Tuesday, May 25, 2010
The RocklandBizBuzz blog is now the RocklandBuzz blog
The RocklandBizBuzz blog is, as of today, now the RocklandBuzz blog! Look for the new blog at http://rocklandbuzz.blogspot.com See you there!
RocklandBizBuzz is now RocklandBuzz
As of today, RocklandBizBuzz is now RocklandBuzz on Facebook and Twitter- using social media to keep Rockland County "in the loop" about events and happenings in and around Rockland!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Face-to-face Networking in Rockland County- Is it a Seasonal Activity?
Face-to-face Networking in Rockland County- Is it a Seasonal Activity?
I'm up bright and early to attend a business networking event this morning here in Rockland and am having some (pre-coffee!) thoughts about networking in Rockland County. Maybe you can help me sort them out, and add in some of your own.
It occurred to me that while some businesses and items are very obviously "seasonal" (ski gear, holiday shops, swimming pool sales, patio furniture, etc.), what's less obvious is that people's willingness to network might be in some ways seasonal too. I have been meaning for a while not only to attend, but also to arrange, more business networking meetings here in Rockland, because although making new connections online is wonderful, it doesn't replace face-to-face networking and meetings. Yet, I'm only now re-starting to push myself to seek out more in-person networking opportunities here in Rockland, just as the weather report tells me that it is going to warm up. Coincidence? Probably not. The thought of catching a coffee or lunch with a colleague or client while sitting outside at a sidewalk cafe is definitely more attractive than the thought of fumbling with my umbrella as I enter and exit my car in the pouring rain and wind.
So what do you think Rockland? Is face-to-face networking in Rockland a seasonal activity?
I'm up bright and early to attend a business networking event this morning here in Rockland and am having some (pre-coffee!) thoughts about networking in Rockland County. Maybe you can help me sort them out, and add in some of your own.
It occurred to me that while some businesses and items are very obviously "seasonal" (ski gear, holiday shops, swimming pool sales, patio furniture, etc.), what's less obvious is that people's willingness to network might be in some ways seasonal too. I have been meaning for a while not only to attend, but also to arrange, more business networking meetings here in Rockland, because although making new connections online is wonderful, it doesn't replace face-to-face networking and meetings. Yet, I'm only now re-starting to push myself to seek out more in-person networking opportunities here in Rockland, just as the weather report tells me that it is going to warm up. Coincidence? Probably not. The thought of catching a coffee or lunch with a colleague or client while sitting outside at a sidewalk cafe is definitely more attractive than the thought of fumbling with my umbrella as I enter and exit my car in the pouring rain and wind.
So what do you think Rockland? Is face-to-face networking in Rockland a seasonal activity?
Friday, February 26, 2010
RocklandBizBuzzers- Are you being good "social media neighbors"?
RocklandBizBuzzers- Are you being good "social media neighbors"?
I've been reflecting a lot lately about how social media is now being utilized here in Rockland County in this first part of 2010. For starters, I am noticing more people who live/work in Rockland County using Twitter. Although I don't necessarily notice a huge increase in Rocklanders using Facebook (OK, some new faces, but I think many folks already on there since 2009 and earlier!), I do notice that they are utilizing Facebook, and Twitter, increasingly for business purposes. Here's the thing though- Some people "get it" and some people just don't. That having been said, it's very important that we're patient with the newbies, and welcoming to them. We were all new to social media once, right? In that spirit, I'd like to offer up some advice on what makes someone a "good social media neighbor".
(1) Don't SPAM. I don't think that requires a lot of explanation. The "treat others as you'd like to be treated" concept is important. It makes me think of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry asks a telemarketer who called him during dinnertime if he can call HIM back at HIS home later. It's funny because it's true! Think about it.
(2) The real power in social media is that it is an INTERACTIVE medium. Use it as such. If all you are tweeting/Facebooking about are one-way "broadcasts" about yourself, or your business, then you're not being a good "social media neighbor", not to mention that then you're missing out on the "social" in social media. If you are going to talk about your business, make sure that's not ALL you're doing. Along with your business info, try to offer something of value to your audience, such as helpful advice, a special promo, etc. so it's not always just a self-serving plug.
