Thursday, November 28, 2013

#InsightfulArticle

Basic Social Media Mistake Everyone Makes 
This is the fourth in my series where I choose a topic, pick someone smarter than me (finding smarter people is turning out to be way easier than my ego prefers), and we trade emails. To find other articles in the series, go herehere, and here.
This time I talked to Shama Kabani, the founder and CEO of The Marketing Zen Group and the author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing.
Shama's premise: Most social media marketing efforts fail because, at a fundamental level, people don't use social media to connect with businesses--or even with each other. People use social media to showcase their own identities.Jeff: You realize this premise is completely opposite from what most people think? Social media is supposed to be about connection, not reflection. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
Shama: And that's why most businesses get poor results. A social site is as much a digital mirror as it is a social platform. Connection starts with understanding the meaning and impact of that reflection.
Jeff: You're going to have to explain that.
Shama: I did my graduate thesis on Twitter back when it only had a few thousand users. My first questions were, "Why would people tweet? Why would they share what they are doing?"
While I was doing the research I had this light bulb moment. My original hypothesis was that we use social media to connect with each other, but I found the primary reason we use social media is to showcase our own identities.
Jeff: So we're all a bunch of narcissists.
Shama: It's not narcissistic at all. It's like in kindergarten (in a good way): You're having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the kid next to you says he likes peanut butter and jelly, then he says he likes blue crayons, and you like blue crayons... that's how we make friends and become who we are. We showcase our identities, and based on the reflection or reaction of other people, we tweak our identities.
The same is true when you're a teenager and, say, your friends like rock music. They wear certain clothes... so you do, too.
The only difference is that now all that is online. Think about Facebook profiles; Facebook really gets the idea that people, first and foremost, want to showcase who they are. Social media is like a mirror we hold up to show how we are unique and special.
It's like we're decorating the inside of our lockers again. We just transferred that to the Web.
The platforms have changed, but the principles of how we behave and how we express ourselves? Not really.
Jeff: I get that. A friend loves to add stuff to his Facebook timeline. I tease him because he acts like a painter finishing a masterpiece. When he's done he's a little too pleased with himself. (I know you said it's not narcissistic, but in his case I'm not so sure.)
But I'm not sure how understanding that helps a business improve its social media marketing efforts.
Shama: Here's how. Most companies still focus on the secondary aspect: Getting them to connect with us. Too many companies say, "Business is about marketing and branding. We will create a brand. We will tell people who we are."
That's backwards. Realizing that social media is a mirror forces companies to think not about what they want their brand to be, but what their brand says about the individual.
And that's why a cupcake shop can rack up more likes than a major corporation. Liking the little cupcake shop down the street says something about me as an individual: Maybe they only use organic ingredients and that's important to me. Or maybe they donate a portion of their revenue to a charity I support. In some way, that cupcake shop is a reflection of my identity and an extension of my identity brand. It reflects something I see in myself.
Liking a big company... what does that do for me? Not much. What does that say about me? Nothing.
Jeff: That's probably why I've never felt compelled to "like" a big company. (Maybe that's why I don't even have a Facebook account?)
Plus there's the association factor. If I like a fast-food chain I'm not going to declare it publicly. I'm not going to like an athlete's foot powder or a dandruff shampoo or adult diapers. (Not that I need any of those!) That would not only say something about me, it would say too much about me.
But I would like my local bike shop because they lead local bicycle advocacy efforts, help build new trails... and they're great guys. So liking them would say something I would feel good about saying.
Shama: For a business, what matters most is not what your brand says about you--it's what your brand says about the people you want to interact with.
The heart of building a community, whether you're a B2B or a B2C, is recognizing what that community cares about. It's not manipulative, it's not sneaky--it's the most authentic way to brand your business and grow a following online.
It's not manipulative because it's about what you do, not what you say. It's about what you do and what that says about the people who like you for doing it.
Jeff: I see and hear stuff like "Like us on Facebook!" or "Follow us on Twitter!" all over the place, and I always wonder what the business is thinking. Why would I? You haven't given me a reason.
And I'm immediately turned off when I have to "like" a business to get a discount or special offer. But maybe that's just me.
I wouldn't feel a connection to the company. It would just be a a transaction. "Here's my like, now give me my discount."
Shama: There's a much better approach that doesn't require incentives or promotions. (Although there is nothing wrong with either.)
I was speaking at a real estate conference and a number of people said they were frustrated because they had created social media platforms for their real estate businesses and nothing was happening. The problem was they had sites... but those sites didn't say anything about the people they wanted to engage.
But if they changed their focus and created a site like, say, "Why Dallas Rocks," and it was powered by Dallas Realtors... then you can get likes because it says a lot about me: I like my city, I like my community... and I like you for getting that.
The same is true for a wedding site. Say you sell bridal gowns--how many people are going to follow you? Change the focus. Create a site like "All About Brides," or "I Can't Believe I'm Engaged," or "OMG I'm Engaged!"... powered by Downtown Bridal.
Which will get more likes? The site focused on showing people what you are, or the site focused on what brides feel about themselves? Brides will want to connect with you when they know you get them.
Jeff: But what if I'm in a service business? What if my business isn't so much about products but about, for want of a better way to put it, me?
Shama: The same principle applies; in fact, when people are the focus it can be even more powerful.
That's why letting people connect with the CEO works so well. It's an extension of your brand. It's a relationship. Who would you rather connect with, a company or a person?
And that's why I resisted creating a page for our agency for a long time. I finally caved in when we decided to use it for customer service and answering questions. But it proves my point: I have over 200k Facebook subscribers, and our agency page has a few thousand. People like being able to connect with the CEO.
People want to connect with people. When you connect with a person at a business, it's like you know someone there. That's really powerful.
Jeff: Now put it into action. Tell me what to do.
Shama: The key is to forget what you want to say about yourself. Think about what your customers want to say and feel about themselves.
1. Start with your customers.Forget your brand. What do your customers see as their brand?
Forget your messaging. What is the messaging of your audience?
For example, there's an Italian restaurant nearby. The interior is splashed with pictures of the owners, their families, and generations of people who have eaten there. They encourage customers to put their pictures up. When you walk in you instantly know they care about family, about tradition... you can tell family means everything to them.
People who care about family connect with the restaurant because it says something about how they see themselves.
Think in broader terms. How do your customers see themselves? What is important to them?
2. Create a platform that integrates your customers' brand with what you offer.One of our clients runs chiropractic clinics. Many of their patients were injured in accidents. So they built a "don't text and drive" platform. They've created an entire campaign around preventing accidents. They frequently speak at schools and community events. They even created a pledge people can feature on their profiles to show it's something they care about. It's like bumper stickers on steroids.
The community cares about protecting their kids and, be honest, adults, because everyone is guilty of texting while they're driving. Our client cares about it, too. And they prove it.
Or take American Express: Who would join a social network for a credit card company? No one. So Amex built Open Forum and created a community for small business people who need information and resources. They do crazy numbers. If a credit card company can do it... you can too.
Determine what you stand for, blend that with what your customers care about, and find the right balance point.
3. Be part of a movement.Marketing has always been about you: Your needs and your objectives.
Of course the goal is to get leads and sales, but with social media you should look at something bigger, become a part of a movement... be part of something your audience cares about.
Then you get more than bottom line results: You get to be a part of something bigger and more meaningful.
The Dallas YMCA did a campaign featuring stories about their members and how the Y changed their life. In effect they created a collage of beautiful stories and pictures. Those stories mean something to people. We all want to change our lives for the better and to be around people who feel the same way.
Bottom line: Don't mistake the medium for the message. That's not what it is.
Find a way to be of service--and to be a part of something bigger than your business.

