Twitter = is like information snacking

I can nosh on tidbits of information all day and night. It’s a great way for me to maximize my information intake in small doses through even the busiest of moments. The reciprocal is also snack worthy. I can share resources, thoughts and ideas throughout the day. Satisfying my need for continually knowledge consumption.

Blogging = is like sitting down to some good comfort food

Snacking is great, but there’s always a slight gnawing for more. No matter how much I tweet or read there’s always an insatiable craving. A craving and hunger that can only be satisfied by sitting down to an awesome blogging session.

As a blog reader and consumer of information – there comes great satisfaction with reading thoughtful, intelligent and original blog posts. It’s like reading Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre. It takes time, thought and focus – but the end is a stimulating satisfaction that stems far greater than the context of 140 characters.

It’s not a matter of one or the other, it’s a healthy balance both. Tease me with your tweets – but also open my eyes and mind to links that lead to well thought out meals that will keep me coming back for more!

Photo courtesy of matas.p via flickr

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• What Web 2.0 applications do you use? Use the most?
• What do you see as the benefits (personal, professional) of using Web 2.0?
• What are the challenges. restrictions, downsides to Web 2.0?
• Where do you think Web 2.0 is headed?
• How would you recommend a business make use of Web 2.0?

The exercise of responding was cathartic. It was reminiscent of one of those “What the 4th of July Means to Me” essays that were so popular in fifth grade. Oh you know the ones – with complimentary drawing that used a haphazard mix of crayon colors [usually whatever hadn’t yet been snatched up] to depict stick figure families, hot dogs and fireworks.

The point being that everyone drew the same picture – they all wrote the same thing.

They created what was expected – what they thought they were supposed to draw. To me, it sounds all too familiar. Web 2.0 or social media [whichever is your preferred term] is being depicted in a similar fashion. By now, most folks are working diligently to create what looks like the same picture perfect social media strategy. Facebook fan pages, check, Twitter, check, digital video, check, …

Too much thought is going into what appears to represent a “good” social media strategy. It’s not coming back to the audience. Yes, I’ll be the first to tell you that you should not ignore social media, but it can’t be hastily implemented in a disconnected, tool centric fashion.

Get social. Get messy. Don’t give them what you think they want or expect from you. Listen. Wait. Participate. Then give them what they ask for – in innovative new ways. If there was ever an opportunity to color outside the lines this is it.

Heck, break out the finger paints!

Create your own way. Definitions, frameworks and rules aside. Remain mindful of the fundamentals, but be creative and innovative. Time is precious - for both the creator and the audience. It should be fun. As a creator you want to be challenged to provide value in new, unique ways. As part of the audience, we want our attention grabbed. We don’t want the same templated execution, but rather something that doesn’t fit the model – provide bright excitement and raw honesty.

What Social Media Means to Me - by Vanessa Rhinesmith
Please note: this is raw and unedited [grammatical savvy is out with this one]

What Web 2.0 applications do you use? Use the most?
Right now, Twitter, my blog [WordPress] and I’m a HUGE fan of Delicious [social bookmarking is far from dead for me]

What do you see as the benefits (personal, professional) of using Web 2.0?
This is a loaded question. It depends on the company and/or the person. Either way it can be a great way to connect and collaborate with others - remember it’s about collaboration.

What are the challenges. restrictions, downsides to Web 2.0?
The challenges and restrictions are human centric - not everyone wants to listen or participate in the conversation - nor do folks have the means. Remember that not everyone has a computer or access to the internet. The additional downside, is too much hype around Web 2.0 - people aren’t thinking it through they are too wrapped up in the buzz word…[I'll get off my soapbox now].

Where do you think Web 2.0 is headed?
It will become Web3.0, Web4.0…until it’s replaced with a new word. Seriously though, Web3.0 - it’s going mobile and don’t think that virtual is dead. It’s not, oh, and cloud computing.

How would you recommend a business make use of Web 2.0?
First ask, are they ready to LISTEN to their customers and/or employees. Secondly, are they ready to JOIN the conversation in a transparent and collaborative way? Can’t even bring in the tools if you don’t know the actions.

Box of crayons photo courtesy of turbojoe via flickr

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So, who in Boston [or NH, Maine, NYC...other] wants to have coffee [or tea] on me?

