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Week 8 Blog Post

Challenges Meijer's faced

After viewing the video, I believe my Meijer client had faced these issues. Meijer's is a popular retail chain that has faced several challenges with their social media platforms. One of the challenges they encountered was a technology-centric approach. They focused solely on the technological aspects of social media, neglecting the fundamental principles of mass collaboration. This hindered their ability to effectively engage with their online community and communicate their brand message.

Another challenge Meijer faced was a lack of understanding of mass collaboration principles. They failed to recognize the importance of collaboration and community building in social media. Instead, they solely focused on broadcasting their messages without actively engaging with their audience. This resulted in a lack of meaningful interactions and limited their ability to build a strong online community.

Executive and managerial confidence was also a challenge for Meijer. The organization's leaders lacked the confidence to fully embrace and leverage social media as a powerful marketing tool. This hindered their ability to make informed decisions and effectively implement social media strategies. Without strong leadership support, Meijer struggled to fully utilize the potential of their social media platforms.

Addressing challenges

To address these challenges, Meijer can take several steps. Firstly, they need to shift their focus from a technology-centric approach to a more community-oriented one. This involves actively engaging with their online community, responding to customer feedback, and fostering meaningful interactions.

Meijer should also invest in training and education for their executives and managers to enhance their understanding of mass collaboration principles. They should all come together to share feedback and work on communicating better when it comes to having great ideas to share for the company to grow. This will enable them to make informed decisions and effectively utilize social media as a marketing tool.

Furthermore, Meijer needs to build executive and managerial confidence in social media. This can be achieved through showcasing successful case studies, providing ongoing support and guidance, and encouraging experimentation and innovation.

Lastly, Meijer should prioritize adaptation and flexibility. Social media platforms are constantly evolving, and it is crucial for organizations to adapt to these changes. Meijer should regularly assess their social media strategies, monitor industry trends, and make necessary adjustments to stay relevant and effective in their social media presence. By addressing these challenges and implementing the suggested solutions, Meijer can enhance their social media presence and effectively engage with their online community.

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Week 7: One Blog Post 

In today's age, social media is a more powerful tool for many businesses. It helps build a strong online presence. Meijer, a popular retail chain, has recognized the importance of effective content development and sharing to engage their customers and enhance their social media strategy.

There are opportunities for improvement in Meijer’s social media platform. One suggestion is to increase interaction with their audience by responding to comments and messages promptly. This would create a sense of connection and make customers feel valued. Additionally, Meijer could consider incorporating user-generated content into their social media strategy. Meijer can also foster a sense of community and encourage others to share their experiences. Lastly, Meijer could explore collaborations with influencers or local community organizations to further expand their reach and engage with a wider audience. By implementing these suggestions, Meijer can enhance their social media community and strengthen their brand presence.

One key aspect of effective content development is understanding the target audience and tailoring the content to their interests and preferences. Meijer has done an excellent job in this regard by creating content that resonates with their customers. For example, their social media posts often feature mouthwatering images of their products, enticing customers to visit their stores or order online. By appealingly showcasing their products, Meijer effectively captures the attention of their audience and encourages them to engage with the content.

Another important aspect of effective content development is storytelling. Meijer has embraced this concept by sharing stories that evoke emotions and create a sense of connection with their audience. For instance, they have shared heartwarming stories of their employees going above and beyond to help customers or support their local communities. By highlighting these stories, Meijer not only humanizes their brand but also reinforces their commitment to customer satisfaction and community involvement.

In terms of content sharing, Meijer has leveraged the power of user-generated content to engage their audience and foster a sense of community. They encourage their customers to share their experiences and use branded hashtags, which Meijer then features on their social media platforms. This not only provides social proof of their products and services but also creates a sense of inclusivity and belonging among their customers.

Example 1: Meijer Advertisement: Meijer, a popular retail chain, effectively builds its social media community through engaging advertisements. They create content that resonates with their audience, showcasing their products in a relatable and visually appealing way. For example, their holiday commercials often feature heartwarming family moments and emphasize the joy of giving. By connecting with their audience on an emotional level, Meijer fosters a sense of community and encourages customers to share their own experiences and traditions.

Example 2: McDonald's Social Media Platform Partnerships: McDonald's has successfully built a social media community by partnering with celebrities like Offset and Cardi B. These partnerships involve collaborations on social media platforms, where the celebrities promote McDonald's products or engage in fun and interactive campaigns. By leveraging the influence and popularity of these celebrities, McDonald's not only reaches a wider audience but also creates a sense of excitement and exclusivity within their social media community. This collaboration encourages fans of the celebrities to engage with McDonald's content, share their experiences, and feel like part of a larger community of McDonald's enthusiasts.

