LeCompany

If you're trying to wrap your head around social media, you're not alone. There are several books on the subject and thousands of articles penned daily in an effort to explain it all. Social media has burst onto the scene and brought with it technology that's confusing for many. From business leaders to stay at home moms, folks are worried about getting left behind. Whether you're just starting out or looking to incorporate social media in your business strategy, I have a wonderful example for you to follow. His name is Lionel.

As a student of social media, I immerse myself daily in the words of thought leaders like Brian Solis and Jason Falls. In his book, Engage, Solis defines social media this way:

"Social media is the democratization of information, transforming people from content readers into publishers. It is the shift from a broadcast mechanism, one-to-many, to a many-to-many model, rooted in conversations between authors, people, and peers."

With that, it's important to know that social media is essentially about listening to others and engaging them in meaningful conversation whereby participants walk away having learned or resolved something. Whereas the technology used for conversation and interaction changes, the human element does not. Hopefully, that gives you some relief. If you can communicate effectively, you can succeed - regardless of the platform. That's where my friend Lionel comes in.

Lionel is not a social media guru nor is he a corporate CEO. He is a retired Cajun gent with a well groomed mustache who loves travel, nature, music, writing, and great wine. His passion for living and his genuine interest in the lives of others is remarkable. Whether he knows it or not, Lionel is an amazing communicator. His posts to Facebook are upbeat and positive and almost always tell a story. With his words he draws you in, sharing rich experiences that make you laugh or make you ponder. His style is playful and never forced:

"Should you encounter a Navajo... don't hesitate to amble up with a smile... and uttter... 'YA-TA-Hay...' It should extract a smile... If not, try 'Bah-o-hoony' and walk away!"

"An incredible Motel check out... Barstow Ca... Happen chance... a fellow enroute from Nevada to Ca... his mother's funeral... a group from Nebraska... having continental breakfast... and the Indian Owners... I mention my guitar... the Nevada fellow plays and sings... we strike up a song. "Old Smokey"... SING ALONG... 30 minutes later we are all friends!"

"Learned many years ago, most human beings... if not all, enjoy conversation... I will on occasion, select some distant subject... approach a total stranger... and pose... a question or two... igniting a chat. Recently at a local Costco... I decided to survey 6 seniors... "Have you ever picked cotton?"... much to my amazement 3 had!! ... we compared sacks, stalk heights!"

"Had two birds... crash head-on into our porch window... I was able to revive one, yesterday... with very delicate "CPR" on its little feathered breast... Bobbi and friend Roger, were spellbound... until the bird slowly opened its eyes... look around, then was set on the deck... where in a few minutes... he made a running takeoff... it was a Rufus Sided Tohee... "

So what can we take from these words and why should we be social like Lionel? I say, regardless of why you use social media, it's important to find a voice, to be sincere, and to say something worthwhile. Be consistent and engage your audience; listen to and share yourself with them. Eventually, you will become influential in your field. Our friend Lionel sure has... he's proven himself a pro at living life!

Why Facebook Will Die

2011-02-09T07:30:00.008-06:00

“In the Beginning, there was the Social Network…” Our modern creation story begins just so - from a tiny grain of sand came Something alluring and new. Soon thereafter an unexpected groundswell, a possessed and swarming buzz descended upon the land. It spread by words both digitized and from mouths; lips smacked of it on television screens. A new religion for the masses sprang forth amongst faithful and fervent clicking and with it the promise that all would be welcome, if only by request. Eventually a movie was made, and like prophets of old transcribing visions in the desert, we had documented and preserved our legacy for antiquity. Today, 600 million people subscribe to Facebook. Like others, I believe the social network will continue to grow - but unlike some, I say it will only grow for a while.

In the short run, the Word will spread: to Baby Boomers, late-adopters, and those anointed with the gift of Internet. But in the long run the voices of dissent will prevail, and the movement here in the States will be joined by others the world over in proclaiming the truth. They feel, and justifiably so, that given the tradeoff (what users surrender for what is gained), Facebook is short on both value and integrity. As a result, momentum will fade, public opinion will shift, and users will convert from buy to sell. They'll divest themselves of Facebook and opt for "liking" less risky, more attractive social networks.

