3 keys to Internet law

In the social media space…

1. Police or enforce your own brands online.
2. Make sure that you and your clients don’t infringe these laws. According to Isenberg, this is very easy to do.
3. Be aware of what tools you’re using. What are the terms of service that apply? Be careful what you’re agreeing to. (For example, when you post content to Facebook, you automatically grant Facebook the right to use, publish and distribute that content for ANY purpose.)

More Facebook tips from Dr. V

Many college students remember Facebook’s earliest days, where the community was exclusive to college students (and they liked it that way, thank-u-very-much) and unadulterated by advertisers. Today, many corporations view the social networking site as a wealth of customers, conveniently separated into interest groups, that they are desperate to tap into.

Indeed, many companies have tried to engage the 100+ million Facebook users through ineffective (often gimmicky) paid ads, Facebook applications, “Fan” pages and more. Since Facebook PR is still in the experimental stages, what works so far and what doesn’t? Dr. Mihaela Vorvoreanu (I will now refer to her as “Dr. V”) offered us several tips:

• Since Facebook has more than 100 million users and 55,000 networks, companies need to identify the subcultures and publics on the site with common traits.
• Most Facebook users will not use Facebook as a way to communicate with a company, and will not seek out a brand on Facebook. They will only engage with the organization on Facebook if it is one they feel strongly about (example: I love musician Pete Yorn, so I joined a PY group on Facebook).
• Corporations should avoid “Trying 2 Hard 2 B Kool,” and carefully consider whether their presence on Facebook will be useful/ appropriate.
• When considering whether your company/ client will “fit in” to the Facebook community, ask yourself if there is anything you can do to help with relationship maintenance, self-presentation or impression management. If so, Facebook PR might be worth a shot!

On a lighter note, Dr. V also offered a link to answer the age-old question: What the heck does “Poking” mean!?

Public Relations on Facebook

The second session began with Mihaela Vorvoreanu, a professor from Clemson University, speaking on how to use Facebook and the public’s perspective of it. 

The topic focused on how Facebook is not about the technology, it’s about the culture.

When a company is thinking about joining Facebook, you have to have a planning period. You should practice using the technology, listen to the conversation, and talk to your audience before diving in.  You want to focus on a long-term relationship, so take your time.

It’s all about relationship management and self-presentation.

During Vorvoreanu’s research on students, she found that they would be interested in good deals or discounts that are relevant to them and exclusive to Facebook. It’s about making a unique reason for people to visit your company on this medium rather than their main Web site.

So does your organization fit in?  Do the research and find your audience.  There is room on Facebook for your company, as long as you do it right.

Thank you Mihaela!