About those Photos….

Don’t look now – you’ve been tagged! Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2013 is over. The glitter is finally out of your hair. The suntans are beginning to fade and the good times are now memories…or are they?

Enter the embarrassing social media picture.  Exit your reputation (potentially anyway).

Today, those few moments of “wildness” as we say in T&T, can be captured digitally and live on forever. So, what can you do about it? You’re probably not going to love the answer. 

In reality, there is only prescription to prevent your reputation from coming into question as a result of an illicit photo featuring your image – don’t put yourself in compromising positions. Told you that you would not like it. 

I am promulgating that you refrain from the revelry that is T&T carnival? Should you dress less scantily? Where will this nonsense type of advice end you wonder? It stops there – just avoid the compromising positions! 

I’m not saying not to “tief a wine” – I am saying to be smart about it. Be aware that your actions can come back to haunt you so limit the moments. 

Ok so to those of you still reading, the advice gets a little better. Set some standards and make your friends aware of them: 

1. No photos please! Ever notice how MANY of those illicit photos feature people looking straight on at the camera? There’s a reason for that. Some people like the wildness captured. Fight the power. Stop striking poses and fewer photos will be taken

2. You better as somebody! Ask your friends, family and partygoers in your circle to refrain from taking pics of you “living it up” in a party/on the road for carnival/ “liming”. Explain that you’re not keen on the photos of your revelry being shared with the world. Identify the consequences for those who violate that up front and ask that they respect your opinion. (Note, piccong will likely will follow. Your friends may tease you a bit, but after a while, they’ll understand). 

3. To tag or untag? Untag is the answer! While your friends may not take photos of you, the world is now full of photographers. Papparazzi (interpret as other party goers who INSIST on taking photos everywhere they go) need only have a mobile phone to capture a moment. They post. Friends tag you. What do you do? Change your settings to ensure only YOU see tags or, even better, that any tags require your permission. This way, fewer photos you don’t want will be visible on your social media profiles. 

4. Take it a step further. If you don’t like the photos – write the websites, people who posted them and ask them to be removed. Yeah – I’m serious. I’ve done it and generally people comply. 

So, I’m not suggesting you change your offline life completely to avoid pictures (though some slight tweaks won’t hurt). I am suggesting that you aggressively manage your online profile. Consider starting your own blogs and you tube channels to share the image of yourself you want the world to see. 

That said. Offline ALWAYS meets Online. Ensure your reputation does not “wine to the side” when they meet. 

How to Keep Your Job AND Your Social Media Presence

We reach! People are losing their jobs because of social media. No longer just in the US/ UK – but right here at home. 

Trinidad and Tobago has had various examples in the past year of social media use negatively impacting the real, offline, lives of users. Whether it was that sad video of children being made to fight that made it to Facebook, the erratic tweets of political enthusiasts during the recent elections, or even the reporters that have lost their jobs/ are under investigation for “rants” on social media – FINALLY social media is having an impact on real life in T&T….or is it the other way around? 

Stop the madness people. Your real life IS your social media life. You take time out of your day to read blogs, check your Facebook accounts, follow trends on Twitter and Lord knows, you are viewing videos on YouTube – a site so popular it now impacts what makes it to Billboard’s top charts. 

So, you’re logging on to social media for about 30 minutes. Did not realize more than just your friends are there huh? Your boss is too smarty! According to Facebook research shared by technology trends site Mashable, worldwide, Facebook users spend 10.5 billion minutes each day surfing the site — and that doesn’t even include mobile use. Collectively, that’s nearly 20 years per day that people spend living online instead of offline. Do we REALLY think that this does not have an impact on real life? Guess what, your real life includes a job – and employers are starting to look more closely at what you are doing online and what that could mean for your offline behavior. 

And keeping your posting settings private…MEH! That’s not going to really help you in the long run. Got friends? The Caribbean is small, T&T is smaller. Someone is going to see that post that reflects your real life. Seen a screen shot posted this week? Yea…I thought so. 

Harlem shaking in your boots about that picture/video/post that you may not want your boss to know about aren’t ya? 