Source page : www.inc.com <http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/basic-social-media-marketing-mistake-everyone-makes.html>

Very insightful artile to read, tells that our social media reflect who we are, help to know ourself better to 'communicate' more with people...

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

MondayMovies

Tittle : The Hunger Games Trilogy ; Catching Fire
Director : Francis Lawrence
Producer : Nina Jacobson& Jon Kilik
Starring : Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson
Distributor : Lionsgate
Running Time : 146 Minutes



Catching Fire is the second from the trilogy hunger games by the book from Suzanne Collins.  As a fan from reading the book, i think this movie is give me a very satisfying visual from my imagination as i read the book before, the moment is captured right, if i can compare from Harry Potter that had many scene that not describe the book a lot.  This movie is relief me, because no surprise entry from the plot, but the excitement from the actress and actors about how they act their role.  I can feel the thrill, the fear, worry and desperateness, especially from the main role, Katniss Everdeen that i think could be the best performance with the strong, independence, rebelious but also have many affection to her family and 'innocent' people around her.  The amusement of fashion is completed the visual effect, especially the dress wear by Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket is sooo unique, then the detail of interior from the set is makes me jealous to have! (even its comes from a train).  Then the set from the forest, the combat's arena is exatly like what describe from the book (i think the detail description from the book is help too) so people would get satisfy because what in their imagination is look alike the book. I hope the next movie, Mockingjay could bring the same level of excitement like this.  Increase my mood level 5/5 to watch this monday and can't wait to have it on dvd format! Enjoy!

Star: 5/5 (five from five-very recommended)

*taken at google catching fire movie poster

Friday, November 22, 2013

3 days for a lifetime

This week is so unforgettable for me, a yudicium at my campus, yudicium for my faculty and then graduation.  Its like happiness to celebrate the joy that finally i can finish my study, but also tearful to realize that most of my friends would be gone, because they must going back to their town and work there for a long time.  

