Social media junkie? There’s a phone for that.

Thanks to my iPhone, I am a certified news (of all kinds) junkie.  In all seriousness, I don’t know what I did before I got this thing a year and a half ago.  I think I should be in rehab because I am so addicted to it.

It's snowing in my office, thanks to Ogilvy's new iPhone app

This phone has its definite advantages.  It allows me to stay up-to-date on current events- from national politics, what my friends doing, social media news with the touch of a button (literally, I love the touch screen!).  Editing my blog posts on the go isn’t a problem either, thanks to the WordPress application.  And today, I just discovered a new FREE app created by Ogilvy UK called “White Xmas” that will magically add snow to any picture you take on the iPhone (sorry Blackberry/other smartphone users…).  I am truly amazed at how far technology has come.  (I highly recommend this app to anyone with an iPhone, it’s so fun!)

Having this kind of phone made me realize what kind of “frontier” there is out there in the way of mobile marketing and media.  My good friend writes blog posts for a mobile marketing company called Vesta Mobile in Baltimore, MD and has touched on some very important and insightful topics, ranging from music iPhone applications to the new frontier of mobile marketing.  And it’s true.  E-marketer.com reported that the average number of mobile internet sessions per month (in October 2009) was 20, up from 10 just a year before.

My iPhone use is also helping me grow as an aspiring professional in the Advertising/Public Relations industry.  Familiarity with various social media outlets, iPhone applications, etc. will only increase my knowledge and credibility in this industry.

“I spend a lot of time networking and increasing social media presence, but it’s only for my own good and advancement!” is a general idea of what I say to my mother when she complains about how much I’m on my phone, computer, etc. haha.  I know you all understand what I’m saying.

Even for those not in the Communications industy.  When I returned to Loyola College for my senior year in September 2008, I SWEAR everyone had new Blackberries or iPhones that they bought over the summer.  It simply amazes me.  Everyone wants to be connected to everything else 100% of the time.

For all you smart phone users out there, how has your phone increased your use of social media, if any?  Does it help you stay on top of new media?  Would you rather drop the phone and stick to “traditional” uses of social media?

Send A Tweet, Brighten Someone’s Day

You know what one of the most awesome things about social media is?  Connecting everyone with the click [or tap, for touch screens] of a button.

Well, duh!

Sorry for stating the obvious.  I just read a great blog post about little ways to make the world a better place, of which all the suggestions would brighten my day.  And all of which can be done via social media.  With iPhones, Crackberries, and the like, it is now more than ever possible to send those random Tweet/Facebook message/texts/etc.  And while that is already listed as a suggestion, social media can be used to carry out the other suggestions as well.

For example, the last suggestion of connecting like minds?  There are functions for that.  Just a few weeks ago, my friend suggested that her boyfriend follow me on Twitter because we’re both graphic designers.  Even Facebook has an option that faciliates connecting people with their option called “suggest friends/fans.”  You can compliment someone by positively commenting on a blog post or posting an encouraging message on another website.  Just last week I had an old professor send me a LinkedIn message, stating how proud she was of me on my first design project post-grad.  I’m tellin’ ya, that made my day 100 times better.

Commending an employee must be the easiest thing to do on this list.  A simple email [CCing the employee in question] to a superior can achieve that goal, as I have already experienced in my 6 brief weeks of employment.  Leaving a more than generous tip at a restaurant encourages the good services of a waitress/waiter- I know, I waitressed for a year in high school.

Think about those options listed above.  How have you brightened someone’s day lately?