I really need to blog. I know I need to blog. So here's my blogger away message: I'm away right now doing a lot of things. Innovating or something. Blogging is not one of those things. That is all. I'll be back soon.

I've been thinking about advocacy... the greatest advocacy of all being between a mother and child. The important moment when the easiest and best thing you can do is just be there. Stand up for them. Listen and understand the person you aren't. I don't have kids yet but I'd like to believe that in […]

"The survey, published Jan. 26 from the Congressional Management Foundation, found that of  138 senior legislative office managers and communication staffers, 20 percent said Facebook is a "very important" tool for communicating a member's views. But only 8 percent said it is very important for understanding constituents' views. The divide between broadcast and feedback is […]

Lerner Farrington wrote this post (that I can't find) a few months ago that really got me thinking about this blog. Thinking about how it shouldn't jut be a how to, 100% functional place because that's not how I connect with people. It's not my style in real life so why should it sound that […]

This video is too adorable and funny for me not to share. Plus, it's my first video in a series of posts that will try to figure out the "viral coefficient" of viral video. So, people smarter than I -- what makes this video viral? My vote, it's different to hear a little girl in […]

Throwing a great tweetup isn't as easy as throwing a great party (where free alcohol= good time). Ok, maybe it is. Regardless of the alcohol availability, here are a few ideas to throw a great tweetup. Partnering with a conference to get on the official schedule Hosting at a bar — offer 2 free drink […]

90 million tweets are sent every day. 70% of them are about TV. Why? You get 168 hours a week to save the world, breathe, all that fun stuff. If you're in work for 45 hours a week (lets face it, the 40 hour work week is a fantasy) and the average person watches around […]

Me in 140 characters or less? No way. That's why I started this blog. I'm Katrina and I live in Boston, MA where I work in social media at Care.com. This blog, however, does not represent the thoughts of my company -- only my rants. Read my blog if you want social media tips that […]

I keep getting the "your blog has Twitter, do you have any Facebook info?" Before today my answer was, not really which is a shame considering the amount of time I spend on the site. I love Facebook. It's a great place to tell your company's story, share success stories and start a conversation. I'd […]

I was thinking I should start to blog about things I like and other topics I can write, edit and post. When I write too much, I find myself going on tangents and then no good writing happens. This week, I was doing a competitive analysis and found Topsy. Why do I like it? In […]

I want to be made into the NFL's social media manager. OK, I'll admit that's a bad MTV reference but watching the playoffs on Twitter and how @NFL is operating- I want to be their social media ninja.  I've worked (and am working) in social media for some really amazing companies but it would be […]

"How should we get the word out about a new product? I want brand awareness! Brand recognition!" Now, one thing isn't going to magically create branding but one important piece of the brand awareness puzzle is online sponsorship. I file these sponsorships in 5 categories: Content Sponsorships: Sponsor content about specific brand related topics on […]

Laurie Ruettimann is my blogging idol. The point of telling you? I'm following her lead. For my end of year posts, I'm talking about accomplishments, failure, regrets, and resolutions. I can't promise I'll stick to posting daily as I'm taking a flight at the crack of dawn to North Carolina tomorrow for a big spoonful […]

How do you promote Twitter to people who aren't using Twiiter? Hm. Well, my first thought - not on Twitter.  Here's the question I got (with slight revisions): Hey Katrina, Thanks so much for your time. So,  I am helping a company run their live Tweet from a conference. We are going to hold 3 […]

Walking the streets of Boston, you'll notice plenty of store fronts have the signs - "Follow us on Twitter" or "Like us on Facebook" - but what do they mean for the business? Is anyone listening? Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake is. They're using what you're Tweeting and posting on Facebook to give guests an […]

I'm a social media geek so I guess the first reason is: "I have to." I wasn't intrigued by Foursquare until I checked in at the Ben and Jerry's in Harvard Square and got a great deal. Now I check in pretty often - who doesn't love a discount? I also like seeing real-time tips […]

Have you ever attended a social media class? Do you have a bachelor's degree in social media? Well now you can at Birmingham City University in the UK.  Initially, I approached " Is a university course in the use of social media a degree too far? " with a bit of skepticism. How do you […]

If you work in social media, I'm sure you've gotten the question: "I signed up for that Twitter thing. Can I get a 101 or a Twitter dictionary?" I tried to search for one and didn't find anything that broke down the Twitter language and defined its value proposition. So, here's my best attempt. Twitter […]

I love great ideas and this. Well this is a fantastic idea. It's a YouTube video that allows the user to rewrite the ending to their experience. Yes. I said pick your own ending YouTube video. The video came from the tippexperience's YouTube channel. It starts with the title "A hunter shoots a bear." 5 […]

Yes, I said it. Rules. Now, this is probably common sense but just in case: Shorten the content of the text before you delete the twitter name of the person who RT'd.  It's important to give credit where credit is due. Write for the RT.  Make sure there are at least 15-25 characters unused of […]

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at Geekend in Savannah Georgia about social networking and the job search. I got quoted for saying "Don't be stupid". I like to keep it short and simple and if you know me in real life, you're probably not surprised. One of the topics […]

Looking for a quick and easy way to increase followers and start conversations? Try a 3:1 Twitter ratio. 3 RT's of content relevant to your company that you did not author 1 Tweet of your own content. This can help accomplish a few goals really easily. Get people's attention so they  know your company or […]

I loved this post. They get to the point about why your fans want to share information in a really concise way you MUST read if you're interested in creating a social media presence for your brand or yourself. In fact, these 3 things should be posted on the wall next to your computer to […]

What should a social media manager do exactly? This is just my (very brief) opinion. I know it can be different based on company culture and goals. Create Content: A lot of content. That could be YouTube videos, blog posts, albums of pictures on Flickr but it has to be there and it has to […]

Inspire your brand evangelists to write about your product by giving a prompt. Ask the question that will inspire varying opinions and one you know your audience is passionate about.With the prompt, ask them to blog about it and post the links to their blogs in the comment section. Then, offer to cross promote them […]