I look forward to reading your posts to this thread.
http://www.commoncraft.com/video-social-networking is an interesting site with a video about social networking and a blog.
Professor Prisca
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This is a sample blog for students of HOST 4103, Fall 2007, created by Professor Prisca Campbell.
By the end of Week III
This is a sample blog for students of HOST 4103, Fall 2007, created by Professor Prisca Campbell.
Welcome
I will be facilitating HOST 4103 this term.
For more than 20 years, I’ve been working in the tourism sector of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I began in operations, coordinating group tours, but quickly moved into marketing – brochures, flyers, face-to-face presentations, newsletters, direct marketing campaigns, and eventually e-commerce. (Before I entered the travel industry I spent about 15 years in radio and television. My undergraduate degree is a BAA from Ryerson in Radio and Television Arts.)
In addition to teaching HOST 4103, I am Marketing Manager for Quark Expeditions, a polar adventure specialist – http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/. Our product is delivered on passenger ships in the Arctic and Antarctic, and our guests come from around the world, which means that our brick and mortar facilities can be located anywhere. The head office is in Darien, Connecticut. The marketing office is in Toronto. The hotel department is in Austria.
Working in cooperation with colleagues on ships, in offices thousands of miles away, and in the desk next to mine, has compelled me to learn to work effectively in teams that communicate asynchronously (not in real time) by e-mail, and message boards.
Quark Expedition’s channels of communications include e-pushes, direct marketing campaigns, e and print newsletters, brochures and the website.
In addition to continuing real world experience, I bring a Master of Distance Education to the business of teaching HOST 4103. Every e-marketer should be following trends in e-learning. Research is being done on user satisfaction, motivation and design and communication techniques that will make e-pushes, e-newsletters and websites persuasive tools.
For more than 20 years, I’ve been working in the tourism sector of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. I began in operations, coordinating group tours, but quickly moved into marketing – brochures, flyers, face-to-face presentations, newsletters, direct marketing campaigns, and eventually e-commerce. (Before I entered the travel industry I spent about 15 years in radio and television. My undergraduate degree is a BAA from Ryerson in Radio and Television Arts.)
In addition to teaching HOST 4103, I am Marketing Manager for Quark Expeditions, a polar adventure specialist – http://www.quarkexpeditions.com/. Our product is delivered on passenger ships in the Arctic and Antarctic, and our guests come from around the world, which means that our brick and mortar facilities can be located anywhere. The head office is in Darien, Connecticut. The marketing office is in Toronto. The hotel department is in Austria.
Working in cooperation with colleagues on ships, in offices thousands of miles away, and in the desk next to mine, has compelled me to learn to work effectively in teams that communicate asynchronously (not in real time) by e-mail, and message boards.
Quark Expedition’s channels of communications include e-pushes, direct marketing campaigns, e and print newsletters, brochures and the website.
In addition to continuing real world experience, I bring a Master of Distance Education to the business of teaching HOST 4103. Every e-marketer should be following trends in e-learning. Research is being done on user satisfaction, motivation and design and communication techniques that will make e-pushes, e-newsletters and websites persuasive tools.
Deception Island, Antarctica
Reading List
- Canadian E-Marketing: A Strategic Approach
- Hospitality Information Systems and E-commerce
- Successful Web Marketing for the Tourism and Leisure Sectors
- Textbook: E-commerce and Information Technology in Hospitality and Tourism
Blog Archive
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2007
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September
(13)
- Andy and Anna's Cuban E-xperience
- Just for Fun: The Challenge of Communicating in En...
- I uploaded this sample video from Microsoft to hel...
- 5 characteristics of the Internet
- Glossary of E-Marketing Terms
- Human versus Machine: The Technology Dilemma
- The Challenges of Blogging
- Participate in an online survey
- Special Guest: Phil Algar
- Questions
- Tourism Blogs
- Blog Marketing
- What is a blog?
