#SocialMediaLunching

My friend Caitlin (@caitlinjjohns) and I had a cute little lunch today at Sushi Train. Throughout the meal we tweeted our experiences, checked-in on Google+ and Foursquare, and posted photos of our meal on Instagram.
We tried to document as much of our little lunch time adventure on social media as possible. Although it was probably mundane updates to other people it was a lot of fun. It also gave us both a chance to use Google+, something we now both adore.
So next time your having a lovely lunch don't forget to share the experience on social media, and on Twitter use our self-made hashtag phenomenon #SocialMediaLunching.

Twinternships

I stumbled across an article from Adelaide Now earlier this year as I was job hunting:
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/interns-help-firms-turn-on-social-media/story-e6frea83-1225983833486
It is all about companies hiring interns who focus on social media including Facebook and Twitter, called a twinternship. Something that many companies feel simply because they have a presence on social media means that it is an effective communication tool. As I blogged about yesterday, Qantas, used social media to report through a press conference and received mixed reviews. However for social media to be most effective it requires a two way communication.


Through my University degree majoring in Marketing I am discovering just how powerful a tool social media is, creating jobs that only a few years ago didn't even exist. It seems like the perfect fit for businesses wanting to have a greater online presence through social media and for young graduates wanting experience in a professional communications environment.


It sounds like the perfect job for me! Anybody in Adelaide need a twintern?

Qantas Tweets Up A Storm

Today, Qantas used Twitter to make massive restructuring announcements that were quoted straight from CEO Alan Joyce's speech. They created their own hashtag #anewspirit  and it's debatable whether it was successful or not. Personally, I loved it. Using social media as a means of reaching a wider audience is genius. I wouldn't have paid much, if any, attention to the speech otherwise and I certainly wouldn't have known so many facts that were presented.

Many people were outraged at the information announced but this post is looking directly at the communication channels rather than the message. It is said that its better to not use social media tools at all rather than use them poorly. As a method of delivering such major announcements it was adventurous and I believe it paid off for them.

Looking at the feedback Qantas didn't receive many all-round positive reviews. Many were annoyed at the volume of tweets and how such bad news (job losses) were announced inbetween good news. What company would simply report all bad news? Qantas has tweeted it was an once off event which I think is a shame. Perhaps with a lower volume of tweets (something the company has acknowledged may have been an issue but necessary to convey everything) it could be an excellent tool. It was useful during the ash cloud situation in Australia earlier in the year to keep customers informed.

One aspect Qantas has really excelled in this whole situation has been the response to feedback. Qantas responded to the mixed reviews in a polite and informative manner. More businesses need to realize it is a two way communication rather than simply spreading information and not interacting.

Did you like Qantas' use of social media? Do any improvements need to be made?