tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64208482423364051082024-02-21T03:04:06.580-06:00Lane JoplinLane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-72488591925663846612012-11-27T14:18:00.000-06:002012-11-27T14:18:15.365-06:00Hear Ye, Hear Ye "The Oldest Form of Marketing Made New"When something new hits, it seems as if everyone tries to figure out how to use it, what its purpose is and what new thing it can do. Many times all that needs to happen is to take a step back and find out what it's like. Sometimes the strategies used for other tools can be used.<br />
<br />
I've spent a lot of time over the past couple months talking to people about social media, its uses and what it can do. I found that really it's just word of mouth marketing in a new package. When you take a time to really look at social media and how it is used, you begin to see that it is the same way news has traveled for years.<br />
<br />
The earliest forms of communication traveled from one person to another. The town crier would stand and yell the news. Paul Revere spread the news of the British coming from one town to another by telling people. Social media spreads news the same way. One person tells two people. Those two people tell two more. And then those four tell two more. The number of people aware of the news grows exponentially.<br />
<br />
Social media does need its own strategy. But it's just another tool. Many of the measurements being used for email marketing, websites, and other online marketing can be leveraged. Measurements such as:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>How many people possibly saw the message? </li>
<li>How many people reacted? </li>
<li>What actions were taken because of the message?</li>
</ol>
<div>
These are the questions we want to know the answers to. With this information, we can start changing the messages based on the reaction and if the desired action was taken. The same thing with word of mouth marketing. When Paul Revere came shouting "The British are coming!" The desired action was mobilization. If the cities didn't mobilize, we might have lost the Revolutionary War.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before building a strategy for social media, first, consider what you want the end action to be. This makes the strategy planning easier.</div>
Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-40720479819890611082012-07-24T14:02:00.001-05:002012-07-24T14:02:22.175-05:00Is There a Perfect Age for a Social Media Manager?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Simple answer, No.</div>
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This past week there have been two blog posts that have
caught my attention more than others. The first was from written by a senior at
the University of Iowa. The post was about how Social Media Managers <a href="http://nextgenjournal.com/2012/07/why-every-social-media-manager-should-be-under-25/" target="_blank">should be no older than 25</a>. The second post was from the Director of Community at BlogWorld. This post was about being <a href="http://www.blogworld.com/2012/07/21/on-being-over-40-and-working-in-social-media/" target="_blank">over 40 and working in social media</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These caught my attention because I'm right on the cusp of the 25 segment, and I work with many who are in the over 40 segment. </div>
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I do not agree that Social Media Managers have to be 25 or younger. There is a general concept of social media that the manager needs to understand. That concept is community engagement. Deb Ng, author of the "On Being Over 40 and Working in Social Media," made some great points in her post. She notes that many on social media tend to post before thinking things all the way through. This is true of personal social media accounts. The younger demographics and even some older demographics misplace the filter as to what should be posted and what shouldn't. Ng also points out that it is important for those coming out of college to take an entry level job to make mistakes and learn.</div>
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While I completely agree with what Ng says about learning how to work with teams and learning from mistakes, those 40 and older on marketing teams have an idea of how social media should work, but many times it's not how it does work. I attribute this to the newness of social media to marketing teams. There is still the idea that social media should work like all other marketing. The idea that social media should be tied to leads, sales and other marketing resources. Yes, there are times in which this works, but we must remember that social media is not a broadcast medium. We must engage with the community. This is where I think the 25 year old can add to the marketing team. </div>
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I do agree with Cathryn Sloane that some people just have a better handle on social media. But saying that it is those who have grown up with social media is not true. If it were, then some could argue that those who have a better grasp on Internet Advertising are those younger than 30 as they have grown up with the internet.</div>
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Regardless of age, as long as there is an integrated, engaging approach to social media with an understanding of the target audience, the social media manager can and will be successful.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-33408617585448827052011-10-12T09:32:00.005-05:002011-10-12T09:44:52.985-05:00Facebook and Smartphones Don't Want You in a RelationshipToday I realized Facebook really doesn't want me to ever be in a relationship. Here is why.<div><br /></div><div>It happens like this, I met someone on Sunday, who upon parting ways told me to friend him on Facebook. And that is how it begins. </div><div><br /></div><div>Facebook you have turned everything into friends. We all know that once you enter the "friend zone" it is hard to become anything more than that. Facebook has setup every possible relationship to fail from the start!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is the important question of "How long do I wait to "friend" the person?" You don't want to do it immediately because then you seem desperate when you're not. Enter the smartphone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Many people now have smartphones. I am one of them. So the person who said to "friend" them knows you have a smartphone and could friend them immediately which leads to confusion on their end.</div><div><br /></div><div>So we find a comfortable amount of time to pass and we "friend" them, but we must wait until they accept our "friendship." </div><div><br /></div><div>What does Facebook do next? They start displaying their family members as "People you may know" because you have friended the person you are interested in. While you might know their family members, you now have the decision of whether or not to friend them. But again there is the uncertainty of, yes, you know the family member and could friend them, but does that scare the person you are interested in? </div><div><br /></div><div>And thanks to Facebook chat you know whether or not the person is online while you are online. Enter another confusing moment. Do they notice you're online? Do they see you and are having the same thoughts of whether or not to chat with you?</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Facebook and smartphones, you have made relationships more complicated than ever before. </div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-3689938255232454662011-08-10T15:24:00.003-05:002011-08-10T15:31:01.233-05:00Papa John's Got It RightThere are many examples of poorly executed 2D barcode campaigns out there. Most of the time, the focus is on these poor examples. However, there are well executed campaigns which never get any of the spotlight.<div>
<br />Let’s change that…</div><div>
<br />The other day I was at my friends’ house, and we ordered pizza. When we picked it up, I was excited because not only was I very hungry, I was intrigued by what was on the box.</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASz2tVfuN1TtU9RSTDZruattz6lcXWsTy9cmA9wDPKcRFf0jD74IAl8LUJMv2cM-DQqlktuf5qLTIocf5oU_4JOk6smPqexBSOOa-PUWtWtdQU_THNXKBkv_BpInDipC5yo4mxxfambsc/s1600/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASz2tVfuN1TtU9RSTDZruattz6lcXWsTy9cmA9wDPKcRFf0jD74IAl8LUJMv2cM-DQqlktuf5qLTIocf5oU_4JOk6smPqexBSOOa-PUWtWtdQU_THNXKBkv_BpInDipC5yo4mxxfambsc/s320/photo+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639326115559650722" /></a><div>
<br />There a barcode on the box, but there was also a reason to scan it. The biggest complaint about barcode campaigns is there is never a reason to scan the code. </div><div>
<br />Right on the box I had a reason to scan. “What makes Papa John’s better? Scan this code to hear John tell you our Quality story. </div><div>
<br />Since the documentaries Food Inc and Food Matters, there has been a shift in wanting to know more about our foods’ origins. Papa John’s took note of that and gave consumers the information. </div><div>
<br />The next biggest complaint I hear about barcodes is the poor experience. This experience was great. I took my phone out, opened the reader, scanned the code and watched the video. Four easy steps.</div><div>
<br />Of all the barcodes I’ve seen, I will have to give this one an A+!
