Hello World! (For old-time sake)
As you know I started this blog for my Social Media Marketing class, and our last blog entry is today....the end of the road. This is the first time that I have ever blogged, and I have to say that I enjoyed it...somewhat. I enjoyed the part of sharing my thoughts on things, although I was very conscientious of what I wrote the entire time...which is probably for the best! The part I didn't like was that I felt like I had to come up with an idea each week to blog about. I would rather do a blog about something I am passionate about and then the ideas would flow freely. Overall blogging was a great idea, because it increased my presence in social media and encouraged me to comment on other blogs.
I learned a lot about social media marketing thanks to this class. While my career is not in marketing, as a MBA (YEA I am NOW claiming it since we are about 98% DONE!) the information will still be useful to me as I grow in my career. As I use social media I am now more aware of the marketing tactics being used to get me to mention brands or products in my postings. This has made me a lot more cautious about how I now respond to ad's etc, because I realize that my friends will view my liking a page or sharing a status as an endorsement. I really want to have a more strategic focus and marketing is key to any strategic plan. Social media is the next big wave for marketers, and thanks to this class I should be able to contribute to the conversation.
It's been real....Hermonte!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Social Media Allows Us to Keep In Touch With Family and Friends
Hiya,
This weekend we had my mothers 60th birthday party. A lot of my family decided to fly in to help us celebrate. Unfortunately I don't get to see my family very often and as such I am thankful to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram that allow me to keep up with some of their activities on a regular basis. Even my older family members have a Facebook page, and they can keep up with me and my shenanigan's. I am also a military kid, and I have travelled and lived in a lot of places around the world. Thanks to social media sites like Facebook I am able to stay connected with friends I met years ago. Through Facebook I can see how their lives are shaping up, get news about whats going on with them, and share my journey through life with them as well.
So while I know that marketers want to use Facebook for that purpose, I appreciate it for helping me stay connected with my friends and family. I think in this day and age we are all so busy living life that we don't get to spend a lot of time with friends and ultimately loose contact with them. By being friends on Facebook (even if you live 5,000 miles apart) you feel a bit of a connection with people you once knew. You feel like you know a little bit more about them than you otherwise would. So I think Facebook really does bring people together.
That is all for this week! I want to get back to enjoying Fathers Day with my family!
Loving My Family, Hermonte!
This weekend we had my mothers 60th birthday party. A lot of my family decided to fly in to help us celebrate. Unfortunately I don't get to see my family very often and as such I am thankful to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram that allow me to keep up with some of their activities on a regular basis. Even my older family members have a Facebook page, and they can keep up with me and my shenanigan's. I am also a military kid, and I have travelled and lived in a lot of places around the world. Thanks to social media sites like Facebook I am able to stay connected with friends I met years ago. Through Facebook I can see how their lives are shaping up, get news about whats going on with them, and share my journey through life with them as well.
So while I know that marketers want to use Facebook for that purpose, I appreciate it for helping me stay connected with my friends and family. I think in this day and age we are all so busy living life that we don't get to spend a lot of time with friends and ultimately loose contact with them. By being friends on Facebook (even if you live 5,000 miles apart) you feel a bit of a connection with people you once knew. You feel like you know a little bit more about them than you otherwise would. So I think Facebook really does bring people together.
That is all for this week! I want to get back to enjoying Fathers Day with my family!
Loving My Family, Hermonte!
Monday, June 10, 2013
The Last Stretch
Hello,
Well we are in the last stretch to be finished with school, and let me say that I am just exhausted. I know it is bad to say, but I have "senior-itis" like crazy! I don't want to do any work or finish writing a paper that is really quite interesting. I would rather hang by the pool (if it would stop raining), play golf or tennis or just sit and read Game of Thrones. Oh yea, I am reading it. I have decided there is just too much I may not know about this wonderful story so I am reading the book.
My paper is about deciding what the best practices are for a social media platform and then looking at three brands within anindustry to see if they are effectively using the platform based on the best practices I identified. I choose Facebook. I use other platforms of social media, but I am most comfortable with Facebook. My industry you might ask?! Alcohol and Beverage!, and my brands are Courvoisier, Hennessy, and Remy Martin. I figured if I have to write this paper, I may as well make it interesting. So that is what I am working on today (at some point). Wish me luck, and let the creative juices flow one more time so I can write a great paper - fingers and toes crossed.
