Jennifer Navarrete

Author: jennifer

  • The Social Media Transition

    person who is internet connected to the globeAs San Antonio continues to develop it’s Social Media Community, it’s been interesting to see how things continue to evolve.

    Back in 2005 when I was first interested in podcasting and created the San Antonio Podcasting Group, it was difficult to find the podcasting community. Over the last few years, it’s been a pleasure to see the questionable looks I used to get when I talked about podcasting turn into knowing looks.

    The same thing has happened with Social Media. A couple of years ago no one knew what I was talking about when I talked about Twitter. Now even CNN uses their tweet stream as part of their daily news.

    Social Media Breakfast and Social Media Club host monthly events to discuss how Social Media is transitioning our life, work and communities. Social Media Breakfast held a “Transition of Journalism by Social Media” topic in February. Look for upcoming “Transition Series” topics related to politics, education, non-profits, business and government.

    Feel free to drop us a line if you have a topic suggestion you would like covered in the Transition Series.

    Web Connected World Image from Techy Talk

  • Social Media Breakfast San Antonio

    With the successful launch of Social Media Club San Antonio in September 2008 and the continued growth in UnConference style events it appears it’s time for another San Antonio first.

    On Wednesday, January 21st Social Media Breakfast San Antonio will hold it’s first meeting. Founder of Social Media Breakfast and recent transplant from Boston to Austin, Bryan Person will be on hand to kick off the event.

    I attended a Social Media Breakfast in Austin last year and knew it would be a great fit for the Alamo City. We had just launched SMCSA so the timing wasn’t right. However, when I heard that Jennifer Milikien was also interested in bringing the SMB concept to San Antonio, I knew it was the right time.

    Join us on Wednesday, January 21st at the Magnolia Pancake Haus from 7:30am to 9:00am. to help us kick off the fun in style. Seating is limited to 20. So, be sure to register for your seat and breakfast from the Magnolia Pancake Haus.

  • Beginnings and Ends: Saying Goodbye to 2008 and Hello to 2009

    2009As the end of 2008 approached, the onslaught of list posts increased”

    “The Top 10 …”

    “The Things I Learned in 2008”

    And so on. Which then led to the inevitable list posts for 2009 predictions:

    “How to Make 2009 the Best Year Ever”

    “The 5 Things You Can Do to Start the Year Off Right”

    and let’s not forget, “New Year’s Resolutions for 2009”

    It’s enough to make your head spin. What is it with the need to recap a year and then immediately start off with a list of things you want to “do better” in the next? Sure we want to use the end of a year to look back and review what did and did not work. Pat ourselves on the back for our successes and shake our head for the failures. After all if we don’t know our own history aren’t we doomed to repeat it? The successes we don’t mind repeating. It’s the failures we’d like to avoid in the future.

    I was chatting with my sister recently who shared this observation, “Everyone has a better beginning of the year than they do an end of the year.”

    “Really, is that true? If so, why is that the case?” was my puzzled response.

    “People start the year full of hope and optimism. They’re excited and ready to make things happen or change, but as the year progresses they get bogged down and lose their energy” she elaborated.

    This got me thinking about beginnings and endings. If we are energized by the beginning and not so energized at the end, then why not adjust our perception of beginning and endings? What makes the beginning of a year any different than the beginning of a month, a day or an hour?

    Of course it’s the frequency that makes the difference. Every hour is too often. Every day is too mundane. Every month blends into the next. It’s the changing of the year that strikes a cord within us. Having to kiss goodbye to 2008 and say hello to 2009 gives us time to pause in the busyness of our lives. Time to reflect on what has been and plan for what, we hope, will be.

    Image by: Brewing Media

  • Staying Connected In A Time Crunched World

    We all lead busy lives. It doesn’t matter if you are a 9am-5pm cube dweller or a stay-at-home mom and dad. From the time we wake up until we finally close our eyes, we are busy. Time is already at a premium, so how are we supposed to add social networks into our jam-packed schedule?connect-four-game

    One of the great things about the social networks, Staying Connected,  can also one of the the biggest drawbacks. Sure we want to chat with folks from around the globe, get news as it happens, learn about people making a difference and even find out about amazing shopping deals but it does take time to participate on the networks in order to be privy to the latest news. If you’re already busy, it seems like a daunting task to take on Social Networking.

    Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the time you do have to participate on the Social Networks:

    1. Choose at least 1 but no more than 5 Social Networks. Remember each network requires your active participation in order to work for you. So take the time to investigate the networks that best suit your needs upfront.

    2. Find the mobile versions or tools for each of the networks. Almost all of the Social Networks have a mobile version or integrate with existing mobile tools. Think about the time you currently spend standing in line at the bank, post office, store or waiting for a connecting flight. These are prime examples of how you can use what would be considered wasted time to stay connected.

    3. Timing can work to your advantage. While all the Social Networks are available 24/7, there are optimum peak times to dip your toe into the busy conversation stream. By the same token there are also off-peak times in which your voice can carry further by interacting closely with fewer participants.