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September
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45 comments:
I believe that the popularity of sites like facebook.com and myspace.com is based more on the reconecting with the past vs. unvieling the invisable social network of friends. In my experience on Facebook.com I have very rarely made new Facebook friends without first meeting a person in the flesh. Most people I know would be hesitant to initiate contact with a "friend of a friend" they don't know and most friends of friends would be hesitant to accept that contact. There's simply too many wierdos on sites like these. In my opinion these sites are a means to keep in touch with relationships otherwise lost.
Social networking is basically connections through the web as opposed to face to face contact.
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1463
This article explains how social networking may only be a trend, and once the next new best thing comes out, it won't take long for everyone to move onto the next site, and completely forget about the current ones. One example that I can think of would be ICQ to MSN. ICQ was a place where you add your friends and have live chat sessions. Once MSN (the same idea as ICQ) came out everyone started using it more and more, and soon enough ICQ became non-existant.
It than talks about how soon enough social networking will probably move on to cell phones.
I also agree with Liam in the sense that I only use facebook.com to add friends I've met in person, and to reconnect with friends from the past.
http://www.cnet.com/4520-6033_1-6240543-1.html
This was another link I found which states some reasons why social networking doesn't work.
This talks more about the start up of a business through social marketing, which I don't think would work. Once a company is up and running I don't see why social networking wouldn't work.
Lindsay,
Your observation about facebook is very interesting. I wonder if your hesitation about introducing yourself to friends of friends is as much part of our culture as it is sensible safety.
Would someone from a culture where large families and doing things en masse be less hesitant to use the network?
Prisca
social computing as I understand it is the building of relationships and networks of "friends" through technology.
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200704/social-networking
This link talks about Social Media and how sites like Facebook.com and Myspace.com have made an incredible impact on the business world. My brother works in the music industry in Hollywood CA and he tells me that most people don't have business cards anymore, they just give out their Myspace.com address!
http://www.weblogg-ed.com/2007/a-degree-in-social-computing-ohthe-irony
This link caught my eye because social computing/networking/media has had such an impact in out culture that the University of Michigan has an M.S.I degree in social computing. Crazy if you ask me!
When I first read, "Human versus Machine: The Technology Dilemma" I first thought about the movie I Robot. Machines such as computers are intended to assist people in their life. For instant, instead of traveling hours on a plan for an interview you can have a video conference.
I do agree with Lindsay's idea on how facebook can be a trend and if you do have an account you only would add friends who you would know. But through your friends you do have many networks at the tip of your finger. The only suggestion is if there was a live chat you can get more out of the networking than leaving a message for the person.
Social Networking has clearly become a big aspect of our lives in today’s society. It has changed the way people communicate and it keeps advancing, growing and expanding.
However, like anything else in our “virtual world of living” the websites providing social networking services become vulnerable to the next new thing. In the end, everything will sound, look and function in a similar way and human interaction might become non-existent in the future. What a way to be part of this civilization…Maybe one day, we will be able to “marry” a machine as well.
I think sites like facebook.com and myspace.com can have an incredible potential connecting people with opportunities. However, because people use these sites in a very casual manner it can cause less opportunity. Potential employers search their applicants, and if they have posted last night's drinking fest for the public to see, which might be fun for our friends to see, your credibility to employers is squashed. Furthermore, even though I hate to admit it, when part of these social networks you find yourself slightly stocking people. And as a technically "normal" person I can imagine this is a real stockers dream. So, here I am torn...what am I really exposing myself to?
I guess I could say I am a little hesitant to add a random person to facebook.com. The way I see it, is if someone who was a friend of one of my friends, and they added me to their facebook for no aparent reason, I'd probably add them, but would find it a little odd that someone would just randomly add me like that. So do I really want someone's first impression of me to start off like that?
I understand social computing to be a term that explains the relationship between social networking and technology. It is any kind of behaviour that allows people to socialize with other people through technology. This could be anything from blogs to texting.
An informative and interesting site which describes and assesses various social computing businesses, terms and tools can be found at: http://wistechnology.com/article.php?id=3110
I define social networking as the process of linking together people or businesses with specific needs, wants and common ground. This is mostly true in technological forms.
