First I would like to say how excited I am about how technology is growing and express my joy at  the amount of progress that has been made in such a short span of time. We are truly moving toward the Jetsons Age, how cool is that?  I am still waiting for the flying cars and I am a little disgruntled that they have not appeared yet. However that is another story and an entirely different blog post.

I have seen so much growth in technology within the past fifteen years and super quick growth within the past two years. The growth in the past two years, have a direct connection to mobile technologies and I think the pace will continue to pick up as we develop smarter, quicker and better mobile technologies. We are truly living during a huge technological transition era and we are literally living through history making events in regard to technology growth.

I have really noticed amazing changes in attitudes about this ever growing digital and social media space by individuals and companies. What’s so exciting about these changes in attitude are that most of the changes have been with organizations NOT individuals.  Although most organization owners may not necessarily be all warm and fuzzy about social media and digital marketing on a personal level, the more savvy business owners are starting to recognize the benefits to their business to develop a strategy to move full force into this digital marketing space.  This is huge because, just a few years ago there was a huge amount of push-back by company owners about social media. I’m not saying that all push back is over only that I have noticed more companies although not really into social media on a personal level, are recognizing the benefits to their organizations.

It’s a bit hard to believe but the majority of negativity to social media is now coming from individuals that either don’t get it, are intimidated by the growth of technology or those that are stuck in the murky depths of resistance to change and  lack the ability or inclination to embrace this technology. I’ve had multiple discussions by quite a few people that are strongly resistant to changes. Some are so adamant that they are wishing failure to some social media platforms so they can go back to how the world was BEFORE social media.  The primary reason for this thought process is that there is a resistance to change within their areas of technology and their  pushback is based on their inability and or lack of motivation to step their games up. SERIOUSLY!

I do believe that the extreme negativity toward social media to this degree is some form of extreme misguided view of ones own self importance.  When a person would rather a technology that has benefited so many be eliminated because they lack the drive or inclination to step up their game, is beyond my comprehension. A HUGE part of any technology is dedicating oneself to continued growth, so that you can always be on top of your game.  This is more important than ever now due to the super quick growth of technology.  If you are in a technology field and you lack the capacity to stay on your game by dedicating yourself to continued education, you may need to rethink your career choice.  JUST SAYIN’

It is surreal to talk to people that have narrow views on growth and advancement of technolgy this is especially so for those that are in technology fields.  I can’t imagine why anyone would want to slow the progress of technology instead of embracing the changes and using this amazing growth in technology to learn new things.

I am glad that outlooks on turning the technological hands of time backward is not the thought process of mainstream technology enthusiasts.  Also very excited that although some individuals have odd view on technology growth that organizations are really stepping up their game and diving head first into embracing the technology needed to take their organizations to the next lever.

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced a new found push-back by individuals about technology growth and social media?  Have you seen new efforts by organizations to embrace technology and social media?

Related articles

• Internet Marketing Or Social Media Which Is Best For Your Organization? (anisesmith.info)
• #SocialMedia Platforms And #EmpireAvenue: Different Strokes For Different Folks (anisesmithmarketing.com)

I am truly  a reformed WordPress basher and I fully admit that I was totally wrong. I use WordPress.com for this blog and WordPress.org for a few additional blogs that I write for.  I have tried practically every blogging platform available, Posterous, Blogger and Tumblr ( I still use Tumblr and I love this platform as well).  I have found WordPress to be an amazing platform and this is primarily due to the abundance of plugins available.

1. Google Analyticator: Any an all online presences need analytics!  If you create a blog or website you really need to have the ability to monitor the effectiveness of your work.  The Google Analyticator does just that.
2. Googlyzer: Is a plugin that I just started using and I really love it. This plugin allows you to pull Google Analytics from Google right into a WordPress Dashbord. This is a great time saver!
3. My Category Order: As you know the listing for Category is in a default order but this plugin allows you to rearrange the order according to your needs.
4. My Link Order: This is the same as My Category Order except it allows you to change the order of your links.
5. My Page Order: I absolutely LOVE my page order because like the above two plug ins, My Page Order allows you to change the order of your WordPress Pages.
6. Pinterest Pinboard Widget: Everyone loves Pinterest and we all want to show off our Pin Boards. This Plugin allows you to do just that.  You can select how many columns and rows that you’d like to display.
7. Trackable Social Share Icons: Everyone uses social media icons to share their content, but as a lover of Analytics I love this plugin because it allows you to attach analytics to social sharing icons.
8. Ultimate TinyMCE: I absolutely LOVE this plugin!  This tiny, yet very powerful plug in allows you to add an amazing editing ability to your blog posts.  It’s like a little HTML Editor build right into WordPress and this is one plugin that I can’t do without!
9. Tweet old post: Tweet Old Posts allows you to share previously created blog posts with your Twitter followers.
10. Tumblrize: Allows you to autopost to Tumblr.
11. wpSUBpages Redirect: This is another favorite! This plugin allows you to redirect WordPress Pages to other page, subpages or URL’s
12. Twitter Badge Widget: This simple but wonderful plugin allows you to add your tweets to your blog.

