Building your Twitter and Texting Vocab

I’m mainly just including this post because my mother gets confused alot and likes to text me “Have a great8 day!” Shortcuts have been created due to character limits within your text box and twitter updates- although I’m a huge fan of abbreving in my everyday conversation, mainly because let’s be honest, who really has the time to say 4-syllable words anymore. For those of you who need a little refresher or a 14-year-old teenage girl in your back pocket at all times, here’s my list:

Bc = Because

BG = Background (Twitter background)

BRB = Be right back

BTW = By the way

EM = Email

FB = Facebook

F2F or FTF = Face to face

Gr8 = Great

IDK = I don’t know

IRL = In real life

LI = LinkedIn

LMK = Let me know

LMAO = Laughing my ass off

LOL = Laughing out loud (because we’re really all laughing out loud at our phones and computer screens)

NP = No problem

OMG= oh my god. gosh

PLZ = Please

PPL = People

RE = Regarding

ROFL = Rolling on the floor laughing

RT = Retweet

RTHX = Thanks for the retweet

TFLN = text from last night

TMI = Too much information

TTYL = Talk to you later

TY = Thank you

W/E = Whatever or weekend

WTF= What the fuck

❤ = Text version of a heart.

Did I miss any? Any others that you use?

2010: Online products I can’t live without

In no particular order, here is my “I don’t know how I would be able to function if you weren’t safely saved in my bookmarks” list for 2010.

1. ToodleDo– my online “to do” list that I’m constantly adding to and checking off. I’ve used this both for my work tasks and my personal “goals” we’ll call them.
2. Tweetdeck– This remains open on my computer all day, everyday as my desktop background. I currently have 10 columns ranging from retweets and direct messages to search words keeping track of competitors to hashtags of interest to me. I currently have the Dancing with the Stars tag (#DWTS) listed as a saved search to see how many people think Pamela Anderson is going to fall on her face. Or fall out of her costume.
3. Facebook– for obvious reasons. The book of face is the best way to keep in touch with friends from the past.
4. IMDB– this website has won me so much money on bets with my friends and coworkers, I should pretty much pay them a percentage. And I have this disease where I can remember every movie every actor has ever been, adding to my Internet Movie DataBase addiction to confirm my suspicions.
5. Evernote– for my ever evolving collection of lists. Grocery lists, blog post ideas, J. Crew wishlist, songs to add into my iPod, random thoughts I want to get out of my head. Basically my brain’s vomit on a page is all compiled in my Evernote notebook.
6. Netflix– I love being able to think of a movie of having in my mailbox the next day. Channing Tatum at my fingertips- yes, please, I’m in love.
7. YouTube– where else I am able to view dance videos for choreography inspiration, music videos as a visual alternative to online radio, and viral humor videos for moments where I feel like laughing hard enough to put my ab muscles in pain? My “favorited” video list is beginning to grow out of control.
8. Gmail– my main personal email source, my lifeline.
9. GoogleReader– I currently subscribe to over 45 blogs, needless to say, without my GoogleReader, I’d be lost. I love the feeling of being able to go to one site to get all of my up-to-date news that is personally tailored to me. And the star features allows me to quickly scan through posts, star the content relevant to my current projects and interests and go back and view them later.
10. Skype– Free service to video chat with people far, far away. Skype allowed me to keep in contact with my parents in Michigan while living in California and then later, in Chicago and allows me to converse with my aunt living in a hut in Afghanistan. Amazing communication tool!
11. Pandora/Slacker– I listen to streaming music during the day to drown out background noise at work or to listen to during a mundane project. I listen to streaming stand-up comedy when I need a pick-me-up. Both great (free) online radio services that “learn” your song preferences based on your loved or hated selections.
12. WordPress– And last, but certainly not least, my dear WordPress. I haven’t found too many bloggers who aren’t in a committed relationship with the press. Great widgets, tons of functionality and tech “power” while still being very user-friendly and easy to learn for first-timers.

Am I missing anything? What sites can’t you live without?

Social Media’s heartbeat

When interviewing with agencies and new media teams, I’m constantly asked how the world of social media has impacted my life on both a professional and personal level. What have I learned from social media? Obviously, I’ve forever thankful to social media for teaching and continuing to teach me about the ever evolving advancements that can elevate the communications industry, but it’s mainly reinforced something that I already knew about myself:

“I understand technology, but I love people.”

I enjoy learning all about Twitter trends, Google Chrome extensions, Facebook apps all while clearing my Google Reader, but the reality is that I LOVE the conversation aspect. I love feeling connected with people, sharing our views and insights and learning about their experiences.

My mother views social media gurus as “computer nerds” who aren’t necessarily good at face-to-face connections, which I feel is a common misconception. Or is it?

Is it easier to connect with people through social media rather than in person? Do you feel less guarded communicating through an online social network?

Are there certain social media outlets that makes you feel more connected to people than others?

I have this “social butterfly” gene that pretty much makes it possible for me to talk to a brick wall. I don’t ever freeze up or get uncomfortable in face-to-face conversations, but I could see how it could be easier for shy people to connect with others through a non-threatening social media outlet.

What do you think?

Marketing & Promotions, Michigan Avenue style

 

Ok, ok…I know I look a little cheerleader-esqe in this picture, but you’ll get why I needed to channel my high school dance team days in a minute. Victoria Secret displayed their “wings” on Michigan Avenue (yes, Heidi’s ginormous 80-pound angel wings) to promote the grand opening of their new flagship store on the Magnificent Mile this weekend. Of course, they needed a smiley, bright street team to wear some Vicki’s gear and spread the word- this is where I come in.

