Constant Forums of Learning

In chapters 3-6 of Engage, Brian Solis introduces the concept that "We are forever students of new media" to reinforce that we have to constantly be open to and realize that social media is going to be constantly changing and evolving. In addition, that we need to be able to learn about and interact within multiple forums of media.

In chapter 3, Solis discusses how we need to pay careful attention to the definition of social media as well as words associated with it so that they do not get overused and thus lose their meaning. I had never given this much thought but it makes perfect sense that the frequency which people refer to social media with would allow for misinterpretations and overall mutation of what it and words and phrases associated mean. There are many instances of words changing in meaning because of frequent misuse and we need to be weary of this in terms of social media because it can lead to misunderstanding.

Chapters 4 and 5 introduce how we preside in a time of the "next Web" and the risks and implications. As I'm sure we're all aware, there are numerous examples of companies that have misused as well as successfully navigated the "next web" (blogs, podcasts, wikis, and virtual worlds). Solis gives an example of Southwest Airlines cleverly naming their blog "Nuts about Southwest". One implication may be viewed both positively and negatively; The fact that anyone and everyone has the opportunity to comment on company posts, podcasts, or wikis.

Lastly, chapter 6 discusses the dedication of social networks to multimedia, and the point that I found most interesting the social media press release (SMR). I put the term into the search bar on Google and multiple results about how to build a SMR came up. I found this interesting because as I have mentioned in previous posts social media is becoming incredibly interactive and instructive as well.

Engage thus far has served as a valuable resource because it presents social media in a way that encourages new and fresh ways of looking into it. I look forward to learning more!

Checking-In Made Easier

If you're Facebook active checking in for your flight has just gotten a lot more convenient! Delta Airlines has added a Check-In  feature on their Facebook page. I for one was happy when I heard this news but also a little bummed because I tend to fly cheaper alternatives such as Southwest Airlines.

Talking from my own experience, with Southwest at least, check in is always an added stress to the already stressful act of flying. On many occasions I have stayed up until midnight just waiting for the check in service to open on the airline website so that I wouldn't have to board last. Although this sounds trivial I know I can't be the only one that puts a lot of weight on the check in process. I figure it is only a matter of time until all the other major airlines start hopping on the Facebook bandwagon when it comes to checking-in.

Delta had the right idea by making the check-in process that much more convenient and soon enough other airlines aren't going to be able to afford not doing the same thing. I for one went on to Delta's website after I read the article to see if I could handle the prices for the mere satisfaction of checking in on Facebook (unfortunately I think I'm going to stick with my original plans for my next trip, but that's not until December so who knows Southwest might have these capabilities too).

I think that it is great that major companies are adapting and realizing how effective their services can  be in regards to social networking. It is definitely a big transition but I think one in the right direction since patterns seem to be leaning towards the advancement of social networking and media

Pope on Facebook?

The rumors have been confirmed that the deceased Pope John Paul II is joining Facebook. A little odd that a deceased Pope is joining a social networking site? Indeed, but the Vatican is making the Facebook because they have realized that Facebook and social networking isn't necessarily just about sharing information but that it also focuses on building a community. The Vatican hopes to build a community with this Facebook and will also be coming out with a Vatican news portal that will be unveiled around Easter.

I thought that this is a prime example of how networking has changed so dramatically. The Vatican, to me at least, is a very formal and old-fashioned institution and yet they are still aware of how important building their community Online is. Social networking sites have made it possible for institutions, companies, and just people in general to establish and build communities in a whole new way. These sites extend the possibilities and potential for communities because they make communication so easy and readily available.

The Pope joining Facebook may seem strange but you have to admit that the Vatican has the right idea in mind!

Let's Engage

This past week in class we started a new book! The book is Engage by Brian Solis. The first two chapters look into how companies must "Engage or Die" and how large the numbers of users there are Online. The concept behind the first two chapter lies with the idea that the number of users Online is not only huge but it is also growing, so if your company is not engaging and using the Internet as a viable source it is going to get left behind.

In reference to my parents company, Allied Advertising, once again I can see how their lack of involvement and engagement is slowly but surely hurting them. I recently offered to set them up Online and my dad expressed how he feels the necessity of such action. My parents I wouldn't say are exactly tech-savvy and so it says something that even they are aware of how important it is to engage Online.

Times are changing and the world is focusing their attentions to social media and networking even in terms of business. Recently, I have noticed people making Twitter handles for the purpose of finding a job as well as handles used to help people make Online resumes to find jobs. The Online resume is one that is in my opinion at least going to become essential in the near future. It is really becoming a matter of "Engage or Die" because everything is revolving in the Online arena.

Engaging and Support Yourself

Chapters 7  and 8 of Groundswell discussed how to energize and help the Groundswell support itself. Both of these chapters went into examples of how the people using your product can energize your product through the Groundswell for you and in addition how simply setting up networks for people to communicate in can establish ways for for the Groundswell to support itself.

Let's first look into energizing the Groundswell. The example the chapter gave an example of how a customer of eBags who would talk endlessly about how great the product is to anyone who was willing to listen. In this case, energizing the Groundswell is representative of people talking about the products and through this the companies do not have to spend any money to get their message across.

As for the helping the Groundswell to support itself, the chapter set up an example of how hospitals have Care Pages which allow for patients to communicate with their loved ones and get support without having to be overwhelmed by constant phone calls or visits. By setting up pages or forums for people to communicate with each other allows for the Groundswell to take off.

In my opinion many companies are helping the Groundswell by setting up User Reviews on their websites. I know I for one am always looking at the reviews for clothes and other items before purchasing and these reviews sort of set up a little community of people looking for good quality products. I have a tendency to Online shop and these reviews really get me to interact with others about certain products that I'm looking to purchase. Granted, this is n't necessarily the best example but I think it gives a basic outlook on how companies are helping the Groundswell to support itself.

7 Billion- How the Typical is Changing

National Geographic is doing a year long campaign/study on the world's most typical person and how by 2030 what we know today as the most typical man or woman is likely to change drastically due to factors in growing populations and mixing race.

I found this video through my sister and thought it was really interesting! The video doesn't have many special effects or anything of that sort but it plainly states the facts about what is typical in the world today
(a few of which suprised me because I am so often keyed into how American's live).
Check it out!


I thought this was so intriguing because it shows how quickly our world is changing and how one country or nation's ideal of "typical" can be so incredibly wrong. I think that through social networking the stereotypes about what we think is typical can be lessened because we are more capable of interacting with and learning about other peoples. We have seen how social media can connect us with the issues that are relevant around the world and in the same way we can use these instruments to learn that, like in my case, the people around me on my college campus are not by any means the norm.

As I mentioned before this is a year long segment and I believe you have to purchase a subscriptions to the magazine to keep up with the project but check it out for yourself and see whether you think it's worth getting into-Age of Man