One of the most powerful thing about a WordPress blog is its ability to create an easy avenue in which to add different functionality as needed. The plugins are on of the things that make this platform so attractive to bloggers.  The amazing array of plugins created by these amazing developers have really propel this platform to the forefront and it’s what truly makes WordPress the ROCKSTAR of blogging platforms.

Related articles

• #SocialMedia Platforms And #EmpireAvenue: Different Strokes For Different Folks (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Woman In The Workplace: What Have We Accomplished? [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• #Facebook IPO: It’s NOT A Double Rainbow But What Does It Mean [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)

We all know that Facebook Rocks! Love it or HATE it, Facebook has really changed the world, how we communicate and even how we market our businesses. Facebook’s IPO has been speculated about for quite a while so now that it’s here, what does it mean for you? Take a look at the infographic below to view Facebook’s journey.

Created by: MBAOnline.com

Related articles

• #SocialMedia Platforms And #EmpireAvenue: Different Strokes For Different Folks (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Woman In The Workplace: What Have We Accomplished? [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Mobile Rocking’ The World In A Global Way[Infographic] (qrcodepromoproducts.com)

There’s a variety of different social media channels for those that are interested in exploring their social media options. Some channels fit better for some social media strategies. Not all channels are a great fit for everyone and not all channels are great for every social media strategy.  Social Media is still evolving, we are all learning as we go and most will continue to try out different channels to explore what is a fit for their brand. This is all a part of the growing process in this technological boom that we are experiencing now.

It is unfortunate when people have bad experiences online with different platforms.  I believe that in any arena there can bad experiences and there can good good experiences. I have experienced a few obnoxious people on a few social media channels but never anything extreme or anything remotely considered to be in the douchebag category.  Further, I haven’t experienced a conglomeration of douchebags on any channel and this includes Empire Avenue.  I usually don’t speak out on what I hear others say about various online channel and I usually keep my opinion of their vocalizations to myself. However, I felt a need share my thoughts this time because I was a part of group that held an extended conversation about how the people on Empire Avenue are douchebags.

I have come across a few people that have been less than desirable on some of the social media channels, but honestly not a lot and nothing really extreme. They were just a little annoying at best.   I do realize that not everyone will agree with me and my social media strategy and vice versa. However disagreement does not necessarily make a person a douchebag.

Disagreement on any issue should not put them in the douchebag category. There are NO two people that will totally agree on everything,  that is a part of human nature.  Having a difference of opinion than another person should not put them in line to be labelled a douchebag.  Similarly, if one choses not to partake in a certain platform, those that do so should not be considered douchebags.

For the past year and a half I have been playing Empire Avenue and I have yet to stumble upon one douchebag, not that I even use that term. What I have found has been a platform with amazing people that have an amazing grasp on technological advancements, future technologies and Internet Marketing used to promote their businesses.  There are people in Education, Real Estate, Accounting, Recruiting and more that have embrace this platform as a means to network and meet amazing people.

Empire Avenue is a great channel to monitor your own social media engagement and effectiveness. Additionally it can act as an amazing avenue to expand your network. I have found it to be an amazing channel to meet like-minded people of the non douchebag variety.  Empire Avenue is like any platform it is good for your Internet Marketing strategy or not. You either click with the people or not but there is NO need to disparage an entire platform because you’ve had a disagreement with a person that happens to be on a platform.

Social Media people should treat those that they meet online as they treat people offline, oh maybe that’s the issue.

The takeaway:

Even if you don’t agree, SHOW SOME RESPECT, Different Strokes For Different Folks! 

