Trends in Social Media Resources

I'm excited to be teaching another Trends in Social Media Writing course for the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension this weekend! Using blogs as a focus example, below I've compiled what I think are great resources on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, I'd love to hear them!

Introduction to Social Media

• Clay, R. (2008, May 15). 5 reasons your business needs a blog.  Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/randa-clay/intelligent-design-crm-www/5-reasons-your-business-needs-blog
• Common Craft. (2007, November 30). Blogs in plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
• Common Craft. (2008, May 28). Social media in plain English. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://commoncraft.com/socialmedia

Basic Web 2.0 Features and Functions

• Kerpen, D. (2011). Likeable social media: How to delight your customers, create an irresistible brand. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Goldman, J. (2013). Going Social: Excite customers, generate buzz, and energize your brand with the power of social media. New York: American Management Association. 
• Holmes, R. (2012, November 29). The can't-miss social media trends for 2013. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/3003473/cant-miss-social-media-trends-2013 
• Simply Zesty. (2013, January 2). The trends that will shape social media in 2013. Retrieved from http://www.simplyzesty.com/social-media/the-trends-that-will-shape-social-media-in-2013/  

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies

• Bellamkonda, S. (2010, July 6). How to blog effectively to market your small business. Small Business Trends. Retrieved from http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/how-to-blog-effectively-to-market-your-small-business.html
• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog 
• Brooks, R. (2010, May 10). A blog won’t help your business. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/1650142/a-blog-wont-help-your-business 
• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 22). Self-serving content will only drive fans away. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/self-serving-content-will-only-drive-fans-away/article2279507/

Promotional Writing and Ad Strategies

• Ball, R. (n.d.). 11 tips for Ad Word success. Retrieved from http://www.apogee-web-consulting.com/sem_articles/google-adwords-tips.html 
• Boag, P. (2010, January 4). Stop using stock photography clichés. Retrieved from http://boagworld.com/design/stock-photography/  
• Dixon, G. (2011, Nov 11). Ashton Kutcher: Dude, Where’s my editor?! The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/ashton-kutcher-dude-wheres-my-editor/article2232666/ 
• Nielsen, J. (1997, October 1). How users read on the web. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html 
• Oliveira, M. (2013, January 16). Do Justin Bieber and Stephen Harper rely on ghost-tweeters? The Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1315867--do-justin-bieber-and-stephen-harper-rely-on-ghost-tweeters

Technology How-To

• Google. (n.d.). Blogger getting started guide. Retrieved from http://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1623800
• Google. (n.d.). Blogger help. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/support/blogger/?hl=en
• Gunelius, S. (2010, July 5). How to use your business blog to get people talking about your brand. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-your-business-blog-to-get-people-talking-about-your-brand-2010-7 
• Steinberg, S. (2010, May 3). 10 ways for your business to make headlines. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-for-your-business-to-make-headlines-2010-5

Evaluating Your Strategies

• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog
• Cowgill, D. (2009, January 29). How to install Google Analytics on Blogger [Web log posting]. Retrieved from http://www.eblogtemplates.com/how-to-install-google-analytics-on-blogger/
• Carr, N. (2006, July 18). Lessons in corporate blogging. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2006/tc20060718_932217.htm
• Madia, S.A. (2010, August 16). Five social media land mines companies must avoid. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/grow/customer-experience/five-social-media-land-mines-companies-must-avoid/article1674300/?service=mobile  
  
• Reuters. (2011, July 26). Aussie swimmer warns athletes over social media ‘monster’. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-culture/social-networking/aussie-swimmer-warns-athletes-over-social-media-monster/article2109845/

Interview with Social Media Guru Andrew Symes (Part I)

I'm looking forward to teaching my Trends in Social Media Writing (for Business and Non-Profits) course again this January at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Extension.

A few months ago, I had a chance to connect with Ottawa-based Marketing Communications Consultant, Andrew Symes, about his exciting experience inside a NASA tweet-up. Andrew shares interesting insights into social media in this part 1 excerpt of the interview. Enjoy!
Interview with Andrew Symes Part I from E Smith on Vimeo.

