Why People Post their Innermost Thoughts on Social Media
Understanding why people participate and share via social media has been a hot topic in academic circles for a while. There is quite a large literature stream dedicated to the subject – later in the blog we look at a recent study by Harvard University. I’ve also often asked my students why they post what they do on social media. This has often been met with a little hostility and sometimes bemusement – apparently it’s not just me that doesn’t post their full daily itinerary with thought narrative on Facebook. Hurrah!
Notwithstanding my personal loathing on posting private and often heartfelt emotional information on social media, it does happen – constantly! I’m fighting the urge to take a few screenshots of the best ‘you really shouldn’t have posted that’ posts from my feeds – but I won’t.
Brand Innovation Through Social Networks
I would like to introduce a new initiative on my blog, to showcase other social media researchers, their interests and their work. Did you know that only 25% of academic work is reported in newspapers and magazines… Being the researcher that I am I have decided to dedicate some space on my blog to showcase social media research – we do valuable work in academia too!
Please welcome Siobhán McGinty as my first guest blogger. I ‘met’ Siobhán last year and we have been in contact ever since, she is an inspiration to all researchers starting out on their doctoral journey. She has accomplished so much already! Well done Siobhán!
Is Social Media Really that Engaging?
I was having a coffee and chat with David and the team at O Street a couple of weeks ago. The creative studio is located on Bank Street, Glasgow. I’m going to be using the space for a KILTR research event in early May and during the planning we got chatting about social media. Its days like this that I live for! Can someone please pay me to go and chat to people about social media, just chat and learn from them?!
OK, let’s get this back on track…
Hello Social Media… I’ve Missed You!
My blog says the last time I posted was the 17th of February… that’s nearly two months ago! Way too long! I’ve been using this time wisely and been really busy beavering away on many social media projects, so here is the run down…
I’ve finished my PhD. I suppose that’s the most important thing, it’s certainly been a long time coming. As I type the full thesis is being proofread – no pesky typos for me! I’m very happy that I’ve got to this stage and I can see the end in sight. Just one mammoth thesis defence and then I’ll be Dr Jillian Ney. Let the celebrations begin. The journey to get here has been incredible. When I was writing my acknowledgements I got a little teary thinking about all the people who have made my doctorate journey so special. I’ve been one lucky lady and long may that continue!
Building Ethical Businesses in a Digital World
It’s no secret that one of the things I love about social media is consumer voice. Controversial? Maybe. However it was consumer voice that got me into social so early on. All the hype over social media marketing followed but I’ve always thought of social media as more than a marketing medium.
When you look at the philosophy or psychology behind social media (for example, Karakas, 2009) you being to see that social media is more than marketing. You also see that consumer voice holds the most power but I know many brands remain sceptical about this… Lack of control is always going to be an issue.
What’s in a Facebook ‘Like’? Not a lot if you have to ask for it
I’ve had a rant on Twitter (@jillney) and now I’m turning to blogging about it. I promise it will be a meaningful rant and I’m also thinking if I’ve had such a big reaction about people asking for Facebook ‘Likes’ then I’m sure you have too.
Have you ever asked for a Facebook ‘Like’? I’m not talking about educating current clients and customers that you are now on Facebook, I’m taking about full on asking people in groups to ‘Like’ your Facebook page. Please no. It’s even worse if you work in marketing and especially social.
Why?! Do you have ‘why’ in your social media strategy?
Why is a great question, do you not think? I like why. I explore why. I believe that to understand the behaviour is to harness the behaviour effectively. This is especially true in social media.
The problem with social media is that not many people explore the why, the behavioural aspect. How, what, where and when are more commonly explored. How should I approach social media? What content should I post? Where should I post the content? When should I post the content?
Social Media Reading Group
During the last half of 2011 I attended quite a few conferences, both academic and practitioner conferences. One of the things I’ve noticed over the past four years is that social media interest has rapidly accelerated in both academic and practitioner camps. When I was at the AMA/Sheth Doctoral Consortium the social media track was by far the most popular track of the week.
Branded Social Space
I read a blog by Chris Brogan this week, that we all get our knowledge from the same place and repeat what we read instead of making our own opinions. What if that knowledge is slightly wrong? I see this in social media circles. The information is taken and remixed all across the web, in blogs, posts, tweets… People take this to be true. This is why brands are a little scared of social media, consumers can take a brand message and remix it any way they want. Which message is true?!
Are the Tides Changing in Social?
I’ve not blogged for a while, I’ve been trying to finish my PhD, and I’m nearly there, thankfully. In ‘hanging together’ my PhD I was reacquainted with some early practitioner research I conducted. I think this part is timelier than ever as I see the tide of social media management beginning to change for the better.
An amended taste of some of my topic areas… Who in the organisation is responsible for social media management? How does your internal organisation infrastructure cope with ‘social’ communication flows? Do you have a social media policy? Have you adapted your social media policy in the last six months? Twelve months?
