Showing posts with label Take Notes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Take Notes. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

To Blog or Not to Blog...Is That the Question?

You're an Artist... You're a Nonprofit...
You're wondering if you need a blog... And what is a blog anyway?
Take Notes! while Nancy Schwartz answers your question: What is a blog ?

Blogs for Artists ... 
& Blogs for Aging Organizations ...

  • You don't think you need a Blog is because your audience is over 55? Carenetworks says You Must Blog Now!
If you want to develop a blog (and yes, even YOU can do it!), follow our Friday Take Notes! Posts.  You'll get lots of information and resources to help you learn how to set up a Blog--whether you are an Artist, an Aging Services Organization, a Nonprofit, or just You!
 
P.S.--If you are interested in some "in-person" help, send an email to CAAN and we'll work on putting a workshop together.

6 Places to Learn How to Blog


No, don't follow this shabby sign to buy or lease a Blog.  Here are six very non-shabby places to go to learn how to set up your Blog for free ... whether you are working in Aging or you are an Artist.

You'll see that these resources are all pretty much talking about Blogger as the blogging platform. Sure there are other free platforms, but, in my humble opinion, Blogger is the easiest platform to use and a great place to start. Take Notes!
  1. Begin reading Tech Soup's article Ready to Start Blogging? 
  2. Then go to Empty Easel's What Blogging Program do MOST Artist Bloggers Use? (Useful information even if you're not an Artist.)
  3. Empty Easel will also show you How To Set Up A Free Art Blog On Blogger (In Just 8 Steps) (Again, even if it's not a Nonprofit Blog, or an Aging Organization Blog - the 8 steps still work.)
  4. Still need more help? Tim Adam gives you step-by-step instructions in how to set up your Blog in his Lesson 1, Lesson 2 and Lesson 3.
  5. So, now you know how to set up a Blog. Time to check out this video from Facebook for Dummies about posting a post in Blogger. (Yes, you can learn about blogging in Facebook for Dummies.)
  6. Now, go read Empty Easel's article about Artist's Blogging Styles to decide what your Blog's focus will be. (And once again, this article is for everyone, not just for Artists.)
Photo by John Weise

Friday, October 22, 2010

Take Notes! A little bit of this and a little bit of that . . .

Artists and Aging Services, you can't ignore Social Media any longer. Social Media is here to stay.

Renee Philips shares excerpts from her teleclass on Publicity from her Artrepreneur Success Program and gives you  17 Basic Tips for Increasing Your Public Persona. In addition to Creating Extraordinary Artwork and Use Strong Connections from the Past, read Renee's tips about using Social Media:
  • Create an Email Newsletter - Probably one of the easiest ways to promote and publicize yourself and build a following is by sending out a free email newsletter. You can link your email news to your Twitter, FB and LI accounts. Take advantage of Constant Contact free trial offer. *
  • Post Comments on Other Blogs - You can add your knowledge to a plethora of blogs related to your typical market niche and customer profile. Place keywords related to your art and the word "blogs" in search engines and see what leads pop up. Offer to be a guest blogger. So many bloggers would welcome a day off. If you contribute something of value it will garner the attention you deserve and lead the blog readers to your Web site.
*(Artful Aging suggests you check out Mail Chimp. We use is it and it is easy and free.)


The Pew Research Center reports in Older Adults and Social Media that:
  • Between April 2009 and May 2010, social networking use among internet users ages 50-64 grew by 88%--from 25% to 47%.
  • During the same period, use among those ages 65 and older grew 100%--from 13% to 26%.
  • One in five (20%) online adults ages 50-64 say they use social networking sites on a typical day, up from 10% one year ago.
  • Among adults ages 65 and older, 13% log on to social networking sites on a typical day, compared with just 4% who did so in 2009.

Krishanna Spencer over at Creative Wonk shares 4 Tips for Social Media Beginners. Find out what she means by:
  • Always tell the truth about yourself.
  • Show yourself.
  • Stop cramming your business opportunities down my throat.
  • Be as generous and positive and as supportive and nice as you can be.

