GAP turned those concepts into a sweet PR stunt that had me flipped. It was for the launch if Sprize, a new loyalty program that gives you the difference back if an item you purchased goes on sale within 45 days. Check out the video.

Want to read the Amazon.com reviews of a book you’re purchasing? Take a snapshot and put on your “Goggles.” Debating what year the Sears Tower was built? Snap it, “goggle” it and get your answer.

While Google is still fine-tuning the program to increase its recognition of less concrete images, such as food and everyday objects like strollers, the vastness of what can already be searched is incredible. One thing to consider, however, is how an app like this will impact SEO.  Will sites need to begin indexing keywords and images to maximize search results?

And if you have an iPhone, well you are out of luck.

Organizations and coaches, in both the professional and collegiate levels are banning their players from using social sites such as Twitter and Facebook. These athletes are being penalized for posting about the training camp’s cafeteria food to poor calls from the referees at the game from the night before. If a post is affecting the reputation of the team and organization then yes, there should be consequences. But is talking about the horrible cafeteria food hardly a low blow to the character of the organization and its team?  So, where does the line get drawn? 

A recent story about athletes using social networking addresses this. Is it really something that can be regulated by monetary fines or is this a trend that cannot be controlled?

For me personally, becoming a student of social networking means providing value to clients and the community while growing professionally and personally.

So for anyone who has asked that question, here are 20 tips.

1.    It’s okay to start with baby steps but the key is getting started.

2.    Look at ways to become involved in the conversation.

3.    Worrying about making a mistake can paralyze you so don’t over think it.

4.    Start with something you know and share that expertise, even if you don’t have any followers.

5.    Once you start keep it up.

6.    Followers will come as you become consistent.

7.    Proficiency will happen the more you do it more.

8.    Learn by watching others.

9.    Take what you learn and build on it by finding resources designed to perfect your style.

10. Open your mind to the possibilities of each social platform.

11. Audiences are built over time as you open yourself up and offer something of value.

12. Realize it won’t happen overnight.

13. Don’t try to learn everything about all the social channels all at once.

14. Become a student of the social media area you believe provides the most value to your followers.

15. Then take on the next social media area and learn more and so on.

16. When you discover a new platform spend about a ½ signing up and learning about the application.

17. Seek out ways to simplify you post time. For example Tweets can be set up to post directly to Facebook and LinkedIn.

18. Simplifying your monitoring and response time with free services such as TweetDeck and HootSuite.

19. Take online conversations offline. Attend a TweetUp or ask to meet someone in person if you share common interests.

20. Most importantly have fun.

Nothing clears my mind more than putting on some ice skates and gliding around the River Rink or strolling through the festive lanes of Legends in Sparks to Christmas shop. The holiday feeling the area gives provides me with a warm fuzzy feeling on those cold winter days. Well, that and a nice warm cup of hot coco. Reno is alive with it adventure whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall and makes me feel so blessed to be a part of  this community.  Man I love this place!

Point of entry:  Everyone in the course started from different places. Some were quite proficient and for others it was brand new. The ability to communicate the importance of say Twitter versus a Facebook Fan page in a concise and effective manner really pushed me to think of experience beyond my boundaries. It drove me to see it from their position and how these tools could have a direct impact to personal brand and business interests.

Information gathering:  The flood of information available online can be overwhelming. However, anyone who is a student of social networking understands the importance of RSS feeds and social bookmarking to be efficient with their time. Without these two resources there’s no way I would be able to recite a fact, remember a case study or provide examples during the class.

Validation:  We all want validation that we’re doing something right but social networking is a different ball game. There is no right or wrong way. It’s about maximizing the socials sites to provide the value you need based on your vision statement and goals.

Learn from anyone: The neatest thing about social networking is that everyone is learning at different speeds and anyone can find new feature or an easier way to do something. This is especially true for newbies who have an incredible knack for finding new tricks. 

Interaction feeds knowledge: My personal quest for learning more was enhanced greatly throughout the course. Questions and the personal desire of the individual participants drove me to not only find answers but be active in the process.

My thanks go to Dr. Bret Simmons for inviting me to co-present and the students for their active participation that motivated me to learn and do more.

One social media story that I think has met success is that of Weezer, the band that made geek chic in the 90s, took a few breaks along the way and are now stronger than ever. They’ve been tearing up all things social with a huge presence on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and even the social music network imeem all combined with an e-mail campaign, web site and blog that’s dialed in with each of their social networks.

While the rock quartet surely has a marketing machine behind them, the content that’s being created is so true to the band’s identity and brand that it’s easy to forget that, while involved, Rivers, Brian, Scott and Patrick aren’t really at the helm. That authenticity filters through in stunts like the Weezer Snuggie, which includes a free copy of their latest CD “Raditude,” or their Twitterviews and video Q&A’s with the band.

Visit any of Weezer’s pages and you’ll be there for much longer than you anticipated, checking out tons of videos, blog posts, photos and more. And while some longtime fans have said the band is selling out, I think they’re just finally connecting with their audience and continuing to be relevant in a music landscape where so many artists never make it past their first album.

Enter RSS in Plain English.

I can’t thank enough the Plain English videos for simplifying RSS feeds and really bringing home why everyone should have a reader and subscribe. After viewing this video I was motivated (and excited) to see the power of RSS and how I could really focus the information I receive.

If you’re still wondering what an RSS feed is, then watch the video. It will change the way you receive information and you’ll find your capacity to learn more enhanced greatly.

I do the same thing on Facebook, wondering if I should accept a friend request from someone just because we have 35 friends in common, forget the fact that I’ve never met them and we have nothing in common (aside from those 35 “friends”).

I recently read a column in the New York Times about social networks that discussed the very thing I’d been debating with myself. It zones in on networks, especially LinkedIn, and users that are getting a little overboard with connections, “LinkedIn megalomaniacs” who connect with “practically everyone they pass on the street.”

So much of life is about numbers…the ones in your bank account, the ones on your Guitar Hero score, and let’s face it, the friend or connection count on your social networks. But, as the article points out, should we be placing so much emphasis on our connection counts that we’re willing to professionally vouch for or share our personal lives with complete strangers?

“With Google being a 21st-century electronic business card, it communicates one’s personal brand to the world–with a click of a mouse anyone can learn about you,” said Simmons. “Combine that with today’s intensely competitive business environment, and it’s even more essential to actively control what is being said about the value of someone’s unique skill set. You can control your brand and that’s what this course is about.”

Through hands-on coaching from social-media experts, students will learn how social-media tools correlate, as well as the most effective ways to use the tools discovered to create a personal brand. It will also go beyond traditional social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and static websites to demonstrate how to create and operate a dynamic blog and develop a presence on Twitter the right way.

Klingensmith founded RKPR Inc. in 2002 to provide clients with innovative communications strategies. With her 17 years of communications experience, Klingensmith offers a broad range of expertise with a variety of clients in various industries with strong emphasis on travel and tourism, focusing on the integration of social networking, new media and integrated communications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno and received her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) certification in 2003 from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Simmons teaches classes in organizational behavior, entrepreneurial psychology and research methods at the University of Nevada, Reno. His research currently focuses on positive organizational behavior and employee performance. In addition to academic publications, his research has been featured in articles by US News & World Report and USA Today.

Class dates for “Google Is Your New Business Card” are November 2 and 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. and November 16 and 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. Registration is required for the course, for information visit online or call the Extended Studies office at 775-784-4046.