Pure Michigan

We'll give it to the big businesses that run their social media like a well-oiled machine, but would you believe that one of the major benefactors in the social media craze is the state of Michigan?  That's right--Michigan tourism has again won the honor of 'How Social is Your State?' mainly due to their focus on branding Pure Michigan.

The Michigan tourism Facebook page flourished this past summer, nearly doubling its fans from 50,000 to over 100,000.  Customers were so inspired by the site and the introduction to the state, that one-third of the fans were driven to make a trip to Michigan. Fans can post pictures of personal trips, ask questions, and interact to win hot vacation deals. Their VP of travel, George Zimmermann, said their implementation of Twitter and Facebook increased not only travel, but merchandise sales for the Pure Michigan campaign. 

Who would have thought that a Facebook page would help encourage people to travel within their own country?

I am a native of Southern Indiana, so I realize how difficult it is to romanticize your state so that it encourages your fellow Americans to find value in the activities you hold dear.  But let's be real.  We can't all be Michigan, Colorado, or California.  I'm not sure, in my case, how I would market corn and John Mellencamp, although, in my opinion, both add tremendous value to our country.  First, there has to be something intriguing about the state that causes people to research what it has to offer in terms of tourism.  Michigan, in this case, has the best of both worlds in the winter and summer months. 

Do you think Michigan's previous position in the traveler's mind has anything to do with their success? How would you use social media to advertise your home state?

Social Media Goes Green...Card

Homeland Security. We know what it is, and even what it is supposed to do, but do we always know how they are doing it?  In a recent article on Hillicon Valley's blog, they actually discovered that the Department of Homeland Security is using social media to determine whether people are entering into green card marriages. 

The department even goes so far as to 'friend' applicants on these sites to figure out if their wedded bliss is legitimate.  Crazy. CRAZY.  Yes, but very smart. Because so many online users are driven by the need to connect with vast amounts of people, they seldom realize that their 'friends' are actually government detectives. Apparently, this is causing a major stir amongst those who already feel as if they are being watched by the government. Believe it or not, the government's actions are legal, but some citizens are arguing that it is just another way to keep tabs on the American people.  Perhaps, they have reason to be concerned?

The greatest worry about this avenue for investigation is that online postings may not accurately represent a user's offline life.  So it got me thinking--does my social media really reflect who I am in the day to day?

Okay, I have nothing to hide in terms of illegal immigration or phony marriages, but what I post doesn't necessarily reflect who and what I am.  However, I usually do not interact with anyone online that I don't already know in person.  Plus, I hate it when random people message me or friend request me--that is always an uncomfortable click.  I'd like to think I would be smart enough to know if a government official was investigating me, but I guess if they're a government official, they pride themselves in flying under the radar.

But it is not natives, like you and me, who are being observed.  My only question about this process is who are the immigrants (legal or illegal) being targeted?

Why WE'RE failing with Social Media

By now, many of us would agree that our knowledge of social media is a continual process.  We learned by doing--and for some, we learned by getting burned by it.  As a corporate communication major, like many of you, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what tools to apply to social media.  Would it surprise you if I said that we are actually the ones failing at it?

You might have noticed that I said how 'We' are failing in the corporate world.   Because those of us that consider ourselves to be 'corporate communicators' are largely responsible for how social media functions within our organizations, we must gain an understanding of the common mistakes individuals make in our field.  According to CMSwire, companies are struggling to get internal stakeholders to understand the importance of social networking and it's ability to reach mass audiences. Therefore, adoption of different avenues is difficult, but maintaining them at the needed rate becomes almost impossible.  These people are our internal responsibility.  External communication is just as important as internal.

Another obstacle that we are facing is trying to keep up with the Joneses.  In other words, we become so consumed with the latest social media trends that we neglect ones that are also critical components of the process. In my experience, social media platforms can become overwhelming if they are not limited, and then targeted to a certain consumer.  Quality of work will suffer if an organization has too many irons in the fire.

On the flip side, organizations are seeking employees who do not have preconcieved notions about what social media and corporate communication entail.  This can be beneficial to the social aspects of the company because they bring fresh ideas and unique concepts to the development of social media.  They are not 'blindly holding onto ideas of traditional communication.'

Whatever your major is, think about your idea of social media marketing.  Are you willing to step out of the box?  Maybe take a risk and try something new?

Remember, an organization's social media is only as good as its weakest link. Don't let it be you.

Social Networking During the Job Hunt

As a graduating senior, I am currently in the state of panic known as," I need a job."  I get it, the economy is bad.  But fortunately, one thing that will set me apart is my lack of dirt on social media sites and personal accounts. 

You may think all your privacy settings have you protected, and you may be right.  But wouldn't it be a shame if you interviewed for a position you LOVED and were then told that your Facebook page kept you from getting it? Unfortunately, this is the case with many young people attempting to enter the workforce. 

Remember the girl who had one of her Facebook photos pasted into a greeting card? Yeah, I hope she has excellent entrepreneurial skills because she's going to be needing them. 

I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the Do's and Don'ts of social media and your career. For some, these may be obvious things like don't display foul language or plaster inappropriate half-naked photos of yourself (even if you consider it to be a joke).  You may not be laughing if you lose a job opportunity over it.  Another important aspect that goes hand-in-hand with this is monitoring what others post on your social media site. This may be a comment on a blog, a picture of you completely smashed. You get the idea.  Know who your 'friends' are.

After reading the article, I sort of felt the need to 'trim the fat,' especially on my Facebook.  They say not to get too personal, and never ever gripe about a current or former employer.  That's, well, a bad idea all around.  Although I hold my cards pretty close, sometimes I tend to post things about my boyfriend, friends, etc.  Perhaps, I am overly sentimental.  Nevertheless, you can't tell the whole world about your life. 

Although we hear about the 'Don'ts,' it is also essential to use your social media to your advantage.  Update your sites with relevant information and things related to your business or employable skills.  Show your involvement in the community, and always post ideas that are thought through and rationally analyzed.  Demonstrating, that as an employee, you will bring some skill or desire to the organization that would be rare. Use it to your advantage. 

According to the article on the sentinal source, one third of job applicants are declined based solely on information found on social media.  Don't let yourself become a statistic!