I found an interesting article which talks about the income of these social networking businesses. It talks about how a website such as MySpace, which is one of the most popular websites on the internet, may not be as profitable as most would think. It claims that networking for businesses is much more lucrative.
It can be viewed at: http://www.informationweek.com/internet/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=181503346&subSection=E-Business
I also wanted to comment on the Facebook topic here. I completely agree with Liam's first posting. It is definitely a means to keep in touch with relationships otherwise lost. That's a big reason people have so many "friends" on these sites. We may not speak to them on a regular basis, but it's interesting to see how the people once in our lives have grown up, changed, or simply what they're currently doing.
Because literally almost everyone you have ever known is using facebook right now, people are able to reconnect with friends and get to know family, that wouldn't entail an awkward phone call or face to face meeting. It is much easier for people to say what they want knowing human contact is not in your face. There is much less to lose when you connect with someone on a socializing website.
With that being said, when it comes to the trophy friends article, they believe people are doing it as if friends are an item we "collect". I don't believe that to be true. Musical bands do this on sites such as MySpace, but it is just to market themselves, to sell more music and themselves.
One last thing I would like to bring up which both Lindsay and Liam have commented on is only adding friends on facebook with people they've met in person. I agree with it in a way that you don't randomly search names and try to add people as friends. However, I do find it normal to make friends with people who are associated with your friends or in your groups. You could find that you have a lot in common with someone by reading their posts, profiles and seeing their pictures. I think making friends off the internet whether it's strictly an online relationship or not, is much more common today, as you're allowed access to who a person is through their words and pictures.
A Social Network is the connection of people to each other. The connections are in the form of relationships. In regards to this course, Social Networks are sites that help connect people together, based on common factors (friendship, common industry, etc).
KLM Club China
KLM Club China is a network specifically for people doing business with, or within China.
As a member of KLM Club China, you will become apart of a network with many contacts within China. The network allows one to search for specific contacts in order to successfully do business within China.
Vibe Agent
VibeAgent is a social networking website that ranks hotels based on what one's friends, colleagues, and/or community recommends. The site then checks with several providers in order to obtain the best price possible.
http://www.the-cma.org/?WCE=C=47%7CK=226875
The link above takes you to the Canadian Marketing Association's website article about social networking.
Calvin,
Thank you for your very interesting URLs.
I encourage all of you to go visit Calvin's suggest: KLM Club China. The link is on his post.
Especially take a look at how one becomes a member of that social network!
I do believe in what everyone has said so far about the social networking. Although social networking can be helpful, however; many people still consider the "normal" way of connecting with other people.
Nowadays, these social networking, such as facebook, has implementations of other networks based on interests and other social groups/gathering. Without applying, some people can miss out on a lot of valuable informations, such as a specific gathering for a specific event.
For me, I find that facebook and other social networking as overcome the "real" connection between people. Everything is through the use of a computer and the relationship might be lost. You gain friends but they are only pictures and profiles. Since these networks are what the majority of society is using, people sign up for it. Even if people don't usually use these networking, they are "forced" to so that they keep up with the "world".
In the end, I think that no matter how "addictive" these networking can get, it is still better to meet the people rather than live your life through a computer. (Unless it is necessary to do so). Another point I would like to add is that social networking can also save time because time is valuable and when people chat through networking, they can arrange their time schedule to suit the conversations. This a good and bad thing because conversations can last for days or weeks too.
Social networking or social computing, to me, is a method of sharing information and communicating with others in a virtual environment. Using a profile anyone can log on to a social network and join a community where people share the same interests as you. These sites become forms where postings allow knowledge to be share in real time.
The following are 2 sites I found that I think everyone will find useful:
Lodging Interactive http://lodginginteractive.typepad.com/
This site is designed to provide tips on how to best market lodging properties using social networks and the Internet in general.
Wiwih http://www.wiwih.com/login.html?referer=/index.html
This site is designed as a form in which hospitality professionals can meet and share their knowledge
Social networking is the act of creating a group or groups defined by the connections held by the members of these groups. These connections can be include, but are not limited to: common interests, industries, ideals, conflicts, or past/present acquaintances.
