whole Healthy Pet and one another. Not only do I want them to discuss pet health, but also related topics. The goal is to make Whole Healthy Pet customers feel as appreciated as they are.

I am very excited to start this project because I will be implementing a Social Media Marketing plan for a company and cause that I believe in. As a dog owner I feel strongly about feeding Olga Honeey Bouboo (my poodle, see picture below), the highest quality food possible. I look forward to educating and learning from others about how they keep their pets healthy.

Working with Whole Healthy Pet will give me real world experience that will benefit me as I enter the Social Media field. I look forward to figuring out the best ways to engage the community, see what works and what does not. Although I love reading, writing and discussing Social Media, there is no replacement for hands-on experience.

#the whole healthy pet #social media and pets #small business social media #pet industry social media

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For Food Trucks

As a child one of the best things about a hot summer night was the anticipation of the ice cream truck rolling down the street. My friends and I would be playing outside and all of a sudden hear the ice cream truck music making its way down the street. Usually we did not have money on us so we would sprint home and hope that we would make it to the truck before it took off into the sunset.

Times have changed, food trucks are the new and often improved ice cream truck. The options are wide ranging (no more melted push-ups) and thanks to Twitter and Facebook there are no more missed opportunities. Social Media has allowed food trucks to thrive and become more popular then ever. They can Tweet and post Facebook updates so that followers can get their menu, location and just about any information the want. Followers can easily communicate with their favorite trucks with special requests and questions.

I wanted to know specific ways from those that know it best. So I Tweeted the question, "how has Social Media benefited your business most?" to some of Chicago's most popular food trucks.

Here are the top 5 responses:

@wherezthewagon

Its how its driven! Period end of story... Constant contact with followers and relationships built. We thrive on it..

@StarfruitCafe

The #kefirtruck takes stop requests and connects with customers via Twitter and Facebook. customers help keep our routes fresh!

@FidoToGo

has allowed us to have a more personal relationship with r customers. We've met some gr8 pups n their parents bc of social media

Direct Messages

@brownbagtruck

#1 benefit: communications. Marketing, customer feedback, location updates, media relations.

@taquerofusion

We love Social media! Our Taco truck is all about the Social networks, by allowing us to get our name out there and notifying followers where we will be located on a daily basis. Social media sites have been key to our business as they are an awesome way to see what our target audience is saying about our menu choices and flavors. We always strive to pay attention to our follower's constructive criticism and use it to enhance our product to better meet their needs. We really have grown our business and continue to grow our business each day, due to Social Media!

Chicago Food Trucks have made excellent use of Social Media, using it to build stronger relationships with their fans. Food truck operators are using Social Media to their advantage which in turn is benefiting their followers.

That is all for now, I have food trucks to visit!

#@StarfruitCafe #@brownbagtruck #@fidotogo #@wherezthewagon #food trucks chicago #ice cream truck #@taquerofusion

Talking Shop With interactiveAmy

I have been impressed with how willing people in the Social Media world are to share their experience and advice. They are open to sharing ideas creating a cooperative community that thrives in the success of one another. Thanks to Kristin Hertko, my supervisor at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, I had the opportunity to interview interactiveAmy; a Social Media expert based in Chicago.

I learned a lot through my interview with interactiveAmy. Her enthusiasm for Social Media shone through which made me even more excited about entering the field.

Be a passionista

Being passionate in Social Media is essential. interactiveAmy believes one should be a passionista (a term she got from her friends Jill and Jenn at pursuingourpassion.com). For the past two years, interactiveAmy has worked with the North Coast Music Festival. She pursued them as a client because of her love for music and social media. Working with the festival allowed her to combine her passions which is beneficial to all involved. You can realize your dream path if you articulate what you want - be a passionista!

Be a Jack of all trades

Have a solid understanding of business. Social Media is not the be all, end all; it is a marketing tactic that must be tied together with other parts of the business.

Be on the same page as your client

When working with a client it is important to be on the same page from the start. Be clear about what the goals of the project are and what is being measured. This will insure a successful outcome.

