Ph.D. in Social Media

 I often come across a question - How can one do a Ph.D. is Social Media? That is so Awesome.. Can you tell me how to go for it? And that's when I feel so good about my decision to have chosen this awesome area of study (that I am even passionate about). 

2 and half years back when I had selected this topic, some people even asked me - Is that even possible? What do you have to do in it? Do you use Facebook everyday and talk to people? I was so amazed by all these questions. Well, I think today many of them would have understood and doing Ph.D. in social media is not just to surf Facebook whole day. It is so much wider than what people think it is. 

Well, talking about my research, I am studying the "Influence of Social Media: A Study of Consumers of Gujarat" (Gujarat is a State in India). It is so interesting journey till now, that I am enjoying every part of it. The most amazing part of the research is the Literature Review. I have collected many influential papers and research studies that have taught me a lot about the topic in detail with statistical proofs. 

As I said, each moment is enjoyable in this journey, I have thoroughly worked hard and prepared the survey questionnaire myself (obviously with the help from research guide and other professors too). At the time of Pilot testing, amazing feedback were received from pilot sample respondents. It encouraged me to go further in the study. 

Social Media is a so wide that it can be integrated into any kind of discipline and a new study can be done. You know what is the reason behind it? People are the new media - That's what Social Media means. And any research study involves studying people, their behaviour, attitudes, emotions, reactions, usage, etc.. Social Media is a medium where people connect. The place where people interacts, becomes the area of the study. 

Well, this year in 2013, I will be getting my Doctoral Degree, after which I will be sharing the results section. :)

Till then, you are most welcome to drop in by mails, or let's connect on social profiles and explore the ways to utilize this amazingly awesome social world. :)

Happy Socializing :)

Do we actually know how to use Twitter?

We are almost addicted to FACEBOOK. First thing that we do in mornings is to check whether or not any notifications are there on it, and then we step into bathrooms. For Twitter, the scenario is almost different. Many surveys have been done on How Indians Consume Twitter. The facts state that still majority of the people figuring out what to do with Twitter. [Well, This was my own state in 2009 ;-)] But, luckily I figured it out for myself and started helping other people too.

Twitter is mostly consumed for getting quick news updates as far as its use among Indians is concerned. However, it is much more wide than this. In India there are 3 major categories of Twitter Users:

1. Journalists

2. Celebrities (Sports, Films, Entertainment, etc)

3. Politicians and Big Business house CEO's

Inspite of India's so high population, very few people use twitter. And that's little surprising. I was doing some research regarding the same on the internet and to my amaze, I found some really interesting facts:

Population Size does not actually matter when it comes to comparing it with Twitter users. Though India may be having more than one billion population, very few people have access to internet (137,000,000 as of Dec 2012). Even among the people who has internet access, few are present on social media websites. According to World Internet Stats, 5.2 % of people use Facebook among the people who has internet access. 

These whole big picture shows that when it comes to Twitter users, India's gigantic population size does not convert into users. 

Next to the size, other major problem among Indians using Twitter - is the English Language. Twitter has 140 characters to explain your message and majority of its users use English as the basic language. In India, English is spoken only amongst business networks alone and to some extent in the entertainment industry. That may be one of the reason why there less Indian Twitter Users. Well, Language is no barrier today, I am just saying that due to less number of people actually speaking English, may be it can be the reason of not expressing one self in 140 characters. 

As I earlier mentioned, only 3 categories of people are observed using Twitter the most, many of the small businesses have showed their interest in using it too. But the only fact that become a hindrance is - what to do after making a Twitter account? What to Tweet about? Who to follow? How to get following? How to spread message? Do the world actually read 140 characters?

Well, I can show you the ways :)

Anybody who wants to use twitter, first must understand that it is very different from Facebook. You must be seeing your friends on Facebook, enjoying each others' pictures, seeing colourfull wall pages, etc. But that's not what Twitter will offer. It is like a collection of messages. It is like your mobile inbox, where you see all the text messages bundled upon each other. Understand it that way and you will gradually come to know how to use it. There is no perfect guideline that will tell you the step-by-step process to use Twitter. You have to follow your instinct on what should be tweeted. I can just tell you basic things. Those are:

Decide on what you will Tweet? - Personal or Professional

Find people - Friends, people you would like to get connected to..

Tweet Information and not the Junk..

Respond to people who are mentioning your name..

Do not over flow with your business information all the time..

Last but not least, enjoy twittering.

