I just found out about this site through a friend’s mention of Qwerly. My score - not too bad for a semi-newby, I’d say! :)
When checking out from a store, everyone’s familiar with the beep! sound of the bar code scanner. When this product was introduced, marketers and customers alike were probably so excited at the efficiency they could now enjoy. Marketers and customers now have another new technology that could make it easier to communicate: QR codes.
A TechCrunch article describes SPARQCode, a company that is taking using the idea of QR codes and making it more accessible for smaller businesses. Although not the first company to do this, SPARQCode allows businesses to build their own QR codes based on their social media presences and then print the codes for customers to scan when in the location.
However, according to the article, SPARQCode hasn’t perfected this yet. QR-code-scanning customers still have to log in to the business’s Facebook or Twitter account, an aspect I didn’t really understand through the TechCrunch article. However, I’m sure this or another company will iron out the creases and make the QR Code scanning process seamless before we know it.
Even if it’s something that doesn’t go beyond the trending talk, it’s an idea I’m sure others will continue to build on. Personally, I’m excited to get my new smartphone for Christmas for many reasons — one is to find and use one of these QR codes!
You’ve probably heard that Einstein quote that goes something like, “World War Four will be fought with sticks and stones” because in World War Three, we will have nuked each other to an Armageddon.
Well, Einstein didn’t know about the digital age—something that would have a massive impact on any potential mass wars of the future.
I am somewhat a pacifist and would prefer to see no more war during my lifetime. However, if it were to happen, there’s a good chance it would be a “cyber” war, a term that has come to our attention in light of the recent WikiLeaks case. In addition to gathering in a common area and protesting the denial of service to WikiLeaks, people are making a political statement by hacking into financial companies’ websites, according to CNN.
Most are deeming this particular instance a cyber “attack” rather than a cyber “war” because it does not involve two sovereign nations.
But what’s to stop two sovereign nations from engaging in a cyber war?
Imagine the power some countries like Iran could have if they were able to hack in to all Americans’ computers somehow and steal or destroy or somehow technologically ruin our identities! How frightening. However, might this be better than an actual “war” where people physically die?
That’s a question I hope we never have to truly answer, but, sadly, it’s something that could happen a lot sooner than we would think.
“If you don’t have time for social media, you’re basically saying you don’t have time for the customer.”
— Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics
This quote comes from a phone conference Erik had with my social media graduate class at St. Bonaventure University on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. (via jbgordo)
Professional networking can be a nerve-racking process, especially for recent graduates with little real-world experience. Many adults young and old want to stand out but are shy or nervous in a networking setting. They have to fight that introverted feeling to really build up their networks.
For Gen Yers (like myself) who grew up communicating through AOL Instant Messenger and Facebook, in-person networking may be especially stressful. In fact, if you think about it, we’ve used these digital tools to communicate on so many levels, from breaking up or getting together with a significant other to sharing a baby’s birth or engagement to finding a job. So, it would seem LinkedIn would be the perfect tool for current and soon-to-be professionals. Using LinkedIn, they can build their professional networks without even leaving change from their PJs or leaving their bedrooms!
But, while LinkedIn certainly has its uses, will Gen Y be able to use it effectively and ethically? Here are three LinkedIn features and tips ethically minded Millennials may want to keep in mind on LinkedIn.
1. Recommendations
Are LinkedIn recommendations useful? It depends how users obtain them; if they follow similar ethical procedures you would follow for offline recommendations, then they’re probably quite useful. For example, would you ever ask a best friend with no professional affiliation with you to write you a letter of reccommendation? Maybe, but you’d be more likely to ask a former supervisor who loved a project you worked on under him as an intern. The dilemma on LinkedIn, though, is that often a person viewing your profile won’t know that you and your best friend agreed to give each other stellar recommendations to look good. Because giving recommendations on LinkedIn is so seemingly simple, why wouldn’t you ask your BFF or mom or boyfriend?
Hopefully, you would consider that it’s unfair to employers who obviously won’t know about that “agreement.”
2. Group Discussions
LinkedIn is essentially bragging about yourself and sharing your interests subtely. An offline networking rule applies to LinkedIn, too: Networking is not about asking for a job.
