This in an infographic that I stole from Fast Company that they created from compiling tips of the trade from digital leaders.

1. If all you do is respond to complaints, that’s all people will send you.
2. Stop and ask – would an actual person talk that way?
3. Everyone says they don’t want to be marketed to. Really, they just don’t want to be talked down to.
4. The consumer is out for himself, not for you.
5. As monetization attempts go up, consumer experience goes down.
6. Don’t try to be clever. Be clever.
7. Social is 24/7. Not a one-time stunt.
8. Always write back.
9. Have an ROI. Have an ROI. Have an ROI.
10. People would rather talk to “Comcast Melissa” than “Comcast.”
11. Solve problems for people who talk about you, even if they don’t address you.
12. Not everything will work, and that’s fine.
13. Embrace negative content about your brand.
14. Everyone’s an influencer.
15. If fans distribute your content without your permission, offer to help.
16. It’s okay to drive people to your site instead of Facebook’s.
17. Update your page or delete it.
18. Don’t make people do X, Y, then Z. Stick with X.
19. Last year: pump out content. This year: optimize content.
20. Become BFFs with your Facebook reps.
21. Social media doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Make traditional media and social work together.
22. Desktop is conquered territory. Mobile is the battlefield.
23. If you don’t see financial results. You wasted your money.
24. People fight for their privacy.
25. The only way to scale word of mouth: paid advertising.
26. Have a crisis plan.
27. Don’t use ads to prop up boring content. Use ads to accelerate successful content.
28. Forget individuals. You’re creating content that encourages groups to form
29. People don’t want to shop where they socialize.
30. Contests and sweepstakes are fine if you want to encourage short relationships.
31. People care what you had for breakfast — if you’re a food brand.
32. Pinterest works.
33. Your fans own your brand.
34. If you’re bored by social media, it’s because you’re trying to get more value than you create.
35. Think post vanity metrics like followers.
36. It’s an organism, not a process.

Which points are your favorite? Which do you disagree with? Which do you practice yourself. Leave a comment and we'll keep building the list!

TEDxDetroit has announced that their next big event will take place on Friday, October 26 at two of Detroit's most iconic venues: The Gem Theatre and the Grand Army of the Republic Building (GAR). The event promises to be full of "inspiring sessions from Detroit’s finest business leaders, artists, entrepreneurs and musicians."


As always with TED events, space is limited. TEDxDetroit 2012 is now accepting applications for attendees. From these applications they will choose 100 people to attend this year's event. Don't worry if you are unable to attend the October event however, applicants will automatically be submitted for consideration for the larger spring event.

The application comprises of basic questions about yourself and several short written sections. I found the question of "Idea Worth Spreading?: What is your positive idea worth spreading for the future of Detroit, Michigan and the world?" the most inspiring. You can read my response below:

There are tons of positive messages and ideas in Detroit. We see it here every day. What we are missing is the proper reach across the country and throughout the world. Detroit can only be as "good" as the masses see us. Social media has the power to alter the perception of people everywhere by spreading these positive stories, messages, and ideas. Negative news about Detroit is quick to make national headlines but the same cannot be said about the inspirational stories that come from within this community. We need to change that. We have the power to change that.

Fingers crossed about attending. I think these events do great things for the cities in which they are held. Detroit needs these big thinkers!

Give it your all this week. Never give up!

I have had a whirlwind of a week in both my work and personal life. Don't worry, all is well! However I haven't been able to keep up with the news as much as I'd have liked. I've highlighted a few stories below but if there is something big I've missed please let me know!

