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The Huntington News, the Independent Student Newspaper of Northeastern University recently interviewed me on the subject of how Internet networking benefits relationships. In the article, Marian Daniells talks about the positive relationships that develop when technology is used to supplement human interaction.
I have personally experienced this when someone who was following me on Twitter came to a book signing of mine where we met in real life. I’ve also developed wonderful friendships from people I have met on Facebook and Twitter as a result of speaking at social media conferences.
I believe in casting a wide net for both business and romantic relationships through the use of social networking. The healthiest relationships are a result of both online and offline communications.
Cyber-dating expert Julie Spira said she has witnessed the positive and negative effects the Internet can have on relationships.
“The Internet can be used as a tool to enhance your life,” she said.
Spira, who helped host September’s Social Media Week in Los Angeles, first created an online profile in 1994. Since then, she has been on “hundreds and hundreds” of dates, received four marriage proposals and learned of the many hazards of online communication.
In her book, “The Perils of Cyber-Dating,” released in September, Spira aims to inform dating site users — particularly women — of the many “red flags” of online dating. There are a lot of risks, Spira said, who claims that misrepresentation is a common problem.
According to her research, she said women often lie about their age and weight in their online profiles, hoping to appear more appealing by representing themselves as younger and thinner. Similarly, she observed, men often inflate their salaries and shorter men typically claim to be two inches taller.
“A third of men online that claim to be single are married or just separated,” said Spira. “It’s important to take time to talk to people, to see if their stories add up.”
The recently-released movie “Catfish” is a documentary-thriller about New York-based photographer Nev Shulman who engaged in a long-distance romantic relationship with a woman he met on the Internet. Eventually, he discovered that the woman he was actually talking to was a married middle-aged woman who used a stranger’s photos as her own and represented herself as her own, non-existent daughter, a 20-something amateur model. She created and monitored numerous accounts, some of fictitious people and some based on actual people.
As it turns out, the twenty-something that Shulman thought he was getting involved with was a bored Midwestern housewife with three kids.
But despite the “red flags” and perils of online dating like those in “Catfish,” Spira said the Internet is still an important — and beneficial — tool.
“It’s a combination of romantic and social networking,” Spira said, citing business relationships she has formed with men she’s met online. In one case, she was introduced to an agent by a “failed date.”
Drawing a simile between romantic networking online and sending out resumes, Spira said the Internet is “a way to expand your social and business networks.”
Spira, acknowledging the risks associated with online communication, said that it’s important to transition relationships from online to offline as soon as possible.
“You need to use the Internet as a tool,” she said.
But sometimes, she said, people build trust with those they’ve never met and share private information, including deeply personal beliefs or financial information.
“It can be risky,” Spira said.
Click here to read full article on The Huntington News>>>
Filed under Social Notebook · Tagged with How Networking Online Benefits Relationships, Huntington News, julie spira, online and offline networking, social media, Social Media and More, social media expert, social networking, social networking for business, social networking for love, social networking for romance, The Perils of Cyberdating
Happy Author's Day
Today, November 1, 2010 is National Author’s Day. Unlike 60-years ago where most authors didn’t have the tools to promote their books, today, every author needs a social media marketing plan.
National Author’s Day was originally adopted by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1929. Twenty years later, the U.S. Department of Commerce added it to their calendar. If authors had the ability to use social media back then, they would have been more successful.
As an author of a bestselling book, I’d like to both celebrate this holiday with my fellow authors and more importantly talk about the benefits of social media marketing for authors.
1. Social Media can make your book a bestseller. It happened to me and it can happen to you.
2. Social Media can help build momentum prior to your book’s launch.
3. Social Media will help you create new relationships with like-minded authors who will help promote your book.
4. Social Networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linkedin and others give you free access to promote your book.
5. Book sites such as Amazon allow you to post your video, blog, and provide information about yourself and your upcoming book signing events and appearances.
6. There are many blogs dedicated to writers and authors who are happy to do book reviews of your title or a blog book tour.
7. Internet radio show geared towards your topic or niche will be happy to have you as a guest on their program.
For more help with Social Media for Authors, please contact us at Social Media and More, where we can help you decide on publishing solutions, create book trailers, and help create your personality and brand on the Web.
Julie Spira and Omaha Steaks Executive Chef Karl Marsh - BlogWorld
I must admit after returning from BlogWorld 10, the world’s largest social media conference, I regretted getting on the scale. I spent most of my time at Blog World eating, tweeting, and blogging.
There was no shortage of food being discussed and consumed at the 10th annual social media and blogging conference. The TECHmunch stage was one of the highlights of the event. Everything from co-founder Rick Calvert’s personal favorite salsa recipe to my friend and author Marsha Collier interviewing Craig “Meathead” Goldwyn, the barbecue whisperer from AmazingRibs.com.
I very much enjoyed the TECHmunch panel, Working with Brands at the BlogWorld kitchen and regretfully missed the Fancy Fast Food Challenge with Erik Trinidad from FancyFastFood.com.
One of the highlights was the BlogWorld Bistro Tasting hosted by Omaha Steaks at the Foundation Room at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Executive Chef Karl Marsh was on hand serving amazing appetizers including Filet Mignon Spring Rolls, Bull Wings, and Jumbo Cooked Shrimp from their collection. Much to my surprise, their dessert display included Milk Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies and Cream Puffs. They now have an iPhone app called Steak Time.
From PR plans to setting up your digital kitchen to the many private tastings throughout Las Vegas, We ate, tweeted, and blogged the whole conference through.
Congratulations to Rick Calvert and Dave Cynkin, co-founders of BlogWorld on a very successful and wonderful experience for social media enthusiasts. It’s time to go on a BlogWorld diet, but I look forward to seeing everyone again at BlogWorld 11.
