PERSONAL LEARNING ASSIGNMENT

When I first started this project my goal was to determine what the best social media platforms and tools were for me to use in promoting my new business.  Previously I operated a traditional street front retail business, and my on-line presence was through my website.  With the change to a studio format, I knew that I would need a different approach to marketing my business.  Why is such a change necessary?  Because I’m no longer selling a broad range of products and services; I’m selling ME, my ideas, my creativity.  I still need a website, primarily to promote my classes and the products I use; with a change to a more personal focus, I need to use social media tools.  But what an assortment of options – where do you start?

First, I’m making a list and checking it twice but it doesn’t tell me what’s naughty or nice.  The choices are unlimited and for an ADDer that means trouble.  I can wander with Google for hours, or for ever, and keep finding new and wonderful things.  To help me keep all of this information organized I have started to use ‘Ever Note’.   I like this much better than bookmarking as I can create groupings based on topics/ideas and it’s easily accessible. 

HOW CAN BLOGGING HELP ME CREATE A PRESENCE?

I have enjoyed blogging as part of our class assignments, but how does it fit into my business plan?  To begin with I’ve had to consider what kind of person I am, what my skills are, what message do I want to get out to my customers and what do I want my business to look like.  Thanks to an article written by Darren Rowse of Pro Blogger  (Rowse, D., 2013), I was able to identify and address the skills needed to be a successful  blogger.  And there is no doubt that a blog is an essential tool for me.  Since I started my first company and website, social media has changed; it has become social and interactive, requiring new ways to communicate and engage with your audience.  In making the decision to create a business blog, I have also come to realize that it is essential to establish a routine for maintaining my blog in order for it to produce the results I am after (Kumar, A.J., 2013).  I once attended a Social Media presentation and one of the presenters said he checked his Facebook and LinkedIn accounts daily.  At the time I thought this was overkill but have now learned how important this is.  Regular updating, responding to posts, and following other blogs are all ways to keep traffic coming to your site.

CAN A BLOG CREATE INCOME?

Surprisingly, the answer to this is “yes”.  Like I said earlier, though, this doesn’t happen by chance but by working my blog daily, along with other tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest.  In doing my research I came across an article about become an Affiliate.  Many publishers and distributors such as amazon.com offer an Affiliate Program.  By promoting a book on your blog and sending buyers to their web-site, you earn money for each referral.   Why did I forget about this?  Probably because I view a static website differently than a blog.  But as a bookaholic I am often making book recommendations, and if this earns me money, then I will make a concerted effort to do so.

CHECK OUT THE COMPETITION

This exercise was very interesting.  There are several sites listing quilting blogs – and not just from North American quilters, but from around the world.  In fact they have more than 5,500 quilt blogs from 77 countries.   The Quilting Gallery (http://quiltinggallery.com/quilting-bloggers/) is one of these sites and once it is created, I can register my blog with them.  Looking at some of the blogs they have listed was very inspiring.  I really have my work cut out for me.  Interested?  Then check out some of these blogs:  http://andsew4th.blogspot.ca/  -- an Alaskan quilter living in Paris; http://karenmarchetti.blogspot.ca/ -- great quilt gallery; and http://countryquilter.wordpress.com/ -- an Aussie with a dog. 

The other group I investigated was my favorite designers.  With the exception of Vikki Pignatelli they all have blogs, as well as being on Facebook.  Most of them have websites containing their blog, quilt galleries, class listings, shopping cart, and more.  This is the format that I have determined is best for me. 

Favourite Designers

http://www.quilterblogs.com/tag/esterita%20austin/

http://www.cater-woods.com/weblog/ 

http://www.vikkipignatelli.com/ 

FINAL THOUGHTS                                                 

As you can tell from the comments I’ve made, there is a lot of work ahead for me.  Actually, there is still a lot of research to be done.  I have just ordered a video recorder in order to create step-by-step videos of some of the projects I am working on. 

Other tools that I’ll be using include YouTube and Pinterest.  I am a certified instructor with several product designers and they have YouTube videos available, which I will link to my blog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwRvzDqKoFk Not Your Grandmother’s Log Cabin). 

I have also created a Pinterest account.  Many of the quilters I know use Pinterest all the time, which is probably why it’s one of the busiest social media sites today.  Given that the majority of users (80%) are women and that 95% of quilters are also women; it’s an opportunity not to be missed.  Like quilting Pinterest is a visual site – the only thing it doesn’t provide is the ability to touch.  Maybe that ability is coming.

As many quilters are aging, it is important to develop the next generation of quilter.  The 20 and 30-year olds have totally different shopping habits from the 55+ group.  They are internet savvy, do much of their purchasing on-line, as well as their learning.  Given that the 25 – 34 year old age bracket accounts for 30% of Pinterest users, and the 35 – 44 year olds account for 25%, Pinterest is an essential tool for reaching and developing young quilters. 

Stay tuned for more news from Tall Pines Quilt Studio from the shores of Stoney Lake.

