Social Strategies

Rule number one of Social Media: People first, tools second.

Google+: Game Changer?

July 12th, 2011 Posted in FaceBook, Google+, Opinions, Social Media
Jul, 12 2011
8 Comments »

 

When I heard Google+ was coming out with a social network to rival Facebook, I pretty much brushed if off as yet another attempt unlikely to dethrone the King and Master of Social Networking. After all, I reasoned, unless Facebook really screwed up – resulting in a mass exodus – or went under, why would people leave for yet another social network? Especially those with a large base of important connections?

I have to say, however, after trying it out for a few days, I am impressed. And eating my words. It’s easy to learn and use.The ability to categorize people into groups, (“Circles”) and share selectively so easily has great appeal. The site’s appearance is very clean, as there are no ads (yet) and no notices in the sidebars. Perhaps best of all: NO GAMES! So far, people are talking mostly about – you guessed it – Google+. Right now it’s like the place where all the “cool” kids hang out since you have to be invited, with everyone learning about it from each other. Among it’s other cool features:

Photo Editing: You can edit your pictures, changing hues, cropping, and even adding some cool effects and making color pictures black and white. Uploading is easy with a drag and drop function, and the photo quality looks better than Facebook’s. It’s easy to navigate and fun to use.

Hangouts: Video conferencing has never been easier. Install the required plug-in and you’re all set. When people in one of your circles uses it, it appears in your stream that they are in a hangout, and shows who has joined them. It will be great for socializing and work collaboration. One thing occurs to me: Will it be considered rude if someone invites you to hang out, and you decline? Hmmm. New features like this means new rules of etiquette will evolve. I sure hope people don’t get, well, a little too “casual” with this particular feature!

Sparks enables you to search topics of interest on the web. You can create lists whose content is updated with the most recent info and is accessible. It’s like having Google Alerts right there in Google+. Wow.

Integration: This is the lynchpin to Google+’s long term success.  I’ve heard reports of difficulties with some Google Apps emails, so there are still some issues to work out. I’ve experienced seamless navigation between my Gmail, GoogleDocs, Calendar, Pictures, and Google+ presence; I do just about everything I need to do online from there. That is huge.

For these reasons, I think Google+ offers great promise. They’ve improved upon many of Facebook’s good features, and added some that Facebook lacks. Not surprisingly, there’s a mobile version for the Droid. Of course, that has Iphone/iPad users salivating for theirs. Google will likely avoid at least some of Facebook’s noted missteps with privacy and making so many random changes with little or no notice. And surely, an API release can’t be too far away, which opens up numerous possibilities. For me, the ability to manage it from Hootsuite can’t come fast enough!

So what do you think? Have you tried Google+? If not, I highly recommend it. Leave your email below and I’ll send you an invite. What would it take for you to use it more than, or in place of, Facebook? For now, Google+ is at least part shiny new toy.  It is one whose novelty will wear off? Or is it a true game changer that seriously threatens Facebook’s dominance?

 

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Can You Build Meaningful Relationships With Social Media?

June 22nd, 2011 Posted in Opinions, People, Relationships, Social Media
Jun, 22 2011
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What a loaded question that has become! It’s one that came up for me recently when someone declared to me, very adamantly, that you cannot.

When I ask people what they get out of their social media, the answers usually go something like this: “I have reconnected with people I haven’t seen in years, and it’s great to do that and see pictures of their kids.” Other answers include:  “I only check in occasionally” and “I’m not on Facebook, I don’t have time.”

Fair enough. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for social media, and you’re not going to hear me proclaim, as many do, that everyone should be there. It’s a matter of taste and preference as to what sites you use, or whether you are there at all. That said, here are a few answers – always delivered in a patronizing tone – that make me want to scream: “Well, I don’t like it because it’s flat and one dimensional.” or “It’s a waste of time”  and the ultimate eyeroller: “I want to focus on real life meaningful relationships.”