So is it possible to keep your job AND your social media presence? Yes (obviously). How? The advice isn’t too different from advice I shared three years ago:

1. Don’t list your place of employment on your personal profile. What? Really? Yes. Why? Because this way it becomes a little easier for your company to distance itself from your statements. Before listing your employer you should seek their social media policy on this anyway – to review and be familiar with their tips and guidelines (even though these evolve). Even if you do NOT list your employer – your posts (as are all our offline/ real life actions) are often covered by your employee code of conduct and confidentiality statements. This tip has a downside. It can take away from building your professional brand – particularly if you are a newer job seeker. Consider posting your place of employment only on LinkedIn or professional sites that YOU DO NOT link your Facebook, Twitter or other more personal social media sites to.

2. Don’t make your personal social media accounts your work accounts. This is a classic mistake. You reply to customer queries on twitter, correct wrong from your personal Facebook account or discuss work in forums with the view of protecting your company’s reputation. Courts in the US are trying to figure out if this is ok. As many view social media as the new water cooler. But in the lovely, breezy Caribbean, there’s no precedent set yet and…um…do you really want to be the guinea pig here? Unless you are authorized to do so or specifically required to via contract, avoid this. Refer queries about your company to your media relations/ customer relations/ PR department. 

3. Don’t share anything via social media that you would not want your grandmother/ grandfather/ boss to know. Those pics of you taking a belly shot off the stripper at the last bachelor party you attended – maybe not such a good idea tagging yourself in it or worse – posting to TWITTER. Even with the strictest privacy settings, a screen shot can take your reputation down.

In summary? Be smart offline and be even smarter online. You will keep your job and your social media presence – no matter where you work. 

Facebook for Kids? NO

Parents are humans. They make mistakes. Dealing with colds, homework you forgot how to do but have to help your kids with and (gasp) the fact that kids cost a fortune can’t be easy. Thus, I forgive the many misguided parent who says – “my child is on Facebook and I’m worried.” Young grasshopper parent, let me school you.

If your child can still be referred to as a child…they ought not to be on Facebook. Decoded: If your kid is under 13, Facebook is NOT for them. Am I a prude? Sure. Is this a smart suggestion? Double sure. The offline world is barely safe enough for adults – much less the online world for kids. As for Facebook for those under 13? Its akin to letting your child have some wine with dinner – every night…like a bottle…and then wondering 5 years later why the kid grew up to be a future aa attendee (and we don’t mean American Airlines).

Why? Lord knows teens and adults are addicted to what is playfully called “Macobook” in the Caribbean. As February approaches in the Caribbean, the freeness of the carnival season (on Trinidad anyway) gives rise to idle thoughts, party photos and, well, candid shots catching amusing (read as on the boarder of vulgar) moments in parties known here as fetes. You don’t let your child fete so why allow them to watch that FB facilitated live stream of the woman dancing around in a lace top?

Ok exit Carnival as my prude-ness may seem like a cultural snub. Enter the photos of brutal car accidents, sex offenders caught in the act or much more commonly, the “slack talk” that dominates many a status in the hope of installing amusement. You would not expose your child to this day to day so, why let them surf facebook where it can be so prevalent.

I am not stupid. I know the world is changing and even traditional media can bombard people young and old with material heretofore (take that for an old fashioned word) deemed forbidden. My suggestion is not censorship but rather caution. All young ones need conversations about digital footprints, about not talking to strangers (on or off line) and on the new power of photography. these convos need start long before signing on to any social network. Not just this dominant oNe about to be IPO’d for 100 billion.

Before signing on ask your young one some questions?
1. Why do you needed to be on Facebook?
2. What do you understand Facebook to be?
3. Do you understand we will share access to your account and I can cancel it at any time?
4. Before posting any photos or videos, do you understand the need to seek the permission of your parent and anyone else in the video/photo
5. Do you understand that everything you put up there can be potentially viewed by strangers?
6. Do you understand privacy settings?
7. let’s agree on potential consequences for online behavior that does not meet our family’s expectations

It’s not all perfect but hell, it’s a start. Again Facebook under 13 not ok but regardless of age, these 7 questions should form the foundation of a young person’s pre social media life.