Hermondra
Well we are in the last stretch to be finished with school, and let me say that I am just exhausted. I know it is bad to say, but I have "senior-itis" like crazy! I don't want to do any work or finish writing a paper that is really quite interesting. I would rather hang by the pool (if it would stop raining), play golf or tennis or just sit and read Game of Thrones. Oh yea, I am reading it. I have decided there is just too much I may not know about this wonderful story so I am reading the book.
My paper is about deciding what the best practices are for a social media platform and then looking at three brands within anindustry to see if they are effectively using the platform based on the best practices I identified. I choose Facebook. I use other platforms of social media, but I am most comfortable with Facebook. My industry you might ask?! Alcohol and Beverage!, and my brands are Courvoisier, Hennessy, and Remy Martin. I figured if I have to write this paper, I may as well make it interesting. So that is what I am working on today (at some point). Wish me luck, and let the creative juices flow one more time so I can write a great paper - fingers and toes crossed.
Hermondra
Monday, June 3, 2013
Game of Thrones!!!
OMG Game of Thrones!!!
I typically try to keep this blog to things about social media, and I will rope it in, but if you are not watching the Game of Thrones you are missing the best show on cable. Last night wasn't even the season finale and my mouth went agape for at least two hours last night. I just couldn't believe that the writers of the show (I am not 100% sure if George Martin wrote about it in the book) killed off all of the adult members of the Stark family. And the manner in which they were killed was so horrific and devious! OMG. Last night I thought I would just die, and the interesting thing was that I don't have a lot of friends that watch GOT so I had to go on Facebook to connect with my fellow GOT-heads. Interesting enough, people began responding to my post immediately and they were just as shocked and awed (yes I said it SHOCKED and AWED) as I was! Kudos to the writers of GOT. HBO sure knows how to grab your attention and keep you coming back for more with their original series programming (Soprano's, Sex and the City, True Blood to mention a few). I am going to make sure I like the GOT page today on FB, which I know will be exactly what social media marketers want me to do! And in this case, I don't mind, because this show deserves to be watched by the masses. I can hardly wait for next weeks finale - I am not sure what else they can do to bring in higher drama for the finale. But I am sure they have something up their sleeves to shock and awe again. I feel awful about the Stark family, and I hope it was all a big dream and they are all still alive. I mean at this point it feels like they can't catch a break, but honestly they are way too trusting and in that world they really need to be more suspicious. If survival of the fittest holds true, then maybe it is best it's not a dream, because the Starks definitely keep having their hat handed to them! Every time they take two steps forward they take three steps back. Now all that is left of their family are children and of course John Snow, who doesn't have the Stark name so I am not sure how all of that works. But the young Stark boys have super natural power in Bran and he may have some tricks up his sleeve.
Overall, if you are not watching GOT you really need to get on board - and LIKE them on Facebook! Ha,
Still Shocked and Awed Hermonte!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Plans For Labor Day Weekend??? Nope, Not A Thang!
Hello World, and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
That's right World, this weekend "I ain't got nuttin to do"(in my best Thumper The Rabbit voice), and I have to say that I am all right with that. I am even being proactive and getting my blog done today to make sure I have "nuttin to do." I honestly don't have much to discuss by means of social media, so this week I will just chat (oops I meant blog...or is it chat - who knows) briefly (briefly, cause you know I am ready to get my weekend started!) about how social media could help out in times where people can not reach their loved ones.
This week we had a really big tornado hit our brothers and sisters out west that destroyed many peoples livelihoods. When these natural disasters happen often times people can not get in touch with one another by phone, because the lines are busy. By using social media like Facebook and Twitter, you can instantly let all of your friends and family know your status. It can also serve as a means for them to follow your progress if something is wrong when you can not get in touch via the traditional phone line. In many cases people were able to use SM in this disaster to do just that. Which is brilliant! It can also be a means by which families that are displaced can locate means of assistance.
I think as time goes on we will think of more and more uses of social media, and I am sure marketers will continue to think of ways to leverage those new uses for the brands they represent! Don't you just love a free economy. Well like I said earlier, I don't have many thoughts this week with the exception of thoughts about my staycation - so with that said - Ciao!
