Amber Alerts were created in 1996 after a young girl, Amber Hagerman, was abducted and murdered. For years Amber Alerts could be found on marquees on interstates, scrolling down the bottom of television screens, and through text messages.
Now, according to this article Amber Alerts have been implemented through Facebook. Amber Alerts has also started a Twitter page. However, they feel that at this point in time Facebook has been more beneficial because Facebook gets viewed more than any other site across the planet.
I think this is a great idea because now in addition to the other outlets that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has implemented these alerts are now just a click or an update away. Ernie Allen, the President and CEO of the NCMEC, explains that Facebook users who "like" the Amber Alert page have the option for which states they receive updates from.
I think this is an awesome way to help save children lives. Social Media has proven its ability to spread things like wildfire so I hope now that the NCMEC has joined, we can see Social Networks be used in additonal postive manner!
Friend them today!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Being Safe While Using Social Networks
Using social networks allows people to stay in contact and sometimes literally know a person’s every move. Although, this is a nice way to stay connected it also can be dangerous if not careful. I read this article that provided some tips to keeping yourself and your friends safe.
The major point emphasized was to be discreet. Once you post something online it can never be fully deleted. Therefore, before posting anything make sure it is something that you are okay with being out there online forever.
Be careful when letting people know your location. Location social networks are gaining popularity rapidly and while these sites are fun, don't make it easy for someone to stalk you. The site also mentioned never make it known when you are going to be out of town or leaving your home for an extended period of time. Also, utilize the security settings provided and do not just rely on the defaults provided.
Watch who you are "friending", I am sure everyone has gotten friend requests from people that leave them thinking who in the heck is this person!!?? It isn't always wise to just click accept, because you may never know why they are wanting access to your profile.
Don't publish any personal information and be careful who you are allowing to view information such as your e-mail. I've noticed that many people have their cell phone numbers listed so if you are one of those people be careful of who you allow to view this information. One of my friends had theirs listed and began getting creepy calls from people who got it off of Facebook--you can never be too careful.
Social Networks are a fun, and easy way to stay in touch with your friends so just play it safe to ensure a positive experience.
The major point emphasized was to be discreet. Once you post something online it can never be fully deleted. Therefore, before posting anything make sure it is something that you are okay with being out there online forever.
Be careful when letting people know your location. Location social networks are gaining popularity rapidly and while these sites are fun, don't make it easy for someone to stalk you. The site also mentioned never make it known when you are going to be out of town or leaving your home for an extended period of time. Also, utilize the security settings provided and do not just rely on the defaults provided.
Watch who you are "friending", I am sure everyone has gotten friend requests from people that leave them thinking who in the heck is this person!!?? It isn't always wise to just click accept, because you may never know why they are wanting access to your profile.
Don't publish any personal information and be careful who you are allowing to view information such as your e-mail. I've noticed that many people have their cell phone numbers listed so if you are one of those people be careful of who you allow to view this information. One of my friends had theirs listed and began getting creepy calls from people who got it off of Facebook--you can never be too careful.
Social Networks are a fun, and easy way to stay in touch with your friends so just play it safe to ensure a positive experience.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Is Social Media Killing Print Media?
Can you remember the last time you purchased a magazine or newspaper to find out about current events.?
Most of you probably just reach for your smart phone or hop on the computer to see what is going on in the world. Therefore, it makes me wonder if social media, is helping kill off print media. Not only is having newspapers online responsible but I feel that more and more people are getting their information through social media. Our generation is too accustomed to getting information free and instantaneous that having to go out and purchase it no longer seems like an option. For example, I found out about the tragedy in Japan through people's status' on Facebook. My grandparents and I have often have the disagreement with the fact that I do not sit and watch the news every night. My response is always if something is going I need to know about I'll find out about it. Which is true, I would say well over half the information I receive I found out through what people are saying on Social Media sites.