Over at Kyle Lacy's Blog, Randy Clark guest posts about 5 Tips to Connecting with the Boomer Social Boom. He tells you:
  • Keep it simple.
  • Explain boundaries.
  • Grammar does matter.
  • Teach us social network netiquette.
  • Speak our language.

And Ventureneer has an informative e-book to download. Check out Nonprofits and Social Media: It Ain't Optional and learn:
  • 10 Highly Successful Social Media Habits for Nonprofits
  • Rules of the Road
  • How Nonprofits Implement Social Media

Now go out there and get Social!

Friday, August 20, 2010

10 out of 100 Thoughts on Social Media


Social Media is here to stay, so here's another reminder to jump on the bandwagon. Read Valerie Maltoni's post 100 Thoughts on Social Media. Read all 100 thoughts. Don't worry, they're short. But first, check out 10 of her thoughts (along with Artful Aging comments) right here.

#  9 realize that the most important person is the other
That's right, social media and social networking is not all about you. It's about what you can do for others.

#18 resist copying
Sure, you don't want to "reinvent the wheel." But share things in your own voice, in your own words. Attribute the information, the quote, the photo, the whatever to the source. Go that extra step and link to the original source.

#23 collaborate freely
This goes along with both #9 and #18. It's not all about you. Make friends and play nice with others. Give credit where credit is due and you'll get credit in turn. Connect, connect, connect.

#46 build an extra mile on someone else’s runway
Yes, we'll say it again. It's not all about you. Promote other organizations' events and activities. Remember #9, #18 and #23. The more you share someone else's information, the more interesting and valuable content you can offer your audience.

#49 stay with it through the thick and thin
It takes time to build an online presence. It takes patience to engage followers and listeners. In the beginning, you sometimes feel you are "talking" to yourself. Hang in there. Build #9, #23 and #46 and they will come.

#67 thank often and liberally
Saying "thank you" ...  a few minutes. Showing appreciation and recognition ... a few minutes more. The return ... priceless.

#71 find mentors
Find out who's posting on Facebook, blogging, and tweeting about your niche. Find the authorities, the leaders. Follow them. Link to them. "Like" them. Connect. Take notes!

#73 be flexible
Be prepared for the unexpected. Plan out the topics you want to share with your audience. But be ready to switch gears and share a new, current bit of information that just popped up. Be prepared, but be timely.

#85 work with others, it’s not a competition
Re-read #8, #18, #23, #46, #67 and #71. The more, the merrier. Web 2.0 is big and wide. When you are willing to share, then you share the "winning."  Be discriminating, but be generous and, yes, #73, be flexible.

#95 inspire and find inspiration
Inspire your followers to do something. The best way to inspire others is to get inspired yourself. Always, always be on the search for inspiration.

Have you taken the leap and jumped on the Social Meda Bandwagon. Need some help? Start by re-reading our Take Notes! posts:

Friday, August 6, 2010

The National Council on Aging is Teaching Social Media?

Yes,that's right. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is all set to talk to you about Twitter and Facebook and YouTube. Yes, the National Council on Aging is telling you to use social media to strengthen your work in the community!

As part of their Healthy Aging Briefing Series, the NCOA's webinar Social Networking and Social Media - Tools for Connecting with Older Adults and Their Families will help you to understand:
  • The strengths and audiences for different social networking tools.
  • How social networking and social media have changed the way people and organizations communicate.
  • How some aging service providers are using social networks to connect with clients and their families.
Mark your calendar for August 26, 2010, 1:30-2:30 PM and register for this FREE webinar today!

Oh, you have a meeting at 1:30 that day ? You're on vacation on August 26? Not to worry. The NCOA archives webinars once they're presented. You can view Social Networking and Social Media on your own time. (But make sure you do view it!) In fact, you'll find other webinars to view, such as the Current Research Supporting Creativity in Later Life webinar.

Take Notes! If you missed some of Creative Arts & Aging Network posts about social media, check out:

Friday, July 9, 2010

When it comes to social media IS ignorance bliss? Take Notes!