I don't know everything about investing or free markets but I know a little. I know that history repeats itself and diversification is important. In the name of growth and returns, some entities take on extraordinary risk. They can become overvalued or so big, they fail. I know that consumer taste changes, and while loyal up to a point, they're also notoriously fickle. As a result, upset and turmoil in the information economy can result in dissent and dissolution of brand loyalty. Every minute of every day, competition stirs across the planet to meet and create new demand. This is why Facebook will die.

As wonderful as it is or currently perceived to be, Facebook exists within a free market. Meaning, it's subject to competitive forces and the whims of consumer taste, among other things. For the moment, Facebook is king. It boasts half a billion subjects around the globe and lays claim to a vast empire of riches. But history suggests the horizon carries the arrival of invasion: barbarians at the gate, marauding competitors, or even a threat from within. You can bet they’re toiling now, forging old technologies to new in a plot to divide and conquer. Once strategically positioned, they’ll fire arrows of innovation and herald the trumpets of security and privacy. The old kingdom, newly disenfranchised, will commence facilitating its own overthrow.

For the extended metaphor, this scenario is not far-fetched. That's because most Americans (and subjects elsewhere) are fans of democracy. They relish competition, crave variety, and bet the long shot. Dictators, monopolies, kings... child, please. Not for here, not for long. Call them impulsive or prone to fads, Americans elevate then love to hate - Tiger Woods, Sarah Palin, "King" LeBron James, anyone? Since time immemorial, people have loved to see the fall of Icarus.

What am I saying? Facebook cannot possibly hold dominance in the face of fickle users and rising competition. But how else is Facebook vulnerable? If privacy is not respected, Facebook will die. No one likes feeling betrayed, and by nature we avoid what can't be trusted. To think that people are squeamish now with the Patriot Act and Google's camera vans - in comparison, those small potatoes. With Facebook, you don't have to be a suspected terrorist to be under surveillance. "The data they collect on users rivals the best and most comprehensive company data base."

Imagine a scenario from the near future where you're at a restaurant enjoying dinner with friends. At a table close to you, a young lady snaps a picture of her date that incidentally captures you in the background. Moments later, she posts the picture to her wall. Thanks to Facebook's new face recognition technology, you get tagged at Mario's Family Eatery with a mouth full of meatballs. Life just got easier! For everyone to know your business, that is - marketers included. But hey, if you're not hip to these new features, it's no big deal. Just set aside 15 minutes of your day to figure how to opt-out.

One of my favorite lines from the movie, Coming To America, is when Mr. McDowell, after becoming fed up and furious, turns to King Jaffe Joffer and breaks him off with, "I don't give a damn who you are. This is America Jack!" And so it is, a land of freedom and diversity; a place where people give their spirit and support to underdogs just because. In 2011, they live by Burger King's tag line, not Henry Ford's. Whenever King Zuck proclaims, "you may have any social network you like, as long as it's blue and white," the people will say, "we'll have it our way, thank you very much."

And so the story goes. Facebook becomes viewed as tired and shady while competitors rise in the name of fair trade and force the king to abdicate his throne. These will be the social networks of the future, for the future. They’ll battle one another to best fulfill the demands of the enlightened. Their mission statements will tout words like ‘transparency’, ‘privacy’, and ‘respect’. The networks of the future will be innovatively conceived and creatively inspired. Information management will be fun and easy for users - following the prerequisites for design. Now more aware and risk-averse, users will divest themselves of Facebook, and go on to manage a portfolio of more evolved social networks. In the end, a brief commemorative service will be held for the departed. Those who gather to pay their respects to the blue and white screen will do so if only for nostalgic reasons, while not a few will be distractedly checking in to their newest account.

For Starters - 5 Social Media Tools

2011-01-25T07:24:00.010-06:00

My girlfriend says to me, "I like social media and want to do more with it... but it's just so exhausting and time consuming." And so begins the conversation. We discuss the social media phenomenon, how quickly it's emerged and how fast things change. Smart phones, tablets, gaming systems, laptops - the opportunity to network with friends and strangers is everywhere.