While social networking for personal use is certainly among the most popular types of social networking, the concept can be just as useful for strictly business applications, and for the often difficult to define middle ground.
Flying Blue Golf is an initiative put forth by KLM airlines, which Calvin previously mentioned. Rather than focusing strictly on the business aspects of business travel, the Flying Blue Golf Club creates a forum where " traveling golfers can meet, share experiences, exchange tips and receive a wide range of benefits and services related to golf and travel." excerpt taken from the Flying Blue Golf Club site
Given the importance of golf as a business tool, the benefits of a network such as the Flying Blue Golf Club are near limitless.
Another interesting travel related social network is flyertalk, which is a forum-based social network that allows travelers of all descriptions to discuss all things traveling, including available discounts and promotions, group buys, dining options, and travel experiences.
Social networking and social computing can be used in responding, communicating, and advising person- to- person or group information that connects people together based on similar interests.
The social virtual networking can be very beneficial as one person or friend can overview the profile data interests, of the individual’s network. This will allow one to pursue and develop friends and job opportunities. Below are two websites that I find are interesting for all:
Couchsurfing
http://www.couchsurfing.com/
This website connects you to travelers across the globe and their local communities to compute and discuss worldwide traveling in our global communities from your own abode.
Buzznet
http://www.buzznet.com/
This website connects people with similar music tastes where one can have discussions about pop culture, pop genre, and offer video tapings for viewers to view.
Social networking can provide people (through the use of joining a network of a particular topic discussion) with information and ideas that can be shared with other people that joined the network. Even networking through chat sites and programs such as msn messenger, yahoo messenger, ICQ, etc. are also considered as networks. Therefore, it is not only through signing up to a discussion board on a website (facebook). Using these networks in business can save time and money because there is no need to commute to meet the client/collegue. An example of this is when Phil chat with the class from across the world. Internet networks can help organize contacts and keep in touch with fellow friends. In some networks, notifications help the user keep an up-to-date status of what is going on around their networking friends. New information can be easily passed around. This is useful in all businesses. However, businesses must be aware of viruses and hackers that can go through. Also users must be aware of false information passed through and have a thorough knowledge before accepting information.
http://www.friendster.com/
Frienster is a networking site made to connect friends and share profiles and interests with friends or external friends. The reason I'm suggesting this site is that I want to point out that even social networks can also be a fad where it is popular at some point of time.
http://www.ning.com/
I found this website to be very interesting because this website allows users to create their own social network. So instead of signing up for other people's network, users can create their own and invite people to join.
Social networking can be described as the interaction between people and organizations with a common interest online. Social networking can be used as a tool to learn more aboout a common interest and build relationships with people from that social network.
I think I can safely say that almost every site I visited that related to social networking seems extremely credible. The social networks on each site were diverse and current.
I came across a site called Who is Who in Hospitality. www.wiwih.com. In order to truly expereince this site I had to become a member. This site is full is of groups, information on events and encourages member feedback. It has a modern and trendy approach to online networking and is easy to navigate.
The second site that I thought was worthwhile to share was www.hotelmarketing.com. This site is not a social networking site, however, it contains a variety of hospitality related articles that would spark good discussion among various social networks. There is an article on this site called "Social Networking Goes Global." This article really puts modern day social networking into perspective.
Social computing refers to the online tools, methods and other forms of social software used to maintain one or more social communities or networks. Social networking is more challenging for me to dissect and relate to.
The most interesting site I found was actually a Wikipedia list of major social networking sites. The amount of users is astonishing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites
This makes me think of the over-use of this trend. It seems like there is a communication overload that may in fact, impede true communication. I think that with so many messages coming from all areas, it becomes impossible to truely take the time to properly use and understand each tool or message. Consequentially, users have to narrow their usage.
The following article from the New York Times describes competing online networks:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/technology/03social.html?ex=1330578000&en=f718f182170673a4&ei=5088
My personal understanding of a Social Network or Social Computing is a virtual environment where individuals with shared interests or hobbies interact on a regular basis. This virtual environment provides individuals with various means and methods to communicate with each other. Most social networks have some sort of “policing” in effect but relevance and accuracy of posts could be questioned. Just like Wikki websites, anyone can post ideas without any formal training or knowledge on topic being discussed and also ideas could be biased.
