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"
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!!!
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!!! Will blog again in 2010 :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Rockland County Shows New York That Good Things Come in Small Packages
Rockland County Shows New York That Good Things Come in Small Packages*
*Special thanks to Dr. Jordan Lewart of Orangetown Smiles who provided a topic idea that helped inspire this blogpost
It could be because I've only grown up to "tower" around 5'4" in adulthood, but during my childhood I often heard the cliche "Good Things Come in Small Packages." I usually dismissed the trite expression as some sort of compensatory phrase friends and family would offer to help us short folks feel better about ourselves, but in writing this blogpost have had occasion to re-examine this expression in a different way as it relates to community and intimacy, the kind of community and intimacy found in Rockland County.
When I recently asked the Rockland BizBuzz 'Facebookers' and 'Twitterers' to suggest topics for this blog, one that particularly piqued my interest came from Dr. Jordan Lewart of Orangetown Smiles who wrote "...as a county we are the smallest in New York. It's almost like we are a big town... [there is an] intimate feel in Rockland." One quick check of Wikipedia will confirm that, yes, "Rockland is the smallest county in New York outside of New York City." It's a interesting factoid, and I started wondering if it could possibly help explain why Rockland County has the fine reputation it does for being warm, friendly, and for having local businesses where the store owner and/or staff most often knows your first and last name and maybe even remembers to congratulate you on that local award your son or daughter or spouse recently won. There's something to be said for "small".
Surely, it's easier for local Rockland County businesses to keep track of customers' likes/dislikes/needs when a county is small. It's also easier and more likely for community members to run into one another as they prepare for holiday celebrations at the gourmet shops when there are only a certain number of gourmet shops in the area. The familiarity and proximity help create a warm, intimate feeling.
There is a darker downside to "small" though too. Xenophobia, and also fear of "the new" (regarding new ways of doing things that have traditionally been done otherwise) can occur. In fact, in preparing this blogpost, a few local folks who do not engage in social media (and therefore not yet familiar with Rockland BizBuzz on Facebook or Twitter or the RocklandBizBuzz blog) turned me down and/or wouldn't contribute ideas either because Rockland Biz Buzz wasn't yet known to them and/or because of distrust of "that new social media stuff". Only one of those few was borderline rude (in the holiday spirit I will spare the person's name and organization name), but I did get the distinct feeling that I was being interrogated a bit, perhaps even finding myself as the unintended ambassador/defender of social media in Rockland!
(Supplemental rant: I guess given my many years working in Corporate Communications, I did and do always respect the time-sensitivity when a reporter, and these days, when bloggers, call or email me, tell me they're on deadline, and that they need contributors for a story. It's simple, either contribute and help, or don't, but please don't harangue, and it's certainly not an opportune time for a lengthy interrogation of the reporter/blogger. A few questions are expected and fine, but when you're writing on deadline, it's no time to be put on the spot to defend the value of social media in general. I'm happy to talk to you about it when I'm not on deadline! Geez! This concludes my supplemental rant. Blogpost continues below.)
Still, it's easy to see and feel the benefits of "small", and it feels warm and GOOD. It may seem trivial, but I do love that when I go to the drycleaners they print out my ticket with my correct name without having to ask me. I love that the nail place knows what colors I usually choose and that the local take-out place knows that when they receive a phone order for a certain set of menu items, that they guess it's for my household and know my address. I also love when I bump into Rocklanders "IRL" (in real life) with whom I first became acquainted via Rockland social media/Rockland online communities; they seem like old friends.
*Special thanks to Dr. Jordan Lewart of Orangetown Smiles who provided a topic idea that helped inspire this blogpost
It could be because I've only grown up to "tower" around 5'4" in adulthood, but during my childhood I often heard the cliche "Good Things Come in Small Packages." I usually dismissed the trite expression as some sort of compensatory phrase friends and family would offer to help us short folks feel better about ourselves, but in writing this blogpost have had occasion to re-examine this expression in a different way as it relates to community and intimacy, the kind of community and intimacy found in Rockland County.
