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The following is a part of our One For the Creative Types Series. We are looking to help people transform their web presence from “starving artist” to “social media savvy entrepreneur.”
When people hear the term “social media,” they immediately think of tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc. without actually considering what these tools are all about. Using these social networks has become so ingrained into our everyday lives that many have never stopped to think – what is social media?
Everyday, I explore the web for current articles and blog posts about social media strategies. These posts are usually divided into helping businesses sell to businesses, businesses sell to consumers (ranging from large corporations to small business solutions), or personal branding techniques to land a role helping with the B2B/B2C listed above.
It may seem a little overzealous on my part, but I’d argue that social media is changing almost every aspect of our society. I have previously discussed how technology is leading us towards a more open society, as well as the privacy issues associated with this evolution. There is no doubt that social media is changing the way we do business. I think Brian Solis says it best:
“Social Media is not only changing how we communicate, we are also changing the culture of business from the outside in and from the bottom up.”Let me elaborate. Social media is starting to impact nearly all functional areas of business, including: marketing/sales, human resources, customer services, research and development, finance & accounting, and administration/IT support. I will provide you with an example for each:
Whether it is Chris Brogan telling you how to Frame your Social Media Efforts or any other equally credible source, I am sure you have learned the importance of connecting with individuals when it comes to succeeding in social media. Building relationships is a theme that reoccurs daily and has us constantly in search for new like-minded individuals to whom we listen and with whom we create and collaborate.
I find myself getting asked on a daily basis, “How long do you think this social media stuff is going to last?”
Depending on my mood, I usually go into a rant how the way we communicate in general has shifted. I start listing examples like how people use iPads, Kindles or Web Readers instead of newspapers, or an estimate of how many people actually use sites like Facebook and Youtube.
I am not going to do that because Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics, recently created a perfect stat-filled sequel to his original Social Media Revolution video.
Take a look:
Social Media Revolution 2
Continue reading →
I have only just begun working as the online community manager for Engine Communications but I would like to take this opportunity to personally say hello to all of you.
Now, I know the stats that date back to about 2006. In most online communities, something around 90% (if not higher) enjoy just sitting back and reading the content. I am glad you enjoy the content. After this post, I will let you go back to reading! Furthermore, about 9% will contribute sporadically and maybe 1% will contribute most of the interactions.
What I am proposing is that you simply say hello and a link back to your company, website or twitter profile (anything really) in the comments section.
I can guarantee you will be happy you did. That is the power of hello.
Last week I promised to provide you with a questionnaire to help give you insight into who you are and exactly what you are trying to achieve. You can find the questionnaire here.
The Questionnaire
The questionnaire is by no means all-encompassing. The sole purpose is to get your ideas flowing about how you should go about spending your time in the social media space. In the end, time becomes your largest constraint. There is a method to my madness! Answering the questions will allow you to reflect and establish your voice accordingly.
I read many posts around the web giving free advice to individuals about how to get started or succeed in social media. Excluding the bloggers who are trying to sell you something or the ones who have no idea what they are talking about, the first step is usually to create goals. They will usually provide some example questions, such as:
Eventually, you start thinking about a complete social media program by asking yourself questions like:
At this point, most people become a little overwhelmed by these questions. It is very easy to get ahead of yourself with social media efforts and focus your attention in the wrong places. Simply asking yourself, “Who am I?” before thinking about your goals will help you get a solid foundation and understanding about what you are trying to achieve.
We all know that I’m an advocate for non-profit organizations that focus on social justice. Being in PR and marketing, I’m always interested to see what new, innovative methods non-profits are using to communicate their messages, and champion the needs of their clients.
One of my favourite non-profit organizations to watch is CARE Canada. Last year, I was fortunate enough to interview their President, Kevin McCort, an incredibly passionate, creative leader in the field. Kevin and his team stepped up to the plate in a big way recently in Haiti, partnering with Oxfam and Save the Children to create the Humanitarian Coalition. Jointly, they raised over 13 million dollars to bring aid to those affected by the earthquake.
CARE’s work extends far past disaster relief. Their mission is to fight poverty through the empowerment of women and girls in developing nations. Using education, economic development, health care and HIV/AIDS programs, as well as disaster and conflict relief, CARE Canada is working with communities around the world to achieve their goals.
The results are inspiring, to say the least. You can imagine my excitement when I was contacted by their Communications Manager, Kieran Green, who wanted to give me the scoop on their plans for International Women’s Day!
International Women’s Day, held annually since 1911, on March 8, is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. To kick it off tonight, CARE is hosting the 1-night-only Canadian premier of “Half the Sky Live”, inspired by the best-selling book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It features live musical performances, celebrity commentary, and chronicles the struggle of poor Ethiopian women who overcome sexual violence and discrimination. It’s the first time a non-profit development group like CARE has commercially released a film to both entertain and raise awareness of a global issue.
On Monday, March 8, CARE will be celebrating International Women’s Day with an innovative awareness campaign. I’m going to let Kieran tell you about it:
With our focus on empowering women at the core of our poverty-fighting work, International Women’s Day is a natural fit for CARE for spreading the word about our work, and about the importance of women in the fight against global poverty.
This year we were looking for something that could be both a symbol, and also a simple activity for engaging Canadians, and raising awareness about International Women’s Day. We thought about the red ribbon for AIDS, the pink ribbon for breast cancer research, and about the wrist bands other causes have adopted. We wanted to do something in that vein, but at the same time unique and attention-getting.
Then we remembered the old folk tradition of tying a string around your finger to remind yourself of something you don’t want to forget. The idea was born. So for International Women’s Day we want all Canada to wear the string as a reminder of all the things the women of the world have achieved, and of all the things that are yet to be done.
It’s easy to do – you don’t need to buy a ribbon or any special equipment. Just cut a piece of string, or wool, or yarn, or ribbon, and tie it on your finger. And it’s not just for this year. Our dream is for the string to become the globally-recognized symbol for International Women’s Day year after year.
How fantastic is that?! Taking a familiar tradition (the “awareness” ribbon), and giving it a unique twist (the “reminder” string) is such a cool idea. It’s easy, the audience understands the concept, and through the use of social media, people can become a part of the campaign in ways that just weren’t available in the past. Through Facebook and an interactive Flickr album, supporters will be able to take part in this initiative in a deeply personal way.
A mentor of mine once said to me, “Everyone wants to be heard. Everyone wants to be loved. And everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves.” CARE Canada’s International Women’s Day campaign fits this bill. We’ll be taking part. Will you?
