From the Editor – November/December 2008 eBiz Insider magazine. Download the complete issue as a PDF by clicking here.
So I’m not really the “social” guy you may think I am. I’m eccentric (some say loud and obnoxious but I usually ignore them), my views are liberal conservative (if there is such a thing) and I’m not so quick to embrace new technology as I was when I was younger. Although I just got an iPhone and if I could marry it, I would.
Recently, I have become what one may consider an addict to the social networking site, Facebook.com. According to its website, Facebook allows people “to keep up with friends, upload photos, share links and videos and learn more about the people they meet.” It is just one of many that have become very popular over the last few years.
In addition to the Facebook website, I have the app for the iPhone that lets me log in and see what’s going on no matter where I am. I find myself laying in bed at night with the remote in one hand and the phone in another seeing what my fellow Facebook friends are up to. Sometimes I feel like a stalker as some tend to share too much information about their lives!
Since being addicted to Facebook, I thought I filled my quota for social networking until someone asked me if I “twittered.” I really didn’t know how to answer the question so I laughed it off and pretended my phone rang and I had to take the call. I found by asking some of the younger, more ‘connected’ people around here what “twittering” was and I quickly felt like I was the ugly kid at the dance that nobody would do the Mambo with.
“Dude, you never heard of Twitter?”
Ah, Twitter. Another social networking site where you post what you’re currently doing in 140 characters or less. People, presumably your friends but it can be anyone, then “follow” you and you can “follow” others. Honestly, the most challenging thing about Twitter is getting what you want to say down to 140 characters! It’s meant for short updates like “gone to the gym” or “new blog entry at myblog.com – check it out”.
After twittering for only a few days, I have doubled my social media addiction.
Sites like Facebook and Twitter aren’t just fun and games. You have the opportunity to network with customers and peers and spread your message across channels your regular marketing wouldn’t reach. It’s new media, it’s important and it’s something to consider. Once you’re setup, link to me on Facebook by searching my name and follow me on Twitter with username “scottsanfilippo”.
Finally, this issue of eBiz Insider ushers in our new bi-monthly publication schedule. It’s part of our “going green” initiative where we’re doing our part to cut down on the use of paper while still delivering you a product that’s timely and informative. As always, ebizinsider.com is chock full of information and articles and is updated on a continual basis, so I encourage you to visit often. One of the most popular features of the site is our interactive forums where you can talk with other e-commerce store owners and share tips and tricks.
