MIT's Personas | Metropath (ologies) about YOU

The world is full of people who have so much to offer you and me. I see the Internet and especially the new confidence, inspired by social online media, as the push to you and me to take a chance and connect with each other. I met Julie Fogg of ActivePort (a company who installs and maintains Nortel turn-key converged telephone systems for businesss) via Twitter. We're going to publish a podcast interview about business and giving to those in need soon to post to DIDX podcasts.

Julie and I are good about encouraging each other to try to new online "tools" that might help us in our life or professional goals. She mentioned that our podcast should be done in Second Life. (Help! ;-)

Today she showed me MIT's Personas | Metropath (ologies) site. Find out what people are finding out about you, too. I'd be interested in the results, too, about you.

Here is what I learned about me Suzanne Bowen (not the aerobics instructor or the real estate agent), from most reference to me:

1. media, social, committees, news

2. SUZANNE BOWEN IS THE CEO OF THE COMPANY (AND OUT OF HER INTEREST IN THE PAKISTANI TELECOMMUNICATION MARKET WHICH, AS A BY-PRODUCT, HAS GIVEN HIM ...

2. SUZANNE BOWEN IS AN EXPERT IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, BRANDING, AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF IP COMMUNICATIONS ...

3. CEO SUZANNE BOWEN IS TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BOTH TO ASSIST TRADITIONAL TELCOS TO COMPETE IN A WEB 2 ...

4. ASIAN WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR POWER CONFERENCE HELD IN KUALA LUMPUR THAT SUZANNE BOWEN WAS A PANELIST SPEAKER FOR ON THE TOPIC OF "BRANDING WITH ...

... browse some of our team's other blogs at http://blogs.didx.net and http://blog.tmcnet.com/monetizing-ip-communications/. You're welcome to comment, contribute, and collaborate any time.

Social Media Marketing Mistakes Debate

Good job, Pam Lontos and Maurice Ramirez, Ph.D! They are the authors of "The Top 5 Mistakes of Social Media Marketing." What do you think?

Summary:
1. Have one image of yourself (brand) broadcast across the different SMM Internet platforms. I admit that I do have a different picture in a few places: Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook, Hi5, Plaxo, etc. and when I get a chance I'll streamline the profile pics, but it should be me, not what someone else wants me to be. I would never tell you what you should be. Besides, here ... I think image ... is mental, not physical (visual).

2. Don't just collect people. Make each relationship meaningful. Doesn't mean you have to be BFF with every single one, but know who they are and interact occasionally in ways that help you both.

3. Make your Facebook updates and Tweets, etc. helpful to your readers and observers and those interacting with you. Actually I disagree a bit with them on this item. They state saying something like this for a Tweet, "I'm watching a movie and eating popcorn," might not be a good idea. I think a little personal information mixed in with your commercial messages make us all fit a bit more connected. Maybe be a little more specific... like, "I'm watching Yes Man and eating some lime salted popcorn." Hmm... I might go watch that and try that popcorn, and I realize you are just as human as I am. I feel a bit more ... connected? ;-)

4. Posting inappropriate messages. Be as conservative as your most conservative client. Wait! There's such a thing as being boring and too safe. Be a bit of a risk taker. Be a little bit yourself. That's my opinion. Okay, so never post anything you wouldn't want your grandmother to see? What goes through my head is... what would I be willing to share with my Dad who is a preacher for the church of Christ. He's pretty funny himself and quite down to earth even though this particular church is known to be very conservative. Well, he's not my client, but he's a good measure of what's appropriate for me.

5. The last one... If you have something that is important to you to say and you think others can benefit from it, post it somewhere it feeds into all your social media marketing platforms you use. Ping.fm does a pretty good job at this. Facebook newsfeed can go automatically to Plaxo, etc.

I was thinking of a few more:
1. Making too many rules for those who follow you, add you, or want to befriend you. That's so negative, like I don't do NDAs or anyone who Tweets too much is off my network, or I don't accept people who don't add the TM mark on marks that require it.

2. Adding everyone, accepting everyone into your networks, even though you totally do not support their image. I.e., those who are constantly proselytizing their religion, politics, lifestyle or who put their company commercials on your wall without a real business relationship to begin with. You can say, "No." You can delete. You can block. You have the right. So I guess I do have a few rules.

You probably do, too. Debate is welcome as always!

Again, what do you think?

... browse some of our team's other blogs at http://blogs.didx.net and http://blog.tmcnet.com/monetizing-ip-communications/. You're welcome to comment, contribute, and collaborate any time.

Thought-Provoking Questions I Revised a Bit for you from TMC

Pick one or more questions and give your answers. Everyone will appreciate the variety in order to understand what businesses are experiencing. Hope to see you at http://www.itexpo.com Feb. 2-4, 2009 in Miami Beach, FL. Join the Facebook pre-networking event area for ITEXPO.

Are you generally optimistic, Pessimistic or realistic?
How many frequent flyer miles have you amassed?
How surprised are you at the global financial situation?
How is your company changing the way it does business as a result?
How have customers reacted to the slowing global markets?
Do you see this time as an opportunity or a rough spot to get through quickly?
What will companies need to do to survive this downturn?
How do your company's products help customers in a slow market?
What do you feel is the strongest segment of the communications space? Technology?
Which would you rather be president of and why? Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Cisco, the United States.
What does President Bush need to accomplish before he leaves office?
What does an Obama administration need to do to help communications and technology become more pervasive?
Will this slowdown present an opportunity to reinvest in your company/market? If so, where will you invest?
Which country will present the largest opportunity for your company in 2009/10?
What device(s) do you use and wish you used?
If Nokia, RIM, Google and Apple devices are stranded together on an island, who survives and why?
If you are exhibiting, sponsoring, presenting, and/or networking at ITEXPO which takes place Feb 2-4 2009 in Miami, describe what you hope to accomplish?
What sorts of companies/people should come to your exhibit if you have one?
Why should customers choose your company’s solutions – and how do they justify the expense to management?
I am a purchasing decision-maker, why do I need to speak with you before I buy?
What is your favorite part of your job?
What do you look forward to in the future and why?


... browse some of our team's other blogs at http://blogs.didx.net and http://blog.tmcnet.com/monetizing-ip-communications/. You're welcome to comment, contribute, and collaborate any time.