The Social Media “What If”

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Jason Houck

Sometimes in life we always ask the question, “What If.” By asking ourselves that question we put things more into perspective, basically critical thinking. As we all know Social Media is the new media and has gone global. It has changed the way we network, receive news, live our daily lives and is essential for business owners to grasp a hold of. So what if Social Media wasn’t around or didn’t exist today? I have developed a few critical thinking questions to put that question into perspective for you.

What if you were limited to 10 tweets a day on twitter?
What if you could only belong to 1 Social Media site? Which would it be?
What if Social Media was never invented?
What if you owned Twitter, Facebook, or Linkedin? What would you change?
What if you never utilized Social Media? Where would you or your business be without it?

Sometimes by taking advantage of critical thinking questions we learn to love and become thankful for how things have progressed over the years. This post was designed to do just that in addition to getting your creativity flowing. Hope you enjoyed and don’t forget to leave your response to one or more of the what if questions.

Happy Thursday!

Fun Fact Friday – 9/2/2011

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Jason Houck

Welcome to another Fun Fact Friday edition here at Weigh Your Mind. Every Friday, you can expect to come here and find interesting facts on anything from family, science, sex, to life. Pretty much anything that is fun and interesting to learn about. So lets get started.

The average social networker goes to social sites five days a week and checks in about four times a day for a total of an hour each day.
You lose 26 calories if you kiss for a minute and 260 if you did it for 10 minutes.
The average bra size today is 36C. Ten years ago it was 34B.
It takes between a few minutes and an hour for a cloud to form.
Elmer’s Glue-All is the biggest selling glue in America.
Butterflies taste with their feet.
The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30ft.
96% of people put the peanut butter on first before jelly.
The average person uses over 16,000 gallons of water in the lifetime.
Taphephobia is the fear of being buried alive!

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks Fun Fact Friday. Be sure to check back next Friday for more fun. Feel free to share this with others and also tell me in a comment which is your favorite fun fact. Until next time, happy blogging.

How Social Media Can Grow Your Business

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jason Houck

Social media is more than just a buzzword. There are opportunities and measureable results that it offers that can be extremely beneficial to companies of all sizes. While Facebook and Twitter may be included it’s more than that.

Many times people get so caught up in the tools that little time is spent talking and strategizing about what Social Media can actually do for them and their business. Tools are great if you know how to use them, but at some point the tools need to have purpose. It’s where there is no purpose that abuse becomes the end result.

I often hear small to mid-size companies ask to help implement Social Media strategies into their overall marketing plan with a skewed outlook of what Social Media is and what its benefits are. However, if you know what Social Media isn’t, then it’s a lot easier to grasp what it can do.

If you have a good product, a detailed business plan, and customer service policies in place and willing to invest time, here are a few things that Social Media can do for your business:

Gives you the opportunity to begin listening to what others are saying about your company online.
Allow you to have one-to-one communication with your consumers.
It can be used to gather feedback about new products.
It personalizes your corporation/brand
Provides channels to produce and distribute exclusive content that can be shared which in return extends the voice of your brand.
Can be used to share exclusive information and offers to your loyalists.
It’s an extension to your public relations strategies
Provides platforms to build communities for your brand enthusiasts around your product and company.
Offers opportunities that will bring exposure to your company.
Provides potential opportunities for word-of-mouth buzz about your company and products.

While I know this isn’t the end of a list of benefits, it is a good place to begin thinking about the benefits that Social Media provides. Once you know what it can do, building strategies is your next course of action.

I want to hear from you. How has Social Media helped you or your business grow? Also, feel free to add to the list I have compiled.

The Part They Left Out

Posted on November 5, 2010 by Jason Houck

In the Social Media world, I believe we should work together and help one another. Also, defend our followers when a brand or other follower conveys negativity about them. My reason for making this known is because as many of you know, US News recently published an article by listing America’s worst and meanest airlines where Delta ranked number 1. Aspects that contributed to this included number of delays, mishandled baggage, on-time arrival and denied boardings. I don’t care which airline you fly on, each airline has their own problems.

I am here today to rally against US News and say they obviously didn’t do their homework when it comes to Delta’s customer service and the way they treat their customers. I have flew with Delta many times and have had nothing but amazing and excellent customer service along with positive energy on every flight by the attendants.

