Archive for category Social Media
Balancing Personal and Professional
Posted by Kristin in Life, Social Media on May 10, 2010
The concept of defining one’s identity online has been discussed endlessly. I’ve worked to develop my professional persona through Twitter and lately, my website. However, as I enter a new stage in my personal life, I feel the need to document and ultimately share these experiences with friends, family and anyone who is interested.
However, I fully acknowledge that my professional contacts and readers of my website (all seven of you, hello!) may not want to read about my struggles with wedding vendors, stresses of budgeting and ideas for cheap dates for poor newlyweds. So I decided I would be one of the many to venture into the world of multiple blogs. Yikes.
This blog will continue to allow me the freedom of posting about a variety of topics – ranging from first date etiquette (thank you Twitter!) and book reviews to PR tactics and mishandled crises. Everything directly related to my personal life, and my transition from single to engaged, and later to becoming a wife (gulp) will be housed on my new site.
As I work to build up content and adjust to maintaining two separate sites, I will be a contributing columnist on Just Judy Judy Judy. Thanks, in part, to a chat with Judy, I feel comfortable and am ready to be the owner of two separate identities online. Eventually, I will be moving to a brand spankin’ new website, but until then check me out at Little Miss Bride to Be.
Here’s the question: How do you balance your personal life with your professional image online? Do you use two separate identities? Or, do you take the opportunity to showcase you as a completely balanced person?
What the Kell?
Posted by Kristin in Media, Social Media on March 9, 2010
So, I’m sure many of you do not religiously watch Bravo like I do… but stay with me on this one. Bravo’s newest TV show “Kell on Earth” follows Kelly Cutrone and her minions at People’s Revolution in the fast-paced world of fashion public relations.
Cutrone is cut-throat and intimidating as hell, and infamous for the line, “If you have to cry, go outside.” (Note: I would never work at a place where employees bursting into tears happened enough times for that rule to be in place). Yikes.
A recent episode, however, let loose another strange rule at People’s Revolution: employees are not allowed to use social media.
**Update: I was informed by Katy Smith that, in fact, employees of People’s Revolution are using social media. However, given the recent episode where a new hire was terminated for tweeting about being hired, I am leaving up this post. I’m still interested to hear your thoughts about social media policies.
In a Fight with Facebook
Posted by Kristin in Social Media on February 18, 2010
While doing some quick research on Facebook Causes for a client, I was greeted by a lovely advertisement from Facebook.
I’m not sure how Facebook determined that I was about to turn 36, when I am in fact about to turn 24. (March 20, mark your calendars).
I have decided that this might be worse than the targeted advertisements that Facebook normally chooses for me, such as weight loss, teeth whiteners and coupons for cupcakes.
Or, perhaps Facebook is mocking my fear of my mid-twenties by catapulting me into my mid-thirties…
What exactly is your game, Facebook?
Developing a Perspective
Posted by Kristin in Social Media on December 2, 2009
My blog has been live for exactly one month – and I’m starting to experience writer’s block, already. The challenges of maintaining a blog are obvious, and ones that I knew coming into this endeavor: Finding new, interesting content to update regularly, keeping me relevant to my readers. However, I find myself struggling to come up with those topics that will highlight my knowledge, opinion and endearing levels of sass.
Thus, I am drawing inspiration from a current photography project and creating a personal challenge for my blog.
I am trying to train myself to look at objects, scenes, people with an artistic eye. So, my first challenge I set for myself is to capture every letter of the alphabet somewhere in nature. It is quite the task so far… I don’t naturally look at the underside of a billboard and see Rs or bike racks for the Es. However, I hope that it will help me develop a new, interesting perspective in my photography.
Translating my letter-seeking, camera quest to my blog?
I hereby challenge myself to analyze. A simple reporting of current trends, news stories and events won’t make my blog unique or desirable to readers. I need to be more comfortable developing an opinion (I’m sure many of you don’t anticipate that being hard for me!), articulating said opinion and preparing myself to defend it. I want to inspire conversation, welcome alternative views and learn new things from my readers – all at the same time.
While I don’t promise thoughtful, provoking analysis in every post. It is something that I will strive for on a regular basis. As always, I appreciate and learn from feedback – so please feel comfortable enough to give it!
How have you proficient bloggers tackled your writer’s block? Any tips for a beginner?
Finding my voice
Posted by Kristin in Social Media on November 6, 2009
As I start out on the path to becoming a blogger, I have been reading blog post after blog post… about blogging, desperate to find the post that would turn on the switch in my head, making me into an instant blogger. The switch hasn’t gone off yet, but I did come across a post from copyblogger that got me thinking.
“Get off your Computer and become a better Blogger” in short, emphasizes the importance of discovering your voice and style, which you can’t find sitting behind a computer.
“Start conversations with more people. Find the kind of jokes you like to tell. Listen to the rhythm of your voice as you speak. Pay attention to the way people react when you talk. Notice how they seem more interested when you speak in a certain way or when you discuss certain topics.”
Q: So then, why do I find this so difficult?
A: During the week, I am not writing with my voice.
My question to you, expert bloggers: How do you turn your voice on and off? Do you find that you blog the way you speak?
I’m sure I’ll find my way as time goes on, I just hope those who come across my blog will be patient as stumble along.
To read the entire post from copyblogger, click here.
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About Me
Public relations and communications professional. Passionate about sports, photography, travel, friends and family. Minnesota native, looking for where life will take me next."In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary." --aaron rose
Share a Little Love
Posted by Kristin in Social Media on June 2, 2010
I read dozens of blog posts every week and subscribe to more than 50 different blogs on my Feedly account. However, I can say with confidence that I don’t comment on as many posts as I should, and I also know that I’m not the only one.
It’s not enough to be a blogger, you have to also be a commenter. Remember when you first started your blog? How nerve-wracking it can be to put your opinions, experiences and knowledge out for the world to see (and judge)? Now, think back to some of your first commenters.
Too often, we get caught up in our online networks and rarely stray outside of those contacts and engage with others. Comments give the blogger the confidence and encouragement necessary to put up the next post, possibly that extra push to try something new or post about something out of their comfort zone.
Whether it’s a comment about one particular post, a question to ponder or simple words that acknowledge the effort it took to click “submit,” the act of commenting can make all the difference to the author.
I’ve started to make a conscious effort to comment on the blog posts that I read each day. I encourage other bloggers to add “commenter” to their online activity as well.
blogging, comments
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