Yesterday, I got the question “why do you blog?” of course I had around a million answers to respond with. Then I realized that the reason the person asked was not to find out why I blogged but to see if there was any reason to why he should blog.
This got me thinking about what [...]
Archive for February, 2010
3 Sources for Blog Post Inspiration
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 23rd, 2010
I often get stuck when I try to write blog posts on a set time frame instead of when I feel like it, and it is not because I do not have anything to write about. I usually have ideas for subject to write about a few times during the day, but they are rarely connected to the time which I am going to start writing, and then when I have time to write the subject does not feel as interesting anymore.
Therefore I have looked on ways to inspire myself to become instantly “passionate” about a subject to create a post about it at the assigned writing time. Now, I have figured out three sources that usually get me thinking enough to create that writing momentum.
Similar search terms
Looking though my daily analysis for website traffic I usually see word or sentences that people have search for and ended up on my blog by typing. Usually these keywords are very connected to what I have written, but now and then the keywords and the post they found does not seem to be a “match.” In these cases I try to write a post about the subject which they were looking to read about, because generally there is more than one person interested in that subject.
Tip 1: Create the content that your visitors are looking for.
LinkedIn Answers and More Particular LinkedIn Questions
The LinkedIn answers section is a great place to learn about things that you are interested in, and get answers to the questions. However, far from everyone even consider it as a source when they are looking for information. Instead, they make a Google search to find the answers to their questions. Therefore, you could go to the LinkedIn section to answer questions from your expertise, and also blog about the subjects that people ask questions about to make sure that even more get the information.
Tip 2: Blog about the subjects that are asked about in the LinkedIn answer section.
Read, read, read and then read a little more
When you read things that other people have written you automatically starts developing your own ideas and drawing your own conclusions about what is said, or perhaps the text even gets you thinking about something else. By subscribing to a about 150 RSS feeds on my Google reader I receive a constant flow of information and thus sources of inspiration.
Tip 3. Read and get inspired to create your own ideas based on the knowledge of others.
To this list I also have add the comment by Mark Murnahan, aka A web guy, who commented on my blog today saying “Exercise does not only count for biceps. I have found that the more I write, the more I think…”
I don’t think I write enough to have this working for me yet, but the concept is so trough that I wanted to share this as well.
Do you have any other tools that you use to get “on the spot” inspiration?
Posted in Annelie's Musings
Fake Pages on Facebook Promise Free Items, such as Ipads and Laptops
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 19th, 2010
A new trend has started on Facebook, where people set up Fan Pages and promote a message that promised some kind of free item; such as an Ipad or a Macbook. This trend seem to have a lot in common with the recent trend where people created Groups with names like “join and you while be able to see who visited your profile.” This issue seems to be going away and now the fan pages is the new problem.
The big difference between the previous group trend and this one with pages is that there is no obvious “gain” from these pages. Since pages cannot be tracked back to a specific user there is not gain for people to use pages to promote their personal FB-accounts, which was one of the reasons for the previous boom of fake groups. Another problem, with the groups was that the administrators changed name to the groups when they reached a certain amount of visitors. To for example “we are pedophiles.” Damaging the reputation of individuals as many of them don’t receive notifications when groups that they are in change names, and thus, do not realize what groups they were members of. But there has not been any inclines that these is the purpose of the Fan Pages either.
So what is the real problem with these Pages? Is there even a problem? Are the creator breaking against any policies? Who is gaining from these pages?
Groups such as “iPad Research Program – Test It and Keep It!” and “We’re Giving Away Laptops” get tens of thousands of fan and as far as I can understand they are not breaking against any of Facebook’s Privacy Policies, and thus get to stay.
If you access the page “We’re Giving Away Laptops” you can see that it is connected to a website called chooseyourcolor.com. The Fan Page also clearly states that they have no connection to Apple INC, thought they claim to be offering MacBooks to their Fans. Therefore I took a closer look at the site chooseyourcolor.com and realized that the website also gives away laptops, IF you apply for a credit card or a loan and also be accepted before you get your “reward.”
chooseyourcolor.com: “Completion of reward offers most often requires a purchase or filing a credit application and being accepted for a financial product such as a credit card or consumer loan.”
To check this group out I decided to become a Fan to see as they say that you have to become a fan “before the next step is revealed.” Then they say that inviting your friends is the next step and after that you should press a third link to “Finalize the Registration.” In the case of some applications on Facebook you have to invite a few of your friends to see the result of the test that you have taken, but as this is not the case with pages I just pressed step three to see where it took me. The result “Free Lotto,” which if you Google it seems to be a huge scam.
