Watch This If Confused About “Social Networks”
As Lee LeFever says at the beginning of this great 1 minute, 48 second video: “Networks get things done.”
In less than two minutes, he clearly describes how networks evolve and why they’re so important to us in our personal and professional lives.
I really admire teachers who can reduce complicated concepts to their simple essence. This video is easy to understand and I encourage you to pass it along to others who may be still be confused by the “social networking” revolution.
If you look up the term, Social Network, in Wikipedia, here are the most help 250 words you’ll find in their very detailed definition:
Social networks are social structures made of nodes (which are generally individuals or organizations) that are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as values, visions, ideas, financial exchange, relationships, kinship, dislikes or trade.
In its simplest form, a social network is a map of all of the relevant ties between the nodes being studied. The network can also be used to determine the social capital of individual actors. These concepts are often displayed in a social network diagram, where nodes are the points and ties are the lines.
Just for fun, see if you can correctly answer these 5 questions to the Social Networking Pop Quiz I’ve listed below. I recently added this quiz to my new Internet Optimization Secrets training series I’m conducting with Tony Robbins.
NOTE: All of the answers are my opinion based on my own experiences, so it is OK with me if you disagree with some of the answers I provide in the Reply Section of this blog post ;-)
1) Which type of website should you publish first, if you currently don’t have an online presence?
(a) Portal Site
(b) Blog
(c) Membership Site
(d) Catalog Site
2) Which “social media” networking site is the fastest growing and easiest to monetize for most marketers?
(a) Facebook
(b) MySpace
(c) Orkut
(d) Plaxo
3) Which “social media” video site is the biggest and most time-tested to attract new website traffic?
(a) Jumpcut
(b) Revver
(c) Daily Motion
(d) YouTube
4) Which “micro-blog” platform works best to spread your marketing reach by attracting new followers?
(a) Jaiku
(b) Pownce
(c) Twitter
(d) Tumblr
5) Which “blogging” software is the most widely utilized platform among self-hosted blogs?
(a) Typepad
(b) WordPress
(c) Movable Type
(d) Blogger
What To Do Now: Click on the GOLD BOX at the upper-right of his post and get the POP QUIZ ANSWERS I’ve provided in Comment #1. And again, thanks for reading my blog.
Tags: alex mandossian, facebook, info publishing, internet marketing, Le LeFever, linkedin, myspace, social networks, twitter, web 2.0, youtube
You made it!
Here are the answers to the POP QUIZ:
1) B
2) A
3) D
4) C
5) B
Refer a friend to this blog if they too are interested in boosting their productivity and profits as an Entrepreneurial CEO.
Speak soon,
~ Alex
Alex,
I’m a big fan of the “Plain English” videos. They have even created one that explains PRWeb! The success of those videos should be a wake-up call to marketers and trainers. The takeaway: simplicity sells!
We are overwhelmed with so much information today. Make it simple, and as you advocate, consumable. You’re much more likely to to get a response that way.
Also, my score on the Social Networks pop quiz was similar to yours.
And I look forward to Internet Optimization Secrets, that’s great news! When will it be available?
Marc Harty
30 Minute PR Guy
http://www.30MinutePR.com
Once again, thank you Alex for a great resource and understandable explanation of something that confuses many who are becoming afraid to ask the question, “What are you talking about?”
Tara Reed
ArtLicensingInfo.com
I aced the quiz!
Thanks for the back to basics video. When we get into the thick of things, it’s good to be refreshed as to WHY we are doing what we’re doing.
Thanks again!
Cindy Petersiel
Alex,
We have being using all the social networking sites and tools that you have identified in your social networking pop quiz. And we can say that these have all helped us with the KLT (know, like & trust) factors when connecting with others, either online or at a live event.
Great post and thanks,
–Pat & Lorna Shanks
http://PatAndLorna.com http://TheCoolestCouple.com
It’s always fun to get a score of 100% – and I did not look at the answers!
Nice creative way to use your blog Alex…or should I say
“Nicely done!”
Jeff Herring
Article Marketing Guy
http://ArticleMarketingGuy.com
Lee LeFever also has a brilliant video explaining twitter.
I scored 100. Been preaching the “blog first” if you don’t already have a website gospel for years.
Blog on!
http://www.DeniseOnTwitter.com
Thank you for reinforcing what I’ve been saying forever – your blog is the ‘hub’ of your virtual marketing empire.
And WordPress is the way to leverage the power of your internet presence.
100%? Yes, I did – but I want EVERYONE to get 100%. It’s that important for your business.
Great plain-English video on the power of social marketing.
