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Archive for category: Social Media
Twitter Tips
Posted by: Phil Beach in Network Services, Tips and Tricks, Social Media, Social Networking, Technology on August 26, 2010
It seems that tons of people know what Twitter is but at the same time overlook and fail to completely realize the benefit and value it could potentially add to their life, their business, or both. "How can I use Twitter?", and perhaps more importantly "how can my business use Twitter?" are important questions to ask.
Wikipedia defines twitter as a site that "enables its users to send and read other user messages called tweets", but this just scratches the surface. Twitter is a culture. It is millions of people listening to each other and communicating through random broadcasts of 140 characters or less.
Twitter could benefit your business. In the beginning, twitter users told what they were doing. Now, Twitter has evolved to encourage sharing what's on your mind. Twitter opens huge doors into what people are really thinking about when online.
In this issue of The Point, I'll explain the basics of Twitter usage. Keep your eyes open for part II, where I explain the benefits Twitter might offer to your business.
Sign up and first steps
Go straight to the Twitter homepage at twitter.com and sign up by clicking the big yellow Sign Up button on the right side of the screen. You will have to enter a few personal details, including your name and email address.
Follow someone
After signing up you will be presented with an screen that allows you to view popular Twitter users based on a variety of different interests. One of the cornerstones of Twitter is the concept of "following" someone, and no, we don't mean CIA agent style. To follow someone on Twitter is to simply monitor their posts so that you are notified when they post something. It's also possible to follow someone but shut off notifications of their posts - useful for controlling the flow of information from over-zealous tweeters - think how annoying "sitting down at my desk", or "just got to work" can get.
Your first tweet
After your account is created, you will be presented with a question - "What's happening?" The power of twitter resides in this small textbox. Type in something and click "Tweet", the rest is history, or is it?
Searching the Twittersphere
When you broadcast a tweet, even if you have no personal followers at all, the tweet will still be indexed and archived in real-time by Twitter. The tweet will be immediately available through the search feature. To search for tweets, type your query into the box on the right of your Twitter home page. As an example, a quick search for "twitter tips" returned hundreds of tweets pointing to useful blog posts and websites with great Twitter tips.
Re-tweeting (RT)
Re-tweeting is just that. Taking what someone else posted and re-posting it to your own followers. This can be useful if you know your own followers would be interested in something someone else said. However, the converse is also true - if your followers aren't interested, your re-tweeting could quickly become annoying.
To re-tweet, type "RT" followed by the originator's username and post. For example: "RT @example Great twitter tips!".
If you have any questions about Twitter, feel free to email them to me at pbeach@msiservices.com.
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How To Blog
Posted by: Phil Beach in General Business, Network Services, Tips and Tricks, Social Media, Technology on July 29, 2010
In the last issue of The Point, entitled "Blogs: Why and what's in it for you?", I persuaded my readers that they should blog. You can read that issue here. In this issue, I'll explain how to blog. Blogging boils down to three steps - 1) choose a topic, 2) decide where you will host your blog, and 3) begin writing posts that are search engine friendly.
Let's start with the first task - pick your topic. If you're starting a blog for your company, this might have already been predetermined in part by what your company does/what industry you're in. If your company already has one blog, determine if there's room for a new one with a different topic. For example, a financial services firm might offer a blog that talks about financial considerations and another that talks about company research. If there isn't an opportunity for a new blog, consider contributing to the current one. Contributing to an existing blog is an even more attractive option when you consider that a blog can have more than one topic. Blogs that have multiple topics which complement one another will appeal to an even larger audience.
Decide where you want to host your blog. Believe it or not, the vast majority of blogging services are offered free of charge. Certain hosts charge extra fees for more advanced features, but other sites offer everything for free, relying on the popularity of the site as a whole as their business model. If you are interested in creating a blog for your company's website, you might have to purchase relatively inexpensive CMS or blogging software that allows for the proper functionality in-house. Here at MSI, we host our website on our recommended CMS platform, which includes the capability to create blogs and add them to the site as needed.
