The LABMBA Has Gone “Social”

By Bessie Kaine

Today, June 30, 2010, is Social Media Day!  It is simply a day to recognize how far media has come to being used in the social aspect to connect and engage people.  In the age of social media, one has to question the possibility for any business to progress significantly without the use of social media.  For those who may think that social media is for “kids,” you’ll be surprised to know that this  is far from reality.

So, you might ask “What exactly is Social Media?”  Social media can be defined in different ways, and because it’s a relatively new concept, it has been defined by several different sources—all leading to a similar idea or concept of what it is.   According to Wikipedia.org:

“Social media are media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media use web-based technologies to transform and broadcast media monologues into social media dialogues. They support the democratization of knowledge and information and transform people from content consumers to content producers.”

Similarly, and perhaps more clearly stated, About.com defines Social media to be:

“Any website or web service that utilizes a ‘social’ or ‘Web 2.0′ philosophy. This includes blogs, social networks, social news, wikis, etc.”

Some of the most popular forms of social media come in the forms of:

• Ssocial Networking Websites (i.e. Facebook.com and Myspace.com)
• Social Bookmarking Websites (i.e. Digg.com and Delicious.com)
• Blog Websites (i.e. WordPress.com and Blogger.com)
• Micro-Blogging Websites (i.e. Twitter.com)

The average user of online social media primarily ranges between the ages of 14 and 34 and an increasing number of businesses are jumping in the social media game.

Tweet #smday to participate in Social Media Day!

This year’s 32nd Annual Conference and Exposition centers around the theme “BLINK… the Speed of Change,” which describes how fast change happens in this world and therefore requiring us to adapt to that change just as quickly.  The advent of social media has resulted in many businesses adapting to this change by adopting the use of various social media outlets to keep in contact with their customer base and continue their branding efforts.  I am pleased to announce that the LABMBA has taken this course as well.

Today, our members, interested members, corporate partners, and “sister” chapters–along with our national headquarters–can now connect with the LABMBA through the following social networks: Twitter.com, Facebook.com, and LinkedIn.com.  If you have yet to jump on the social media bandwagon, it’s okay–you’re not alone.  In honor of Social Media Day today here’s how you can get started:

Our LABMBA Twitter Feed:
http://www.twitter.com/labmba

What is it?: Twitter is a micro-blogging website where useful information is shared by way of tweeting, re-tweeting, messaging, or saving as a “favorite” tweet in real-time.

• To follow twitter: log in, click the above url, and click “follow” on our LABMBA page… it’s that simple!  You will then begin to see our updates in your Twitter feed.
• You can opt to receive updates from us on your mobile phones.
• To share anything with LABMBA on Twitter, tweet to @labmba.
• To share anything with our National Headquarters on Twitter, tweet to @nbmbaa.
• Check out our Twitter lists to view updates from our corporate partners, national headquarters, and MBA jobs.
• Receive and send updates about the national conference with the tag #nbmbaa10!

Our LABMBA Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/labmba

What is it?: Facebook Pages are primarily give businesses an online presence on Facebook.

• Our Executive Board keep our Facebook Page current by posting regular updates such as news, events, photos and videos from our chapter, corporate partners, and our national headquarters.
• Many of our corporate partners Facebook Pages are linked to ours as well.
• Invite others to “Become a fan,” “Like”–or universally speaking–”Follow” our Facebook Page updates.
• Invite others to RSVP for the events listed on our Facebook Page.
• Post on our wall or comment on other posts.

Our LinkedIn Company Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/795771

What is it?: Professional online networking site.  Our presence allows our members on LinkedIn to “Follow us” or  link to our LinkedIn page on their resume and profile.

• Read valuable articles and other resources contributed regularly from our members.
• Get informed about our current events and have the ability to RSVP to many of our events.
• We have a LinkedIn Group as well that anyone can join where members can post & respond to discussions and news articles, and even respond to our job postings.

While these are the most current list of social networking sites the LABMBA is currently utilizing, who’s to say there won’t be any other new social media outlets used in the future?  You can benefit from social media once you learn the basics.  We pride ourselves for wanting to push the envelope in how we communicate with our member base.  We hope you come on board!

Bessie Kaine serves as the Communications Chairperson for the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.  She can be reached at communications@labmba.org, @b1ackg0ld, or http://www.facebook.com/bessiekaine.