Twitter has grown over the past couple of years and it is the new kid on the block of social media. And we’ve all seen the positive things Twitter has to offer when it comes to blogging. It was only a matter of time before the human race found unfortunate ways monetize the world’s newest toy. Here are a few annoyances and exploitations.

For example:

• People are taking up brand names, company names and famous individuals’ names as user names in the hopes of cashing in big one day, like many who bought popular domain names have in the past.
• Twitter doesn’t require users to have a valid email address when registering a new account. Twitter will hopefully find a way to combat this shady business, but until then, beware of spam!

These are just a few things that can affect you experience on Twitter, but just like any other social network there are always flaws when it comes to using technology.

Let me start off saying that I love, love Facebook. As a young working professional I have to be careful what I put on my facebook and on any social network it is a direct relection of yourself. Peope always say it is important to brand your company or product on Twitter but, it is also important to brand yourself on Facebook. So here are five tips to optimize your activities on Facebook, including the right way to create profile and thumbnail graphics, how to show different content to Fans and non-Fans, creating DIY vanity urls, and how managing what and when you post can lead to greater success.

1. Create the perfect profile picture
2. Optimize website sharing views
3. share content for fans and non-fans
4. Define a publishing schedule for your information
5. custom url

For more information on this topic and how to utilize the top 5 ways to brand yourself on Facebook click this link  hhttp://mashable.com/2009/04/01/optimize-facebook-page/..

We all know the power of twitter or do we? I am just getting the hang of twitter and I actually like it. It is pretty effective especially if you have a company or a brand. With social media being the main marketing tool of major companies it is very important that you brand yourself on these social networks.  Since the growth and power of twitter and tweeting there is no other place better than branding yourself on twitter.

There are millions of people over the internet daily and half of them are tweeting. A brand that has a presences on Twitter has the power to build a network, gain customer loyalty as well as gain and keep existing customers. These is a free way for a company to market themselves were there customers are on a daily basis.

Additionally, Twitter provides a platform with which to respond and counteract negative comments that may arise about a brand, all while summoning the support of the associations and relationships fostered by this medium.

Most companies have already found their voice on twitter and the flourishing ones hold a human voice behind them, communicating the brand message and networking with customers, business associates and industry colleagues. This message is conducted on interpersonal terms, aiming to refrain from the characteristics of a corporate message board or an marketing billboard.
Companies actively engaged on Twitter enjoy the strength of a loyal network. But more importantly, these organizations have the chance to mold a positive image for their brand every day – and so can you.

Donald Trump real estate and entertainment millionaire has partnered up with TV One for a new reality series, “Omarosa’s Ultimate Merger.”
TV One is a new cable/satellite television network, programming primarily to African American adults. TV One offers a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented programming that respects their values and reflects their intellectual and cultural diversity.
TV One’s goal is to be distributed on the most widely available cable and satellite service level in markets where African Americans represent a significant segment of the population.
On the show, Omarosa will put a cadre of 12 hot, successful bachelors through a gauntlet of tests. These challenges are designed to play upon their weaknesses, test their business acumen, measure their seductive strengths, and draw out their true intentions. But these guys will fight back, and Omarosa may just meet her match. But this is all a part of the love dance… and viewers will get to see what happens when “sharks” mate.
Personally, I do not like Omarosa but I do love reality TV even though it’s not really reality. Last time I checked Omarosa was married but I guess that did not last long. Reality TV has taken over every cable station that I watch. It seems that the public wants to see everyday people on their TV screens. But when is it to much, I am not sure. I love reality TV especially true everyday life not something like this. I think this show will be a waste of time like many other ones, but someone will watch it.

All I can say sometimes people should just say no!

Everyone that I know has a twitter or a Facebook…even one of my friends grandmother is on Facebook. We all think we know how to use social media effectively, but do we really? All these different social media sites lets you keep in touch with friends, family and co-workers and also allows you to keep up with the lastest news whatever it may be. I have been working in a professional setting for the past two years and social media is a vital to our business, but what you put on there can also end your career at the same time. I tell young people all the time no matter if your page is personal or business be-careful what you put on it. One day at my job our Vice President came in and looked up every one’s Facebook needless to say that some people had to have private discussions behind close doors.  Remember social networks are use for networking, communicating with new and old people.

1. Chat
2. RetweetMe:
3. Track a professional:
4. Collaborate on a project:
5. Start a second discussion in class:
6. Quick reference:
7. Start a dialogue with students around the world:
8. Get the inside scoop on other teachers and classes:
9. TrackThis:
10. Email Twitter:

There are more tips if you follow the link below. If used effectively these tips and tools can help you network with millions of people that may potentially help you in your future.

