Social Networking for the Working Professional

Social Networking for the Working Professional

The #1 statement I hear when I suggest social networking to my clients is “I don’t have time to keep up with social networking”. I must admit, I too being occupied with business and personal development, client project management etc., I did not make time for keeping up with social networking.

The Good News
Social networking applications have made it simple to use and easy to manage. For example, did you know that you can link your WordPress blog to your Facebook and Twitter pages? By linking them together, you save time by updating one interface rather than multiples.

Business Development : Nourishing the Creative Vine

Managing a business can be difficult. One of the most important pieces to a business is growth. As you gain more clients, your business grows and you are forced to tweak and change your business to fit the needs of each and every client. Go ahead and blow the dust off of your business plan that you’ve written years ago. It is time to revive the creative vine with some inspirational nourishment.

Having a business alone is not enough. As the world grows and the population changes you must adjust the business to fit your customers needs. When I say the words “social networking” to a client – it is followed by a slow roll of the neck and eyes. The 21st century professional who is handling the functional and operational side of their business leave little or no time for technological balance and improvement. If it weren’t for the people, we would have nothing to work for right? It is time to become your consumer. Get into the mind of your demographic and what they are looking for. Our end goal is to satisfy the needs of our consumer, in order for our business to continue to grow.

It starts with you. Take time out of your week to start a blog or e-newsletter. Reach out to your clients in an emotionally meaningful way. Take a look at what other businesses similar to yours are doing to reach out to their clients and grab hold of some good ole inspiration!

Here is our inspirational link of the month: www.thebestdesigns.com – Check it out!

Erin Jordan, Principal of EJDesign Firm
www.ejdesignfirm.com

It’s been a while…

You know the feeling of being away..kinda like missing a loved one or friend? I feel that way with my blog. My blog that will connect me to the people, share my wildest dreams and visions, I have neglected you. There has been so much on my mind since November. I have completed grad school, and have been given astounding visions by God for my life’s journey. I think the distance has assisted me in clearing my mind and bringing me back to focus. I notice that as you become older your dreams tend to change and mold around your life.

There is always a part of me that feels un-done. I feel like a strawberry using only one seed. I have a desire to come back to the basics and where I began. How I became creative and started seeing visions. I used to sing, dance and I love to act. Not just any type of acting – The kind of acting that makes you almost unrecognizable with impromptu crying and screaming. I feel as if I need to get back to what brought me to my creative place in order to embark upon leading Joho in order to reach the masses as I should.

Stay tuned for greatness…
EJ

Twitter for Boosting Business

Using Twitter for Business

For those who have not had a chance to dive into Twitter, now could not have been a better time. Currently Twitter is used as a social networking tool to connect with people around the world. Twitter has grossed 15 million by May of 2009. During this month, Twitter execs Jack Dorsey and Evan Williams are switching places. Williams will be the company’s CEO and Dorsey will take over as chairman of the board.

Currently Twitter does not charge to open a account, like other social networking sites – but relies solely on revenue from advertising from external corporations. There are rumors that Twitter will be offering premium accounts for businesses that want to use it as a marketing tool.

Twitter Netiquette

1. Hear your audience
Ensure your message is being heard, by practicing a little good old fashioned PR. Listen to what your followers are seeking in you – and deliver. Take the time to follow up with leads in a professional way.

2. Update on a daily basis
Using Twitter is beneficial if you use it correctly, and regularly. Don’t tweet the mundane tasks of the day,
but tweet beneficial information and inspirational facts that benefit your readers and keep them following.

3. Take advantage of Twitter applications
ChirpCity, Tweepz, SocialOomph to name a few are used for tagging, promoting and updating business events.

Keep on Tweeting!

The Art of Possibility

The Way Things Are – In the way things are, there was a part of the chapter which I would like to discuss. There was a powerful sentence from the book that read “the capacity to be present to everything that is happening, without resistance, creates possibility”. This sentence is so powerful and truthful at the same time! If people accepted the things they can not change and did not resist the good or bad – we would have a totally different outlook on the final result. I am a very optimistic person and I strongly believe in “happy accidents”. We make them all the time, and it creates beautiful opportunity and possibilities.

GarageBand Application

GarageBand is the Bomb and I’ll tell you why! After researching copyright and fair use law, you’re better off creating your own song in GarageBand, rather than going to through the process of asking permission to use a popular song on your website or presentation materials. Not creative enough? Don’t even worry about it! GarageBand gives you the ability to use the build-in sound effects, drums, strings etc., to build upon an original beat or song that you have created. This program is especially great for song writers – to create samples of songs you have written accompanied by vocal recordings etc. Check out the video podcast above to learn one of my favorite features in GarageBand.

GarageBand Intro Link: http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

Enjoy!

Erin Jordan

Source:
Apple, Inc. (2009, October 19). GarageBand 09.  Retrieved from:
http://www.apple.com/ilife/garageband/

Adobe Bridge Application

One of the great programs that comes with the Master Suite collection is Adobe Bridge. With my Graphic Design background, I had the opportunity to learn how to use Adobe Bridge at a Adobe conference. This was the first time they introduced Adobe Bridge into the software, and I thought it was a great tool for educators and designers alike.

The Art of Possibility

The Art of Possibility is a very inspirational book seeing that it discusses the ability to make anything impossible.
It’s All Invented – In the first chapter one paragraph that stood out to me in particular was “Resources are likely to come to you when you are generous and inclusive and engage people in your passion for life.” This in my life has shown to be true. The more I share my vision with others – the better I am at accomplishing my goals with good people around me who support my vision and can see it as well.

EDM613 (Week 3) Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q&As

Ron Smith Interview Interactive Q&A Study Guide

Question 1:
In the interview with Ron Smith, what types of media does he suggest students are using in order to express themselves?

Answer:
Ron discusses how students are using a combination of flash animation and video in order to become more creative.

Question 2:
What are some ways that Ron Smith keeps his students engaged?

Answer:
Ron uses movies, sound, websites and movement to keep the students involved.

Question 3:
What are two unique ways that Ron uses media to interact with his students while meeting them at their learning level?

Answer:
Podcasting and text messaging.

Question 4:
What is one of the biggest challenges in bridging the teacher/student technology gap?

Answer:
Some teachers rely on Power Point presentations to engage students, rather than branching out and educating themselves on how to create interactive media presentations for the students. This creates a rift between teacher and student.

Question 5:
Name one of the three new technologies that students are using, and it’s use.

Answer:
Scratch (application) is used for building games online.

EDM613 (Week 2) Folk Culture/Mass Culture/Convergence Culture

First off before I go into the reading I have to say that Quentin Tarantino is absolutely amazing! I have enjoyed his movies before taking a film or production class. I just wish I can sit and pick his brain…he just seems like such a interesting individual. Anyone who can successfully capture the mind of your viewers like he has is simply genius!

How has technology changed the division between folk culture and commercial or mass culture?
Personally I think the connection between folk culture and commercial culture has not only been changed due to technology, but time. Time has changed people, and the prospective of the world. The urge or excitement of learning something new, or a new form of media has inspired people to learn. This even applies to the mom and pop towns with small populations. Whether they are behind in the “times” or advanced in their learning, mass culture and technology has enabled everyone to know something…large or small.