Social Media Project Update!

It is crazy how fast our social media projects have come and gone. We are now on Phase 3 of our group projects and it is interesting to see my group members put our ideas into action.  This project was definitely a large and intensive one, however, having the opportunity to prepare things in different phases really helped my group think of creative measures and put our best foot forward.

Through this entire project, I have learned the importance of research and actually taking time to really analyze information.  The statistics that was given to my class around the first stage of our project was very helpful in really understanding the goal of the project and determining which platforms were the best for each intended audience.

We are almost ready to present and I am looking forward to see the Dean of the college take my groups suggestions/content into consideration.

As the semester comes to an end, I want to say that I really have enjoyed all of the projects that were presented in this class I have learned a lot and will definitely be a social media expert by the start of the new year!

Dash It!

Don’t you just hate it when you arrive at a restaurant to find out the wait is about 2 hours long? Or maybe you found a really cool bar your friends told you about, however, when you got there it was pretty “dead”? The ambience of a bar or restaurant can be very unpredictable sometimes.

A popular app called Dash has a new feature that will allow you to be ahead of the game before you go out.

Within the Dash app, there is a feature called venue vibes that will allow you to see the rowdiness of a place at a glance. It shows how packed a bar or a restaurant is in real time. Ratings range from “lively” to “quiet” on a four-point rating scale.

Overall, dash is an unique app that helps you find places to eat, make reservations, and pay – all from your smartphone. To facilitate those payments, Dash is integrated into venues’ point-of-sales computers. Each time someone sits down at a table (whether they’re a Dash user or not), their server opens a tab. That information allows Dash to calculate how crowded a venue is. (Chan, 2014).

Aside from Venue vibes, splitting the tab with a friend just got easier. If you are eating out with a friend, you can invite them to join a tab (in dash), and then assign however many dollar amounts you would like and then simply pay.

The only downside to this app, is that dash is only available at select venues in New York City and Chicago, but considering how user friendly and how much it would make our lives easier, I am sure it will be coming to a city near us soon.

I could definitely use this app. I get really upset when I have to wait for a long time at restaurants.  Hopefully this will allow for a great change in how restaurants and bars operate.  Kudos to this great app that is emerging and making a statement!

The “Go-Getter” In Me

Every since I was little, I would always plan, plan, plan, and plan some more. I have always been very futuristic, thinking about my future every chance that get.   I can definitely say that I am a huge planner. You will never not see me without my huge black, spiral planner writing down future assignments/events. Sometimes I find my family and friends telling me to live in the moment and not to think about the future so much and just to enjoy the present.  Don’t get me wrong I have always lived and enjoyed every moment of my life, however, I am always looking for the next opportunity to go beyond and prove myself that I can do anything that i put my mind to.

I have always been an overachiever, seeking the next opportunity. As I got older I understood the importance of life, and cherishing the moments you have with your friends, family, peers, etc.,  because time flies. Time flies very quickly. It is funny how I can remember moving into Prichard Hall my freshman year, and now I am graduating. Reflecting back over my college years, it has been an amazing experience, however, since I was a freshman I was already thinking about graduate school or future employment/internship opportunities.  I can definitely say that I am a “go-getter”.

Now that graduation is approaching, I see how I have evolved and stayed driven to my goals throughout these years.  I have never lost sight of my passion, drive, or what makes me happy. Heading to Georgetown University and working a full time job is not too bad.  I would say my need for planning and my vision has helped me get to where I need to be and wanted to be.  It is okay to be a “go-getter”, but just remember to cherish the time and moment you have with the people you love. And cherish these “moments”, the unforgettable moments.

The Importance of Social Media Engagement

Social Network user focus daily on how to generate conversation through their platform, however, there is not really a tactic to it, you simply have to engage with people. Social networks are like socializing in real life, if you want to talk to someone, you go talk to them, or get them a reason to talk to you (Hutchinson, 2014). Although, I think the social part of social media is often overlooked, it is important that users do not forget it. It is called a “social” network for a reason.

