Professional Goals for a Social Media Strategist

31 Dec, 2009

Professional Goals for a Social Media Strategist

Posted by: Debra Askanase In: random thoughts

I don’t usually blog about my professional self, but blogging at 8:30 pm on December 31, 2009 will do that do you. Inspired by Joe Waters’s post about his 2010 professional goals, I decided to take a moment and fill you in on where I’m heading in the next year. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, I thank Joe for a great idea.

Blog Ideas

I began this blog on December 15, 2008 with a post about the basic principles of Community Organizing, and their application to social media. Over the past year, I’ve published 80 blog posts, and I’m pleased to say that I have readers and subscribers now, too! I thank you, and hope to continue to provide you with engaging, relevant, and stimulating content throughout 2010.

My goal for this blog was always for it to be a meeting place, and a conversation starter around the convergence of social media, nonprofits, and technology. I have a background in nonprofit management, business consulting, and community organizing – a combination which means that I like to think out of the box. My favorite posts to write have been those “out of the box” ideas such as Front Yard and Back Yard Conversations, Where is the Open Source Conversation, Why Uncensored Blogging is the Future of Corporate Communications, and The Nonprofit Idea Portal: Your Website. I’ve also loved the guest blogging and interviews – they freshen the blog and expand my world. I’ll be on the lookout for more guest posts and interviews that delve into how organizations are using social media. In 2010, I’m committing to blogging twice a week – it keeps me on the lookout and keeps the content fresh. Twice weekly means one short and one long blog post. I’m wordy and like to delve into the meat of an idea – it’s the “girl who dreamed of being a Ph.D.” in me. I know readers also like short and to the point.

Time for Research

I’ve increasingly realized that I just don’t have the time that I need to play with the newest tools and platforms. If I’m to be a social media resource and strategist, I have to intimately know the tools that I’m recommending for a client. In 2010, I’m committing to spending a half-day a week trying out new social media resources. What I’d really love is a group of folks who would like to do this with me. This would be the modern learning circle. We could each try out new tools and platforms, or the latest iteration of an old platform, and exchange notes. If you are committed to social media for nonprofit organizations and want to join my learning circle, do let me know! The more the merrier!

Mixing in the New

In 2009, I spent a my online time divided between blogging, Twitter, Linkedin and some time on Facebook. In 2010, I’ll add another. I’d like to spend time on a geo-based platform, but I haven’t found one geared to my town (Jerusalem). I really want to play Foursquare, in particular. While these platforms still are debating the potential of coming to my town, I’ll be looking to try out a few other things. What type of platform do you suggest? I’m leaning towards getting involved in wikis or podcasting – these are great tools for clients and I want to be as familiar with them as possible.

And a few professional goals

Lastly, a few professional goals:

I’d like to speak more at conferences. I love presenting, so please keep me in mind for any upcoming conferences or speaking events. Would you like to collaborate on a presentation with me? I love collaboration.

I’ll be adding a page on this website about my professional services.

I’d like to work with more international clients. I’m based in Israel, and Europe is just a short trip from here.

I’d like to meet more of you. I’m committed to attending SXSW Interactive (Austin) in March 2010, and NTC (Atlanta) in April 2010. I’d like to attend one other conference in the fall of 2010. Why? Because I thrive when listening and learning from others. I also want to form stronger ties with people that I’ve only corresponded with online. And I love to learn. If you’ll be at any of these conferences, do let me know. I’d love to meet!

Tags: 2010 goals, blogging, Community Organizer 2.0

View Comments to "Professional Goals for a Social Media Strategist"

1 | Joe Waters

December 31st, 2009 at 10:06 PM

Thanks, Deb. I appreciate the hat tip!

I admire that you respect what Gary V calls your DNA and know because you like longer posts you plan to post twice a week.

I would love to be part of a group that looks at a new social media group every week. We could organize a Twitchat around it using a hashtag.

Of all the things you mentioned, I think we could benefit most from learning to use video more effectively.

Looking forward to your trip to Boston next year!

Joe

2 | Debra Askanase

December 31st, 2009 at 10:37 PM

Joe- you’re in! Let’s get that group started! And why not create a wiki for it so that we can use wikis even better Video is certainly something I’ve considered and continue to look at. Your comment is a nice push. I, too, look forward to meeting you in Boston as well. I’ll be there after NTC. First New Year’s Resolution, buy that plane ticket!