    4. Participate in the conversation daily. Sure we’re crunched for time, but if we don’t take the time to at least post an update or two daily, we’re missing out on keeping our connections current. The last thing you want to do is take the time to build up your presence only to have it fade away due to anemic posting.

    While there are many more techniques for staying connected these four are a way to get off to a good start. Feel free to add your tips and techniques for staying connected in a time crunched world.

    photo credit: ManiacWorld

  • NaPodPoMo 2008: Day 4 Becoming the Evangelist

    In the Evangelist to Muse Series, the first step to getting your project, idea or business off the ground is to become the Evangelist.

    Theme music is Dangerous Things by George Fletchers Bourbon Renewel

  • NaPodPoMo 2008 Begining of a New Series

    I begin a new series titled, “From Evangelist to Muse”

  • San Antonio AirFest 2008 Pictures and Video

    Yesterday I shared my airshow experience but neglected to post the pictures. Those of you who like watching planes will appreciate these. Those of you that don’t can skip forward to the next post.

    So here they are for your viewing pleasure:

    F-22 Raptor, Baby!

    Video of F-22 Raptor take-off

    Video of Blue Angels fly-by

    PlayPlay

    Podcast: Play in new window | Download

  • NaPodPoMo 2008 Day 2

    Today I went to the San Antonio AirFest and it reminded me that the moment I think I’ve seen it all, something new will pop up. I encourage you to give “the same old, same old” a renewed look. You just never know what will happen.

    Theme music is Dangerous Things by George Fletchers Bourbon Renewel

  • NaPodPoMo 2008 Day 1

    Here we are on the first day of the podcasting marathon that is the National Podcast Post Month.

    Thanks to all the brave souls who have decided to embark on this fun and crazy ride.

    I will be keeping my daily postings on one of a few shows.

    First is Living the Dream, Second, will be a show Luis Sandoval and I are co-hosting on Blog Talk Radio called Tech in Twenty. Third, will be a series of shows related to cultivating community.

    Now I’m off to listen to all of YOUR shows for day 1. 🙂

    Cheers!

    Theme music is Dangerous Things by George Fletchers Bourbon Renewel

  • NaPodPoMo: National Podcast Post Month 2008

    Last year, I was watching all the Twitter folks chat about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and NaBloPoMo (National Blog Post Month) and thought, “Oh, that’s cool.” Then I saw videobloggers chatting about NaVloPoMo (National Vlog Post Month) and thought, “Hey, if the videobloggers can create video every day in the month of November, then I should be able to podcast, too.”

    So I began my search for the podcasters who were participating in the November fun. Lo and behold, I discovered there was no such group. I was astounded. How could the writers, bloggers and vloggers be participating in the November daily postings but not the podcasters? It just seems crazy to think that as active and chatty as podcasters are that we didn’t have something to rally around.

    So following the lead of NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo and NaVloPomo I created NaPodPoMo or National Podcast Post Month. Of course I did this on October 30, 2007 and NaPodPoMo was set to start on November 1, 2007. Not a lot of advance planning or opportunity to let folks know this even existed. I’ve always been a “fly-by-the-set-of-my-pants” kind of gal, but this was ridiculous even for me.

    I set out to let my peers know what I was doing by making the announcement on Twitter and posting to the Podcasting YahooGroup. Those two simple steps launched NaPodPoMo and introduced me to a whole new group of podcasters I had never heard before. It seemed so daunting at first. These thoughts ran through my head, “A podcasts in a row for 30 whole days?! What was I thinking?”. After a while it was, “Hey, I’m halfway through this and I’m having a great time.” Finally, towards the end, “It’s almost over. I’m going to miss NaPodPoMo.”

    When the 30 days were complete, I discovered alot about myself and met some amazing folks along the way. So, now when I think about this year’s NaPodPoMo, I think, “I can’t wait to get started!”

    Cheers!

    NaPodPoMo created badge created by Shawno

    P.S. Below is a copy of the post I sent out to both the NaPodPoMo Alumni and the Podcasting YahooGroup.

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________

    It’s that time of year again.

    No, not Fall,

    NaPodPoMo!

    From November 1-30th we’ll be participating in the annual event which is the National Podcast Post Month.

    The conversations are already happening on the NaPoPoMo Ning site so swing on by to add your voice. http://napodpomo.ning.com

    The rules for the November 1-30th NaPodPoMo are simple:

    •Post audio in any form every day

    That’s it!

    Feel free to be creative. You can post a traditional podcast or use Utterli, BlogTalkRadio, TalkShoe, etc… Some folks have even incorporated video into their posts.

    There is no time limit. Got a one minute tip show or an hour long diatribe? As long as you post audio every day, it all counts.

    The site is open for new registrations. Tell your friends and start training now for the podcast marathon that is NaPodPoMo.

    http://napodpomo.ning.com

    Remember, hydration is key ;-D

    Cheers!