Ignorance is not always bliss. In a great, free e-book, Social by Social, the authors (Andy Gibson, Nigel Courtney, Amy Sample Ward, David Wilcox and Prof. Clive Holtham) believe that all successful projects are supported by some common principles and guidelines. And these principles and guidelines can be applied to all "social by social" projects.
It’s time for the social sector to catch up. There is a new social infrastructure being built, and we can use it to make the world better. This book explains how to do it, and what might happen if we do...
This book has been designed as a training manual and reference guide about technology and social media for people at all levels of experience – and scepticism. You can dip into particular sections and use it for reference, or read it in sequence to get a better understanding of how everything fits together.
Social by Social, has come up with 38 propositions as their "collaborative manifesto for successful social by social projects." Here are just 11 of them:
  • Never assume, always ask. You can’t know what your community wants from you without asking, and they are waiting to be asked. Be specific, define the issue and let the answers pour in. Then be transparent about your next moves.
  • Content is king. Providing great content – resources, information, stories, connections, conversations – means new users will find you and others will stick with you. Give people easy ways to share this content too, freely and openly.
  • Learn to listen before you start talking. Good conversations require good listeners more than good talkers. Listen first to find out what people want to hear.
     
  • Be consistent. Whatever you say in public, remember you are talking to everyone, all the time, so stay true to your principles.
     
  • All energy is good energy. If people are taking the time to criticise you, they are already engaged. Listen to their concerns and find ways to bring them in.
     
  • You can’t learn to fly by watching the pilot. If you want to understand new technologies, start using them. Dive in.
     
  • Start small. It’s always better to build too little than too much. Beware of specifying costly systems until you are absolutely familiar with the tools and know how people would use them.
     
  • Keep it sociable. If you want action, leave room for social in teractions and personal stuff, not just w orthy, productive topics. Playful, human in teractions build trust.
  • Be a pirate. There’s so much free stuff out there just waiting for you. Make use of what others have shared and save your energies for what you’re best at.
     
  • Empty rooms are easier to redecorate. Be fast and loose with evolving your platform in the early stages, but be cautious of changing things once people start relying on it.
     
  • Failure is useful. If you want to know what works, learn from what didn’t.
Social by Social has a "Jargonbuster" section as well as lots of Tools and Resources. Throught the book you'll find short practical guides on “how to” do various technical tasks, such as:
p. 35  will show you How to find and join the conversations that are already happening
p. 37 will help you Getting started with social technologies
p. 180 will tell you How to subscribe to an RSS Feed and How to create a Google Alert 
p. 178 gives you 10 Search Engine Optimisation tips
p. 181 will show you How to use Delicious.com and How to Choose tags for your organisation
p. 185 tell you How to use blogging to improve your search engine position
Take Notes! Download your free Social by Social PDF here. Do it right now. You'll be glad to have this resource. (And it's well worth the price!)

Friday, June 18, 2010

Remind Me Again Why I Need a Facebook Page...


Still not sure you need a Facebook Page? Yes, you really do need one. In a recent post Brian Geyser over at Carenetworks Blog shared some reasons why:
The fact is that senior living executives [or aging services staff or artists] need to begin to embrace these new social technologies and, over time, become fluent in social media in order to keep their companies (and themselves) relevant. Why do I say this? Consider these facts:
• The Internet as we know it is only 14 years old

• Facebook alone has over 500 million active users and by numbers is the 3rd largest country in the world behind China and India - Yes Facebook's population outnumbers the U.S.
• The fastest growing demographic on Facebook is Boomers and Seniors
• The fastest growing segment on Facebook is females age 55-65
• 47% of Boomers maintain a profile on the social web
• In 2009 there were 18 million active online seniors
• Seniors spend 58 hours per month online
• 96% of Millennials have joined a social network  
So, yes, you really do need a Facebook Page. If you want your message to reach Boomers and Seniors, you need to go where they're at. And Facebook is where they're at. 

To get started, re-read our Let's Review Facebook post.

Have you "liked" our Creative Arts & Aging Network's Facebook Page yet?

