keytowritenow-blog

[keytowritenow-blog]

Is Bird Really The Word?

There once was  a time when I thought Twitter was alive and well...but now it’s dead to me.

When I was in college, I could log onto the mobile account or tweetdeck  and get the latest scoop on what was going on around the world and around my campus.  It had everything....politics...current events...open forums...links to great articles...music suggestions...and of course...Gossip!

Oh yes! It was very informing.

But overtime, I felt like the conversations never grew as I grew. As I scrolled down my timeline, it seemed like the community I was following was using their 140 characters to discuss the same topics. Now I know that may or may not be true for others but that was my experience. As more platforms started to emerge. I found myself slowly drawing back from the blue bird platform.

This map represents the different languages that used Twitter.  In an article written for the Atlantic, author Dino Grandoni breaks down the regions of the languages. I found it very surprising of how many people in Europe used Twitter in 2011. According to the map, the platform was neck and neck with users in North America. Overtime, Im sure the number of people dwindled  in that area due to creations like WhatsApp and WeChat.

According to a site called “Omnivore”,  there are 330 million active twitter users as of the beginning of this year...with 500 million tweets being sent out per day.

And to top that...

Twitter executives are working around the clock to reinvent the platform...making it current and relevant.  According to an article written last October in Ad Age, Twitter is finding new ways expand and grow. One major change to the site is increasing the character limit.  

I personally would have lost my mind if I had that type of freedom on twitter.

but then again...I know someone else who is enjoying it...so I;m going to let the President have his fun with it.

Another big step, which I found interesting, was the company’s advocacy to minimize trolling and harassment. This has been the platform’s reputation from the start. The company is now making the site more transparent by exposing ads and those who create them. I find this perfect timing, especially now with all the investigations surrounding recent elections and attack ads leading up to it. They are also trying to improve its algorithms to catch spam or malicious actors that using advertising and research to prey on twitter users.

I believe these improvements will move Twitter away from being a marketing brand and will allow it to stay true to what it was meant to be...a social platform. Twitter was meant to be a place to strike up a conversation, to gain new ideas, or to even pass along a new article or the latest news. I think once it gets back to the good ole days, like it was in college, then....just then I would reactivate my account. But until then....I’ll keep venturing onto other platforms.

[keytowritenow-blog]

Hey FB Friend...You Got it All Wrong!

After weeks of taking this class, I am now realizing that I have been using social media wrong. And by social media, I mean Facebook. I first joined the platform giant back in the summer of 2008 when I was going to be a freshman in college. It was a great way for me to make friends with people at VCU before I got there. 

I use Facebook just about everyday. And I know you are supposed to pick an outlet that you don’t use often but here me out...

I usually do not use the platform as a way to gather news or to brand myself, but recently I’ve been doing just that. A couple of weeks ago, we started to talk about Facebook and the emerging algorithm it possess to put out front. Not only does Facebook find a way cultivate video appeasing to users, but it all allows social sharing between “friends”. If I wanted share content on YouTube or other digital platforms, I would have to either direct message it or save the link. It’s only one-click with Facebook.

Another great thing about the social site is that everyone uses it.

People as young as 13 to 60 or older have a Facebook page. My inboxed is flooded with friend request from, friends, family member (young and old), former teachers, family friend’s, etc. Also it’s a great way to join groups with people who share similar interest and hobbies. For example, back during my modeling days, I would participate in Facebook groups for casting calls in the area. The group kept me informed about what was going on and when it was happening.

Even though I did not realize it at first, I was basically using macbook as a marketing tool for research and exposure. Now with all of the information that I’ve learned so far, I will continue to use my profile to expand on new ventures in the works. I am excited for all the new creative ways I can market myself using the digital platform.

[keytowritenow-blog]

From Pages to Programs...

I am very routine when it comes to running errands.  

