2/11/10

 

#SnOMG Doesn't Stop Data

No, really, #SnOMG was fun!

Until yesterday, when the blizzard hit as our children were on a school bus truckin' up Interstate 64...
But even then, once they were safe, I enjoyed it and, on my lunch break, even attempted my first cross country skiing! And I only broke one pole!!!! (I never said I was graceful.)


Here's what we rounded up this week to consider:

• What search engines say about you (and for your clients): http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=141956
• What's publicly available info on Facebook? It's not clear, not consistent, and its flaws may surprise you. http://bit.ly/9ISL5V
• Divers in Norway seem to dislike being disturbed by the Google Maps car during their daily tanning session http://bit.ly/9GQ5wD
• Here is a great article on the collision of Google and Facebook... a big picture view: http://regulargeek.com/2010/02/10/facebook-and-google-on-a-collision-course/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+RegularGeek+%28Regular+Geek
• And Jeremiah Owyang continues the thread in "Google Buzz vs Facebook vs MySpace vs Twitter" (with which I agree).
• Continuing on this topic, here's what Harvard Biz has to say: "Google's Buzz, Twitter and the Semi-Public Life" http://s.hbr.org/ahup7K
• Like the Super Bowl? Like Twitter? Then this data should be mesmerizing fer ya.
• Missed the Super Bowl ads? Were ya focusing on the nachos (and maybe some beer) too much? Forbes has created an embedder where you can watch 'em all, once available.
  

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati.

Facebook  Twitter  Google Profile  Posterous

Labels: facebook, google, search engine marketing, social media, social networking, trends, twitter

2/3/10

 

C3 Richmond Reminisces On A Week.

Dag it, even Pee Wee has an iPad!


Ah, we shall bravely shoulder on without one...
yet.

• Do you have a Blogger blog and are publishing it via FTP? They announced that they will end this feature in March.  By the end of February they will have a tool to migrate to a custom domain more easily, and we can do this for you. Estimated time to complete the transition / test to make sure everything conveyed correctly will be 1 - 2 hours, please contact us if you would like us to do so.
• Come across a video you want to watch but are too overwhelmed with deadlines? Save it for later, easily retrieved via Boxee! 
• Can you really get fired over social media? Yes. "...the Constitution doesn't apply to private corporations at all." (I know we all know this but this NPR piece was interesting in corporate rights in general.)
• Good article: Measuring The Value Of Your Blog
• Didja hear the Twitter Train has left the station? Read why: http://bit.ly/cFDivw

In the meantime, I hope you are all enjoying Snowpocalypse, or, on twitter, #SnOMG.

After five days, I admit I'm getting a bit antsy.






After Day Three, my enthusiasm for taking pictures waned...

Labels: blog, bookmarklets, iPad, social media, twitter

1/29/10

 

C3 Richmond Sums Up The Week

It's been awhile since I posted, we have been extremely busy, as always...
Here are a few notes from the last week or so...

• Facebook will be making changes to the layout of its business pages. Here's what you need to know: http://thewebissocial.com/?p=628 
• Ok, there are enough early-adopter Richmonders on now, so let's talk about Foursquare. From http://bit.ly/cN2HkS:
  
  
  
  How Foursquare Helps Consumers and Business Owners
  
  
• Some things that made me happy in the hectic past week or two:
• The use of social media to help during disaster. Too many cases involving Haiti to even begin, but think of all the aid and good it is doing...  here's two that came to mind:
  
  
  
  
  • How, through communication via cell phones, apps, and online access, people were even saved.
  • Also noted: Twitter's human touch amid the horror of Haiti
    
  
  
• An anonymous person began posting Dwell satire:
  Unhappy Hipsters
  Why did this make me giggle? Because I have always railed against the aloof supa-too-cool-for-you attitude that emanates from so much architecture / media entities.  I have always embraced an honest, "laugh at yourself tone while educating others" approach, obviously evidenced at @greenmodernkits / @copelandcasati... if you intimidate people, how are they going to feel comfortable asking you questions? 
• iPad... yeah, we know, we know...
• On our own web agency in Richmond, Virginia front, we were honored to be asked to comment on social media in Richmond Grid...
  
  
  
• I will be teaching a course giving a general overview on how to use social media for farmers on February 13th.  If you would like to register your small business for this (it's only $20!), please do so here: http://5thgrowersworkshop.eventbrite.com/
  (Also check out the fantastic other programs!!! Backyard poultry! Bee keeping! And more!)
  And more fantastic happenings: http://www.centerforruralculture.org/events.php
• Speaking of gardening... here's a nifty, practical, frugal, sensible and HUGE cold frame project I ran across and adore: http://onestraw.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/ghetto-fabulous-cold-frame-a-photo-essay/ You could say it doesn't have anything to do with media, I respond: By creating a simple blog, posting pictures and information online, someone discovered it on twitter, broadcast it out, and it reached me, now you, to maybe inspire someone to do the same.
  I. Am inspired.
  

Thanks for listening…

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook enthusiast, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685 

Labels: facebook, foursquare, social media, twitter, voice

1/18/10

 

Not An Expert

Many clients have mentioned they fear entering social media until they "get a really good grasp on the situation." I have assured them that while general pointers, links to article overviews are helpful, really, they just need to start experiencing it while remembering that if they maintain basic business poise and acumen, they'll be all right.

“DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T KNOW ‘ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING’ BEFORE STARTING OUT.”

Really. You don't need to sit in a hot conference room for three hours.  If you're a client, I've explained the basics.  If you have questions, we're here to help. Read this feed, visit these sites below, but just do it.

From Intersection:
(hat tip to client and investment author, Bob Fisher of "The Naked Portfolio Manager" for sending this on)



**Read Intersection's entire post here..**.

Here is a slideshare you might enjoy seeing that is geared towards lawyers, but you can certainly apply it to your own business:
http://www.slideshare.net/guest6ff91c/lawyers-social-media-2908272

Oh, and the lawyer that is featured on slide 27, Durrette Bradshaw’s Chris Hill?  How did he get in this worldwide agency’s presentation?

He did because *I* saw the reporter request in one social platform, and then, because I know Chris on twitter, notified him: “Hey here’s a good pr / outreach opportunity for you to be in a publication since you’re a lawyer using twitter…go contact that reporter right away!”
And now his brand is being exposed worldwide…

Adverse to the long day sitting in a presentation? Read up, you'll get the picture:
Mashable's Guide To Twitter
...and Facebook...
and LinkedIn...
...should be enough to getcha started.

Labels: social media, social networking

11/5/09

 

C3 Richmond: Copeland Casati Media + Web Roundup

• It's a very twitter-focused week.
• Locally, Richmond's 5th annual List Of Companies To Watch by Venture Forum, a entrepreneur networking group for those in the investment profession, had eight local companies featured this week.... none whom are on twitter.
   
• Correction: PowerPact is on twitter.
  Their last tweet was in August.
  
  
• Maybe you don't think all this social stuff applies to you. Here's a big memo, if you value your site, and business, being found in search engines: Tweets matter.
  