Professionals should be careful using LinkedIn to send broad status messages asking for a job. They could more effectively and ethically use the site if they focused on building relationships with each other, perhaps making each other aware of professional interests and needs as the relationship develops. Remember, in the end, social networking of all types is about building relationships through discussion, not about trying to sell, sell, sell!
3. Messages & Introductions
LinkedIn’s private messaging tool functions like e-mail and is a great way to meet and be introduced to new like-minded professionals. However, as touched upon above, it’s important professionals go about messages, introductions and connection requests in a personable, respectful manner.
For example, avoid saying in your connect-to-me request, “Hi, I’m Sally and I’m looking for a job in marketing. Can we connect?”Also, you don’t want to use the generic “Can I add you to my professional network?” That makes it look like you don’t really care about taking time to see what the person’s about. Instead, personalize the message, even if it’s something brief, such as “I found your profile in the St. Bonaventure Alumni group and noticed you are involved in marketing in the Rochester area. I’d love to connect with you!”
Conclusion
This whole post comes down to the importance of respecting ethical principles valued on almost all social networking sites and also those extra set of principles valued in the offline networking world. Whether you’re on LinkedIn or at an alumni networking event, when building your professional network, you should try to act strategically, aiming for quality over quantity.
Working on long-term relationships like this can lead to increased expertise, a larger professional network, and, down the road, even a job!
HOW TO: Back Up Your Tumblr Blog -
If Tumblr’s (nearly) day-long outage taught us anything, it’s that we should probably start backing up our content.
Social media has affected and changed our lives in many ways. Personally, I’m very thankful these changes took place.
I always felt kind of cautious entering the marketing world because I pretty much hate most advertising (it’s just annoying) and I strongly dislike when people or companies lie, cover things up or take advantage of people. For these and other reasons, I studied journalism as an undergrad. I wanted to help the world by telling the truth.
More and more, though, I’m learning marketing doesn’t have to be just about ads and puffery. In fact, thanks to the emergence of the internet and social media, today’s best marketing is just the opposite!
Social media has made marketing much more effective and honest. Also, social media has transformed many aspects of our lives. Three particular changes stand out in my mind, changes discussed in the book “Socialnomics” by Erik Qualman (and many other publications, too, I’m sure).
Awesome use of social media to make money
RelaxZen Review - Click link to learn more! -
I received a free sample (courtesy of Smile.ly!) of RelaxZen, a nighttime sleep aid that helps you relax and get to sleep easier. I was satisfied but not overly impressed. However, I plan to try it again. I have $1 off coupons; if anyone’s interested in trying it, let me know! Also, you can visit ThirstMonger.com/RelaxZen and enter the code SMILE to receive 10% off and free shipping through Dec. 31.
I come from a long line of women who love doing whatever it takes to buy something at a low price. For that reason, my mother, grandmother and I love shopping at Kohl’s, where customers can purchase stylish items while not spending extravagant amounts.
If you shop in Kohl’s for an hour, you’ll hear this message over the loudspeaker at least once or twice: “The more you know, the more you Kohl’s.” This message speaks to the department store’s big idea of helping customers save money. Lucky for us, they’re taking that strategy even further this holiday season by expanding their sales and rolling out tactics that make the integrated campaign even more integrated than last year’s holiday season.
The message of savings ring throughout shoppers’ ears in holiday-friendly statements like “Give, Save, and Be Merry” and “Give, Save, and Save Again with a Kohl’s Charge Card.” Customers can enjoy savings opportunities like Early Bird/Night Owl sales, Kohl’s Cash and special Kohl’s charge card holder discounts. Shoppers will learn about deals available through:
“The company has seen substantial growth of its Facebook fan base, which has more than doubled since 2009 and now exceeds 2.8 million. As a result, Kohl’s will continue to increase interaction on the site, making it easier for customers to shop and share their experiences.”
I could probably find even more examples of Kohl’s marketing campaign integration, but this seems to prove my point: Kohl’s has really hit the mark with “The more you know, the more you Kohl’s!”