As for the “flat and one dimensional” characterization, I see that. But can’t that be said about any written communication? That some types of communication are more meaningful and should be done in person, or at least over the telephone, where you can  look into someones’ eyes and hear voice inflection, is a given. But that doesn’t mean written communication can’t pack a punch and carry great depth and meaning. Think of all the relationships that started by written communication. Or those sustained during wars by letters. How about that cherished letter from Grandma, tattered and frayed by repeated reading because it means so much? The written word has long been a tie that binds when people are separated by time and distance. Today, it just occurs electronically more often than by parcel post. Ah, technology.

I’d argue that it is our communication with people in its’ many forms, and taken as a whole, that enables us to develop meaningful relationships with them. As for the arguments that one can get too isolated by social media and that it is no substitute for physically being with people, or that people can misunderstand or be misunderstood due to its flat nature, I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve been misunderstood more than once. I’ve also been very fortunate to sustain relationships, as well meet people through social media that I later met in person. In some cases, that has led to real life encounters and true friendships, business relationships, or both. At the heart of of these relationships is three core components: Trust, respect, and the fact that I like them. In some cases communication has not, as yet, progressed far beyond the online world. I still have a good rapport and common interests with these people – and that’s fine. ‘Meaningful’ has many layers, and I am happy to partake in all of them.

Now you know my position; I’d like to hear yours:  Can you build meaningful relationships through social media?  What has your experience been?  What are your challenges? Rewards?

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Discretion: It’s Just Common Sense. Or Is It?

April 7th, 2011 Posted in blogging, FaceBook, Online Reputation Management, Opinions, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
Apr, 07 2011
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My last Blog post was about the Maryland Department of Corrections story in which an officer re-applying for his job  was requested to surrender his Facebook log-in info as a precondition for employment.  The officer complied, albeit reluctantly. Shortly thereafter, the Maryland ACLU filed a formal complaint. This article is a recent update which offers an explanation of, and recent changes to, this policy. I’ll say again that I think any employer who requires such a thing has completely overstepped their legal and ethical bounds.

But what about simply wanting to connect with a prospective employee online? Are employers within their bounds to ask for that privilege?  Many companies now look at social profiles as part of their screening process,  and stories abound about employees who have lost their jobs over something said or done on social sites which employers felt reflected negatively on them. These include, but are not limited to: Criticizing a company and/or its employees by name or inference, and behaving in a manner considered detrimental to the company by way of comments or images posted.  A whole new avenue of litigation has opened, with more to come as social sites continue to draw more individual and business users.  At issue are questions such as whether employers should have the right to fire based on these circumstances, and determining the degree and manner in which people may express themselves without crossing the nefarious line into libelous or threatening behavior.

Obviously, I leave it to the judges, attorneys and juries of one’s peers to figure out these weighty issues for those cases that go to trial. What I do know is this:  A little common sense should prevail.  Even if you aren’t connected to prospective or current employers through social networks, chances are someone you know is somehow.  If you don’t have the good judgment and maturity to keep those risqué party pictures or negative sentiments about your company,  boss, neighbors, or others you know off of your Facebook page, you shouldn’t expect one ounce of sympathy when these things come back to bite you on the proverbial butt.  Like it or not, we  live in a more or less transparent online world; the exercise of discretion while there can make or break your personal and professional reputation.  Case in point: I know a realtor who posts frequently about how heavily and frequently they imbibe.  Think I’ll hire them to sell my house? No, and I’m no teetotaler myself,  but  I question their common sense, good judgment, and how a lack thereof may affect their ability to represent me in the best possible manner.   Harsh? I don’t think so.

So what do you think? Do companies go too far when they fire people for speaking negatively about them online? Are you connected to your co-workers and employers on social networks? Why or why not? Should I rethink my own personal views on common sense online behavior?

 

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The Maryland DoC: Boneheads or Brilliant?