For the full list of tips and more on this topic click below..

http://www.collegedegrees.com/blog/2008/06/04/25-twitter-tips-for-college-students/

Clothing stores for the past coupling of years starting off with Target have reached out to “Big Name Designers” to help them spice up their clothing lines. Target started the trend a few years ago when they first debut Todd Oldman for Target. The line included clothes, shoes, and housewares and it was a huge success and from that point on Target enlist a new designer each season’s to design something new for their customers. It is a great marketing tool, because the famous designer will be able reach a wide fan base that might not normally be able to buy their clothes and the designer label will attract customers they may not normally shop at Target. Other stores like Kmart, Walmart and Khols have reached out to famous designers to help them reach their target market beter.

Now Gap has caught on to the trend and has enlisted Stella McCartney to design a collection for boys and girls from 0-6 months to 12 years. The collection will feature her signature touches of  soft color palette, it will be a unexpected mix of pieces, creating designs that stay true to Stella’s unique vision, but with GapKids’ twist and child-like charm. The collection will be available in store’s November 2nd in select GapKids and babyGap stores in the United States and Canada.

For more information on the up-in-coming line visit www.gap.com

I am not totally sure how I feel about this, but facebook will keep pages of deceased people. Facebook announce a new policy on how it handles the profiles of dead users. The pages will be a little different than normal, but it will still be a page. Facebook will remove any contact information and no one will be able to log in as the person but the dead person’s profile will not appear in the “suggestion” section of Facebook and the persons already confirmed friends will be able to find them in a search. As I said early I am not sure how I feel about this. It is very hard for me to look at pictures of my deceased friends and family let alone look at a facebook account of a deceased person. The friends and family of the deceased person will have the option on if they want to have their page memorized.

Facebook will provide a status update next week on deceased users’ profiles. Facebook still has to provide more information on what happens to uses’ personal information after they die.

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/10/27/facebook-announce-memorial-profiles-for-deceased-members

How do you feel about this?

In Colorado two parents sent a rescue team on a wild goose chase after they reported that their 6-iear-old son had climbed into a helium balloon and floated away. That story alone would have make me think ummm…..not sure if I believe that. The Colorado Sheriff department said that the couple had planned this for a couple of weeks in hope they would land a reality show. The couple may face charges of conspiracy,contributing to the delinquency of a minor, attempting to influence a public servant and making false report. In the age where having a reality show almost grantees you at least 15 minutes of fame or more. I think that people are so caught up in trying to be known and being in the public eye and people will do anything to be famous. I think that the parents should be charged with something, because this type of thing should not be taking lightly. Some people will do anything to be in the public no matter for how long, but there is a time where actions have to be made and people should be held accountable for their actions.

For more information on the balloon family click http://www.usatoday.com/NEWS/usaedition/2009-10-19-balloon19_ST_U.htm?obref=obinsite

Pepsi’s has developed a new application for the iphone, but it is highly offensives to women. The new iphone application called “Before you Score” was developed for it’s energy drink. Score meaning having sex with a women. The application says “Amp up before you score”.

The new application divides women into 24 categories, from artists and aspiring actresses to bookworms and businesswomen. Once the user has recognized the kind of woman he’s trying to score, then the app creates a cheat sheet on the stuff she’s into which is suppose to help you score the women. If the man gets the girl the app then wants you to brag about it over Facebook or Twitter.
Amp energy drink marketing is directed towards to men with suggestive ads. This new app by Pepsi is going to spark up a lot of attention, but will it be bad or good. I think that it will be a little bit of both. I think that this application will get a lot of downloads, but women organizations are going to attack this think full speed ahead. Pepsi is a huge company and I do not think this is the smartest thing for them to they have isolated their female customers. I think a apology from Pepsi in conjunction with this new app is soon to come.

What do you think will happen?

For the whole article clickhttp://www.webtrafficatonce.com/alienate-your-female-customers-pepsi-has-an-app-for-that-2/

OK we all know about this thing called Twitter but do we all know how to use it in a productive way. NO! I know that I am still very confused about the whole Twitter thing. But according to MSN.com there are a few tips that will help you with help your Twitter experience. Here are a few of the tips……

1. Coupon campaigns
2. Viral marketing
3. Artful customer service
4. Focus groups
5. Customer expectation management
6. Corralling eyeballs

Turns out many ways Twitter can have an impact, and not just as an insignificant marketing tool. In fact, we found quite a few clever ways to use Twitter, for everything from boosting sales and scouting talent to conducting market research and raising capital.

For the full list click on http://tech.msn.com/howto/article.aspx?cp-documentid=21083277