However, it's also quite possible to host a company blog on a third-party blogging platform. These are also perfect for a personal blog. Here are a few of the best blog hosts:
- For its ease of use, simplicity, and enormous free feature set, http://www.tumblr.com/ takes the cake as the best blogging service I know of. To sign up just click the link - the home page has made it an obvious and simple task, as is Tumblr's style.
- In close second is the tired-and-true http://www.wordpress.com/, which has earned the respect of its dedicated user base. Sign up by clicking the orange "Sign up now" button on the right side of the home page.
Now that you've decided what and where you will blog, there are some basic guidelines for writing your blog posts that you should follow.
- Less is more. If you can describe something in 250 words or 500 words, go with 250 every time.
- Link as much as possible. This helps to boost your post's search engine exposure.
- Don't beat around the bush. Demonstrate your opinion strongly and clearly within the first couple sentences.
- Be consistent in the way you write your posts. If someone likes the way you write, they'll stick around for more.
Happy blogging!
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Using XML and JSON with Android
Posted by: Frank Ableson in IBM, Social Media, Social Networking, Software Development, Technology, Android on July 22, 2010
This IBM Developerworks article explores the use of XML and JSON for Android programmers. The example demonstrates the consumption of Twitter feed data using both popular data formats. The article was written by Frank Ableson, President of MSI. Frank is a regular contributor to IBM Developerworks.
For more information, please contact MSI Services @ info@msiservices.com.
MSI Services, Inc.
Northern New Jersey's trusted source for Technology leadership and services
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Facebook users beware
Posted by: Frank Ableson in Social Media, Social Networking on June 02, 2010
Aside from being a Time Vampire, Facebook comes with some privacy concerns to people from all walks. Consider this story on CNN about the use of Facebook by divorce attorneys.
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Library of Congress is into Social Media
Posted by: Frank Ableson in General Business, Social Media, Social Networking on April 15, 2010
The Library of Congress has announced its intention to record public Twitter feeds. Wow, I wish I were selling these guys some storage media!
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Young Business Leaders Event
Posted by: Frank Ableson in General Business, Company News, Business Networking, Social Media, Social Networking, Sussex County, Community on April 13, 2010
MSI's President, Frank Ableson, participated in a panel of Young Business Leaders gathered in the Atrium of the Performing Arts Center at Sussex County Community College to discuss a variety of marketing and public relations topics. Other panelists include Rich Zeoli, Jim Ferguson and David Fink. Attendance was moderate, but with a nice cross section of Sussex County Chamber of Commerce members.
David shared content related to brand strategy. Jim discussed the challenges faced by Newton Hospital in the constantly changing healthcare market. Rich shared some insights on how to become an "expert" in your field. Frank shared some best practices of leveraging your Social Networks.
The event was covered by the New Jersey Herald.
The event was sponsored by the Young Business Leaders Committee of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Steve Skorski.
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Apple iGroups—social networking or yuppie club?
Posted by: Frank Ableson in Linux Magazine, Social Media, Social Networking, Technology, Android, iPhone, Palm on March 29, 2010
Imagine, a single provider for your hardware, your software, and even your friends. I think Apple may have missed their calling — they should have gotten into the healthcare debate! That's how I feel after reviewing some materials on Apple's iGroups offering. Read more @ Linux Magazine
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Supercharge your Job Search with Linkedin slides have been updated
Posted by: Jason Matyas in Education, Career Resources, Social Media, Social Networking on December 18, 2009
I've added some additional content and updated the screenshots to reflect the new Linkedin interface and menu structure. Please take a look at the presentation called Supercharge your Job Search with Linkedin (on SlideShare).
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High unemployment and the best way to not be a statistic - offer your services, not your resume
Posted by: Jason Matyas in Economy, Education, Career Resources, Social Media, Social Networking on November 07, 2009
I was having a discussion on Facebook about the high unemployment rate (now officially above 10%) and decided to offer some of the support we offer our students to the folks reading that discussion. Here are some of my comments, which I think are a good summary of some of the best strategic things that can be done to find employment in this economy:
For those that are unemployed, I want to encourage you to be optimistic despite all the negative signs. I spend part of my time providing career resources for students enrolled in training at MSI Education Services, which does office productivity software training. I emphasize two primary things in my counseling of students:
1) There are many opportunities for non-full time employment, especially on a contract or temp basis. Small businesses often cannot fund full time positions due to the high costs imposed by an oppressive government, but work still needs to get done and if you have a marketable skill set, I recommend that you search for and engage with small businesses and entrepreneurs to find ones that might need your services. Think networking, not job search.
