I’ve often wondered how one goes about creating a LinkedIn group. The other day, I found out by starting one for DC Flacks. Now, if someone at work asks me about the pros/cons/ins/outs of this particular tool, I’ll be able to speak with some authority because I’ve actually done it.

Some goes for the social media consulting I do on the strategic use of blogs, Twitter, PitchEngine, Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, etc. I know how to do these things well because I’ve used them for myself and continue to explore their uses.

It’s the story of Team Newman‘s life, really. Dave and I play around on the Internet and try out new things. The stuff we try personally often ends up benefiting the folks who hire us. It’s not that we magically know geekery, it’s that we get a lot of practice. Read More…

From the latest issue of the Levick Strategic Communications e-newsletter:

While social media sites are as diverse as the millions of people that use them, they are all, for the most part, interrelated. This is precisely what makes the digital space ‘viral.’ Today, a single reputation-damaging blog post, Facebook update, tweet, or YouTube video can reach around the world in a matter of minutes. If you’re not actively watching and listening for mentions of your company, its brands, and your own leadership, you lose critical intelligence that can be utilized to stem a crisis before it happens. Read More…

This is a morbid, buzz-killing topic, but it’s really important. My January Her Nashville Chic Geek column pushes you to  think about who–if anyone–will take over your online identity, accounts, etc. when you leave this world.

Here’s teaser; read the full thing at HerNashville.com:

If I should die before I wake, my Facebook password my husband should take. Oh, and an auto-reply message on my Gmail he should make, but my Twitter, LinkedIn,eBay, and PayPal accounts he may forsake … Read More…

Image by K!T via Flickr

Good grief. The mayor of a tiny Tennessee town outside of Memphis is throwing a tantrum about missing the end of the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. I love Charlie Brown as much as the next guy, but seriously? Does this really warrant publishing a Facebook rant about how the President of the United States is a Christ-hating, Charlie Brown-interrupting Muslim?

I’m embarrassed for three reasons:

A) this guy is an elected official, and

B) he is making important decisions on behalf of folks in my home state, and

C) dude clearly doesn’t understand there is no privacy on the Internet. Not that he was seeking privacy when he posted this insanity for 1,600 “friends” to see. Read More…

I’ll never tire of folks emailing, DMing, Facebook messaging and calling with geek/productivity/PR questions. It’s amazing what a little perspective and encouragement will do for a person; I’m honored to be someone you call on when you need that.

Here’s the thing though: you seldom ask your question in the comments on my blog(s) or on Twitter. You seem to like your privacy. That’s cool, but I’d like to encourage you to share the Q & A luv; that’s what makes the Internet so fabulous, ya know? Wisdom of crowds and what not. Read More…

Ah, Twitter. I don’t know if it has jumped the shark, or become legit. Either way, when I witnessed its launch in March 2006, I never imagined that chatter on this texting platform would one day be – among other things - used as a source for Governor Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson when being interviewed for a CNN story:

The legislation has been divisive, with the governor’s office receiving more than 100,000 phone calls and e-mails, most of them in opposition, spokeswoman Andrea McCarthy said last month.

But she added that most of the Twitter posts the governor received were in favor of the bill.

Do you think Twitter feedback counts as a legitimate talking point? Would you use it in the way this spokesperson has?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Twitter on the verge of big search deals? (news.cnet.com)
• Facebook: We’ve got 300 million users…and we’re making money (news.cnet.com)

…sans wine coolers.

Check out my rationale over at HerNashville.com.

Also, is it just me, or is the accompanying art for my September column just FREAKIN FANTASTIC? It’s about the cutest graphic ever and I want to wear it on a t-shirt.

In other news, Dave and I went to Tech Cocktail last night. It was supposed to be kind of a big deal and it felt like a big deal, but it was really, really loud. And sweaty.  Oh well, at least the AOL running guy thing was there. And this t-shirt was funny.