Generation Y is extremely computer savvy and spend hours in front of computers and corporations have had to find new ways to get their attention. Social Network or Social Computing in my opinion provides corporations and marketers with unprecedented access to the Generation Y market segment.
Some interesting sites I found:
www.groopvine.groople.com/
Groopvine is a social networking site dedicated to group travel. It’s one stop for all things group travel- ideas, creating a trip page, and shopping. (www.m-travel.com/news/2007/08/
a-social-networ.html article on Groopvine)
http://secondlife.com/
This 3-D social network has been gaining global popularity over the past few months. People can literally create a “second life” that lets them escape from reality and be who ever they want to be. Corporations have been flocking to second life to unveil new products to consumers. Starwood has been testing with prototypes in the virtual reality of second life (www.businessweek.com/
innovate/content/aug2006/
id20060823_925270.htm). Also Sweden is planning to open up a virtual embassy, this is to provide more exposure the country to the younger users (www.news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
europe/6310915.stm). The virtual community has its own currency that allows users to buy virtual items and properties.
From my understanding, social networking is the practice of connecting individuals or businesses that have common interests and aspirations. It allows the expansion of businesses and social contacts, which could be done by using the Internet. Whereas, social computing is the tool used to allow social networking. Social computing uses software and technology to conduct social interaction and communication between individuals or businesses.
CouchSurfing
This is an “Internet-based hospitality service” available to anyone in every part of the world and it is free (CouchSurfing, 2007). For those who are traveling or plan to travel, this is a means to find accommodation and meet people from different territories. There are various functions that the site uses to allow for credibility. The following include: “profiles, credit card verification systems, personal references to increase security and trust” and many more features (CouchSurfing, 2007). It also allows for discussion groups and live chat.
Work Cited
CouchSurfing. (2007, September 12). Retrieved September 16, 2007, from CouchSurfing Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Couchsurfiing.
Imeem
Imeem is a free of charge “social media service” that allows users to “view, post, and share blogs, photos, audios, and videos” (Imeem, 2007). However, to send and share these elements, applicants need to register on Imeem. This site is trustworthy because it is easy to use, it asks for information about the individual, and it does not require for people to download songs, as people can immediately for instance view songs. Moreover, if the viewer likes what they see and/or hear, they can share, store, and re-listen or view songs, pictures, and videos of their artists of interests.
Work Cited
Imeem. (2007, September 13). Retrieved September 16, 2007, from Imeem Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imeem.
This URL explains the benefits of and what to look for in social networking. It also provides the reader with a social networking websites review list featuring websites such as My Space, hi5, Facebook, Tickle, etc.
http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/
My second URL is information/blog website about a team of volunteers in Toronto who are fighting illegal billboard postings across the city. They are tracking Toronto’s outdoor advertising industry with a goal to protect public spaces.
http://www.illegalsigns.ca/
This website is a new way of connecting with people in the developing world for a very good cause. Through Kiva people are able to connect with and loan money to unique small businesses in the developing world. You basically "sponsor a business" and help the world's working poor on their way to economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan, you can receive email journal updates from the business you've sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back. The amount of money lent to other people can be as little as $25. This is an excellent way of bringing the world and its population closer to each other.
http://www.kiva.org/
Social networking and social computing refers to a group of people coming together sharing common interests and goals through Internet/web base software where relationships are built/formed. Communication and discussions take place as members are able to make their statements.
In order for a social network to succeed, large participant base is a must, meaning that, initiatives to have others to join the network require hard work. One must take the initiatives to motivate his/her contacts to join have them motivate others. The cycle should be endless.
Social network has its both sides of the pros and cons. It is great method to keep in-touch with distant relatives or friends but it can be dangerous at the same time depending on the in depth of personal information posted. On the other hand, social networking is a great method for corporations to expand one's business and create a solid contact network with other individuals whom might be an asset to the company.