  
• And with that... lists. I am especially interested in how lists will affect seo... If you want to troll public lists by subject, etc. (and add your own) you can check out Listorious.
  
  
• You've heard me talk about Sidewiki. Here's how to claim your site.
  
  
•  And twitter lists are now for everyone, and here's what you and your business need to know.
  
  
• And Google's big news? Dashboard. Read all about transparency, choice and control with Google Dashboard here.
  

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: advertising, google, search engine marketing, seo, sidewiki, social media, trends, twitter

10/28/09

 

Richmond Web And Media Roundup: Halloween Edition!

• Just in time for Richmond's Zombie Walk and Halloween: Facebook sees dead people!
  
  
• It's not just about real time search. This is just the beginning... [Spooky laugh inserted here]
  
  
• If you are a blogger / active social media participant, you may have noticed the rise of aggregation sites taking your content, your voice without your permission.  These sites use your content to make money- through Google Adword sponsors, etc. and increase their site's search engine ranking in a topic, therefore ranking them higher than your own hard-wrought site's industry content.  I resent that...
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I *do* take the time to report these sites to Google, because I have found that when you discover one site is taking your content, it repeatedly does so.
  
  I've also added Google SideWiki to my arsenal - Yo, if they're gonna take my voice, then I get to write "on" their site*, telling visitors (granted, not many have SideWiki installed yet but still...) what I think! AND leaving LOTSA links to my own site.
  
  *Note: SideWiki is not technically "on" a site but within the browser.
  
  
  
  
• With that "one-two" Google punch I deal thieving websites, these September statistics from iCrossing make me feel like like it might have quite an affect on their seo... in that, if AdWords / Google penalizes them for taking other's content once it's reported, it *will* hurt them. Remove the revenue and ranking rewards, remove the motivation for sites to steal voices.
  
  
• Yes, I "get" the arguments in favor of aggregation, "all data is public"...
  but I'm not emotionally convinced. 
  
  Several sites post my content *with my permission,* which I happily grant because they are 1. publications I respect who 2. asked my permission and that are 3.industry respected and 4.link the synopsis of my content to my sites, where readers can access the full content.
  
  Yes I share my stories on the 'net... but still, my writing remains such a personal piece of me, so 'private' even though it's public... Each time I discover a new theft of content, it's like... it's like...
  they take another little piece o' mah heart now, baby...
  
  
  
• Great article in Business Week: Rise of the 'Homepreneur', which starts out with a bang:
  
  
  

  "More than half of all U.S. businesses are based at home. These companies often are dismissed as quaint hobbyist ventures, but new research suggests that's a mistake. An estimated 6.6 million home-based enterprises provide at least half of their owners' household income. Together these "homepreneurs" employ one in 10 private-sector workers, and by many measures they're just as competitive as their counterparts in commercial spaces."
  

  Not only are home-based businesses just as competitive, their employees are often happier than their cubicle-bound counterparts, therefore remaining with the successful business. This garners not only financial revenue (also benefiting the surrounding commmunity, providing jobs and revenue) but don't underestimate the cultural and environmental benefits such business models offer: no commuting,  greater satisfaction of lifestyle, healthier eating and exercise, workplace composting, less waste...
  
  Speaking of environmentally friendly, I hear some companies even have traditions like Vintage Hat Friday, where they showcase reuse and recycling, and celebrate repurposed clothes (and hats) in the work place! ; ) Our workplace was recently featured in V Magazine for many of the reasons above.
  
  
  
  
• We hope you all have a safe Halloween. If you're still scared of social, here's a good article overview that explains some top venues and why cold technology needs to always keep community in mind.
  

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: facebook, google, search engine marketing, seo, sidewiki, social media, voice

10/22/09

 

Richmond Media + Advertising Roundup from C3, Copeland Casati Media (since 1999...)

• Hope you had a chance to catch my cousin, Nancy Ross Hugo, as she discussed her book, "Remarkable Trees of Virginia" on NPR this week. Above is one tree that holds a very special place in my heart that's in her book... not to mention the children... : )
  
  You can listen to her on With Good Reason on NPR here.  The program also discusses mercury poisoning in waterways, a subject important to us all.
  
  
• On to tech! Real time search, and the democratization of data, stepped forward, again this week:
  At lunchtime Wednesday, Danny Sullivan wrote:
  

  "Bing To Do Deal With Twitter, Launch Its Own Twitter Search
  
  AllThingsD has reported that Microsoft will announce a deal with Twitter today to gather its real time data. We’re able to confirm that from a source as well and provide some additional details.
  The deal will make Bing the first major search engine to have access to Twitter’s “Firehose” of tweets. It’s not exclusive, however. Google potentially could still do a deal, too."
  

  Read it all about why this is important here! >>
  
• And not to disappoint, right at 3 pm came the tweet from twitter's CEO...
  
  
  
  
• I discovered via the web a young girl giving a compelling speech to world leaders about a precious resource: water.
  Watch it here >>
  
  
  
• And the night before, I watched some Richmond, Virginia heroes, doing their part like this young girl before you, to make our community, hence larger world, a better place.
  
  Thanks to The Valentine Richmond History Center and its sponsors, whom each year spotlight community activists, all "Average People" who discovered a need in our local community, worked on how to address it, and strode forward to make our community better, often with few resources.
  
  Read all about these local leaders here:
  
  2009 Richmond History Makers
  
  LaVerne Spurlock | James Schroeder, D.D.S. | Central Virginia Waste Management Authority
  ROSMY | Mary Lou Decossaux
  
  
  
• And for all of you using social media to sell, sell, sell: Stop, think. Sure you can search on terms that apply to your own business and reach out and engage them. But read the context. 
  
  I had just found out our child has a not just severe, but a life threatening allergy, told to carry multiple epi-pens at all times.  Crushed, devastated, my-world-ending, I mentioned it on twitter.
  
  Within seconds I received this:
  
  
  
  I promise you that the last thing I want to do right now is hear a chirpy voice telling me to "check out" some "adorable" clothes for allergy-ridden children.
  
  If you think EMAIL is easy to misinterpret or not convey subtleties of feeling (I'm sure this person meant well), think about how easy it is to come off wrong in 140 characters.
  
  
• Back to Wave: We did a lot more testing on Wave this week, and the conference call application means that you don't need a phone with that functionality any more to pull people onto one line. I am excited to see what other applications are developed by others this year.
  
  My fave, though, is 6Round's Video app- http://www.6rounds.com/?icode=6wave
  (Except now I'm gonna have to make sure to brush my hair more often...)
  
  To see more Google Wave apps, visit here: http://wave-samples-gallery.appspot.com
  
  
• And finally, stop comparing yourself to others, focus on your own mission, your business identity and voice... it's more about how you interact with your peers, and to not hold rulers like page rank as a constant measure. Shouldn't ya have gotten over that in high school? 
  