3 | Andy Stitt

December 31st, 2009 at 11:07 PM

I would love to participate in that learning circle as well! Count me in if there’s still room. Happy New Year!

4 | Shoshana Kleiman

January 1st, 2010 at 8:57 AM

As usual your blog provides much food for thought. I’d like to join you in the discovery process, but I can’t commit until the April time frame. Goals for professional development need to be on everyone’s agenda this year. My prediction (hand to gem on forehead) is that the amount of tools to be produced in 2010 will surpass anyone’s wildest expectation. We need to be there, front and center, when this happens.

5 | Debra Askanase

January 1st, 2010 at 9:41 AM

Andy- welcome to the learning circle! Thanks for your interest – it’s going to be a lot of fun, too! Happy New Year to you and yours.

6 | Debra Askanase

January 1st, 2010 at 9:44 AM

Shoshana, I think you’re right that the apps and tools in 2010 will surpass all of our expectations (like the hand to forehead image, too!) I’m hoping that some sort of shared learning circle to experiment with these apps will help me to understand which ones have the most potential and utility. When you have some time, in the spring, drop me a note and join us. Your thoughtful participation is always welcome at any time!

7 | Gluten Free Dee

January 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Please count me in for theearning circle! It’s a brilliant idea that will keep us accountable, motivated and committed to personal grpwth so we can share vital tools with others.

I’d also like to offer my expertise in the video rehlm to move (or push) you along. You’ll see some of my video work on the media page of my blog. I had a great CBS interview in October 2009. I’ll also be uploading some of my video reviews beginning this week. I’m a former Broadcast Journalist and love helping people tell their story. Perhaps I can interview you to kick off your video debut!

I will further explore your site to learn more about how we can collaborate while speaking.

I appreciate your leadership. I’m relatively new to social media (Twitter since June and 5 blogs so far) but love meeting amazing people like you because of it.

I’ll be copying, or shall I say flattering, you and Joe by posting my professional goals!

8 | Jeff Hurt

January 3rd, 2010 at 12:27 AM

Count me in for the learning circle!

9 | Debra Askanase

January 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 AM

Yay, Jeff! Glad to have you.

Dee-
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Glad to have you. I think we’ll be focusing on social media apps for the nonprofit sector, but I was also thinking it would be great to keep the broader sector in mind as well. If you want to join, glad to have you!

10 | Michael Goldfarb

January 3rd, 2010 at 7:22 PM

I would love to join your learning circle. I recently completed my master’s degree in communication. One of the most important lesson’s I took away from the program is that technology is changing so quickly. Practitioners need to continually educate themselves. I think this learning circle is a great way to do it.

I work for my county’s volunteer center. We work with hundred’s of non-profits that are trying to figure out how these tools can help them do more.

11 | Gluten Free Dee

January 3rd, 2010 at 7:38 PM

Aps for the non-profit sector will work for me too! I’m in beginning stages with a couple foundations I’ve started and need to learn to build strong platforms so they can thrive in years to come.

I’m excited to be part of the learning circle! I apologize for all the typos in my first comment. ARG!

12 | Mati

January 6th, 2010 at 2:16 PM

Would love to be counted in.
Hope you intend to blog about the process of setting up the learning circle. Twitchat, Wikis, video… all exploding, changing constantly, weeding through to find the ones that can work will be easier and a lot more fun as a group.

Great idea!

13 | Linda Ziskind

January 6th, 2010 at 11:39 PM

I’d love to be part of the SM-tech ]-for-non-profits learning circle. I’m a mktg./brand/SM consultant. By happenstance, most of my clients are non-profits. I find that, in many ways, ‘for profits’ and ‘non-profits’ are facing similar issues and challenges and SM solutions are applicable to both groups. I think anything that broadens or enhances the scope of SM communication; i.e., mobile apps; video channels like YouTube; image-sharing communities like Flickr; and geo-location technologies applications like Foursquare; are going to see big growth in ’10. In response to the tighteneed economy, coupled with functionality of new technologies, people are making decisions in much shorter time frames than ever before. Rather than planning weeks or months ahead, they’ll decide on what they buy, give, or do on short notice or the spur of the moment. Organizations will have adjust their marketing/advertising/PR efforts accordingly.

14 | Seth Giammanco

January 7th, 2010 at 12:11 AM