Friendster.com
Friendster is a valuable social network that allows individuals to reconnect with your friends and help you make new ones! Despite the basics, blogs and messages, Friendster will automatically display the relationship between you and your friends, such as first degree, second degree or third degree. This user friendly website also provides daily horoscopes especially for you.
Other services include; address book, photo postings, video postings and allows users to review someone else’s profile anonymously.
Sportsvite.com
Sportsvite is another valuable social network for sport fans. Connecting sports fan together to plays and organize sport activities. This complimentary membership also allows members can also keep track of statistics, notifications of future games, organizing leagues and game schedules. Sportsvite promotes popular sports such Soccer, Softball, Basketball and Volleyball. It is attractive as this social network differentiates itself from other general network (such as facebook.com or MySpace.com). This network actually allows members to recruit their team, PLAY and MEET members.
LinkedIn
After posting two URL sites, I realized that Anthony had already brought up CouchSurfing, so I was very excited about this other social networking site called LinkedIn. As a BABs student, I highly recommend this site, especially since the 4th year students will be graduating next year. Here, we can build professional relationships and make as many connections with experienced professionals anywhere we decide to go.
LinedIn is mostly used for professional networking. It is free of charge and it lets users save a list of contacts and their information regarding businesses. Furthermore, members can find jobs, people, post jobs, make connections with different businesses, and build “professional relationships” (LinkedIn, 2007). What is more, the site allows for users to have discussions mostly relating to business. However, if interested, you need to register and be a member of LinkedIn. It is very reliable as members must create a profile and a summary of one’s accomplishments. Not to mention the many experienced professionals who are members of the site. (LinkedIn, 2007)
Work Cited
About LinkedIn. (2007). Retrieved September 16, 2007, from Linkedin Web site: http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=company_info&trk=gfoot_about.
My reference:
Social Network Service. (2007). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 16 from world wide web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_networking
I feel Michelle brought up a good point. By using these networks it allows us to see people in our past and how they have grown up. As an individual who has moved around throughout my life I love to find old elementary school friends in these networks and see where they are now.
In terms of "what is social networking?" to me it means making a connection with a specific group of people that you share a common goal with whether it be for business or personal matters.
"Social Computing" on the other hand refers to the communication within the social network, whether it is via blogs, instant messaging, emails, or bulletin boards.
The following article is from the New York Times, I thought it was an interesting read. In short, it dives into the world of large corporations and how they are now using these social networking sites for their companies. This is an idea that I feel would boost corporate credibility, by putting a face to the man behind the machine.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/technology/03social.html?ex=1330578000&en=f718f182170673a4&ei=5088)
Furthermore, I am surprised that none of my fellow classmates posted Hi5 (http://www.hi5.com/) or Ringo (http://www.ringo.com/). To this day I still receive animated invitations from these sites, from my classmates.
My understanding of social networking is the idea of connecting with other people (or businesses) over the same interests. I don’t think networking is something that is limited to the internet world. I think connecting to others virtually has become popular because of its convenience. However, it is something that can also be done face to face; often through a local event for people with the same interest in mind (ex: an event for the Association of Catering and Event Professionals). Overall, it is the gathering of people with same interests, whether virtually or face to face, in order to build relationships based on a common interest.
Social computing is the idea of using virtual tools to aid with the social networking. There are numerous social networks available on the internet for people to connect through. I came across several that I found interesting.
http://www.ryze.com
Ryze.com is a business networking site. You have to join to website to be able to gain access. However, once joining it is quite user friendly. Ryze allows you to search people in particular industries within particular cities. I thought this was quite helpful for building a network of individuals local to where you may live based on what you do professionally.
http://virb.com
Virb.com is a site similar to the very popular MySpace.com. Here you can connect with others and express yourself through what you display on your personal page. I particularly enjoyed this site because it allowed you to network while also marketing yourself (or your business) at the same time.
In my opinion, Social networking is a sort of body that consists of lots of magic rings, which is called a node in a computer language. The magic rings can be easily connected to each other in the cyberspace according to their interests such as ideas, hobbies, friends, relationship and the like; therefore, it could be a useful tool in this fast-moving society.