Becoming a social organization is closely tied to the principles of effective content development and sharing. By actively engaging with their audience, responding to comments and messages, and incorporating user-generated content, Meijer transforms their social media presence into a community-driven platform. This not only strengthens their brand loyalty but also allows them to gather valuable feedback and insights from their customers.

In conclusion, Meijer has effectively developed and shared content on their social media platforms by understanding their audience, telling compelling stories, and embracing user-generated content. By becoming a social organization, Meijer has fostered a sense of community and engagement among their customers, ultimately enhancing their social media strategy and brand presence.

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Week 6: One Big Post

After completing the Hootsuite/Podium module 4 on growing an online community, I have gained valuable insights that can be applied to Meijer's client project. These insights revolve around the importance of identifying influencers, measuring success, and combining principles from the book with the module's insights.

Growing up in an online community is identifying influencers who can help amplify brand visibility. By leveraging the reach and influence of these individuals, Meijer can significantly impact their online community. These influencers can promote Meijer's brand, products, and values, attracting more like-minded individuals to join the community.

Measuring success is another crucial aspect of community growth. Meijer can track various metrics, including engagement rates, click-throughs, and conversions, to evaluate the effectiveness of their influencer campaigns. This data-driven approach allows them to assess the impact of collaborations with influencers and make informed decisions to further grow their community. By analyzing these metrics, Meijer can improve areas and optimize their strategies to achieve better results.

To effectively build and grow its online community, Meijer should combine the principles from the book with the insights from the Hootsuite/Podium module 4. Authentic engagement was the only one I took the most from though there is still a lot of good information from the rest of the chapters in Hootsuite. Authentic engagement and consistency are key principles that Meijer should prioritize. They should actively participate in discussions, respond promptly to user comments, and be within the community. By consistently posting relevant content and being transparent about their products' authenticity, history, and uniqueness, Meijer can build trust and loyalty among their community members.

By applying these principles and insights, Meijer can effectively build and grow their online community. This will help engage, trust, and loyalty among their audience, ultimately leading to a stronger brand presence and increased customer satisfaction. Meijer's online community will become a vibrant and connected space where individuals can engage with the brand, share their experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals.

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Week 5: One Blog Post

In his article "Advertising is the Internet's Original Sin," published in The Atlantic, Ethan Zuckerman, one of the creators of the first pop-up ad, offers a profound apology for the creation of this intrusive form of advertising. He acknowledges the negative impact it has had on the internet, leading to a host of problems, including privacy concerns, the spread of misinformation, and the creation of an environment where users are the product. Zuckerman's argument is that the internet's reliance on advertising as a primary source of revenue has been detrimental to its development and user experience.

This perspective is further echoed in Maciej Ceglowski's discusses how internet business models influence surveillance and data coming together on the internet. The current ad-supported model of the internet has led to an unprecedented level of surveillance, as companies gather vast amounts of data on users to target ads more effectively. This model has not only invaded our privacy but also created a fertile ground for the spread of misinformation, as content that generates clicks and views is prioritized, regardless of its veracity.

Zuckerman suggests that the internet needs to move away from an ad-supported model and explore other revenue models, such as subscription services or user data control. This shift could potentially reduce the level of surveillance and data gathering, as companies would no longer need to collect extensive user data to generate revenue. However, this transition would require a significant change in how we perceive and use the internet. Users would need to be willing to pay for services they currently receive for free, and companies would need to find new ways to generate revenue without exploiting user data.

In conclusion, the current business models of the internet have a significant influence on surveillance and data gathering. The ad-supported model has led to an invasion of privacy and the spread of misinformation, as companies prioritize revenue over user experience and ethical considerations. As Zuckerman suggests, a shift towards more ethical business models, such as subscription services or user data control, could help mitigate these issues. However, this transition would require a significant change in user and company behavior.

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Week 4 Blog 1

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of a social media consultant has become increasingly significant. In my view, the most important qualities for a social media consultant to possess are adaptability, creativity, analytical skills, and a deep understanding of social media trends and algorithms. Adaptability is crucial as the digital landscape is ever-evolving. A consultant must be able to adjust strategies in response to new platforms, features, and trends. Creativity is equally important. With the saturation of content on social media, a consultant must be able to create unique and engaging content that stands out. Analytical skills are necessary to understand and interpret data, measure the effectiveness of campaigns, and make data-driven decisions. Lastly, a deep understanding of social media trends and algorithms is essential to ensure content reaches the target audience and stays relevant.

