Monday, November 19, 2012

How the Magazine Industry Went Digital



In my COM 400 class, my group presented on the topic of how social media modified the magazine industry. Prior to this decade’s enormous social media boom, readership for magazines was simple. It involved paying for a subscription and getting a print copy of the niche literature to your home or office. This was the extent of interaction between the magazine and the reader. With only a goal of boosting readership, there was no need for two-way communication of open discussion between the two parties. That is, until social media completely changed the playing field.


We live in an entirely altered universe where reading a print copy of a magazine is not only becoming an ancient form of readership, but it is one of multiple options for the subscriber. Magazine applications on smart phones and iPads are becoming an easier way to get your subscription to you. But most importantly, social media has opened the door for a wholeheartedly new engagement between the publication and reader. The options for communication are endless: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Augmented Reality, Tumblr are just a popular few. 

           Our group began researching the usage and effects of social media on the industry. With the help of Twitter, Google + and LinkedIn, we coordinate a schedule to finalize a perfect presentation. PearlTrees and Google Hangout were amazing supporters for furthering our communication and research. Twitter proved to be a viable source for contacting professionals in the magazine industry. We conducted interviews via social media outlets that would help give us a strong backbone for our arguments.

           During the presentation, social media showed its particular strength when our entire class tweeted/Facebook posted/Google Plus'ed up a storm along with our hashtag #socialmags. When we handed out iPads to our fellow peers, they first hand experienced augmented reality and online publication’s connection to Pinterest and other online blogs and Facebook pages. Magazines even tweeted back at individuals in our class by the end of the presentation!

            Once we concluded our presentation, we were able to track how many people around the world were paying attention to our presentation notes. Slideshare allowed us to publish our final product online as well.

            This group project not only taught me how social media affects the magazine industry, but how you can take a boring presentation to a whole new collaborative level. Being able to share our thoughts with not only our class, but also the entire world, proved to be an amazing experience. This class will forever change the way I disseminate Powerpoints and information in formal educational/business settings.

Check out the final hashtracking report here.

Also, take a look at my Storify of the presentation to see live story tweeting during the event:






Check out the actual presentation, thanks to SlideShare!


Check out my PearlTrees!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Kate Brodock on Digital and Social Media Strategy and Integration



Kate Brodock (aka @Just_Kate) is Executive Director of Digital & Social Media at Syracuse University. Today, she discussed the use and importance of social media in communications at Syracuse University (@SyracuseU) and for everyday usage.

  1. megangriffo
    .@SyracuseU uses a student #SM team. Why? Students have insane school spirit, are engaged, and have a little bit more fun. #NewhouseSM4
  2. josemoreno8792
    Having a student team really gives the University's account an authentic feel to it. #NewhouseSM4
  3. lysmiron
    "It takes a mental shift to realize that social media channels need to be an integrated part of what your doing..." @Just_Kate #NewhouseSM4
  4. katelynnmoreau
    If a PR crisis or any sort of emotion pops up for SU, the social media venues are the first to hear of it#NewhouseSM4
  5. relinowes
    Social Media channels need to be an extension of existing communications and PR strategy.#NewhouseSM4
  6. adelynlee
    Four audiences for university social media channels: prospective students, current students, alumni, community members. #NewhouseSM4
  7. jeannecloyd
    understand your online community and speak to them in a way that will appeal to them @just_kate#NewhouseSM4
  8. acptachi
    Did you know there is a campus twitter account?@SUCampus#NewhouseSM4
  9. averyhartmans
    SU is on Pinterest, Instagram, G+, YouTube and soon to be Tumblr #wellconnected #engaged#NewhouseSM4
  10. beneg92
    "There are over 700 SM accounts officially associated with this University. Almost 1/3rd of them are inactive." -@just_kate #NewhouseSM4
  11. lindsaybarton7
    It's easy to set up a FB page, but people need to think about their goals, what they want to achieve and who will post content. #NewhouseSM4
  12. lysmiron
    Most people get crippled at the idea of content creation and content curation says @Just_Kate #NewhouseSM4
  13. snbouvia
    If you're only curating content, you're just directing people to other sources. Be the thought leader!@Just_kate #NewhouseSM4
  14. (In the meantime, while Kate is speaking to the class...)
  15. bmburr
    I wonder if it's hard to lecture a class where 100% of the students are looking at there computers.#NewhouseSM4
  16. We don't get many live speakers...but we are listening!
  17. GSYellin
    Content curation is going out and finding valuable content for your audience. Like an art gallery curator@just_Kate #NewhouseSM4
  18. ndkeehan
    Blogging needs a visual element now - that's how people are consuming digital content. @just_kate.#newhousesm4
  19. relinowes
    People are digesting digital content in a different way than even 5-10 years ago. - @just_kate #NewhouseSM4
  20. daniemarieodie
    Create "warm and fuzzies" aka strong relationships with audience, #adorable @just_kate #NewhouseSM4
  21. lysmiron
    Drip marketing: consistent ongoing touch points to your audiences so it creates a more emotion filled relationship #NewhouseSM4
  22. jeannecloyd
    #Twitter provides the strongest opportunity for engagement @just_kate #NewhouseSM4
  23. megangriffo
    .@SyracuseU has a phenomenal @Pinterest. Like, really phenomenal. #NewhouseSM4
  24. laurenfabrizi
    Just because Pinterest is a visual platform, does not mean you can throw any photo up there" -@just_kate#NewhouseSM4
  25. adelynlee
    There are also lots of legal things to pay attention to when pinning.. #newhouseSM4