Now, social networking is getting popular. I think that facebook.com and myspace.com are good examples. From the two, people can get familiar with the term social networking. They also know what the social networking is for. Maybe, some people misunderstand that is all about the social networking. In fact, the merits that we can get from it could be way beyond our imagination.
I think social networking could be a useful tool in E-Marketing.
Let’s take facebook.com as an example.
One of your friends commented favorably on new MP3 on your blog. It will affect a purchasing decision of other friends. It can be called word-of- mouth marketing. In the E-marketing, the power of the word –of-mouth can not be ignored.
The following are the social networking sites that I found.
Go to Fatsecret
This social networking site is designed to help people who want to lose weight. It is totally free. It provides useful information about diet using pie charts and graphs. It will help you keep in shape.
Go to StumbleUpon
As a social networking site, StumblueUpon will recommend sites to you based on your interests and take you to the site other people think you should check out. Also you can share your discoveries with other people.
Social Networking:
Is the process of making connections though people in hopes of expanding a list of ones business (in the corporate world) or social contacts. The practice itself is not new by any means rather it has been modernized with the use of the Internet. The way I understand social networking is that it was originally created with an intent to help individuals make contacts with others that would be of use to them but would not have met otherwise. This is done through the use of the internet and networking. It is a web of individuals and contacts that could share the same hobbies, interests, professions, etc that invite other people to socialize amongst one another. An example of a more popular and familiar social network is: My Space . As the website states “MySpace is an online community that lets you meet your friends’ friends”.
Social Computing:
Is taking modern software and technology to create these social networks spoken about above.
Link #1:
Social Computing
I picked this one particular website because I find it both reliable and credible. With all the information out there in cyberspace it is really hard to know what is credible and what is just the users opinion on a topic. Because where I linked you to is on the official Microsoft website it is safe to say that this is trustworthy information to you not just as the reader but also as my fellow classmates.
What I particularly liked about this site is that “Social Computing” is defined in the opening sentence in simple terms, there was no time wasted searching for it. Another reason this website was selected by me, for you was that I didn’t have to filter through advertisements and pop-ups. (Which we all find annoying!!)
I find this website to be relevant to e-marketing because not only does it promote Microsoft as an organization using online media but it is also trying to tap into a new market in hopes of developing the company. I found that as I continued to browse the site live links were provided for continued research covering topics such as blogs (how tos) and wikis.
Link #2:
Social Networking
MySpace does not need much of an introduction as most of us either have a page or know someone that has a their own page. It is particularly relevant to e-marketing because it allows users to easily create a web network with videos, music, classifieds and blogs. It will allow users connect with other users who share a common interest or hobby that could possibly live next door to them or across the world from them. The information on each individual’s own page would no be the most reliable if one was researching a topic, most is opinionated unless it is correctly referenced to more credible sites and even published and printed books, texts and encyclopedias.
ryszard.b
Social networking – is a popular way to meet people and obtain information. It is like a directory. It links people together through interests or activities. People communicate with each other through e-mail, blogging, chatting, and voice chat. Individuals who do use facebook, hi5, myspace as their social networking host would have their own profile, which they can personalize by uploading photos, music, and videos.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/17/content_6738703.htm
The article demonstrated how popular social networking has become, that Yahoo! is creating another social networking site called "Mash".
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-05-01-myspace-marketers_x.htm
This second article explains how the companies have set up their websites, so that consumers can upload short videos, chat, and share music. Companies are becoming more interactive and informative through their website.
When watching the video, first thing that probably pops up in most minds is…FaceBook or MySpace as a perfect example of Social Networking. But how about Ebay? I personally have my own business on Ebay which allows you to have your own bio, photo, as well as items or services that you’d like to sell or purchase. Ebay also gives most people the opportunity to connect to things they are interested in, for example sports memorabilia, antiques, automobile accessories and the list goes on. This creates a bigger diverse network of people specifically interested in things that you truly love, collecting, selling, searching, discovering, so many ways to grow, not only to Ebay, but other sites that offer this service can create a network of people specifically for you such as eBid. Another great tool that these sites offer is comments on the user whether or not they are trust worthy or realiable.