<br /></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-27007564818932631502011-08-03T15:51:00.004-05:002011-08-03T15:58:08.594-05:00Why DQ's QR Campaign Failed MeThis morning I came across an article about <a href="http://www.marketingmag.ca/canadian-printer/packaging/dq-using-qr-codes-for-charity-fundraising-effort-33277">Dairy Queen using QR Codes in their fundraising effort this year</a>. I got excited! What I hoped for was to scan the code and be able to donate right from my phone.<br /><div>That’s not what happened, and it aggravated me.<div><div><br />Many times, when you scan a code you get taken to the standard company site. I wasn’t even taken there! <i>(Frustration level rises.)</i><div><br />Here’s what happened:<br /><ol><li>I scanned the QR Code.</li><li>The screen that came up stated that the code only worked when scanned with a specific reader.<br /><i>(At this point, I should have given up. But what’s one more free app on my iPhone?)</i></li><li> I download a new reader to my iPhone.</li><li>I re-scan the QR Code.</li><li> I’m taken to a screen that says, “You have to register or sign in to proceed.”</li><li>I abandon the code.</li></ol>I did abandon the code my first time, but as today progressed, I became interested in how many steps it would take to actually be able to donate. Here’s how it went the second time:<br />Starting at step 4:<br /><ol><li>Scan the QR Code</li><li>Create an account</li><li>Dairy Queen mobile page through Mobio loads</li><li>Scroll to find the donate button.<i> (4 links down, by the way)</i></li><li>Loads new page, which again you have to scroll to see the options.</li><li>New page loads, once again says I have to register.</li><li>This step includes putting my credit card information in. The credit card information isn’t on the Children’s Miracle Network page, but it’s for the reader application.</li></ol>This is where I stopped. I don’t like using my credit card when it takes me 12 steps to get what I want to accomplish.<div><br />Here’s how the process should have went:<br /><ol><li>Scan code</li><li>Donation page loads. Select donation amount.</li><li>Enter payment information</li><li>Thank you page loads.</li></ol>Four steps are all that’s needed for a donation campaign. With the Dairy Queen campaign there were three times as many steps.</div><div><br />When designing QR Code campaigns, you must think about your user. How many steps can you have before you start losing their attention? The <b><span class="Apple-style-span">most </span></b>important step in any campaign is to test it. Have others outside your team use the code. Watch them through the process. If they struggle, then change the process.</div><div><br />As with everything<b> KISS</b>.<br /></div></div></div></div></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-68392006936626067332011-07-15T13:57:00.007-05:002011-07-15T14:11:03.977-05:00QR code is to 2D barcode as Kleenex is to tissue?<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">As products begin to penetrate the marketplace, there comes a point with some products that a specific name dominates. For example, Kleenex tissue. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kleenex is a specific type of tissue, but when you need to blow your nose you typically ask for a Kleenex and not a tissue.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes it depends on the location you are in as to what name takes over. When traveling in the southern part of the United States and ordering a soda, you may ask for a coke. Many times the waiter/waitress will ask “What kind?” While in northern parts of the country you will receive a Coca-Cola. Coke in the south is equivalent to soda and not a specific brand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is starting to happen in the 2D barcode marketplace. There are many different types of 2D barcodes. Some barcodes are proprietary and are specific to products from that company and only work with the company’s barcode reader.</p> <p>Take a look at the barcodes below*:</p><div><a href="http://experiencematters.criticalmass.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/em_post_.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px 0px 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://experiencematters.criticalmass.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/em_post_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/1432640517_bad9742cdc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px 0px 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/1432640517_bad9742cdc.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> </a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="http://www.qrstuff.com/images/sample.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px 0px 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.qrstuff.com/images/sample.png" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">These barcodes have one thing in common, and that is they are 2D barcodes. But many would call them QR codes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Recently, there has been a transition to calling all 2D barcodes QR codes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One prominent example of this is the recent news article about a man getting a “QR code” tattooed on his chest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In an article on <a href="http://2d-code.co.uk/ezcode-tattoo/">2d-code.co.uk</a>, the tattoo artist, Karl, said the tattoo was not a QR code but an EZ code which would hold up better through the years as the tattoo fades.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When the news article broke almost every online tech site had a story about the tattoo and called it a QR code. Was this the final push needed to make QR codes the generic name for all 2D barcodes? I believe it was.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A lot of time has been spent educating people what 2D barcodes are. As marketers continue to grow their use of 2D barcodes in advertising, I believe the term QR codes will be used more than 2D barcodes. I say this primarily because 1D barcodes are known as barcodes. Introducing a new type of barcode with a different purpose and essentially naming it barcodes 2.0 was not going to with stand the tests of time.</p> <p>Two-D barcodes look very similar, with the exception of some proprietary codes such as Microsoft Tag. Since there isn’t a differentiating look to them they will merge into the one name. While fundamentally they are 2D barcodes, pretty soon everyone will know 2D barcodes as QR codes.</p><p>_______</p><p>*These barcodes were chosen at random through a Google search.</p></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-29326563286637831532011-07-12T09:45:00.003-05:002011-07-12T09:55:08.448-05:00Tipping Point: Mobile BarcodesWith any new product or service there is a tipping point. A tipping point when it takes off. Before the tipping point, many people will say the product or service will not take off. They say it will die off. Some will even ask what the point of supporting the product since it’s not going to take off.<div><br /><div>Depending on location, different products will tip and others won’t. Let’s take Groupon for example. Groupon each day features a coupon for a discounted service or product. Each day the coupon has a tipping point. Groupon calls this tipping point “on.” Sometimes the deal tips quickly and other times it does not.