Well, I'm not very proud....may even be humiliated

So, about to talk to students about the importance of blogging and social media. Heh heh heh.

It may be one of those 'do as I say, not as I do' moments. Oh well. Yes, it is very important to learn the process of blogging and why it is important. But, this is one of those amazing days that we get to discuss the power of media -- especially consumer controlled media.

You control the content. You control the message. You control your brand.

How March Madness applies to me

It's one day past round 1 of 2010's version of March Madness. It's spring break and that means one thing for me in the past few years (actually forever it seems) and there isn't a vacation, just trying to play catch up with work. The good thing is that I'm able to watch college basketball while I work. So, ying and yang.

Macy and Emily both filled out their brackets and so far Macy is looking pretty strong. Crazy how a 6 year old is close to making things work -- I love how she picked her teams: most of them just sounded good.

I'm desperately trying to write a paper, get some grading done and figure out materials for a class. It's going to be a fun week.

Talk to you soon.

Time

Time is a curious matter. When I "think" about the days of my grandparents and their parents, I "think" they had more time on their hands. My perception of that time has always been one of curiosity. Most of my assumptions were -- "wow, did they get bored?" But I think the reality is -- I wish my family didn't have the schedule we do.

Just think about how the media portrays "time." If you aren't busy all of the time, then you aren't doing enough. Everyone is always time-crunched. In fact, Congress is about to embark on a "conference" for the health care bill. Regardless of what your politics or thoughts about health care reform, think about how quickly all of this has come about. And, think about how our representatives and senators are alot like us.

Is there any way you or I could find time to read more than 1,000 pages of material over a weekend? (In addition to all the other stuff we have to do?). My biggest fear is that the little things won't get paid attention to.

Much like my own life, I find the biggest problems are caused when I don't pay attention to the little things.

Sometimes I listen to my kids and learn that I've not paid attention to them. Or I listen to their conversations and realize that they are already stressing about being "late" for practice or "rushing" to get homework done.

Time is precious. I'm going reflect today and tomorrow about how important time is.

Heading out, thinking about the past, doing the present, looking at the future

Well, here I go -- on the way to Boston. I'm a big history buff. In case I haven't said anything to you yet -- READ 1776 by David McCullough. Outstanding read about a year that means so much and could have meant so little. In fact, you should read it before the fall semester starts.

As I get ready for the trip to the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communications conference, I'm heading to a place that is historic for alot of reasons. Yes, I'm going to try and see as much as I possibly can. I'm very excited, though, to be able to run into colleagues. In fact, I'm having dinner with a group of academics on Wednesday who participated in a Scripps Howard Academic Leadership Academy. We all spent a week in Baton Rouge learning more about the leadership at universities. The dean of the College of Communication at Boston University, Tom Fiedler, will be there. They are doing a really unique curriculum there. In fact, undergraduate students can take shortcourses at their Center for Digital Imaging Arts . I'd love to figure out how to do the same here at Texas Tech.

Speaking of TTU, my students in social media this summer have done some excellent work related to the strategic planning for the college's social media presence. There have been some outstanding ideas posted. For my students: remember, how I said to write 3 of 4 blog entries -- if you read this far, just write 2 of 4. Feel free to enjoy this moment of knowing that you might be the only one who reads this....hmmm....also for the graduate students -- just knock it down to 10 pages. That'll do.

Now, back to thinking about social media and academia. What are your thoughts about if a "traditional form of media" does NOT have a social media presence? Is that a credibility issue? Will it damage their reputation? Do you think people would even care? It really brings to the forefront all of what we've been talking about this semester. I challenge you to be willing to take risks, but also remember your ethics, your need for strategy and your ability to manage (and provide regular updates).

I've really enjoyed thinking and studying social media this summer. It's been a blast. Make sure you check this blog out tomorrow with information and updates from Boston.

Cancer Takes Another

Earlier this evening I received a message about a 42-year-old man who I had met once. A month ago, he and I were at a meeting together where he stood up and introduced himself. A few days ago, I got a e-mail about an urgent need for prayer for him. They had discovered a tumor in his brain and he was going to have surgery Friday (yesterday) morning. We were to pray for him, his wife and family. The tumor was cancerous and aggressive. He died this afternoon. No chance to undergo the chemotherapy and radiation therapy that would have followed in the weeks after the surgery. Why? It's 2009. As we (and trust me, I do worry about things such as "swine flu") worry about all flus, viruses, and other dreadful diseases, we need to ask ourselves -- WHY HASN'T A CURE BEEN FOUND?

This year alone, more than 500,000 Americans will die from cancer. 1.5 million will hear that they have cancer. Yes, cancer survival rates are increasing...more of us than ever are living with the disease. Despite the good, cancer still sucks. Cancer still kills -- in fact, just think about that 500,000 number. In the past 2 years, 1 MILLION people died (actually, the number is a little higher than a million).

So...my question is this -- have we just reached the stage that it just doesn't bother us anymore? Maybe we need to start planting small flags somewhere in the middle of America that represents each person that would die this year, maybe, just maybe someone would take notice and help end cancer.

My prayer is that you never hear those words: you have cancer.

At this moment, please keep the Griffin family in your prayers.

HOPE

Insight

Had a great class today. The "social media guru" of Texas Tech came and spoke to the Social Media class about the TTU strategy related to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Flickr and others. It was interesting to learn about the challenges facing universities (and every other organization) when it comes to trying to figure out what to do, where to do it, how to do it, what resources you need to provide, who needs to be in charge, what type of content, etc...can you really strategize for all of the above contingencies? I just don't know. But, you should try. Currently, the Texas Tech University Facebook page has approximately 12,000 members/fans. Pretty amazing...

Been thinking about a few things related to this blog and what I might want it to turn in to. Should it be related to TTU, academics, Relay, giving people hope....just not sure. Would love some feedback.

tc

Blah Blah Blogs

As we continue to read Joel Postman's SocialCorps in the social media class, it is amazing to think about the lack of a social media strategy for ALOT of companies -- including firms that specialize in marketing and advertising. That being said, it almost isn't fair to criticize companies for not having a long-term strategy ready to go; however, after all of the strategic planning that has gone on in the corporate environment for the past 15 years, it's hard to believe that firms and organizations just can't get goals and objectives outlined.

Recent statistics published by the Pew Internet and American Life Project in January 2009(kind of makes you re-think 'recent') indicated that 75% of 18-24 year olds have a profile on a social network site. As age increases, the percentage decreases to almost no profiles for those 65+. According to statistics found at Facebook show dramatic increases in the number of Facebook users since January (increased to 200 million....and counting). Twitter has experienced an explosion since the first of the year.

All of these studies point to social media jumping through the diffusion curve and looking forward at all the companies who are missing the boat. There is still time....just make sure you use strategy > have a mission, goals and objectives for your social media plan. It might even mean that you allocate an employee to tackle your company's social media presence. (By the way, that doesn't mean to add responsibility to an 8 to 5 "techie"...it really means to pay them to do their job which would include developing social media for your organization. Just like you wouldn't give a video camera and expect your accountant to produce a television commercial, you shouldn't just tell your public relations director to blog and experience ROI. If that is the case, you get what you deserve.

Wow, what a mood. Better sign off for now...