Be platform agnostic

interactiveAmy's friend Alicia Deantico introduced the term, "platform agnostic" to Amy. It is important to be "platform agnostic" because you never know how a platform will change or benefit a specific client. If you are "platform agnostic" then you will open yourself up to new tools that can benefit a diverse range of clients.

Acknowledge your mistakes

Building trust is the name of the game. Acknowledging mistakes shows that you're human, which goes a long way. If you cultivate your community they will support you through good times and bad.

Collaborate

Everyone has their own passion, but sometimes you cannot do it all yourself. Working with your peers can benefit all involved.

My recommendation to anyone starting off in the Social Media is to ask questions and get to know as many people in the field as possible. There is a lot to learn and speaking to those with experience will give a new perspective.

#interactiveAmy #passionista #platform agnostic #pursuing our passion #Alicia Deantico

Rock Out!

In her blog post, "10 Ways to Rock Social Media", Jennifer MacDonald lists ten tips to help Social Media specialists succeed in their job. While I have read many blog posts, spoke with many people and learned a lot about what it takes to be successful in Social Media; I found this list to be comprehensive and hit the nail on the proverbial head.

Here are my 3 favorite tips of MacDonald's:

Be willing to always consume as much information in a 24-hour period as humanly possible.

Information in Social Media is constantly evolving at a fast pace. I find that learning as much as I can on a daily basis is a necessity if I want to keep up-to-date on industry news. Gathering information from blogs, articles and individuals has been a integral part of the learning process. Consuming as much information as one can handle in a 24-hour period has been a practice I have followed and will continue to do as I progress in the field.

My recommendation: bookmark these pages Mashable.com and SocialMedia.Alltop.com; subscribe to RSS feeds; dedicate an amount of time every day to reading.

Don’t be a know-it-all, when you have a question reach out to your followers, it doesn’t show that you’re weak but that you’re eager to know more.

Being a "know-it-all" is not a positive trait in just about any aspect of life but is completely unnecessary in the Social Media world. Not only does asking questions of your followers show that you're "eager to know more," but it can also show that you respect their point of view. This will lead to a stronger, more engaged community. One of the great things about Social Media is the ability to collaborate and share ideas, so why not take advantage of it?

My recommendation: Read blog and Facebook comments and draw questions from those your community members are asking. Facilitate their search for answers.

Case Studies! Sharing case studies, stories of your success, or ways you’ve grown your company using social media will build your credibility and rock your portfolio.

Case Studies not only build credibility, but are also interesting. I personally like to read case studies because they give me specific ideas for success. Again, case studies allow us to learn from the community, so take advantage of it!

My recommendation: If you haven't already, read Groundswell. It's full of interesting case studies that will open your eyes to new information

MacDonald concludes by asking,

"What would you make #11?"

My number #11 is:

Know your community

Social Media success means something different for every individual, business or organization. Yes, it is important to look at what others are doing but it is also important to know your audience. Knowing your audience is key to making any Social Media plan a success.

What would you make your #12?

#social media success #groundswell

Seven Years of Bad Luck?

Many social media savvy individuals know that it is incredibly important to be careful about what they put on social networking sites. Posts, pictures and just about everything else has the potential to be scrutinized by friends, family and others.

As of June 2011, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has given the Social Intelligence Corp (SIC) permission to archive seven years of internet postings, photos and anything else in order to perform background checks. To me this means it is more important then ever to be aware of how one presents themselves on the internet.

Since many people know that employers might be "Googling" potential employees this might not seem like a big deal. The difference is that SIC can keep information they find in your file for seven years. The advantage of the service is potential employers must let applicants know they will be performing the search. If something adverse shows up on SIC must let applicants know that something showed up that may have prevented them from gaining employment.

Forbes posted a few reports from SIC from applicants that were denied jobs. One was denied a job because he belonged to a group, "I shouldn't have to press 1 for English. We are in the United States. Learn the language." While I do not agree with this group some people join groups haphazardly and forget about it, or their views change.

I can understand why employers might want to know more about potential employees then is presented through interviews, resumes and references. But I wonder if the search that SIC is performing might lead to some qualified, "upstanding" individuals losing out on a job due to a misinterpretation of the results.

What do you think?

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Linda Konop: social media