<br /><br /></div><div>Once the deal tips, it takes off. In 2010, on average there were <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-groupons-real-numbers-2010-4">543 sales per groupon daily</a>. When the deal tips, many more people rush and buy. However, there are times when a product is dependent on another product tipping before it tips. Two dimensional barcodes are an example. </div><div><br />For 2D barcodes to tip, they are dependent on smartphones tipping first.<br /><br /></div><div>2D barcodes originated in Japan in 1993. Japan had a greater number of smartphones the past several years than the United States. Since Japan reached the tipping point of smartphones, 2D barcodes were able to tip quicker there than they have been in the US.<br />Smartphones are now starting to permeate the mobile phone market in the US. Over the past three months 55% of <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/0701/Smart-phone-sales-now-outpace-feature-phones-thanks-to-Android-iPhone">mobile consumers purchased a smartphone</a>. For the first time, smartphones have overtaken feature phones in sales.<br /><br /></div><div>With smartphones now being sold more than feature phones, I believe we have reached the tipping point of smartphones and soon will see 2D barcodes take off.<br /><br /></div><div>The tipping point of a product coincides with the product life cycle.</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.netmba.com/images/marketing/product/lifecycle/lifecycle.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 254px;" src="http://www.netmba.com/images/marketing/product/lifecycle/lifecycle.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div>When the product hits the maturity stage, it begins to tip. 2D barcodes are still in their growth but will shortly mature.</div><div><br />Even though Google ended its support for support for <a href="http://blumenthals.com/blog/2011/03/30/google-officially-ends-support-for-qr-code-in-places/">QR codes in Google Places in March</a>, Google made a move this week back into 2D barcodes with <a href="http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Buys-Punchd-to-Boost-Google-Wallet-Offers-399915/"> acquiring Punchd</a>.As Google moves back into the mobile barcode arena will this cause an increase in 2D barcodes? I believe so.<br /><br />There are even cities becoming coded. Asheville, North Carolina is making a move to get every <a href="http://blog.askasheville.com/asheville-tech/asheville-qr-code-city-usa-connectme-qr">business a mobile barcode</a>.<br /><br /></div><div>My suggestion, don’t wait until everyone is doing it to get on board. Start now so you will be prepared and ahead of the curve. When creating your mobile barcode, make sure you have mobile content to send your user to. Websites are complex enough when looking at them on a computer. Don’t make your consumer view your website on a screen that is less than a quarter the size.<br /></div></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-19452719626940823032011-01-05T11:47:00.003-06:002011-01-06T11:50:43.058-06:00Social Media is more than updatesMany believe posting updates to Facebook and Twitter is Social Media. If this is true then traditional broadcasting would still be just as effective. We no longer want one to many communications. We crave engagement.<br /><br />This crave for engagement might be because we are becoming more connected online causing our real life connections to become less.<br /><br />When we become connected online we begin to create a community.<br /><br /><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/community">Dictionary.com</a> define community as<br /><blockquote>a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists</blockquote>Community is what makes Social Media successful. While some follow <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/kanyewest">Kanye West </a>on Twitter for his amusing tweets and others "Like" brands on Facebook for their coupons, the successful brands are ones who listen and contribute.<br /><br />For example, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/oreo">Oreo</a> runs weekly campaigns on Facebook for their Fan of the week. Once the fan is chosen their picture appears in the Fan Page Profile icon.<div><br /></div><div>Then there are those who don't respond to consumers or are defensive and negative. These tend to harm the community. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example, in <a href="http://http//www.bealoud.com/social-media/nestle-facebook-fail/">March 2010 Nestle</a> came under attack on their Facebook page for using Palm Oil from a company which harvests in rain forests of endangered animals. The administrators for the page caused arguments and frustrated users trying to voice their opinions.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how should you approach Social Media? The same way you approach the communities you are a part of offline.</div><div><ol><li>Listen - You have twice as many ears as mouths for a reason. Listen first, then speak.</li><li>Think - Sometimes I wish the distance from our brains to our mouths were further. Maybe then we'd remember to think before we spoke.</li><li>Contribute - Add to the conversation and be helpful. Don't be defensive. Accept that you might be wrong and be open to other opinions.</li></ol></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-64254839434055818892010-10-25T20:08:00.003-05:002010-10-25T20:12:02.913-05:0050 List: Ride in a LimoI've always thought it would be amazing to ride in a limo. Many of my friends were able to ride in a limo to prom or other high school dances, but I never had that chance.<div><br /></div><div>I thought maybe I would ride in a limo for the first time to my wedding. However, this past week I was able to ride in a limo for the first time! I was in Vegas for a conference. I met several friends at the airport and we split a limo from the airport to the hotel. We had a blast!!<div><br /></div><div>I can't wait until the next time I get to ride in a limo!</div></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-25887259901307243312010-09-10T13:10:00.001-05:002010-09-10T13:10:41.610-05:00How one bad campaign can ruin you foreverRecently, GameRadar.com posted an article about <a href="http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-8-most-embarassing-ads-for-gaming-colleges/a-201009091148143053">The 8 Most Embarrassing Ads For Gaming Colleges</a>. Out of the 8, our university as well as 3 of our competitors made the list. In the first paragraph they insult gaming schools by saying, "Video game design is the new gun repair, a cash-grabbing "live your dreams" scam which takes urges that really shouldn't be encouraged and convinces people who watch daytime TV that, despite what they're doing at that moment, that they could have a career." <div> <br></div><div>Many students who graduate go on to work for companies such as Blizzard, THQ, Rainbow Studios and more.<br><br>But let's move past that...<br><br>These ad campaigns are several years old. The latest date for ours that we have come up with is 2006. A lot of things change in 4 years, including how colleges advertise.<br> <br>The article goes on to personally attack people who were "quoted" in the ads without a full understanding. Unfortunately, sometimes marketing companies do stupid things such as making up a quote and attributing it to someone who never said it. Did you ever think that things happen in someone's life that cause them to change career paths?