Perhaps you're like her. You want to take advantage of social media but don't want to spend your life staring into the digital abyss. We laughed about the Windows Phone commercial. You know, the one where a woman is texting in the shower and another, while tweeting and jogging, smashes into an innocent bystander. The announcer declares, "It's time for a phone to save us from our phones." So true. But it's not enough to be saved from just our phones. We need tools to maximize efficiency across devices and social media platforms so that we can live our lives.

Let's begin with some efficiency tools. If you feel like you're spending too much time on different social media sites, it may help you to group them together. HootSuite and TweetDeck are what I call social aggregation applications. Essentially, they pull information from your social accounts and slap it on one screen. By setting up one account you can handle business for all the others. New information - like status updates and tweets - is updated continuously. Want to share a funny video with Facebook friends but not with LinkedIn contacts? No problem. Just select the appropriate platform(s) for which to share and you're golden. Do the same thing on the go by using one of these on your smartphone.

If you're a visual person, one option for managing your social world is Spindex from Microsoft. While this application is similar to HootSuite and TweetDeck, the interface is strikingly different. Instead of organizing everything into text-based columns like the others, Spindex presents information visually, like a magazine. Additionally, there are sections for "recent photos" and "trending" topics - both of which are generated from the user's network. For better or worse (think: staying focused), Spindex is integrated with Bing so that when a user clicks on something, the search engine displays related information. For all the upside, Spindex doesn't support LinkedIn yet, so it may not fit your needs.

After you've established a social media command center, you should consider some simple analytic tools, especially if you're in business. PeerIndex and Klout are great places to begin. PeerIndex can reveal if you're staying on topic by mapping the information you disseminate across eight categories like technology, sports, and politics. A little yellow box indicates your PeerIndex score (from 1-100) which is derived from your activity, audience, and authority. Ever wonder how your influence ranks against the competition? Select up to five others and PeerIndex will plot a graph for comparison. I like to monitor how I'm stacking up against social media gurus like Jason Falls... heh.

Like PeerIndex, Klout has a formula for measuring influence. Your Klout Score (1-100) is a factor of over 35 variables broken into three categories: True Reach, Amplification, and Network. The Klout Classification is a matrix that illustrates your influence and how you use it. A few weeks ago, I was a Specialist but today I'm an Explorer. Who knew? Dig deeper into the analysis to learn details about your reach (audience engaged?), amplification (are you generating action?) and network (are they influencers?).

So what are you waiting for? Get organized, get efficient, and learn more about your social activity. After that, get outside and have some fun!

Essential iPhone Apps - Two for January

2011-01-17T08:10:00.006-06:00

By: Marc-Alain Reviere

There are now more than 133,000 applications available for the iPhone.

For crying out loud, make sure you have the essentials.

Music Essential: Public Radio Player

Music is marvelous! It inspires, moves, and grooves. For me, public radio can't be beat. It's authentic. It's diverse. It's America. KRVS in Lafayette, Louisiana features New Orleans jazz and creole zydeco stomp. Seattle's KEXP beams the best indie on the planet from artists like Arcade Fire and Wilco. The Public Radio Player is a sound way to catch the waves.

In no time you'll forget about opening browser windows and Googling for something of interest. Launch this app and search for public radio every which way: by state, call letters, or even program name. Honkey Tonk Heroes anyone? Yeee-ha!

You'll probably want to create a favorites list to archive the amazing, obscure stations you'll discover. Within the app, internet browsing is available but you won't be able to run other apps simultaneously like you can with the iPod app.

If you're a lover of music, throw one hand in the air. Use the other to download Public Radio Player.

Creative Essential: Instagram

If you enjoy picture taking but don't like toting a camera around, you'll appreciate what Instagram can do for you. Although digital cameras capture higher resolution images than any iPhone, Instagram levels the playing field with fun, creative filters.

Filters are effects that can be applied to existing photos or to those that you are about to take. Big deal right? There are a thousand photo editing programs that can do the same thing. Well, not really. Instagram turns ordinary looking pictures into captivating ones almost every time. What's more is that its free, and ease of use is unmatched.

