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What's New in Social Media
Linda provides links to articles, tools and information that may help build your social media presence and help you to avoid some pitfalls.
Now that you're steeped in social media, have you kept up with any changes or developments in the tools you're using to promote your design skills? In this article, Linda provides links to articles, tools and information that may help build your social media presence and help you to avoid some pitfalls.
Even as Twitter users have levelled off since April, co-founder Evan Williams revealed new funding in a blog post but did not disclose the amount. PC Magazine, however, reported the total was rumoured to be in the $100 million range. Perhaps one reason behind a desire to invest in Twitter is this: Twitter users are twice as likely to engage with brands - and in multiple ways - than other social network users, according to new data from Tech and media research firm Interpret, which surveyed over 9,200 Internet users in August.
If you're a Twitter user, you might want to join up with Darren Rowse (ProBlogger) at his site, TwiTip, or "Twitter Tips in 140 Characters or More." Sign up for the RSS feed and you'll receive his advice on a daily basis.
Also, you might try TwitterFeed. While I'm not a huge fan of automated Tweets, as a journalist I appreciate using this mechanism to post calendar events and other minor news to Twitter. It's easy to use, and it posts to Twitter almost as quickly as you post a blog entry. You also can preface your Tweet with a message (Like: "Mark Your Calendars:" for an event posting site).
By the way – if you haven't yet heard – DMZ is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/dmxzone.
WordPress
Last week I introduced you to WIBIYA, and I had no doubt that more tools would be available. Here's a few more ways to connect your WordPress site with social media:
- BuddyPress: Turn your WordPress site into a social media site like Ning with this download. To get started with BuddyPress you'll first need to install a copy of WordPress MU.
- Lifestream: the Lifestream plugin doesn't require a third party account in order to stream your social activity, but it tends to be a bit cluttered. That said, the biggest benefit is that it gives you the option of being utilized as either a sidebar widget, or on a separate page/post of its own. Like the FriendFeed widget, it gives you the option of hiding Twitter @replies from your stream, too.
I also tried out a couple more downloads, considering a few sites I know about have been attacked when they did not upgrade their WordPress to 2.8 and when they left their database vulnerable to attack. Try these on for size:
- WordPress Firewall Plugin: Easy to use, and when someone attacks your site you can learn the IP address and information about where and when the attack occurred. This plugin has, thus far, blocked all attacks on any WordPress site where I installed it.
- WP-SpamFree WordPress Spam Plugin: This plugin eliminates comment spam, including trackback and pingback spam. It works invisibly without CAPTCHA's, or other inconvenience to site visitors. The plugin includes spam-free contact form feature as well.
Linda Goin
Linda Goin carries an A.A. in graphic design, a B.F.A. in visual communications with a minor in business and marketing and an M.A. in American History with a minor in the Reformation. While the latter degree doesn't seem to fit with the first two educational experiences, Linda used her 25-year design expertise on archaeological digs and in the study of material culture. Now she uses her education and experiences in social media experiments.
Accolades for her work include fifteen first-place Colorado Press Association awards, numerous fine art and graphic design awards, and interviews about content development with The Wall St. Journal, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, and L.A. Times.