Thus, whether this page is in fact connected to the page chooseyourcolor.com or not, I have not been able to figure out. But according to other sources you are recommended to NOT finalize the step three in the group “We´re giving away laptops.”
So what is the conclusion? Stay away from groups that seem to be recently started and don’t have a connection to a well established company. Whether these groups are breaking against the Facebook policies I’m yet to figure out, but if they are, I truly recommend Facebook to create an “verified account” system such as the one Twitter have to protect their users. Because if we are to believe what they said in the blog post which announced their new partnership with McAfee, user security is one of their Goals!
Posted in Social Media
Networking Tips: Modern Examples of Conversational Clothing
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 17th, 2010
If you have read about networking you have probably come across the tools that are “conversational clothing.” The idea of conversational clothing is to wear items that catch people’s attention and invite a conversation. A very common example is a pin. A pin that you might have inherited from your aunt, found in an English second hand-store or that have some other interesting story. Thus by wearing this pin and being asked for it, you can network and start conversations easily with an “easy in.”
Now, as you might have guessed I don’t use pins, I never have and I’m pretty sure I don’t even own one. Considering that they are not that fashionable I guess that the same thing goes for you, if you are a girl. If you are a guy, then you probably never used one.
Recently though, I figured out that I do own an item that really catches people’s attention 
and create conversations. It’s a beanie, with the print “bad hair day.” In Sweden this beanie has been very popular during the last winters and if you Google the print on the beanie, you will find a lot of conversation around it. However, as I do not live in Sweden I manage to create a lot of conversations while wearing this, mostly because people wonder if I’m actually having a bad hair day or if I just like the hat. And everyone especially in the morning seems to wonder were to get one.
This made me start to think about the benefit of conversational clothing and how ridiculously effective it can be. In my case I manage to talk with a lot of people who I often just greet briefly, and it is just because of the hat. What other things could be useful?
A friend recently launched her own business, Nuance Journals, which creates and sells hand-made journals. Now, if you take a look at these journals they truly have personality and look very unique, which I think could create a few conversations. I mean in a time where it is difficult to impress with the latest tech-item, this might be the excellent choice.
How about you? What do you use for to start conversations? Have you tried wearing conversational clothing, or do you own any items that create conversation?
Posted in Career development
The Role of Social Media in The Brussels Train Crash and other Tragedies
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 15th, 2010
I’ve read about the earthquakes, 
the tsunamis and the other disasters and how social networks have been used to keep families and other informed about what is going on. Still, because I have been lucky enough to never know anyone in any of these catastrophes I never really understand how big of a difference they make. Until today…
This morning there was a train crash in Brussels, or actually outside of Brussels (But the initial reports in Sweden did not say so). The current numbers say that 18 people died and over 50 were injured. Because of this my phone started beeping with messages and calls from worried friends and family members who wanted to check if I was okay.
Therefore I put it in my Facebook status that everything was alright and that I was not in the crash. This was very appreciated by others who were concerned. My friends here in Brussels also did the same which gave me less to worry about.
With cell phones many might not find this necessary, but if someone of my Swedish friends did not have my Belgian number, because we mostly speak on Skype they did not have to worry, neither did those who had run out of credit on their phone and could not send me a text. For these and many other reasons the Facebook status update became invaluable.
Thus, now I really understand the importance of using social media to update my family that I’m ok!
But social media helped in other ways too, on Twitter people who were at spot of the accident uploaded pictures that people could follow to see what was going on. Most information was easily available on the hashtags #brussels and #traincrash.
Posted in Social Media
Where was the Buzz around Google Buzz?
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 10th, 2010
Today Google’s latest service Google Buzz launched, and at least it took me by surprise, because I had not heard about it. I follow over 100 of the biggest social media, marketing, tech and web development blogs, yet the first article I could find about Google Buzz was published about four hours ago.
The function is coming to all Gmail users during the next couple of days, and I have to admit that I’m not one of the lucky ones who already got it. However, I was able to get a glimpse from it by looking at some other people’s account. Because you can see “buzzes” from those who have account and has “buzzed” publicly, here is Mashable’s.
So what is Google Buzz?
Google Buzz is Google’s first real attempt to a social network. It is build in to the Gmail interface and automatically connect you with your friends, and with 150 million Gmail users this is a social network with a high potential.
Here is the official video introduction:
So where was the Buzz around the launch?
Before the launch of Google Wave, there were videos, a site, invites and comments from those who had tried it. Yet, I still have not figured out how I could best implement the use of it in what I’m doing. However, I did know what Google Wave was.
With Buzz the opposite seem to be going on, no one had heard about it, or at least not said anything about it. The network seems to be easy to use and it does not require much set up as it is built into Gmail.