Old materials, new digital tech spark evolution of "open source"

I love how this short video shows the evolution of "open source" to involve old antique materials (with unique physical/material qualities) and new digital technologies. Also: I want one!

"Slow" Jams on Social Media

I like this post about "Slow Social Media" -- I've been meaning to try This Is My Jam, and perhaps now I have good motivation. I won't give away the ending, but the three lessons are interesting.

Social Media Writing

After a great course this past weekend, I'm really excited to be teaching another class on Social Media Writing for the Faculty of Extension tomorrow. Again, here are a few great resources I've found on the topic, including some additional links on writing tips -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, please let me know!

Introduction to Social Media

• Clay, R. (2008, May 15). 5 reasons your business needs a blog.  Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/randa-clay/intelligent-design-crm-www/5-reasons-your-business-needs-blog
• Common Craft. (2007, November 30). Blogs in plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
• Common Craft. (2008, May 28). Social media in plain English. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://commoncraft.com/socialmedia

Basic Web 2.0 Features & Functions

• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 29). How the social media conversation will change in 2012. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/how-the-social-media-conversation-will-change-in-2012/article2285329/
  

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies  

• Bellamkonda, S. (2010, July 6). How to blog effectively to market your small business. Small Business Trends. Retrieved from http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/how-to-blog-effectively-to-market-your-small-business.html
• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog 
• Brooks, R. (2010, May 10). A blog won’t help your business. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/1650142/a-blog-wont-help-your-business 
• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 22). Self-serving content will only drive fans away. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/self-serving-content-will-only-drive-fans-away/article2279507/

Promotional Writing and Ad Strategies

• Ball, R. (n.d.). 11 tips for Ad Word success. Retrieved from http://www.apogee-web-consulting.com/sem_articles/google-adwords-tips.html 
• Boag, P. (2010, January 4). Stop using stock photography clichés. Retrieved from http://boagworld.com/design/stock-photography/  
• Dixon, G. (2011, Nov 11). Ashton Kutcher: Dude, Where’s my editor?! The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/ashton-kutcher-dude-wheres-my-editor/article2232666/ 
• Nielsen, J. (1997, October 1). How users read on the web. Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html 

Technology How-To

• Google. (2007, May 11). Blogger: How to start a blog [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo 
• Google. (n.d.). Blogger help. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/support/blogger/?hl=en
• Gunelius, S. (2010, July 5). How to use your business blog to get people talking about your brand. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-your-business-blog-to-get-people-talking-about-your-brand-2010-7 
• Steinberg, S. (2010, May 3). 10 ways for your business to make headlines. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-for-your-business-to-make-headlines-2010-5

Evaluating Your Strategies

• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog
• Cowgill, D. (2009, January 29). How to install Google Analytics on Blogger [Web log posting]. Retrieved from http://www.eblogtemplates.com/how-to-install-google-analytics-on-blogger/
• Carr, N. (2006, July 18). Lessons in corporate blogging. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2006/tc20060718_932217.htm
• Madia, S.A. (2010, August 16). Five social media land mines companies must avoid. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/grow/customer-experience/five-social-media-land-mines-companies-must-avoid/article1674300/?service=mobile  
  
• Reuters. (2011, July 26). Aussie swimmer warns athletes over social media ‘monster’. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-culture/social-networking/aussie-swimmer-warns-athletes-over-social-media-monster/article2109845/

Trends in Social Media - Resources

I'm really excited to be teaching a course on Trends in Social Media Writing (for Business and Non-Profits) for the Faculty of Extension next weekend. Here are a few great resources I've found on the topic -- if you have any suggested resources to add to this list, please let me know!

