So as everyone knows, Facebook rolled out its newest, stalker-ish feature: Places. You know, thinking about this one, it’s definitely a good way for parents to keep their kids in line. However, if your parents are Mideastern like mine were, then ‘in line’ might preclude doing anything but chores or work/school outside the house (if a girl). So maybe it isn’t that good of an idea, after all to share where we are at all times, especially with so many “Brown” parents learning the ways of Facebook to hang out with their friends (a.k.a. Rich-Mama-Syndrome).
In case the Brownies amongst us want to keep their time on “study dates” and the “library” secret from ever so hip Pakistani/Iranian/Arab moms and dads, the link above should help you figure out how to turn of places, and keep your limbs intact.
People have a tendency to either fear the unknown or in a business deal fear being swindled by the unknown. That definitely happens in Social Media, and Political Consulting.
The idea behind social media for me is a lot more about creating a culture of ethics in our world than simply earning a paycheck from consulting businesses and public figures.
We’re standing on the edge of a cultural revolution. The way we do business isn’t the only thing changing. The way we elect our leaders and talk about national concerns are, too.
Every day there dozens of hearings on Capitol Hill on topics ranging from Facebook usage in Iran to poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Imagine the impact if these could live-streamed for free over YouTube?
In 2009, Boston College stopped issuing email addresses. Why? Because Generation Y’ers aren’t looking to show off that they go to Boston to job recruiters and intern scouts–that’s why we have resumes. Our value system is different: if you’re worth our time, we’ll make sure you know: through Facebook. Gmail made it cool to use a non-proprietor email address, and we still use our Gmail account extensively here at the firm.
Back to what we do.
Social Media Consulting is a form of Social Entrepreneurship. By designing a strategy for a candidate share their message over Orkut.com and Facebook .com, we’re making politics better. Why? Because we’re giving Mr. Smith the ability speak directly to his electorate for pennies on the dollar when compared to Television and Radio ads. By helping Mr. Smith have a shot at being elected, we’re leveling the playing field to have a Citizens’ Congress, not an “old boys club” in Annapolis, Washington or anywhere else.
By helping a small business establish its LinkedIn.com and Twitter.com following, we’re giving Main Street a fighting chance against the national franchise that opened up next door.
And by helping a local homeless shelter raise awareness to local press and other traditional media, we’re helping niche causesinspire mainstream audiences.
That’s the power of Social Media, and the power of my generation’s printing press. The YouTube clip below is a little boring, but it’s aimed at people who want to think deeper about just what Social Media is doing to how businesses live and breathe in America:
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