That's right World, this weekend "I ain't got nuttin to do"(in my best Thumper The Rabbit voice), and I have to say that I am all right with that. I am even being proactive and getting my blog done today to make sure I have "nuttin to do." I honestly don't have much to discuss by means of social media, so this week I will just chat (oops I meant blog...or is it chat - who knows) briefly (briefly, cause you know I am ready to get my weekend started!) about how social media could help out in times where people can not reach their loved ones.
This week we had a really big tornado hit our brothers and sisters out west that destroyed many peoples livelihoods. When these natural disasters happen often times people can not get in touch with one another by phone, because the lines are busy. By using social media like Facebook and Twitter, you can instantly let all of your friends and family know your status. It can also serve as a means for them to follow your progress if something is wrong when you can not get in touch via the traditional phone line. In many cases people were able to use SM in this disaster to do just that. Which is brilliant! It can also be a means by which families that are displaced can locate means of assistance.
I think as time goes on we will think of more and more uses of social media, and I am sure marketers will continue to think of ways to leverage those new uses for the brands they represent! Don't you just love a free economy. Well like I said earlier, I don't have many thoughts this week with the exception of thoughts about my staycation - so with that said - Ciao!
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Next Big Wave!
Hello!
This week we have been working on our paper comparing two brands to determine which one has a stronger social media presence. I choose Chipotle and Moe's - both companies sell huge burrito's with fresh and organic ingredients. We had to compare the brands presence platform by platform, ie. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Being that I am a analytical person I decided to declare a winner for each platform based on key attributes that determine whether or not their social media campaign is working. Once you compare each platform you have to declare a winner. This was a very interesting exercise because it made you think about how social media really works and what attributes determine whether or not a campaign is really working. In some cases the number of followers determines if the campaign is working, but then there are other attributes such as re-pins (Pinterest) that determine if you campaign is working. In this case if a post is not re-pined or liked it doesn't show up on the followers board, and their friends never see it. So while a brand may have 1,000 followers, if they never post on their board they aren't really participating in that platform. So an interesting paper to write. I am still finishing up my paper so I am not 100% sure who will win. I will update you next week.
This week I have been thinking about what the next big wave will be for social media. And I started thinking about ways that marketers could get people to mention their products in social media when they away from their computers/handhelds. And by George, I came up with an idea! And yes, if this blows up and becomes the next big thing you heard it here first! How about adding "Like" buttons to products in the grocery store. For example, when you are shopping for groceries and you are going to purchase a product you can like it on the the products Facebook page and announce to the world that you are having Ben & Jerry's ice cream for desert. This is a great for the advertiser, but what is the payoff for the consumer? A COUPON! Yessss! You get a coupon on the spot for say $.50 off your purchase (which the manufacturer would have offered anyway!) so it's a win win situation. Maybe the marketers could take it a step further by offering bigger discounts if you mention them on Facebook and Instagram, so maybe your coupon increases in value to $.75. In most situations people want to get something for doing something and with this idea everyone gets something - if the consumer has 400 friends on Facebook and Instagram that is free advertising to 400 people. And the consumer gets the ice cream they were going to purchase anyway $.75 cheaper.
Those are my thoughts this week! Until Next week - hermonte out!
This week we have been working on our paper comparing two brands to determine which one has a stronger social media presence. I choose Chipotle and Moe's - both companies sell huge burrito's with fresh and organic ingredients. We had to compare the brands presence platform by platform, ie. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Being that I am a analytical person I decided to declare a winner for each platform based on key attributes that determine whether or not their social media campaign is working. Once you compare each platform you have to declare a winner. This was a very interesting exercise because it made you think about how social media really works and what attributes determine whether or not a campaign is really working. In some cases the number of followers determines if the campaign is working, but then there are other attributes such as re-pins (Pinterest) that determine if you campaign is working. In this case if a post is not re-pined or liked it doesn't show up on the followers board, and their friends never see it. So while a brand may have 1,000 followers, if they never post on their board they aren't really participating in that platform. So an interesting paper to write. I am still finishing up my paper so I am not 100% sure who will win. I will update you next week.
