|
What's up yo?
Can't help being giddy about summer in Alaska; nothing like it anywhere in the world! I'm feeling like chatting about Twitter, or "the ultimate send all". This vehicle is by far the fastest growing social media platform, comprised of over 200 million worldwide users that send 1 billion tweets per week. Creating an account takes about a minute and although you can simply write a tweet and post it, the goal is to increase your impact by obtaining "followers", which is similar in concept to gaining Facebook "Likes". Adding followers is like adding contacts to your email address book and because every Tweet is an abbreviated "send all" email, the more followers you amass, the greater your audience. Your tweets are sent to your followers automatically, who in turn may re-tweet your message, if they like it, creating the viral social media component. Business use is growing rapidly in Twitter, but public figures and specifically stars have by far the most followers. Here are the current top 5 in the world - 1) Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) 10,437,109 followers 143,383 following 820 tweets 2) Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) 9,946,239 followers 113,465 following 9,246 tweets 3) Barack Obama (@BarackObama) 8,259,775 followers 696,921 following 1,357 tweets 4) Britney Spears (@britneyspears) 7,993,787 followers 422,598 following 757 tweets 5) Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) 7,636,684 followers 139 following 7,670 tweets Yes, it is scary that the 44th President of the United States and arguably the most powerful man in the world is sandwiched between Justin Bieber and Britney Spears (equally as frightening is that Kim K. is 5th), but that fact also speaks to the diverse nature of this medium. Statistically all of them are gaining about 50,000 followers every 2-4 days and with them, increased outreach for their messages, whether they are promoting a product, engaging their fans, or sharing a political ideology. If you spend a little time looking at the Tweets of stars, it seems as though you can tell which ones are posted by the account owner and which ones are farmed out to a third party. My boy Justin for example mixes in a re-tweets from fans/followers every now and then to engage his audience, while BO has straightforward messages to the public. Britney obviously shares Twitter duties with her manager Adam, but they each sign their messages to let you know who wrote them, which adds a personal touch. Maybe all three have full-time staff that takes care of this tidbit for them (obviously Mr. Obama does), but there is a personal component in addition to immediacy that Twitter provides better than any other broad medium. While some Tweets still discuss the type of coffee the writer is drinking in the morning, the challenge for those of us that use Twitter professionally is to create a 140 character message (not words, characters - and yes, a space is a character) that engages the reader enough to want to share the information with his/her followers and if applicable, click on included links. In short, eliminate words that don't impact the content and retain the meat and potatoes. This is no easy task and I encourage you to practice writing in this restricted format to ensure that your message is effective. For the purpose of this newsletter, I condense information all the time. Take as an example the last paragraph from the most recent newsletter and how it may be turned into a Tweet: There is clear data that buying from local companies achieves real economic impact, particularly for those businesses that affiliate with a buy local program. However, educating the general public to support stores in their neighborhoods, villages, towns and cities, continues to be a difficult one. Shopping local is not a mandate it's a choice and although an element of education may sway someone's opinion, inherently either you buy into the concept, or you don't. The person that realizes that keeping dollars in Alaska is important, but still shops at www.icangetitonlineforafewbucksless.com, is the same person that leaves the shopping cart next to their car in the parking lot, drives 58 mph in the left highway lane, or paints their house in the middle of the neighborhood bright pink, with purple trim. They have a right to their choice and select to exercise that prerogative, even though it may not be for the greater good. What's left is - Buying local achieves real economic impact. Support neighborhoods, villages, towns and cities. Don't be a dork, keep dollars in Alaska! Buy AK 140 characters. Bam! That's what's up! Have an enjoyable and very safe Memorial Day weekend!!
What's cooking at the Anchorage SBDC?
Check out the current workshop schedule on the SBDC Facebook page
Interested Chefs and Culinary Artists - The Division of Agriculture is seeking proposals for the new Chef at the Market program. Chef at the Market has two primary goals: 1. Bring attention and additional customers to Alaskan farmers markets, and 2. Teach consumers new ways to cook and prepare Alaska Grown specialty crops. Chefs are encouraged to apply to attend multiple markets in different locations as well as develop unique and creative events. The Division intends to pay each Chef $500 per market event. Please submit your proposal via mail or e-mail no later than Friday, June 17th. If you have questions please contact Amy Pettit at Amy.Pettit@alaska.gov or at 907-761-3864. Click here for the Facebook announcement!
------------------------------------------------------- MEMORIAL DAY SPECIALS! - Alaska Residents can stay at the Crowne Plaza Anchorage Hotel from May 26th to May 30th for just $169.00 per room, per night. Make a reservation for 3 days or more and receive a Complimentary Large Pizza and 4 Sodas on your 3rd day as our guest.
Call 907-433-4100 for more information. Standard room only. Subject to availability. www.crowneplaza.com/anchorageak - The Diamond M Ranch Resort is having a Memorial Day Weekend Shindig including live music with The Diamonds in the Rough and Contra Dancing on Saturday, May 28 at 7pm. Monday will include a farm tour and MooseJaw firesides will be there for our campfire. Lots of other things to do that weekend, ride the Matti Mobile, go for a horseback ride or try your hand at fishing. 15% off your three-day stay. Call 283-9424 and reserve your spot today.http://www.buyalaska.com/business/index/10195
- Seldovia Invitational Chainsaw Carving Contest
No plans? Do something different this Memorial Day weekend. Kick off the summer right with a boat ride across Kachemak Bay this weekend and take part in a truly Alaskan event, the Seldovia Invitational Chainsaw Carving Contest. Not only will you be able to see a world-class chainsaw carving exhibition, but you can also register to compete in the Human Powered Fishing Derby - boats with motors need not apply! The event also includes music, an art show and a fish fry. For more information visit: http://www.seldovia.com. To register for the fishing derby contact: Tim Dillion @ 907-234-7858
------------------------------------------------------- The Interior Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Weekend Workshop from Aug 5 - 7, is now open for registration. You can find registration materials at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/ Contact Nancy Sisinyak, Sport Fish Information Officer & BOW Coordinator with theAlaska Department of Fish & Game (907) 459-7346 for more information ------------------------------------------------------- Putters Wild is having their Grand Opening on Saturday, June 4th in Anchorage. Bob from KWHL (Bob & Mark Show) is doing a live remote from 12-2pm. 18 holes of 3D graphics and pretty much the coolest mini-golf experience around. It's a perfect spot for your next event, or party. Check them out at http://putterswild.com | 