The effects take names like Nashville and Apollo. An ordinary digital picture of my dog was transformed into a Polaroid from the 80's. The new image now similar to a hazy memory or a memento from an old picture album.

Those who like to share will fancy Instagram's integration with popular networks like Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr. There's also a community within the app where members can view and rate pictures. If your snaps are good enough, they just might make it onto the Popular page.

If I had to gripe about anything at all, it'd be that Instagram is available on the iPhone, iPod, and iPad only. That means, augmenting photos stored elsewhere will require a transfer process. Even so, Instagram is a fun, creative tool that takes iPhone photography to a whole new level.

~ Essential iPhone Apps. A new monthly scribble from thecompanyproductions.

2011: A Camera Odyssey

2010-12-30T19:45:00.002-06:00

For the past two years, I've used a Sony Cybershot DSC-W90 for all of my business and creative needs. Thankfully, it's proven itself as a very dependable and highly capable instrument. Along the way I've captured thousands of great shots and more importantly, discovered a real passion for producing videos.

Sitting in my office earlier this month, I thought about all the juice I'd squeezed out of that little point-and-shoot. I also reflected on my business and creative projects - how they've evolved and become increasingly complex. Perhaps the "little Sony that could" had pulled enough weight already. So with Christmas on the brink and my girlfriend suggesting an upgrade, I began to research.

Frankly, the process was much longer than anticipated. Half of my time was spent comparing rival products and their features. Half was spent determining what I needed and didn't. I used helpful websites like digitalcamerainfo.com and www.dpreview.com. These are great for product discovery, comparison, and in-depth reviews. The best website for making a final decision, it turned out, was none other than YouTube!

The big challenge throughout the process was balancing needs vs. wants against a backdrop of real financial constraints. The Great Recession has been kicking my ass just like everybody else. Anything above four hundred bucks including tax, memory cards, etc. was completely out of the question.

Eventually, I figured out what I needed: the ability to capture HD video with stereo sound, 9 or more megapixels, and at least 10 times zoom. Three cameras met the criteria: Sony's Cybershot DSC-HX1, Canon's Powershot SX30IS, and Nikon's Coolpix P100.

How did I reach a decision? First, I read comparisons and expert reviews as mentioned. Then I searched YouTube and watched "unboxing" clips along with footage recorded by each camera. Lastly, I drove to Best Buy and played around - even though it was right before Christmas and the place was a freaking zoo.

In the end, I decided on the Nikon Coolpix P100.

Indeed, the Canon does several things better than the Nikon: longer zoom, better stabilization, a more maneuverable display, and four extra megapixels. All that is nothing to sneeze at. But the Canon's video capture capability tops out at 720p and sources describe its capture duration as "short." The SX30IS is a fine camera, I just think it was designed for photography first and video a distant second. With several cheaper compacts already offering 1080p, I just couldn't do it.

The Sony DSC-HX1 was tough to dismiss. The product has remarkable reviews and has been out since 2009. A big part of me wanted to remain brand loyal too. But there were glaring deal breakers. The process of zooming with the DSC-HX1 was like pouring cold molasses from a jar. It was that damn slow. I factored in other drawbacks: lowest-in-class resolution (9 megapixels), premium price tag ($400), and a looming forced purchase (Sony's proprietary memory products). My decision had become clear.

Is the Nikon Coolpix P100 the undisputed best-of-breed? All I know for sure is, "I got a Nikon camera ... I love to a take photograph ..."
~ Paul Simon, Kodachrome

Old Video Tech Trumps New iPhone 4

2010-08-19T12:41:00.026-05:00

by: Marc-Alain Reviere

With the recession and all, I'm in no position to dole out coin for the new iPhone 4. It sure would be nice though - to have all those whipper-snapping-features!

Specifically, I love the idea of being able to produce a video from the palm of my hand. That's just epic. I mean, think of everything it took in the 80s: a thirty pound camera on the shoulder, jumbo cassettes, editing booths, and big hair.

< ... Returning safely to the year 2010 ... >

And so I pondered. How can I create quick quality videos from the palm of my hand without spending any money? Can I make it happen with older technology? Indeed, necessity is the mother of invention.

With that I am happy to introduce my patented video production technique I've dubbed "the bird." I call it that because it's on the cheap. Get it?

