I'm Just Sayin'

I'm Just Sayin'

3 Reasons I Hate Blog Posts that Feature Lists and # Reasons

Dave Siekanowicz - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

See what I did there? Very tongue in cheek (if I do say so myself).

This blog is a combination rant,commentary and airing of grievances all in one. As part of my daily research to keep up-to-date with all things social, digital and PR, I go through a bookmarked list of blogs that feature the latest posts related to said areas of interest. I then check my Twitter lists to see what the important people are Tweeting about. Since Twitter is a great sharing platform I figure any worthwhile stories, blogs and articles will eventually be tweeted.

And I must report that I have noticed an annoying trend. Let me know if you see it:

5 Tips for First Time Managers
5 Ways Social Media is like a Networking Event
5 Facts You Didn't Know About Facebook Edge Rank
7 Reasons Every Job Seeker Should Have a Blog
11 Things That Annoy Journalists and Bloggers

Numbered Lists! The most frequent post titles read like the cover

of a Cosmo Magazine! I don't believe that everything we discuss

and share can be summed up in a list of points or steps. Since when

did everything become so black and white? Especially in the world

of new media! Those "4 Steps to Gaining more Followers on Twitter"

can become passe, annoying and outdated methods a week from now. On the other hand who says it takes 4 steps? Is there no 5th step, is there no way to take it down to 3 steps? Cheeses Murphy- what about those who have a 1 step method that gains them more followers than anyone else (having the name Justin Bieber usually helps with this).

So, what are we to say then? Is it the chicken, or the egg? Have we begun to expect a quick fix via a list of steps and procedure to the problems in the world of professional communications? Or is this step listing method the holy grail, the special sauce, the ancient Mayan paradigm that actually holds the answers to all our communication problems? Maybe numbers just intrigue us in a way words cannot; must be that shiny toy syndrome.

You may notice that I did not actually list 3 reasons as my title suggested- my point being it doesn't matter. It's fun to read said blogs and they are oh-so-easy to Tweet out to our followers, but we must remember that the numbers can change from day to day [correction- they do change day to day]. Just when you thought there are only 11 things that annoy journalists and bloggers you may be surprised to find out you subconsciously posses the hidden "12th thing".

Dave Siekanowicz

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#Happy Birthday in the world of @Social Media

Rachael Carswell - Thursday, April 28, 2011

I must credit the inspiration behind this blogpost to our very own Leanne who is celebrating her birthday today: Happy Birthday Leanne!

The impact of the internet of celebrations, rituals and ceremonies is not all that new. It feels like birthday e-cards have been around for at least 15 years and since then not much has improved. That is until social media helped take something as simple as "Happy Birthday" to the next level. Whether you're on a student budget or have money to spend, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube now offer more ways to wish happiness on the day of your friend's birth than ever before.

Sure you have your stereotypical wall post, tweet, video, fan page or private message, and those are all great. But what happens when social media decides to *really take it to the next level? We now live in a world where you don't have to spend money to buy real gifts or cards for your special someone. You now have the option to spend money on a non-existing virtual gift! Yay! Why buy something when you can buy nothing?

Facebook has their own Gift Buying network, where for a few dollars you can send a rose, a puppy or a bunch of balloons in an attempt to extend your warmest wishes. Since then we have seen a rise in third party applications which allow you to buy and send mini virtual dancing clowns, rabbits or whatever you please. But virtual gifts are nothing compare to virtual parties! For a fair price this application will allow you and a few friends to celebrate that special day by chatting, playing games and killing time together in community right on Facebook regardless of your physical location. But what birthday "gift" tops all of these? Well, how about taking out an ad wishing your friend a Happy Birthday? Using Facebook ads you can create an ad of warm wishes and target it towards all your friends and that special birthday celebrator.

Regardless of how you chose to express your birthday wishes there seems to be a divide between the free (I would argue sane*) method of a wall post or tweet and the excessive sending or creating of a virtual 'nothing'. I beg to ask why, but I feel that spending the money is what justifies the gift; it's what reflects your extra effort in wanting to be different and go the extra mile.

Words of wisdom- instead of spending money on a virtual gift why not head over to World Vision and buy the gift of food or medicine to those who desperately need it in the name of your birthday friend. There's an idea that will topple every virtual teddy bear Facebook has to offer*

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Developing a Web Site?

Alan McLaren - Wednesday, December 09, 2009

As a PR and digital marketing firm we often get calls and emails from friends and family after they have done a DIY attempt at a web site.

But as with every question asked of us, we have more questions. It starts with the goals of the site. Is it just to have an online business card that has a few more details where you can send prospects (not a good idea).

Or do they see it as a channel to help generate leads, with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media and Banner or Google ads as part of the digital strategy (better).

Sometimes folks think, build it and they will come... Not today... Build it properly and then market the crap out of it is more the strategy.

But the latter requires investment of time and money.

Finally a good site should reflect a personality, a brand, a differentiator.

A blog, use of video, and good quality photos (all properly optimized for search) should be part of the plan.

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