If I were to act as a social media consultant for myself, I would advise a few key strategies to improve my professional social media presence. Firstly, I would focus on creating good quality, relevant content that provides value to my audience.  This could be in the form of informative blog posts, engaging videos, or insightful infographics.  Secondly, I would leverage the power of networking. By engaging with other professionals in my field, sharing their content, and participating in discussions, I can increase my visibility and establish myself as a thought leader. Thirdly, I would utilize analytics to track the performance of my posts and adjust my strategy accordingly. This would allow me to understand what type of content resonates with my audience and optimize my efforts for maximum engagement. So far, I have been consistent in posting and engaging with my audience. However, there is always room for improvement. In the future, I plan to invest more time in understanding my audience's needs and preferences, experimenting with different types of content, and leveraging analytics to refine my strategy.

In conclusion, being a successful social media consultant requires a combination of adaptability, creativity, analytical skills, and an understanding of social media trends. By implementing these qualities and strategies, one can significantly enhance their professional social media presence.

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Week 4 Blog Post 2

In the digital age, the spread of junk news is a growing concern. Three main reasons contribute to this: algorithms, advertising, and exposure. 

Algorithms play a significant role in shaping our online experience. They prioritize content based on our interests, past behaviors, and location. For instance, Facebook's algorithm prioritizes posts from friends and family, potentially limiting our exposure to diverse viewpoints. This creates a filter bubble, where we are only exposed to content that aligns with our pre-existing beliefs, perpetuating bias and misinformation. 

Advertising is another factor. Social media platforms collect user data to deliver targeted ads. This often leads to the spread of junk news through clickbait and micro-targeted messages. For example, during the 2016 U.S. election, Russian ads on Facebook spread divisive political messages, demonstrating how advertising can be manipulated for political purposes.

Lastly, selective exposure deepens ideological differences. Users choose what they want to see or ignore, often conforming to their pre-existing beliefs. This is influenced by partisanship, cognitive shortcuts, and avoidance of cognitive dissonance. 

Businesses and individuals should be aware of these factors. They can respond by promoting media literacy, encouraging critical thinking, and advocating for transparency in algorithms and advertising practices. For instance, Facebook has taken steps to combat fake news by partnering with fact-checkers and introducing a news literacy.

In conclusion, while algorithms, advertising, and exposure contribute to the spread of junk news, awareness and proactive measures can help mitigate their impact. 

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Week 3: Social Media Blog

The impact of big data and algorithms cannot be overemphasized. The speed of technology changing the way we live, work, and connect with others has changed tremendously. After watching the lecture and the Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma," have shown how important it is to reflect on the tools and potential dangers they pose. The blog will talk about the reasons why big data and algorithms are powerful and their associated risks. Then, I will talk about the different strategies to address these issues more on a personal and professional level. The Power of Big Data and Algorithms have so much control over humans that we haven't even begun to recognize how much it affects each one of us daily. With them having the ability to identify patterns and making predictions helps them keep control.

“The Social Dilemma” said that many social networks exploit human weakness by designing a positive intermittent reinforcement in mind. This makes humans stay connected to their phones and are sitting there scrolling for hours on end. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Businesses, governments, and organizations are using big data and algorithms to make informed decisions. These tools help them see consumer behavior and market trends, while also helping to predict disease outbreaks. Then with Personalization Algorithms make sure to put highly tailored content and advertisements you encounter online. This is all done by watching your preferences and behaviors, aiming to increase engagement. They check people's scale and speed in real-time. Like for the Tesla car and others we have efficient and automated vehicles that are self-driving cars and other things that humans no longer must do for themselves.

The Dangers of Their Use and Abuse

The algorithm didn’t see how much it affected the people's mental health and well-being. The addictive nature of social media platforms has pushed a lot of individuals over the top and feel they can’t go a day without having it. The documentary "The Social Dilemma" talked about how user data is harvested and monetized by social media platforms, potentially undermining individuals' privacy. Big data algorithms can be weaponized to spread misinformation.Algorithms can exacerbate societal biases, leading to discrimination in various aspects. If we educate ourselves more about data privacy and digital literacy. This will help us protect our personal information. Cutting down and limiting your screen time will help you.

In my view, dealing with these problems requires a multi-faceted approach. On a personal level, individuals need to be more aware of their digital footprint and take steps to protect their data. This could include using privacy tools, limiting time spent on social media, and being critical of the information they consume online. On a professional level, tech companies need to prioritize ethical considerations in their use of big data and algorithms. This could involve implementing stricter data protection measures, being transparent about their data practices, and designing products that promote user well-being. On a societal level, there needs to be stronger regulation of tech companies and their use of data. This could include laws that protect user privacy, prevent data misuse, and promote competition. 