I would really love to know how you use Twitter :)

 

  

 

3 Major updations in Social Media Geography

Hello Friends, 

Today, I am sharing very important thing for all social media lovers and practitioners. 

Are your social media marketing strategies based on current platform scenario ? 

Well there some changes in the landscape and I think all should take these three major adaptations into their social media marketing strategies. Lets take a look on the infographic that I have prepared on the basis of information by Fred Cavazza.   

4 Proven Strategies to Create and Increase Engagement on Twitter - Tips and Tactics

" Twitter is an Information Network " says the Twitter Expert - Keith Keller. My recent conversation with him brought this idea to write about the "4 Proven Strategies to Create and Increase Engagement on Twitter". Have you ever imagined how powerful Twitter is? Almost all celebrities, politicians, Multinational Companies, Business Leaders, Society Leaders and so many other individuals are using Twitter to communicate, share ideas, promote offerings, and even to express their grievances.

So I thought to share my views to help people understand 4 simple ways of "How to achieve Engagement on Twitter". As we see, today what matters is "Creating Engagement" rather than just creating your social media profile and sit idle, doing nothing. One needs to communicate with other people and start the thread of conversations. 

But, it is not so easy to create a powerful Engagement. Customer Engagement need lots of efforts and creativity. Let me show you those 4 magical strategies through which one can achieve Social Engagement on Twitter. 

Tip # 1. Increase FOLLOWERS 

Most tiresome job is to increase your follower base on Twitter. You go on following people but you end up having no followers for your self. This situation is common among people who see twitter as instant connection making machine. 

Tactic #1 : To implement Tip # 1, The most important thing to understand here is that Twitter is an Information network and as soon as you give useful information, people starts following you. One needs to give regular updates via Tweets and should be consistent in giving that small piece of information. Only then you will end up having many twitter followers.

Tip # 2. More RE-TWEETS

Tactic # 2 : You can get "More Retweets" by posting unique and quality content which catches the eye of the reader. Content with no quality will end up having 0 retweets. Your Tweet should be catchy, qualitative, informative, and should be posted timely. More retweets will create ripples of your information and will reach out to more people. 

Tip # 3. Increase REACH    

Tactic # 3: Creating more "Reach" of your content, can be achieved through your own "Followers" and other people present on the network. One needs to respond to what people are asking, give advises in your area of interest, talk more and influence them to share your content frequently and consistently. 

Tip # 4. Create & Increase ENGAGEMENT

Tactic # 4 : Engagement = More Reach + More Followers + More Retweets. 

Engagement is the ultimate goal of any company or firm. If you achieve Interactive Customer Engagement then you are a winner, because what else do you need when your customers talk with you and with other customers and talk about your Brand and carry forward the positive word of mouth all over the internet. Successful Engagement is the Key to your Success. 

The most important factor for which all businesses strive for is MORE ENGAGEMENT. and to achieve more engagement, one needs to build up its base by creating other three things - that is More Followers creating More Retweets, which will create More Reach..

So, start utilizing these 4 simple strategies to create and increase Engagement on Twitter. Let me know how you do it and drop me your views.

Who uses what for being Social - Indian Celebrities

Are you crazy for Bollywood & Cricket? Do you know which gadget your favourite celebrities use to hook up on Social Media Sites?

Here is a great Info Graphic for all you Bollywood & Cricket Lovers.. Go ahead and enjoy this post.

  Source: Watblog.com

Social Media in India - The Big Picture

This is an awesome Big Picture presenting the Social Media Facts and Figures during the year 2011

Source: Techonzo

Social Media Statistics of India

Want to know which Brands engage more in Social Media in 2012?

Here is a great Info Graphic to give you lots of data.

This Infographic has been designed by Socialbakers. 

How to get FAMOUS on TWITTER - Ask the Twitter Guru "Keith Keller"

Keith Keller - Twitter Guru                                                   

   

On one fine evening, I was searching some best personalities on internet from whom I can learn more about Social Media and Social Media best practices in real world for my Ph.D. work. And the first connection I made was with the Guru himself - Mr. Keith Keller. I had an opportunity to connect with him on Twitter. Later we connected on Facebook. His AWESOME posts on social media like info-graphics, motivational one liners, twitter tips, etc made me his regular reader and religious follower. His Twitter knowledge is mind blowing and that's the reason I call him - "Twitter Guru" (An India Version to Twitter Specialist). People in India might not have come across this great personality and So I decided to INTRODUCE you all this Awesome person. 