I now would like to share with you the way Delta interacts and engages as a brand on Social Media with their customers by posting some tweets and shining the spotlight on them in a positive way and give them the exposure they deserve.

SherriAnneGreen – @Delta rocks. Feedback heard, feedback addressed.

DeltaAssist – @dereksnyder I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but your safety is our number one concern. ^JD

DeltaAssist – @omylola Let me be the first to welcome you home. Thanks for your patronage! ^WG

DeltaAssist – Thanks @maxtucci for the great feedback. Glad to see you gave us a chance to make things right. ^JD

MaxTucci – Got a phone call from @delta telling me about a delay, for the inconvenience they gave me a $50 voucher BEST Customer Service www.delta.com

Bissesar – @Delta waiting for your 787s to enter service…cheers to the largest airline!!!you rock Delta

DeltaAssist – @alisongroves, thx for tweeting. Sorry for the sadface. Is there anything I can do to assist you & turn that frown into a smile? DM me. ^JH

ElainePace – I heart @DeltaAssist and I chose to fly @Delta because of all the ways they take care of their customers

Delta – Thanks @b_rad408. Delta SkyMiles rock, but you rock more!

As you can see Delta clearly defines customer service in a brand and is not the number 1 worst or meanest airline in my opinion. They listen by responding to every comment and if its a complaint they address it by offering assistance to make it right. So, US News a bit of advice to you. Next time before publishing an article, do your research and add into the mix the amazing things a brand does.

Now I want to hear from you with your thoughts on this article that was published and the hear amazing experiences you have encountered with Delta. Also, I invite you to check out the great things they do on twitter by following them @Delta and @DeltaAssist.

In closing, I remind you to not forgot get to take a stand for your followers whether it be a brand or person. If you do, you make the social media community an inviting place to belong to.

Wordless Wednesday – Promotion of Izea

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Jason Houck

While attending BlogWorld two weeks ago, I met a lot of great people and networked with so many brands. The brand engagement level was very successful and unique with one brand that really made an impression.

That brand was Izea.

While networking with the Izea crew, (Carrie, Kristin, Jamie, Ashley, Larry, Jenni and CEO Ted)

during the fantastic dinner they hosted

I seen that they were dedicated to having fun

And supplying us with the best German food Vegas had to offer.

As the BlogWorld Expo progressed, Izea took their networking and engagement level up a notch by showing me how they care and support as a brand by holding an event at their booth to raise money for a local food bank. Which I may add was very successful and exciting to drown CEO Ted Murphy in cereal and milk.

In closing, Izea definitely exceeded my expectations of connecting and networking with a brand. The Izea team always had a smile on their faces, were always saying hello, having fun, putting others first and most importantly making me feel comfortable. These aspects and the personality they posses defines what a true brand is and should be in Social Media and leads me to want to build a relationship.

I encourage you to take the time to get to know @Izea by checking out their website and contact them to learn how they can reward you in the Social Media world. Also, learn how they bring a new meaning to Social Media Marketing. So, go ahead and start connecting and networking with a brand that is dedicated to making you first priority. Whether you are an advertiser, blogger, tweeter or mobiler you will see success with Izea.

Also, before you go don’t forget to check out their Motto and have fun while doing it.

Thanks and have a great day.

Taking #IpromoteU To The Road

Posted on October 23, 2010 by Jason Houck

If you follow me on twitter @blogluvr29 most of you know I am a promoting fool. I developed a passion for promoting around 6 months ago when I began searching for my niche in social media and blogging. I developed this passion because I enjoy seeing success. Times change and we must embrace that change to see success in our future.

As result of change, a new day has dawn and I have progressed by using my creative side. I introduce you to #IpromoteU where I promote your brand, products, service or blog. Along with using my creative side, I have decided to take #IpromoteU to the road where I want to visit cities across the United States and promote those areas of our country that travel bloggers fail to discover and share with their audience.

In addition to taking #IpromoteU to the road, my goal is to take you as my audience with me. You may ask, “How do you plan to do that?” The answer is simple. When I visit a city, I plan to find and schedule a tweetup. At that point during the tweetup, I will be sharing with those in attendance the purpose of my audience and twitter followers in the blogging and social media world by promoting who you are, what you offer and why they should connect with you.

