social media/web 2.0 group discussion exercises

1)  I don't think that professional production values will drop drastically, however, I definitely believe that amateur user-generated content will get better as well as increase over time.  It seems that people feel more of a connection towards content that they feel they are able to accomplish.  The simplicity of amateur user-generated content actually goes a long way!  For instance, any type of commercial that may involve webcams, Facebook, texting, and so on, are things that we can relate to and do for ourselves.  Sometimes "less is more" and when it comes to advertisements, I feel that people are more in-tune with amateur user-generated content.  As for professional production, I don't think they will get any better or any worse.  Advertisements are everywhere, and even the professionals take pride in making "simple" projects.


2)  Tags for Overcoming Negative Feedback in Social Media:

• Communication
• Social Media
• Criticism
• Managing a Business
• Responses
• Successful Business
• Positive attitude

I chose to list these specific tags because the main goal of the article is about maintaining a good business by responding to "negative feedback" in the most positive way possible.

The tags listed in the article were: business, feedback, MARKETING, small business, social media

3)  The reason why transparency is such an important concept in social media is because it maintains a connection with those you are sharing information with, especially by using credible sources.  Honesty and openness also fall under transparency, and in the social media world, trust relationship marketing is the best way of maintaing your "customers" loyalty and a good way to gain customers, and/or users, as well.  In terms of the offline world, however, transparency is way more important.  Since we cannot physically be in the presence of another through the internet, lying and manipulating can be done much easier.  When you are face to face with someone, whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, co-worker or even a teacher, being transparent is a good quality to have in order to be successful, of course, in an absolute and honest way!

digital nation part 2

This video really did a great job covering the impact technology has throughout our world.  However, the second half of Digital Nation on Frontline really caught my interest.  It's incredible that technology has become so widespread and so important to the point that almost all marketing is through advanced technology.  I had no idea that people all around the globe used certain social networking games where you can live through what is known as an "avatar."  For instance, Second Life is a program in which you can create your very own avatar that you control in a fictitious world.  You can fly, purchase items, drive, speak, build and so on!  The best part is that people in the workforce or business setting can actually interact through Second Life rather than holding meetings and physically sitting in a conference room.  Another aspect that I found very interesting was how the Army used virtual military mission computer games in order to recruit those under the age of 18.  Personally, I never thought the Army would ever open a business where young teens could virtually feel as if they were fighting on the battlefield; using fake weapons, machinery and playing through virtualized soldiers.  Although many have argued and protested against their children being exposed to "violence through games," I felt that most of the users were old enough to understand the concept and to avoid violence.

The idea of technology seems to be way more accepting as the years go on.  I'm sure it's because there's no way of getting rid of it!  The segment that showed Bubbe, an eight-something year old grandmother, cooking with her young grandson through an internet show is a great idea!  No matter the age, it's never too late to learn more about what technology can offer.