This week I have been thinking about what the next big wave will be for social media. And I started thinking about ways that marketers could get people to mention their products in social media when they away from their computers/handhelds. And by George, I came up with an idea! And yes, if this blows up and becomes the next big thing you heard it here first! How about adding "Like" buttons to products in the grocery store. For example, when you are shopping for groceries and you are going to purchase a product you can like it on the the products Facebook page and announce to the world that you are having Ben & Jerry's ice cream for desert. This is a great for the advertiser, but what is the payoff for the consumer? A COUPON! Yessss! You get a coupon on the spot for say $.50 off your purchase (which the manufacturer would have offered anyway!) so it's a win win situation. Maybe the marketers could take it a step further by offering bigger discounts if you mention them on Facebook and Instagram, so maybe your coupon increases in value to $.75. In most situations people want to get something for doing something and with this idea everyone gets something - if the consumer has 400 friends on Facebook and Instagram that is free advertising to 400 people. And the consumer gets the ice cream they were going to purchase anyway $.75 cheaper.
Those are my thoughts this week! Until Next week - hermonte out!
Monday, May 13, 2013
Graduating!
Hello World (I may change this - starting to aggravate even me!),
Well I almost forgot this week too! Thankfully one of my classmates sent me something that reminded me to blog.
Over the last week I have been working on my first project for this class that has us compare two brands and determine which one has a better social media presence. I choose Chipotle and Moe's. I originally thought it would be no competition based on my own prejudice against Moe's, but I found that they are really doing a lot from a social media marketing standpoint. They are on every site, and really have a strong following. Chipotle seems to have a lot more followers, etc, but Moes' customers seem to really have a strong passion for the brand. I reviewed the sentiment analysis for both, and found that very shocking. So maybe I will be proven wrong and end up writing a paper about how great Moe's is! I will definitely let the facts speak for themselves. However, as a financial analyst I struggle with finding quantitative data that clearly suggests a winner. I mean I can use the number of followers, and the sentiment analysis will be useful. But I will have to do a lot more research to determine what levels (Followers, retweets, etc.) are considered favorable for a company of their size. It seems that this project will be more subjective than anything else. We will see - I definitely have a lot more research to do on the subject.
We had our commencement ceremony this weekend, and can I just say that UGA used a lot of social media to toot about how many graduates they have etc! I mean every day there was another mention in my newsfeed, which I believe is a great way to get folks interested in going to college. I definitely feel victim to that SM and reposted on FB.
I am glad to see that someone responded to my blog! Yay! And in response, I completely understand your sentiments on marketers trying to get you to mention them on your birthday in social media. That is really sneaky, but hey I love free stuff so I guess that is another way they would definitely reach me or get me to mention them on social media (SM). I think that is very clever of them! And I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that I was untouchable by marketers to get me to mention them, but free stuff works all of the time!!
Well that is all I have for today - until next week! Goodbye!
Well I almost forgot this week too! Thankfully one of my classmates sent me something that reminded me to blog.
Over the last week I have been working on my first project for this class that has us compare two brands and determine which one has a better social media presence. I choose Chipotle and Moe's. I originally thought it would be no competition based on my own prejudice against Moe's, but I found that they are really doing a lot from a social media marketing standpoint. They are on every site, and really have a strong following. Chipotle seems to have a lot more followers, etc, but Moes' customers seem to really have a strong passion for the brand. I reviewed the sentiment analysis for both, and found that very shocking. So maybe I will be proven wrong and end up writing a paper about how great Moe's is! I will definitely let the facts speak for themselves. However, as a financial analyst I struggle with finding quantitative data that clearly suggests a winner. I mean I can use the number of followers, and the sentiment analysis will be useful. But I will have to do a lot more research to determine what levels (Followers, retweets, etc.) are considered favorable for a company of their size. It seems that this project will be more subjective than anything else. We will see - I definitely have a lot more research to do on the subject.
We had our commencement ceremony this weekend, and can I just say that UGA used a lot of social media to toot about how many graduates they have etc! I mean every day there was another mention in my newsfeed, which I believe is a great way to get folks interested in going to college. I definitely feel victim to that SM and reposted on FB.
I am glad to see that someone responded to my blog! Yay! And in response, I completely understand your sentiments on marketers trying to get you to mention them on your birthday in social media. That is really sneaky, but hey I love free stuff so I guess that is another way they would definitely reach me or get me to mention them on social media (SM). I think that is very clever of them! And I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that I was untouchable by marketers to get me to mention them, but free stuff works all of the time!!
Well that is all I have for today - until next week! Goodbye!
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