Association Puzzle

Social Networking: I'm Quoted on CNN.com

Read this interesting story about online relationships via social networking and their impact on us. I'm quoted near the end -- good story with solid information.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/10/30/online.rejection.defriending/

A Response to a Worried Writer

I belong to several listservs for writers, and this morning someone posted this link to a New York Times article on ebooks versus paper books: http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/14/does-the-brain-like-e-books/?emc=eta1

 

While it was an interesting article to me, it caused a great deal of worry for a writer I know who is working on a book on journalism that is going to be published in the next few months. This writer is very talented and is also a great teacher, so I was alarmed to see this writer become so upset about the evolution in publications simply because the writer doesn't feel their knowledge of social media and technology is deep enough.

 

We all worry when things change simply because we don't know what is going to happen. However, we must put things in perspective. This is my response to the worried writer:

 

 

Whoa, calm down!!

 

I think you are letting your lack of information about social media upset you. If it makes you feel any better, there are already predictions that Twitter is going to die (yes, right after it hit the mainstream). And it likely will because it can be distracting and exhausting.

 

There will always be a need for solid journalistic writing, and there will always be books, although they may take a new form. All that online content is created (or written!) by someone. The best online content is written by the best online writers.

 

There was an interesting article in the Washington Post in the last week about how all the laid off reporters are launching online ventures, like selling their reporting to their former newspaper (it's cheaper because they are no longer full time). So, there is still a need for good information journalistic writing.

 

Think along the lines of evolution, not extinction.

 

We painted on walls, we scribbled on papyrus, we tattooed our bodies, we carved into clay tablets, we illuminated manuscripts, we created the printing press, Thoreau perfected the lead pencil and went back to the woods . . .

 

Another way to look at it: while we may not have ice men any longer, we still have ice.

 

PUSHING THE ELECTRONIC ENVELOPE: Using Cyberspace to Advance Your Career

Johns Hopkins University Masters of Arts in Writing Program

and American Independent Writers present…

 

PUSHING THE ELECTRONIC ENVELOPE … EVEN FARTHER

Using Cyberspace to Advance Your Career

 

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Registration @ 8:30 a.m. · Program Starts @ 9:00 a.m.

 

Bernstein-Offit Building

1717 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20036

 

Metro: Red line, Dupont Circle

 

 

OVERVIEW & SPEAKER ROSTER

 

Take your personal brand to the next level with this all-day seminar focusing on online identity for writers of all types. In four sessions moderated by copywriter and consultant Kristen King (@kristenking), an AIW Board member and host of last year's inaugural Pushing the Electronic Envelope Seminar, attendees will learn about social networking, social media, running a writing business in a Web 2.0 world, and pumping up your writer's website.

 

Speakers Include:

§ Deborah Ager, Founder Online Marketing Strategy Firm Click Wisdom (@clickwisdom)

§ Shashi Bellamkonda, Social Media Swami at Network Solutions (@shashib)

§ Thursday Bram, Professional Blogger and Freelance Writer (@thursdayb)

§ Jen Consalvo, Co-Founder of Technology Startup Shiny Heart Ventures (@noreaster)

§ Dori Kelner, Principal at Visual Communications Firm Sleight of Hand Studios (@dorikelner)

§ Mayra Ruiz-McPherson, Founder of Ruiz-McPherson Communications (@marketingmisfit)

§ Nancy Shute, Blogger and Contributing Editor at US News & World Report (@nancyshute)

§ Jeff Taylor, Millennial Marketer and Senior Online Analyst at New Media Strategies

§ Laurie White, Blogger, Photographer, and Contributing Editor at BlogHer  (@lauriewrites)

§ Paula Whyman, Award-Winning Author and Self-Proclaimed Curious Writer

§ …and others to be announced before the event!

 

 

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

(subject to increasing awesomeness as the event draws near)

 

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.  

Registration and Networking

 

9:00 – 9:15 a.m.  

Introductions and Overview of the Day’s Sessions

 

9:15 – 10:30 a.m.   

Building and Leveraging Your Social Network -- Facebook, LinkedIn, and More

How exactly do social networks help your business? And what can writers do specifically to leverage these tools? In this opening session, you'll learn about the benefits, and some of the pitfalls, of Facebooking, Linking, FriendFeeding, iGoogling, and more.

 

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.  

