Every once in a while, I come across a video on YouTube (or a slideshow on SlideShare) that really captures the excitement, data, and the importance of what social media is all about.

While navigating to CastTV to check out the newest episode of Vampire Diaries (I know…), I saw a link to this video, which was being viraled on YouTube.

In presentations and trainings on social media, I’m always asked if it’s “a fad” and “what’s the point?”

In order to answer this question, I have to take a step back and put myself in the other person’s shoes. Do they have experience in social media? What is their daily life like? Does social media impact their job? Do they have a smartphone? a need to keep in touch with people using these networks?

Change is scary. Technology can be scary too (and overwhelming). So, the first step is to focus on the concepts instead of the technology and the platforms. Keep things basic. Give numbers and metrics. Show a video like the one above or one of the “In Plain English Videos” (I like those too).

And stay calm. Answer questions with facts and let people form their own opinions on social media. You’ll win them over.

(and the fatboy slim song in the video above should help with that too)

Please Visit Me - A New Site to Suggest What You (really) Want.

One thing that I like about the Internet is it brings “hinting” at something to the next level.

Know what you want for christmas? Easy- just make a wishlist and casually send it over to someone.

Online retailers have become increasingly better at helping people to get what they want.

You can write about it on your blog, twitter about it, update your gchat/facebook status – it’s making it a little easier for people to know what you really want – without even having to ask you.

Similarly, sites like Please Visit Me, circumvent all methods of what one would consider proper social etiquette and allow you to enter in both your information and your friend’s information – and your nearest airports – and an e-mail is automatically generated that finds an inexpensive flight (and sends a really friendly email).It even gives you the option to search for hotels, too.

I’m just upset they haven’t partnered with Kayak or SideStep for searching for flights- so much better!

The e-mail said:

Dear (I’m not a player) I just crush a lot,

alana marie has invited you to come visit.
We’ve checked prices between Albany, NY – Albany (ALB) and New York, NY – John F Kennedy (JFK) where your friend thinks you would fly from and found prices as low as $117.

hint hint.