At the expense of sounding a little cocky, I’ll admit I’m one of the few Blacks (african-american if you prefer) in technology full-time. In addition to being a Social Media manager for political candidates, I provide digital strategies and traditional artist development for music companies. I know Twitter. I know Facebook. I know LinkedIn. I know Google+,I know Friendfeed, I could go on. Social Media is an excellent tool, but like all tools, it should be studied and tested for use. No person I know would use a weed wacker without proper instruction. However, this is precisely what Mr. Lee has done.

The strategy I offer to my clients decrees Twitter as the “megaphone” of Social Media activity. (While I’m at it, I’ll give you these for free; Facebook is the “conversation room” and LinkedIn is the “golf course”). Twitter is primed to make announcements that lead you to a larger conversation, on a capable network i.e., Facebook, Google Plus, etc.

Thus Spike Lee’s first mistake: No (conversation) plan for continuum of his Tweet.
Mr. Lee left no room for comment or crowdsource. A proper Social Media strategy would’ve had fans or followers to shout “WRONG PEOPLE, WRONG ADDRESS” from the rafters. Spike Lee never got the @gleonhard memo: “We’ve gone from the network [singular] to the networked [plural]. We’re now an interconnected web, and that includes some die hards that will do your fact-checking for you....duh.

Spike Lee mistake number two:  Another thing I make sure my clients know from a project’s inception is that, online, REPUTATION TAKES THE LONGEST TO BUILD. We know your movies Mr. Lee, but your online presence pales in comparison. You have no relationship with us--Blacks in technology (shameless friend plug, James Andrews, Baratunde Thurston, Rasheen Porter or Wayne Sutton)--all of which could have helped, even in putting out this fire you’ve started. Get with a Social Media manager and establish a presence online, you won’t make these bumbling mistakes, trust me.

Spike Lee mistake Le Grande: Misunderstanding the tool of Social Media. I say to music artists daily, “Your Facebook page is not your new street team.” Neither is your Twitter page Mr. Lee. Using Twitter as an announcement only tool really had you step in Brooklyn sidewalk dogshit (eew). Even Spike Lee went to film school. I’m not suggesting a full Social Media course, but a few doses  of Get Your Digital On would heal you bro.

Know what you’re stepping into before you step.

Like other Blacks in the space, we’re appalled, mostly because you didn’t check with us first. Spike, I can show you how to do this Social Media thing, and it’s cheaper than season tickets for the Knicks.               

"Networking" has been, and remains, a buzz for folks wanting to make it in business. Trust me, a full week will not pass without an invitation to some party, some gathering, some "networking" event. We're often told these gatherings are the places to meet our next investor, major connection, or client. But what is the true worth of networked parties and activities? Do we really gain as much as the proposed hype?

 

Just as we set rules for dating, our networking outings seem to warrant a set of rules also. There is absolutely no reason to see the same people over and over again, and gain nothing. In the end, countless emails and unreturned phone calls are not the goal. We network to gain connection, further our progress, and maybe even sell something. So what truly makes networking worthy?

 

• The Knowledge Factor

 Many people treat networking events as places to find investors or customers. Instead, look for sources of knowledge. When engaging in a conversation, check to see if you are learning something, you can talk about TV shows, the economy, and the weather somewhere else. You're looking to grow your business, and good information is a great place to start.

 

 

• The "no address, no business" rule.

I'm not saying that business cards without an address attached don't do business, but having an address means someone is paying rent or mortgage, hence, a real business. As a rule of thumb, I usually avoid businesses with no address. Don't get me wrong, I do make exceptions, but those are far and few between.

• Network Up

I often say "if you're the biggest fish in the pond, swim to a bigger place". Going to places that have folks or your level or below is a big red flag. You want to move up, so start by networking up.

 

Remember, the choice to say no is always available. You don't have to say yes just because folks invite you. Build your business, and have something to present when you go out. Too often, we network to make something happen, and we should be making something happen before we network. And remember, the next person you meet at a networking event, may have read this blog.

 

Happy networking.

I still hear the music in my head. Growing up, and being a huge (American) Football fan, Monday Night Football was the main attraction, the lights-camera-action, of a Football lovers week. Teams wanted to play there, fans wanted to watch there, and advertisers knew the space could provide top dollar. It was a good time for the NFL, and although some pundits blame the 1982 strike for the start of some decline in interest, the fact remains that Monday Night Football is not what it used to be.

So what does this all mean? For marketers, it means staying on top of your game. For artists, it really means to watch your back. Think of Gladys Knight. Her song &voice trancended genre, race, and creed. But the truth is she's not on the radio today, even if she does make a mean chicken and waffles. If and artist so regal, or (in the case of Monday Night Footbal) a day so royal can be an after-thought today, so can you, tomorrow.

Being prepared is always something we hear, and seldom practice. Plenty of entrepreneur and startup can attest: "when the money rolls in, minds get cloudy". Being prepared for budget increase is key to success. Knowing what to buy next, and who to spend it on, can make or break a company. Just because one year is fruitful, it doesn't mean all years will be. So saving, instead of spending your profit, is usually the best way to go. Of course you'll upgrade staff, equipment, or even offices. But don't start planning the company trip to Aria in Vegas just yet. Let the business grow first.

Something else to think is star power, or the lack thereof. Without John Madden and Frank Gifford, the faces we knew were no longer there. Gifford retired and Madden went on to invade our living rooms, and Monday Night? Fade to black, well until recently when Mike Vic scored over 50 points. And that's my final point. Even in a dead spot, your talent can bring it alive. I remember my cousin Joel missing watching the game with me, he missed history.

And that's just it. Shine in the dark, and be ready when the liight goes out. Are you ready for some football?

Twiiter. Facebook. Linkedin. For some, even Google Buzz.  Social networks have become a mainstay for many of us. Just a few years ago, we depended on news channels for most of what we consumed. Now, we actually get into broadcasting the news ourselves. From the Facebook “like” button, to the “retweet”, we just LOVE to blast out information we get from the four corners of the Internet. But besides doing it to fickle our interests, what is our reasoning behind re-purposing content? The likelihood of  getting a story first or even 100,00th is slim. For instance, if your Facebook or Twitter feeds resemble that of the folks you post to, re-purposed content can almost be considered nil. Re-purposing “old” content can give the appearance of you or your company being out of the loop. It is true, however, that re-purposed content can show expertise, and on that note these points:

*comments count
The true way to make your expertise known is to add your two cents. Most re-purposed content comes from a main post or article anyway. If you agree, say why. If you don’t agree, say why. We all love new information, give us some of your own.

*don’t re-tweet like a machine gun
Twitter users, you know where I’m going with this. Machine Gun re-tweeting may work for a sports event, but end it there. When you re-tweet in spurts and not spots, you show how little original content you really have in your arsenal.

*give credit, give credit, give credit
Put the shoe on the other foot. If you write something, would you want someone else to get credit? Nuff said.

Original content trumps all other. Never forget that. So be aware of how you use re-purposed content. That said, get to writing!

Suppose you need to divide a bunch of people into several groups — without giving any impression of bias or favoritism. It’s not the sort of problem that arises every day, of course, but mark my words: Come your next team-building exercise or morale event, you’ll be scrambling for a hat and some strips of paper. I’ve got a more modern approach. Let the Web randomize your teams for you.

Often, we look to the future. There's no harm in that, it the very thing that spawns growth. We need to/should grow. But often, focus on the future hinders our view of the beautiful present. I walk pass this tree EVERY day. Photo courtesy of my Nexus One.