Now this might have been a smart move considering the amount of Buzz that is going on right now. On Twitter I looked at the hash tag Google Buzz and within seconds I had 290 unread tweets. Thus, they might not have needed too much pre buzz.
But why not? What will they win or lose on not having any buzz? Did they have any test group outside of Google before the launch?
I think that the face that they did not speak about it before make the implementation quicker. Because of the fact that Google is so established, they knew that the Buzz would come with the launch. Therefore by releasing it to all in a few days, they created an “eagerness” of people to try it out. Which could mean that people have time to create their own opinion before they have heard everyone else’s?
What do you think?
Try it out, or check the buzz, (without getting to influenced ;)
Here are is some of the latest Buzz about it:
- Read Write the Web – Live Blogging from Google: Launch of Google Buzz
- Marketing Pilgrim – Google Buzz Launches 150+ Million User Social Network
- Mashable – Google Buzz: Competitors and Experts React
- Read Write the Web – How Google Buzz is Disruptive: Open Data Standards
- Louis Gray – Google Buzz Brings Social Sharing, Aggregation into GMail
- All Facebook – Google Declares War On Facebook With Google Buzz
Urban Dictionary First To Benefit From The Facebook Viral Status Updates
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 4th, 2010
They have been going on a while, the viral Facebook status updates. I was first asked to post my bra-color in my status, which has turned into a mystery as no one knows who started it. A day later came the question about the length of my hair, and I’m sure there has been many more like them.
After that came the doppelganger week, where you where supposed to publish a picture of your celebrity look-a-like as you profile picture. This caused some drama as it might violate the terms of service for the network as first published by Cnet. But there is still people participating in this.
Because of these trends I got the question from @Thrimpth on twitter:
At the time the idea that companies, organizations or even blogs could benefit from this hit me right away. But I had not developed my thought more than that at time.
Today the next viral campaign spread and indeed there is a website that is getting a lot of attention for it. Urban Dictionary is the “winner” of being the first to actually benefit from these weekly trends.
Urban Dictionary is the dictionary you wrote. Define your world.
The trend is that people look up their name on the urban dictionary and then post the result for it in their Facebook status. Of course you can also find the word for
“To look up your own name on Urban Dictionary, either for definition or myspace useage” which is Urbaning. So technically the latest Facebook trend is called Urbaning, and indeed it is a trend, as the urban dictionary page for Urbaning is in the top ten most popular webpages right now according to the alexa toolbar.
The dictionary’s visitor count changed + 143 % yesterday (Feb 2), according to alexa. Considering the fact that most online media journalists and bloggers just began writing about this trend around 24 hours ago, this is only starting. My guess is that because of this viral trend Urban Dictionary will double their visitor-count five times at least because of this.
Now, an interesting consideration to take here is that there is a big chance that the creators of the urban dictionary did not initiated the campaign themselves, but simply some user who saw the potential it had. Though regardless of who started it, many people will now know about the dictionary.
Many companies might think that they would have a hard time implementing a trend like this, because their message, product or service is not as easy to spread or and interesting to share. But I would have to disagree. There is a lot of successful viral campaign’s that wasn’t too connected with the initiators. Take the fun theory that I wrote about a while ago, I’m sure that people did not think about Volkswagen when they first found out about it. But I would say that most of the people mentioning it to a friend will know who created it. And they did not scream “we did it,” they simply but their logo in the end of the clips.
Thus, sure Urban Dictionary had an obvious “pitch” for starting a trend on Facebook. However, a good idea is a good I idea, and I think any great idea could make it.
What do you think? Could any company, organization, blog or website start a viral trend on Facebook? Have you seen any other facebook trends that I have missed? Do you think that anyone benefited from the previous viral status updates?
10 Reasons To Why Students Should Blog
Posted By Annelie Näs on February 1st, 2010
Yesterday, I got the question “why do you blog?” of course I had around a million answers to respond with. Then I realized that the reason the person asked was not to find out why I blogged but to see if there was any reason to why he should blog.
This got me thinking about what blogging has done to me, and why I continue to blog. Thus I wanted to create a list to why I think that students should blog to complement their studies and choice their own professional path. Because I honestly believe that when I want to apply for a job or make decisions for my career this blog will matter.
Blogs give individuals an opportunity to express their opinions and make them count in a world of millions of others. Years ago, you needed to be a journalist or a politician to get your opinion heard; today, blogs offer anyone the opportunity to express oneself.
Now this list is written on the presumptions that writing is a way of studying; When you have put something in your own words you know it a lot better than if you only read it. Also, I talk about blogging about subjects, interest etc. and not a personal blog about what I did today.