I typically go to the grocery store to buy my food and go to Wal-Mart and Target for all my other household purchase. While I’m there, I usually use the self-checkout line to get in and out. During my last trip to Wal-Mart, there was a line in express checkout. While I was waiting, I happened to check out the latest edition of Comospolitan. It’s been years since I picked up a magazine. It made me think about how the publishing industry has change over time, with many companies moving to some form of digital platform. As a way to do research I began to check out the website.

As I scrolled through the site I noticed most of the content markets to pop culture and idea of sparking the DIY community and self-helpers. Typically I turn to E! Online for this type of content but it was refreshing to revert back to my roots.

I pretty sure everyone reads magazines, so it’s hard to say that there is a small demographic of people who do it. For cosmopolitan, their readers range from 18 to 49 years old

I found it interesting that the readership declined as the age of the customers increased. Also, there’s not much difference of readership between the customers who are married compared to single customers. Logically there should not be a difference but for some reason I just figured there would be. Overall, I think I have grew out of the usage of magazines.  It was cool when I was younger but I think the content is not for me.

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YouTube The New Wave

I just find Youtube to be such an amazing place. When I first started using YouTube, it was based off of pure entertainment. I would use it to watch funny videos of people being human (mostly bloopers) and to watch music videos. Recently, I started to realize that YouTube is way more powerful than that.  The difference between the video site and social networking sites like Facebook is the content. Youtube is a place where anyone can go and share information that is valuable to them and gain viewership from those who do not know them.

I read an article in the LA Times (because I love to do research) about the rise of YouTube influencers and how they became so popular.  According to the article, it talked about how social influencers are now being considered  credible. There was a time when that was not true. It was simply known as an opinion piece. John Dempsey, executive group president of Estee’ Lauder Cosmetics Inc., says "The new celebrities are the social influencers, and quite honestly some make more money than the people who get Emmy Awards." These average, day to day people are gaining viewership by gaining  the trust of others. That was one big thing that Denise Lee Yohn spoke about when it came to branding. Once a brand builds a bond with their target audience and stays committed to it’s values they initially established, this will allow them to expand as a business.

One thing that I love about YouTube is that it is for everyone. Anyone can sign onto YouTube and find something to engage in.

In 2015, DigiDay reported YouTube having over 80% of users in the United States. Of those users, many of them were looking for tips and tricks for Beauty, Health, and Wellness. To be quite honest, I am one of them. I love surfing through YouTube finding new ideas to try or to enhance what I am already doing. One of my favorite YouTube Influencers is Candy Dulce. She made a name for herself by building a channel filled with beauty How-To’s. I loved her and her work so much that I even purchased her autobiography to learn more. Her story of how she got started was interesting beyond all measures.

I always knew that many people used YouTube, but I found it interesting that the social networking site is setting its sites on Live Television.  According to Forbes.com, YouTube TV will offer live tv, Cloud DVR, and Sports. The only thing that I did not like is that it will only be offered in certain cities.  Also, consumers will have to pay a subscription fee higher than Netflix.

I don’t know about anyone else but I will stick with my fire stick and the applications that they offer.

At the end of the day, I think that certain companies can be successful by using video social networking sites like YouTube. By creating content like How-To’s,  users can learn for others like the influencer to improve everyday life.

[keytowritenow-blog]

