Getting LinkedIn

So I created a LinkedIn Account to promote myself on a professional level, and I have to say that I am really enjoying this site. I'm connecting with people I knew, and some I didn't know, for possible business ventures and it's very exciting! Link up with me and join the business party!

A few tip resources I would recommend for using LinkedIn:

5 Tips to Build and Grow Your LinkedIn Network

Spring Clean your LinkedIn Presence

Dear Mr. Gibson...

Engaged to Facebook...

Here are a few helpful resources on engaging effectively on Facebook. Maintaining and engaging on this social networking site is important because it keeps and expands your fan base.


http://socialmediatoday.com/robert-stone/375297/5-tips-creating-more-engaging-facebook-fan-page

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150262717485410

http://indiebeauty.com/forum/topics/tips-for-engaging-people-at-your-facebook-page-by-donna-maria

Twitter Followers: Quality vs. Quantity

I do believe that when it comes to Twitter followers, it's QUALITY over QUANTITY. While it is important to have a large following, what's the point of following someone who doesn't "tweet with substance"? I would rather follow those who actually have something interesting to say. Some of my favorite tweeters include:

@WomenInPR1

@DesignTwit

@MelissaOnline

@GoodGirlPR

@AnjeMiami

Since starting my "professional" Twitter earlier this year, I've gained around 30 followers. I haven't been as engaging as I should be over the past few weeks, but trust that will be changing!

Social Media Summer Reads

Since I will have a little free time over the summer, I would like to read these cool Social Media reads:

-Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook (and other Social Networks) by Dave Kerpen
http://www.amazon.com/Likeable-Social-Media

-Socialnomics: how Social Media Transforms The Way We Live and Do Business by Erik Qualman (as my professor calls it, "The Social Media Bible")
http://www.amazon.com/Socialnomics

-The Zen of Social Media Marketing: An Easier Way to Build Credibility, Generate Buzz, and Increase Revenue by Shama Kabani
http://www.amazon.com/The-Zen-Social-Media-Marketing

Social Media in Event Planning

Social media is very important to the event planning field for these three reasons:

-Clientele: Although most referrals are done through word-of-mouth, it is always best to have an online presence. For example, start a blog can be used as a portfolio from your past events, an explanation of your offered services, or even a place for past or current clients to give testimonials.

-Competition: With everyone moving to the digital world, nine times out of 10, your competition is already there or hopping on the bandwagon. Why not be apart of the in-crowd with this and show off your goods?

-Better Aim at Your Target Markets: Of course you have your Facebooks and your Twitters, and while those are great to have with any business, there are other social media outlets that cater more to the event planning business. Use Pinterest to make vision boards of past events you've done. Create an About.Me page to build a one-stop-shop for all of your social media. There are plenty of ways to use social to your advantage!

Twitter: In 140 Characters or Less

Twitter is the gateway to expressing yourself and interacting with others with others with similar (and even different) interests.


Pretty self explanatory, right?

ORCO and Facebook by Marie Eclectic Jaye

So my group members Kristina, Vivaca and I came up with some recommendations for developing the presence of the Organizational Communications' Facebook page.

 
We think:

• They should have a group and fan page on Facebook. The group page would be for the creators and other professionals to collaborate on different projects to get information out there, whereas,  the fan page would be to inform people to the major/minor  and show the career opportunities that come with majoring or minoring in this field. 
• By establishing these pages on Facebook, it will allow for networking opportunities between Organizational Communications professionals, educators, and students.
• On the fan page, it would allow its members to make their on comments on certain topics or offer new ideas.

Twitter Time!!!

Well, these are some cool Twitter People that I decided to follow and I think you should too!


Professionals in Event Planning/Public Relations/Organizational Communications
@AnjeMiami
@EllEChantS
@ALewisEvents
@MindyWeiss
@JaffeJ
@PublicityGuru
@OpulentCouture
@HesterParks
@TCreativeDesign
@TySand
@chakisse
@edeckers
@jgclemons


Students In Public Relations/Event Planning
@MacKenziePorter  

@lee_nicole  

@Kissandtell  

@nicklucido  

@erob1 

@AlyHubbell   

@Taylor__Dwyer 

@ellatacey 

@Daniel_in_PR  

@NoraChanTweets


Local Entrepreneurs in the Middle Tennessee Area
@KiaJarmon
@SusanHartPR
@R
@DanielCWhite
@DaveDelaney
@MelissaOnline
@JenniCatron
@LilyBugToo
@Maurilio
@ToniBirdsong