Introduction to Social Media

• Clay, R. (2008, May 15). 5 reasons your business needs a blog.  Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/randa-clay/intelligent-design-crm-www/5-reasons-your-business-needs-blog
• Common Craft. (2007, November 30). Blogs in plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.commoncraft.com/blogs
• Common Craft. (2008, May 28). Social media in plain English. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://commoncraft.com/socialmedia
• Des Jardins, J. (2005, Aug 1). Business blogging for beginners. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/97/open_5-things.html
• Yao, P. (2010, July 6). The art of business blogging. Today Online. Retrieved from http://www.todayonline.com/Business/Impact/EDC100706-0000043/The-art-of-business-blogging  

Basic Web 2.0 Features & Functions

• Allemang, J. (2011, Dec 30). Reshaping history: Crucial players in 2011’s revolutions. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/reshaping-history-crucial-players-in-2011s-revolutions/article2286135/
• Google. (2007, May 11). Blogger: How to start a blog [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4gXHkejMo 
• Google. (n.d.). Blogger help. Retrieved from http://www.google.com/support/blogger/?hl=en
• Madia, S.A. (2010, August 16). Five social media land mines companies must avoid. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/grow/customer-experience/five-social-media-land-mines-companies-must-avoid/article1674300/?service=mobile
• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 29). How the social media conversation will change in 2012. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/how-the-social-media-conversation-will-change-in-2012/article2285329/
  

Effectively Using Social Media Technologies 

• Nielsen, J. (1997, October 1). How users read on the web.  Retrieved from http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html
• Bellamkonda, S. (2010, July 6).  How to blog effectively to market your small business. Small Business Trends. Retrieved from http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/how-to-blog-effectively-to-market-your-small-business.html
• Brooks, R. (2010, May 10). A blog won’t help your business. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/1650142/a-blog-wont-help-your-business 
• Dixon, G. (2011, Nov 11). Ashton Kutcher: Dude, Where’s my editor?! The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/ashton-kutcher-dude-wheres-my-editor/article2232666/ 
• Pearson, M. (2011, Dec 22). Self-serving content will only drive fans away. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/self-serving-content-will-only-drive-fans-away/article2279507/

Technology How-To

• Gunelius, S. (2010, July 5). How to use your business blog to get people talking about your brand. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-your-business-blog-to-get-people-talking-about-your-brand-2010-7 
• Steinberg, S. (2010, May 3). 10 ways for your business to make headlines. The Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/10-ways-for-your-business-to-make-headlines-2010-5

Evaluating Your Strategies

• Brooks, R. (2009, Aug 20). 25 ways to promote and market your blog. Fast Company. Retrieved from http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/rich-brooks/social-media-strategies-small-business/25-ways-promote-and-market-your-blog
• Cowgill, D. (2009, January 29). How to install Google Analytics on Blogger [Web log posting]. Retrieved from http://www.eblogtemplates.com/how-to-install-google-analytics-on-blogger/
• Carr, N. (2006, July 18). Lessons in corporate blogging. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2006/tc20060718_932217.htm
• Reuters. (2011, July 26). Aussie swimmer warns athletes over social media ‘monster’. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-culture/social-networking/aussie-swimmer-warns-athletes-over-social-media-monster/article2109845/

The State of E-Learning in Canadian Higher Ed

Hello again, blogger and Twitter accounts. I know it's been a while since I've last posted (and, I know one of my posts last year was about not abandoning your accounts...). So, here I am, ready to renew my posting efforts! Lots has been going on...

A couple of things that I've been following lately in the world of e-Learning. One is the article from the National Post, "Students Give E-Learning a Grade of Incomplete." It seems that the jury is still out on what all is going on in the world of e-learning -- particularly regarding notions of digital natives, popularized by Marc Prensky in 2001. Reading the full report on e-learning in higher education in Canada (see: The state of e-learning in Canadian universities, 2011: If students are digital natives, why don’t theylike e-learning?) gives us a chance to begin to see some of the perplexities and complexities of e-learning today. Unsurprisingly, students like some ed tech things sometimes, and dislike other technology innovations at other times -- it's all about context, and the teaching and learning purposes for which the technologies are being used.