Okay, I just HAD to blog about this…

I happened to stumble across this news article from news station WPIX in New Jersey. It is an article about how recently, “The sudden death of four infants less than 4 months-old within an eight-day period in one New Jersey town has families and authorities baffled.”

While this is a tragic and very unusual story, as SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) affects about 1 out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States, what really caught my attention is the URL the news station used for this article:

Really?! Use the words “dead-babies” as your URL?! Can we please be a little more insensitive? Does anyone else find this a little offensive?

What do you think about this? Should a little more thought be put in to how organizations title their web pages?

I recently recorded a podcast with Jacob Cook, founder of Share Sigma Chi. In it, we discussed Sigma Chi, their new website , what the fraternity is currently doing in the social media world, and what they could be doing differently.

Please have a listen, and let me know what you think

The podcast can be found here via iTunes. Running time: 1:04:03

Thanks again to Jacob Cook at Share Sigma Chi for this opportunity.

Most people will at some point feel the impact of breast cancer. Whether it be you personally suffering from it, or a family member, loved one or friend who suffers from it, odds are that sooner or later, in one way or another, you will be affected by breast cancer.

I have had three loved ones suffer from breast cancer, one of whom lost the battle against it late last year. I know full well how scary it can be, and utterly powerless it can leave you feeling.

That is why I am on a mission to help bring an end to breast cancer.

I for one hate feeling guilty by not helping because I can’t afford to make sizable donations. But luckily, if you’re like me and would like to help but don’t have the means to do so (I for one am a poor college kid), there is still a way for you to help! Just click on the SocialVibe widget on the right hand side of my blog. I have been sponsored by TNT to make donations on your behalf. All you need to do is click and type a message, and TNT will make a donation to the Keep A Breast charity.

Its a great way to help a great cause, and best of all you don’t have to spend any of your own money.

Thanks!

By now you’ve probably heard that the U.S. military has banned the use of social networking sites like Twitter, MySpace and Facebook from being accessed by U.S. marines. The memo reads as such:

“THESE INTERNET SITES IN GENERAL ARE A PROVEN HAVEN FOR MALICIOUS ACTORS AND CONTENT AND ARE PARTICULARLY HIGH RISK DUE TO INFORMATION EXPOSURE, USER GENERATED CONTENT AND TARGETING BY ADVERSARIES. THE VERY NATURE OF SNS CREATES A LARGER ATTACK AND EXPLOITATION WINDOW, EXPOSES UNNECESSARY INFORMATION TO ADVERSARIES AND PROVIDES AN EASY CONDUIT FOR INFORMATION LEAKAGE THAT PUTS OPSEC, COMSEC, PERSONNEL AND THE MCEN AT AN ELEVATED RISK OF COMPROMISE. EXAMPLES OF INTERNET SNS SITES INCLUDE FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, AND TWITTER.”

While it is understandable from a defense standpoint that social networking sites (SNS) do provide a potential loophole in keeping classified information from getting into the wrong hands, the decision to ban the marines from SNS simply helps to solidify the lack of a cohesive policy for social media across the entire DoD. In a Danger Room article here, and similarly in a Stars and Stripes article here, it is apparent how the standards for each branch of the military when it comes to SNS are not so standard after all.

I’m not sure which is more troubling to me:

• That our armed men and women can be sent to fight for our freedom, and we trust them with a loaded weapon, but we apparently don’t trust them enough to not disclose classified information, or
• That social networking sites have become the easiest way for friends and families of our armed forces to stay in contact with each other, and I’m sure this blockade of SNS will surely not help troop morale, or
• That the DoD seems to have no discernible over-arching policy for social media across each branch of the armed forces

It seems to me that the DoD constantly plays the “security” angle as their trump card to end all arguments; that they only win through constant fear mongering.

What are your thoughts about this?

First, I’d like to preface this piece with a little apology to you: I have been absent from blogging over the last month or so. Life has been surprisingly hectic and honestly haven’t had much time for anything really. To illustrate this point, I started writing this blog post while attending my summer class…shhh… but I hope that lets you know how adamant I am about making time for this.