MTSU Organizations
@MTSU
@MTSUStudProg
@MTAthletics
@MTSUSGA
@MTSUGreeks
@MTSU_NSLS
@C100MTSU
@MTCareerCenter
@MTWomenInAction
@MTAlumni 

Social Media Blogs
@NecoleBitchie
@SocialMouths
@ViralBlog
@HeidiCohen
@LikeableMedia
@splashmedialp 
@smexaminer 
@Hubze
@briansolis 
@soshable 

My Facebook: Then and Now

When I started using Facebook in 2006, it was still "Invite Only" and you had to be a high school or college student. I initially used it to keep up with some of my Overton friends and connect with other incoming students at Middle Tennessee State University. At that time, Facebook served a purpose. By the time I was moving into my dorm, I already knew 3/4 of the people that would be living there.

As of now, I personally believe that Facebook has gone down in a personal sense. I only use it to keep up with my family in other states and friends back home. In a business sense, it is alright for promoting and building a following for your brand. The biggest downfall, in my opinion, is all of the "apps" and "games". I am guilty of using them at one point, but it is really out of hand with the spam and extra unnecessary add-ons.

The Spotlight: Hostess with the Mostess

A professional blog I'm following now is Hostess with the Mostess, Inc., an event planning and ideas site. The company is based in San Diego, CA, by Jennifer Sbranti. She, along with contributing writers blog about different theme and party ideas for any occasion. 

Website:

http://www.hwtm.com/ 

Blog:

http://blog.hwtm.com/ 

NFL on FB

The National Football League, better known as the NFL, is ranked as one of the Best Brand Facebook Pages. The brand was started in 1920 and it has come a very long way, now consisting of 32 franchise teams. Some of these teams include the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the regular season only lasts from September to early January, they make sure to keep fans interested year-round.

The brand's Facebook page includes:

• Schedules
• Polls
• NFL Fan Zone
• NFL Voting Challenge

These types of functions keep fans interacting with those associated with the brand and other fans. 

Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/NFL 

Website:

http://www.nfl.com/

Find Me on About.Me!!

Well, I have officially made my way in the professional world so I have made a About.Me page to get my name out in my field! Here's the link:

http://about.me/ashleighlgiles

A Delightful Day Event Planning

The local brand I decided to follow on Facebook is A Delightful Day Event Planning. This company is based in Nashville and they specialize in weddings and social events. As I was looking through their photos from past events, they were simply beautiful and it seemed like every detail was taken care of. I look forward to seeing more events from them!

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/adelightfulday

Blog:
http://www.adelightfuldayblog.com

Blogging 101: The Basics

When you are starting your "blogging journey", these three tips are VERY important:

1.) Be Consistent: it's best to post at least once daily.

2.) Stay On Topic: if you are starting a blog on event planning, talking about your dog isn't helpful.

3.) Link Up: Connect other social media outlets that you may use to gain more traffic to your blog

These resources can be helpful as well:

Start a Blog:
http://weblogs.about.com/od/bloggingtips/tp/TipsBeginnerBloggers.htm

10 Social Media Tips for Bloggers
http://mashable.com/2012/02/17/social-media-bloggers-tips/

Mashable: The 1-Stop Shop for Social Media

Mashable is a website that specializes in social media: its news and how-to guides. It is a great resource for first-time social media users. Since staring in this class, I've used Mashable to start using LinkedIn for professional building. These links helped me out a lot:

How to Get the Most out of LinkedIn:
http://mashable.com/2008/11/02/reexamining-linkedin/

LinkedIn BootCamp:
http://mashable.com/2011/12/03/linkedin-boot-camp-infographic/

HOW TO: Build Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn:
http://mashable.com/2009/07/27/linkedin-personal-brand/

Sharing Trends in Social Media

Hey you...

Hello, I'm Ashleigh and I'm a Public Relations/Recording Industry major at Middle Tennessee State University.
My minors are Entrepreneurship and Organizational Communication. The reason why I'm taking this Social Media and Organizations class is to learn how to use social media more effectively for business and professional purposes. My three goals to achieve from this class are:

• To build a professional social media portfolio/resume,
• To network with other professionals in my career fields, and
• To possibly build myself as a brand.

To achieve these goals, I will learn how to utilize different social media outlets to my advantage and constantly interacting with them.