It turns out the Internet makes you even more Social!

So after reading the Pew Internet Personal Networks and Community survey I have to say I'm both surprised and a little not surprised. On the one hand there's the social preconception that spending time at your computer makes you a shut in but at the same time most people when they are on their computer they are on a social network, socializing soooooo of course it makes people more sociable.

The internet isn't just a box you crawl into to turn off your brain like television, it's a social platform wherein you can interact with people via social media. I'm on facebook right now and I've already commented on friend's status and one's new job. What a world!

I find it interesting that people who are more connected to the internet (bloggers and whatnot) are actually more involved in there community though it makes sense when you think about it. To be an actual good blogger you have to have things to blog about so you have to work hard and go out there and do things like volunteer or talk to your friends.

Also, "Only 6% of the adult population has no one with whom they can discuss important matters or who they consider to be “especially significant” in their life." :( I feel really bad for that 6%. They're probably 50% old people and cat ladies too. Oh well, I know what'll cheer me up. Those guitar shredding North Korean Toddlers!

What I learned about facebook from the Nebraska Humane Society

On Monday I tried to fight the urge to just stare at all the picture of cute cats and dogs and took in some serious lessons about social networking from our time at the Nebraska Humane Society. I'll even number the list so as to be more organized.

1. How to deal with the Trolls.
Apparently, even if you're an organization that helps puppies, you're gonna get hate from random strangers on the internet. I learned that in most cases the best idea is to state you're policies on whatever problem they have and to leave the comment up because if you take it down it will just enrage the troll even more. Though in a few special cases it may be in your best interest to simply delete the comment and possibly pursue legal action, especially if the troll is harassing you frequently.

2. Analytics. You will spend all your time looking at analytics.
To make you're bosses believe that you're actually doing something productive and not just messing around on facebook you have to have the facts to back up the site. You also have to keep track of how many people unsubscribe, how long people are on the site, how many people y tview as compared to how many people comment and all kinds of micromanagement internet stuff that went way over my head. And then you have to convince your bosses that all these people visiting the site is good because it ups your brand/increases revenue/gets more donations/etc.

3. Engage your audience.
I think I heard the word engage almost as much as puppy at the Humane Society Monday. Seriously though I learned that if you reply to people it makes them feel as though they aren't just commenting for no reason. It encourages your viewers to return and it creates a more appealing environment on your website. Another way to engage is to not just comment but make sure that things lke videos and notes encourage your viewers to comment and engage them to be involved.

4. KITTIES!!!!!!!!!!!


5. But seriously
It helps you get fans if you happen to be an organization that specializes in adorable animals. Though you have to be smart about how you post videos of these animals and how you respond to the people that comment if you want to stay up there. Great field trip overall!