LinkedIn To the Game of Life

I knew what I wanted to do as a career around the age of nine.  I wanted to be the next Oprah Winfrey. It was all planned out in my mind. I intended to work for a large television network, have an enormous audience, and talk about important stories and topics. However, life has an interesting way of working out. I believed I only needed an education. It never occurred to me that internships and experience would be my ticket to getting into an anchor’s chair, reporter’s chair, hell even Oprah’s chair. I ended up graduating school with a college degree and no job. As the years passed, I slowly allowed the dream of working in television to slip from my mind. It seemed as if it would never happen. Until one day, I used a social media account that I created my sophomore year at VCU….LinkedIn. I updated the profile with my current information, skills, and a recommendation comment. I began searching the job section to see if I could find a career. There I stumbled across NBC News Channel. I didn't think anyone would reply back…let alone call me for an interview. But to my surprise, they did and I’ve been there ever since. The purpose of LinkedIn is to create a professional social media platform that will allow you to engage and meet others with or without the same credentials.  And as Forbes would call it, it’s a professional billboard designed for you to tell the world who you are. Unlike social media platforms like Facebook, I learned that LinkedIn is filled with real users who want to connect with real people in order to expand their connections in career fields. It’s hard to create a fake profile when you rely on others to endorse you and vouch for your skill asset. Another way LinkedIn differs from platforms like Facebook is the idea of voicing opinions. There have been plenty of times where an article or status was posted in my news feed and it was ripped to shreds by someone; causing a vicious argument that deteriorates the purpose of the piece. You don't find that on LinkedIn. Instead, you find conversations and debates that don't undermine the next person but alternatively provides a different perspective. When I was first introduced to it, I didn't use it at all. I created the profile and never looked at it again. After receiving a job from using the site, I began to use it a little more frequently, but that impulse faded as well. During my time at the Super Bowl this week, I spoke with many in the television industry that frequently uses this platform as a way to keep in contact with others. According to marketing-mojo.com, 65% of LinkedIn members range between the ages of 25 and 54, with the usage split evenly between male users and female users. 

These charts represent the current workforces and whom within these industries are using the social media platform as a way to connect with others. I found it interesting that it's not just about creating a profile, it’s about how you use the profile to translate who you are. What I failed to realize as a student was my page showed employers and others within the media field who I was as a potential employee and co-worker. Not only did it show off what I could do for the company, but it also displayed how passionate I was about certain topics, ventures, and influencers in my career field.

Now with all the positive things that the site can do for you as an up and coming career person, it also has its downfalls. According to Adweek.com, Dan Tynan published an article calling the site a joke because many used it as just a digital resume. It wasn’t until 2015 when the platform was purchased by Microsoft for 26-billion dollars. Over time, LinkedIn has “pumped up its publishing platform, tamped down the spam, streamlined its mobile and desktop apps, and introduced new lead-generation and targeting tools.” It also teamed up with third-party promoters to assist marketers with creating and managing campaigns.

I can’t lie, I don't use it as much as I should but after this week I believe that will change. Like the article said, LinkedIn is the Facebook of business people. It's a digital footprint that allows your career to sink 

 or swim

[keytowritenow-blog]

WhatsAppening!

This week I decided to try a social media platform that was not on the example list.....the WhatsApp messenger.  Throughout our readings, WhatsApp has been considered a very popular application worldwide. It allows you send text messages, start group chats, and send images and video.  Usually, if I wanted to talk to someone through a messaging app I would us good ole Facebook messenger or GroupChat. There's not too much of a difference between WhatsApp and FB messenger. Both apps allow you to message each other (duh gif) and send pictures and videos. The difference between the two is that you can actually use WhatsApp like a real phone. It does not give you the sense that you're on social media. The first time I used it, I sent a message out to my cousin.  

She did not respond. 

But it was fine it was just a test. 

The entire time I was on the app, it felt like I was just on my phone...texting and sending pictures to my friends and having a great time. I even called my boyfriend from overseas through the app. He does not have a phone plan at the moment and uses WhatsApp to stay in contact with me and other family members. I remember a conversation that we had when he first got to Spain about how we were going to stay in contact with each other. Naturally, we decided to use FaceTime because we both had iPhones.  But for the rest of his family, he had to find another way to communicate. The WhatsApp provided him with a way to do that. I did a little research and web surfing and according to NerdWallet, roaming fees are out of control. For example, I have Verizon. If I were to use my phone overseas while roaming, it would cost me $10 a day just to use the phone....that's on top of data charges and plan that I'm already paying for.  THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS!!!!

