Social Media Club Review Paper

SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB REVIEW

I learn more about social media every day, and the Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) only broadened by understanding. Many members, interested citizens and students attended the meeting Monday, April 9^th.

While at the venue, Sweetly Divine, (Many were tempted to call it “Tweetly Divine”) I thoroughly enjoyed the 30 percent discount given to attendees. The seats were nearly all taken, as the meeting produced a packed house. Audience members ranged from young to old, students to professors, and single to married individuals.

It was a well ran event consisting of an introduction, “meet and greet,” multiple drawings, speakers and time to explore social media. Many guests took time to tweet about the experience, or update their facebook status. President Preston Parker made announcements and conducted the meeting, while other board members assisted where needed. Jason Williams, in charge of club events, spoke for fifteen minutes on the group’s trip to the state capitol.

According to Williams, the legislature is usually very protective of their information, and keeps their meetings “closed door.” However for the media club, things were different. Williams and friends were taken on tours, and had access to nearly anything they wanted. “We were treated so kindly either because of ignorance and not understanding, or completely understanding what we were,” Williams said.

Members learned from the trip how on-board with social media the state of Utah really is. “Utah.gov” has completely embraced it, sending reminders via Twitter and Facebook about voting and locations. Organizations can set their own reputation when they are involved with online sources.

I learned how much information is accessible via social media outlets. According to Williams, incredible volumes and amounts of information can be exchanged through “hash-tags” alone on Twitter. Also, social media has raised the level of engagement throughout the state.

Overall, the meeting was a success. It was well attended and smoothly ran. Guests participated by asking questions and feeding discussion. I am grateful I attended, and learned more about online media than I would have thought. It is not out of the question to see me at a meeting in the future!

Online Reputation Final

1217 E. 900 N.

Logan, UT 84321

TO: Alexsis R. Miller

FROM: Colton V. Thompson

SUBJECT: Social Media Research

DATE: April 4, 2012

Learning about you via social media, and essentially through any online source, was an interesting experience. Overall I found many unique pieces of information. Although most research revealed surface-level, general information, I still feel like I have a better idea of who you are.

Let’s start with your background/personal bio. Of course, it was easy to learn you are from Draper, Utah and attended Alta High School. It seems you come from a family of five, having one brother and one sister. You are 20 or 21 years old, have an interest in men, and are currently single. It’s great to know you attend Utah State University, and are an obvious proud Aggie. This fact can be derived from your constant “likes” of USU throughout the past four years.

So what are your likes, passions, and hobbies? Much like myself, you have interest in “The Office,” Utah Ute Football, Justin Bieber, and Gordon B. Hinckley. According to facebook, you are a very social, popular person. After all, 547 people call themselves your friend. It was fun finding how much you enjoyed spring break! Traveling to Hawaii with a group of fellow Aggies would have been a blast. You’ll have to tell me all about snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, hiking, and of course the epic “mud fight.” You also have a clear liking for “Scary Movie 3,” Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Nick Nash, and the ever-so-popular “Derfing” (That makes 2 of us).

I wanted to search many sources to decide how to describe the intriguing Alexsis Miller. Lucky for me, you did exactly that on your personal blog over a year ago! “If I had to pick another thing that you would notice at first is that I am smiling about 99% of the time. I am a pretty happy person, and in my free time, I simply love being with my friends. I also love watching movies and I also really enjoy spending time with my family back home.”

Alexsis, I couldn’t find much on your current or past employment, but I did notice you love to have fun. Besides the previously mentioned vacation to Hawaiian paradise, you enjoy many exciting activities! Attending Aggie sporting events, watching movies on Old Main, chilling with your girls, hiking in St. George, and roller-skating with friends are just a few worthy of the list.

It seems the two of us are more connected than originally thought. You major in Public Relations, I minor in it. We have attended many of the same events, parties, and activities on campus, and even taken a few classes together. There are many friends who we have “in common” including, but not limited to Drew Van Dyke, Scott Walker, Justin Merrell, Ben McKinley, and Bobby Boatman.

I was able to research much about your family. In your blog, you mention your father is African-American. On facebook, Gary Powers, a white man, is listed as your father. One can conclude that an African-American individual with the last name “Miller” is your biological father, and at some point your mother married Gary Powers, whom you refer to as “Dad.” Your parents obviously enjoy cycling, and watching your brother Steven play football for Alta High. Steven and Brooke, your siblings, both are happy, active young adults.

Recently you displayed not only your artistic, but musical talents in a photo-shoot with Tung Truong (also known as “Doom”). I wasn’t aware you and Doom were so close, we will all need to hang out sometime. In this photo-shoot, you can be seen rocking the drum-set, playing piano, singing into a microphone, and strumming a guitar. You comment “Four of my greatest talents.......all instagramed into one. This right here is abstract art,” showing a sarcastic side of your personality. However, you clearly do have passion for music and art.

In conclusion, you maintain a very clean, smart internet “self.” If employers stalked … err … I mean researched you as I have, they would find many positive things. You do not show any scandalous pictures, use any negative language, or brag about possessing bad characteristics. You are a fun, well educated, social individual. You have a few sources in which display information about yourself, but not as many as some emerging adults today. There is no record of you on “linkedin,” “myspace,” “bebo,” or “youtube.” There is lots of information about you online, most of which is very easily accessible. I look forward to continuing my studies with you.

Sincerely,

Colton V. Thompson