When I started developing my virtual shows business several months ago, I naturally began taking a greater interest in web-related technology, applications and social media. The result is that I’ve developed a fairly comprehensive network of sources, podcasts, websites and blogs from which I am able to access more information about social media than I ever thought possible. I honestly feel like I learn something every day and that, to use a term popular with many tech companies, it has encouraged me to “iterate” my virtual platform in order to have a better product once I launch to a wider market at the end of the month.
Over the same period of time, I have come to learn that the mentality that is prevalent in Silicon Valley and in major urban centres does not seem to translate very well in Northern Ontario. In discussing my business with government agencies and people that are otherwise business-savvy individuals for which I have tremendous respect, I’ve come to realize that the social media revolution has not fully made its way to Northern Ontario yet. In fact, in some cases, I get the feeling that different individuals believe that if they ignore social media long enough, the fad will pass. Well, I have news for you…Facebook will likely have over 1 billion users by the end of 2012, there are over 200 million people on Twitter and more than 40 million with profiles on LinkedIn…social media is not going anywhere!
Ironically, the seeming lack of enthusiasm for social media as a business tool in many circles is not due to a lack of information or training. There are a number of experts that have been brought in to offer seminars and training sessions on social media in Northern communities. Unfortunately, their message does not seem to be getting through as well as it could. There are a number of companies and organizations that have a Facebook or Twitter presence that seems to have been created simply to avoid questions such as “Why are you not on Facebook or Twitter?” Well, having a “presence” is not good enough. Social media experts from throughout North America will tell you that having a static presence where you do little but push your products or events without trying to engage with people will prove ineffective. Social media is about interaction and about engaging the people that bother to take time out of their schedules to visit your page. It is not the same as buying an ad in a newspaper or on the radio.
Starting in late February when we launch the Northern Ontario Pavilion, the region’s first permanent online conference centre, I will work with other social media advocates from throughout the region to ensure that Northern Ontario, its businesses and its organizations have a strong voice on each of the primary social media platforms. Together we will am up Northern Ontario’s presence on social media.
Random thoughts
· I read a report last week which said that the Government of Ontario’s average daily costs for food is $7.33 in seniors homes, $8.00 for hospital patients and $11.00 for prison inmates. Somehow that just does not feel right!
· So I followed a link online which brought me to a video of Matt Lauer interviewing Barack Obama. One of his questions: “…Mr. President, can you confirm that the U.S is currently developing a powerful bomb that would be able to reach Iran’s nuclear development labs deep underground. Really Matt…did you really expect the President of the United States to answer that question on national television? I always find it sort of sad when journalists ask such sophomoric questions.
· I never thought that I would ever write something that included me feeling sorry for Gisele Bundchen. You know…Tom Brady’s wife, supermodel, businesswoman that experts believe will be the first billionaire model before the end of the decade. Anyhow, she was caught on camera telling drunken fans that if her husband’s receivers had caught the ball when it was thrown to them the Patriots might have one. Of course, this was caught on an iphone and today she was made a villain for having thrown her husband’s teammates under the bus. Problem is, she was right…if the Patriots receivers make a couple of key catches on well thrown balls in the late stages of the game, the Patriots would have won.
· Speaking of the Super Bowl, I really wish that Canadian companies who advertise on the Canadian feed of the game made more of an effort to air new commercials during the Super Bowl. it really sucked having to watch commercials we have been seeing for over a year when all the brand new, much-hyped ads were being aired on the American feed of the game.
· Tim Thomas…you refuse to join your teammates from the Boston Bruins at the White House and announce it in the form of a long-winded statement that goes into great detail on how you feel that the American government has failed you. Then you have the gonads to say that you will not answer any questions on the matter. Really…you thought you’d get away with that without getting grief from just about every possible direction. I’m thinking you might have taken one too many slap shots to the noggin if you thought all this would go away quickly and quietly.
· Dear Ryan Seacrest, you have made millions through your production company by airing hour after pointless hour of Kim Kardashian’s daily activities. Please, for the good of mankind, STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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