  Ah, but right when you think you can totally dismiss the popular crowd, TechCrunch explains why it, and twitter, are still important, and that all twitter data (not just the popular crowd) will be key in future ranking results.  Here's the difference: page rank is based on web sites; twitter data is interactions, often ranked in popularity, yes, but how is that twitter popularity garnered? By reaching out, connecting.  So don't sit in the corner by yourself; reach out.
  
  Don't feel like you have to try to be a cheerleader or jock, join the "typical popular crowd" - the beauty of twitter / social is that there is a community for all of us, interested in your interests.  So I'll see ya in the cafeteria - I'll be at a table huddling with a good book, and you're welcome to sit with me!
  
  Still skeptical as to why your business should be focused on social? Check out these stats.
  
  Thanks for listening!
  ...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!
  
  I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
  the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.
  
  You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685
  

Labels: google, google wave, social media, social networking, trends, twitter

10/9/09

 

Richmond Media Musings October 9th:

The FTC's new rules on social media, especially in regards to the "up to an $11,000 fine" had bloggers everywhere talking. I thought of the trend towards aggregation of content, of local Richmond aggregators such as RichmondBizSense.com, RVABlogs.com, RichmondGoodLife.com... and wonder about FTC liability.
I spoke briefly with NBC 12 regarding this subject, but would like to also add some excerpts from my twitter feed for more thought:

1. @dbrowell I suspect it will be up to the blogger to prove their innocence, and that is what I've never liked @ govn't entities..
   
   
2. Let's also bring in the RT - if you rt, that implies endorsement. How does RT affect product FTC liability? #nbc12
   
   
3. [And how that heck are ya supposed to disclose within 140?!?] #nbc12
   
   
4. #nbc12 And b/c of aggregation- if your blog is posted elsewhere and you didn't disclose in that particular area pulled in, are you liable?
   
   
5. #nbc12 1st they start with the @dooce's and big bloggers, but think: has any govn't agency ended in 30yrs? So after they get the big fish...

(Thanks to Chip Temple of McSweeney, Crump, Childress & Temple for furthering the FTC discussion off line...)

And finally, for all of the non-organic keepers of the gate:
Thanks to Google's SideWiki, you no longer own your web site.
Put that in yer corncob pipe & smoke it. Can't wait to see what spam & pornbots will do with this...

I also thought about health care and twitter this week when I ran across this:

I'm still not seeing health care professionals on social media locally as other industry counterparts (like lawyers in 2008, for example, although a recent article states only 6% of lawyers are on twitter, yet look at the advantages!).  I thought of the benefits Richmond doctors could similarly use this way to engage their community, branding themselves locally, when I spied this feed, pictured above, quoted below, earlier this week:

1. Metrics: After Twitter event, 20 people requested info/consults; 16 were surgery candidates; 14 surgeries performed. That's ROI!
   
   
2. Interesting: a couple of Aurora's nurses are heavily involved in Twitter
   
   
   
3. The Numbers: Before the surgery, Aurora had 900 Twitter followers. Immediately after, they had 2K. Now, they have over 5,300 #smhc
   
   
4. Aurora Health did a live broadcast of a double-knee replacement on Twitter. Helped position hospital as tech & ortho leader #smhc

@riggrl has quite a bit of good social media health care advice, so if you are in a medical / hospital field you might enjoy following her on twitter.  Through her, I also discovered @EdBennett, who has some good social media policy advice and more for a hospital environment.

Richmond Grid had a nice mention of our hard work with Richmond's twestival, benefitting Tricycle Gardens:
@ThatJonesGirl and I are always willing to shout over a rowdy crowd for a good cause... : )

[Up next: More on branding. And ethics.  We tend to find those subjects fascinating. Don't you?]

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond creative arts and media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: press, social media, social networking, twitter

9/22/09

 

Richmond New Media Weekly Roundup

• We are very excited to announce our submission for permanent, public art in Richmond won the InLight legacy category. You may recall my talking about last year's InLight, Richmond's first "Art, Turned On," and raving over Scott Kyle's solar sidewalk.
  
  This year, Scott Kyle of Fullscale Architecture, Damon Pearson of Tektonics and our prefab Green Cabin Kits, Lisa Taranto of Tricycle Gardens and myself spent the summer concepting on The Tree. Set to be displayed against Richmond's Convention Center downtown, this solar tree reminds us of nature past, present, future. We hope to continue to add solar trees throughout the city, providing light and architectural dimension to our urban landscape.
  
  
• I am loving the new TweetDeck. I think the most valuable feature I'm noticing is the drag & drop, and automatic shortening of urls.
  
  
• I enjoy reading client Google Analytic statistics because I evaluate and think about our economy accordingly.
  
  For example, as I reviewed analytics for our client accounts this month, I saw growth in jewelry/accessories, real estate/architecture, and culture / museum accounts.
  
  Now I am no financial expert (I'll leave that to The Naked Portfolio Manager), but reviewing this data always makes me think... and I think these are good signs for our economy.
  
  
• The Taylor Swift / Kanye incident also had implications on how average people are using the web.
  
  
• Posterous has themes! But I am trying to dig up an article not two weeks ago on why using tools like Posterous can hurt your seo in posting duplicate content in multiple places. Can't find the article (yet)... But be aware. Useful tool, but caution if seo is of major importance (and for myself, seo is always king)...
  
  
• The New York Times has big plans for twitter... more aggregation, more search, more sorting of content to keep an eye on.
  
  
• Google launched Sidewiki. Sidewiki is like a Universal Commenting System http://om.bit.ly/81fgM I can't help but be reminded of AddATweet, which I mentioned a few weeks back.
  
  
• But don't forget: At the end of the day...
  Your Social Media Strategy Won't Save You.

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media,
the original C3 in Richmond media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: advertising, awards, c3, google, social media, twitter

9/16/09

 

Weekly Media + Technology Richmond Roundup

Another frenetic week... typing fast. This week at work we have been teleconferencing through Paris, Colorado, Los Angeles, and... and... I know I'm forgetting... oh, yes:
Canada!
*Phew.*

I, for one, am looking forward to camping; not in our prefab house kit, but like we did, before: In the '60s aluminum teardrop camper, this time exploring Virginia state parks.


Like an earlier post on Personal Brands, we revisit some similar topics this week as the subject continues...


Here's our weekly Richmond roundup:

• Facebook added @mentions... Watch out, twitter! As Facebook continues to implement new functionality, it would behoove businesses to keep an active presence there.
  
  
• Richmond was discussing manners.
  I have my own thoughts and recent experience on that subject, for a later post in more detail. I *do* expect people can debate, even heatedly, without being impolite. And I do see emails, twitter, and other new media on the same level as if they were written on traditional company letterhead. Even in conversation, decorum is expected. If you, or your employees, use impolite words, it sticks... it gets around, it reflects on your brand.
  
  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
  
  
• Going back to industries that "get it" re: decorum in public and private- Local hat tips to @constructionlaw @valaborlaw, @gatewood5000, and @valw, legal voices providing good content. I don't know why, maybe it's because I have a lot of friends in law, but I particularly enjoy following voices in this field.
  (Believe me, doctors and many other industries currently in new media are not nearly as compelling! ...Yet. )
  
  
• If we are losing our manners as they say, is there also a reciprocal swell of kindness on twitter / Facebook?
  
