These slides are a summary of a previous lecture that discusses in depth the concepts of social capital, social objects, strength of weak ties, and seeks to show students things to consider when applying these concepts in their use of social media. They are used in my Social Media course in the Dept of Communication at Utah Valley University: profkushinsocial.wordpress.com

1. Social Media CourseDr. Matthew J. Kushin Assistant Professor Department of Communication Utah Valley University profkushin.wordpress.com mkushin@uvu.edu @mjkushin

2. Summary of Social Networks Dr. Matthew J. Kushin Course: profkushinsocial.wordpress.com

3. Shared Experience Things have value to the extent that they are shared with others A joke is a perfect example of this. Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/3217662958/sizes/m/in/photostream/

4. Summary People you don’t know (weak ties) are avenues for sending/receiving info You are a node in a larger network You are somebody’s weak tie Your content & your connections have value Social capital is your ability to tap that network It is tied directly to your ability to provide value for others.

5. Summary Cont’d We connect with others indirectly through social objects Ideas, things, memes - many things can be social objects If we create a social object – content others care about - a conversation can begin We need to facilitate & partake in the convo around our (company’s) social object

6. Determine What do you have to contribute to the convo? Create content & share it Find content & share it Where are people who share your passion? Connect with them Help them connect with others

7. To become leaders we must Have an identity online Be participating in conversations Adding value Creating content Sharing content of value which we find by cultivating & monitoring relevant ties

8. The road… “TO BE PERSUASIVE WE MUST BE BELIEVABLE; TO BE BELIEVABLE WE MUST BE CREDIBLE;TO BE CREDIBLE WE MUST BE TRUTHFUL.”- Edward R. Murrow Similarly: To become a thought leader We must be trusted, and thus credible and truthful We begin by establishing presence & working to demonstrate our expertise