Social Media Gaining Ground with Major Companies

It's amazing to me that, even during a recession, social media use with major corporations is still going strong and even gaining ground. I guess I'd just assume they have bigger fish to fry. Not so, according to this MarketWire article. Apparently 50% of all companies are increasing their investment level in social media monitoring. There is a wealth of free-flowing, unmonitored information on these sites where people feel free to vent, rave, or offer suggestions about businesses and products. In a true testament to how important social media has become, companies are now hiring people with social media monitoring as part of their job description. I think such improvements in this type of monitoring is exciting because it truly does give more power to the people. We consumers have something to say, and social media is quickly becoming one of the best and easiest ways to get our voices heard.

Facebook's Facelift

CNN's recent article about Facebook's new facelift is yet another social media slap in the face. These sites are everywhere. Facebook's updated look toggles between a main view, which features stories from friends based on the user's habits, and a live feed that features real-time updates from the whole network.

What started as a single-campus site has ballooned into one of the most popular sites on the web. It's a full-blown business. The change in the homepage was made to allow Facebook fanatics to easily find what they missed while they were away- at class, at soccer practice, asleep... "You see the best of the previous day," said product manager Peter deng.

God forbid someone logs off the computer to attend class or sleep. Facebook is the newest craze- a major part of people's day- and the new main page sounds more like a sports highlight reel than a website. What's next?

BLOGS!

So I was stumped when it came to writing my first (of three) class-required blogs. It seems like everyone is blogging these days, and most people have something actually important or interesting to say. I was planning on writing something semi-meaningful about culture or the importance of public relations in shaping a company's image or something, but I figure just the subject of blogging is good enough.

It blows my mind that websites are now creating lists of the Top 100 Bloggers . From media experts like Jeff Jarvis to the now-infamous celebrity gossip queen Perez Hilton, blogs can cover any range of topice and people still find exactly what they're looking for- sports blogs, current events blogs, class blogs, blogs that review restaurants and plays and books and movies...

I think that's the genius of the blogosphere. There's something for everyone. A couple years ago, there were topic-specific magazines and TV shows, but now there are an endless supply of blogs and websites to entertain us and keep us informed. Of course, a blogger needs to establish credibility before his or her reviews will be taken seriously, for example, but that's not at all imppssible. And, if you're lucky, a blog can catapult you to stardom. Perez Hilton now has his own clothing line and makes guest appearances on prime-time television shows.

I don't expect my little class blog to end up on Technorati's Top 100 list or earn me a spot on Perez's website or anything, but it's cool to think about.

The Complex World of Twitter

The class Twitter assignment taught me a lot about the many uses of social media. People may assume that social media outlets, like Facebook or Twitter, are simply fads used by the younger generation to keep in touch or share stories, etc. This assignment really opened my eyes, though, and now it's clear that social media tools can be used for much more. From spreading the word about fashion blogs to learning about internships to following your favorite sports figure, Twitter allows people to keep up with news and sports and just about anything or anyone else you can think of.

I found it difficult to make time to Tweet essentially four times a day. I mean, I'm a student and I'm swamped, so I'm impressed by all those who are able to keep on top of things. And, "expert tweeters," all those people who really make connections and grab attention with Twitter, are even more impressive. Plus, given the limited number of characters (140- that's less than a text!), you really need to make what you say count for something.

I think what most people don't realize is that sites like these are probably here to stay. Social media is not a fad. It's amazing that people can troll for jobs or promote a company on Twitter, but it's happening! Now that I'm more aware of these benefits it will be easier to use them to my advantage. I look forward to seeing where Twitter will take us!

What Writing Means to Me

Writing is a friend’s Facebook status and Harry Potter and the New York Times, the brochure for the Milwaukee County Zoo, the press release for a new video game and the directions that came with my new hairdryer.

I love writing. I’d rather write the longest paper than take a test any day. I've been told I'm not half bad at it. Writing is my major. I don't keep a diary or write short stories or poems in my spare time, but I love it nonetheless.

Writing, to me, means expressing myself in an intellectual and influential way. Anyone can gather information, but it takes organization and skill to put words on paper in a way that is clear and effective. Not everything everyone writes makes sense, and I love that. I think writing says a lot about the person who created it—sloppy or uninspired writing suggests a total lack of effort or interest on the writer’s part. Typos are my biggest pet peeve. On the other hand, well-written material can relay important information or really peak a reader’s interest. Writing can sometimes leave things open to interpretation-- the most well-written poem gives the imagination room to play. Or, it can be totally black-and-white-- if my hairdryer's directions weren't clear, things could get dangerous. The written word can paint a picture that each individual reader gets to imagine in his or her own mind. I wish everyone understood how important writing is. It makes things so much easier. Plus, that would probably eliminate a lot of typos.

About Me

What’s your full name? Caitlin Elizabeth Herbert

Were you named after anyone? Elizabeth is after my grandma

Do you have a nickname? If yes, what is it? -

What’s your astrological sign? Scorpio

Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning person

Do you wish on stars? no

Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Always, except when I get back from running

Do you have tattoos ? no

What do you do most often when you are bored? Facebook

Donkey or Elephant or Neither? Elephant I think

What makes you angry? typos

What did you do last night? studied LSAT

What frightens you? aliens are terrifying

How many keys are on your key ring? 4

What do you do to relax? play with my dog

Do you believe in superstitions? sometimes

Have you attended a church or religious event outside of your own? yes

Name a foreign language that you know. French

Name three things most people don’t know about you. I'm from Columbus, I think the show COPS is fascinating, I broke my foot walking up the stairs

Family, Pets, & Friends

Do you have any siblings? three younger sisters- Marin, Brynn, Madeline

Who is your best friend in high school? Bridget, Lauren, Andrea

Do/did you have any pets? two cats, Eunice and Daisy; a dog, Guinness; a bunny, Roger

Cat person or dog person? dog person

Who is the last person you talked to on the phone? my friend Lauren

Travel

What states have you been to? all over

What countries have you been to? France

In how many states have you lived? 2

When is the last time did you take a train? last summer in Chicago

Food

What do you like to eat for breakfast? Honey Nut Cheerios

What is your favorite food? My mom's spaghetti

What foods do you dislike? Olives, tomatoes, fish

What ethnic food do you like and dislike? I love Chinese and Mexican, don't like African

What is your favorite chip flavor? BBQ

What is your favorite sandwich? Wendy's spicy chicken

What is your favorite drink? grape juice

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? strawberry (milkshakes)

What’s your favorite salad dressing? anything but ranch

Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? salted

What’s your favorite pie? apple

What’s your favorite fast food place? Wendy's

Media

Which Harry Potter characters are you? everyone says I look just like Luna Lovegood but I wish I could be Hagrid

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? can't remember

What is your favorite TV show? It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Last book you read. David Sedaris- Me Talk Pretty Some Day

What picture is on your computer wallpaper? a collage of my friends

What is your ring tone? Coldplay- Viva La Vida

What are three favorite songs on your iPod? Ray LaMontagne- Hannah, James Taylor- You Can Close Your Eyes, Rascal Flatts- Mayberry

Do you have a Facebook page? yes

Do you have a Twitter account? yes

Do you have a blog? yes

Wishes

Where would you retire to? Kauai

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland

Would you ever bungee jump? Skydive? YES, I just can't convince anyone to go with me

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Some shade of blue