Related articles

• Privacy Starts With Ones Ability To STOP Irresponsibly OVERSHARING (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Mobile Rocking’ The World In A Global Way[Infographic] (qrcodepromoproducts.com)
• 1/4 of 2012 Is Over, Have You Stepped Up Your Social Media Game (AniseSmith.info)

I am a huge lover of Social Media, I mean really, what’s NOT to Love!  I love the sharing, engaging and the ability to reach out to so many people all over the world.  I have been so lucky to be able to meet so many wonderful people by way of social media.  One of the things that I noticed within my social media circle was how many people actually use social media to bring attention to causes.

I have not had an opportunity to participate in many social good projects  in the past but that has changed recently.  I am currently working with a brand NBN Group based in Cherry Hill New Jersey. They have  a division New Behavioral Network that does amazing things for kids with Autism and Behavioral Challenges.  They have events, family fun night and camp for children with disabilities.

New Behavioral Network has teamed up with Papa Johns for a Fundraiser called Adopt A Camper. The goal is to send as many kids with Autism to camp as possible.  How Awesome for the kids!  So 20% of your regular menu  Papa John’s Pizza order will go to the Adopt A Camper program on 5/14/12 – 5/16/12. You must use promo code AACFUN @PapaJohns.com or mention this order if you call a local Papa Johns in NJ, PA & De. 

Download The Flyer For More Coupons To Give To Your Friends!

Thank you in advance!

Women have come a long way from having limited options within the workplace. Although we have come a long way, we still have great strides to make.  This is especially the case in technology focused areas. Since I am in a technology focused industry I would love to see more women enter into this field.

Take a look at the Infographic below to give you an idea of where women in the workplace are doing well and some areas that is in need of improvement.

Via MBA@UNC MBA Online & Women 2.0

Related articles

• Privacy Starts With Ones Ability To STOP Irresponsibly OVERSHARING (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Has #Klout & Measuring Influence Created A Wave Of #SocialMedia Snobs? (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Blogging Better Than Facebook? Why Not BOTH? [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)

I am a rather incognito member of a group #UsGuys that is comprised of some of the most amazing people that I have ever had the good fortune to meet.  I was invited by Josepf J Haslam about two years ago but honestly it seems like much longer. As a rather incognito member I tend not to be as involved with some of the things that go on although I do follow some of them.

Sunday a social good push was started  to help someone near and dear to most people in #UsGuys, and although I do not personally know the recipient,  I felt compelled to offer any help that I could.  In other words I was totally on board.  The planning, creation and implementation happened quickly and in the most organized way that I had ever witnessed.

There was a short amount of time spent discussing the use of creating a trending hashtag to support this cause and then the forward motion started. I was quite amazed at the speed in which this effort started and moved forward quickly.

As a person involved with Internet Marketing and Social Media with the goals of creating awareness for businesses and marketing I am still amazed and awe struck at the awesomeness of a Hashtag used for any cause but especially social good projects. Social Media is used on a regular basis to create buzz around a brand with the goals of increasing sales but it can also be used to create a buzz around a project that is more beneficial than money.

Social Media is great for business but awesome sauce for causes to uplift humanity, to raise awareness and to promote causes that are near and dear to us. It also creates an avenue by providing channels needed to plan, create and implement a project almost effortlessly.

As we move along in our daily lives sharing and engaging on our social media channels we should understand that social media offers us the amazing opportunity to meet great people, share great information and most importantly do great things for people on a global scale with minimal effort.

Social Good brings awareness to causes and allows these causes to gain so much more exposure by way of social channels. Please use this post as an opportunity to become aware of causes that you may have the ability to help with.

I hear so much about Privacy this and privacy that, oh my god Facebook is Invading my privacy again, blah, blah, blah-blah BLAH!  Firstly, there is no such thing as privacy as we’ve known it, we are not living in the 80′s.   If that is what you are looking for you could very easily just quit all of your social media channels and then simply turn OFF your computer. However we all know that is not going to happen.

The third thing that a person could do to make sure their privacy has not been compromised by social media channels,  is to STOP OVER SHARING. Yes, I said it AGAIN. I noticed that the people that yell the loudest about their privacy being invaded by Facebook and various other social media channels are the ones that are the most guilty of over sharing.

There are just some things that need to remain private and I am not talking about funny little antics that have taken place during a persons day that others will find funny and uplifting. I am talking about some the the disturbing things that people share by way of status update that we just do not want to look at, hear about or would ever want permanaently branded into our brains. Before you post anything online ask yourself if you’d like to see what you plan to share floating through your newsfeed.

