When starting out, social media is fun, engaging and exciting. But as your online social networks begin to grow, the interactions with others becomes (or should become) more frequent in both quantity and quality.

So, what happens if you can’t keep up?

I found that for the majority of my recent pregnancy and after the birth of my newest son, keeping up with my personal social networks has taken a backseat to the social networks I’m required to maintain as part of my job. At the end of the day, I just don’t have enough time or energy to participate in both work-related AND personal social media.

For me, Twitter was — and is — the hardest social media outlet for me to maintain. The frequency of entries expected is what makes Twitter so demanding. Of course, if utilized, it’s also one of the most satisfying social media mediums in which I’ve participated. To be able to instantly connect with other professionals in my field has proven invaluable to me in the past.

Facebook, on the other hand, has been the one social media avenue in which I’ve been able to continue my personal social media efforts.  The problem with Facebook is that I find it difficult to make new connections with people and tend to only connect with those I already know when using the site.

LinkedIn is another important social networking site I have been failing to utilize as well I could.

And lastly, blogging.  I love to blog, but lately I haven’t making time to take part in this enjoyable pastime.  Hopefully this trend is changing, because I miss sharing my thoughts here.  Even if my husband is probably the only one to read them besides me!

I know how important it is to maintain my professional contacts and networks, and yet I have been so pressed for time that entertaining my personal social media interests feel somewhat indulgent and nearly impossible right now.

Talk to me.  What do you do to balance your family while still maintaining your personal and work-related social media involvement?

Even though I haven’t been actively writing on my blog, I have been keeping extremely busy! Below are a few of the projects I’ve completed over the past year:

Web Design Projects -

Banner Designs –

Banner Design for Yarndex

Banner Design for TKGA/Yarnmarket Contest

Banner Design for TKGA/Yarnmarket Contest

Banner Design for Knitch Magazine

banner Design for BargainYARNS

Banner Design for Yarnmarket

Email Newsletters –

Emial Newsletter Design

I’ve also pulled together some mini-sites for Yarnmarket collection galleries and contests. Here are a few examples: http://www.yarnmarketfabulousfelines.com, http://www.yarnmarket.com/fabulous_felines/index.html
, and http://www.yarnmarket.com/abbey/index.html.

Yes, I’m pregnant.  And apparently the new baby needs much more care than I anticipated.

After plowing my way through about three months of exhaustion and morning sickness, I am now 90% functional–despite the absence of my favorite vice…excess caffeine.

The new baby is due the first part of September, and my husband, son and I are looking forward to learning the baby’s sex at my mid-point ultrasound scheduled for April 27th.

I thought I should post a quick note explaining where I’ve been.  I hope you’ll all join me as my blog enters a new realm: pregnancy-induced unpredictability!

Maybe you’ve been there.  Spent hours meticulously tweeking a CSS/XHTML *standards compliant* Web design only to find that upon checking your *perfect* design in Internet Explorer 6, it is…COMPLETELY BROKEN.

Why is IE6 (and IE in general) still causing Web designers and developers so much frustration?  Why do so many Internet users still use IE6?

According to statistics published monthly to the W3School Website, as of November 2008 46.6% of Internet users still use IE, 20% of which are still using IE6. Why!?

It is so sad that developers have to seriously limit their designs to work in IE, write additional “hacks” to get designs to work in IE, or write an entirely separate style sheet (CSS) for those viewing the Website in IE browsers.

Here is a tip for anyone using ANY IE Web browser:

YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE IE AT ALL!

In fact, there are so many wonderful, free browsers (Firefox, Safari, Opera etc.) that there is no reason at all to use a bug infested Web browser (IE5, IE6, IE7, IE-anything) that doesn’t support a such large portion of contemporary design features.

Internet Explorer is holding us back!

Let’s not continue to enable Microsoft to take advantage of us.  Let’s choose not to use IE.  It’s a poorly constructed Web browser that does not support the newest design options, which are supported on every other modern browser.

So please, please! If you’re not using Firefox, Safari, Opera, or any other non-IE browser, follow the links provided to download one immediately, or find another non-IE browser of your choice.  I personally prefer Firefox, but any of the above mentioned browsers are 1000% better than any IE bowser.

Internet technology is evolving rapidly, and until we either move away from IE, or Microsoft steps up to the plate to bring IE up to par, we will continue to deal with the set-backs, and restrictions that developing around IE causes.

Thanks for listening to me rant.  This has clearly been a sore spot for me over the past several weeks as I attempt to design a Website that renders decently in IE6.

Do you use an IE browser?  Would you consider trying a new browser that is more advanced and supports contemporary Web designs?  Why or why not?

Over the past several months I have interviewed with countless companies, turned down two job offers that were not right for me, and finally, landed my dream job.

I accepted a Web Manager position with an online yarn retailer called Yarnmarket. Yarnmarket has numerous Websites that need managed, and a plethora of new Web projects for me to tackle. The past two weeks I have been working on an online fashion magazine for knitters called Knitch. It’s so much fun that I can’t believe I’m getting paid to do it!