Break

 

10:45 – 12:30 p.m.  

To Tweet or Not to Tweet? That Is the Question... On Twitter, Blogging and Vlogging

It's clear that social media isn't just a passing fad, but what's less clear is how it translates into income and tangible benefit. The second session of the day tackles the pros and cons of tweeting, blogging, and vlogging and provides some specific strategies writers can use to build name recognition, find sources, crack new markets, and score freelance gigs.

 

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.    

Lunch and Networking on your Own

 

1:30 – 2:45 p.m.  

Using Online Tools to Manage Your Writing Business: Low-cost and No-cost Must-Haves for Every Freelancer and Author

Who says you have to drop a lot of cash to be a successful writer? We'll take a look at some of the best free and cheap tools for writers, including word processing, invoicing, contact management, query tracking, calendar management, and collaboration. The discussion will include Google Apps, Open Office/NeoOffice, and more.

 

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.  

Break

   

3:00 – 4:15 p.m.  

More Writer's Website Do's and Don'ts: How to Take Your Writing Website to the Next Level and Find Work Online

You already know that every writer should have a website, but what happens when your writer's website just isn't getting the job done? In the closing session, we'll talk about ways to make your site stand out, improve your search engine rankings, incorporate social media into static sites, and hunt down great markets and jobs on the Web.

 

4:15 – 5:00 p.m.

Networking Opportunity

 

 

REGISTRATION DETAILS

 

Three ways to register!

§ Phone: 202-775-5150

§ Online: www.aiwriters.org

§ E-mail: rsvp@aiwriters.org

 

Early Registration (through September 20, 2009)

§ Member Price, $69

§ Nonmember Price, $99

§ Student Price, $39

 

Regular Registration (beginning September 21, 2009)

§ Member Price, $89

§ Nonmember Price, $129

§ Student Price, $49

 

Important Note:

§ New membership is only $100/year now through December 31, so join when you register to get the member price for this and upcoming events over the next 12 months! Call 202-775-5150 for details.

 

As with all AIW events, be sure to mention your membership status and the event for which you’re responding.

Social Media: The Winnowing Begins

Recently, I was very politely "de-friended" by an association contact on Facebook. While there is always an initial "ooh" moment when we are dropped, her reasoning made perfect sense: she had tried Facebook for business and decided she liked to use it only for close friends and family. She encouraged "de-friends" to stay in touch professionally via LinkedIn.

This morning, I received a note from Naymz, another networking system, that someone had left my "reputation network." She gave no explanation, but since we are connected on Facebook, it's highly likely she uses Naymz as much as I do -- never.

Plaxo is another online network I belong to that I don't use. I joined it for the same reason I joined Naymz: someone invited me to join their network.

I belong to several lists on Google, but these are audience specific: the members of American Independent Writers (AIW), the board of directors of AIW, and the board of directors of the AIW Foundation, the Freedom To Write Fund.

Additionally, I am a member of many ASAE & The Center listservs, where I follow many discussions and sometimes even comment. These are useful to keep up with changing trends and just to find out what everyone else is talking about in the association community.

Regarding other online resources, I use certain ones repeatedly, based on my interests. As far as joining any other networking groups, though, I find it highly unlikely -- at least until ASAE & The Center gets the RUTI up and running full time.

What I am seeing now is an acceptance of social networking tools, better named online community building tools, rather than the confusion and fear that has been dominating the discussions over the last few years. I am very glad to see that people are learning that these are just next generation tools that enhance and expand the online experience.

And, what I and other consultants have been predicting for quite some time, the winnowing is beginning. Just like Google mowed down all the other internet search engines -- anyone remember Web Crawler or Alta Vista? -- the online community builders have been shopping around and are now making consumer choices about how they will stay connected online.

You don't need to belong to every network, just the ones that work for you!

How have your attitudes toward online community building tools changed over the last three years?

Social Networking Tools and Professional Demeanor

This is a comment I posted on the ASAE & The Center Technology List today:

I think if an association's members (or our professional colleagues) are using a social networking tool like Facebook, we need to be there. I don't think we need to say no to it because it is also a casual interaction. I believe that we have to take responsibility to not get too personal or reveal things that aren't appropriate for professional consumption, so personal accountability and personal responsibility are the two things that should govern any Facebook interaction.