  [ Or is it that people discovered and embraced the No-Follow and those in "our crowd" just seek happier voices? ]
  
  
• We are in post-Twestival wrapup.
  Richmond raised over $2,000 within 2 weeks to unexpectedly give Tricycle Gardens money to help Richmond have more food-producing community gardens!!!
  
  There were nice write-ups of the mission / event... none of it could have happened without YOU. (Check out hardworking @lalamax and @thatjonesgirl setting up for the Twestival on your right!)
  
  The sponsors, the generous auction item donors, the Richmond musicians (and especially, @rvajazz) who donated their talent to make a cool CD, the nice bloggers / news outlets who promoted the global AND local cause, and every. single. ticket. you. bought: It made a difference.
  
  
  • http://www.richmondgrid.com/index.asp?ID=107
  • http://social.richmond.com/blog/csheppard/2009/09/richmond-twestival-benefit-tricycle-gardens/
  • http://floricane.typepad.com/buttermilk/2009/08/richmonds-twestival-lands-first-sponsors.html
  • http://m.richmond.com/richmond1/db_19531
    /contentdetail.htm;jsessionid=0D4C11C5D6436865A6313956387D7D9B?contentguid=kp2g6M6U&storycount=83&detailindex=1&pn=&ps=&full=true
  • http://rvanews.com/features/5-things-45/21075
  • http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/4229136/
  • Some great pictures of Twestival taken by Richmond's Paul Spicer!
    
    
• If you enjoy volunteering, social media is a great way to connect, galvanize.
  Right on the heels of Twestival, new worthy events spring up, a never-ceasing opportunity to ACT.
  
  Do you think people get jaded, overloaded with the Facebook events, the twitter hashtags, imploring participation? Somewhat.
  
  Considered spam?
  
  It depends on how it's approached, and it depends upon the person broadcasting, and the person receiving the information. Don't forget, YOU opted in to listen to these voices, vs. unsolicited spam.
  
  For myself, who has always enjoyed doing, I might not participate or acknowledge each event but I appreciate knowing about the cause, having the option to get involved. I don't mind the multitude of event requests on Facebook, in fact, I like to see 'em on my calendar and pretend that *maybe* I just *might* get a sitter!
  
  And really, so much of it is SO easy to do- in this case, just drop off some cans to kind retailers helping the Food Bank!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Speaking of events, and good gatherings locally:
  Tonight we have Green Drinks at Savor! (I can't wait to finally meet Chef Ellie! Follow her on twitter or Facebook!)
  
  Green Drinks info here: http://bit.ly/pUN32
  The five minute topic before we break for beer is, "Reuse of materials with Habitat for Humanity!"
  
  
• Well... it has been a busy summer.
  We were so focused on our clients it took me a few months to notice I had been nicely mentioned on Planet Green... oops. : )
  
  Solar cooking is one of my favorite hobbies and I am always happy to share my experiments! [Not. All. Successful. ]
  

Thanks for listening!

...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: facebook, press, social media, social networking, twitter

9/10/09

 

Summing Up the Week Quickly... Running on Deadline!

Summing up the week quickly... here's what was buzzing in RVA media this week!

• #Ukropalypse continues.
• A local marketing and media gal, Casey Quinin, is getting some very nice press for her book on her experience of getting cancer... on Christmas. Check out that profile, @cancerforXmas and the site, http://www.cancerforchristmas.com/, "Making The Most Of A Daunting Gift."
  
• Of course, Friday brings us... TWESTIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's see how we compare to Atlanta, DC, and Charlotte in our Twestival enthusiasm. : )
  
  We have local musicians contributing to a soundtrack,
  we have Amazing Auction Items,
  and we have Fabulous, FANTASTIC Richmond Sponsors.
  
  Thank you Richmond for supporting and being a part of Twestival, which will benefit a local nonprofit that promotes community gardens and sustainability, Tricycle Gardens (@tricyclegardens on twitter). Yak it up in person for a good cause on Friday at The Camel, for TWESTIVAL!

No experimental telecommuting from a dock or off grid modern prefab this week... (I can telecommute properly but the twitcam needs some work- am working on/ light-heartedly testing it for some other business applications down the line...)

I am running, running on exciting-but-fast/crazy projects! Looking forward to slowing down a little, neck craned up, leaning back in a chair quietly in the dark watching the stars and satellites traverse the sky.

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: social media, Twestival

8/31/09

 

Personal Brands and Feeling Very Amish: Media Thoughts For The Week Of September 3rd.

It's one of *those* weeks where I feel like I only have time to talk in bullet points... so I will, and share some articles I found compelling:

• We've suffered the rise of Personal Brands for some time, and many now understand the struggle between personal brands vs. The Message, why it's important to not allow yourself to be consumed by your personal ego and remember your content, and message, you would like to get out.
  
  With the rise of The People as Op/Ed and News Source (vs. traditional news outlets), the realization that "Heeyyy, I've got lotsa followers!" can overshadow the value of The People's Voice: undiscovered, immediate, valuable content.
  
  
• That's not to discount the Citizen Voice and its value- as even MC Hammer recognized this week,
  
  "Citizen journalism is more a reality today then ever before"
  - @MCHammer
  
  
• But remember:
  "“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I *do* that defines me.” – Batman (2005)"
  
  In the deluge of messy, pompous, valueless personal brands, we call on a true hero: BATMAN.
  
  Awaken your inner superhero and learn how Batman will help you beat social media narcissism.
  
  
• What's especially interesting to me is watching traditional news voices drink the Personal Brand Kool-Aid.
  
  
  
  Who Avoids The Kool-Aid? Here are some industries I've seen avoid the hype:

In my view, most TV newspeople (not just newscasters, the whole crew- in fact, the cameramen tend to be my favorite! Check out @newmediajim and our local @nbc12photog!) have handled the incorporation of social media especially well because they already had their personal brand moment when they first got on tv: "Look ma, I'm on tv!" then quickly realized, "Ugh, my job consists of schlepping around constantly, all over the country, I'm over this, let's focus on the actual story in front of us."



Green building lawyers, and actually, legal voices in general: Although their reputation was enhanced geographically through tools such as twitter, they maintain good content. The ones I listen to (@StephenDP, @Shari Shapiro, @Chris Hill, @Chris Cheatham to name a few in green building, and @valaborlaw for employment issues) stay on target and never forget their real draw is their knowledge and discussion of green building.



What about you? What industries or people have you noticed avoid the hype and found valuable?


• The Amish and the internet. I was feeling very Amish one day this week regarding social media. That is not to mean I avoided it, but that, like the Amish, one evaluates the voices and information thrown about and determines, "Is this good for me? My community?" If it's not, get rid of it: Unfollow.
  
  
  I searched for a great article I read awhile ago that explained these choices Amish make regarding technology well, but can't find it...
  