Things that I am pretty sure no one wants to see:

• We do not want to see what your cat ate and then expelled from its body.
• We do not want to see a video of your c-section, minute for minute and in its entirety. I had a c-section and I didn’t want to be in the room to watch my own procedure. Seriously, this is NOT Facebook newsfeed going viral sort of content.
• We do not want to hear about hurling, burping, pooping, farting, scratching and most importantly we don’t want pictures either.

I say all of this to make the point that privacy starts with you and your ability to have an awareness about what information that you select to share. If you do not post out of bounds pics, say inappropriate things, share distasteful video you limit the chances of this information coming back to bite you.

As we move ahead with social media and social sharing we should utilize the privacy options that all social media platforms have in place. However most importantly we MUST develop an awareness about the information that we share.  The golden sharing rule that I abide by is, I only post something that I would not be ashamed to show my father, son or grandmother.

The take away: Think before you share and share responsibly!

Related articles

• Man Up! #Google+ And #SocialSearch IS HAPPENING..So Sink or Swim (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• That was Then, This Is NOW: #Facebook and #SocialMedia AS WE KNOW IT NOW… (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Networking: ROCK Every Aspect Of Facebook (anisesmith.info)

One of the things that I’ve notice lately is the growing number of people that are a little snobby about social media and the creation of a social media cast system so to speak based on the measurement of influence or lack there of.  There are people that may thrive in some areas of social media a bit more than others, but how can there really be a mastery to the extent that one feels superior to those that may not know as much?  Especially when social media is still growing and evolving and we are ALL learning daily about the various channels and platforms. As soon as it is perceived that we have mastered one area it changes and we have to start at square one almost. This is the primary reason NOT to feel superior about any step you may have ahead of a person in any one platform.

Klout and other channels used to make an attempt at measuring social media influence are really responsible for creating a wave of social media snobs that feel superior, if these so called influence channels give them a score that is higher than other people. Klout is really not a valid measurement of social media influence or anything beyond a channel that is now geared toward sales and increasing their own worth. I am not knocking this as this has shown to be a lucrative business platform to most because after all increasing revenue is the reason why most companies are in business. I say this, however to make people think about basing their perception of themselves as higher and others lower based on a system that has flaws in the measurement of influence. This measurement of influence is based on an algorithm that we are unfamiliar with, that can change on another persons whim and by a company that is driven by increasing their own revenue. Again, I am not by any stretch minimizing any business platform based on increasing revenue only cautioning that WE should not base our opinions on others based on reasoning of a company driven by profit. Further we should not minimize interaction and or engagement based on social media snobbery created by some perception of influence.

Social Media is a conversation and geared toward increasing interaction between people and or companies. Social Media should not be used to create a hierarchy, minimize others and practice snobbery  so much so that we feel others are unworthy of conversation,  based on any flawed platform of influence.

Related articles

• Klout Doesn’t Really Measure Influence [STUDY] (mashable.com)
• That was Then, This Is NOW: #Facebook and #SocialMedia AS WE KNOW IT NOW… (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• #SocialMedia Peeps: Stop Using The Word GURU (anisesmithmarketing.com)

I find that a lot of people involved with social media tend to get into discussions about which platform is better with the ultimate goal of eliminating of one platforms they are discussing. This happens often with the Facebook and Google+ debate, with the goal of eliminating Facebook and totally defecting to Google+ or vice versa. This debate is really unreasonable because there should never be a goal to eliminate either platform because both usually serve very different purposes and are geared toward a different demographic. My followers on ALL of my social media platforms are ALL very different.

Imagine when I ran across a demographic that presents reasons why blogging is better than Facebook.  I can’t even understand why one would have created an infographic like this as both platforms are so totally different.   Additionally one is really used to push the other, Facebook is a huge tool in pushing any blog. Social media really is a great vehicle in which to drive any content, especially a blog.   A blog is truly irrelevant without readers and social media platforms act as a vehicle to drive readers.

Take a look at the Infographic below which points out why Blogging is better than Facebook.

Related articles

• The Evolution of #Facebook [INFOGRAPHIC] (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• Social Media and Customer Service [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)
• How Much Of Your Time Is Spent On #Facebook? And #Pinterest? [Infographic] (anisesmithmarketing.com)