Learn your way around Twitter and Facebook with Mashable

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by
Steven Carlson
  on  December 29, 2009
  in  Useful resources
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These few days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve might be a relaxing time to catch up with friends and family. If you’ve already had enough of that, however, you can always apply your time toward learning about social media.

If that’s the case, you’re in luck because Mashable has just released its Guide Book to Facebook. This is your chance to learn the difference between a group and a page, and how to publish an event. There’s also a section on using Facebook for your business. (One notable omission is a guide to Facebook’s privacy settings.)

Mashable’s Twitter Guide Book is more comprehensive. Possibly that’s because Twitter is even more confusing than Facebook. Possibly that’s because this guide was published earlier (Mashable promises to continue adding updates). The Twitter guide includes video tutorials, as well as a glossary of Twitter terms (many of them quite silly, but nonetheless frequently used). Also included is a large section on doing business with Twitter.

If you’re a social media newbie, you might want to consult About’s social media primer. For a common sense perspective on social media, I highly recommend 14 social media lessons we can all learn, from Ian Lurie at Conversationmarketing.com.

  • Robert Nemeth
    To delete your web 2.0 accounts is not as easy as it sounds. Most of the operators don't like users, who want to quit.
    A new service helps you to commit a web 2.0 suicide:
    http://www.suicidemachine.org/
    "Try calling some friends, take a walk in a park or buy a bottle of wine and start enjoying your real life again. Some Social Suiciders reported that their lives has improved by an approximate average of 25%..."
  • Well spotted, Robert! The latest news on the Web 2.0 Suicide Machine is that Facebook has blocked it from deleting their user accounts. Here's the BBC's account: http://bit.ly/6T5sxW

    Naturally, we couldn't expect Facebook to welcome an application that destroys its business model. The interesting question is how big is (will be) the inevitable backlash against social media.

    Over the past few months I've made a push toward promoting nowEurope on several social media channels (especially Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn), and I've added several new social features to the site. (The Meebo Bar at the bottom of the screen is my latest addition.)

    My reasoning is simple. Our goal with CITT is to encourage the transfer of ideas, technologies, innovations and business processes from research labs to the marketplace. We're also tasked with formulating a plan for a new business cluster that will institutionalize technology transfer and foster innovation in the Centrope region, which includes bordering areas of AT, SK, HU and CZ.

    One good way to accomplish these goals, using nowEurope, is to inform and influence our existing relationships - friends, peers and business contacts. Social media channels are a the most effective way I know to extend nowEurope's reach, and accomplish these goals.

    I'm guessing you're not a fan of social media. I couldn't find you on Facebook (but I didn't search for you on IWIW.)

    I'm not saying social media doesn't have drawbacks, but I believe the benefits outweigh them. I would be interested to know your opinion on all this.
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