I believe many of the people using WhatsApp are conscious of phone plans are are true budgeters. Not to say there are no great phone plans in the world. I think that will all the extra fees, things start to add up and become expensive. All you need is wifi and you can call, text, and send media anywhere in the world at any time. That's amazing and it's free. Who would not want to take advantage of that? I did some more digging and I found out that the usage of the app has skyrocketed worldwide in recent years. 

( In its fourth year, more than 400-million people actively used the app.  On a worldwide scale, the number of users last year in July averaged around 1300-million people.

 Imagine if we all got rid of our cell phone plans and only used the internet to make calls. And even brands are getting in on the action of using WhatsApp. According to Econsultancy, Clarks was one of the first brands to use the app as a way to communicate with customers. In 2015, they came up with a storytelling campaign to sell their Dessert Boots. They used the app to connect customers with key figures from the past 65 years. Clarks created characters and storylines and used live chats to talk to customers and link the product along with the story. In a way, they used the app just like how I used the app to talk to my cousin. We both used it as a way to reach our target audience.  The difference was they actually got a reply back.

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What’s So Wicked About Vice?

With so much going on in the world , it’s important to understand what is happening around. Many turn to news outlets that fix their preference and align with their beliefs. You could say that I am more of a liberal but I am also the news. My job consist of writing stories about today’s current events, along with tomorrow’s story. As a employee of NBCUniversal, my station tends to share material with other stations within our network. A lot of material and stories used on MSNBC comes from my job or other stations that work alongside with my job. With that being said, at times it can be very structured. Vice, on the other hand, is very different. It’s almost like  night and day.

Usually I spend my time watching my company’s newsfeed...checking to see what’s the next big story. And God forbid there’s BREAKING NEWS. The entire room goes into a panic....trying to get as much information as possible on whatever just happened and from whomever they can. I mean thats when the real investigative reporting comes in. A typical story on MSNBC usually answers the Who, What When, Where, and Why but breaking news can consist of live shots, on the spot interviews where anything can happen, and so many details.  Vice runs their media outlet a bit differently. They deliver current event stories like MSNBC but they dive a littler deeper. I believe they focus more on the Why and the How aspects of the story more than anything else.

I found it interesting that Vice offers an array of news content, shows, docs-series and more. There’s even a show about Kittens 

Crazy? right? 

There’s so much to choose from and expand your mind on.

To me it seems like they have a little of everything and that they also appeal to a certain demographic. Now I am not saying anyone over the age of 40 would not be into the programming...

But what I am saying is the content definitely attract a younger crowd, more of the millennial range. Whereas I can see more baby boomers engaging in programs on MSNBC. The reason could be because they are a 24-hour news service. For those who do not typically work a “9-5” they can turn it on at anytime and get the gist of current events. Lately MSNBC has been following more of President Trump, his presidency, and his war on “Fake News”. I think a lot of older Adults are concerned about those things and where are country is going....not to stay younger generations don’t think those things either.  I think with Vice millennials get their dose of politics but other things like art & culture, music, pop-culture, and other things. One huge thing I see on their site and channel is the legalization of 

From shows to web articles they have found a way to incorporate it into everyday life and educate on ways to use it effectively.

As far the media format goes for both sites I thought that they both stated true to their band when it comes to representation. Also they both had sections where you could watch videos of shows. MSNBC displayed a video a player at the top of their page and also gave you a rundown of their main stories of the day. Vice went the alternative route with their layout, staying very clean and basic. They only displayed one lead stories, with the all the subsidiaries stories to follow. What I also like about Vice was their use of Imagery and color when it came to their story topics.

The use this to tie in with their story about President Trump and supreme leader of North Korea Kim Jong Un. 

overall i think both outlets stayed true to their brand. MSNBC is dedicated to delivering world class news. They give you full coverage on live events ( on-air and online) and also give political analysis on what’s going on in the world of politics.  Vice is a multi-channel outlet that dedicates its contents to focus on originality. They create their brand on what they believe is relevant amongst millennials around the globe. 

I actually enjoyed Vice. It was great to see how other news outlet display their news and create their content. I think I will tune in to see what else they have in store.