1. Gain a deeper knowledge for the subject you are studying – or show people that you know about another subject.
When it comes to University classes I many times feel that even though I’m taking classes in subjects that interests me and the classes are really good, I do not really learn what had expected to learn. By blogging you can assign yourself any subject you want to analyze and write about and then learn about it yourself.
2. Improve your creativity by finding new subject to write about.
Initially blogging might be very easy and the subject may come to you by the second, but sometimes you will lose your flow or you might not find and interesting angle. Then creativity will be essential to keep your blogging up, and of course there will be other ways to improve your creativity like with the blog design etc.
3. Develop your analytical thinking though writing insightful posts.
It is one thing to republish the news or the facts that you read about, but adding value to them and figure out new angles is what will improve your analytical thinking. After all, for most subjects people already have a source for the news, so from you they will be looking for something a bit more insightful.
4. Create pieces for discussion and debate subjects that interest you through comments on your blog.
I bet that you many times wonder about what other people think about a subject. A blog could be the ideal way to find the answers. Many bloggers write about subjects that interest them and ask questions or do other things to make people comment. Then they learn from others by reading and participating in the discussion that can come out from that.
5. Improve your language skills, writing will give you a wider vocabulary and better grammar and if you prefer your could practice your professional writing.
As I write in my second language I broaden my vocabulary by having to find words representing what I am trying to say. But if you blog in your first language this same thing will probably work with synonyms and finding more precise definitions on what you are trying to say. Thus both will give you a wider vocabulary. Along with this you will improve your grammar by writing on a regular basis. Here I also want to point out that a blog, if you want it to, could be great way to learn to write professionally so that you are always ready to present yourself well.
6. Show that you are trustworthy by keeping the promise to your readers – blog on a regular basis.
All bloggers know that the traffic to their site decrease if they do not update regularly. Now what regularly means defers between bloggers, some updates a few times daily, while I update two or three times a week. This is what my readers expect from me and that is what I give you.
7. Improve your skills to express yourself, practice to write in a way that influences people.
It is one thing to use well thought out words and proper grammar, but expressing yourself in a way that influences people takes quite some talent. Some might have I naturally, while others have to work on it, and might never reach the same level. A blog could be a great place to practice.
8. Show that the interest that you have for your future profession is a passion.
Now, when most students who come home from school might be tired of the subject they study and want to do something else. Which is why showing a real interest for the subject you study could give you a great advantage in the future. When it comes to hiring, who will an employer choice – the blogger or the student watching tv?
9. Build a name for yourself, a personal brand, share your ideas and thoughts with the world and let them get to know you.
A blog is a great way to take control of your personal brand, to show people who you are. Now, you might not be an expert in a subject, and be honest about that. But you still can contribute you can still teach people who now less than you about the subject something. Or perhaps you can give a person who knows more a few great ideas. Let people get to know you and what you think, and one day you will probably be an expert.
10. Create a written portfolio showing that you are knowledgeable in the subject that you want to work in and you are very likely to get a head when you want to apply of a job.
What all comes down to, it being prepared for your future profession. Surely a diploma and a degree will do that, but your fellow student will have that to and compete for the same jobs. A blog will give you a differentiator, a lead, something that proves that you know what you are talking about. It is a written portfolio of your thoughts and ideas, or perhaps pictures, which make you, stand out.
Now, already when writing this I can think of more ideas, but I am going to stop here for now. I have given your some of reasons and explanations and left some things unsaid. Do you blog? Why do you blog? Why do you recommend others to blog? It is your turn to contribute to the list..
Encourage Conversations On Your Blog With Comments Subscriptions
Most bloggers agree that is more fun to write when you get comments and reactions to
what they have to say. Because of this, there are lots of different reaction possibilities on most blogs such as; thumbs up, share on Facebook or Twitter, give points to the post or write a regular comment.
While comments themselves are interesting and encouraging, discussions in the comments section between several people are even better. But it is worth remembering that most people today are living with a tight schedule, therefore one particular feature on you blog, might make things easier for them to get into such discussions. Namely, a feed that send you the comments on the blog post via RSS, or even better, the opportunity to receive the feed via email.
Some comments applications, such as disqus gives everyone the opportunity to subscribe to the blog comments for a particular blog via email or rss, whether they are users or not. Those who are in fact users of Disqus can also choose to automatically subscribe to comments from the posts that they comment on.
So whether you have your own domain or use wordpress or blogspot, etc. Make sure to find a application that allows for this functionality. If you have trouble finding one for your blog, you can always send a question here, and hopefully I can help you find one.