So with Social Media how do newspapers and magazines survive? I recently saw a commercial with Cosmopolitan promoting their new app for the iPhone and iPad, as well as, their Facebook page. I applaud them on their efforts to alter their product to appease current consumer demand. Unfortunately, I feel that that in order to survive these types of businesses have got to find alternative ways to stay relevant.
Most of you probably just reach for your smart phone or hop on the computer to see what is going on in the world. Therefore, it makes me wonder if social media, is helping kill off print media. Not only is having newspapers online responsible but I feel that more and more people are getting their information through social media. Our generation is too accustomed to getting information free and instantaneous that having to go out and purchase it no longer seems like an option. For example, I found out about the tragedy in Japan through people's status' on Facebook. My grandparents and I have often have the disagreement with the fact that I do not sit and watch the news every night. My response is always if something is going I need to know about I'll find out about it. Which is true, I would say well over half the information I receive I found out through what people are saying on Social Media sites.
So with Social Media how do newspapers and magazines survive? I recently saw a commercial with Cosmopolitan promoting their new app for the iPhone and iPad, as well as, their Facebook page. I applaud them on their efforts to alter their product to appease current consumer demand. Unfortunately, I feel that that in order to survive these types of businesses have got to find alternative ways to stay relevant.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Increasing your Fanbase on Facebook
Recently I have been asked my opinion from a local business on how to utlize Facebook wisely to market their business. Just as we have discussed that there are now certain guidelines for us to use Facebook there are guidelines for businesses as well. I was curious what advice the web offers to increase businesses recognition on Facebook and this is what I found.
The tips below are ones that I saw mutlitple times as well as some I found interesting.
*Include a link to your FB page on every e-mail you send and link to Twitter-They explained the importance of linking all the sites a business uses together to create a sense of unity.
*Make an interesting video welcoming viewers to your site
*Get fans to tag pictures of themselves with the product-I thoght this was beneficial because the business I was talking to sells jewerly and I think this could be a good way to create awarness of her product.
*Run a contest that requires people to become fans first
*Update reguarly-This is a mistake that many businesses make by not keeping their page current. I think that if a business is going to take the social media plunge they need to be dedicated to keep their sites up to date.
*Put the URL on your print media, business cards etc.
*Use the @ tag to your advantage...whether it be on your personal page or tag other people
*Don't have your wall as the first thing seen, create a unique page-This is something that I have been some business start to do and I think it is interesting and almost just looks like an improved, interactive website for the business.
*Create conversation-This can be as simple as having a status that invites others to share their opinions. Most everyone likes to speak their opinion and it can be something just to get people talking but it also helps with brand awareness.
When using social media one of the primary goals is to create awarness and keep in touch with consumers and I think these tips can help a business stand out in the Facebook world.
The tips below are ones that I saw mutlitple times as well as some I found interesting.
*Include a link to your FB page on every e-mail you send and link to Twitter-They explained the importance of linking all the sites a business uses together to create a sense of unity.
*Make an interesting video welcoming viewers to your site
*Get fans to tag pictures of themselves with the product-I thoght this was beneficial because the business I was talking to sells jewerly and I think this could be a good way to create awarness of her product.
*Run a contest that requires people to become fans first
*Update reguarly-This is a mistake that many businesses make by not keeping their page current. I think that if a business is going to take the social media plunge they need to be dedicated to keep their sites up to date.
*Put the URL on your print media, business cards etc.
*Use the @ tag to your advantage...whether it be on your personal page or tag other people
*Don't have your wall as the first thing seen, create a unique page-This is something that I have been some business start to do and I think it is interesting and almost just looks like an improved, interactive website for the business.
*Create conversation-This can be as simple as having a status that invites others to share their opinions. Most everyone likes to speak their opinion and it can be something just to get people talking but it also helps with brand awareness.
When using social media one of the primary goals is to create awarness and keep in touch with consumers and I think these tips can help a business stand out in the Facebook world.
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