If anyones interested in anything they’ve always been looking for or wanted to connect to people that are experts in specific things, here are a couple of sites that can connect you right away.
Ebay
eBid
Social Computing or Social Networking are terms that are being used more and more in our cyber world to illustrate and market the potential capability of a person's or organization's product, or experience and to deliver this message to the end user.
Credibility plays a huge role in building a relationship with your end user and therefore customer. If negative responses are made on behalf of your product/organization your product will suffer and be exploited as an inferior product, rarely to be trusted or used.
According to the article found at http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4027631.print Visual aids such as videos, photographs, and virtual tours can help better market or position your product to the end user rather than a company brand or even start rating. It seems that people enjoy certain features such as tangibility when purchasing or believing an experience is truly what it is.
The following is a site that really just sells products to help manage your e-marketing. I feel this site reminds me of a good point. That when you are dealing with a large client base and dealing with a lot of different needs at one time having an higher quality organizational system, and communication channels can be necessary.(http://www.premiereglobal.com/emarketing-direct/)
Secondly, the following is an article about a social network I would have liked to show you however there is strict access to get into the home page. It is about myfairmont.com. This site is dedicated to all Fairmont employees all over the world. When hired every employee is given a username. This site is so that any employee can contact anyone other employee. Even if you are searching for someone in a particular position but don't know their name this site allows you to do that. It is a huge social network that connects the Fairmont world.
(http://www.hotelinteractive.com/index.asp?page_id=5000&article_id=1294)
Social Networking is a resource that individuals can use to share similar interests and activities with one another. Web based social networking can provide many tools for individuals to communicate such as, discussion groups, chat, messaging (msn messenger), etc.
I found a great article on the dangers of social networking. This article is useful to read because it outlines the possible dangers that some online Networking services can create, such as the illusion of privacy where none actually exists. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14325063/site
Here is another great article about social networking. This article can help one understand how social netowrking sites have become a part of our daily routine and how social networking sites will one day struggle to find new users.
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2007/0
8/14/SocialNet/
Social networking is a communication system that helps people to share information and common interests. It is not only for personal use, but also for business. Social networking brings a lot of advantages to business people or companies all over the world. Social networking allows people to share the same knowledge, introduce new ideas, and to have access to a wide range of information.
I am suggesting these websites:
http://www.innhospitality.com
This site is created for students and professionals in the hospitality industry where you can connect through social networking, post events, search for jobs in the hospitality industry, share common interests and more.
http://www.breakingtravelnews.com
Breaking travel news site delivers news, reports, opinions,new developments and market trends in the travel and tourism sector.
Tanya Rykova
Social Networking is a virtual community for participants who have similar hobbies or interests. It is also a great tool for people who are interested in learning about new things, which makes it an ideal for the tourism and hospitality industry. Members of a social networking community can communicate by various forms of e-massaging, chat rooms, discussion forums, blogging, instant messaging or even video conferencing. Some current popularized social networking sites include my.space, facebook, classmates.com.
Social Networking is an ideal e-marketing tool for business' of all sizes because it contacts a great number of people at a low cost and it is a proven success.
References:
www.techweb.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/
URL's:
An interesting site I found was www.dopplr.com.
It is currently a private online social networking site devoted to freqeunt travellers. It is a site dedicated to world travellers, it allows them to share knowledge and future travel plans amongst colleagues, families and friends.
While it is currently a by invitation only site it's noteriety has grown and it has is has been compared to YouTube, Yahoo and Facebook.
Reference: http://blog.dopplr.com/
Another website I found while researching social networking is www.linkedin.com. It is a social networking site dedicated to providing a professional environment for resources related to careers. It provides a forum for reconnecting with employers and colleagues, it enables people to discuss with industry professionals and allows it's participants to discover connections for new jobs. The sites main goal is to promote business relationships through networking.
While the second site isn't necessarily dedicated to the hospitality industry, it is ideal for any professional networking strategies.
Interesting to know.
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