Ok, enough of the sidebar, back to the post…

Where was I? Oh yeah, Social media is just a fad…like the pet rock, beanie babies or Furbies…

…Riiiiiight (Dr. Evil, anyone?) I’m a sarcastic person.

Think about that for a second. What is social media really all about anyway? To be honest, at its most basic and functional level, social media is all about one-on-one interactions. As David Wang points out, social media isn’t anything new. People have always engaged in one-on-one conversations and interactions with other people, but their means to do so have changed over time. Whether it be by standing on a soapbox in a crowded marketplace, using the telephone or now sending a tweet, the need and/or desire to interact with people on a deeply personal level is nothing new. No, social media is nothing new. Rather, the tools with which we are able to engage and interact with others have evolved, along with our ability to do so.

Social media tools like Facebook and Twitter have played an increasingly important role in my life, both personally and professionally. I use the term “tool” in this context because the Internet itself is a medium, and portals like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are different tools which utilize this medium. From the moment I first heard of Twitter, when I thought to myself “who really cares about other people’s short status updates anyway?” to today, in which I fully grasp its importance in how I interact with people and receive news, advice, and countless other bits of valuable information, I have grown to adopt Twitter as a staple of communication. It has also provided me with an avenue for a career that I love: using new technologies to help business, brands and individuals interact on a deeper level with other people.

As such, my use of new and ever-improving social media tools has evolved as I have. My changing lifestyle has utilized these tools to an ever-increasing degree. Maybe I’m off base, but I can’t be the only one adopting social media into more of a lifestyle change than anything, as Mashable recently posted that the number of social networking users has doubled since 2007. My good friend Jason Douglas wrote a great article for Spyder Trap Online Marketing looking back over the last year, and how he has evolved in his use with social media, specifically Twitter.

How have you evolved?

Social media isn’t a fad. Sure there will be other forms of communication that one day will leave platforms like Twitter and Facebook withering in the dust, but marketers need to understand social media for what it is, and what it isn’t. If you need help understanding what social media is or what it can and cannot do for you, I’m sure the folks over at Spyder Trap Online Marketing would be more than happy to walk you through it…

“In the year 3000, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook will merge to form one super time-wasting website, called YouTwitFace.” Conan O’Brien

Being a Verizon customer, I have seethed with how infrequently they offer new smartphones to their customers. It seems to me that every new smartphone, especially BlackBerry devices, go straight to AT&T. Aside from the BlackBerry Storm – which had its own slew of problems – every new BlackBerry makes its way to AT&T almost immediately it seems. The Bold? AT&T. The Curve 8900? AT&T after T-Mobile had it. The Apple iPhone? Duh, AT&T…

This has caused me to wonder why I am with a service provider that, although the coverage is terrific, the selection of phones is ridiculously limited. It seemed to me that since Verizon is playing the “our coverage is better than [insert competitor here]” card, they should have the selection of new, high-tech devices to back it up.

Verizon claimed, in an email response to me from their customer service department,

“Verizon Wireless will not offer a product or service unless it meets the high standards our customers have come to expect. Verizon Wireless is constantly improving the services, features, and wireless phones we offer to our customers for their communication needs. There are several wireless phones being tested for functionality and reliability with our network.”

Anyway, all my ranting aside, finally some light at the end of the tunnel surfaced today in an Engadget article, where it was made clear that Verizon Wireless will soon (as in next 6 months) be carrying the Palm Pre. Lowell McAdam, a top exec at Verizon and Vodafone, was quoted to say: “Over the next six months or so you will see devices like Palm Pre and a second generation Storm.”

This is huge. While I have been itching to switch over to AT&T to get the iPhone or test out the Palm Pre when AT&T picks it up, but hesitant to do so because of coverage issues with AT&T, this news has certainly made me more optimistic and enthusiastic to stick with Verizon.

What do you think? Any other Verizon customers out there that are excited about the new BlackBerry Storm 2 or the Palm Pre?

The following is a post I wrote for Spyder Trap Online Marketing

The list below – in no particular order – is of my favorite desktop and web-based Twitter clients out there right now that make the Twitter social media experience easier and more enjoyable.

