Social Media Training

Spent all day yesterday learning how to generate leads using social media with Lori Ballen. Lots of good ideas, lots of things I want to implement over various projects. Though we had a real estate focus, the ideas are implementable across a wider array of sectors.

Learned tons, but haven’t had the chance to process it all. I’ll post more as soon add I make that time.

Trolls and Vile Vitriol

https://twitter.com/aesthethica/status/287692133371109377

This troll’s comment gave me pause. What’s the best response? Public humiliation & shame? Just ignoring them? Gentle correction? Or???

I find it hard to sit silently when I witness cruelty, even as I recognize that response is exactly what the troll seeks. Certainly don’t want to reward deviant behavior. However, what’s effective?

Foursquare Thoughts

I finally dove in and tried Foursquare. For a few months I tried remembering to check in everywhere I went. Once or twice, a coupon came through and I saves a few bucks. Ultimately, it was about maintaining connection with friends. However, few friends where active and fewer still significantly engaged. Additionally, becoming “friends” with a true stranger was quite uncomfortable; even for me (who is quite comfortable being public facing). The graph of Foursquare activity is quite intimate.

Summing up: keeping up with check-ins always felt tedious. There were a few fun exchanges with friends, but mostly nothing. For me, the experience was really devoid of value. I pretty much have abandoned the platform.

I’d love to heat what you think. Live the thing, hate it, think I was crazy to even try it? Drop a comment and let me know.

Cheers, all!

LinkedIn vs. Facebook?

I’ve wondered for awhile what’s <a href=”http://www.linkedin.com/in/carlsetzer” target=”_blank”>LinkedIn’s</a> place in the social media realm. There just doesn’t seem to be as much interaction there. Yet it’s been the place to explore professional connections. Now that Facebook has several professional apps, does that threaten LI? People are more engaged on Facebook, or so it seems to me.

On idea I’ve had is for LinkedIn to focus solidly in career management. Expand past job hunting & sales connections. Help people explore themselves and find ways (and opportunities) to become the best professionals they can.

A few rambling thoughts this Sunday. Leave a comment below: I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Google +

Ok, I’m starting to become one of those people who thinks Google+ might displace Facebook. It sounds insane, especially to me. Facebook is entrenched, and holding the definer’s perch. They are the dominant player, and have really set the stage in this arena. Others react to them. Until now.

Google is much more intuitive. Much slicker interface. Not so cluttered. These may or may not unseat Facebook, but they’re innovating and Facebook is in the position of reacting.

Now, I don’t expect a sudden exodus. First, many hardcore Facebook types spend hours with their Farmville, gang war, etc games. Until the the equivalents arise on Google+, all bets are off. But, even now, Google has established a place. Perhaps not as great as it could be. But still with a large affect. And who knows? They may just birth a whole new genre. Who knows…

The social media game is shifting under our feet. That’s what it does. Might even say that’s what it IS. It will be fun seeing how this flows from here.