Engaging Ourselves

Recently, I wrote a philosophy paper that applied Aristotle's theories of virtue and vice to internet behavior.  Looking back on things, I wish someone had warned all of us that the internet would come back to bite all of us in the butt. As a kid, I didn't think about what, why, or where I posted things. I acted in the moment and thought the "delete" button actually meant it would be erased. However, this is not the case anymore. Lucky for me, I don't have any "life threatening" information or photos floating on the web (that I am aware of...).

In chapter 13 of Brian Solis' Engaged, he talks about a variety of ways that we can brand ourselves on the internet. Before Solis dives into these branding methods, he warns about using cautious when posting information on the internet. Solis says, "Individuals who are currently employed are also at risk of losing their jobs based on their behavior on social networks and what they choose to share online" (Solis 165). Getting fired over what you share on the internet? I thought if I ever got fired it would be because of poor work, or always being late. Social technology is changing every aspect of our society. Solis also warns that "our contributions to the Web are indexed and archived for years to come" (Solis 164). It is crucial that we are very cautious about what we choose to post on the internet. For all you know, one post could land you in the unemployment line.

As we continue through Engage, Solis begins to teach us on "personal branding." Solis says, "We are now defined by the size of our social graph" (Solis 165). Our digital identity can be affected by our following. It is important that we develop our online selves with cautious by making sure we analyze every contribution to the internet. One tool that can really help define your online presense is a blog. Blogs allow for individuals to really let their voices shine through. Unlike social media networks, you can explicitly talk about interest, hobbies, or experiences.

In order to "brand" ourselves, we must get our voices heard. In class last week, we discussed how to use Google Insights and Ad Words to figure out what tags could be placed on our blogs to make them show up in search engines. Solis also encourages this and lists a number of websites that can help bloggers find better tags and terms to increase popularity.

Once we get an audience, how to interact with them? Solis provides an in-depth list of ways to successfully converse with your readers. Solis says:

1. Stick to your area of expertise and provide a unique perspective on what's going on

2. Post meaningful, respectful comments

3. Always think before posting - also, post timely

4. When disagreeing, keep it polite

Throughout the rest of chapter 17, Solis continues a detailed list of ways to keep healthy and efficient communication flowing through your social networks.

Overall, Solis provides a great starting point for branding, internet safety, and interaction. This chapter was especially enjoyable because it related to a lot of our recent in-class discussions. In addition, I know a number of kids in the class are doing personal branding projects, so this was probably helpful. Up until a few days ago, I never considered an online portfolio or personal branding. However, Solis has provided a substantial list of great reasons that I should take my skills to the internet. High five, technology.

Social What?

"Social Media" is a fairly familiar word to most us. We use Facebook, Twitter, and a variety of other websites to keep up with friends and exchange news. But what does "social media" really mean in today's technologically savvy society?

In chapter 3 of Engage, Brian Solis helps us define and understand social media in a different light. Solis says, “we should never strive to master something that evolves much faster than our ability to fully grasp its lessons, benefits, insights, and pitfalls” (Solis 33). At first, I was slightly confused by this statement. Surely, I am a social-media-sophisticated 21 year old, of course I can grasp everything. Soon I took a step back and thought of how frequently the social tools I use have changed. In fact, it seems like Facebook is always changing, thus causing millions to relearn the social skills they had just acquired.

For most people, social media networks are just social forums. They serve as tools to help individuals stay connected with friends and loved ones. However, for marketers, social media is the microscope into niche markets. “We’re simply becoming aware of our markets, the people who define them, and our place within each community” (Solis 33). Social media networks are helping marketers really reach out to their consumers.

Solis provides an in depth list of social media tools, each with a variety of different purposes. For the most part, I had heard of the majority of the social networks in Solis’ list. However, I was floored by how many exist and how many were probably not listed. Social media tools can vary from a simple blog, to videos, location devices, and photographs. The possibilities are endless. In addition, social media networks have broken down into specific elements. Flickr is a great forum for individuals to post photographs. Websites like Youtube and Vimeo are excellent tools for bands, film aficionados, and others.


So far, we have been able to see different social media networks, but we still have yet to come up with a concrete definition. Solis puts it best when he says, “Social media is many things to many people” (Solis 36). How someone chooses to use social media network will result in their own definition.