1. Tweetie – available for Mac only, this Twitter client gives users the freedom to easily manage multiple accounts in one window. It is designed similarly to the iPhone app, and users love its keyboard shortcuts and threaded direct messages.

2. Tweetr – a handy tool for sending files quickly and easily to your friends on Twitter. It automatically uploads your files or pictures and provides you with a shortened link that you can send out to your network.

3. Twitsay – Got a big announcement? Twitsay is perfect! Twitsay allows you to record a voice message and broadcast it to your network via your Twitter account.

4. Twits Like Me – After you register, Twits Like Me will analyze your tweets and suggest other Twitter users that you may be interested in following.

5. SpreadTweet – Want to get your Twitter fix, but Twitter isn’t safe at work yet? Now there’s SpreadTweet. A Twitter client designed like everyone’s favorite spreadsheet program. Now it will always look like you’re working.

6. TweetLater – TweetLater allows you to manage scheduled tweets for an unlimited number of Twitter accounts. You can automatically follow new followers and send automatic direct messages to new followers, and even perform keyword tracking.

7. Group Tweet – Allows you to make a protected Twitter group so you can discuss private information with multiple people, without anyone else see it. It is useful for co-workers, close friends, families, and others (secret clubs anyone?)

8. CoTweet – Although in Beta form, CoTweet adds a business aspect to managing corporate Twitter accounts. You can have multiple accounts, but the key with CoTweet is allowing multiple people to effectively manage the same account so there’s no duplication, and keep track of who said what to whom. It’s great for scheduling tweets, assigning tweets to coworkers, and adding notes to Twitter users.

There’s my list, did I miss any of your favorites?

This website makes my life… Awkward Family Photos.

Gotta love the families that love their Teddy bears…

Or the families whose male role model is both a priest and a gym teacher…

The following is a post I wrote for Spyder Trap Online Marketing:

The idea for this post came to me when watching the latest advertising campaign “Lessons Learned” for Price Waterhouse Coopers how life experiences have shaped people’s individual view of business. In thinking about this concept, I thought about the simple life lessons we (well, many of us) are taught at a young age, and how they so innately fit into social media.

1. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The Golden Rule. How do you want other people to treat you? Probably by sharing your content and commenting on your blog, among other things. My advice? Do the same. Contribute. Comment on other people’s blogs, even if not directly related to your niche. Don’t force your message or links on them, because you wouldn’t want them to return the “favor.”

Earn your reputation by being worthwhile, and increase people’s desire to link to you by offering fresh and relevant content. People value their time, so don’t waste it by simply re-stating what’s out there.

2. “Give and you shall receive.”

Share. Become a resource for people. Encourage people to use your content and/or tools to produce something different, or a little more “out of the box.” Even if it doesn’t help you in the short-term, sharing content with the community by adding value and outbound links will help you in the long-run.

3. “Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken”

Be real. In social media, as in life, authenticity is key, and it is elemental in building and maintaining relationships. People can spot a fake, and it has burned many companies in the past.

4. “Always say please and thank you”

Take some time to remember those that have helped you along the way. It is easy to get caught up in your successes, but be sure to stay humble, and recognize those that have helped you get to where you are. Reward inbound links; list blogs that link back to you. A little humility goes a long way.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of your valuable life lessons you’ve learned that shape how you approach the business world?

According to AdAge, Michael Vick (you know, the former NFL star that was arrested and convicted of funding vicious dog fights) is in talks to become the newest spokesperson for PETA.

What?!?

Yep, Vick is in discussions to do public-service ads aimed at the ethical treatment of animals. This is one PR scheme aimed at rehabilitating Vick’s career, but one that walks a very fine line, and here’s why…

“Mr. Vick’s obstacles are many — a hard-line NFL commissioner who wants to see “genuine remorse” before reinstating Mr. Vick to the league; individual franchises who might be wary of the backlash and potential damage to their brands by signing Mr. Vick; and an incredulous public that remains shocked by the story. “

The reason why there is such a fine with this PR play is that it needs to come off more authentic than almost any other PR job in history (at least, that I can think of). People aren’t idiots (for the most part) and they hate being treated as such, which is why this is a difficult task.

