Ten Things About Social Media You Should Know Slideshare

Ten Things about Social Media You Should Know* (*but were afraid to ask…) Presented to the 2009 Louisiana Society of Association Executives Annual Convention Todd Whalley, Director of Sales & Special Events Louisiana Northshore CVB Wednesday January 28, 2009, Any errors herein are his while any brilliant ideas are derived from the noted social media authors and experts.

It’s Later Than You Think…

According to Forrester's 2008 Social Technographic Profile , Three out of Four U.S. adults use web technologies and tools to connect with other people and to share information.

Adoption has grown from 56% just a year ago.

Making Sense Of Social Media by Danny Flamberg, Social Media Insider , 11/20/08

And Yet, It’s Just Begun… http://www.youtube.com/vatican Even His Excellency Pope Benedict XVI has a page…

Map of the Social Media Universe (As of Five Minutes Ago)

We are at a crossroads in this medium…it is being compared to the Cable TV Industry with the advent of ESPN & MTV—but participatory. We are starting to see specific interest “channels” developing, with the following delineations (in my opinion):

Facebook & MySpace =Your Personal Life, Friends, vacations etc.

LinkedIn, Plaxo, MPIWeb.com etc. online groups is for professionals

Twitter =opinions, newsroom, chat room, clipping service

Wikipedia =meritocracy, how to demonstrate your knowledge

The sum of your presence on these equals your “digital identity”.

PS—There are no rules or best practices, but don’t be afraid to start. If you don’t write about you, someone else will.

Remember…be genuine and “own” your identity, good and bad.

I’ve Been Blogged…

Question: How is this different than a chat room, user group or discussion board?

Answer: It isn’t…it’s the next step in the evolution. The only difference is that these are easier to use and much easier to find. Think of the older forms as a professional medical journal and blogs as Time Magazine ™ .

What is a “Wiki”?

According to Wikipedia ® (ironically, a poster-child of a Meritocracy):

Meritocracy is a system of a government or another organization wherein appointments are made and responsibilities are given based on demonstrated talent and ability (merit), rather than by wealth (plutocracy), family connections (nepotism), class privilege (oligarchy), friends (cronyism), seniority ( (as in democracy gerontocracy), popularity ) or other historical determinants of social position and political power. In a meritocracy, society rewards (by wealth, position, and social status) those who demonstrated talent and competence, demonstrated through past actions or by competition.

Are you a Passive Marketer trying to Reach Active Members & Consumers?

Here’s the secret: The idea of a static website as a “billboard” for your message is over. People are already talking about organizations, brands, even people they like or dislike.

The old web was akin to separate rooms each with slideshows running. Today, it is comprised of different “restaurants” or “town squares” with everyone talking to each other.

Do you know where your Members and Clients are congregating—or what they are saying?

Beware: Traditional Advertising = Dishonesty Or: You’re going to Need a Thicker Skin…

Marketing in the Social Media World means you can’t really manage a message, you can just respond with honest feedback. A lack of perceived authenticity equals a lie. If you want honest feedback then listen & engage the critics.

Be careful…you might even get some ideas on how to TRULY improve your product for free (less the price of a tissue or two).

So, It’s Fascinating, but How is It Good for Business?

This little difference between your professional and personal lives—this applies to businesses & associations as well as individuals.

Your “digital identity” can be used as a resume, fact verifier, reputation, personal benchmark register, and business referral conduit through introductions and connections. More & better connections is the currency of the current “meritocracy”.

Can I set up an Online Community that represents our Interests or Needs? Sure…We Did.

76 Members from California to Florida including Bruce Weinstein, an ethics analyst who appears on the Today Show, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper 360, American Morning, The O'Reilly Factor, Fox & Friends, Cavuto, MSNBC Live, CNBC, NPR, and others.

What is the common thread? All are Hospitality Industry Members that want to share information and help others

Your television and computer will be difficult to differentiate. Your personal and professional communication will come from directed personal Twitter ® communication, someone will “favorite a tweet” to direct someone to a relevant blog, InMails ® from LinkedIn ® , posts on Facebook ® as well as email.

Don’t forget that any of these might go the way of “Friendster” ® and fall out of favor / style…so hedge your bets and participate on as many new sites as possible, while linking them to your old content.