Photo by Bryan Veloso

Friday, May 7, 2010

10 Really, Really Good Reasons to Care About Social Media

Reason #7--because Facebook is now the operating system of the social web. It has won the social networking war... If Facebook were a country it would be bigger than the USA and 3rd largest in the World.



OK--so here's the question.  We have a Facebook Page. Do YOU have a Facebook Page? 

For some help to get going, check out our Let's Review Facebook... post.

Now, Take Notes!  Comment on this post and share your Facebook Page with us. We promise to become your Fan.  Just share your link with us and, yes, we'll "Like" you!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Facebook 4-5-6... Take Notes!


Yes, some of you are still figuring out if a Facebook Fan Page will put all your personal information out there for all in the universe to find. Keep reading our posts about Facebook. Be assured that only people you "approve" as friends can view your personal page. Your Fan Page does not automatically share all your personal information.

For those of you who are now beyond beginner, American Express has an article by Matt Silverman sharing 5 Essential Apps for Your Business. For an example of an App--check out Creative Arts & Aging Network's Events Tab. (And RSVP to our The Arts for All Ages: A Creative Conversation while you're there!)

Friday, April 23, 2010

More Facebook is Easy as 1-2-3! Take Notes!

OK, so you've taken the leap and you now have your very own Facebook Page. 
You haven't done that yet? Still need more help? Well go back and check out our Take Notes post from Tuesday, OK, Class, Let's Review Facebook. Now you're ready to go on to the next steps:
  1. Mashable (love that name!) reminds you that yes, you need to set up a Facebook Fan Page and then tells you How TO: Set Up a Winning Fan Page.  It's a beginner’s guide to setting up and getting the most out of your Facebook Page. And go to Mashable's Facebook Guidebook for lots more great information. If you have already set up your Facebook Fan Page, you'll find beyond-beginner information here too. Yes, yes, we are a Fan of Mashable's Facebook Page.
  2. NetWit's Think Tank shares 11 Quick Tips to Enhance Your Facebook Fan Page. View their Facebook 101 for Nonprofits slideshow and then scroll down to find 11 great tips from good sources. What?! NetWit Think Tank does not have a Facebook Page.  Hmmmm . . .
  3. Over on Beth's Blog, Beth Kanter shares her notes about "emerging best practices for nonprofits who want to set up Facebook Fan Pages." Read So You Want a Facebook Fan Page for Your Nonprofit? Here's the Scoop! Beth does have Beth Kanter's Blog Facebook Page and we're a Fan!
Did you Take Notes?

Friday, April 2, 2010

Take Notes! Social Media Is Not Gibberish - Part II

Still confused about Social Media and Social Networking?  Let me just give you this important piece of advice ...
... treat each venue as a way to connect with an audience that would care about you and your work.
Well, ok, that isn't actually my advice.  I "borrowed" it from Artist Luann Udell, who shared this very important tidbit in her post ALL THIS SOCIAL MEDIA and Still Nobody’s Asking Me to Dance.

You're an Aging Services Organization ... well, ok, more accurately, you work for an Aging Services Organization ...  Hopefully you've been Taking Notes and you've entered the world of Facebook.  Are you starting to understand a little more about Social Media as a way to connect and share what you're doing?
You're an Artist and sure, you're busy creating Art ... but, hopefully, you've also been Taking Notes and have at least created your Profile on Facebook.   Who better than to learn more about all this Social Media connecting and sharing "stuff" than from other Artists?  
And remember, as an Organization Serving Older Adults or as an Artist, Social Media is just ... a way to connect with an audience that would care about you and your work.

Keep reading Friday's Take Notes! We'll start talking about Blogs in April.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Facebook is Easy as 1-2-3! Take Notes!

Yes, Facebook has grown up...
and is for grownups!


As an Organization serving Older Adults, you need to create a Facebook Fan Page.
As an Artist you need to create a Facebook Fan Page.