The next generations of consumers do not know anything about ‘the old days’. They are use to switching it off if they don’t like your message, whereas, in the older days many were forced to watch ads and commercials because they were without a remote control. Through the advancement of technology it has become easier for consumers to choose what they want to see or interact vice versa. You tweet something they don’t agree with, they unfollow you (Hutchinson, 2014). If they aren’t interested in TV, many go to YouTube instead. As you can tell there are numerous options to keep consumers engaged, however, companies have to do a better job of keeping them engaged through the various networks. That is why brand identity is important, product alone or even price alone they won’t be enough to keep a consumer loyal. Once your brand is accepted, your audience needs to know who you are and what you stand for. That is why content is crucial on social media, engagement is crucial. However, it first starts with you! Who you are is important as to what you do.

This week’s reading definitely rang a bell in my ear. I knew that engagement social networks, but now I see that it is very important because it predicts what others think of you and your brand. The thing is if you want your brand to be consistent, engagement is vital because if you are not relating to your audience they can become disengaged and either “unfollow” you, “unfriend” you, etc. This article definitely helps me as well when it come to my group’s Social Media Project. I think sometime what CLAHS lacks is their ability to engage with prospective students and parents through their different mediums. One they do a better job of that, their brand as a whole will be consistent and their audience will be engaged.

Article Link: http://www.socialmediatoday.com/content/why-social-media-engagement-so-important-anyway

Social Media Project Update

As we finished up the social media presentations each group discussed in class, I think it is safe to say that each group should have the tools to implement each platform within their Social Media Group projects.  After hearing about each platform throughout the weeks I learned more than I thought I knew.  Each platform is different and offers something unique to help the CLAHS stand out and be more effective as a recruiting force.

This week my group really did a good job coming together with valuable ideas for this project and we wouldn’t have such great ideas if we weren’t informed about the elements that we can use to tackle this problem within the CLAHS.  As the deadline approaches we look forward to seeing where our plan will go and how likely the CLAHS will use our ideas.

I think this project was a great idea to work with a college we already know a lot of information about. As my group and myself continue to research we are learning a lot about our college that everyone, especially prospective students, should know about.

Trendjacking 101

I never really knew the correct terminology for increased activity on any social media site the night of a big event.  The term “trendjacking” describes the act of capitalizing an existing news trend in order to boost one’s brand in the marketplace. This idea can help your brand or be used to diminish a particular brand. The outcome ultimately depends on how the message is conveyed to the intended audience. With trendjacking you get free publicity.  It could be good publicity or it could be bad publicity.  It is all up to the audience and how they perceive it. It can even reinforce or define an existing brand identity. Nowadays, you expect  more from advertising, with brands so accessible to people through social media, audiences think it is their right to respond to brands. A key element to “trendjacking” is playing with culture. You must know the culture that you are reaching.

One key thing to remember is that, if something is trending and it is relevant to your product or service, by all means jump on the bandwagon. But at what point do you draw the line?

During the FIFA World Cup, SuperBowl, any big Award Show, trendjacking is at its peak.  Next time you are on social media during a time that something major is happening,I would advise you to observe what people say, or observe what is trending at the moment.  You will quickly find out what everyone is talking about.  I know there is a section on Twitter where you can see all the Hashtags that are trending for the day.  This is a quick way to see what is “hot’ and what is “not”.  Whether you want to be in the “know” or just want to help your business, be more aware of what is going on. You never know, one day you could be trending.

Ball is Life!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” (Eleanor Roosevelt).    Since I was little my dad always told me “Pumpkin, you can do whatever you put your mind to; as long as you are determined and you work hard, your dreams will come true.”  Each day I live by those words, and I make sure I understand the importance. Once my father passed, his words resonated with me every day.