<br> <br>So a word of advice for colleges and universities, your campaigns never die with the internet now. When you end a campaign that was bad it could possibly come back years later to haunt you.<br><br></div> Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-64504353787338229592010-06-07T22:43:00.008-05:002010-06-08T10:43:06.205-05:00Packaging: Create something worth keeping<div style="text-align: left;">I recently purchased a new running accessory. For anyone who knows me, I'm a little obsessed with my running gear. All my running shoes and socks are Nike. It takes me a good month to choose a new pair of running shoes even when they are the same style and make. It took me 3 months of trying on shorts to buy new running shorts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>So it should be no surprise that it took about 6 months to choose a ID to wear while running just in case of an emergency.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>After doing some research and finding a coupon code, I decided upon <a href="http://www.roadid.com/">RoadID</a> ShoeID. But this isn't about the fact that I bought an ID. This is about the commitment from RoadID.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>It is rare for me to really be stunned by a product shipped to me that I ordered online. This one stunned me.</div><div><br /></div><div>RoadID takes the time to make sure the package is unique to them. I expected to receive a brown box like all other shipments, but instead I received this:</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFePwSc6vD-_sNg3JdDjqrLsgNh81qT0gk6z_vem2BVHjjTA8I79Xha301shLxoWvrxq1rASpnecuEZQFf-P11BkiLkkZVzc8yO5pY010QySGnWbV6tc_a3sJGw8e2eLhrYammBjAam1E/s400/DSC_0771.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480246153923230418" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>The back of the package explains how RoadID came about, and thanks you for purchasing.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's even some humor at the top:</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhyphenhypheng7cihYI_vvq7lTj5FXNNA3VcBQ9YrarSRXaAsMDBVAtMnd8V7LVCXsvIz5C1AHj9RWX1BRkL4tIgDu-lirGO0NlrbnqRvCJPc7ZnSrvTGUd5n_YpmrvR4np5gElVebGXHMamnB4bRD/s400/DSC_0769.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480247238631930402" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once you open the package you find a brochure of their other products, coupons and a comic depicting the run that caused the creation RoadID:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGObSfyXO86yFyyMOWq72xvLu8XpR3rfB6-j2CazF5jDsXUB3sUou2xzXa5qm-GVs0ep_txniwf621vIYQaSCF-mC3QShvAXQDNL_YGoAbVv5zCTeFJaFa2sBNz3-kEkI2KEJ-TxaxV3-/s400/DSC_0776.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248101446284354" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How are you packaging your product? Have you found a creative way to get your consumers to share it with others? You have to send your product in something, why not use it as another touch to reinforce your brand.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I received my RoadID about 2 weeks ago, and I still have the packaging to show friends. Is your package worth keeping?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**If anyone is interested in purchasing a RoadID, I have a few coupon codes I can share. Leave a comment and I will give it to you.</div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-27285476648894726322010-04-22T14:40:00.003-05:002010-04-22T16:11:56.186-05:00Students are addicted to informationThe <a href="http://www.icmpa.umd.edu/index.html">ICMPA</a> out of the <a href="http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/sociss/release.cfm?ArticleID=2144">University of Maryland</a> released results from their study of students and media today. I came across the study this morning when I saw a headline of "College Students' Dependence of Social Media is akin to an Addiction." The first few places I read about the study said this "addiction" was like a drug addiction. Most places <a href="http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/22/qt/students_and_their_social_media_addictions">quoting</a> this study, focus on just the Social Media aspect of the study. <div><br /></div><div>When I was reading the study I found not only did they ask students to go with out Social Media, but they asked student to go completely media free! The research team identified 8 sources of media to avoid. These include email, text messaging, phone, iPod/Radio, Facebook, television, internet, and print (Newspaper and magazines). Basically, anything that can deliver a message.</div><div><br /></div><div>It surprises me people are surprised that students had an issue with this. Yes, students will have an issue with this because we just sent them back pre 1700s for 24 hours. </div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine for a moment trying to find a friend to go to lunch with. Now you have to get in your car with the radio off avoiding all billboards on the highway to get to a friend's house to see if they are there just to ask if they want to go to lunch.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the video of the research presentation, one of the speakers said it best. "It's not the syringe one's addicted to, it's what inside." Students have the need for information no matter what the channel is to get it. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can see video of the research presentation <a href="http://www.justin.tv/merrillumd/b/262561564">here</a> (skip to about min. 10)</div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-22580177752819861352010-02-04T14:15:00.003-06:002010-02-04T16:23:46.290-06:00Is technology putting children ahead of the curve?After church last night, I was talking with a few friends when my friend's two year old, soon to be three, son, Drew, came up showing off pictures someone had pulled up on their phone. He kept asking his mom for her phone so he could see more pictures. I pulled out my iPhone because I had a picture of Drew and his friend Noah from a few weeks ago. Drew right away knew how to push the pictures to get to the next one. He's not even three yet!!<div><br /></div><div>Today when I was browsing <a href="http://www.mashable.com">Mashable</a>, I came across the new <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/02/04/elmo-iphone/">Sesame Street iPhone app</a>, Elmo's Monster Maker. The article included a brief video of Elmo showing how to create a monster.</div><div><br /></div><div>So how do these to things relate?</div><div><br /></div><div>Technology is becoming simpler and simpler that children as young as two, if not younger, are able to use. But do they understand what they are using? And what are the implications of children adapting to technology at such a young age?</div><div><br /></div><div>Children know how to navigate their parents cell phones, how to use computers and how to program the DVR to record their cartoon shows. Are schools able to keep up with the technology to provide children everything they need to make learning interesting? Or will we be able to "unplug" children long enough to memorize their multiplication tables?</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess my main issue/question is: are children ahead or behind the curve intellectually because of technology? </div><div><br /></div><div>I would love to hear your input!</div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-23415304364205974422010-02-03T10:08:00.002-06:002010-02-03T10:51:50.138-06:00Can we unplug the digital nation?