Do you have the context

Who are you talking to and what do they already know, feel or fear? As corporate communicators, it is our job to know the answers to these questions before even lifting a pen or typing the first letter of a comms plan. Even when you get the answers to these questions, without organizational history, understanding and, having worked within the company for more than a few months….your communicating without context is groundwork for project failure.

When starting at a company the best CEOs spend months simply listening and then work with teams to lay out 5 year plans in one year bite sized pieces. Your job is to chew on those pieces and create strategies with fellow employees to make these plans come to life. Don’t make the mistake to ignore historic views as, even the most disgruntled, über busy or apparently apathetic team member likely holds the key to the success of comms plans. Why? Communication without context is like giving a speech on the US national mall to Abe Lincoln’s statue – you’ll be do muni acting for communications sake. You need an audience to be engaged for your project to be successful and that takes time, understanding and a whole lot of time. So the next time you get a bright idea, ask yourself if you have the history, the pulse of a company and the support of those already communicating (or thinking they are) to ensure you have not just objectives and activities, but the context necessary for your comms plan to be a success.

Hugs. (read other posts for that context).

Tech addiction.

So you got that device you wanted this holiday season. So did your mother, brother, cousin, aunts and scarily enough your children, nieces, nephews and cousins new burns all seem to have as well. The result? Tech addiction. What are the symptoms?

1. Long periods of silence when two or more are gathered for alleged social activity (offline socializing)

2. Being asked to “hold on one sec” while your companion checks their device – more than three times in an hour.

3. Said device, or worse devices, become your new alarm clock/ sleeping buddy/ last thing you check at night/ note book/ main communication tool. If you find yourself using said device in the bathroom…you may have an advanced case of tech addiction.

Tech addiction can have pronounced negative impacts on life. Indeed a diagnosis for tech addition is usually swiftly accompanied by:

1. The afflicted individual having few healthy off line activities. Activities such as hiking, biking, skiing or…worse…swimming have all ceased to even be considered.

2. Real life relationships have been diminished. Afflicted person blames the world’s lack of understanding of the importance of these tech devices as the reason.

3. Multiple device syndrome…person has more than 3 devices always connected to the web and always within 2 feet of individual. Person may also have financial trouble due to incessant app purchases…

Save yourself now! Pick up a hobby for every device you own…and make it an offline one. Have an offline conversation with those showing signs as soon as possible…sending them a message online may not be as effective as an offline hug…

Save yourselves!

*closes ipad…heads to bathroom to get ready for day…turns on Ihome to accompany getting ready…ensures mobile is charged…*

Don’t Make LinkedIn another Facebook

Happy New Year. I’ve bitten the bullet and begun to dig deep into my new year’s resolutions. High on the list was updating my LinkedIn profile – a task I highly recommend to all but rarely get the time to do myself. As I sorted through well over 300 connection requests, I realized how many people miss the importance of LinkedIn. They confuse it with Facebook. They mistake connecting for “friending” and thus potentially derail their professional online presence. Thus, my decision to blog today came naturally. Facebook is about friends. LinkedIn is about work and connections – don’t mix the two.

My inbox was riddled with great requests from colleagues in my field and in fields I interact with. Co-workers with whom I have met and worked with and even the odd consultant with whom I have done business. The decision to connect there was easy. Their networks will likely have future business leads for my consultancy and, chances are, we may have tips and advice we can swap digitally should we never be able to make it to the next “networking” meet up. But to the sad few that sent messages about appearance, who admitted to wanting to connect to get access to my contacts to “promote their business” or “link up for drinks”. Alas, with a furrowed brow, I clicked ignore.

In a world where lines are constantly blurred, the decision to keep your online life “professional” is hard enough. Why dilute the one site that can really help with that (LinkedIn) with watery connections? If you are connected on LinkedIn, see it as a professional link. Not all these folks may be drinking buddies, but chances are, your LinkedIn connections are people you may want to work with again.

Just my two cents. Happy New Year. Look out for more frequent blogs – that too is on the new year’s resolutions list (along with drinking more water and finding a way to be successful without working as hard…wish me luck on that last one!).

Hugs! (Professional ones).

