First Word

Social media has its upside and its downside. People using Facebook or Twitter or Instagram to do business are often nonplussed by the habitual social aspects that makes it great, but also annoying. When I'm friended on Facebook my initial consideration to accept is based on two things: 1. is this a prospective customer/client or 2. is this another person only interested in a date? Since I'm looking for clients/customers for our business 3L Publishing (www.3LPublishing.com) that second question has merit. Those looking for a date will start almost immediately bothering me. The no. #1 thing I don't like though ... getting in touch with me and using business as a means to your end. Men (and even some women) who approach me about my business and act like that is what they want to know about and then do bait and switch. What I really want to know is: are you single? Not only is that a very cheesy and dishonest way to approach me, but it's offensive. I was taught manners...

People don't amaze me anymore. I've seen enough in the world not be amazed. I should maybe be pleasantly surprised and delighted, but amazed and in a stupor -- sometimes. Social media is often one of the biggest culprits of said amazement. I love social media. I've met so many people I might not have otherwise met. I've stayed connected to some people I have met and got to know better and thoroughly enjoy. I've enjoy the community support, and it gives me a place to "hang" out much like the water cooler only in a more productive way (via marketing). At the same time, I've connected with people who are a whole other breed of "folks" -- and sometimes they are odd ducks with different stripes of color I don't get. I'm an old fashioned girl. I am polite, well-mannered, and as my fiancé aptly puts it, "have social skills". I care about people. I try to help them. What I don't understand is the raw nature of social media whe...

What is social media etiquette when it comes to marketing your business in this growing area of community connection? We don't have a rule book on what is appropriate, but we do have common sense and a pretty good idea of what we don't like to see done. Here are some basic "rules" when it comes to using your social media "ecosystem" to promote business and not lose "friends": Marketing Promo Shared or Tagged on My Wall -- Big No, No ! I call this "hijacking" another person's social media connections. When you hijack another person's wall for your promotional purposes and post what is essentially a billboard on his or her wall you run the risk of being "de-friended". I find it very offensive when someone posts what is nothing more than an advertisement on my wall. Now... there are exceptions: The person is someone I really do know and talk to either in-person or on social media . This real friend hijacks my wall for h...

I am continually amused and entertained by the social media "social" contingent out there trolling for booty. I am constantly messaged and asked out. But here is what I find the most a. aggravating or b. weird. Relationship status or invisible relationship status has a lot of meaning . First, relationship status is often hidden for reasons others may not understand (e.g., privacy and identity theft). In my case the fact that relationship status is missing is because (and get this one), I'm involved in a "private" relationship. I don't have it publicly showing for reasons that are private to that relationship. Not everyone wants to broadcast their personal lives. I don't feel it's necessary to post anything about it. Even when I was married I didn't feel the need to post anything about it. I am on social media primarily to market my business. If you're out "looking for Mrs. or Mr. Goodbar" why don't you pay attention to that pe...

Now with social media taking over the networking landscape, here are three things NOT to do on social media: Logos as your face on a professional page and not a fan page – never place a logo in place of a face. People don’t interact with brand names and swirly letters. They like to know they are talking to (e-gads) an actual warm-blooded human being. Fan pages are different. Liking a logo works in this case. I can think of a handful of “logos” I interact with and wonder, “Is this a guy or girl?” Mug shots are scary – don’t use your iPhone to snap what appears to be nothing more than another Lindsay Lohan mug shot. If you’re genuinely using your social media to market and network, try a nice and professional head shot that is appealing. I’m not saying you need to look like a super model or GQ guy just keep it nice and “in focus.” What ya got in your hands there Fred ? What are you doing in your profile picture or background shot? Drinking? Table dancing? Wearing a biki...

I have over the years ranted about people who don't understand that they can't just post anything in the world on social media even if it's a personal page. I recently got a glimpse of an associate's picture in which it was like his 10th picture with a glass of wine in his hand. Now one glass of wine, no problem. Maybe you're at a party, and it's a toast. Second picture, well, okay I'll give it a pass. Maybe you're just at a lot of social functions and you have a glass to relax. Third picture ... now I'm starting to look sideways ... here are some important points about why it's important to mind what you're photographed doing -- especially if it's imbibing too much. Employers and Prospective Clients Now Look on Social Media -- yes, perhaps you've been interviewing for a new job. Did you know that many employers now use social media to check you out? Young people should be especially conscious of this fact. So, party picture where ...

And in a big country, dreams stay with you, Like a lover's voice, fires the mountainside.. Stay alive.. ~ Big Country That is my weird, little non-sequent as I was about to write the blog. I thought about Big Country and those lyrics from the oh-so-fun synthetic, big haired ´80s. Another quirky ´80s remembrance is Danse Parc ... anyone remember that one from West Sacramento? They used to play these eclectic artists such as Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy and my all-time favorite: Kiss Me. Kiss me with your mouth. Your love is better than wine. But wine is all I have. Will your love ever be mine? I just love the thought, "Your love is better than wine." Wine always strikes me as decadent, and I think of the deep purple of a rich Cabernet. So, I'm completely on a "wild" ride that ultimately is meant to lead you toward some thoughts on social media and not waxing nostalgic about the bygone ´80s where I had as many big sweaters as I did big hairdos....