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">When I was in college, there were several specials we watched in class. We watched </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0157067/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Still Killing Us Softly</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> twice, we watched several specials about advertising, we watched </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Growing Up Online</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> and many more.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Growing Up Online was one that struck me the most. The majority of my life I have been in one way or another around computers and technology. I was not 100% immersed in it like the sixteen year olds today are. I remember having an old Apple computer we had to write prompts to play until about kindergarten. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The biggest turning point for me with technology and the internet was probably around third grade. For Christmas we opened a new color computer, and our parents bought AOL dialup connection for us.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Yesterday PBS aired a followup on Growing Up Online called </span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Digital Nation</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Digital Nation is about how everyone is wired in. People are always using a phone, an mp3 player, a GPS or a computer. The time people spend away from technology is shrinking and soon might only be the time we are sleeping. Which that might not even be possible seeing how I have sleep texted before, and I have a few friends who have as well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I started thinking about how if we unplugged for just a little longer during the day we could perform better at what we are doing. For example, volleyball practice. I help coach two different volleyball teams. Each practice the girls walk in while texting, listening to music or talking on the phone. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">First of all, why a fourth grader has a cell phone blows my mind. I didn't have one until I was 17.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What if there was a buffer in place on each side of practice? Ten minutes prior to practice all electronic devices should be turned off and would stay off and out of sight until five minutes after practice. The girls would then only have volleyball to worry about instead of who is texting me. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Now how can we apply this? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Unplug at night. I know it can be hard. I have tried my best to make sure when I get home to leave my computer stowed away until the morning or only use it for no longer than 30 minutes a night. This has caused me to find other things to do in the evenings. But the hardest part is having an iPhone. I can jump on my phone and do almost everything I could do on my computer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Buffer your morning. This is by far the hardest for me. Don't use your computer or phone until a specific time. Since I love sleeping, when my alarm goes off for the fifth or sixth time in the morning I usually check all my email from my phone before getting up. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Try this for a few days and see what happens. See how much extra time you find in your day that you think you are missing. Those extra 5-7 hours you want to put into the day you might find.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-56552173500303725072009-11-20T19:59:00.005-06:002009-11-25T09:53:53.655-06:00Are you using the right SM station to broadcast your message?The past few months there has been debates about linking <a href="http://www.twitter.com">Twitter</a> with <a href="http://www.facebook.com">Facebook</a>. With the introduction of Twitter to <a href="http://linkedin.com">LinkedIn</a> updates, I'm sure the debate will continue. Here's something to keep in mind:<br /><br />Social Media is like television stations.<br /><br />Think about that for a moment or two. When you're watching TV there are certain channels that appeal to different demographics, but there is some overlap.<br /><br />Let's take the news for example. Fox, CBS, NBC, CNN all can have a different take on a story, people will tune into the station they feel best suits them. Or they will change stations to get a different perspective on the story.<br /><br />The same is true with Social Media. While there is overlap from Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn people use each for a different purposes and perspectives. The university might have similar audiences across channels, but they tune into each for different reasons.<br /><br />While you can send out the same core message on each platform about an event or announcement change the messaging to fit the audience.<br /><br />There is a reason we have so many news stations and there is a reason we have so many Social Media sites. Utilize them to their fullest.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-11393928850230087982009-11-20T16:36:00.006-06:002009-11-25T11:18:10.994-06:00Where are the two missing sides of the HighEdWeb Keynote situation?Last week, over a month after the event, The Chronicle came out with an <a href="http://chronicle.com/article/Conference-Humiliation-/49185/">article</a> about the David Galper Keynote from the HighEdWeb Conference in Milwaukee. After about forty comments, The Chronicle posted a follow-up <a href="http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Tweckling-Twitterfolk-/8895">article</a>. Comments on both articles represented two sides of the situation, those who attended the conference and those who didn't.<br /><br />Those who did not attend the keynote took the stance the Twitter Back Channel virtually "lynched" Galper, and the Tweeters like "hyenas" wanting blood. For the attendees, they reasoned what happened and attempted to give their side of the situation. But there are two perspectives of this story that have yet to be shown, the perspective of the HighEdWeb Association and the perspective of Galper himself.<br /><br />The past five or so days, I have tried to contact Galper through everything short of calling him. I'm not one to just cold call someone, especially in this situation where I was in attendance at this particular keynote. I reached out to him via LinkedIn,<br /><span class="text"></span><blockquote><span class="text">Hi David, I attended a conference you spoke at this year and would like to speak with you further about it. Please add me to your network.</span></blockquote>I have yet to hear back from him. I disclosed the fact that I was in attendance at a presentation he gave because I did not want him to feel as if this was a bait and switch or that I was trying to harass him.<br /><br />After doing some more searching, I went to the HighEdWeb site to see if his presentation was available there because he put all of his contact information on his last slide. It was not. I was <a href="http://twitter.com/Frommelt/statuses/5922386075">informed</a> by a HighEdWeb representative that the keynote presentations are the intellectual property of the presenter and they were not asked to let the association put it online.<br /><br />Okay so what to do next? I <a href="http://twitter.com/lanejoplin/statuses/5921111993">asked</a> for his email. No one on Twitter seemed to have it. So I asked HighEdWeb and was informed they would not give it out because they were trying to do what's right from the association perspective.