• T-Mobile Announces the Return of Unlimited 4G - Hopefully Tmo is starting a trend among the larger cellular providers because this definitely wouldn't keep me on their network but I'd love to catch this deal elsewhere! **I'm currently using a factory unlocked iPhone 4 on their network while I'm waiting for my contract to expire this winter at which time I'll be jumping ship.
• Twitter Updates API - Twitter unveiled some of the upcoming changes to version 1.1 of its API that could have a drastic impact on the service’s third-party ecosystem.
• Microsoft Unveils New Look - Amidst significant changes in the companies business plan, Microsoft is changing its logo for the first time in more than 25 years.
• Facebook Releases Faster iOS App - Facebook issued a massive update to its iOS app Thursday, with app version 5.0. Facebook describes the app as being “rebuilt so it’s faster and easier to use.”
• Amazon to Make Big Announcement Sept. 6 - Amazon rarely holds press conferences beyond its annual press conferences in New York, however they just emailed out invites for a press conference to be held the morning of Thursday, Sept. 6, in Santa Monica, Calif. What ever could it be about?
• Amazon Stock Hits All-Time High - Amazon‘s stock climbed after the company sent out press invitations for a big announcement, setting a record high of $246.87 per share on Friday. 
• Should Zuckerberg Step Down? - This week the internet has been abuzz over discussion on whether or not Mark Zuckerberg should step down and let a seasoned CEO take the reins.
• Apple Stock Hits All-Time High After Favorable Verdict - The grand jury came to a unanimous decision on Friday evening, determining Samsung infringed upon several Apple-patented features. The announcement caused Apple stock to swell to $674.96 per share during after-hours trading.

When I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2010 and moved back home to Detroit I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I studied hard for four years to earn my Bachelor of Science Degree for Advertising and Public Relations but I couldn't find a job. Before I found employment a year after graduation, I had applied for some 200 jobs and went on dozens of interviews. The job market was tough back then (and still is). So I decided to go back to school and I really wanted to find a program in social media to give me a boost above the competition--that's when I found this great new program at Wayne State University in Detroit.

WSU's College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts offers a Communication & New Media Graduate Certificate program in which focuses mainly on online and digital communications. I completed the program last semester (but I wish I could do it all over again!).

The Communication & New Media Graduate Certificate Program emphasizes theory, production, and application of new media technology. The program reflects developments in communication, computer, and telecommunications technologies.

Admission requirements for this program are as follows:

• An earned baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing
• Adequate preparation with discernible ability to pursue graduate studies in the major field elected
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 in upper division coursework
• Personal statement regarding interest in the program

Once you're admitted into the program you have to complete 12 credits from the following courses (these might change from semester to semester) all of which are 3 credit courses (with exception to the last two listed (4) and the individual project):

• New Media Practices (required)
• New Media Theory (required)
• Publishing on the Internet
• Audience Measurement and Survey Techniques
• Dispute Resolution and Communication Technology
• Journalism and New Media
• Advanced Desktop Publishing
• Individual Projects
• Facilitation of Online and Face-to-Face Learning
• Public Relations and Social Media
• Message Design and Display
• Foundations of Distance Education

My favorite two classes were the two required courses New Media Practices and New Media Theory. The instructor that was assigned to those classes at the time was extremely knowledgeable and kept abreast of the quick changes in tech and media. We did a lot of exercises around augmented reality and virtual worlds which is refreshing when I feel like I'm always bombarded with the Big 3 (Facebook, Twitter, and blogging).

I also enjoyed the Public Relations and Social Media course, in which I took as my final course. This one is an exception to the rest--this class allowed for undergraduate students to register without any prerequisites even though it was a high numbered/level course. In my opinion this was an awful decision by the university. This opened the gates to undergrads of all disciplines asking questions like "How do I tweet?" during discussions about using Twitter for crisis management. You wouldn't go into an upper level physics class comprised of 50 percent graduate students and waste everyone's time asking for an explanation of gravity, would you? But my instructor was great, she kept going through the coursework full steam ahead and helped traditional PR students like myself get a new view on the industry!

I cannot explain just how awesome this program is. Social media programs are getting more and more popular but when I started this one about 2 years ago it was really the only one I had heard of in this area and as far as I know it still remains the most targeted and structured social media program at the university level in Michigan. The biggest perk about this program is that all of the classes are online (with exception of 3 mandatory face-to-face classes at the beginning, middle, and end of the semesters).

I highly recommend this program to anyone who is a new communications, marketing, or advertising grad who is looking to do something after their bachelor's. If you have a true passion for social media you definitely will not have an issue working full time and taking one or two online classes a semester at night.

Click here to find out more information on the GC in Communication & New Media at Wayne State University.

If you have any questions on the program or would like to talk about it, please feel free leave a comment with your email address and I'll contact you as soon as possible.

I've really been wanting a case/keyboard combo for my iPad 2 but I hadn't really found one I liked.

