Social Media

Social Media - Is it Real?

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It seems that everywhere I turn, social media comes up. Independent producers as well as top studios look to harness social media to raise awareness for their productions. Customers are using it to talk about products and companies they love -- and hate. People look to re-establish their personal networks during tough economic times. Heck, your mother (or your kids) may be connected to you on Facebook.

But is this real? Specifically, can social media help your business grow?

The answer is a bit complex. Let's say it's both real and fake. I'm thinking 60/40. We'll see. You may think I'm being non-committal, but I'm not. The social media movement is filled with a lot of hot air right now. Just like the real estate market, the social media boom will pop.

But people need homes, and people have a real need to communicate with others in meaningful ways. Social media is a real communication medium that can be incredibly valuable, but getting started is like being thrown into a raging river and learning how to swim. It can be overwhelming at first, and if you look for help, you'll encounter a lot of bad advice. That's why I am writing this article, to offer you practical advice and real world experiences about how social media can help those of us who work with traditional media.

Continue reading the article here.

Some Social Media Statistics

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WHY BOTHER WITH SOCIAL MEDIA?
Because it's worth it. Here are a few statistics about the size of social media:

  • 96% of Generation Y uses social networks.
  • If Facebook were a country, it would be the fourth largest.
  • 300,000+ businesses have a Facebook page.
  • Dell has sold $3 million dollars of computers on Twitter.
  • Only 18% of TV campaigns generate a return on investment.
  • Ford Motors spends 25% of its marketing budget on social media -- and didn't need a government bailout.
  • The average American watches 124 videos per month online
  • 70% of 18-34 year olds watch TV on the web -- but only 35% use a TiVo.
  • 24 out of 25 of the top newspapers are experiencing record declines.

Stay in Touch Through Social Media

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Want to keep in touch? We make it easy. You can get news, information, and humor from Richard Harrington through your favorite social media outlets. We're happy to share resources with you, our goal is to improve your digital life.

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Get Your Facebook Privacy Settings right

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You've likely heard the recent complaints about Facebook sharing too much information. Turns out fixing your settings can be a little overwhelming with buried options and more than two dozen pages. It's getting pretty tough to get your Facebook privacy right. Fortunately there's ReclaimPrivacy.org.

This site will analyze your current settings, make recommendations, and then point you to the right tab in Facebook to fix it.

This site is highly recommended, free, and easy to use.

New Social Media Class in DC and NYC

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Here's a new class I am teaching in New York and Washington, DC. I promise to cram in lots of practical advice to get results.

Social Media for Business Professionals
Washington, DC: Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 – Register
New York: Thursday, March 11th, 2010 – Register
Time: 6-9pm
Cost: $199

When used correctly, social media tools can help you reach potential customers and keep your current clients engaged and interested. In this informative session you'll learn practical advice that can be implemented immediately. Such as:- How to use Twitter to share your latest news and keep in touch with your best customers - Learning how to set up a corporate page on Facebook to share video, photos, and information - Keeping your business leads up to date with LinkedIn - Creating enjoyable blog posts and content for your readers

Target audience: This class is for business professionals looking to increase business opportunities through social media tools. The workshop focusses on practical ways to establish a social media presence that is both effective and maintainable.