Kyle Thomas

The Website of Kyle Thomas (KyleWith)

City of Yellowknife should embrace Facebook

I have not yet actually read the article that the Yellowknifer has written about the City of Yellowknife having a study done about whether they should get into social media or not. I don’t even know if that’s actually what it’s about. I’m assuming this study says something like they should look into finally getting on Facebook and creating the City an official Page. I could be wrong though.

I am very thrilled to hear this news, if that is the case, it is a very positive thing. I feel the City of Yellowknife needs to do more two-way conversations with its residence, other than just public meetings. Facebook is now one of the best ways to connect with people.

That being said we have to remember that social media can be a double-edged sword for those who are prepared. As great as it is to reach out to the community; to get their feedback and keep them informed, there’ll also be complainers. I know this first hand having spoken to some of the people taking care of the City of Fort St. John’s page. A lot of residents use it as an outlet to complain. That is why I run around saying a good strategy–social media strategy–is an absolute must.

But creating this strategy is not just a walk in the park. Ask any person who actually works as a social media marketer how difficult it is; it has to be taken seriously. I don’t say this because I am a person who helps organizations and businesses create these strategies, but I say this as someone who wants to see these organizations and businesses succeed.

Someone who’s familiar with this type of work should be used to help create one of these documents.  Goals, weaknesses, benefits, best practices and so on should all be pointed out in one of these documents. It should not only outline what wants to be achieved, but also protect whoever is creating the document for everyone’s sake.

I’m not sure how far along the City of Yellowknife is in getting on Facebook, but I look forward to seeing them there. I’m also curious to know what other people think. What do you want to see from them if they did join Facebook?

City of Yellowknife Website

Facebook is NOT blocking Google Plus?

Came across this video this morning. Apparently it shows that Facebook is blocking the Google Plus Invite link. While I wouldn’t be surprised, I am still a little skeptical as to if they are really doing that.

For example what would happen if the friend went to the guys actually profile who shared the link. I want to see if it is there or not, not just on the wall.

http://youtu.be/Cj0jjDtafak?hd=1

Thoughts?

SCRATCH THAT

So I just did the test myself and found that it is showing the link fine:

Facebook is now pulling Keywords

Facebook now seems to be pulling keywords out of status and compiling them. They might have been doing this for sometime now, and I’m sure Mashable reported on it, but I just noticed it.

Both Dave Brosha and I wrote (not link or tag) the word “Google” in our status’ within ten minutes and low and behold Facebook grouped them and linked to Google’s Facebook Page.

Facebook Keywords

Facebook is trying hard to help people consume information, while serving up tons of other things and ads.

When people finally get Twitter

I think it is facinating when people I know or went to school with finally understand the world of Twitter. Now I’m not saying I’m a veteron of Twitter, but I did join back in 2008, when it was only just catching on in the tech realm.Way back then I quickly learned all the cool things I could do with twitter. Engage in conversations on topics that interested me, follow people I would never otherwise know of, and get the inside scoop as to something that’s happening.

So now 3 years later when I see those people who I never thought would actually get on twitter, on twittering using it, I think it is wonderful. It always makes me feel for some reason like I discovered something myself way before everyone else. Yes it is similar to an ego boost, I actually think it’s a sense of acceptance, knowing you’re doing something that everyone else is doing as well. Now, many people have been using twitter longer than me or as long as me, but seeing those people that you grew up with or round makes it different.

This is a good thing, I wish more people I knew were on twitter. It actually drives me nuts when I see someone who would benefit from twitter or social media not using it. I don’t know why they don’t use it, we all use it in our own different ways right?

Did you ever come across someone on twitter you never thought would be on twitter?

How a Google+ Commenter Annoyed Me

I follow a lot of high profile people (in the social media realm) on Google Plus, and as annoying as they are posting all the time (I’m probably one as well), I still like to read what they have to say.

I rarely participate in the conversation that happens around their posts. The comments are often the same thing over and over and also move way to quickly for me.

There are the rare times when I do actually say something, but of course it gets buried right away, never to be seen again. I don’t care, but apparently some do and desperately want to be seen. Like the fellow in the picture below, who added lines to space out his comment.

Google Plus Commenter

Personally I think this is rude and inconsiderate. It makes the comments look messy and lets be honest does anyone think it will really make a difference. Will the poster, who gets 100+ comments for everything they say, really notice? Probably not.

By the way this is not an aggressively angry post, I’d chalk it up to me always going on about Internet Etiquette