  
• Before you think I'm-A-Gonna Shun, here is a great post that mirrors much of my thinking:
  In Defense of Social Media: http://veryofficialblog.com/2009/08/30/in-defense-of-social-media
  
  
• And my unending enthusiasm for the power of social media for social good:
  Because one person CAN make a difference!
  
  
  
  

P.s. I'm SURE you didn't notice, but did you hear Gmail had some problems this week?
; )
...Another reminder that no matter what social media or email tool you favor, to remember to not put all your (ahem) EGGS in one basket.

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: personal brands, social media

8/15/09

 

Richmond Media Roundup: Week of Aug. 20th

It's been a very busy week here, so we'll be fast... On the world tech front:

• Twitter goin' down, AGAIN... AND AGAIN... AND AGAIN
  
• Wow, it's been Facebook and Friendfeed all over the place...
  
• Twitter's Re-tweet Reorganization...
  
• On Monday, the SEC Conference banned Social Media from college stadiums (What tha'...???? How the HECK are they going to enforce this?)
• On Tuesday, the SEC backed off... somewhat.
  

Locally tonight, August 20th, for twitter enthusiasts, #hashbrownnetworking meets at Waffle House, and @rvagreendrinks (Richmond's Green Drinks, which is not just for twitter, but focused on Green Building and Green Living/Lifestyle) gathers at The Camel.

Richmond new media projects include #smcrva (Richmond's social media club) busily gearing for their next event; Refresh : Richmond had a great event on typography on the web; and Your Beloved NBC 12 Photographer, @nbc12photog created a great twitter overview of Twitter In The Media, featuring many local twitter enthusiasts you may recognize...

See NBC 12 Photog's Twitter In The Media here!

We here at Copeland Casati Media chuckled when we saw Time explore "Online Life When You're Dead" - (you may recall Amy's "Digital Ghosts" post from April...)

But with all this online this-and-that, after awhile you just want to put your hands over your ears and scream, "Sheesh! Can't we just all get together for a drink? I can't take it anymore!!!"

Oh...
Why yes, in fact,
you can.
On Friday, September 11th at The Camel right after work there will be a very special event for you twitter enthusiasts: TWESTIVAL.
Now you non-twitter peeps are now laughing and saying this name aloud, real fast.
(Nods, nods, rolling eyes...)
It's ok, say it laughingly, let your tongue taste the silliness of what I'm saying seriously:
(I pause... look right at you, raise eyebrow, then say, deliberately:)
TWESTIVAL.

Well, as much as many of you are pointing at me now and laughing, let me tell you what Twestival did last year:
A bunch o' we crazy twitter people came together in cities world-wide to raise money to build wells for people that do not have access to clean drinking water. And we raised money, oh yes, we did:

"About the Twestival.
On 12 February 2009, 200+ international cities hosted a Twestival (Twitter + festival) to bring Twitter communities together to raise money for charity: water. The Twestival raised $250,000+ and brought worldwide public awareness to the global water crisis. "

Come see what we did!!!!! Watch the first wells being dug!!!!

Now Richmond is pulling together again for Twestival, this time to benefit a local non-profit, Tricycle Gardens, who builds community gardens in urban areas to connect children and the neighborhood with nature and food production again.
Please pass this link on for the Richmond Twestival and let people know we are still looking for sponsors- 100% of the sponsor and ticket money goes to Tricycle Gardens!!!!

We envision that the money raised from Richmond’s Twestival will allow Tricycle Gardens to not only build more community gardens, but to also help other non-profits. With the theory of Plant A Row, children can not only connect to gardens and nature, benefit from the bounty, but also learn about giving to others, such as designating that one row in their plot grow food for our local Food Bank and other similar organizations.

Currently, we are seeking 1. SPONSORS and 2. AUCTION ITEMS.
Might that be you?
Everyone knows I love to goof off for a good cause...
Here is MY auction item up for grabs!

Captain Copeland:
Ahoy, Mateys, CLIMB ABOARD!!!!

Drat, yer gonna have to turn it WAY up to hear what I said (WHERE is my camera crew with sound dudes when I need them, o' @nappingdragon?) but basically, I will be your Cruise Director for whatever you envision for a fab boat ride on the James.

Alllllllllllllll Aboard!

Welcome to Copeland's Cruise Lines.
I am your Cruise Director and Captain for this trip on the James River.

Want an early morning fishing excursion with a rustic breakfast and coffee?
Sightseeing and picnic with the kids?
An evening adult's cruise with cocktails served by Yours Truly?
All you have to do is win our Funky Vintage Boat Cruise to benefit TricycleGardens.org at Richmond TWESTIVAL.

Ahoy there, Matey! Climb aboard, and I hope to see you at Richmond TWESTIVAL!!!

and more...

Check out all the fabulous auction items we're accruing, I have more coming in from Lewis Ginter and Coldstone Creamery I'll add to the site soon!!!

Labels: social media, Twestival

8/13/09

 

Roundup of Richmond Media Week of August 13th

Sooooooooooooo.... Hmmmmmmm. If I were on tv right now... what would I be sayin'?
I'd be talking about the hermit crab industry.

It's the perfect time before the back to school frenzy, the perfect lull of contemplation to consider:

• Where the heck do those hermit crabs in those ubiquitous beach stores selling bathing suits and sunblock come from?
  
• And where do those stores get those shells?
  
• Are the shells in those bins just pulled off the backs of some creature? Or farmed? Where the heck ARE shell or hermit crab farms? Are these the crustacean puppy mills?
• What happens to those creatures in the shells *someone* now is now going to brightly, garishly paint for some other hermit crab to acquire?
  
• And who (and for how much) paints those shells?

But lucky for you... I'm not on tv, and this is jest a teeny, tiny little blog o' musings that no one reads... SO:
Here are my thoughts on the week in Richmond media:

• What did YOU do #WhenTwitterWasDown? Did you care? Did you cry? I... was on the beach and only heard about it later. Oh yes, I was.
• Monday's breaking news horse-out-of-the-gate was the newsflash that Facebook bought FriendFeed. You may not know FriendFeed (yet), but this is important because it will be another tool for Facebook to compete against twitter.
• But wait! People may have left the building for the day, but Facebook wasn't done with Monday yet:
  Oh yes, your Facebook updates telling people you went to the beach / skipped work / are you planning a coup? Guess what? Those updates are now searchable.
  This is jest a friendly reminder that data... is... data, and public.
  
• And then, there's Google Voice, to which I will give a massive thumbs-down solely because I spent WAY too much time on Step One: Choose a Phone Number. Oh, the possibilities! Unfortunately all the cool words I plugged in had no Google Voice equivalent, so in my frustration of having to work until midnight last night I typed in... WORK... and voila!~ I've got a number. Drat. Can't I have 555- DISCO? I'm feeling mightily like a workhorse now... : (
• In Charlottesville, police locked up a blogger for... posting about them. Now she may be obnoxious, she may know how to research public data (did anyone just say, DATA IS PUBLIC?!?), but... did she commit a crime?
  
  Elisha Strom has been in jail for... three weeks. So far.
  
  But wait: dig deeper and you will uncover ALL kinds o' ethical and legal issues the Washington Post didn't really get into... but (ahem) I'm not a reporter or legal expert...
  