Unfortunately, my goal comes at a price and this is where I ask for you help. I have setup a chip in site to aide in helping me get #IpromoteU on the road. If you want to see me succeed in helping me build my brand and promoting you across the United States then I ask that you spread the word across the social media universe and even donate if you can.

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to reaching my goal in taking #IpromoteU to the road along with you. Also, I encourage you to take a look at what #IpromoteU does by liking the Facebook fan page I have setup. Also, if you are interested in me promoting a certain area of your state do not hesitate to contact and we will see what we can work out.

Thanks and don’t forget to keep networking, connecting and building relationships. It could be the beginning of a brighter tomorrow.

My Thanks To You

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Jason Houck

Hi, everyone Jason here. I just wanted to take a moment and convey my thoughts on how thankful I am for each and everyone of you; not only here on the blog but on twitter as well. Through your quality engagement and interaction you keep me going and make me feel blessed to be a part of your online lives. The most important things I am thankful for in each of you is how real you are, the way you support me and offer advice in time of need.

As some of you know, back in March of this year I got very disgusted because no one was commenting on my blog post, my follower count was low and there was no interaction. Basically finding my place was a struggle. As a result, I took down the blog and erased my presence on twitter. A couple days passed before I started getting emails stating I was being missed and asking where I was at. I proceeded to tell what had happen.

I began to take a look inside myself and asking the question, “Is this the way I want people to portray me as?” I immediately got up brought the blog back and started my presence on twitter once again. Ever since I have seen nothing but positive results. I have realized that my follower count is just another number. Its the quality of my followers that is most important to me. I have now began to find my place in social media as a promoter of my followers and their blogs and developed it into my passion.

In closing, I am here to say never give up or get discouraged in social media. It takes time to develop what your looking for. Dedicate yourself, take initiative and concentrate on a strategy that you can put into place to make you become a winner. Through this journey you will encounter some unpleasant people so you have to remain strong and let everyone know that no one or anything can bring you down. I look forward to the future with each and everyone of you with even more positive results in store.

As a token of appreciation to my audience here on the blog and followers on twitter, I have decided to give away a $25 @Starbucks gift card. All you have to do to win is leave me a comment stating what you are thankful for in your blog audience or twitter following along with your twitter handle. Winner will be drawn using random.org Contest ends Friday Sept 24 at 5pm ET and Good Luck.

Common Mistakes Job Seekers Make

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Jason Houck

Job seekers make lots of mistakes. I want to focus on what mistakes job seekers make on social media sites as well as voice mail and e-mail.

On Facebook, job-seekers use party pictures or pictures of a vacation spot as their profile picture. Also, they fail to give a clear meaning in their Bio what they are looking for in a job, fail to list contact information and job history and leaving their profiles non-private.

On Twitter, they mix personal and business use on the same account, lack of personal branding, lack of networking and building relationships.

On Linkedin, they are not putting time and effort into their profile picture to reflect who they are honestly. Also, they fail to find their audience and develop their brand and fail to be descriptive in their professional headline, not customizing the profile URL to be more precise and self explanatory.

In a voice mail, job seekers speak too fast and not clearly, not clear in the reason they are calling and fail to leave full name and call back number. Also, not having a personalized greeting for when the potential employer calls back.

In an email, most common mistakes include not attaching a resume correctly or in the right form, misspelling of words, not using complete sentences, no complete thought, no personalized signature and using descriptive words in the email address instead of their name.

The impact of these gaffes becomes negative and leads the employer to wonder if a person can survive in a social environment as well as be an asset and create success for the company.

These gaffes can be avoided by never trying to be someone you are not, be comfortable with yourself, always be truthful and honest. Ask yourself the question, “Is this me”? If so practice on making yourself better, listen to constructive criticism and be willing to learn how to conquer this social awkwardness. Always use spell check and for your emails and proofread before sending.

If not avoided the negative impact can be mitigated by being given a chance to learn and improve from information and feedback from the employer. In return, show the employer you can improve through action of what they have conveyed to you.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. If you feel I have left something out or want to add to a certain section, feel free to let me know in a comment.