References:

Rowse, D. (2006). Is a Blog Right for You?  Retrieved from http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/is-a-blog-right-for-you/

Rowse, D. (2012).  Can You Really Make Money Blogging?  Retrieved from http://www.problogger.net/archives/2012/11/28/can-you-really-make-money-blogging-7-things-i-know-about-making-money-from-blogging/

Kumar, A.J. (2013).  5 Daily Habits for Effective Social Media Marketing.  Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/printthis/225609.html

Thiessen, T. (2012).  Blogging for Money .  Retrieved from http://www.empowernetwork.com/tthiessen/blog/blogging-for-money/

Moth, D. (2012)  9 Awesome Pinterest Infographics.  Retrieved from http://econsultancy.com/ca/blog/10481-nine-awesome-pinterest-infographics

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ITS IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF NEWS AND INFORMATION

This week’s Social Media study topic focused on Social Media and Traditional Media.  I found this topic to be the most interesting so far; informative and thought provoking.  The concept of “Citizen Journalism” is not new but I now have a better understanding of what it means and its impact on the traditional world of newspaper reporting.  For a brief and to-the point description of “Citizen Journalist”, check out this YouTube short by Professor Jay Rosen, New York University (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcYSmRZuep4).   Canadians have enjoyed the freedom to choose their source for news, but are now able to become an active participant in the process as a Citizen Journalist.  And we are no longer limited to the written word.  With the use of cell phones/camera phones, people are able to record and comment on events as they happen, becoming a Cell Journalist.    Our participation isn’t restricted to reporting, but we can also act as editors and publishers through a variety of tools, groups and websites. 

Daily we see examples of the role of the Citizen Journalist on TV news programs, YouTube, blogs and sites such as nowpublic.com.  We have become accustomed to viewing subway bombings from the subway itself; being in the center of a hurricane; watching the military attack during the Arab Spring; and the raising of world-wide outrage after the Taliban shooting of a 14-year old girl.  Much good has come from this increased public awareness, but at the same time I am concerned about the ethics and accountability of this type of reporting.  And the continuous barrage of images of horror.  Mark Twain said it well in his comment about American journalism:

"Necessarily we are all fond of murders, scandals, swindles, robberies, explosions, collisions, and all such things, when we know the people, and when they are neighbors and friends, but when they are strangers we do not get any great pleasure out of them, as a rule. Now the trouble with an American paper is that it has no discrimination; it rakes the whole earth for blood and garbage, and the result is that you are daily overfed and suffer a surfeit. "

We are accustomed to believing that journalists provide accurate information to the public and are accountable for that accuracy.  After all, news stories have been known to make or break reputations, cause panic, influence public policy and affect economic stability.   Accurate and fair reporting is, as a result, a considerable responsibility.  But who is JQ Public responsible to?   Through my studies I have learned that many of the new sites disseminating information provided by Citizen Journalists are rating contributors, creating rigor in the content they are presenting.  As an individual develops a following and a reputation their work may be included in postings from more traditional sources, e.g. New York Times, and they may even be invited to act as an editor.  Group blogs such as Huffington Post have been created to further accuracy and accountability. 

Fortunately I am not the only person concerned with the question of ethics.  Many articles have been written and in April 2010 the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Center for Journalism Ethics and School of Journalism and Mass Communication hosted a conference for “New Journalism – New Ethics”.  This gives me hope that individuals who take their role as reporter seriously, will consider the impact of the information they are publishing, and the ethics involved.

On a lighter note, I was pleased to see the video clip promoting “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society”.  If you haven’t had the opportunity of reading this book, do so now.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and as the author mentioned, began to see the various characters as friends and couldn’t wait to see what happened to them next.

This clip also got me to thinking of how it would be possible to undertake a similar project today.  First I would have to identify a subject or event that would appeal to an audience and request people, through a blog, to submit their thoughts or experiences on the topic.  I would then be acting in the role of an editor in assembling this information into a coherent and interesting format.  Hmm …. food for thought.

Recommended Readings:

http://ethics.journalism.wisc.edu/  Center for Journalism Ethics, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin – Madison, 2010 Conference:  New Journalism – New Ethics (April 20, 2010)

http://www.journalismethics.info/feature_articles/towards_a_new_ethics.html

http://www.journalismethics.info/citizen_journalism/cell_journalism.html

Citizen Journalism Needs a Dose of Journalistic Ethics After Sandy, Tyler Mahoney, The Huffington Post, November 6, 2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tyler-mahoney/hurricane-sandy-citizen-journalism_b_2082596.html

SOCIAL MEDIA DIET -- PIECE OF CAKE!

As part of my Social Media course we were required to take a 2 day social media diet. For some of you that may sound impossible, but I don't spend a lot of time glued to my phone or laptop, so I thought it was going to be easy. And for the most part it was, but I did learn some interesting things.

I am often on-line searching for information, but I didn't realize quite how often. I am a voracious reader and will often find a reference to a person, place or event that triggers my curiosity. Then I head to Google for some more information. Over the 2 days of my diet it was surprising the number of times I found myself thinking "I'll just Google that". I love to Google. I have a mind full of useless (or maybe useful) information, and Google is one of my best friends.