Richard Levick, president of the Washington public-relations consultancy Levick Strategic Communications, said “What the American public looks for is recognition of error, contrition and fixing the problem. There was plenty of opportunity for Michael Vick early on to have admitted his errors without admitting his legal liability, to reach out to his sponsors, animal rights communities, the football communities, but he didn’t. So now he has to. Americans are willing to forgive egregious acts, but not arrogance.”

The article written in AdAge is a good one, and I suggest you check it out.

Now that Doug Risebrough is out, who do you think should be the next GM of the Minnesota Wild?

Who should they get to replace Jacques as Head Coach?

Do you know what it is?

Look it up. Doppelgänger basically is the idea any two people have an identical twin somewhere in the world. According to mythology, seeing one’s own doppelgänger is an omen of death, but that’s beside the point…

Apparently there exists some software/webstie out there where you can upload a picture of yourself, and as the site grows is works to match you with your doppelgänger.

I haven’t spent much time researching this, but if you have any comments on this, let’s hear ‘em!

Today, RIM launched the BlackBerry App World, the official marketplace for BlackBerry applications.

Check out my post about this on the Spyder Trap Online Marketing blog.

Thats right Skype fans, the official Skype application is being released on Tuesday for the Apple iPhone, and one is slated to be released for BlackBerry devices in May.

Read more about the app here.

Photo credit Engadget

While having a helmet battle, Tucker (my dog) sneaks in and bites Dustin’s toe…ha ha.

Dustin wasn’t too happy with Tucker about that one…

An interesting question was posed to me today by @kaceemaree regarding whether or not applicants for jobs should bother submitting cover letters anymore, in an email that read:

“Everyone does the same thing for cover letters. They all look the same – style and everything. Most HR people don’t even read cover letters. So, should applicants do something totally different in order to get noticed? Or is that just awkward because it’s not the norm? My mentor said to not even bother having a cover letter. Dilemma.”

I thought about this for a minute, and my initial reaction was that if you follow that argument, then there’s no point in even doing resumes either, because almost all resumes look the same. They tend to follow a similar pattern of the applicants name and contact info, which is generally followed by a personal statement or objective, then highlights of the individual’s personal and professional achievements, yadda yadda yadda…

I figured you could apply the same formula for differentiating cover letters that people apply to their resumes, such as with graphics or some other design elements. Although the more I thought about it, I ultimately decided that (in my opinion) cover letters are a waste of time. I personally don’t see how they communicate any information that an HR director can’t get from a resume or by hopping on Facebook or Twitter.

What do you think? Since cover letters and resumes have been the rule-of-thumb for generations – and now with the growing prominence of social media platforms articulating nearly everything about an individual that someone may want to know – do you think that cover letters, and maybe resumes, are all just a waste of time?

Photo credit Eudata Systems

I know its been a while since I’ve posted, so my apologies.

Anyway, it’s St. Patrick’s Day today! With that I want to wish you all a fun and safe night out. Crawl the bars and dress like a leprechaun, just be safe.

Ok, I’m done preaching, but I’ll leave you with some fun facts about clovers, Ireland and St. Patrick…

Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

PS – I think these shoes are way fly…

Connect with me via Twitter: @bradwellman

My hat is off to the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team of the ECHL who found a very creative and entertaining event for their upcoming game against the Bakersfield Condors on January 30th.

The event is dubbed the “Rod Blagojevich Prison Uniform Night” and will feature the Wranglers’ jerseys, having horizontal black and white stripes in old prisoner fashion, with nameplates that read, “ILLGOV” followed by each player’s number. The Bakersfield jerseys will be similar to bright orange Department of Corrections style uniforms, and the officials will be wearing referee sweaters that resemble uniforms worn by police officers.

The game will also feature prison bars painted on the glass of the penalty box, and the goal judges will wear Judge’s robes and powdered wigs.

Personally I think this is a very creative idea, and I think the fans will love it! But its not all about what I think…What are your thoughts?

The original article can be viewed here.

This was forwarded to me by a friend, and as the New York Times article alludes to, lets take a moment and think about all of the “close calls” in our own lives, and be thankful they weren’t much MUCH worse…

Click here to watch the video