When I recently asked the Rockland BizBuzz 'Facebookers' and 'Twitterers' to suggest topics for this blog, one that particularly piqued my interest came from Dr. Jordan Lewart of Orangetown Smiles who wrote "...as a county we are the smallest in New York. It's almost like we are a big town... [there is an] intimate feel in Rockland." One quick check of Wikipedia will confirm that, yes, "Rockland is the smallest county in New York outside of New York City." It's a interesting factoid, and I started wondering if it could possibly help explain why Rockland County has the fine reputation it does for being warm, friendly, and for having local businesses where the store owner and/or staff most often knows your first and last name and maybe even remembers to congratulate you on that local award your son or daughter or spouse recently won. There's something to be said for "small".
Surely, it's easier for local Rockland County businesses to keep track of customers' likes/dislikes/needs when a county is small. It's also easier and more likely for community members to run into one another as they prepare for holiday celebrations at the gourmet shops when there are only a certain number of gourmet shops in the area. The familiarity and proximity help create a warm, intimate feeling.
There is a darker downside to "small" though too. Xenophobia, and also fear of "the new" (regarding new ways of doing things that have traditionally been done otherwise) can occur. In fact, in preparing this blogpost, a few local folks who do not engage in social media (and therefore not yet familiar with Rockland BizBuzz on Facebook or Twitter or the RocklandBizBuzz blog) turned me down and/or wouldn't contribute ideas either because Rockland Biz Buzz wasn't yet known to them and/or because of distrust of "that new social media stuff". Only one of those few was borderline rude (in the holiday spirit I will spare the person's name and organization name), but I did get the distinct feeling that I was being interrogated a bit, perhaps even finding myself as the unintended ambassador/defender of social media in Rockland!
(Supplemental rant: I guess given my many years working in Corporate Communications, I did and do always respect the time-sensitivity when a reporter, and these days, when bloggers, call or email me, tell me they're on deadline, and that they need contributors for a story. It's simple, either contribute and help, or don't, but please don't harangue, and it's certainly not an opportune time for a lengthy interrogation of the reporter/blogger. A few questions are expected and fine, but when you're writing on deadline, it's no time to be put on the spot to defend the value of social media in general. I'm happy to talk to you about it when I'm not on deadline! Geez! This concludes my supplemental rant. Blogpost continues below.)
Still, it's easy to see and feel the benefits of "small", and it feels warm and GOOD. It may seem trivial, but I do love that when I go to the drycleaners they print out my ticket with my correct name without having to ask me. I love that the nail place knows what colors I usually choose and that the local take-out place knows that when they receive a phone order for a certain set of menu items, that they guess it's for my household and know my address. I also love when I bump into Rocklanders "IRL" (in real life) with whom I first became acquainted via Rockland social media/Rockland online communities; they seem like old friends.
Perhaps Rockland County, the smallest county in New York State, is showing New York that good things truly DO come in small packages, or at least that they can.
-Posted by Stephanie (aka RocklandBizBuzz) on November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Upcoming November blogpost is in Rockland's tech-savvy hands!
Rockland County- The topic of the upcoming November RocklandBizBuzz blogpost is in YOUR technology-savvy hands. That's right- I'm looking for a compelling topic for my next blogpost and am turning to Twitter and Facebook for your ideas. Rockland knows best about what Rockland wants to read about in a blog, right?! Please DM me your topic ideas via Twitter @RocklandBizBuzz and/or send me a message on Facebook at "Rockland BizBuzz" with your input! I'll use one of the topic ideas I receive for the November blogpost, and of course acknowledge the name and business of the RocklandBizBuzz community member who sends in November's winning idea. So, no need to toot your own horn if your idea is chosen, I'll be happy to toot it loudly for you! Looking forward to receiving your topic ideas for the November blogpost with much anticipation....
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