  
• Oh, hai, Tuesday: twitter went down again... This just all makes you want to take the internet and toss it over for a good book, no? Now where IS my copy of Great Expectations I was re-reading at the beach?
  
• And Facebook, not to be outdone in sneaky-ness, again hit us with more proposed nuances in its Statement of Rights & Responsibilities:
  

  From Andy Beal: "Facebook To Ban All Commercial Activity On Personal Profiles"
  
  Waaaaaaaait. Does that mean because I talk about media or green building in my updates that Facebook would see my businesses as profiting from that, therefore banning me from talking about what I do?
  
  Don't we ALL talk about our work? Hmmmm...
  

• AND OUR BIG NEWS?????????????????
  Yes, Richmond, THERE WILL BE TWESTIVAL!!!!
  I am still finalizing some details but home to make an announcement this afternoon.
  
  **If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact me at 804-515-7886!***
  

Here's some pictures from the beginning of the first Twestival. As an organizer (with Bonnie Larner of Barber Martin), I was in charge of meeting & greeting, so didn't get to take a lot of pictures once the event got underway!


...And a video by visiting West Coast blogger, Jeff Turner:

Come see us at Twestival in September!
In the meantime...

Thanks for listening!
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!

I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: social media

7/29/09

 

Richmond Reflective Roundup on Media, week of August 6th.

I may be at the beach this week, but I'm still watching you....
Thinking about the week in #RVA media...

• Last Wednesday will now hereforth be proclaimed, "Didja-Hear-About-Microsoft-And-Yahoo Day." And, as usual, breaking news moved much more quickly on twitter, whether it be Microsoft/Yahoo or Clinton in North Korea...
  
• AddATweet. I bemoaned, "Why, WHY I didn't know about you yesterday when I was going off on my rants over the $50,000 twitter lawsuit by Horizon Realty Group and didn't have time to log in and leave comments everywhere I wanted..???? Ergh."
  http://bit.ly/2T5PU7
• Speaking of Horizon Realty Group's $50,000 twitter lawsuit... Everyone in business should read this post: http://www.copyblogger.com/horizon-realty-group/
• Well, well, that's all depressing so why... Why don't we change the subject now. (ahem.)
  
  Hey, it's wedding season! Anyone out there have a friend in the process of getting married? Have they stressed over the guest list? Are they griping about which side does what? Do you fear they are turning into Bridezilla?
  
  Well, last week this couple reminded us all that getting married doesn't have to be all pomp and circumstance-y. Lissen up, RVA (and yes, ESPECIALLY RVA):
  
  
  
  By the way, I know it's tacky to ask for gifts, but I would feel remiss if I didn't mention the following from the couple's website:
  

  "Our wedding entrance dance to Forever...yeah, forever. For more information or to make a donation towards violence prevention please visit our website: http://www.jkweddingdance.com/"

  
  I think domestic violence prevention and education is a great cause and worthy of mentioning here for possible donations. Visit the site- there are great stories and pictures and this couple gave their special day to focus ON A GREAT CAUSE.
• Important Richmond interactive events this week?
  Welllllllllllllllll... there was #rvapower, Style Weekly's conversation on "power"...
  
  I liked what @MightyCasey had to say:
  
  

  MightyCasey
  • Is influence a better determinant of "power" than what your socio-economic position? Claire Gastagna used "capacitor" to describe power
    
    
  • Great points being made about power being tied to a "job" - maybe better measure/descriptor would be.voice instead of power? #rvapower
    
    
  • At #rvapower event listening to trailblazers - only 1 grrl, Claire Guthrie Gastagna, but she's a power center all on her own.
• Here's an interesting site that is Richmond-centric: RVAtweets.com. They aggregate twitter hashtags that are specific to Richmond. So, for example, you can use #RVApower as an example: http://rvatweets.com/tag/rvapower
  
  And here's just what's goin' on around #rva (note this site also pulls in Flickr photos tagged with a particular hashtag as well...)
  
• And more on twitter...
  
• There was an inundation of spam, (but hey, where is there not? Overall twitter has done a great job as spam/mal watchdogs.) AND
• a patent infringement suit. That should be taken Very. Seriously. As an entrepreneur: Oh twitter, this is when other business owners need to stand behind you.
• And, speaking of twitter, here's the latest in-depth look: (from Sysomos) http://sysomos.com/insidetwitter
  


• NEWSFLASH: This just in: That cute sweet couple that got married last week has divorced!
  
  
  
• P.s. I was genuinely sad when I saw that video until I realized that YES they were kidding. I genuinely, sincerely hope they life happily ever after. They seem to have such great hearts, friends, family... and a TWISTED SENSE OF HUMOR!!!! ; )
  
  This is a great example how people can come together to highlight a great cause / non-profit more than they ever could just telling their family and friends about it. Think about how many people now know about the Sheila Wellstone Institute.
  
  Here's more about this special couple, and the non-profit:
  

  "Violence prevention and intervention is an important issue to both Jill and Kevin. Jill's current PhD work focuses on breaking cycles of violence in society. She has also worked in restorative justice and community mediation. Kevin is headed to law school due to his passion for social justice.
  
  Sheila Wellstone was an advocate, organizer, and national champion in the effort to end domestic violence in our communities."

Thanks for listening...
...If you note any trends or local media items of note, feel free to send 'em on!
I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

In the meantime... I'm heading back to the beach!

Labels: Microsoft, social media, social networking, trends, twitter

7/23/09

 

Social Media Roundup for July 30th

The week in social media. Let's start with twitter... Actually, let's end with twitter this week, it seems to be where all the news buzz originated... in fact, I'm calling Tuesday "The Week!" Because I can do that on my blog... so there.
: )

• Last Thursday, Richmond's Social Media Club was held at the Virginia Museum and focused on the Summer of Social Good. About 200 people gathered to hear Gradon Tripp, the founder of Social Media 4 Social Change discuss his experience, (www.sm4sc.com) focusing on how to use social media for change, especially in regards to non-profits.
• Following on the heels of #smcrva, the University of Richmond hosted #sm4sg, or, social media for social good, and spent the day on how our local non-profits can use social media to engage and help their community and reach enthusiasts. Similar efforts, many of the same people involved, but in a longer, deeper exploration.
  
  
• Also on twitter, we discovered a GREAT project, The Uniform Project. http://www.theuniformproject.com
  
  The Uniform Project was started by Sheena Matheiken to explore sustainability and reuse while benefiting children in India.
  Follow the project on twitter (@uniformproject), Facebook, and Flickr.
  
  From the site:
  

  "Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

  The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums."

  Wow, our own office has Vintage Hat Friday where we celebrate reuse and sustainability in the workplace and that was HARD to put together each Friday- so I am super impressed with this girl's commitment to her creative outfits from 7 dresses ALL YEAR LONG- what a worthy cause, we applaud her! (She has raised over $6,500 so far!!!)
• You are all probably familiar with uploading videos to the internet via YouTube or a similar site. This week we have been playing with sites that take it a step further: Remember when the Presidential inauguration was covered live on Facebook & CNN and you could see people's Facebook comments as the action was happening, live?
  
