#Context @Content (Blogging Overview)

Web Logs (Blogs) serve a very important function when attempting a successful online strategy. Being a consistent blogger will allow friends and followers on your social network much needed proof of your passion. Content within your blog should be relative to the goals for your social media strategy. Once your outline is completed, creating a title that promotes this content will direct others interested. Individual posts should have titles that support the concepts in the blog, they should also include power words to draw in any possible viewer.

Many Blog sites are available, they have different themes and styles to choose from, pick one that targets the audience you are looking to persuade. Some of the more well known and widely used are Blogger, Tumblr, and Wordpress.

Wordpress

Tumblr

Blogger

• Blogger, By connecting to all your Google apps this Blog source becomes a powerful tool in directing many possible readers. If integrated well, all your Google applications will serve to promote success in your Blogger.
• Tumblr, Easy to use, many profiles.
• Wordpress, Most popularly used Blog platform.

Writing in a blog should follow some very basic strategies, some have more to do with Connecting outside Social Media, yet many are simply proper english and etiquette in writing.

• Text in a blog is very important, however many readers are not looking to read a wall of text . Proper use of white space between ideas and paragraphs can allow an easier read and makes the content more understandable.
• Using bullet points for cooralating similar topics adds a much more dynamic feel to your blog. Readers may scan your page  first, if its just text with no highlighted material they may look elsewhere for the same information.
• Any topic in a archived blog should be well researched and create an understanding once read. If nothing is gained after reading a blog the reader more than likely won't come back to your page.
• Separate the blog into multiple blogs if the content is extensive and starts to become too long for a quick read. Number or name the blogs to insinuate the facxt there will be future information on the topic.
• Research blogs should include sources in a bibliography at the end, using proper citing techniques. Never quote a writer without doing so, if done correctly others will truly believe the topic points.

#Context @Content (Social Media Overview)

This semester at Milwaukee Area Technical College, in the IT 107 Social Networking and Business there has been a heavy emphasis on professionalism using Social Media. Those who act inappropriately using the many methods of communication, will ultimately fail in the changing world we live in.

 My strength in writing and reading has made learning all the different types of Social Media enjoyable. There are certain unwritten rules, when trying to apply your writing style to the different platforms. I have personally researched the many different forms, and have acquired information that many would find useful.  By applying this information to your business or personal profiles these Social Media sites become valid tools.

Rules to apply to all of the Social Media sites: 

• Intelligent Content:  When making claims about information, it is best to do some extensive research. There is absolutely no excuse to not know your topic, if you're writing about something make sure you at the very least Google it.
• Content Strategy:  Looking at a common news feed on any social media site, you may find the content a bit sporadic. If a content strategy is used, traffic on the sites will not only increase, it will drive interested parties to your pages.
• Connect: This is a very important feature, the purpose of Social Media is to engage with people bringing value to their lives. All the platforms, in one way or another can be used to direct attention to concepts and information many could find very useful.
• Importance of @ and # : Posting and commenting on material you find interesting or informative is great, but never forget the power of these symbols. 
  

• Hashtags # have been developing in Social Media for quite some time and have proven to be an extremely powerful tool in connecting outside parties to your content. Mostly founded in the Twitter realm, the hashtag has been adopted by mostly all platforms and can be used to drive others who may be looking for concepts you hold in your posts/comments.

• The @ key is useful to connect other people/pages to your content directing them to engage in the subject matter you delivered. Their are many strategies that can be used with this simple connecting tool, but I will go into it further in future blogs.

This is a simple outline for all Social Media Profiles and Pages, yet rules for each individual platform also are necessary to understand. My blog in the near future will break them all down and explain why these rules are important. When put into play, they will create results that are not only positive, but productive in the new social world.

Adapting Strategically (Facebook and Twitter)

Developing a social media strategy in today's fast pace world involves many factors, and many businesses and organizations already have adapted to marketing online. Establishing a strong social media presence is necessary in order for companies to engage properly with the masses. In order to 'show' how all types of companies have used these tools, taking a closer look at specific models, provides a greater understanding.

Effective ways to use Social Media platforms has already been studied, shared, and used in many ways. Two of the most abundantly used are Facebook and Twitter, each having their own unique advantages for business development. To succeed, businesses need clients, otherwise known as customers, basically people who support their product or service. Using examples, it's much easier to grasp this concept; large global organizations such as Starbucks, or even Adidas have evolved to use an effective social media strategy. At a glance it may not seem impressive, yet still they use them, and somehow its helping them stay ahead in profits and products. 

Starbucks 

Facebook

Starbucks, Facebook page

The 'About' section on Starbucks FB

• Very useful platform allowing a profile page for others using Facebook to access and explore.
• Easy to share pictures and video content promoting events, products or other important information.
• Provides visible basic information 'about' the business.
• Starbucks actually has a tab dedicated to certain job openings they are looking to fill.
• Their strategy involves, simple yet eye-catching posts, vast amounts of helpful information, fun contests, very subtle sales techniques lining the page.

Twitter

Starbucks Twitter Page

Replies from Starbucks to their customers

• Can also be used for pictures and video content relating to the company's goals or sales.
• Simple promotions and other useful information regarding the business.
• Starbucks has in place a very unique strategy for its traffic on Twitter;
• Because of the features Twitter offers, the Social media team and Leaders of the company have put in place a very useful strategy. Focusing less on quantity of posts, they have decided that quality is more suited for the users of Twitter. Starbucks uses replies heavily, people can actually 'talk' to them through replies and Retweets. This has provided a more personal touch to the businesses persona, yet any comments or concerns will be addressed in a professional manner. Being a global organization, they have used the 'Lists' as a way to archive specific locations in which Starbucks has cafes. 

Adidas

Facebook

Adidas Facebook page

• Many useful fact about the business can be found quite easily.
• Promotions of newer products and events are found with use of their timeline.
• A basic use of engaging with their customers, nothing out of the ordinary, but still effective.
• Their main strategy for Facebook is actually involvement with another social media source;
• Adidas relies mostly on visual content as a source for creating hype, this is why they have methods in place to route Facebook users to their Instagram page. Using a tab on the home of their FB, as well as posting pictures directly from Instagram, Adidas really tries to grab a large audience. 

  

  Adidas Instagram page

Twitter

Adidas Twitter page

• Useful picture and video sharing, also linking back to Instagram.
• Answering customer concerns, comments, and questions in a timely manner.
• Great use of tweets and retweets of other Adidas related twitter pages or supporting content.

With social media becoming more mainstream over the years, it has allowed many large businesses to create a personality. This transition has also given customers more ability to converse with the companies they love, or even hate. The business model of any organization hoping to survive in today's economy, should heavily involve customer feedback. Social Media and the use of many platforms has inspired creativity, innovation, and increasingly positive results for those using them correctly.