Besides the bitter cold and rain combination (and homeless men who tried to steal our pink-striped umbrellas), I actually had fun this weekend. The whole point was to pass out VS gift cards and take pictures of people in front of the wings that they could then upload to the local promotional website, but I had more fun talking to tourists than anything. Sure, I was being used to give directions and my opinions on the local pizzerias most of the time, so what. Who cares! I met the funniest people (don’t worry, I twittered everything). I even met this couple from Ireland who offered me a room at their home whenever I wanted to come hang out in Dublin. (Speaking of, I have their contact information, right?)

And course, there were the Navy guys who just HAD to stop by and see us. An actual direct quote from a 20-year old sailor from Alabama: “That is the biggest darn thing I ever did see!” He wasn’t talking about the angel wings, he was talking about the Hancock Building but it was still in his little southern drawl and it was still adorable.

 

Well, I can check off street team experience in my advertising repertoire. At least I’m getting to be extremely well-rounded in this industry.

Social Media Revolution

Via Chad Levitt’s post ‘Do You Believe in the Social Media Revolution?’  from August 24, 2009:

“Very interesting video from Erik Qualman (@equalman) over at socialnomics.com that highlights how social media is changing the ways companies do business and ultimately the world economy.”

 

How Twitter made me chase down Ellen

Now, I wouldn’t say that I’m a twitter fanatic, but I do “tweet” and browse updates regularly and today was one of those days. With 3 other browser tabs open, not really paying attention, I see the following twitter status:

@TheEllenShow: First 5 people to show up to the bean with garbanzo beans wins tickets to my show go now!

I had heard Ellen was coming to Chicago soon. She’s here now? Oh my gosh! This is my chance! I grabbed my keys and purse and literally was out the door in 4 seconds.

As I was ran down my stairs, I thought “Garbanzo beans… garbanzo beans… do they sell those at Walgreens? No, Kellee, think. Grocery store! Across the street! Go!” In and out. Yucky garbanzo beans? Check. Ellen, here I come!

I jumped in a cab and yelled (politely) at the driver “Millennium Park as fast as you can humanly function”. Then I looked at the time. 5:30. Shit, rush hour. I’m never going to make it. As I’m trying to convince myself that Chicagoans are not twitter savvy and I actually have a chance to be one of the first five, the cabbie asks in his (Indian?) accent:

Cab driver: Why are you going to the bean so quickly?

Me: I’m trying to win tickets to the Ellen show.

Cab driver: (laughs) What are your odds?

Me: They get better everytime you blow a red light. Please drive faster.

Cab driver: Why you holding can beans?

Me: Ellen said to bring them.

Cab driver: You’ve talked to Ellen?!?

Not wanting to explain Twitter to a middle-aged cab driver, who under my gross generalization probably has a hard time working his Razr phone, I tune him out and look out my window. He took Michigan Ave? Are you serious? Kellee, why weren’t you paying attention? It’s packed. I pay the man and jump out. I’ll take my chances on foot.

As I’m running down Michigan Ave, I realize that I conveniently forgot to bring my Asics and sports bra in my frantic rush out the door. My flip flops and sundress are not exactly sprint-worthy. Hard Rock Hotel, almost there! Keep going. Man, I really need to up my workout routine. I mean, I jog regularly, but this is so much harder when you’re actually chasing something. I start to envision Ellen waiting for me with open arms, tickets in hand. I run faster.

After my 5K in flip flops, I finally get to the bean, run up the stairs beans in hand and start searching. And there I see her…Ellen… waiving goodbye… walking away. No!!!! Wait!!!! I had to buy the beans!! I hate garbanzo chick bean peas!! Why couldn’t you have asked for kidney beans?? I shouldn’t be penalized for having good taste in salad toppings!!! No!!

Luckily, her PR team was still lurking around for the late-comers and I gave them my info in case extra tickets become available. I get home and the ice cubes at the bottom of my glass haven’t even melted yet.

Moral of the story: Social media can change your life when you’re not expecting it. Ok, maybe just your day. Ok, maybe just an hour.  But I can now officially use the phrase, “Twitter made me do it.”

 

 

5 Questions Your Boss Will Ask You About Social Media

Suggest adding social media to your marketing budget and here are 5 questions you are bound to get from your boss:

1. What’s so special about it?

What’s so special about quarter-page B&W newspaper ads that are almost always printed blurry? Whether we like it or not, newspapers are a dying medium and everything’s going digital. Reach these online markets in the best way possible. Social media is a way to market in a smart, direct and personal way that has been producing increasingly effective results at a staggering rate. Do the research, you’ll be surprised.

2. Isn’t it expensive?

Social media is one of the least expensive tools you can use in the marketing industry. Most sites are free or have minimal costs for upgrades or optimal accounts. Even if you’re in the mindset of time=money, you’ll still be getting your dollar’s worth. 

3. Who is going to manage it?

Large and small companies alike are joining the social media revolution by using their own marketing team or advertising agency to run their social marketing executions. Depending on what your goals are, it is very possible to start implementing a program with a single social marketing employee aka me.

4. How does it produce results?

Like I mentioned earlier, the stats are there. Social media can generate higher sales simply by creating brand awareness and communicating services and promotions to a specific or general audience. The good news is that social media is continuing to grow and it’s not just for college students anymore- I was on the bus yesterday into downtown Chicago and overheard two Golden Girl-aged women have a conversation about who they’re following on Twitter.

5. When can we start?

Here’s where you can say: Right away! Try not to be surprised when a raise comes your way for suggesting such a great idea.