One definition that Solis uses is, “Social media is the online tools that facilitate a conversation” (Solis 36). To me, this is the truest definition. No matter what social network we use, we are someone engaging in some form of communication. Watching videos on Youtube can spark comments, thoughts, and opinions. On Facebook we comment, read, and converse with others. No matter what social media tool we use, we are engaging in some form of communication. Perhaps that’s why it is simply called “social media.” Socializing through media.

Which Social Media Blogs am I reading today?

I find that I spend most of my day staring at my computer. Whether it be Facebooking to get through class, or just surfing the web, I lose way too many hours to my MacBookPro. It's so easy to get lost on the web. You find one thing that interests you, which inevitably leads you another thing, which in turn ends up taking 4 hours of your life. Just like that, the internet took away your day. However, every now and then you find a few sites that cover everything you're interested in. I compiled a list of online blogs that really do an excellent job of keeping me informed on all my social media interests. 

Mashable – The Social Media Guide

The real question is, what isn’t interesting about Mashable? As a Social Media addict, this blog quenches my never ending desire to read and learn about social media and technology.

         Mashable’s main strength, in my opinion, is its variety of subjects. Whether it is Twitter or Facebook, to Technology and business news, Mashable has an entire 360 degree coverage of the Social Media realm.

         Mashable appears to be updated on the minute and on the hour. As news pops up, it is instantly updated. That is another one of the blog’s strengths: timeliness. No one wants stories that 39203920 other blogs have already posted. Two-thumbs up to you, Mashable, for always being on the ball.

         Most Mashable articles are overwhelmed with comments. I use the term overwhelmed in a positive sense because it is always good to see different perspectives on the same topic. Everyone have a different outlook, and sometimes reading someone else’s opinion will flip the switch in your own brain.

         For a long time I did not know about Mashable. Simply through typing in, “social media blogs” on Google did I end up finding it. However, Mashable is very active on Twitter and Facebook. This allows it’s readers to spread to other social media networks and share news to others. 

Gizmodo – The Gadget Guide

         Despite loving social media news, I also have a love for technology (since it is the medium we acquire most of our social media news through.) Gizmodo covers all sorts of stories. When the unreleased iPhone 4 was mysteriously found in a bar this past summer, Gizmodo was the first news source on it. I like being up to date on what type of gadgets and gizmos will be coming out, and how they can help me in the future. I find myself emotionally attached to my MacBookPro. Gizmodo covers so many different stories in relation to Apple that it always spark an interest in my Apple-addicted head.

         One of Gizmodo’s strengths is the depth of some of the articles. I cannot find any other blog that has such a deep focus on technology and gadgets. I also think the simplicity of Gizmodo (ironic, eh?) is something that makes its website appealing. The articles are easy to read and are not overwhelmed with too much technology jargon.

         In terms of updating, Gizmodo is on spot. Like Mashable, it is updated as news comes in and is never behind. As I mentioned earlier about the iPhone 4, this is a perfect demonstration of Gizmodo’s active awareness and timeliness.

         I consider Gizmodo the “sister blog” of Mashable. It also attracts lots of viewers and readers. With almost 200,000 Twitter followers, it is bringing in a wide-variety of comments and opinions. This is very important in keeping news updated and circulating.

         Like I said about Twitter, Gizmodo reaches a wide audience. On Facebook, the blog is nearing 200,000 “fans.” Again, this open communication through different social networks is important when it comes to acquiring news, information, and stories.

         Leave it to the technology/gadget blog to have all these categories covered. 

The Anti-Social Media – Satirical Blog

         The final blog I chose is a little bit out of my element. While I thouroughly enjoy all the social media news, my sarcastic side loves making fun of it. Listed as one of the top social media blogs of 2011, The Anti-Social Media takes a satirical approach to the ever-growing social media networks.

         This blog definitely plays to its strength through the use of funny videos, comments, pictures, and other art forms that mock social media. A lot of the videos and pictures I saw instantly cracked me up, thus hooking me as an active reader.

         Unlike the first two, this blog is not updated as frequenty. While it has new posts almost every single day, they are simple, minimal, and usually only once a day. Mashable and Gizmodo has hundreds of articles released daily. However, for this type of “small scale” blog, the minimal updates work well.

         In terms of community interaction and circulation, activity for this blog seems average. The stories are retweeted and posted on Facebook a decent amount of times. It does not compare to the mass-sharing of Mashable or Gizmodo, but again, it is fitting for this blog.

         Community interaction is definitely great on a site like this because people enjoy the dry, sarcastic humor. A lot of times this leads to sharing with friends and family because of the laughter it brings.