February 22nd, 2011 Posted in FaceBook, Opinions, Social Media
Feb, 22 2011
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If you’ve been on Facebook in the last few days, you’ve probably heard a report about the Maryland Department of Correction’s controversial policy of asking job applicants to submit their Facebook passwords and log-in info to conduct background checks. This was prompted by the re-hire of a corrections officer who was told he needed to submit this information to be reinstated after returning from a personal leave. He contacted the ACLU, who is now conducting an inquiry.

What is the Maryland COD thinking? That they should be able to log on to people’s personal accounts AS THOSE PEOPLE, just to see what they’re up to? And access private messages and info of friends? Social Media Today offers this thoughtful analysis. My question: Why not just request a friend confirmation from applicants to see their profiles? If the request is denied, infer what you will from that.

Amazingly, the officer gave them his information, albeit not without protest. How could anyone be naïve enough to do that?

Predictably, there has been a backlash to this and other efforts seen as egregious intrusions of privacy. Case law on the issue is sparse, and if this policy is duplicated, it will face court challenges, and legal precedent will be set. As I see it, there is no middle ground here: Being asked to surrender personal login information for Facebook or anything else, as a precondition of employment, is 100% wrong. Period.

And then it hit me. Either the Maryland DOC consists of ignorant boneheads, or they’re brilliant.

The pdf from the ACLU to the Maryland DOC looks official enough. Still, I can’t help but wonder: Have we all been snookered? Was this actually a process of elimination test to weed out applicants? As in: If you are dumb enough to actually comply with such a request, we sure don’t want you working for us.

I’ll tell you this: I wouldn’t want someone that “compliant” working for me. Would you?

Update 2/22, 5:11 PM: The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has suspended the practice of asking for Facebook login information for 45 days, according to an email they sent to The Atlantic. See full story on the development.

Ok, so maybe my “theory” is most likely wrong. But you know what?  I think I’d respect the Maryland DOC a whole lot more if I was right.

Liz DeLoach is a Social Media Consultant, Les Mills Fitness Trainer, wife and mom of two teens (help!) in Charleston, SC. Follow her on Twitter @lizdeloach. And, be sure to stop by her page at Social Moms.

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Crucial Question Number 1

February 10th, 2011 Posted in FaceBook, marketing, Opinions, Social Media, social media marketing, Twitter
Feb, 10 2011
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Last week, I offered six crucial questions that businesses should consider before they delve into a social media presence. Question one involves figuring out what you want your presence to accomplish for your business. Which begs an even more basic question: How do you decide what those things are?

As with most marketing endeavors, it’s always sound to start with a back-to-basics mindset. Let this philosophy form the framework of your approach to social media. I have two great answers to the “What should my presence accomplish” question that apply to every business:

1. Your social presence should create greater awareness within each community of your business and brand

2. You want this presence to build trust

Seem obvious? You’d be surprised at the number of businesses that start a Facebook page and Twitter account with the intention of using each as a one way platform to broadcast specials and deals. They learn that social sites are free, and in their minds, that translates into “free advertising platform.” They view social media marketing as the latest and greatest shiny new tool to boost sales.

That’s the wrong approach entirely.

The rationale for starting with 1 and 2 above is simple: There will be people out there who do not know about your business, and social media is a great way to change that. But don’t tell them what you’ve got – Show them who you are. You do this in large measure by simply talking to people just to share info and get to know them. Over time, once they come to know and trust you, what started as conversation may result in sales. Or it may not. And that’s OK – because boosting sales is what your traditional advertising is designed to do. Sales can happen eventually as a result of a good social presence, but should not be its focus. Ever.

After all, it’s called social media, as opposed to self promotional media – for a reason.

Liz DeLoach is a Social Media Consultant, Les Mills Fitness Trainer, wife and mom of two teens (help!) in Charleston, SC. Follow her on Twitter @lizdeloach. And, be sure to stop by her page at Social Moms.

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