Angela Connor's Blog, page 9

Social media intelligence and awe-inspiring content

If you haven't heard by now, I started a new job this week. Tomorrow is Day 4 and I am 100% sure that I made the right decision. It is already challenging and the people seem like a wonderful, creative bunch.

I've already started blogging on the company blog and have  written  two posts  that I'd like to share with you.

The first is: Intelligence through Social Media. In it, I discuss the benefits of monitoring your competition in addition to your own brand online.

And the second gives a bit of ...

Are your most active members suffering from depression?

Have you ever wondered how some members of your online community (or any community for that matter) can get so overwhelmingly caught up in online drama with people they hardly know?  I know I have. Well, there could be a real, clinical reason behind it, according to a new study, that goes beyond them needing to "get a life."

Psychologists from Leeds University say they've found "striking" evidence that some avid internet users develop compulsive  habits in which they replace real-life social...

Bidding your community farewell

I have two days left as the community manager of a site that has been at the core of my professional existence for nearly three years. I am trying to detach because it's the right thing to do but it isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

Many of you may have already experienced this. Perhaps you launched a community and moved on and you  understand what I'm going through.  Others may not have done this yet but know that you will someday leave your community behind for something bigger and...

When members go rogue and other community frustrations

I have a rogue group of members in my community. They don't think I know it. But I know it all too well. Their tactics are completely juvenile. They plot against other members, and pat each other on the back when their antics cause others grief.

They clearly have a lot of time on their hands. One of the members was once an employee and I believe this person is trying to settle a score by bringing what my grandfather would call "ill-will" to the community, which in this persons mind  causes...

My new job as Social Media Manager at Capstrat

It started out as an innocent tweet from my soon-to-be employer, Capstrat and turned into a full-blown twitter event that made me feel like Elvis.

In case you missed it, the big news is that I have accepted a great position as Social Media Manager at an amazing communications firm in Raleigh, NC called Capstrat.

To say that Capstrat has a great reputation would be an understatement, and to say that I am excited about the opportunity would be as well. I would not have resigned from my position...

Another press release announcing a twitter account

The journalist in me makes it impossible to stop reading press releases. I just can't do it.  Once a news assignment editor, always a news assignment editor apparently, and part of that job has always been to forage for news via press releases, police scanners, newspapers, beat calls, while eavesdropping during lunch or through any other means that brings in a good story.

But now, since I am no longer responsible for determining what to divulge to the masses during a 22 minute news hole, I'm...

You're too fat for this community

This is exactly what nearly 5,000 members (or should I say "former" members) of the website BeautifulPeople.com were told after packing on the pounds during the holidays, according to a story on CNN.com.

Founder, Robert Hintze states in the article that they "mourn the loss of any member," but that his community demands a high standard of beauty.

"Letting fatties roam the site is a direct threat to our business model and the very concept for which BeautifulPeople.com was founded," he told...

Horrible misconceptions about community management

It is very rare for me to devote a post on my blog to dismantling another posted elsewhere on the web.  And I'm not going to do that exactly, but I wouldn't be able to rest  if I didn't share this misguided post on Advertising Age with those who value community management and work their butts off daily trying to grow an online community.  These are people who I know read my blog. So be sure to read that AdAge post and all the comments when you can.

First off, this is not to bash the author...

Five New Year's resolutions for community managers

Want to make a few changes in your online community in 2010? Consider adopting these resolutions. If you like them, don't wait two days. Start today.

Stop taking things personally.The members don't know you. They know your work. If a few dislike you, it's probably because you are doing your job. You cannot please everyone. Accept that this is impossible and focus on what really matters: Growing the community and bringing people together.Greet at least three newcomers daily. Do this with a...

My one prediction for 2010: Access denied

I hope you've enjoyed updating your Facebook status, making connections on LinkedIn, tweeting for the masses and watching YouTube videos from the comfort of your employer's keyboard, but I think that will change for many in the next year.

I shared my thoughts on this over on SiliconAngle, where I am a contributing writer and decided to cross-post for you. So, have a read and tell me what you think.

I don't have a list of ten predictions. I don't even have five. But I do have one and I feel...