From the monthly archives:

June 2009

Newspapers: Stop Hiding Behind The First Amendment

by Jason Falls · June 30, 2009

Jason Falls

Jason Falls

I’m proud to say the first legal action that may (I have my fingers firmly crossed) smack newspapers right across the face for allowing their website commentors to post anonymously could stem from a case developing here in my home state of Kentucky. Kymberly Clem, a student at Eastern Kentucky University, is suing the Richmond Register and an online commentor known as 12bme for defamation.

Clem was kicked out of a mall in August of last year for allegedly wearing a dress that was too revealing. She bought it at the same mall the day before. The commenter claimed on the Register’s story of the event that she was actually kicked out for exposing herself to a woman and her children who commented on the dress.

Read More →
105 comments

The Economy of Free Is Stupid

by Jason Falls · June 29, 2009

Jason Falls

Jason Falls

There’s a lot I love about the Web 2.0 culture. Open source platforms and the abundance of free tools and technologies available to us all are chief among them. But there is also a fair amount of insanity in those approaches that I fear is creeping up on us.

The inspiration for this post was a conversation I had with a friend the other day who said, “I love my DVR. I haven’t watched a commercial in months.” When I asked him how long he expects to still be watching his favorite shows, he looked puzzled.

Read More →
718 comments

Can Social Media Help Your Business?

by David Finch · June 26, 2009

David Finch

David Finch

Social media is more than just a buzzword. There are opportunities and measureable results that it offers that can be extremely beneficial to companies of all sizes. While Facebook and Twitter may be included it’s more than that.

Many times people get so caught up in the tools that little time is spent talking and strategizing and about what social media can actually do. Tools are great if you know how to use them, but at some point the tools need to have purpose. It’s where there is no purpose that abuse becomes the end results.

Read More →
63 comments

Protect Yourself With LifestreamBackup.com

by Jason Falls · June 25, 2009

Jason Falls

Jason Falls

By now you know I review tools, programs and services related to social media. The ones I really like, I mention often and even devote entire blog posts to. Now I’ve run across one that I believe so passionately about, I wanted to be a part of it. As such, I must disclose that the tool I’m about to tell you about is one I have a financial stake in. Frankly, I hope that conveys the sense of urgency and importance I’ve placed on it.

Read More →
58 comments

Is Corporate Social Media Poisoning the Well?

by Kat French · June 24, 2009

Kat French

Kat French

Geoff Livingston’s controversial “Social Media Is Dead” post has had me thinking a lot lately about the future of social media and my personal place there.

Unlike a lot of social media professionals, I’m not taking offense at the thrust of Geoff’s post, which as I understand it was not about whether or not social media is going to continue to be a communications channel.  It was about whether or not it was still in the “lifecycle of adoption” phase that’s his vocational sweet spot.

Read More →
40 comments

Awesome Mobile Conference Coming July 18

by Jason Falls · June 23, 2009

:Image:IPhone_Release_-_Seattle_(keyboard) cro...
Image via Wikipedia

In more ways than a few, mobile is really the future of not just social media, but the web in general. The more sophisticated our iPhones, Pres and Androids become, the more dependent we’ll all become on them as our primary connection point. As such, the applications and deliveries from brands and services will become more enticing.

Read More →
6 comments

Why Your Corporate Message Isn’t Being Heard

by Jason Falls · June 22, 2009

Jason Falls

Jason Falls

After a recent presentation, an audience member approached to compliment my talk. “You did a good job of taking what was a very complex subject to me and refining it into something I could understand.” I was flattered and satisfied that I had helped this woman grasp a topic that intimidated her.

As I thought about her statement, it occurred to me this is what professional communicators are charged with – refining complexities into meaningful data. It’s a shame that many of us lose sight of that.

Read More →
31 comments

15 Things Social Media Can Do for You Today

by David Finch · June 19, 2009

David Finch

David Finch

Social media is a bridge that gives you access to people, stories, and companies that at one time you didn’t have access to. It facilitates conversations that previously came by invitation only. It tears down walls and allows you to see and participate “behind the curtain.”

This whole thought of the “What Social Media Can Do for You,” has really been at the forefront of my thinking and conversation this week. Watching and listening through multiple social media channels of the ground conversations taking place around the Iranian elections has been extremely interesting, as it was during the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

Read More →
39 comments

My Pitch Log Mashup, Vol. 8

by Jason Falls · June 18, 2009

Time to clean out the inbox again with a Pitch Log Mashup. As a reminder, this series is a collection of the sites, services, platforms and programs I get pitched by PR folks, start-up entrepreneurs and various others that I either don’t have the time or the interest in really writing full blog posts about, but are probably somehow still interesting or useful for you.

And if you’re interested in pitching me something, increase your chances and read the “How To Pitch SME” page. If you’re wondering why your pitch didn’t make it on my list, see the, “How To Pitch SME” page. If you’re still not sure, re-read the, “How To Pitch SME” page.

Read More →
14 comments

← Previous Entries

Subscribe to SME via email!

Close (X)

Probably the best thing you will do all day.