One of my favourite pastimes is cooking and I have several recipe sites that I use on a regular, almost daily, basis. Saturday is when I usually make two batches of soup and this weekend it was to be bean and chicken noodle. And I wanted something different for a bean soup. Can you imagine my frustration when I remembered that my on-line recipe boxes were off limits? So 2 hours and 6 cookbooks later, I decided to stick with my tried and true recipes.

The first day of my diet was spent in a hospital waiting room with my sister. She passed several hours on her I-Pad and I spent mine with a good book.  And talking to strangers. After all, you never know who might be sitting next to you and the stories they may have to tell. I met 2 fellow quilters during my wait. They were busy exchanging Pinterest pictures and I drew some patterns for them on the back of an envelope.

I must admit, though, that I did fall off the wagon for a few minutes. My sister received a Facebook note from my son in Australia with pictures of his hands after a recent climbing mishap and I had to have a look and send a note. After all, what kind of mother would I be if I wasn't concerned about my kid. But later, instead of skyping, I picked up the phone and gave him a call.

Usually on Saturday, once I've got my soups simmering, I will spend the next hour or so going through e-mails and checking out new websites and blogs. This weekend that time was spent outside show shoeing, which my dogs really appreciated. I felt great and need to remember that feeling in the future. It really is important for me, in my busy life, to get out and smell the roses.

I don't think I'll ever become one of those people who are glued to notebooks and phones. I enjoy being able to access an unlimited supply of information and ideas, but I have so many other things in my life that I don't think it will ever get away from me. Many of the younger members of my family are the exact opposite. My niece's daughters dropped her phone down the toilet this week and . . . hysteria reigns supreme. Me, I'd be glad of the break.

So now I'm back to Google, but I am trying to be more aware of the time I spend cruising. I'll let you know how I make out.   Meantime, get your hat and coat.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA -- WHO NEEDS IT?

 

Over the past few years the world has changed from being internet savvy to social media savvy.  Everywhere you turn social media is there.  Do we need it, do I need it -- the answer is yes.  So many of the everyday things we do are now done easier, faster and from the comfort of our own homes.  Here is how social media has impacted both my personal and business life, and the benefits.

 

My son now lives and works in Australia and we are able to keep in touch via Facebook, Messenger and Skype.  No longer am I ruled by time zones; messages and  photos get sent whenever I want and they get read wherever he happens to be.  We make new friends on-line and find old ones.  

Travel has never been easier.  I can follow travel blogs,  links to great promotional offers, check the weather, read a local newspaper, see what my hotel room looks like, book a massage, my flights and -- well you get the idea.  Learning something new is only limited by your imagination and the time you have to follow links to new information.  For an information junky this is heaven.  Yes, sometimes you can get lost in the search, but that just requires a little self-control.

As someone who requires a gluten-free diet, getting a variety of foods used to be a challenge.  Now my on-line recipe clubs have manufacturer links that allow me to order products that are delivered to my home in a matter of days, pose questions if one of my recipes has been a dismal failure (complete with pictures) and learn more about food substitutes.  Did you know that Amazon.com has a great selection of gluten-free products?  These products are not available through a store, web only.

And that leads me to the benefits for business.  For the past few years I have been operating a "brick and mortar" specialty retail business.  Retail is tough at the best of times but in the current economic climate its deadly.  Add to that having a business based in a small northern town with an aging population, and survival is a challenge.  To succeed today you need to be prepared to leave behind traditional sales methods and put social media to work for you.  Moving to an on-line format makes sense in today's marketplace.  Afterall, if 10% of the world's population has a Facebook account, and the average user has 130 friends, it is more than possible to create a customer base that has the potential to grow daily.  And to tap into a totally different market segment.  Market surveys have shown that 90% of consumers trust peer recommendations versus 14% of the population trusting the more traditional advertisements.  Add to that the cost savings, and how can you ignore social media as an intelligent way to do business.  Have you ever priced newspaper and radio advertising?  Indications are that a business marketing via social media will still be in business in 5 years -- sounds good to me.

Not only can I market my business more effectively but tools are now available that make me more efficient as well.  What am I talking about?  YouTube.  Rather than creating my own videos of product demonstrations, I can put manufacturers' YouTube demos on my website.  Or twitter my customer to let them know a new product has arrived and a YouTube clip is available.  And can be reviewed repeatedly if the customer needs to.  This does take away some of the personal service, but in communities away from large metropolitan areas, this is a real benefit.  And of course in slow periods WagJag promotions help to boost cash flow.

So, do I think social media is a fad or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?  It may have begun as a fad but the benefits have quickly become apparent and I believe it is here to stay.  Yes, we do need learn how to curb abuse of the medium, but that has always been the case,  The challenge now is that the whole world will know about misuse and abuse, in some cases as it is occurring.  Food for thought.



My Bucket is Empty

My Bucket list is empty because I have just created this blog.  Stay tuned!