Also, just because LinkedIn is considered the "professional" network, that doesn't prevent someone from sharing inappropriate information. Any tool is only useful if wielded properly. Since this is the Technology list, I'll use an old adage about databases: "crap in, crap out." Same applies to social networking.

One of the positive "casual" aspects of Facebook is that you can create stronger relationships with colleagues by sharing some of the fun applications that create community. Again, this has to be governed by personal responsibility and personal accountability for content posted and how much is revealed.

We've all seen the board member or staff member who had one too many drinks at a business networking reception; we should follow the "not more than two drinks rule" for social networking tools as well, meaning: behave yourself when interacting with professional colleagues, no matter the venue.

The 300 -- Emails, That Is

Today, I hit a mark I have worked hard to avoid: 300 emails in my inbox. No one needs or wants 300 emails, and what happens is that important messages get lost, like the one from my sister Connie.

Managing email has been an ongoing topic since email was introduced, and despite the fact that people are using IM, Twitter, and texting, we still need to use email at times because we want to write a longer message or send attachments.

Email is excellent for documenting and archiving, leaving pixel trails instead of paper ones, so I don't see us eliminating it. I just wish I had a good or insightful suggestion on managing the hundreds of messages we get daily, but so far, all I have come up with is using rules in Outlook (the old procrastinate trick) or just hitting delete as many times as possible every day.

Like the 300 Spartans, I fight the good fight, but it seems that I am destined to lose to the unreasonable and too numerous enemy.

"Defriending": Hot Social Media Trend or A Dose of Reality?

A few minutes ago, I was checking out Facebook and saw that a long-time associate mentioned two "defriend" requests in one day. I posted a comment about that not being very nice, and he commented back that it was someone from high school that had reached out to him first. That made the defriend message a bit confusing (especially since the person didn't respond to emails asking why).

I already knew that you could "defriend" people, but I usually make the preemptive choice and only friend or invite people into my networks that I actually know. If I receive a request to join a network, I don't join if I don't know the person; that's why God invented the "ignore" button.

Since someone on Facebook mentioned a Wall Street Journal article on defriending, I did a quick search and read it on their site. Then, I Googled the word defriend and on the list found a phrase I liked: "Defriending Amnesty."

I read a few of these summaries and found out that "defriending amnesty" means just what it says: individuals with blogs or networks or sites will not be offended or try to find out why you delete them from your networks. Another site I read claims that "defriending" will be the hot trend in social media for 2009 as we begin to focus on quality rather than quantity in our online networks.

It seems to me that technology is making it easier to stay in touch, but also easier to hurt feelings or cause people to feel perplexed. Clicks seem to be leading to online cliques as people create their personal "in" and "out" lists -- or, just clean out all the names they shouldn't have added in the first place.

Facebook and LinkedIn both give good advice: manage your networks wisely and maintain quality relationships as you go along. We should know from our experiences with mailing lists, fax lists, and email lists that it's quality, not quantity, that counts.  

Thoughts on Social Media: Shared at the 2008 WIW Conference

Social media is any form of communication that connects people with each other and with ideas or news. For example, the ancient marketplace was a form of social media; that is where everyone went to find out what was going on and to see what was happening with others.

 

The concept of “cafe society,” the idea of seeing and being seen, most popularized by the Parisians is another example of social media.

 

The telephone was an advance in social media; for the first time, people across town or across the world, could be connected. I remember my mother and her friends talking on the phone for hours – it was how they stayed connected when they couldn’t see each other.

 

Now, we have the internet and electronic communication. Email, instant messaging, cell phones – which removed the requirement of being near the phone – online services like LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace, connect not only our voices but our photos and our writings.

 

Age is not a barrier to social media, but we do have to adjust to the new ways of staying connected. It is called “evolution,” and I would pose the theory people ages 35 to 50 are the most adaptable generation. We weren’t raised with computers or technology, but we not only adopted these changes, we embraced them.

 

Associations are organizations that connect people; in many ways, they are the original “social media” as far as being a tool to stay connected as opposed to individuals doing it informally.

 

However, associations seem to be having a tough time adjusting to the newer social media tools. Rather than seeing their usefulness, many are being distracted by their “technology-ness” as opposed to seeing them as an evolution in tools, just like the telephone replaced the marketplace, or neighbors talking over the back fence.

 

Like any tool, social media needs to be chosen for the task at hand and the audience to be reached.