Not so sure about social bookmarking

The past two classes have been primarily dedicated to social bookmarking. At the begining of class I was aware we had assignment that dealt with social bookmarking but had no clue what it was about. I'm not so sure I completley understand now. I was aware that social bookmarks allows internet users to save, categorize and share information on the web, but wasn't sure that just saving a webpage to my favorites wasn't easier. I know that our generation is supposed to catch on better to new technologies, but I am still a little lost when it comes to this whole social bookmarking. I feel like there is such a process to it and too many steps.

To become more accustomed with social bookmarking, I took it upon myself to visit, Del.icio.us, hands on. After spending time with it and become more familar with its functions, I took a liking to it. One of the benefits I discovered was that I can access my favorites websites from any computer. I also like that I can share my findings with others that have similar interests by tagging with generated keywords. It also helps to remember the reason I bookmarked the sight in the first place.

Social bookmarking has many helpful and useful characteristics and I take back most doubts I had about it in the first place.

Your company needs a voice too

Today in class, we discussed companies microblogging and were asked what we thought about businesses being involved in the blogosphere.

In a recent article in Media Post's Marketing Daily, Blake Cahill recently published an article that listed 5 ways in which a business can leverage microblogging. Instead of this medium being just restricted to individuals who want to share information, thoughts and links, companies big and small are catching on to the trend. Here they extended the intentions of microblogging to networking with clients, customers and partners . They can share all important information about the company in a timely fashion.

Some reputable companies that have already begun engaging in this social media are H.R. Block and Zappos CEO Tony Hseih.





The five ways to leverage microblogging suggested are:


1. Monitor your industry and competitors
2. Track conversations about the company and the brand
3. Grow sales
4. Enhance customer service
5. Expand communication with stakeholders



By managing a company blog, it may harm or benefit the company. By disclosing company information, it allows for people to negatively comment and have the public see. On the positive side it can help the company to be aware of the changes they need to make to please their consumers and boost their sales.

Google (your name here)

In class this past week we talked about "googling" ourselves online. Discussion included that this could be both a beneficial and harmful thing for our future, job opportunity...etc. When you look yourself up, there may be many to no searches where you click enter. Some of the things may be incriminating pictures, past mistakes, or things you just want to keep confidential. These are the skeletons. In class, we learned that there is a process you can undergo to remove these from shadowing over your potential future.

I can't believe I never thought to "google" myself before. I will be graduating in May and know that I will be looking for a professional job and/or career. I don't want them to stumble across anything that would prevent me from getting a desired job, even if it may be considered harmless to others. Therefore, I decided to google myself and saw many hits for my name just on the first search page alone. Nothing bad appeared (not that there was anything I was worried about). What came up was actually good stuff. My deans list records came up, an article that I was quoted in high school was there, and of course my facebook account. I found it actually kind of exciting.

Everyday in this social media class, it is becoming more apparent that the internet is out there to help us, benefit us, and make our lives overall much easier.

15 seconds of fame

In early 2006, American Express started its own citizen marketing effort. In association with the Tribeca Film Festival, the two have launched a competition in accordance with American Express's ad campaign "My Life. My Card." It was referred to as the 15 second clip competition. The competition consists of submitting a 15 second clip with about one of thirteen topics that have do with the submitters personal life with restricted guidelines of course. Winner received a $15,000 grand prize. The films were personally viewed and judged by acclaimed directors Martin Scorsese and M. Night Shyamalan.

This competition was intense a wonderful opportunity for the vlogger world. Consumers had the opportunity to record and share their lives while having the world watch them. They would tell their friends and family about what they did, thus leading them to the website. This became a continuous cycle. During the three week submission period, the american express website received record breaking hits.

This competition is proof that the large corporations and companies are catching on to citizen marketing and the use of WOM. (This competition was along the same idea of the Chevy Tahoe campaign) These trends are on the way up to becoming some of the most powerful sources of media today. They are powerful tools in aiding in the image, prosperity, and financial success of the company.

Preview some of the submitted 15 second clips

Wiki's Reputation May Not Hold True

Wiki is a relatively new term in today's technology. Prior to last weeks class discussion on wikis, the only thing I have ever heard in relation to a wiki was the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. What I heard was not positive. Every time it comes to writing a term paper or research paper for class the teacher always advises not to use wikipedia. They will not give you credit and may take off points for using it. From what I knew before class, it was a source that was often altered and not reliable. People with biases would come in edit based on what they thought. The information may be true or may be false. There is not really a way to distinguish.

After class, I learned that there was more to wikis then I was previously informed. Wikis are actually a useful and informative tool for connecting to others. It is also a unique way of sharing information and collaborating with others. It may not actually be such a negative source after all.

Individuals have the ability to create their own wiki. There are many several websites that allow you do do this. Some of them are:

Wetpaint

PBwiki

Wikispaces

To Jdate or not to Jdate?

Having trouble finding other Jewish people in your community? The search is over. Social media has taken a new approach to online dating. It has narrowed down the search field. Not only now can you search for your ideal match, but you can go straight to JDate.com and find your Jewish soulmate. This source of social media takes a modern spin on matchmaking. Its an expansion of the Jewish geography that already exists.


This source of social media has proven to be pretty successful. It gets straight to its target with its thorough questionaire and profile application. The questions relate to personal attributes, characterisitics, religion classification and ideal person one is looking for. Countless marriages, relationships and friendships have been created through this source. Through this website you can IM others online, video chat, see whose viewing you, add people to your favorites...and much more.

JDate Video

Flaws and errors have also been shown with this social media. It offers different price packages to become a memeber and gives the option of being able to do more functions. People who signed in as guests said they wouldn't take this plunge due to the fact that they have been unsuccessful and constantly rejected. Is the social media network responsible? Or is it the fault of the guests and memebers? Thus "To Jdate or not to Jdate?" is the question.