(3)Think before you tweet/Facebook status update. You might think it's funny to update your status when you're sloshed (and I'm not talking about today's snowfall in Rockland), but if you are doing business with even one person in your Facebook or Twitter network, or even people who are not yet "follower" or "friend" in your network, remember that there is really very little in today's online world that is really still truly "private". Sure, a rock star's tweets obviously might have a different "flavor" than a local bridal shop owner's tweets, and that's expected. No one is suggesting being uptight or not being genuine. Just be aware when you post on Facebook or Twitter of what you're putting out there, and make sure you'd be OK with it if someone in the community found it via online search later, because they WILL.
(4)You don't have to always agree, but disagree agreeably, and know when to DM.
For those not familiar with the term "DM", it's a private way to message a Twitter member (much like email messaging) when you want to interact 1-to-1 instead of in the Twitter fishbowl. It's similar to Facebook's messaging feature. Of course we won't agree with everyone all the time, and it's more than OK to disagree respectfully online with someone's tweet or post, but there are times when the conversation should be moved offline to a more private setting. For the most part, scolding or being condescending to people on the Twitter/Facebook stage with the audience looking on is not the best idea, especially for business owners. At the end of the day, it comes across like the loud obnoxious neighbor who thinks he/she is always right. Take the high road; if you feel things are escalating, correspond directly with the person in a more private way.
So are YOU being a good "social media neighbor"?
-Posted by Stephanie on Friday February 26, 2010
Follow RocklandBizBuzz on Twitter at @RocklandBizBuzz and on Facebook "Rockland BizBuzz"
I've been reflecting a lot lately about how social media is now being utilized here in Rockland County in this first part of 2010. For starters, I am noticing more people who live/work in Rockland County using Twitter. Although I don't necessarily notice a huge increase in Rocklanders using Facebook (OK, some new faces, but I think many folks already on there since 2009 and earlier!), I do notice that they are utilizing Facebook, and Twitter, increasingly for business purposes. Here's the thing though- Some people "get it" and some people just don't. That having been said, it's very important that we're patient with the newbies, and welcoming to them. We were all new to social media once, right? In that spirit, I'd like to offer up some advice on what makes someone a "good social media neighbor".
(1) Don't SPAM. I don't think that requires a lot of explanation. The "treat others as you'd like to be treated" concept is important. It makes me think of that Seinfeld episode where Jerry asks a telemarketer who called him during dinnertime if he can call HIM back at HIS home later. It's funny because it's true! Think about it.
(2) The real power in social media is that it is an INTERACTIVE medium. Use it as such. If all you are tweeting/Facebooking about are one-way "broadcasts" about yourself, or your business, then you're not being a good "social media neighbor", not to mention that then you're missing out on the "social" in social media. If you are going to talk about your business, make sure that's not ALL you're doing. Along with your business info, try to offer something of value to your audience, such as helpful advice, a special promo, etc. so it's not always just a self-serving plug.
(3)Think before you tweet/Facebook status update. You might think it's funny to update your status when you're sloshed (and I'm not talking about today's snowfall in Rockland), but if you are doing business with even one person in your Facebook or Twitter network, or even people who are not yet "follower" or "friend" in your network, remember that there is really very little in today's online world that is really still truly "private". Sure, a rock star's tweets obviously might have a different "flavor" than a local bridal shop owner's tweets, and that's expected. No one is suggesting being uptight or not being genuine. Just be aware when you post on Facebook or Twitter of what you're putting out there, and make sure you'd be OK with it if someone in the community found it via online search later, because they WILL.
(4)You don't have to always agree, but disagree agreeably, and know when to DM.
For those not familiar with the term "DM", it's a private way to message a Twitter member (much like email messaging) when you want to interact 1-to-1 instead of in the Twitter fishbowl. It's similar to Facebook's messaging feature. Of course we won't agree with everyone all the time, and it's more than OK to disagree respectfully online with someone's tweet or post, but there are times when the conversation should be moved offline to a more private setting. For the most part, scolding or being condescending to people on the Twitter/Facebook stage with the audience looking on is not the best idea, especially for business owners. At the end of the day, it comes across like the loud obnoxious neighbor who thinks he/she is always right. Take the high road; if you feel things are escalating, correspond directly with the person in a more private way.
So are YOU being a good "social media neighbor"?
-Posted by Stephanie on Friday February 26, 2010
Follow RocklandBizBuzz on Twitter at @RocklandBizBuzz and on Facebook "Rockland BizBuzz"
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