  Well, there are sites springing up that can do just that for free- taking your video from static "this is what I was doing and documented it" to engaging your viewers in live time.
  
  Justin.tv is one such site, and they have just opened up their CamTweet to the public, where you can stream from your webcam and interact via twitter with viewers.
  
  Another popular site is TwitCam - I played with this last week, and brought my viewers a #chickunz cam, and later, a #prefab house cam. Because, well, heck, it was Friday...
  
  Great platforms, but they present a challenge: Do you really have an issue, platform of note to draw the voices to interact on your live video??? Hmmmm...
  
• Ah, the dark side of social media: (insert Count Dracula laughter here)
  On Monday a lawsuit was brought against a Chicago woman for a negative tweet about a realty company. The price for that woman's 140? The realty company is suing her for FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
  
  But here's the thing about social media. Local lawyers weighed in, saying yes, it was a valid suit. But I assure you, by the end of Tuesday, when the story broke, Horizon Group Management will have suffered much more than $50,000 in brand damage, for which they can not sue, as the community is talking about their public lawsuit against a woman who had TWENTY FOLLOWERS on twitter.
  
  Here's my immediate take: Twitter does not like bullies. *I* do not like bullies.
  And this is what I think:
  
  
• Heeeeeey, here's a little Search Engine Optimization tip: If you name a graphic with relevant keywords separated with hypens, it often comes up in image results for those words.
  
  
  So, for example, IF you named the graphic on the left "horizon-group-management.gif"...
  
  ...but I think they have enough repercussion and reputation on their hands right now to manage on their own...
  
• I headed over to TwitPic.com, to post my free speech opinion on what I think of the lawsuit. Interestingly, the same graphic, above, was deleted off their server minutes after posting. And Not. By. Me. (Note to self to check that out. TwitPic did have accessibility issues today...)
  
• By the end of the day, Horizon Group Management's suit had been written about by some of the internet and technology's biggest bloggers and newspapers. The link I mentioned, above? That ONE LINK (and think of all the other links posted linking to the story) had been clicked over 8,700 times hours after it had been posted. Hope Horizon Group Management's PR team was ready for the firestorm.
• Initially, Horizon Group Management didn't seem too concerned. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Jeffrey Michael of Horizon Group Management stated,
  "We're a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization." http://bit.ly/10U6Pg
  
  Is this the kind of business model with whom people want to do business?
  
  It's instances like this where I applaud online communities who help spread the word on items that, although technically they might have a legal case, the *community* won't stand for / agree with / support it.
  
• I wonder what Chip Temple, who specializes in Labor and Employment Law and Civil Litigation at McSweeney, Crump, Childress & Temple thinks.
  
  (He is valaborlaw on twitter if you would like to follow him. If Horizon Group Management comes after me, I will be hiding behind his desk with Bret C.)
  
  7 p.m. Update: I am hiding behind his desk. If I go missing... tell my family: I am behind his desk, with Bret C. and we are eating his secret stash of chocolate covered pretzels. Sorry, Chip.
  
• Tuesday 7:15 p.m. Update: (This has jumped via twitter & Google, big media, to Facebook, et al by now.)
  From http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/chicagos-horizon-realty-group-sues-former-tenant-over-a-twitter-post/2653:
  

  "Update: One hour after posting this, the count on a Google blog search for “Amanda Bonnen” has gone from 74 to 112 results. A Google search on “We’re a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization” has gone from 56 to 146 results. Posts, including this one, are already on page 1 of Google for search terms related to Horizon Realty Group, Horizon Group Management, etc.

  Update 2: And now the mainstream media heavyweights are weighing in… Wall St Journal here and here, USA Today.

  Here is the actual Tweet that started this whole thing:
  

  Here is the actual law suit filing (via Chicago Now).

  Update 3: Horizon Realty has issued a press release in response to the, uhm, let’s say “overwhelming” response to their lawsuit. From Jeff Michael, of the now infamous “We’re a sue first, ask questions later kind of an organization” quote.

  Others opine:

  The Consumerist
  Mashable
  Chicago Tribune Blog
  The Inquisitr
  Chicago Now
  "

  I want everyone to take a nice, deep breath and now read their press release, issued after today's events. Obviously what they intended as silly, off the cuff, innocent remarks were completely misinterpreted by the press: View the Horizon Realty press release. (Interesting how they are suddenly sitting up and taking notice, no?)
  
  We're looking forward to seeing Amanda Bonnen's response...

• Bad Guys: (This obviously has nothing to do with Horizon Realty but a running commentary about Bad Guys on the 'Net.)
  Public Service Announcement and Reminder: Please think carefully before giving away your login information / passwords.
  Even the professionals let their guard down... heck, @juliaroy, whose entire life and profession IS the internet, got hacked this week. No matter how shiny and new the gadget, on Facebook, twitter, or anywhere, remember to change your passwords frequently and don't give your login/pass to unknown sites like TwitView! Always research the reputation of the sites you visit.
• And speaking of reputations...
  I'm guessing PR agencies everywhere are feeling a resurgence of value after this short week. : )

I mused on this all as I sat, in late afternoon, by the pool today. What the average person needs to understand is that this is not just internet, it's community. Community can start on the internet and jump to "real life", or real life acquaintences can deepen via the internet.

One thing that touched me "in real life" today was, after leaving the pool, we ordered dinner at the Grill... A strange woman walked up and smiled: "We were neighbors of your parents..."
I admire that SO MUCH: if I recognize someone that is not a direct friend, I always assume they have no recollection of me so never say hello. (I know it's hard to believe, but I get embarrassed easily.)

This is something I have always admired about my friend Sherrena, who will *always* stick her hand out, walk up to a full table and in front of them all, say to one person, "We met five years ago at XYZ, it is good to see you." And she means it.

Any-hoo, this person, now referenced as Person A, extended herself, when it would have been SO easy to walk by us... (heck, at that point we were trapping honeybees to release and collecting, spilling, and recycling the cups...)

Right then, another person walked by. Turns out Person A had had their child go to camp for the first time, was worrying over it, and left a message with Person B asking for advice.

Person B looked at Person A with an old guard, pale, pinched look. "Of all the people in Richond, why would you think to call me?" I admired Person A, who stammered, maintaining her smile: "Well, of the three families listed going to the camp, y'all were the only ones we've met."

I want Person A to know: Honeychilez, we've got your back. : )
Looking forward to being your friend.
It is ALL. ABOUT. COMMUNITY.

(And people like Person B? Zero. Interest. In. You.)

One of my "internet" friends today, whom, like many, has jumped into "real life", complained about the 'net, social media, and questioned the depth of it's value. I reminded him of where we met... twitter. : )

It's not how you meet, it's what you do with it.
I am reminded of that when I am around the Sherrena's and the Person A's- to leave myself open but even more, extend myself when feeling alone, choosing kindness when there is a choice between kindness or not, and even more, when choosing, being kinder. In 'real life' or 'the net'. Which, we know, intertwine.