A new MacBook Pro, Adobe Creative Suite 4, wonderful upper management and flexibility that allows me to telecommute most days makes this the job I’ve been dreaming about for months. I’m so thrilled to finally have access to the professional software I need to accomplish designs that were not possible before. Flash animated banners, here I come!

You’re probably thinking that all this fun can’t last forever, and maybe you’re right. But right now I’m so excited to wake up and get to work each day that I can’t imagine the feeling fading anytime soon.

All of this recent job euphoria led me to wonder any of you have the same preference for working environments as I do. So please share. What is your ideal job and/or work environment, and why?

Would you feel comfortable entering an industry where the required skill-set changes almost weekly? For those in the Wed Development field, that is exactly the job atmosphere they face.

Don’t believe me? Just think back at how much Web Development has changed since its inception almost 50 years ago. The Internet has gone from an ugly text-based data storage and transmittal device for scientists, to an interactive knowledge, information, and entertainment portal for anyone who has Internet access and a Web browser.

These changes have inevitably affected the day-to-day tasks and challenges faced by those in the Web Development profession as they struggle to keep up with the rapid growth, and changing technology in their field.

Art Meets Technology

It’s no longer enough for Webmasters to know how to properly code a Website that functions properly. Don’t get me wrong, a functional Website is still critically important, but it isn’t the only consideration for Web Developers today.

Modern Websites need to also have an appealing design that indicates a well-organized navigational structure, visual hierarchy, graphical elements, and well-written, concise digital content. As such, contemporary Web Development professionals need a fundamental understanding and working knowledge of graphic design and Web writing principals.

Marketing for the Web

A fairly new expertise Web Development professionals are required to understand and incorporate into any successful Website launch is emarketing, or Internet marketing. Different than its traditional marketing counterpart, emarketing is a discipline within the Web Development field that incorporates ecommerce, Internet marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to create a findable, and memorable Website.

Constant Change

The only constant in the Web Development industry is change. The skill-set needed by Web Development professionals today will probably have changed by this time next year. In a field this integrated with current technology, it can be expected that the evolution of Web Development will be constant, and those who bore easily will likely thrive in this ever-changing, multidisciplinary field.

What do you think are important skills for a Web Developer to possess? What are some ways Web Developers can stay current on the changing technology?

Following the birth of TIVO and DVR, we began seeing television shows that are so diluted with product placements, that it’s difficult to determine if the writers even had a say in the script. A typical character line (even in those so-called reality shows) might sound something like this, “After I get back from this XYZ cruise, I’m going to take you to Pearflys for dinner so we can talk about our new Electurbo car purchase.” In the background, music from a carefully selected artist is playing, and the characters are most likely drinking an energy drink while watching another one of the networks t.v. shows, and plugging away on a recognizable brand of laptop. Once you realize this is happening, you will never watch t.v. without noticing the persuasive ploys of these brand pushers again.

You might be thinking, yeah Jenny, we all know about the product placement inundating our favorite t.v. shows. I get that. But what about the product placement creeping into the blogs we all turn to for uncensored, brutally honest thoughts and assessments on a variety of subjects–including products?

I was surprised to have companies start pitching me several weeks after starting this blog. I would hear something like, “We have this new product and we want you to write about it on your blog. We will pay you for every lead/sale/customer you bring in.” The funny thing is, the products never even have anything to do with the subject of my blog–social media and eMarketing. And lets get real, is my blog really the one you want to pitch to draw an audience? I’ve only been blogging for about three weeks! I have six subscribers, and I’m pretty sure one of them is my husband.

Being pitched like this led me to wonder: How many bloggers are being paid-off by companies to favorably represent the subjects they write about? Apparently, quite a few.

After a little bit of research into the subject, I have determined what I deem to be ethical when it comes to blogging about companies or products for cash. Here it is:

• Disclose your relationship with the company. If you’ve been blogging for awhile, your audience will have grown accustomed to your tone and subject. Blogging about a company or subject you are receiving an incentive for is fine–if you disclose the relationship. Your readers are smart. They will see right through you.
• Don’t agree to blog favorably about a company. It’s one thing to agree to include information about a company or product into your blog for money (if you disclose the relationship to your readers), but it’s another to have your opinions on the company/product dictated to you. Which leads me to my next point.
• Be real. I can not stress enough how important I think this is. Your readers trust you to give your honest opinion about your subject. If you’re lying, THEY WILL KNOW. Then all that trust you’ve built? Gone.

I’m not saying that blogging about a company or product is always bad. I’m saying that using good judgment when deciding whether to agree to such a relationship is important.

What do you think about product placement in blogs? If you’re a blogger, have you been pitched to blog about a company or product? If so, how do you base your decision?

********
Other articles you may find interesting:
Product placement as marketing malfeasance
Marqui Product Placement in Blogs
Product Placement on Blogs, An Ethical Dilemma?