Social Media Case Study: A Hairy Success Story

Entrepreneurial Headaches Can be Eased by Social Media (photo: Mindsoup)

Digital media is the foundation of entrepreneurial success. The onset of digital media has allowed young professionals the opportunity to dabble in the “side business” without deviating from their day to day career. In essence, the access to niche markets, ease of market research and ability to measure success once could only be accessed by those few business folks with deep pockets for start up marketing costs. Now, digital media (the combination of mobile and social media) can bring business dreams alive.

Enter the personal case study.

A year ago my family invested in a small retail business. In a far fetched and little supported idea I had based on a Miss Universe observation, thousands of dollars in clip in hair extensions were purchased. We were going into the hair business. Me – a woman who could barely style her own hair despite hours of pageant training had been convinced she could be the face of a well researched, high quality hair brand. Money wired. Shipping costs paid. Web connection enabled and boom! The shipment was delayed. I tracked it everyday and I vented on my Facebook page about the delays.

Scared we would lose out on the Halloween hair buying rush (this does not exist by the way), I started the business’

A sample of the pictures posted.

Facebook page and posted information on hair care, hair extensions, photos of women with good hair styles – just in an attempt to keep my friends and family who would be supporting the store engaged in what I was planning to offer – a shopping experience that was based on educated and informed choices.  The page grew to 194 in a week. The shipment was not closer. I prayed. I posted on the business page.

A cousin saw the page. She liked it and recommended it to a friend. My cousin and her friend had curly hair. They shared with me how hard it was to find products that worked for them. They suggested I get a product for “curly cuties.” I listed. I did the research online. I found the supplier. I ordered the products and thanked my cousin for the suggestion.

I kept posting. My screen kept showing me my products were crawling from the supplier. The page grew to around 249. The growth was the only good news. Marketing funds were drying up. My investors worried. I posted some more.

A friend and famous beauty blogger, Afrobella, saw my posts. She inspired me to consider products for natural haired ladies. I did the research. I found the supplier. I ordered the products. I thanked my blogger friend.

Money done. Patience running thin. Halloween passed. I kept posting information on hair care, the products I would bring in and photos. Did I mention money was D O N E?

The page grew to just shy of 300. Shipment reach! Opening planned…of the doors. Money for fancy grand opening spent on the products suggested by the friends. Investors vex.

A local fashion blogger saw the post that we were opening. She came on opening day to do a “feature”. She bought a product. Other customers also read about the opening and shopped. But she wrote about the experience. Others read the blog. We had customers the next day.

Enter the meeting of traditional and new media. A “product launch” was done in San Fernando – in a drug store in the mall. I featured the date and time on the Facebook page. A Facebook friend was the feature’s editor for a paper. I invited her online. She came. She wrote for the paper AND on her blog that was about…HAIR!

A Photo from the ENV Clip In Extension Product Launch

Another friend saw the planned launch. She suggested I film it. She knew a friend who had a film business and could do good work for a small fee. I paid it (account in minus now). Two weeks later an informercial was posted on the Facebook page. People shared it. They liked the fact that a percentage of all profits (whenever they came) would be donated to cancer charities. My family liked that the concept was inspired by my mom. They pressed the like button. Their friends saw the posts = more awareness = more customers.

Via an email, I asked the most followed blogger in T&T, Saucy Trini, to consider sharing a media release I wrote about the store. She did. She shared a link to the store’s Facebook page. The page following spiked. I thanked her.

Customers were encouraged to share their mobile numbers. When sales ebbed, I sent broad cast messages from the mobile phone I bought for the store. To keep costs down a blackberry group was started. Customers shared their “hairy” stories on the Facebook page. I started a blog. We tried Facbeook ads. 300 friends grew to 200 shy of 9,000 fans and customers. The foundation of success was laid. Thank you digital media. Thank you Mr. Zukerberg. Thank you RIM.

The above story is 100% true. It is shared to inspire other start up businesses (not hair please ). It is a case study that highlighting that social media helped a small business survive nearly crippling delays by creating an opportunity to build brand engagement even before the business opened the doors. The “Hair It Is” story shows that LISTENING to customers is key to business success and super easy due to social media.

This blog is about Communication Questions. So, having read those 843 words, Why aren’t you using social media for your business again? Social Media works. Try it.