A lot of the keyboards I came across had a very "Microsoft" feel to them like this Bluetooth® Keyboard Pro Portfolio for iPad® Tablet sold at Brookstone. So I came up with a list of requirements I needed a case to fulfill for me to deem it worthy of my use. It had to be a case and keyboard combo. The keyboard needed to have the same look and feel as the Apple product family. It had to be protective of my iPad. It had to be light in weight and easy to carry around in one of my fancy handbags. And last, but not least, I needed something easy to use. I just want to pull it out of my bag and start typing immediately.

After doing some research, I ended up going with the ZaggFolio, which was also highly recommended by Consumer Reports.

Pros

• Removable bluetooth keyboard

• Long lasting battery life (keyboard)

• Responsive keys

• Easily connectable

• Thin

Cons

• Awkward closing

• Cramped keys

• Portrait mode only

Not only am I using my iPad with the Zagg Folio for work but it also got me through my last semester of grad school after my 9 year old MacBook passed away. A lot of people don't think a tablet can be a replacement for a laptop, but if you're simply doing basic note-taking, word processing, and internet browsing a tablet is really all you need! My iPad + Zagg Folio and I are attached at the hip from the boardroom to the classroom and I couldn't imagine it any other way!

Overall, I completely love it! It's so much more portable than a laptop but much more user friendly than an iPad itself. I give it 5 stars!

Oscar Wilde hit this nail right on the head. I think of this every day when I get dressed for work along with "Dress for the job you want, not the one you have."

**You can buy this print on Etsy from AmandaCatherineDes

In other news... I'm getting a puppy!


Meet Juneau! We pick her up from the breeder on September 1st!

Here's what you've missed:

• Klout Announces Changes -  Klout announces big updates that make the Score more accurate and understandable.
• Ecuador Grants Wikileaks Founder Asylum - Ecuador has granted asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange two months after he took refuge in its London embassy while fighting extradition from the UK. 
• Instagram Changes - Instagram 3.0 Launches With New Profiles and Photo Maps

Patriotism has been a trending topic lately on the internet with the excitement over the Olympics and the new outerspace infatuation with the US landing a rover on Mars. Is social media the reason why we know about and are able to cheer for more teams and more athletes from across the globe than previous generations? Is social media going to be the saving grace for the US space program? We discuss all this and more on this episode of Social Media Meltdown!

This post is inspired by one of my really good friends, and awesome blogger, Annie!

I write a lot about tech and social media but not too much about myself. So here is an inside look at the girl behind the computer screen...

If you really knew me you'd know...

• I'm addicted to the internet. I can't explain the anxiety that comes with not being connected.
• I live for summer. I love hot, hot, scolding weather. I hate being indoors but I'm always cold so the only time I can really enjoy myself outside is in the dead of summer when everyone else would rather be relaxing in the air conditioning.
• I'm a girly girl. I try to play it off but I love shopping, clothes, makeup, manicures and pedicures, and jewelry.
• I might be a girly girl, shut-in, computer nerd but I love the outdoors. Over the last few years I've become very fond of hiking, geocaching, kayaking and a little fishing.
• I feel it is my life's duty to be a puppy momma. That doesn't mean that I'll never have any real relationships or children and that I'll be the dog equivalent to "crazy cat lady," I just know that I will be a great dog owner... maybe I'll rescue abused puppies.
• I love to sleep all day and lounge in bed. To me, being a lazy bum never gets old. I just want to watch a marathon of my favorite show snuggled in bed all day and getting work done on the computer. I would be my dream to sleep 8 to 10 hours a night.
• I have a unique outlook on desserts. It is not a dessert if it doesn't include chocolate. If it's a fruity treat, then it's definitely not a fruit.
• I looooove documentaries. The nerdier the better.

Are you crazy enough?

Here's what you've missed this week:

• Twitter Lands on Mars - Sunday night a Rover landed on Mars and immediately began tweeting and photosharing with nerds throughout the galaxy! What does this mean for the US space program?
• YouTube App Will Not be Included in Apple's IOS6 - As of iOS 6 beta 4 — released to developers earlier this week— the stand-alone YouTube app is no longer part of the default applications included with the iPhone and iPad. Why?
• Facebook's Stock Crash Has Created A Bunch Of New Problems For The Company - Facebook's stock crash has done more than blindside investors who figured that no price was too high for the IPO.
• Pinterest for Everyone! - Yes, Pinterest has dropped its invite-only rule and is now open to everyone.
• First-Gen iPhone is a Collectors Item? - Someone is selling an unopened first generation iPhone on eBay at a slight markup from its original price of $599: a mere $10,000.

