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The “Marriage” of Social Media and Video

twit-time_coverA few years ago, when blogging was just starting to make its way into the visual arts community, there was a lot of talk about whether or not it made sense to have a blog. They were considered a waste of time. Something for people who didn’t have anything better to do. Fast forward to today, and just about everyone has a blog. In fact, many photogs have abandoned their main website in favor of JUST their blog.

Well, a similar conversation is going on about social media resources like Twitter, Facebook, etc. I’m hearing people say things like, “Why in the world would any care about what I’m having for lunch.” I have two answers to that question (as it relates to Twitter):

  • First, if you think that’s ALL Twitter is good for, you have a gross mis-respresentation of the scope of Twitter.
  • Second, many people may care what you’re having for lunch because it gives an insight into you as a person. A personal look that may touch a nerve with a potential client. (Say, for example, if you’re a vegetarian like Jasmine Star).

The truth is, social media is an extremely important aspect of today’s business environment. So much so that Twitter was on the cover of Time Magazine of all things. Other major business mags like Fast Company, Inc, Wired, Entrepreneur, and even TV Guide, have all had cover stories related to social media and/or video on the web.  It, and all the other social media outlets, can NOT be ignored.

GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY

This August at Skip’s Summer School, I’ll be addressing the topic of social media and video, and how the two combined can be a powerful 1-2 punch in your marketing mix. I’ll get into some very specific ways of how to use various social media resources, and the supporting tools like TweetMeme, ShareThis, Digg, StumbleUpon, Delicious, etc. I’ll also go into detail on how to conceive, produce and distribute a video podcast and a promo video effectively on the Web. And how to create one that caters to YOUR clients, as opposed to something that just gets other photogs to say “cool video man.” (Who cares what other photogs think of your video if it’s not moving the clients you’re marketing to. We’ll address this issue.)

And for the record, I will cover new topics that go beyond what I covered in WPPI this year. So, it will be a fresh learning experience for all who attend.

I hope to see you there. Register today.

Here’s a little commercial I threw together for my class. Enjoy.

Posted in Business, Social Media. Tagged with , .

By Ron Dawson
June 18, 2009

Comments

  • Evro Moudanidis
    The trick is learning how to use the Social Networking Media scene to put a human face to your business and knowing exactly what you should be typing in the "Status Update".

    I'm certain that in the very near future removing oneself from the SNM scene is going to be akin to some form of extreme monasticism.
  • @evro - this is a valid concern evro, especially as it relates to privacy and saftey. I've read a couple of articles already about the videographer who was robbed and he thinks it could have been because he was announcing publicly on Twitter that he was out of town for a week. So, here are some thinkgs to consider:

    1. Tweet about where you've just BEEN, instead of where you are or what you're doing.

    2. Don't share anything too personal. It's not all about personal stuff. We don't have to know the deeper, inner recesses of your personal life.

    3. Be wise. In everything, use common sense.

    As far as the FBI, they all ready have amazing technologies allowing them to know all about you. They don't need Twitter. :)
  • Cool video Ron.
  • Evro Moudanidis
    Ron, as always another thought provoking blog post :)

    The whole social media phenomenon raises a very important question in my mind: What are the implications of having almost every part of your life publicly available for all to see?

    Apart from the creepiness aspect, doesn't it seem kind of dangerous having all of this personal information stored in one massive database?... Read more

    Another scary thing is the little effort a trained psychologist would need to build a profile on anyone in the FB community and use the information in a subversive way.

    What's your take on this?
  • Can't wait for summer school. It's going to be so incredible to join the amazing list of speakers and get recharged for the Fall.
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