All you need is an iPhone (any version) and a point and shoot camera that records video. Use your iPhone's external speaker (bottom of phone) and favorite application to play the appropriate song or sound. I launched the KEXP music app for the on-the-fly-video below.

First, start recording video with your camera and get the music. Next, carefully position the iPhone's external speaker next to the camera's built-in microphone. Pretty cool right? No editing program needed to add an audio compliment. It's the bird - flying high in a down economy.

Video captured at The Menil Collection in the Montrose neighborhood of Houston, TX.

After Skyline Winter Houston

2010-01-12T22:38:00.006-06:00

by: Marc-Alain Reviere

more comfortable now.

the process and moving pictures.

in black and white.

cars and cold.

building structure.

i hear, this art is commercial.

some frames tell stories.

i'll never know about.

good by me.

With Friends Like These

2009-11-30T18:28:00.022-06:00

By: Marc-Alain Reviere

My first ever entry for my first ever client.

Jack Daniels, if you please

Knock me to my knees
You’re the only friend
That has ever been
That didn’t do me wrong
~ David Allen Coe
Certain friends are good for certain things. My sister Jeannie is the first person I call when I need a good laugh and my girlfriend Colleen is my go-to gal when I need a workout partner. That’s not to say Jeannie can’t guilt me into exercising or that Colleen is incapable of delivering a smile and a belly laugh; I’m just saying that everyone is better at some things than they are at others. Which brings me to to David Allen Coe’s drinking song quoted above.
To be sure, Jack Daniels, Brandy Alexander and Tom Collins can be thought of as a type of friends with benefits. For example, alcohol is proven to be an effective social lubricant and to this I can attest. For better or worse, I’ve met each of my last three boyfriends in bars with the help of friends like these!
But seriously, the health benefits of consuming alcohol in moderation have been splashed across headlines in recent years. One 2009 study suggests that regular, moderate alcohol intake has mental benefits in older adults. Other research indicates that moderate drinking may reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes. As a moderate drinker myself, I smiled when I read those headlines and toasted “to me!” for being such a wise 31 year old.
But while alcohol may be good in some circumstances, my mind wondered … what about others? For instance, quality sleep has eluded me for several years. Could alcohol be the culprit? What does science say? I began to wonder if my ‘friends’ were the ones keeping me awake at night.
To my surprise, the first Google result read like this: A national U.S. study found that moderate drinkers are more likely to get enough sleep each night, exercise regularly and be at a healthy weight than nondrinkers and heavy drinkers. Say what? Moderate drinker: check. Exercise regularly: of course. Healthy weight: yup. Enough sleep: (enter train-wreck-sound-effect here). What gives?
Based on findings and expert opinion discovered during my subsequent research, I learned a bit about how alcohol mixes with sleep. Alcohol consumed prior to bedtime may decrease the time required to fall asleep. However, alcohol consumed within an hour of bedtime appears to disrupt the second half of the sleep period. The same disruption may occur even when people consume several hours prior to bed, during happy hour for example.
Equipped with this new knowledge along with some helpful tips from author Dr. Michael Breus, I’ve devised a new approach that, ideally, will allow me to: (a) continue to enjoy adult beverages, (b) realize some potential benefits related to consumption, and (c) get a better night’s rest.
Taken from his book Good Night, Dr. Michael Breus offers some rules on alcohol if you drink:
1. Take a multivitamin with minerals that morning. This is to replace what you will likely sweat out.
2. Consume at least forty ounces of water the day prior to drinking. This again helps dehydration.
3. Drink one glass of water with each drink and don’t start another without finishing your glass of water.
4. Go for clear liquids and white wines (these have less of a likelihood of hangover). Avoid sugary blends, such as cocktail mixers/syrups and regular soda.
5. Remember to go to bed at a reasonable time (preferably your usual time) so you’re not increasing sleep deprivation while drinking.
So while my adult friends Jack, Tom, and Brandy may be great for facilitating conversation with an attractive member of the opposite sex, they seem to be less adept at promoting genuine quality sleep. For that, Dr. Breus suggests a warm bath and a nightcap with Herb tea.