Current coffee takers:

• Cara Lisa Powers: @caralisapowers - Founder of By Any Media Necessary
• Larae Junior: @lnj4boogie - Nonprofit Marketing Maven
• Matt Saunders:@mattsaunders - Internet Lawyer Extraordinaire

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Right now I am counting down the week until I have officially completed [and attained] my MBA. That’s right, the end is actually in sight with t-minus seven weeks …and counting. I have several ideas percolating and I hope to find some time to reflect upon them soon.

Be well - and squeeze a little fishing in this summer.

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The following is from last week’s Alliance for Community Media Northeast Conference, where Colin talks about how new technologies offer a unique opportunity for community media and its members. To attain such success it is critical that a social media strategy is created cognizant of not only the wants and needs of a center’s members, but also takes into account what is currently being used. Remember, it’s about them, what they need to make media and to tell stories - it’s not about you [via Colin, stated in clip below].
 

For full post by Colin: Social Media and Community Television at ACMNE09
 

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It’s hard to believe that after three years of classes, homework, exams, papers, laughter - and the more than occasional tears, my degree is actually in sight. My second to last semester has been a brutal one, but also full of life lessons learned, which I’m both grateful for and humbled by.

The greatest of those lessons has been creating time. While there are never enough hours in the day, that’s no longer limiting. Instead I welcome the day knowing how much I can accomplish in 24 hours, and part of those hours need to be not just devoted to work and school, but also to me - and the few things I unconditionally cherish.

Right now is me time. The end of the semester is kicking into high gear and that’s where most of my attention will be. The remaining will be spent indulging in moments of clarity as well as with my stellar husband [and his equally stellar band].

So I will be away from blogging - and most personal technology - for an undecided amount of time. Please feel free to read reflections, insight and opinions from the past year, and contact me if you’d like to chat over coffee; since I’ll need plenty of it.

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Crazysexylife.com is a supercharged health hub filled with compassion, knowledge, and an anything-is-possible spirit. Our righteous mission is to bring together amazing resources and cutting edge experts in one easy to navigate hot spot. Each time you visit you’ll be greeted by Kris’ latest blog or by one of her righteous Blog Posse members or guests (courtesy of Crazy Sexy Life).

Are you 100% Sexy.

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The bar I set for myself academically, personally and professoinally is high; my husband would argue too high. The result is too many hours, on too many things. This morning I was feeling particulary calm, assessing the past 24 hours and looking at the week/month ahead.

In my bag was a piece that I had printed out from Adam Singer, of The Future Buzz. Each morning the The Future Buzz arrives in my mailbox, this was the first morning I had printed it out to read en route into the city. I know not very eco friendly of me, but I read better with tangible sheets of paper. Ironic I know.

This is what I read, Ignoring Others Is Necessary To Reach Your Potential:

Embrace your inner drives and put your soul totally behind them. If others don’t understand then they’re not a supportive force, and you have to learn to ignore them.  I know this is not easy to do, but long term it is necessary.  Choose influences that support what you want to accomplish so you don’t reach a point where those in your life are fighting against you.

I am a big believer in the law of attraction, which states (in brief):

People’s thoughts (both conscious and unconscious) dictate the reality of their lives, whether or not they’re aware of it. Essentially “if you really want something and truly believe it’s possible, you’ll get it”, but putting a lot of attention and thought onto something you don’t want means you’ll probably get that too.

By aligning yourself with those who are supportive, mentoring others who have equal passion, and limiting connections only to those individuals that are going to push you further and increase your focus, you’ll be on a path to your full potential.

Adam, thank you!

Never has something been so timely or resonated so vibrantly. Please know that the print out has not gone to waste as it has taken permanent residence in my bag as a daily reminder and affirmation.

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What better way to start your spring, then with new fashion forward humanity conscience clothing. I continue to be inspired by my friends; one of these lovely, creative people is Heatherjean MacNeil, Founder of Proxy and Fashion with Impact:

Fashion With Impact aims to awaken consumers to the ethical fashion revolution. FWI is committed to promoting the emerging ethical fashion family of designers, brands, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and retailers. FWI defines ethical fashion as apparel and accessories made from sustainable and recycled textiles & produced by workers earning a fair wage. FWI empowers consumers to make a difference to through fashion, to “Fashion With Impact.”

Follow Heatherjean on her journey at Chasing Miracles.

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