My friends at the dormitory and campus, called andalan89 is the second family for me.  Because i think they're the closest friends i ever had.  I think in a life out here i'm not easy to make friends before, to open up my feelings, building a wall so no one can let in.  But at the dorm, there is so many time we spent, so i let all that happen, to make them see how fragile i was, how crazy, how sad, or how happy i am.  I let them see who i really am.  Angry, jealous, sad, happy, fall in love then a broken heart, all the complete feeling that i share, that i tell honestly, without any 'blow-up' or 'cut-out'.  The moment that makes me feels like home, feels like something familiar and acceptable, like a family. That can accept me for everything i ever done and for every mistakes i ever made.  I think 4 years is so unforgettable and amazing.

Thank you for such an amazing years.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Sebuah tanda titik

denganmu, aku pernah belajar jatuh cinta, berulang ulang kali
begitu pula dengan patah hati dalam tangisan yang lerai berhari
mencintaimu, pernah menjadi beban bagi diriku sendiri
sedang merelakanmu, kini adalah kelegaan bagi hatiku sendiri
dan sebuah bahagia untuk awal yang baru, bagimu.

Maka masa lalu adalah tempat dimana kita tiada berpijak
waktu bukan menjadikannya tiada
hanya terlampau buru buru meninggalkan kita
yang suatu hari nanti akan melabuh jangkar
tak terjangkau di tempat yang terlampau jauh untuk aku gapai

saat ini, telah lain dalam hati hingga percuma memaksa
karena momen yang terperangkap dalam lalu
tak akan kembali

hati ini telah jauh, jatuh
pergi dan tumbuh
airmata pun telah mengering
berganti tawa dari yang lain

kita, jauh suatu hari nanti
memang tiada akan ada lagi

pontianak, 20 november 2013

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

TVSeries Week



Genre
Created by
Based onS.H.I.E.L.D.
by Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
Starring
Composer(s)Bear McCreary[1]
Country of originUnited States
Originallanguage(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes(List of episodes)
Production
Executiveproducer(s)
Producer(s)Garry A. Brown
Editor(s)Paul Trejo
Cinematography
David Boyd
Running time43 minutes
Productioncompany(s)ABC Studios
Marvel Television
Mutant Enemy[2]
DistributorDisney-ABC Domestic Television
Broadcast
Original channelABC
Picture format720p (HDTV)[3]
Audio format5.1 surround sound[3]
Original runSeptember 24, 2013 – present
Chronology
Related showsMarvel Cinematic Universe (film franchise)

Poster picture from here



So recently just spent my hours with exploring another serial movie to watch, and i find the interesting one : Marvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) At first i just get bored with my 'usual' serial and try to watch something new.  This new serial is satisfy me! (at least at the first season, updated until episode 6 for now).  

Why i love it? because the serial contains this aspects: nerd, high-technology, man in suits, actions, spy, hacker, spybase-plane and flying car! Its absolutely my type of fun :D 

I think its a 'huge' series from the technology. That explain after The Avengers Movie at the cinema, the s.h.i.e.l.d just develop and select a team that can manage the hi-tech resource and solve the 'world's problem' that related with unknown power that closely like the other heroes.

The teams collect very interesting people, two trained agents that can we say have a lack of social skills, a bio-chemical, engineer and the last recruit is the hacker that already hacked their systems from a laptop at her van.

It is always interesting when you mix people from their speciality that have a different skills.  Some just trained at the fields some just a scientist that mostly a little bit awkward.  This series gives a description about people who love, passionate about their job, very awesome job, i think :).  Especially, the team is the part of Government that hope could solve the problem in the world and can win the best situation, so they recruit people from any specialities to get different perspectives.  I hope one day my government, Indonesia could manage a professional civil servant that can be very focused and skillful for their job, so we can watch the achievement at the local news and some heroic action, even at this series, the most 'heroic' department very glad to make it keep silent and undercover. ;p

enjoy your watch!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Something In The Middle of The Night

Recently, because almost zero activity in the weekend i sleep well at the day and awake at the middle of the night. It makes me wondering and overthink.  About anything that happened at the past.  Bad effect that haunts me a guilty, loss and sorrow feeling, its just horrible.  But i know, yesterday is already gone, nothing i can do to change it, because i just have a chance to live the life today.
Being very blessed to have a religion, have something to hold on when i think i drawn.  Besides Qur'an, the most powerful book i ever read is La Tahzan.  567 pages, sometimes when i feel sad and down, i just open it random and always be more positive and inspire.  
For some reason, i'm not a very religious person.  Especially for the 'cover', but i think i have a very big respect and interest with some religious view.  For me, religion have it own purpose to make things right, to makes me keep insane, to be a reason someone to be strong, to feel motivated, loved, inspire.  Religion is the answer of your negativity, a total defencelessness to the bigger power that can wipe your worry, sorrow, guilty and whatsoever that makes your life messed, religion is the saviour.
I dont have very much belief, because some aspect just not fit into my mind, so i live my life with integrate what i get with what i feel, i'm not a total believer but i'm an open minded person that have my own filtering-system to make it right for me.  I think thats the point to mix life with religion, to make it with purpose, to know the purpose so we can 'make' it right, to not be blinded, but open the eyes and feel it in your heart.  
So, i think i will finally sleep well tonight.