My father was the first person to introduce me to the world of sports. When I was a toddler, I grew up with a basketball in my hand. I knew I was going to be the next Lisa Leslie. Basketball was my passion. The sound of the ball hitting the net, “swish”, sounded so refreshing. Not only did I play basketball, but also I grew up around sports. Stadiums, courts, and fields were anything but foreign to me. My older brother played three sports and my family rarely missed an opportunity to travel to a professional game. Needless to say I know the difference between a touchdown, inning, and goal. As I approach my 22^nd birthday, my love of sports has not wavered… sports are in my heart and here to stay.

Sports Marketing, sports promotions, sport operations, and sports communications are my passions. I have always told myself that one day I would be a sports agent helping to represent professional athletes within their athletic careers.

I will be THE next Jerry Maguire. You just wait and see!

Netflix or RedBox?

Do you prefer Netflix or Redbox?  I remember in high school Redbox would always be my go to when I wanted to watch something that had just came out on DVD. I would always stop at 7-Eleven or any convenient store to make sure I got a red box movie for $1.25, and be satisfied with watching the movie and returning it within 24 hours. Redbox strives on four things which are, Convenient, affordable, fun, and easy. With over 35,000 locations, they are taking over. Now that I am in college, I do not hear alot of people talk about Redbox, Netflix is more of the student’s language.  Many student’s started out with the Free Trial and then before you knew it, their credit card was charged $7.99 plus tax after the 30 days were over. Netflix has become more popular, especially with the integration ability with Playstation, Xbox, Mac, PC, Tablet, etc.  Wherever you go, Netflix is at the palm of your hand. This is definitely different than Redbox’s tangible DVD out of the Large stand that says “Redbox” on it.

This Redbox vs Netflix comparison provides some pros and cons of each service, as both Redbox and Netflix offer users a convenient, low cost way to rent DVDs and instantly stream movies and other programs online. While there are similarities between the two, there are also significant differences.

Which do you prefer? I think I am leaning more towards Netflix for a convenience factor. There may be times where I don’t really want to go out to rent a 1-day movie but when I want to watch a movie at my finger tips on my own time, and however many times I want is all that matters to me. Next time you are at the store, figure out are more of a convenience person or a cheap person.

Social Media or Nah?

Social Media is the new trend. It is all around and it evolving quickly. What might be a trend today might not be the trend tomorrow.  I just remember the time when Myspace was the “new kid on block” and everyone had one.  If you didn’t have one you weren’t cool enough. Now everyone is like “Myspace who?”.  I think this trend shows you how one day a platform can be very “in” and then the next day not exist at all.

The Social Media Presentation is a great opportunity to explore the background of each Social media platform that is out right now. Understanding how and why they were created will give people the chance to understand its purpose of not just being another app that is downloaded to our smartphones but a useful and unique  way to connect to people and interact with people and celebrities at a click of a button.  From Facebook, Google +, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. , it is important to understand the purpose of these platforms.

Just remember what is “in” today might not be “in” tomorrow!

Twitter Gone Wild

Today in class my group analyzed a research article focusing on the study of Fortune 500 companies engaging with their stakeholders effectively through Twitter. The goal of this study was to extend the investigation of online relationship building by examining the Twitter profiles of Fortune 500 companies to understand how these companies use the popular social media site. Through countless reviews of Companies Twitter profiles this article concluded that the companies that have a presence on Twitter will employ more useful information, be more responsive to visitors, and are more likely to employ more visits from consumers.

Twitter is become a really big face for companies to use in order to reach a wider range of people.  Just image the essence of a “retweet”, just imagine how fast it can spread from one local area to around the world.

In recent years, companies are getting better at having a voice on Twitter and interacting better with their visitors.  In order to make money you need to have the customers interest, in order to have the customers interest they must trust you through your loyal responsiveness to their needs and concerns.  It is funny how Social Media platforms are becoming great and useful especially for companies.  I am eager to see what new platforms will be used in the future.