The influence of Internet business models on information privacy is profound. The prevalent 'free' model, where services are provided in exchange for user data, has led to widespread data collection and a lack of privacy. Users often unknowingly trade their personal information for access to these services, which is then used to generate revenue through targeted advertising. This model has been criticized for its lack of transparency and the potential for abuse.

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Week 2: Social Media & Social Relationships  

Social media has a significant influence on my daily life. It has become a constant presence, shaping my interactions, perceptions, and even my self-esteem. While it allows me to connect with others and stay updated, it also breeds comparison and anxiety. Having the Internet constantly available has revolutionized my life, providing instant access to information, entertainment, and communication. However, there have been times when I haven't had access to the Internet for an extended period, such as during plane rides or in areas with poor signal. These moments of disconnection have offered a break from the constant notifications and distractions, allowing me to reflect and be present in the moment. To be more intentional about my use of technology, I would like to establish designated periods of digital detox, where I can engage in activities that nourish my mind and soul, like reading, spending time in nature, or having meaningful conversations. By setting boundaries and prioritizing offline experiences, I hope to strike a healthier balance between the virtual and real world.

In the captivating article "Before the Internet" by The New Yorker, the author takes us on a nostalgic journey to a time when the digital realm did not dominate our lives. While the article provides a wealth of insights, one key takeaway is the profound influence of social media on our daily lives. Social media has become an omnipresent force, shaping our interactions, perceptions, and even self-esteem. It has the power to connect us with others, but also to breed comparison and anxiety. On the other hand, the constant availability of the Internet has revolutionized our lives, providing instant access to information, entertainment, and communication. However, there have been instances when I have been deprived of this digital lifeline, such as during plane rides or in areas with poor signal. These moments of disconnection have offered a respite from the constant barrage of notifications and distractions, allowing me to reflect and be present in the moment. To be more intentional about my use of technology, I aspire to establish designated periods of digital detox, where I can engage in activities that nourish my mind and soul, such as reading, spending time in nature, or having meaningful conversations. By consciously setting boundaries and prioritizing offline experiences, I hope to strike a healthier balance between the virtual and real world.

Regarding the video titled "We've Been Sneaking into Your Brains," offers a glimpse into the power of technology and its ability to influence our thoughts and behaviors. While only a small summary is provided, the video likely explores the ways in which technology, particularly social media, can subtly shape our perceptions and preferences, often without us even realizing it. This raises important questions about the extent to which we are in control of our own thoughts and decisions in an increasingly digital world.

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Introduction Know Who I am

Hello everyone!

My name is Anitra, and I am from Detroit, Michigan. Currently, I am a senior at Central Michigan University, pursuing a Bachelor's in Science and Community Development with a concentration in Health Science and a minor in Business Communication. With a background as a licensed CNA, licensed pharmacy tech, and medical assistant certificate, I am well-versed in the medical field. However, my goal is to become a Registered Nurse and I plan on returning to school for my BSN after graduating next Spring in May 2024.

On a personal note, I am 24 years old and the oldest child on my mother's side, with two younger brothers. On my dad's side, I am the baby with an older sister and brother. Recently, I celebrated my birthday on April 17th, and it was extra special as I went to Las Vegas for the first time and had my very first plane ride. It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed myself. Aside from my academic and career pursuits, I have a few fun facts to share. My favorite color is pink, and I have a hidden talent for singing. Additionally, I will be the first generation in my family to obtain a bachelor's degree, which is a significant milestone for me. In this course, I am excited to learn new things and expand my knowledge. I am particularly looking forward to getting to know my classmates and engaging in meaningful discussions. Through my blog, I hope to share my experiences, insights, and learnings from this course, while also connecting with others with similar interests.

An exemplary company that excels in its use of social media. One organization that stands out in this regard is Apple. Apple has been around since 1976 this company has consistently demonstrated its ability to keep up with trends in social media engagement and effectively connect with its audience. Their use of social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, allows them to showcase their latest products and innovations, including the new iPhones and other exciting releases. Apple's social media presence is visually appealing and highly engaging, capturing the attention of both tech enthusiasts and the general public. By leveraging social media, Apple effectively creates a desire among consumers, particularly younger audiences, to own their products, such as the iPhone. This aligns with the principles covered in the reading assignment, as Apple successfully utilizes social media to create brand awareness, generate interest, and ultimately drive sales.

To learn more about Apple's exemplary use of social media, you can visit their official website: [Apple](https://www.apple.com/)

Are you going to get the new iPhone 15? I currently have the iPhone 12 Pro Max I'm not really into getting a new iPhone each year a new one comes out.

I am thrilled to embark on this blogging journey and I look forward to connecting with all of you. Let's make the most out of this course together!