# 38 of the 95 Thesis

"Human communities are based on discourse—on human speech about human concerns."

This thesis struck a cord with me, as a communication major. We (all Comm majors) have studied for 4 years (give or take a couple) to master the art of communication in every realm we could possibly learn, or what was being offered that semester...
We have a huge advantage to most in this realm as well, the new social media. Before this class, I was fairly unaware of the conversations going on via blogs, network cites, etc. Now being more informed I feel as I have become a part of the conversation, maybe not as much as others, but much more than every before.
We have the opportunity to take what we have learned in all classes, including this one, and put it to use so that companies are no longer corporations that can't be touched. Most are realizing slowly but surely that they have to begin to communicate with their customers on a different level. A human level that provides a two way conversation instead of statements and ads. I am excited about reaching the career world at this time because so much is changing and I feel that we have a leg up on that change and are willing to keep learning about new ways to bridge the gap between company and consumer

Obama and Social Media: The new wave in presidential elections

No matter who you are voting for, it is clear that Obama has changed the way presidential campaigns are run. Obama is using the internet and social media to reach voters on a more personal and driven level. After reading the article "The Machinery of Hope" in the Rolling Stone I was pretty amazed about how much Obama's campaign has embraced social media as a way to create relationships with the voters and get voters active and engaged in the campaign.
Obama and his campaign have even created their own social networking site called MyBo, which allows Obama supporters to organize together in groups such as Texas Business Women for Obama. Obama also boasts many networks within Facebook including Obama 08'
and Barack Obama supporters.
All these sites allow supporters to have control over context and activity within the group that builds the foundation for major turnouts in polling and campaign headquarters. What is so interesting about the way Obama has run the social media campaign, is that to the average voter, like myself, you would have no idea exactly how much he and is campaigners have utilized the new tools. He doesn't talk about it in speeches, or flaunt it in traditional media. It is really a grass roots campaign. He plays by the rules of the traditional media outlets, but behind the smiles and waves, he knows that getting people's votes isn't from really expensive TV ads, but from behind the scenes social media sites, letting the people take charge of the discussions. Obama's campaign seems to mimic Obama's true intentions. To actually allow the voters to decide what issues are important and to be apart of the conversation, not just an audience to impress.

Obama + celebrities= inexpensive and inspiring viral videos.

Social media has reshaped the way presidential campaigns are reaching out to voters as well as how the campaigns are being funded. There's millions of blogs covering the candidates every move and some pretty interesting videos that the candidates are able to make dirt cheap and with the capacity to reach millions of voters. The use of these social medias, in my opinion, has helped Obama especially reach the younger voters in this country.
Many celebs have also helped Obama out by making videos endorsing his campaign and his beliefs. One that has been in particular very successful is the "Yes we can" music video filled with celebrities singing Obama's speech with Obama in the background. A second video was developed that included different celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Ryan Phillipe explaining that they want to see a better world for their children. This video has other celebrities chanting "Obama" throughout the video called "we are the ones".
These videos are brilliant because they reach the young voters as well as show that celebrities have a deep faith in Obama and his campaign. The underlining theme of these videos is unity, and the social awakening that the people are "the ones" that will make a change.
Whether you are voting for Clinton or Obama, you have to give the guy credit, he has brought something out in the youth of this country that no one else has been able to do (you remember ole Kerry right?). I think social media is becoming and should stay a very important tool in campaigns because it gives candidates a outlet that doesn't cost millions of dollars, which in turn means they might not have to promise so many things to get large donations. That candidates can focus on vital issues and get those issues out to the public in a cheap and quick way. I hope to see more use of social media in politics, because if there's one area that needs help on transparency, oh yeah that would be a great way to start!

Social Media gives tips to promote web videos

Cruising through the world of social media blogs online, I came across Social Media and found a pretty interesting and informative blog. The blog was on 7 ways to promote web videos. After reading the 7 ways to promote, it reminded me again how all these technologies are so interrelated.

The first promotion tool was to submit your video to a social bookmarking community such as Digg or Flur. Since we have learned about social bookmarking I can see where this makes a great outlet to get your video out, or learn if your video sucks. If viewers don't like it, they can simply vote against it and your video is lost in a sea of other crappy videos... we have all been to youtube, some stuff should never have been made!

Second tool is to send your video to entertainment sites such as youtube clips or Fark. I am pretty new to these sites, but have gotten kind of addicted to Fark, some interesting news, plus useless information that you can spout out at a party sometime.

The third tool is to promote your video within youtube. You can do this by finding a video kinda like yours and comment with a video response, which will in turn get you more hits. I thought that was the best idea, I don't know about everyone else, but when I key in "best tackles in the NFL" I want to see a bunch of videos come up or videos linked to eachother so I can sit there forever watching people get pounded (That's right Roy, where u at?)

Forth tool was to submit to forums that are relevant to your video. So I guess if you love "That 70's Show" and your video is your version of the episode where Fez has a "naughty dream" about Kelso, then you might find yourself a home and fanbase (yes there is a 70s show forum...REMEMBER I check my facts!!!!! especially for you Morales (you didn't get a stick, so I plugged you into mine)

Fifth tool is a little far fetched, submit your work to a major television show. Not sure Jay Leno is in the "in crowd" but I guess we can give him the benefit of the doubt he?

6 and 7 include posting your video on your blog, which I figured would have been the first step, but hey what do I know? And as long as your fez impression won't scare the crap out of your folks the big number 7 is to forward your video to family and friends.

So there you go all you fellow bloggers, there's the promotional tools for getting your video out there for the world to see!!
And ACTION!!!!