Filed under Social Notebook · Tagged with blogworld, BWE 10, Dave Cynkin, eat pray blog, Food Bloggers, House of Blues, iphone app, julie spira, Karl Marsh, Marsha Collier, Omaha Steaks, Rick Calvert, Social Media and More, social media expert, Techmunch
For those who are addicted to their social networking sites and have enjoyed watching their Klout score rise, there’s good news for you.
Klout, who collects data from your Twitter account has now added Facebook to the equation. As a result, your Klout score may go up and there’s a bunch of new graphs to enjoy.
For those who don’t know what Klout is, it’s a system that rates your online influence in a variety of categories. It isn’t about the number of your followers or fans, but the quality of your content, engagement, and followers on the social web.
You can secretly obsess about your Klout score or share it on Twitter or Facebook for the world to see.
Not only can see the details of your score summary, true reach, amplification, and network, but you’ll become categorized as a social media type. With Facebook added to the equation, you won’t only see your Retweets, but you’ll get a summary of your total likes, total comments, and unique likers as well.
You’ll see your network score with your true reach and a variety of graphs.
Interested in finding out your Klout personality type? It’s uncanny, but seems to be accurate with most of the social media people I know.
For more information, visit Klout.com
There’s no one more passionate about bringing together social media enthusiasts to share their stories with the rest of the world than my friend Jeff Pulver. His generosity is contagious. I can tell you, that I have made lifetime friends from just attending the 140 Conferences in Los Angeles and New York, where I met some of my Twitter followers in real life.
To date, the 140 Conference has been held in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, DC, San Francisco, London, Tel Aviv, and Barcelona.
On October 4 – 5, 2010, the 140 Conference will be back in Los Angeles for its second time. With over 100 amazing guests encompassing two days at the Music Box in Hollywood, it’s very difficult to narrow my list down to the Top 10, but I thought I’d give it a social media try.
1. Jeff Pulver – @Jeff Pulver – Because he knows how to make it happen.
2. $140/day – Jeff has significantly reduced the ticket price to this event from last year’s rates, making it affordable to attend. The added bonus: If you’re a college student, you can attend for free. Click here for tickets>>>
3. Eric “Candyman” Nash – @onelovecandyman – When Lori Moreno and I had dinner with Jeff, following the 140 Meetup, he shared his story about meeting the street performer named Candyman. He was so touched by meeting him, that he did a video of Candyman and invited him to not only speak at the 140 Conference, but to perform on the evening of October 3, 2010 at 6pm. For tickets, visit Street Performers United. Candyman will also be speaking on day 1 at 12:40pm on “Living Social Media: From the Perspective of a Street Performer.”
4. Chamillionaire – @chamillionaire – What would a social media gathering be like without one of our favorites, Chamillionaire? This Grammy Award winning musician is one of the most generous and social media friendly rappers in the universe. We’ll be “Catching up With Chamillionaire” on day 2 at 12:25pm.
5. Cathy Brooks – @cathybrooks – Strategic Communications Coach. She’s so inspirational, you’ll have two chances to see her on the stage. Day 1 at 5:30pm in “A Conversation with Actress Traci Dindwiddie” – @GrooveGoddess and again on day 2 at 10:30am in “Who Are You and Why Should Anyone Care?”
6. Jason Pollock – @jason_pollock Filmmaker, Writer, and Activist, and Kevin Pollak @kevinpollak – Actor, Comedian. No, they’re not related, but I wouldn’t miss either of them. Jason’s on Day 1 at on “Real-Time Web and Indie Filmmaking” and Kevin is speaking on day 2 at 3:20pm, “15 Minutes with Kevin Pollak”
7. Michelle Branch – @michellebranch – Musician, Day 1, 11:15am – “One on One with Michelle Branch.” She’s most recognized for her collaboration with Santana, but she is a star on her own.
8. Owen JJ Stone – @Ohdoctah – President of Inquiring Mindz Media (IQMZ) – Day 1, 12:20pm, “The Most Important Thing About Real Time Is..” When Ohdoctah talks, we like to listen.
9. Rick Bakas – @RickBakas – Wine, Food, Branding, Dir. of Social Media at @StSupery winery, certified sommelier, author of Quick Bites, Day 2, 10:05am – “Real time Branding.”
10. Tim Kring – @TimKring – Screenwriter and Television Producer from Heroes, Crossing Jordan, and Strange World will be on the stage with “Conspiracy for Good” Day 2, 11:25am
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I’ll be speaking on day two of the conference about dating, love and romance in the real time web. After all, love never goes out of style and the combination of online, mobile and social dating are one of the largest industries online. I hope to see you on October 5, 2010 at 2:30pm at the Music Box in Hollywood.
For a complete schedule, visit 140Conference.com and follow the event on Twitter at the hashtag of #140conf.
We’re in the middle of Social Media Week in Los Angeles and it’s been an exciting time for social media enthusiasts. Social Media Week is being held in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Milan, and Bogota – Columbia. Most of the events are free and donations are being made via Twelethon.com to benefit Inner City Arts.
For those around the world who can’t attend these events, many of them are being streamed on UStream at socialmediaweek.org/live
In honor of Social Media Week, Social Media and More is offering a special 20% discount on all of our social media marketing programs. Take advantage of savings from $200-$1500. The Social Media Week promotion is valid through 11:59pm/PT on Friday, September 24, 2010.
Spots are already filling up and I’m so excited to meet so many of you this week. Even if you are not attending the 5-day celebration, I encourage you to visit our site to learn how we can help you create your personality and brand on the web. From building your Twitter personality and Facebook page, to teaching you how to engage in a meaningful way, we’ll be at your side. Authors, businesses and individuals, it’s time for you to get more social on the web.
Contact us at socialmediamore.com/contact for more details.