<br /><br />I have yet to ask anyone one from the HighEdWeb Committee for their opinion on this. After a few direct messages on Twitter with a couple, I'm not sure they would really have much to say on it, in the interest of the association.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Update: I missed this <a href="http://www.highedweb.org/wordpress/">post</a>. It does give some insight to the HighEdWeb perspective.</span><br /><br />So will we ever see these two missing perspectives? I would enjoying hearing what they have to say. I think it would make this conversation come full circle.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-58201416486451238752009-11-12T19:44:00.008-06:002009-11-13T19:26:00.398-06:00Get Your Audience to Make the Decisions You WantAnother conference come and gone. <a href="http://stamats.com/events/seminars/simTech09_2.asp">SIM Tech 09</a> was just as good as <a href="http://www.highedweb.org/">HighEdWeb</a>. Great people doing great things with not so great amount of money. There was so much information going back and forth that it was hard at times to absorb it all.<br /><br />But, during presentations something small would be said and it would trigger a line of thoughts and tweets that would get attendees to collaborate on an issue. Or something would be said that would trigger and "ah ha" moment. Many times these "ah ha" moments were just clarifying and reinforcing what we already knew.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of the biggest take aways was:</span><br /><blockquote>Create great usable content that will drive your audiences to the predetermined goals you wish them to get to through the tools that target them.</blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>What does this mean?</b></span><br /><br />Content, Content, Content. Create content that is engaging and of use to the audience. Draw them in and make the call to action. After you draw your audience in, give them the option for the outcome you have decided you want them make. But don't broadcast your message everywhere.<br /><br /><b>Do your research and find out where your audience is.<br /><br /></b>There are reasons why certain television shows are aired on certain stations. While there is some over lap in audience, different demographics go to different places. If you think about Websites, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. as different television stations you'll start to see the that each is geared towards different audiences.<br /><br /><b>Make them make the choice you want them to. Don't send someone to buy milk in the chip aisle.</b><br /><br />No matter what tool we use, we want our audience to do something. Unfortunately, there are so many options for them to take they miss the one thing we want them to do. If you send someone to a landing page to request information, don't give them 20+ options to navigate from the page. If you want someone to apply, don't bury the info 3+ links into your website.<br /><b><br />So what can you do?<br /><br /></b>Re-evaluate your tools. Are you broadcasting on the right channels? Make sure your audience is making the choices which align with the goals you have set forth for themLane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-18224971157889870082009-10-14T19:45:00.007-05:002009-10-15T19:26:03.776-05:00Girls under Trees says "American"Last week at #heweb09, I sat in on a presentation by <a href="http://twitter.com/wyrdebeard">Mark Heiman</a> of <a href="http://www.carleton.edu/">Carleton College</a>. Mark spoke about what they found high school Juniors were liking and looking for on college websites. One thing he noted was pictures of people under trees were more of a turn off than pictures of buildings. We came to know this as "Girls Under Trees."<br /><br />Today I came across this website and tweeted "People under trees!! Ack!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB19Ua4ePFOLO_ai2jHExwNSF9TbSv_xe5KW-jzA7oKXAT6LgV-4VXeMMO6FJipn8LypA57sRN9_3anSFAOzTtYmZyVmlkm_TuGOj8t7P8kL2yGNXKt0Zpl6WCRYd1XcdWBiK3NuP_s4Y/s1600-h/Picture+8.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB19Ua4ePFOLO_ai2jHExwNSF9TbSv_xe5KW-jzA7oKXAT6LgV-4VXeMMO6FJipn8LypA57sRN9_3anSFAOzTtYmZyVmlkm_TuGOj8t7P8kL2yGNXKt0Zpl6WCRYd1XcdWBiK3NuP_s4Y/s400/Picture+8.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392623140478895890" border="0" /></a><br />I thought I might get a few response from those who attend #heweb09, but to my surprise <a href="http://twitter.com/aljamiat">Wassan Humadi</a> responded with an intriguing view point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mm5DNNPZeFJqmKD7YgJraSccf4eC2nfY5TM2Crk5uUTNfzz0vedWcsXzGapbdUP9dzUoRbJnnMFHzwrGS7kMlMynSHHk6nx9zIDtZYlJXmoSBYUoVfoqypEenwPvtrf1OiN6znhdt8lG/s1600-h/Picture+9.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Mm5DNNPZeFJqmKD7YgJraSccf4eC2nfY5TM2Crk5uUTNfzz0vedWcsXzGapbdUP9dzUoRbJnnMFHzwrGS7kMlMynSHHk6nx9zIDtZYlJXmoSBYUoVfoqypEenwPvtrf1OiN6znhdt8lG/s400/Picture+9.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392624373741751154" border="0" /></a>I never thought about it this way before. "American College" stereotype is not conveyed to me through pictures of people under trees. This opened up a great conversation. Wassan pointed out that we see the same things over and over. They seem staged. To me, staged pictures are an issue. If we could make pictures of people under trees seem more real there wouldn't be as big of an issue for me. To a 17 year old new to the college search process, they all look new. Each seems unique.<br /><br />I haven't been very involved in, well "not very involved" actually means I haven't had anything to do with, international recruiting, yet. So I wonder what would say "American College" more than people under trees. Here in Arizona would people under cacti be just as "American" as "people under trees?" Come to find out, the changing of colors of the trees is the part that makes it seem more American.<br /><br />Wassan also noted that "multicultural pics" of kids sitting around is the biggest turnoff.<br /><br />So to us, we see people under trees as a complete turn off while international students see multicultural pictures a complete turn off.<br /><br />Before you go changing all the pictures on your website, take into consideration who you want to market to the most. Are you wanting to increase your international student base? Maybe you ought to keep the "people under trees." Or you could just take time to better develop your international pages.<br /><br />Out of all of this, take into consideration your international market. Your "Girls under trees" might be the deciding factor for a student.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-77491052550477077602009-10-14T11:31:00.001-05:002009-10-14T11:32:56.457-05:00HighEdWeb09 RecapAfter about 10 months of trying to attend a conference for higher education professionals, I was finally able to convince my boss to let me attend one. I am very excited it was the <a href="http://2009.highedweb.org/">HighEdWeb09 Conference</a>.<br /><br />I work each day with people across the country. The willingness to share ideas and help each other is the backbone of our community. It was this that made the conference such a success. <br /><br />Some of us came having only met a few others, who were attending, in real life prior to this week. Others came never having met one. But we knew we would finally meet the person behind the avatar.