Dig Downtown, an online resource for everything good about Detroit, is running a contest to determine Detroit's Intern of the Year!


From Dig Downtown's blog:

Tired of slinging coffee? Interns, we’re offering you a chance to get your names and faces in front of Downtown Detroit’s leading employers. It’s a video contest to win Dig Downtown’s Intern of the Year award and the process is as easy as pie! Here’s how it works: Get out your camera, phone, or iPad and shoot an HD video about your experience working in Downtown Detroit. We encourage you to be creative and express yourselves as you like. Here are a few questions you can choose from to help you get started:

• How is Detroit different from what you thought it might be? 

• What do you enjoy about spending time Downtown? 

• If you had a theme song for your life in Detroit this summer, what would you play? 

• If you could say one thing about Detroit to people who have never visited before, what would it be? 

• Where are your favorite places to hang out Downtown? 

• Do you plan on working in the city after your internship is completed? 

Keep your video 3 minutes or shorter, upload to Youtube and tag it #DETintern. Then complete the submission form on the bottom of the page by August 29th to enter. Our panel of judges from the Downtown Detroit Partnership will choose the winner of this competition. The winner gets a fancy certificate, resume fodder, and their video featured in a few of the DDP’s annual events and outreach materials – which can be the networking of all networking opportunities, if we do say so ourselves. Even if you don’t win, all submissions will receive a shiny Detroit pin from Detroit’s own City Bird. Now if that isn’t incentive…Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner on September 15th!

You can submit your videos here!

And make sure if you submitted a video entry to leave the YouTube URL in the comments so I can be sure to check it out too!  Good luck!

I keep my networks pretty open since I am in the social media industry (I feel like I don't look nearly as knowledgeable if you can't find a trace of me anywhere). My Facebook is the most "private" out of all my networks but I still let the masses see quite a bit.

I keep on top of things when it comes to my Facebook, though, for that very reason. I am constantly monitoring what people are saying on my wall, what posts I'm tagged in, and what pictures I'm tagged in then if I feel they are unnecessary, I untag myself from them. It's not that I look bad in them or I'm embarrassed by what I'm doing--I don't need to be tagged in the 10 pictures all taken at the same times showing the same scene just on different cameras by different photographers. I also try and keep the less-than-professional shots to a minimum (I don't get rid of all of them though, I'm not ashamed!).

A few weeks back I went to a 1940s Victory Rally as a fundraiser for my city's historical society with a big group of friends, all of which had cameras and were constantly snapping the same group shots over and over. Some I untagged myself from... like this one, which is blurry and showcases my poor posture.


Untagging has become increasingly difficult as of late! Here is everything I had to go through to untag myself...

First I had to click "Report/Remove Tag" to begin the process. This always makes me feel really bad because it sounds really harsh. I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble! I just don't like this picture!

Thankfully Facebook understands how nervous I was and they quickly gave me the choice of just simply untagging the photo without creating drama.

I thought I was done...

Now I need to fill out a survey about what has just happened.

It's definitely NOT important. I just don't want to be tagged in it. Simple as that.

I feel like NASA and space travel hasn't been as big of a deal to people as it should over the last 10 years or so. I mean, come one, we're launching ourselves out of this atmosphere and visiting alien planets in the search of other living organisms. It's real life science fiction! Maybe the masses are so used to the drama of movies like Armageddon that the idea of just watching a rocket launch into space seems like a bore.

Well to me, space travel has always been fascinating. And now it is also interesting (and a bit funny) to people all over the internet.

Early Monday morning the Curiosity Rover landed on Mars and as if this should be impressive enough, it also live tweeted its journey in the perspective of the rover truck and in, the ever-so-familiar, internet speak.

I'm safely on the surface of Mars. GALE CRATER I AM IN YOU!!! #MSL
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) August 6, 2012

Then to prove that it was actually there (because honestly, pics or it didn't happen), Curiosity Rover tweeted this gem of a tweet and photo.