Keith Keller: “Twitter 4 Business Specialist” (Melbourne, Australia)

Keith Keller is a Global Identity. He is a popular speaker on the subject of Social Media and has appeared on numerous Radio shows, teleseminars and webinars across United States, Canada, Asia and Australia. 

Keith's latest project is "The Twitter Intensive" - From Zero to Hero in 28 Days ! - Isn't That Awesome? 

The Twitter Intensive is a program focusing specifically on harnessing the global possibilities on Twitter. Its like having your own personal Trainer in in the Twitterverse. 

Keith is also a Career Change Coach and a co-creator of the widely acclaimed Internet radio show Career Success Radio, which he co-hosted for over two years with Annemarie Cross. 

www.CareerSuccessRadio.fm 

Keith is a Passionate advocate pf Social Media, which he uses extensively to market and promote the show. As a result, Career Success Radio is now been downloaded well over 80,000 times and listened to in 120 countries around the world. 

That was a little Bio of Keith Keller, Now let me tell you more about his Work. 

Some of you Social Media Lovers might have come across this well known name - Michael Stelzner. He is  the Founder of Social Media Examiner, Author of the books - LAUNCH: How to Quickly Propel Your Business Beyond the Competition and Writing White Papers: How to Capture Readers and Keep Them Engaged, the popular Social Media Marketing Industry Report, and the man behind large summits, such as the Social Media Success Summit. 

Keith interviewed Michael Stelzner about his book: LAUNCH, where Michael revealed the formula that made him a millionaire in the Great Recession. 

The Elevation Principle: GC + OP – MM = G

Great Content plus Other People minus Marketing Messages equals Growth

Listen to the interview here

Michael’s book will show you how to:

• Create highly sharable content that meets people’s needs
• Identify and work with outside experts, many of whom will gladly promote your content
• Attract and retain raving fans that will help your business grow
• Creatively market and sell to people who will gladly purchase your products and services

Keith has channelized Social media in lots of areas. He has been a Coach to various Industries and have not kept himself limited to Business world. He has a whole lot of Global Client base from different and unrelated areas. That shows his versatility and ability to prove his excellence of "Twitter Knowledge" across various fields. 

Keith was also interviewed by Rob Brown (UK), motivational business speaker. You can listen to this awesome conversation about " The Power of Twitter for Global Networking " HERE


" Twitter for Music Business " is a project of Keith Keller. He has spoken about How Twitter can be used by Entertainment Industry people like Musicians, Singers, Actors, Dancers, etc.? How can anyone in the Music Business can profit from Twitter? Hon can one have an Awesome figure of Followers and Fans on Twitter? And this I think is the most important thing for anyone to have his / her own Fan following.


You can Listen to his wonderful Interview about " Twitter for Entertainment Business " HERE


In the modern world of publishing, increasingly a greater burden is being placed on Authors and Writers to undertake their own promotion and marketing to get books sold and create awareness. And so Keith has also talked about how Authors and Writers can take advantage of Twitter to promote themselves and their books : Twitter for Authors 


An Audio Interview has been recorded by Solutions Answers Results (An Internet Marketing Firm), Where Keith has specifically talked and answered questions on - 

• How can Authors use Twitter to build their brands globally and most importantly sell more books?
• How have Author’s he’s worked with had success using Twitter?
• What are the 3 essential things that Writers need to consider when using Twitter?

As i told before, Keith is also a Career Change Coach, He also helps other Life Coaches who needs to have connections and networking with more people. That's what he calls - " TWITTER FOR LIFE COACHES " Visit this link to find out more on what lies in for you.


Keith's work is recognized  and respected Internationally and He now have raving fans all over the world and across Australia.

Kasey Chambers - An Australian Singer Songwriter wrote recently :

" If Twitter & Google hooked up & had a love child I think it would be Keith Keller " 

 After saying all this, I can't stop myself adding one more important link here. That is Keith's awesome interview taken in Singapore and You can very well listen to it absolutely FREE :

" Digital Media in Australia : Interview with Keith Keller "

With this great note let me invite you all to a NEW WORLD with KEITH KELLER.

Connect with him on following links, I am sure you will love interacting with him.


http://www.globalsocialmediacoaching.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/KeithKeller
http://www.facebook.com/KeithKellerSocialMediaStrategist
keith@globalsocialmediacoaching.com

Happy Networking ! ! !