Still trying - today is about making my website better, but I haven't gotten far - in fact, no where today. I can't figure out how to put blog feeds on my site... sad I know. But that is why I'm doing all this to learn. Oh and today I'm going to tag something. Woot. According to the book I'm reading, Groundswell, only about 7% of Internet users tag anything so 7% determine how the Internet is organized. Well, if there's anything I like - it's organization. I'm a bit psycho about it and kinda think it is cool to try and 'organize' the web. I didn't think such a thing was possible.

Day 2 - well today isn't so much about social media marketing as applying for jobs. I looked at one whose role consisted of among others, maintaining a company's blog. So, I guess this is good experience after all. I am going to finish checking out some websites that I like to use for my job hunt like simplyhired.com plus a few company sites that I know I'd like to work. Then, if I still have time, I'm headed over to Facebook. If it seems I'm putting this off, I am. But I really will do it. If 75 year-old aunts are doing it then I am so the late-arriver to Facebook. Who'd think a 30 year old would be this behind in the times?

A quick review of what I've learned so far:

Web 2.0 is not just online software, but the entire social experience that exists whether through a multi-player game like World of Warcraft or through a social site like Facebook, but also on shopping sites like amazon.com or zappos.com. The online environment is about quickly sharing your opinion with millions of others through so many different avenues that I find it all a bit overwhelming. It's certainly a lot more work than picking up the phone to tell a friend about a book you're reading. But the difference is I only have to tell the story once. Maybe. I will definitely check out ping.fm so I can update all the sites at the same time. What a waste updating individual sites... but we'll see how that really works for me once I actually belong to multiple social sites.

I'm thinking of starting to post feedback on amazon for books I've read. I love reading and try new authors regularly, so it could be fun to connect with others that have a similar interest.

We'll see how it goes.

My First Step

I've been in marketing for over 8 years and considered myself an experienced marketing manager who can apply my direct marketing knowledge to any marketing medium. However, convincing prospective employers that I am able to do just that via an online resume submission is proving well, unconvincing. So, in an effort to be current with the times, I have decided to not only create a blog and a website (which is sadly lacking in content and interest - more on that later), but also to create a Facebook page. I am Linkedin, but have pushed back against the Facebook trend due to my lack of interest in keeping my online presence up to date. It seems though, that to keep my marketing skills current, Linkedin is really just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

At first, this blog is going to be about my exploration of this world of online social networking. I want to not only create, but observe what others do and how marketing can succeed in this environment.

Here I go...

N