This commercial for Hair It Is and Social media brought to you by, Danielle A. Jones – upcoming speaker at Caribbean Digital expo. Ha! Another commercial! WHOOP! Hair It Is!

What Powers You?

What Powers You? (Photo: http://www.spring.org.uk)

Its official. I can’t live without connectivity and the ability to keep my mobile phone charged. When I got home to find my power was out (after a 12 hour day mind you), my first thought wasn’t – gee I hope my chicken stays frozen or hope when it comes back the surge doesn’t hurt my TV/ Fridge….NO NO….my first thought was “Crap! And my phone is on one bar of power.”

As I stood there on my staircase, laptop bag on shoulder and with my fading mobile in hand, I thought briefly on the fact that 10 years ago, getting home to find no electricity would likely inspire vexing thoughts of missing favourite television shows (I have always been a TV junkie) or terrible thoughts of icey showers (ok, just lukewarm as I live in the Caribbean). Instead, there I stood, irritated because my connectivity was at risk. I was more scared to bot be connected to Friends and Fam by mobile or via social media than I was about losing what is indeed about $1000 of meat and good cheese that I keep stocked in my freezer and fridge (Ok, its not a$1000 its more like $100 because I like to cook but have not been hitting the superamarket as I should).

That begs a question. What powers you? Is it emotional and physical connections or do digital connections work just as well? When your day ends and the chips are down – do you need a hug or a charged computer and fast wi fi connection?

In my life nothing substitutes the power of a good hug and understanding. Affection is my addiction. HOWEVER *clears throat* – in the hours it takes for real life connection to begin…PARTNERS!!! (Trinidad slang) I want my social media! *stomps foot…throws tantrum….remembers people state this behavior is typical of only children like me….wipes tears and regains educated posture…*

While human connectivity cannot be discounted, there are numerous studies on the supplementary nature of social media. Being “alone” has new meaning in a world that is “always” online. A study Kraut et. al in 2002 for example found that internet usage had positive impacts on well being and social involvement.

In times of power failure should we thus expect emotional break downs? My gander is yes.  I asked a group of friends (all female and all early 30s) what they could tolerate more – 3 days without water or 3 days without electricity/ internet. The results were clear – we are a bunch of dirty girls who like to stay powered up!

For all its worth, I prefer to have both water and electricity…*goes to online banking…must…stay…connected!*

 

To Add or Not To Add? That is the Question!

You’ve faced it. A co-worker or person you met casually at a social event attempting to add you as a Friend on Facebook

The Definition of Friend Has Changed Since They Made the top TV Sitcom

.

Worse. You are AT the event and a Blackberry is whipped out along with the question: What’s your BB pin – I’ll add you.

Five years ago there were close friends and best friends. Now there appears to be a conundrum caused by the question: To Add or Not To Add. What is a friend and how close do we have to be to add you to my social media world or (gasp) my smart phone messaging list.

Should you add this new person to become their friend?

Are they already a friend because you met them once?

My answer to both? Set rules for yourself and stick to them. The definition of friend has changed a lot since Jennifer Anniston and crew made it seem all fun and games on TV! Digital friends have more potential for ruining your reputation that genuine ones. With the click of a button you can begin digital assassination. With a mobile phone you can misconstrue text messages and take BBM/What’s App etc posts out of context to the detriment of the sender. So you need to set some ground rules and share them so people respect them.

If faced with the Facebook question of adding a person you barely know, consider sending a direct message (inbox message) saying: So great meeting you, I prefer to get to know people a little better before we become Facebook friends. Look forward to meeting up again soon! When next will you be hanging out?

Rude? No.

You acknowledged the friend request, stated your own personal policy and indicated you hoped to meet up again soon. Clear? Yes.

Will some be offended? Yes.

Should you care? No.

Why? If a person really wants to become your friend, they should respect your values. Being clear and upfront about your personal policy is a way of protecting your privacy and digital image. In the world of tomorrow, that image will be priceless. Don’t let fear of being honest cheat you of your future.

What about the add me to your BBM/ Smart phone question? Depends on how you operate your smart phone. In reality you shouldn’t be doing anything on your smartphone (especially Black Berry Messenger) you would not want your grandparents, boss or religious leader to see. If you don’t that’s a whole other risk. However, if you simply prefer a closer link consider saying:

Let’s exchange numbers. I prefer voice calls and texts. My number is…

Direct? Yes.

