Social Networking Assistance
by Sarah Brachman, Manager of Communications, IECA
In Conference Central at the Charlotte conference, I offered training on social networking for members who wanted assistance. I wasn’t sure what to expect—there’s a lot going on at conferences and I knew that attendees would be busy attending sessions, visiting vendors, attending the fair/swap, and networking with colleagues, so I was afraid I wouldn’t find many people to help. As it turned out, I needn’t have worried about being bored. After the first round of breakout sessions (and after Mark urged attendees to stop by the social networking help desk), I was swamped! Attendees had questions from setting up a Facebook page, deciding between a Facebook page and a Fan page, starting a blog, importing their blog into Facebook, linking their Web site to their ‘tweets’ and their Facebook page, how to keep their client ‘friends’ private, how to send photos from their iPhone to their Facebook page, and how to use their Blackberry (that one stumped me). Long-time professional members and new associate members came by; some twenty-somethings and some more seasoned. Everyone had different social networking questions, and I loved the challenge. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all who stopped by. I talk to or e-mail many of you throughout the year, but sitting down with members and working through these technology issues really brought out their personalities.
Since returning to the office, I have been following up with several of you to answer questions I didn’t have time to during the conference, or didn’t have the answer to. And I’ve been visiting the Facebook pages of those I helped to see how they’re coming along. I made sure that everyone I met became a ‘fan’ of the IECA Facebook page to encourage more of you to follow the conversations on our page, and I hope that you will all check this page at least one a day and post your comments. I also encouraged everyone to post photos of campus tours on their Facebook pages, and include some information about the schools they visited as a way to communicate with clients and also to show that you are visiting schools and can share this valuable information with clients. A great example of this is at Stephanie Klein Wassink’s Fan page. I just helped Stephanie just set up her Fan page, and within the hour she had uploaded photos from the tours she attended earlier in the week. Check out her page, and become a fan.
So after working with the 30+ attendees at the social networking help desk I’ll admit I was a bit tired, but I actually felt more invigorated by everyone’s enthusiasm and excitement over learning something new and (hopefully) overcoming some technology fears.
For those of you who have already e-mailed or called me with more questions, keep ‘em coming; for those of you who weren’t able to meet with me, contact me here at the office and I’ll work with you over the phone or through e-mail. I look forward to de-mystifying social networking for those of you who have a healthy fear of technology, to those who want to learn more, and for anyone who just doesn’t have time to figure it all out.
Find me on Facebook! www.facebook.com/sarahbrachman.ieca
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Sarah,
Many thanks again for your spot on professional advisement related to improving the DEC NETWORK® blog as well as creating our new Facebook page. Since returning home from the Conference, we’ve been integrating your tips on a daily basis. Your enthusiasm toward social networking is contagious.
Debbie,
Thanks for your feedback! I’m glad you’ve been able to immediately use what you learned at the conference.
Upon arriving home from Charlotte, full of techno fever, I called Sarah and she spent at least a half hour with me explaining how to join Facebook. She was so patient and understood all my internet anxieties. We are so lucky to have her! I encourage anyone who is hesitant to travel the techno road to call her. She is a gift!