In honor of Blog Action Day 2008, I would like to recognize to the wonderful Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) volunteers that donate their time and energy to bring nourishment and hope to homebound individuals all across America.

As a child I remember accompanying my mom and next door neighbor on weekly outings to deliver hot meals to elderly people, stuck in their homes. I recall the gratitude and appreciation these older citizens expressed as they accepted their hot meals, shared some conversation, and thanked us for coming out. For some, this hot meal delivery was the only human contact and nourishment they would experience for the entire week. This sharing of food, human contact and hope was made possible by the MOWAA.

The MOWAA describes their organization as one “that provides nutritious meals and other nutrition services to men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk.” Although their mission is “to eradicate hunger and malnutrition among America’s seniors and others in need,” I was surprised to learn that MOWAA’s services extended beyond delivering hot meals to senior citizens. I wonder how many homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk individuals go without nourishment because they don’t know that MOWAA is a service in which they can participate?

More than just a meal, MOWAA offers recipients the comfort of knowing that someone will be “checking in” on them several times per week. Just knowing they haven’t been forgotten offers hope in the face of lost independence and loneliness that many of these homebound, disabled, frail, or at risk individuals experience.

As with most non-profit organizations, MOWAA is only as strong as its volunteers. If you’re interested in making a positive impact in the lives of those in need by becoming a MOWAA volunteer, please check with your local MOWAA chapter to see how you can help.

Live in Columbus Ohio? If you live in Franklin or Madison county contact Lifecare Alliance, or if you live in Delaware county, check out Growing Older to learn how you can help.

It’s been nearly two weeks since I took the plunge. Joining the ranks of social media and eMarketing bloggers everywhere has been an exhilarating process, but things have not gone perfectly. I’m still in the process of learning all of the blogging etiquette rules–and as I’m sure many new bloggers can relate–I’ve unintentionally broken a rule (or two…or three).

While I’m the first person to acknowledge that some rules are meant to be broken, these are a few of the blogging mishaps I don’t plan to repeat going forward:

• Not ending each post with a question to elicit conversation and opinions from others. If the whole point of a blog is to start a conversation, build community, and learn from a collective pool of knowledge, then asking readers for their opinions only makes good sense.
• Adding a signature line including (gasp) my Web address to comments posted to other blogs. I think most blog applications include a form for those leaving comments to register by filling in a name, email address and a Web address. The email address remains annoymous to everyone other than the moderator of the blog, but the name will typically appear as the header to the comment and readers can click-through the name to a Web URL if one was entered. I’m so used to the notorious email signature, that not leaving a signature on blog comments is taking some getting used to.
• Reading a blog post, having an opinion, and not posting my thoughts. Contributing to the ongoing conversation blogs cultivate is part of the fun (and responsibility) of being part of the blogging community. It takes participation to keep a community going, and in the blogsphere, that participation translates into providing comments on other blogs when you have an opinion.

Mistakes are just part of the learning process. Blogging is a great way to share ideas and gain perspective, and I’m willing to stumble a little as I master this new art. Sometimes messy paintings turn into great masterpieces, and I’m not about to let a potentially great blog slip away because I wasn’t willing to endure a few stray brush strokes along the way.

What do you think are some additional blunders that bloggers should try to avoid? What mistakes did you make when you first began blogging?

I selected these blogs as the best because they are either helping me along the road to social media enlightenment, or because they stuck out in my mind as containing valuable, engaging, timely, or amusing information related to social media. So without further ado, here are my top 4 social media blog picks (in no particular order):

Best Social Media Blog #1 :: Lara Kretlers’s Blog

http://www.larakretler.com/

Lara’s was the first social media blog I stumbled across after joining the microblogging community Twitter early last week. It’s witty and full of insightful social media related information. A must read for anyone who participates, or is interested in social media.

Best Social Media Blog #2 :: The Harte of Marketing

http://www.theharteofmarketing.com/

Beth Harte’s The Harte of Marketing blog is full of interesting posts about marketing, social media and communications. The October 6th post titled “Who are you? And why should I follow you?” is a fascinating glimpse into the culture and etiquette of Twitter for both newbies and veterans alike.

Best Social Media Blog #3 :: Hajj E. Flemings Blog

http://www.hajjflemings.com/blog/

Hajj’s recent post titled “Mastering 140 Characters: Personal Branding Tips for Twitter” is an outstanding source for those that use, or plan to use Twitter. Again, I am definetly in “Twitter Mode” this week, so any smart content related to Twitter is capturing my attention in a big way.

Best Social Media Blog #4 :: Shannon Paul’s Very Official Blog

http://shannonpaul.wordpress.com/

Shannon has loads of fantastic information about social media and Web 2.0 on her blog. It’s certainly worth reading if your a social media or Web 2.0 junkie like me.

That’s it! Thank you to all the social media bloggers out there for sharing your knowledge with us. The well-written blogs I’ve encountered in the past week have BY FAR given me much more insight into this social media phenomenon than any book I’ve ever read. Seriously.

Do you have a favorite blog that discusses social media trends? If so, please share it with us!