Thanks for listening...
...If you note any trends or local social items of note, feel free to send 'em on!
I'm Copeland Casati, of Copeland Casati Media, the original C3 in RVA media since 1999.

You can reach me at copeland@copelandcasati.com, or on twitter, @copelandcasati. If you are a Facebook user, we can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Copeland-Casati-Media-C3/52352550685

Labels: Richmond TV, social media, trends

3/18/09

 

Something Positive about the new Facebook Layout

I know it's en vogue to bash the new FaceBook layout, and I share many people's annoyance with some of the changes they've made. But I noticed something last night that I actually liked.

I don't know about you, but as you might have surmised from my last blog post, I'm interested in preserving some separation between work, family, and friends in my social media accounts. That being the case, I really use the friends list privacy filter settings. I keep those 3 groups as separate as possible, though there is inevitably some overlap. So I was interested to find that my feed had automatically pulled in those privacy groups as optional feed settings. Being an organizational freak (I was one of those kids who didn't let the different foods on my plate touch) I LOVE being able to see separate feeds for my different social groups. I find that much easier to keep track of.

Long Story Short: if you have groups you have created to apply privacy filters, you can now select those groups in your feed and see a custom feed.

For example, if I select "work friends" I see a feed containing just the updates from those contacts I have added to that group.

Labels: new facebook layout, social media

3/3/09

 

Digital Divide

This week has been full of discussion on the Digital Divide.

It started with a conversation on rural areas and their lack of access to high speed internet, thus removing them from online experiences that might benefit their region economically and educationally. Without good access to the internet, how can their rural voices be heard? Appreciated? Exposed to opportunity? Foster relationships with those outside of their area to then attract tourism? Computers, high speed internet, and a grasp of social media is key to helping small, rural businesses be heard.

Then Eric stopped by.
Eric only comes by when it is about to rain, and asks to clean the gutters so he can afford a room for the night.
We usually don't talk that much, but this time he said, "I'm sorry I keep coming back. I went through the Salvation Army program, but once you're done they kick you out. I really do want to get a job."

I decided I would try to do something about that. I know Eric rests his head *somewhere* nearby, so before hitting up friends that own restaurants downtown to see if they'd hire him I thought I'd look over to the grocery store in our own mutual back yard, Ukrop's.

I felt that by adding bus fare, distance, and transportation hurtles to Eric's existing challenges to work, it would increase his likelihood to not succeed.

In the shopping center, blocks away, was Ukrop's Grocery Store. I went in and asked for an application. "Oh, we don't take applications, all of our jobs are online!"

That's when I decided to explore the trend of businesses moving their job opportunities online, and how it would affect those with less resources. I am an environmentally conscious business who encourages people to go as paperless as possible. My job is efficiency.

But is the move to online job submissions encouraging the digital divide?

It reminded me that online access affects urban poor, those unable to purchase computers everywhere, reinforced by this Washington Post story about one unemployed mother who relies on library access to help her child with his homework and searching for jobs.

Anticipated aid could include adding more computers to libraries.
But,this same week, it was pointed out that public computers in libraries, hotels, etc. are rife with security risk, easily hacked or rigged to parlay sensitive information to malicious thieves. (See much more here.)

Thinking about the digital divide and its implications, a new thread emerges, and brings us back to:
Brand.
Ukrop's may not be on twitter yet, but they exemplify social.

When the online job application quandary appeared, the customer service rep paused and hand wrote a number on paper, "Try this number to call."

I called, and explained to Ukrop's employee #2 Eric's plight of applying online as he is homeless and without easy transportation to a library. She listened to me and did not try to fire off corporate HR dogma or cut me short. Then she said, "I'm going to find the appropriate person and get them to call you."

Employee #3 did call.
Three employees did not drop balls and instead passed the issue higher.
Matt Riley not only listened, did not discourage me, but engaged me in many of the aspects above- discussed the dilemma of job applicant functionality and environmental-impact of encouraging paperless applications being relevant when one considers that some applicants may not have access to online, and said they would consider and discuss having a small number of paper applications available in stores for those in that situation. (My suggestion: maybe have them online but "to print" function so Ukrop's employees could print them in-house, on an "as needed" basis?)

This is social, the way people have engaged for eons before the invention of the term "social media": Listening, engaging, reaching out, communicating with your current and potential customers, and addressing issues whether they are a customer or not, because you care.

Contrast user experience with the sites I visited looking for information on homeless services today: static, and on a snowy dangerous day, after going through their poor navigation to find contact information: no one returned my call.

Ironically, these people need most to understand social technology tools, to best provide their outreach to those most affected by the divide.

Ukrop's employees not only communicated well, they refused to pass off a difficult question; each of them took it a step further than their job description: by the end of my call with Mr. Riley, he not only provided me with his direct phone number so that, despite the economy and hiring freezes, when Eric stops by next, he will have a real person to go see that can take his application, but with phone numbers to other organizations that could help I had not yet discovered.

Labels: digital divide, social media, trends

2/3/09

 

Balking at Social for B2B? Here's how to overcome hurtles within your organization.

Just stumbled across a good overview on why your inhouse marketing and decision people might be resistant to expanding into new venues on the web and how your organization can implement effectively and understand the potential for opportunity.

In 2009/2010 I believe platforms like FaceBook, twitter, YouTube, etc. are where your professional and personal identity merge even for non-tech businesses (which it did for our firm awhile ago).

Don't be afraid; yes you need to tailor / edit yourself (which I do rarely ; ) ), but instead see it as opportunity to get your message in front of new enthusiasts.

This article gives a simple overview, read it here: http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/70496

But before you start encouraging your employees to air their voices with swagger, I encourage you to read about encouraging a Company Team vs. individualizing the voice: (via Livingston Communications:)
http://www.livingstonbuzz.com/2009/02/03/team-social-media/

Labels: social media

1/29/09

 

#WhoAmI Really? The Personal Side of Twitter

It's Thursday afternoon, and Twitter is bogging down and backing up. The 'fail whale' is being triggered as a mass of people post atypically personal information about themselves and broadcast it to all of Twitter... Why? Because @barefoot_exec invited them to using #WhoAmI.

I chimed in as well. Partly because describing myself in 140 characters was an intriguing challenge; partly because I wanted that anonymous congregation to know who I really was (even if only for a second... the massive number of incoming responses washed over and refreshed the feed almost instantaneously.)

Part of me believes that there is not a place in Social Media for personal idiosyncrasies, and that you should maintain professionalism in any venue where you may encounter business opportunities. But as Copeland mentioned in the office earlier today, 2009 may be the end of the veil between professional and personal. Companies have been checking out current and prospective employees using their online social profiles for some time, but as an employee it was just something to consider when you were letting your friends take and tag pictures on FaceBook and MySpace.

2009 might be the year where everyone admits we're human, and that in the age of complex 24/7 social networking you either need to have an unmanageable number of profiles, or you had better like the person you really are.

Labels: #WhoAmI, social media, social networking, twitter