For a while now I’ve been wanting to find a way to explain how I work and how my internet-self and experience could relate to work. Well, Teresa Wu has basically said everything I wanted to in her guest post on Chris Brogan’s blog. Her thoughts are spot on, especially concerning our behaviors that are misunderstood by the older generations.
“We’re often criticized for our restless job-jumping or our sense of entitlement. The truth is, we might play the game differently, but that doesn’t mean we’re not every bit as bright, innovative, and hardworking.”
“While Generation X continues to emphasize the importance of maintaining a professional online image, we who grew up using Facebook and MySpace as places to share our photos and lives with our friends don’t want to turn it into a purely professional arena.”
And so forth. If you are a Gen Y, bookmark this article in case you need to show it to someone who doesn’t understand you. If you are not from this generation and are often confused by us, take some notes.
Basically validation that they rock, Mashable has done a nice review of WeSeed.com. Adam Ostrow highlights WeSeed’s best points, noting:
“While it might seem like a tough time to be starting an investment website, WeSeed’s focus on education might actually be to its advantage.”
And…
“Essentially, the concept is to make you think like an investor – if you see something in the supermarket or think you may have discovered the next big fashion trend, WeSeed wants to help you translate those street smarts into investments.”
Damn straight. Check the rest of the article here.
I’ve been beta-testing WeSeed.com recently and I want to help get the word out for the site. Essentially, WeSeed takes investing in the stock market with fake money, but with real-time prices and updates, and combines this with the best of social media and web 2.0. They have a solid video that explains why WeSeed exists. Take a look.
You’ll find this bit of news all over the web; Google is implementing search suggestion over the next week or so. What you may not find all over the web are SEO tips for maximizing traffic from these suggestions. Fear not, friends. SEOBook is ahead of the game on this one, and lays out what other features Google is implementing, the effect they will have on search, and what YOU can do to stay optimized.
Ben Parr of Mashable writes a very exciting post today for those who currently have and hope to find a job in social media, myself included. Ben discusses the current popular status of social media jobs, and his outlook for the near future. Ben writes:
“Even if the title changes, the role of the social media marketer or manager is not going anywhere. Building community, reaching out to potential customers, building stronger relationships, creating buzz – they are fundamental goals to every company. So long as people use social media to share their thoughts and their complaints, the need for people to fill social media jobs will continue to grow.”
This is good news. For one, it validates that social media as a whole is very valuable to marketers, and will figure to be increasingly prevelant as more of us social media junkies get hired and do our trade. Social media should continue to grow despite the weak economy and fact that many companies are slashing marketing spending. Why? Most social media opportunities are free, or very inexpensive. Even hiring just one coordinator to run your blogs and social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook is much more cost effective at establishing relationships with consumers than blowing tens of thousands of dollars on a local cable spot, for example.
Additionally, consumers are much more price sensitive today and look to the internet for price saving information. Social media has the opportunity to inform consumers of sales and discounts via microblogging updates,(see Dell’s Outlet on Twitter) and keep loyal customers involved through blogs and social networking sites. Add the fact that people are staying at home more due to high gas prices, consumers will be spending more time online-which means more face time with your brand.
Note: Parr’s post provides a link to a Jeremiah Owyang post that is an unbelieveable resource of social media professionals and the companies that employ them. Jeremiah also has some pretty good links for job seekers and employers looking to connect; see them here.
I subscribe to J.Crew’s emails, and often receive offers and discounts which I tend to trash immediately- I NEVER spend enough to actually apply the discounts. Today, however, I received something much different. It was an apology from J.Crew Chairman and CEO Millard Drexler, and President Tracy Gardner. Apparently, the retailer has been having some issues with customers ordering online and via phone.
I have differing opinions about the apology. At first glance, I thought how rare it is to see a sincere apology from a retailer, let alone a large company. I commended J.Crew for caring about customer experiences and making an honest effort to retain their business.
But as I’ve thought about it a little further, I’m not completely sold. I didn’t experience any problems or issues because I didn’t purchase from them online or over the phone. Should I be apologize to? Probably not. Admitting fault is always right, but J.Crew would have been far better served using their data to apologize to those actually affected by their ‘issues.’ Also, I question just how sincere the apology is; it is not written in the “you view” whatsoever, and simply makes excuses why issues occurred. It also leaves the customer very left out- what problems led to the issues? What ‘enhancements’ are being made that will improve customer experiences? J.Crew had an opportunity to be transparent with consumers and deepen existing relationships by offering more insight and perhaps better incentives to remain loyal customers. Instead, they went with a half-hearted email apology. Hopefully they know their customers better than I do.
I’ll be somewhat live-blogging during the Twebinar, but will have a more comprehensive wrap up afterwards. The Twittersphere has been blowing up with talk around the Twebinar, both involving people who will attend the Twebinar and those who are not. Follow along on Summize by searching ‘Twebinar and tweb’ in the same search.
First section of Twebinar complete. Pretty much a general overview of social media and how its been used. Next section to focus on online communities and the power they have.
UPDATE: 2:17pm, CST
Well the first Twebinar is now complete, and overall it was a success. Twitter didn’t collapse, and the video stream was pretty much intact throughout. So much conversation going on in Twitter, and thank god for Summize, otherwise this Twebinar would have been impractical.
Aside from learning some new things and hearing examples of what companies have used Social Media to their advantage, the cool thing I took away from the Twebinar is being able to connect with people who are passionate about the same thing; Social Media. Following tweets on Summize, I was able to check out these people on Twitter and connect with them, and through that I think even more learning and collaboration will take place.
Ok, for the summary. I was taking some notes in Notepad during the Twebinar, and I am just going to copy and paste them directly to this post. Easiest way to do this, and also ensures my memory doesn’t screw up some of the details.
Boeing Blog- CMO blog who left built
powerful blog
Dell- Richard Binhammer; Learn consumer
insights on your products and services to
help improve product development, and help
customers along the way
Even TSA has used blogs
mystarbucksidea.com; outsourcing marketing
and product ideas to customers; open
sourcing tech and marketing
Redcross engaging donors
rollercoaster community for sea world;
gave customers tools to go tell story they
wanted to tell
by nature humans are conversational, like
to share thoughts, ideas
TV changed communication model; tv told
stories, humans stopped telling stories;
online changes that, being able to have
conversations that are desired
Social Media used by young people; future
long time customers
Gotta love Twitter. There is a hoax going around that Jared Fogel, Subway’s former fat man, has passed away. In fact, there is even an entire site dedicated to his “death”. JaredRemembered.com is full of content, from eulogies and poems about Jared’s life, to his favorite sandwiches. Not sure if Subway is behind this, although it would make sense. Not sure why they would fake Jared’s death; I guess some marketing strategies are just beyond me.