<br /><br />As a n00b to the higher education arena, I was prepared to meet meet meet people. What I didn’t expect were the number of people who knew who I was and were wanting to meet the Lane of #lanesintown and the Lane of #pancaketweetup for the first time.<br /><br />The sessions were great! The presenters studied and prepared for us to ask questions on how they did what they did.<br /><br />We came together as a community to tweckel a presenter and to help a friend in need.<br /><br />The keynote will go down in the history of HighEdWeb, as a turning point in how presenters need to be aware of who their audience is and the power of a multitude.<br /><br />After a computer was stolen from a session room, we were able to raise enough money in less than 24 hours to replace the computer.<br /><br />Of all the conferences I’ve missed, missing this one would have been a huge mistake.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-91507760691507741462009-09-08T14:10:00.005-05:002009-09-21T13:26:14.303-05:00I'll see your photo challenge and raise you...Last week was the first week having new students on campus. In an attempt to direct students to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/geekuniversity">Facebook Fan Page</a> to interact with each other, we launched a photo challenge during our orientation program.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The challenge: </span><blockquote>The team who uploads the most photos to our Facebook Fan Page by 2pm on Friday will receive an award at the awards presentation Friday.<br />Also the team who uploads the most interesting photo will receive an award Friday.</blockquote>Before we announced this to the teams, we made sure all the group leaders were aware of what we were doing to make sure they encouraged their team to participate.<br /><br />There were a few other rules we gave teams on the first day.<br /><ol><li>Duplicates do not count</li><li>Only photos that have the team name in the description or tagged will count</li></ol> **Note to self: add a few more rules next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Stats:<br /><br /></span>After lunch I checked to see how everything was going. About five hours into the challenge we had 20 new fans, 84 photos uploaded and links to 343 more photos.<br /><br />At the end of day one we were at:<br /><ul><li>30 new fans</li><li>216 photos</li><li>343 more photos linked to<br /></li></ul>Awesome!<br /><br />Day Two stats:<br /><ul><li>50 new fans</li><li>1053 photos</li><li>370 more photos linked to</li></ul>1053 photos??? Yes that number is correct.<br /><br />Day Three Stats:<br /><ul><li>59 new fans</li><li>3300 photos uploaded</li><li>5000 more photos lined to</li></ul>However, after you take away the duplicates and pictures that can't be made out, we had approximately 2800 photos uploaded.<br /><br />One student posted a non statistical breakdown on the photos:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXOmHEvVXX9ANNbkvf8i7m0q1J04Oq1Qu066hAGnw19WcEsYnDFQn2mT99VQHtBbFsO5Swdwcz_XEoKhyphenhyphenshoyHRU9byRzyNw9rQ1iizrNQTsgqtS4fj9-7h6CJetOfKsjL0WqafiT6Wt6/s1600-h/3TuRvw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXOmHEvVXX9ANNbkvf8i7m0q1J04Oq1Qu066hAGnw19WcEsYnDFQn2mT99VQHtBbFsO5Swdwcz_XEoKhyphenhyphenshoyHRU9byRzyNw9rQ1iizrNQTsgqtS4fj9-7h6CJetOfKsjL0WqafiT6Wt6/s400/3TuRvw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379200976814244898" border="0" /></a><span>Although not 100% accurate at times it seemed like it was.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />The Unexpected:</span><br /><ol><li>I was leading an orientation group. Our first activity was to check out a camera from the library, take a group picture and upload it to the Facebook Fan Page. What?! No one told me there were going to be activities having us upload things to the Fan Page. There were two activities to earn points that involved the Fan Page. Great Idea! Just wish I could have had a heads up.</li><li>5000+ pictures! Let me say here I truly only expected between 500-800 photos.</li><li>One of our staff members put together a small contest to help with the "Most Interesting" Photo contest. This is what came of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWN6Rv15T9wX6AvmWZiMflB7kHR85DrHPveiop3ZqCiYYaTq7ln1n5loPk5iDX85twuZMMdD6O3MtYe5UEmn1IeFNBGPf5jce5TMEg-lpomObAeUjEPbQzEM85EvrJt4eY91r-32M7Ahd/s1600-h/7518_101094456574578_100000220729653_30391_7523380_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWN6Rv15T9wX6AvmWZiMflB7kHR85DrHPveiop3ZqCiYYaTq7ln1n5loPk5iDX85twuZMMdD6O3MtYe5UEmn1IeFNBGPf5jce5TMEg-lpomObAeUjEPbQzEM85EvrJt4eY91r-32M7Ahd/s320/7518_101094456574578_100000220729653_30391_7523380_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379198864091340274" border="0" /></a></li></ol><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where we messed up...</span><br /><br />I guess duplicate means one thing to one person and another to a freshman college student. The most common photo series uploaded where ones of rapid fire photos going around the room that should have been stitched together in Photoshop and then uploaded. At one point we had a group leader hang his camera around his neck and set it to go off every 5 seconds.<br /><br />Also, we need to state what is classified as a photo. To me, it is clear enough to make out what is happening in the photo and is not of walls, skies and railings unless the walls, skies and railings help tell a story of what happened.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Success?<br /></span>All in all I believe this was a success. Since the end of the contest, we have had more activity on our Page. However, we will not find out if it was a true success in getting students to come to our Fan Page to interact until later in the year.<br /><br />(Checkout other great examples of Social Media use in HigherEd at <a href="http://www.doteduguru.com/">.eduGuru</a>)Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-54720687568172908182009-08-23T17:55:00.004-05:002009-08-24T13:16:55.538-05:00So you want to make a Facebook group?There is one major thing that bothers me about Facebook groups, when they are abandoned. Time and time again, I do a search for a group and see that it hasn't been updated or posted on in the last 3+months. It is because no one thought about goals and conversations.<br /><br />Over the past few weeks, several people have approached me wanting advise on starting a Facebook group. It's great to see everyone finally acknowledging students and alumni are on Facebook, but my response is always "Don't!....yet."<br /><br />A few of you are thinking I'm crazy, but let me explain. 99% of the time they haven't thought through what it will take in making and maintaining a group.<br /><br />I ask them a few questions before I let them run out and create a group:<br /><ul><li>What are your goals for it?</li><li>Is there a conversation you can create?<br /></li><li>Do you have time?</li><li>Are you going to keep it up?</li></ul>After I ask about goals, the conversation usually ends, but isn't this where the conversation should begin? Even if your goal is to bring people together, it's still a goal.<br /><br />The conversation you plan on creating is the most important part. Working towards the same goal, creating a place where everyone can grow as a community and help each other out. It's like having a meeting without an agenda. No one wants to meet to talk about nothing or have every person talking about different random things that are not connected.