No photo or it didn't happen? Well lookee here, I'm casting a shadow on the ground in Mars' Gale crater #MSL twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/…
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) August 6, 2012

He even loosely quoted his successor, Neil Armstrong:

It once was one small step... now it's six big wheels. Here's a look at one of them on the soil of Mars #MSL twitter.com/MarsCuriosity/…
— Curiosity Rover (@MarsCuriosity) August 6, 2012

Curiosity continues to tweet and share pictures from his journey on Twitter.

The Rover may have been a big hit but NASA and its employees have also been an internet sensation. The entire landing was streamed live on the internet through UStream and many of the people within the control room where live tweeting their experience too. Flight Director, Bobak Ferdowsi, became an internet hit during his UStream debut for his eccentric hair and eventually tweeted:

Folks asking about my hair, here it is. Been doing this for big events on #MSL #jpl #nasa #curiosity #daremightythings twitter.com/tweetsoutloud/…
— Bobak F. (@tweetsoutloud) August 6, 2012

Not surprisingly, Bobak has become a meme as well:

Honestly, NASA had to do something. Popularity has been sinking and with the constant attention being put on the Olympics, timing wasn't perfect. NASA had to start hitting home runs with the masses and get in the limelight to keep interest high, which would therefor keep funding and innovation high.

In my opinion, NASA did a great job using current pop culture to make space travel fun, exciting, and relevant again. I give them a "job well done."

What did you think about the social media campaign around the NASA Mars Rover landing?

This week's episode was insipred with my recent brush with nature. I vacationed in the desolate wilderness of Michigan's Upper Penninsula where 4G doesn't exist and people have no idea what an iPad is. Joe is getting ready to adventure out on a camping trip of his own so I thought I'd offer some words of wisdom to him and all the other techies out there!


Click here to view the Show Notes and to join the conversation!

Here's what you've missed this week:

• Romney Uses Smartphone App to Make VP Announcement - The Romney campaign announced a new app for iPhone and Android users to learn the identity of who will be Romney's choice for vice president. Is he trying to hard to reach a younger, hipper audience?
• Twitter Suspends Account of a Olympic Journalist for Expressing Discontent with NBC - And thus the #NBCFail tag gains more popularity... 
• Zuckerberg Drops Out of Top 10 Tech Billionaires - Oh how the mighty are falling...
• Facebook Now Lets Brands Target Posts By Age, Gender - While previously Page admins could only target by language and location, the company has added new options, including: gender, "interested in," relationship status, education, and workplace.

I recently watched a YouTube documentary called Network Society, On the Brink which details the past, present, and future of human connectivity and a society linked together digitally. I am a huge documentary fan  (and tech fan) to begin with so, right off the bat, this caught my eye.

This film covers what a networked society would look like with new business models, talking plants, and globalized communities. Although it mainly focuses on the last 15 years of innovation, it covers the entire journey of human connectivity from the light bulb and electricity and what possibilities their introduction to the masses gave the human race to what our world will look like and function like 10 or 20 years down the road.

I highly recommended you check it out. Not only does this film give an optimistic view of where tech, digital networking, and connectivity are headed but it packs it all into a short, 20 minute story that will entice even those who are not fond of documentary films.

 

I strive every day to make sure my life is full of the things I love. So far, I'm doing good. How about you?

**You can buy this print on Etsy from Letter Happy

A properly manicured Facebook page for a brand is crucial to that company's success in the digital world. The first step in grooming the Facebook "Page" is by using proper image sizes to optimize the allotted use of space on the page. It might not look like there is a lot of room for customization with Facebook's strict Page policy, but there is so much that can be done as long as you use your resources wisely and creatively.

I know this infographic has been floating around the internet for awhile but I can't stress how useful this resource is to any social media manager. I've had this bookmarked for quite some time and it has helped me in a hunch when I'm trying to make brand updates quickly so I figured I should share it with everyone who may not have seen it yet!

This infographic highlights the appropriate dimensions for the following:

• Cover Photo 
• Profile Photo 
• Custom Tab Photo or Logo 
• Shared Photo 
• Highlighted Photo 
• Milestone Photo 
• Custom Tab Page 

Feel free to bookmark or print this for future reference!