2) How will you find them? One word: Linkedin. Linkedin is essential for both a job search for a full time position, and especially for networking purposes to find and engage business owners that need what you have. I have been giving a seminar for several months on how to use Linkedin for your Job Search that you can find here:
Supercharge your Job Search with Linkedin (on Slideshare)
If you have more questions or would like to connect to me, please find me on Linkedin and send me an invite. I would be happy to help you if I can.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmatyas
Finally, if you are in need of better software skills and are unemployed, you might be eligible for a training grant to attend classes at MSI Education.
http://www.msiservices.com/index.php/education/vocational/
Please contact us if you want to find out if you're eligible for a training grant or are interested in taking a class to fill a gap in your skill set (and resume).
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MSI unveils new seminars for Vocational Program
Posted by: Frank Ableson in Education, Career Resources, General Business, Company News, Social Media, Social Networking, Sussex County, Community on October 30, 2009
MSI is pleased to announce the addition of four new seminars available for enrolled students in our Vocational Programs.
The first seminar is entitled "Supercharge your Search". This program not only hits the "basics" of resumes, cover letters and interviewing, it also walks participants through some of the larger-picture questions.
Who are you and what kind of job do you really want?
Are you an effective communicator?
Can you explain to someone in 30 seconds or less a convincing statement of who you are and what you are looking for?
Are you networking with friends and professional peers to make sure that everyone in your sphere of influence knows what a good opportunity looks like for you?
What is the title of the person you want to work for?
How far are you willing to drive to your new job?
Do you know how to effectively use Linked In and other social networking tools and communities to aid you in finding your next opportunity?
These and many other key questions are raised and discussed in the seminar. Students spend time working together to practice their "30 second commercial". It makes a difference.
We also cover the essential steps you need to do before, during and after the Interview.
Each student receives a complete Career Notebook, including class notes, worksheets and key reference materials.
Our second seminar is entitled "Your Communication Style".
In this seminar each student takes an in-class, certified communication-style assessment. Once we have taken this assessment, we go through the different styles of communication and relate that to students' personal and professional experiences. There are a lot of "Ah-Ha" moments as students gain a keener insight into how they communicate with their peers - both personal and professional.
Equipped with this new self-knowledge, students are better prepared to navigate a challenging interview, including all of those "hard interview questions". We even review job postings and work together to determine what communication style would be a good fit for each. Having a good job usually starts with picking the right job -- and how you communicate has a large impact on this decision. Know yourself and be equipped!
Each student receives a complete Career Notebook, including class notes, worksheets and key reference materials.
Our third seminar is entilted "Bookkeeping in the real world". This seminar is targeted towards our QuickBooks students, however all enrolled students are welcome to attend and participate.
In this seminar, our facilitiator walks students through the ins and outs of bookkeeping based on decades of experience in the financial industry. In particular, the use of QuickBooks in a modern office setting is discussed including "key skills to have". And yes, students can even ask their "debit vs credit" questions. Our QuickBooks instructors are experienced, professional book keepers.
Our fourth seminar is entitled "Using LinkedIn to supercharge your Job Search". In this seminar our facilitator walks particpants through the process of creating and/or enhancing their LinkedIn profiles. Going well beyond the basics of setting up a LinkedIn profile, this seminar teaches students how to research LinkedIn for possible job opportunities in their target market, networking with former co-workers, and getting engaged in the numerous and active LinkedIn groups. To navigate LinkedIn successfully, you must engage -- we show you how!
Our aim in providing these seminars to our students it to help them in any and every way we can. We want to help our students become gainfully employed, however it goes well beyond that ambitious objective.
At MSI, we want to be an organization that provides value today, and for the future, to everyone we come into contact with -- a company of value. If you have an interest in learning more about our seminars, or education program or about our company in general, please do not hesitate to contact us at 973.448.0070, email us at info@msiservices.com, or visit our website.
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