<br /><br />This brings us to time and keeping it up. They go hand in hand. Maintaining the group or page means taking the time to answer questions and build relationships.<br /><br />Next time you are approached with someone wanting to create a Facebook group, make sure they at least have a goal and understand there is a time commitment to what they create. To me there is no bigger let down than joining a group or a page to find out in a few weeks there really was no reason to join.<br /><br />Facebook groups with created and used correctly will build a community for everyone to gain from.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-962889449466638752009-08-09T18:13:00.002-05:002009-08-09T18:38:50.897-05:008 Months in ReviewIn January I took my new position within the University as the Digital Strategist, as some would say a fancy way of saying I get paid to be on Facebook. But it's much more.<br /><br />It wasn't long until I ran into my first hurdle and needed some direction and help. I came across a blog post by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/rachelreuben">Rachel Reuben</a> that intrigued me. A few emails later and I was on the phone with her talking about Social Media and the problems I was having. We exchanged Twitter names and within the next hour my network expanded by more than 75 people. Little did I know where this new network would take me. <br /><br />As a newbie to the community I sat back for a while learning more than I could have ever thought. <br /><br />A couple months into everything, a breakfast of pancakes turned into so much more. My friend <a href="http://insidetimshead.wordpress.com/">Tim</a>, @timnekritz, asked if he could join my breakfast virtually. Next thing we know it's a #pancaketweetup. March was our first event, and we had between 5-8 people attend in one way or another.<br /><br />We are now six months into our #pancaketweetups and have grown to 25-30 people with more adding each month. Not only are #pancaketweetups growing virtually, #pancaketweetups in real life are growing as well!<br /><br />Besides just enjoying pancakes, I have been lucky enough to have a friend overnight me one of the most delicious Jimmy John's sandwiches.<br /><br />I know, I know there is more to life than food. Which brings me to #lanesintown. <br /><br />I've never been to New York until last week. Thank goodness I've found some Twitter friends there. I have promised my friends I would come to visit at some point, but never thought it would be so soon. After starting #pancaketweetup with Tim from NY, and getting myself and Jimmy John's from <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mhaithaca">Mark</a> in NY as well, it was time to pay them a visit. <br /><br />A friendly visit turned into a weekend event of tweetups, #pancaketweetupirl and meeting of wonderful friends outside of the twitter realm. <br /><br />So what can you do with Twitter? A lot!!! Thank you everyone who has helped and/or participated in #pancaketweetup, #lanesintown and my Jimmy John's sandwich.<br /><br />Rock On!!Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-56570345847078842632009-07-15T17:26:00.003-05:002009-07-15T18:03:19.093-05:00My Dream "Intervention"Last night I broke up with my boyfriend of 6ish months. (aww...I know) But it was for the best. The relationship just wasn't fair to either of us because we both wanted different things. It had been coming for a couple weeks, I just needed to say it was over.<br /><br />The strange part was the dream I had later. <br /><br />In the dream, I believe, I had just broken up with this guy. I knew he wasn't the right one for me, and I guess many people around me knew he wasn't the right one. A group of ladies from my church had formed some sort of "intervention."<br /><br />I don't really remember who all was there, but the one person I remember, kinda led the "intervention." I don't know a lot about her because we haven't spent a lot of time together, but she is pretty cool and fun to be around.<br /><br />Michelle had written out several reason why I needed to end my relationship. As she started, I informed her I ended the relationship earlier that night. So in turn she made create a list of all the qualities and things I was looking for in a relationship. From there, the married women would look it over and give me insights and feed back on it. <br /><br />Then I woke up. I think I created the list in my dreams, but I'm not 100% sure.<br /><br />I kinda want to say thank you to her. But I think it would be weird to say I respect your opinion, and my subconsciousness had created situations for you to give me advice.<br /><br />Oh well. If I never tell you, Thanks!<br /><br />Rock on,<br />Lane JLane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-4245609328403561962009-07-09T11:38:00.002-05:002009-07-09T11:50:24.004-05:00Life is like Interval TrainingAs a runner, I have several different types of runs. There's the long run, the short run, the speed workout, and interval training. Lately, I've been focusing on the short run because I've been lazy. That's beside the point though.<br /><br />During interval training, you pick a distance, usually a 1/4 mile, and you run that as fast as you can. Once you run the 1/4 mile, you recover for a few seconds, catch your breathe and repeat. The point of interval training is to improve your endurance.<br /><br />Life works the same. You work 5 days a week doing the same thing week after week with no recovery. Yes, I know there's weekends for that. But what did you do last weekend, and the weekend before and the weekend before that? Chances are you did the same thing.<br /><br />Even if you're not going as fast as you can week after week, you get tired. And you will at some point need a recovery.<br /><br />Hello Vacation!!!<br /><br />I've been working full time for a little over a year now. I take off on holidays. On Christmas and Thanksgiving I went home to visit but just long enough for the holiday. <br /><br />This past weekend I went home and spent 5 days in St. Louis. 5 days? I know it doesn't seem like a lot. But when you keep yourself busy in things other than sitting around the house it makes for a very refreshing time.<br /><br />Remember even the best need a time to recover! Take a weekend and go somewhere fun!<br /><br />~LaneLane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420848242336405108.post-54119701135490366372009-05-26T10:15:00.002-05:002009-05-26T10:34:50.712-05:00Sometimes you just hit a wallWhen you get into a habit of doing the same thing over and over, you dig a rut deeper and deeper and eventually you hit a wall. You might not hit the wall until your rut is so deep that you hit the Great Wall of China, but you will hit a wall.<br /><br />With the changes in Social Media happening daily, you can no longer do the same thing you were 6 months ago. If you are, your results will plateau. The steady climb you may have been seeing over the past 3 weeks may abruptly stop or slow to minimal numbers.<br /><br />In order to break through this wall you need to mix it up a little. Add a new interactive feature to your website. Try different types of links on your Facebook fan page. What about a mashup somewhere?<br /><br />Just adding something new will help break through the wall. Change something up if you think you are heading towards a wall. It will be easier to change it now than once you hit the wall.Lane Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01813787014740528992noreply@blogger.com1