Here are three places that will help you do just that:
  1. Over at Alyson Stanfield's ArtBizBlog you can clear up your confusion about Facebook profiles and fan pages. Still wondering why anyone would want to join your fan page even if you had one? Facebook Fan Pages: What, Why, and How attempts to answer these questions.  Alyson shares Textile Artist Lisa Call's response to Do I Need a Facebook Fan Page? as well as Lisa's Practical Tips for Setting Up a Fan Page. Lisa knows what she's talking about and Creative Arts and Aging just became a Fan of her MakeBigArt.com Facebook Page as well as ArtBiz Facebook Page. Check them both out!
  2. HubSpot has two great resources for you.  View their great, easy-to-understand, step-by-step video on How to Create a Facebook Business Page in 5 Simple Steps. Then, read HubSpot's clear and informative ebook How to Use Facebook for Business. And yes, Artist, and yes, Nonprofit, you are a business.  CAAN is a Fan of HubSpot's Facebook Page.
  3. Now go over to Tech Soup and read their A Beginner's Guide to Facebook to learn how nonprofits--or actually, anybody--can get started on Facebook. Tech Soup is a great resource. You can access their archived webinars and learn things like How to Integrate Social Media into Your Website and Introduction to Social Media and Fundraising. Yes, Creative Arts and Aging Network is also a Fan of Tech Soup's Facebook Page.
Did you Take Notes?

Friday, March 5, 2010

Take Notes! Even AARP Says Resistance is Futile!

OK, all you Aging Services Organizations--Senior Centers, Adult Day Centers, Adult Living Communities--have you been paying attention to CAAN's Taking Notes! posts?  Did you think CAAN has only been talking to Artists about all this Social Media stuff?

Think again.

Take a look at AARP's slideshare Effective Social Communications Strategies. Yes, that's right--AARP!

Pay particular attention to:
  • 7 Reasons Why You Should Care
  • Getting Started (or There's No Such Thing As A Social Media Expert)
  • Social Communications Do's
  • Social Communications Don'ts
  • Homework
Take Notes! 

P.S.--When you do your AARP Homework (and if AARP assigns Homework, you should do it!), remember to become a Fan of Creative Arts and Aging Facebook Page.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Take Notes! Social Media Is Not Gibberish!

It's Friday. so Take Notes!  First, go get yourself a cup of coffee or tea.

Have your cup of coffee or tea yet?  Now make yourself comfortable and view Beth Kantor's slideshare Arts and Social Media.  You may need to view this more than once.  First time through, however, don't worry that some of this seems like Gibberish* to you.  Take in the message.  I know, I know, you don't "get" this Twitter business--yet.  That's OK.  There's a lot more to social media than Twitter.

Beth explains what social media is and how to "listen."  Listening is the first step.  And, no, this is not a passing fad.  Social media is here to stay.  Learn how to use it. 

*Gibberish, derived from Jabber, is often confused with Gobbledygook and Mumbo Jumbo, and sometimes erroneously called "Social Media."

Friday, January 29, 2010

Take Notes! What's Social Networking Got to Do With Arts and Aging?

Aging Service Organizations, you are always looking for ways to attract Baby Boomers.
Artists, you are always looking for new audiences to engage. Well, take a look at this Today Show video Boomers Taking to Social Media. Take Notes!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Take Notes! Become a Fan!

Take Notes is easy today. Just go to Facebook, sign in and get connected now.
You have signed up for Facebook by now, haven't you?  What?!  You haven't joined yet! Stop what you're doing--right now--and watch this eHow video How to Register and Join Facebook.

Oh, you did join Facebook.  Great!  Need to learn how to actually use Facebook?  Watch eHow videos like How to Create and Build a Facebook Profile and How to Post Photographs and Notes on Facebook and more...  (Note:  Ignore instructions to select a regional network.  Facebook has removed this.)

So now you've asked some real life friends to be your Facebook friends.  It's time for you to become a Fan!  Just click on the links below and then click on their Become a Fan button.  Why?  To  get great information and news from them, of course!

Become a Fan of Creative Arts and Aging Network:  "Making movements in the community to unite older adults and the arts."

Aging Services Organizations, become a Fan of Non-Profits On Facebook: "This Page is a resource for non-profits and other organizations for social good. We built it to help you harness the power of Facebook and bring positive change to the world."

Artists, become a Fan of Art:"Bring out the artist in you and connect with people through Art!"