Cathy Perkins
http://TheWordPressWizard.com
Thanks Alex for once again being on the cutting edge. As I’ve been saying from the beginning this revolution is all about the people. We’re just leveraging the networking capabilities in a massive way. Of course as a member of your “tribe”, it helps (tremendously) to be part of such a leading edge group to mastermind with!
Loved the pop-quiz and the video is powerful in its simplicity!
Elizabeth Harrington
Thanks for the invite to your blog!…and helping me see the big picture of social networking!
It’s easy to get lost ~ when you’re just starting ~ not only because you don’t understand the technology of all ~ but because you’ve never been here before.
Great Map : ) I’m still learning the technology part, but @ least I know where I am : )
Just shared the video with our author community. Thanks Alex. The other big question is how to use these social networks and the key is, if you’re promoting a book or business, is connecting with your market influencers. Authors all seem to want to get on Oprah, but social networks allow us to connect with other market influencers in our genre and we cannot overlook the importance of these people.
Completely agree with all of your answers, Alex, and like the quiz format. We develop social media PR strategies that integrate with existing marketing and communications messaging. Looking forward to hearing more about Internet Optimization Secrets.
@wiredprworks on twitter.com
http://wiredsocialmedia.com
Thanks Alex, for yet another blog about something we need to do to be a successful entrepreneur. I am weak when it comes to using U-Tube, but you just pointed out, again, that we can link others to our blogs, to show the power of Social Networking! You are great!
I see Cathy is also offering us more free advice, she sure gives value to others, about WordPress. What a great Social Network of real people you have created for us.
Hi Alex….
I have one word for you today…. “Unbelievable”….. :o)
I just love your blog posts…. You always deliver great content….
All of your answers are correct in my opinion as well….
To Our Success,
Philip J. Mutrie
http://www.52OnlineBusinessTips.com
http://www.ExtremeWealthStrategies.com
What a brilliant, simple little video! Thanks for sharing it.
The thing is, online social networks are different than real life social networks because in some cases we haven’t even met or communicated with our online “friends.” These online connections are more tentative, even if more visible.
How do we account for that difference in this model?
Spot on Alex. Bloggin’ is the new black. Wordpress is second only to the telephone for the best sales tools, but i guess that’s IMHO. Another bullseye for you.
All the best
-Randy
Hi Alex,
Thanks for sharing this video, I’m going to pass it along to my community of new wedding planners.
Lee LeFever isn’t the only one who can take complicated concepts and make them easy to understand, you do a great job at the yourself. That is why I am one of your students.
Sharon Hill
http://becomeatopweddingplannerblog.com
Alex,
I agree, keep it simple and connect!
We have successfully used Blogging, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to drive both new Clix franchise inquiries and retail portrait studio level traffic for many months. Through the use of social networking, we have been able to reach and connect with people in our new “extended friend” network and cut our on-line advertising budget by over $8,000 per month.
When speaking with the host of Atlanta Business Radio yesterday on social networking, she said “Clix is everywhere”. To which my reply was “EXACTLY”.
Thank you for continued information on boosting productivity and profits as an Entrepreneurial CEO.
Positively,
David Asarnow
Thanks for the plain English version of how social networks work. I know a lot of people out there are totally confused and you see quite a few people start to use social networks and then give up on them, either through lack of time or understanding, or both! I think the biggest mistake people make is that they look for instant results and can’t wait to start bombarding people with their offering. People’s conduct online needs to more closely replicate how they would act in person at a face to face social networking meeting.
It’s funny because in the beginning I thought I was watching the guy in the UPS commercials that explains in plain English on a whiteboard how a package gets from A to B. Seems to be quite the trend now.
Jason Coles
3 Dogs Marketing
Hi Alex,
I really enjoyed the networking video! So to the point, clear and also with a laidback humorous twist yet at a good “intellectual” level at the same time.
Have a great Easter
Lisa Clausén
Ray of Light
I love Social Sites
By the way, i got all results right except n#2.
I need to discover the potential of Facebook.
CommonCraft is great learning tool.
Thanx
cdbaby.com/cd/phatbeetz
SOCIAL NETWORKING HELPS MAKE THE WORLD SIMPLE FOR NEW INTERNET USERS AND BUSINESS TO COME TO A COMMON ACCORD OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SOCIALIZING AND PUTTING THIS CRAZY WORLD INTO SIMPLE TERMS WITHOUT SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES ALOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BE OUT OF BUSINESS.
100% – dumb luck. It was fun. Nice to know in this complex world that I pass the A.M test!
Cheryl, Mayor of CherylMillerVille.com
I always use those “Plain English” videos in my posts. Fun!
Very good post.
Thanks.