Opens up to further conversation? No.

What if they ask…? Say. Sorry, I really prefer just to exchange numbers.

Will they decline? No.

By offering your number first you take control of the conversation and show your being open to stay in touch. You also state two ways they can use the technology to stay in touch. Don’t be afraid to say no.

You don’t have to use these phrases verbatim. Just have a personal policy. Maybe you don’t want to be Facebook buddies with your boss or coworkers. I once had a team member that said “I don’t add co-workers to my Facebook”. I asked why. They explained. I had no choice but to respect it…It is after all – social media.

Don’t wait for the question to have a policy people – have your answer ready and don’t be afraid to use honesty to protect your digital integrity.

Social Media At Work? Absolutely!

Educate & Empower with a Social Media Policy (Image: PR2020)

In preparation for an interview on cnc3 (Trinidad and Tobago television) today, I found that the question “should we allow employees to use social media at work” has a definite answer – YES! Actually the answer is more like: “DUH!  We’re already using social media everywhere we go so why should work be different.”

Next to the web, in today’s world, the “tool I can’t live without” for generations Y and Z is the smart phone. As smart phone prices plummet, so too do internet access rates while free wi-fi “hot spots” are cropping up faster than you blink (pun intended). As fast as you can make a phone call from these phones, you can access the web and, with an estimated one out of every 6 minutes online being spent using social media, guess where employees of all ages are headed when they access the web from their phones.

Enter the anti-social media policy. The workplace that bans access to these “dangerous” sites for fear that (alas) the rogue employee may use it inappropriately. Should that policy exist, more employees will be rogue that you can imagine and they’ll be doing it with the smart phones their companies probably pay the bill for.

A better choice? Be like the top 100 companies ranked by the Great Places to Work Institute – not only allow access to social media, but harness the power of social media for the good of your brand/ company. Social Media = trust to most millenials said Erin Leiberman Moran on Nasdaq TV. Monitoring time on social media is akin to monitoring the time spent in the lunchroom or in the bathroom.

And now for all your Caribbean based cynics…yes it can work here too. Ironically, in Trinidad & Tobago we still have companies that allow internet access based on “rank” in the company so the social media question seems far fetched. For these companies (listen up cynics who are undoubtedly reading this from a url blocking website or steeling time before heading to work), my advice is simple: Write a social media policy or die. I did not stutter.

Not having a social media conversation or policy is like allowing each employee to come to work each day with a weapon. Today’s weapon is not a gun or knife – its their social reach. With the average person on Facebook having 100 friends the reach of social media is exponential. In the words of Eric Qualman – do you like what they’re saying about your brand? He was referring to public, I’m positioning this to talk about employees. And NO the HR/privacy/confidentiality policy does not suitably cover it. Head to the US court system to see how that’s been working out for companies.

Instead of outlawing – educate and empower your staff. Teach them about the apparent “veil of privacy” offered by these sites. Remind them that Google searches find….EVERYTHING and what they don’t find, more advanced software can (enter FBI type searches). Remind them that what is done on their work computer can be seen, viewed, audited etc by your IT staff and if they don’t want it known, it should not be on social media.

No one wants the next Weinergate in their office (or school…*shudders*). No one wants to lose their job because of 140 characters. Educate. Empower. Embrace.

My last tips?

• For those young people seeking jobs...don’t be the next “Cisco Fatty”. If you want to work for a great company, follow their social media, participate when asked and share your digital resume.
• Your Blackberry/Iphone/Smartphone CAN hurt you. Maybe those nude photos you took with your Corporate Phone maybe shouldn’t be there. (bet the team in IT is already thinking how cute you looked in that Playboy outlet you tried out and took a phone picture of pre-halloween. Use your smart phone provided by work for work.
• Cull your friends list. If you have friends you don’t know – its time to cull the Facebook herd.
• Social media life is a reflection of offline life. You can’t hide who you are. How about you just think a bit more before you dance on a bar, get wasted or take those raunchy photos. If not, there’ll be other jobs out there….right??? *echos*