By Jessica Cook Woodrum, Director of New Media, ADCO

I’ve heard Twitter described in many ways. Many users call it micro-blogging—sharing brief, blog-like messages (text and multimedia) with an online community. Others think of it as a kind of online cocktail party that allows users to drop in and out of conversations freely. Still more users compare it to instant messaging—without the pressure of responding immediately since no one knows when you’re online.

While users think of Twitter in many different ways, non-users seem to rally around one opinion: Twitter is a publishing tool for people who like to hear themselves talk. Of course, that’s a misconception. Continue reading

By Jessica Cook Woodrum, Director of New Media, ADCO

LinkedIn does not have the huge user base or the interactive features of Facebook and MySpace. It does not provide users with the feeling that they are a part of the next wave of social media like Twitter or Tumblr. It does not offer the targeted advertising opportunities of niche networks like TheKnot.com or Snooth.com.

But, because it has branded and established itself as the place for professionals, LinkedIn is the social network that all of my clients—even the ones who are fearful or skeptical of social media—ask about and want to join. Continue reading

By Jessica Cook Woodrum, Director of New Media, ADCO

It’s happened. My parents (ages 61 and 53) are on Facebook. They’re writing on my wall, posting photographs of their last vacation, and calling to ask me why my status says that I’m drinking a nice Pinot Grigio on a work night. It’s clear that the state of social networks has shifted—and for me, it’s happening decidedly close to home.

My parents aren’t alone. They’ve joined an ever-growing group of over 175 million active Facebook users who spend more than 3 billion minutes on Facebook each day. Continue reading

By Jessica Cook Woodrum, Director of New Media, ADCO

I keep getting calls. They’re from clients or people who know that I “deal” in the Web, and they’re all asking me some form of the same question. Some ask, “What the heck is a Tweet?” Others cry out in frustrated exasperation, “Everyone keeps talking about this FacePage and LinkedSpace, and I don’t know what it all means!” One overwhelmed client just cried out, “Help!”

All of a sudden, one thing was on everybody’s mind—What is social networking, and will it help my business thrive? Continue reading

***Meet Shani on THURSDAY Build Your Personal Brand Through Social Media!***

Shani Gilchrist is the braintrust that powers www.camillemaurice.com, a blog about beautiful things ranging from interior design, fashion, food and beyond. Through her blog and her Facebook and Twitter accounts, Shani has created a personal brand that thrives on conversations with her readers.

How do you define social media?

Social media is the constant and reciprocal exchange of ideas and opinions in an environment of instant feedback.
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Spirit Telecom, a technology company focused on business communication, is playing social media Santa this holiday season to one lucky professional and lots of children in need.

The company is inviting locals to voice their business Christmas wish – what one communication tool would make their work life easier - via the Spirit Telecom No Static blog and Twitter account. In exchange, the company will donate funds to Toys for Tots, a program run by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Continue reading

Sell what’s in your head!

Whether you’re a computer geek, a gardening geek, a whole-foods geek or a fishing geek – social media now lets you build a following online where you can share (and sell) the stuff that’s in your head. Through social media, you can connect directly with your audience – no agents, publishers, editors or gatekeepers – and gain immediate feedback. With low start-up costs, you can affordably create your own little knowledge factory online. Continue reading