I thought it would be appropriate to stop sitting on this post in light of 2 very relevant news items:
Needless to say, as we’ve started settling into our new house the past few weeks our attention has been a bit divided. Okay, more than a bit divided. Crown molding, paint colors and floor restoration in addition to our normal work schedules have taken a fair toll on mental resources. Now, I finally have the time and concentration ability to express some thoughts. More specifically to continue thoughts on social/new media.
A few weeks ago I happened to catch a rather silly skit on The Tonight Show, now with Conan O’Brien. The bit is apparently a re-occurring one on the show, where Conan and one of Conan’s guests or in this case his comedic side-kick, Andy Richter don space age-style suits and try to keep a straight face as they dramatically drone into the camera (while holding a flash light with a green bulb) about things that will happen in the future or “the year 3000.” One of the items not only made me laugh out loud, but also started me thinking. The phrase when something like this: “In the year 3,000, Youtube, Twitter and Facebook will form a massive time wasting site called You. Twit. Face.” You can catch the clip below:
The Power of Social Media
Silly as this was supposed to be there is seriousness to it, especially for business. Social media/networking has given the world unprecedented access to information and each other. Building a strong social network allows you to instantly update not only your friends and family, but also your colleagues and potential clients about what you’re doing and your plans for the future. You no longer have to slog through endless phone calls or emails, you can instantly update to a place where millions of people check multiple times a day. Plus combining different social networking sites that have different strengths allows you to maximize effectiveness and reach even further. For instance, many people simply live on Facebook, its where they go to socialize and catch up with the people in their lives.
Twitter, on the other hand, is quite prominent and well-known, but not as well used by everyday people. It is more utilized by both the media and prominent or famous people who update and then the media reports on their “Tweets.” The great thing about Twitter though is unless a user has their profile set to private, you can “follow” just about anyone to get updates and they can follow you without having a reciprocal friend request accepted by both parties. People can sign up for your updates without you having to do anything and you can automatically post those updates to Facebook and Linkedin. Bam. All in one place. No need to log into every site. You just updated three networks at the same time.
Twitter also works well in that interested reporters will sign up for your Twitter feed, where they would have never “friended” you on Facebook. Like I said, the media seems to absolutely adore Twitter. One place where all people of interest instantly feed them information.
Combine all three of these networks, plus whatever comes along in the future and you’ve got a pretty robust communication tool.
Your Corner of the Internet
Many businesses think of social media/networking as completely separate from their websites. They see websites as a static informational tool where people visit to get things like your contact information and to make sure your business is legitimate. The websites of the future, however, are not going to operate as just a fancy business card they are going to be dynamic, living, breathing sites that harness the power of the human need to connect and gather information. The best websites will give people a reason to come back. They will have an informative blog, they will provide easy access to social media networks.
Successful websites will be a place people will want to visit when they want to know about you, your business and the expertise you provide. The next generation of web will truly be “your space.” Your own little corner of the internet that allows people to connect to you on a personal level. Potential clients can look in and see what you look like and what some of your interests are on your Facebook page, what you’re thinking at the moment on your Twitter and who you know and where you’ve come from on your Linkedin. Allow people to get to know you and like you a bit before you even sit down for that first meeting. Why have a bland web presence that at best simply has a stock photo taken of you?
In this market and in this economy you want to differentiate yourself and giving yourself, your business and your staffers an actual face and not just a name on a website will do that for you. Plug it all in and make your web presence a place where people want to come and where they will have a genuine experience.
As we catch up from the move, in the coming weeks we’ll be continually adding features to thoroughly embody this philosophy. We will also be offering new services to more fully serve our clients.
Its where personal meets professional. And its the future of business communications.
You. Twit. Face.
There are countless ways to connect online and it seems that new media is EVERYWHERE. In a few short years social networking sites including Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin and Twitter have added a whole new dimension to how we perceive and interact with the internet and with each other.
Contrary to popular belief the internet is not the Wild West. It does in fact have a governing body and rules of conduct.
The introduction of 
