What to Think Before Using Social Media

In my last post, I shared a article from Backstage that gives some advice how to utilize SNS to advertize as an actor.
Today, I found an article that gives a basic picture of social media management.
Should I Outsource My Social Management?


This article is focusing on private owned (probably small) business; however, I think you can get the same kind of idea for a big company too.
In the article, Jonathan Payne points out some common responses from a business owner about outsourcing social media management:

• A Social Media Agency wouldn't understand my business
• They would not be passionate as I am
• I cannot let them to handle my company's image

 It sounds understandable response and many of you might think having some employee of your own company to do social media management is safer and more efficient.


I don't think the problem is that easy.


Even if your business is big enough and able to hire someone for social media management, how do you know that person can get rid of your worries?
When an event planner or project manager is different from social media manager, you still have to work on the communication between them to deliver correct intentions and images.

Moreover, mutual understanding of their work is indispensable.
Event planners and project managers (or business owner in Payne's article) need to remember that social media is not magic. Social media is popular today, but you cannot rule the world by it.
And social media managers need to be responsible to keep learning about the content of what they are publishing.


You can list hundreds of reasons to use or not to use social media, but I'd like to start simple:
      Have realistic expectations and goals for social media management/marketing.




今話題のソーシャルメディア。
今回はソーシャルメディアのアウトソーシングに関する記事の紹介と私なりの考察です。

小規模なビジネスの場合、担当の人員を割くことが出来ず、アウトソーシングを検討することもあるかと思います。しかしアウトソーシングに不安や心配はつきものです。

• 果たしてアウトソーシングした会社は自分のビジネスをきちんと理解してくれるのか
• 自分達とアウトソーシング先との間で意識や熱意に差は出ないだろうか
• ブランドイメージの左右をアウトソーシングに任せていいものか

しかしこれらの懸案はアウトソーシングした場合にのみ発生するものではないはずです。
例えば自分の会社でソーシャルメディア担当の社員を確保したとしても、企画や営業との連携が成り立っていなければ、先ほどのような不安事項はぬぐい去ることはできません。


では何が大切なのか。
結局は意思の疎通なのではないでしょうか。


ソーシャルメディアの担当者が上手くやってくれるはずだ、ではそう上手くはいきません。ソーシャルメディアは魔法ではありません。利点もあれば欠点ももちろんあります。
目新しいからやってみよう、では効果を十分に発揮することは出来ません。
また、ソーシャルメディアの担当者は、自分が広報を担当する案件をしっかり理解していなければ、顧客に内容を理解させることは出来ないはずです。


ソーシャルメディアは今話題の分野であり、多種多様な意見や批評があるのでしょうが、とりあえず一番切に思うのは、見込みと目標を明確にすること。

確かにキレイなデザインで目は引くけれど、
何が伝えたいのかわからない
　　　　　　↓
消費者から見て何が得なのかわからない、
　　　　　　↓
一度は見ても、継続的な効果が得られない
という循環に陥っているページを多く見かけ、残念だなと思うことがよくあります。


ソーシャルメディアで何か出来そう！というワクワクを忘れないまま、
もっと様々な可能性を探っていけたらいいなぁと思う今日この頃です。

How to Promote Your Show on SNS

Being an actor means you also have to be a creator, manager, and promoter.
Today, many people use Facebook to advertize their shows/event.

Here is some advise from Backstage: How to Promote Your Show through Facebook
It would be helpful not only for actors but also for anyone who need people.
For example, when you need hands for moving, or simply throwing party on weekend, or might even for selling stuff from your house.

What we need to remember is that SNS is just a tool to interact with people, not a world you can have a superpower to do anything.
It is important to have a good relationship with them in your real life.
:)


P.S. My show, The Angel Academy runs three more Wednesday!
Come all to The Next Stage Theatre (1523 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood 90028) at 8pm!

Economic Impact of Entertainments

There are some people who say scientists are superior to others because they save human life and create better life. And also other people say entertainments/arts are not so important because they are just doing for fun.

Is it true?

I don't think so. Entertainments create many jobs in the United States and help communities. creativeamerica posted a great image that can show you how entertainments industry is supporting America.
Economic Impact of Film&TV in America

Many would think the economic impacts happen only in California and New York, but through the image you can see the effect of the business in outside of the major entertainment locations. Moreover, as I discussed in last post, more and more productions are starting in other states.


And one more thing to say to those of who think scientist are better than artists;

Scientist might be able to create life.

But what good is living?

Artists can create the reason of living. 

That is what my professor taught us. 

Therefore, I have no reason to feel inferior for being in entertainment industry. :)

Favorite summer activity?
Shakespeare in park!
In Los Angeles, Independent Shakespeare Co.  produces free Shakespeare show at Griffith Park every summer for nine years.
This year I went to see Midsummer Night's Dream.

Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite Shakespeare piece.
This is the second time in this year for me to see this show.
Also, I once played Titania in my school production.

People who don't usually go theatre may see Shakespeare as some unapproachable subject; however, Midsummer Night's Dream is easy to follow since the theme is semi-permanent and actors usually adopt obvious gestures.

So, grab some wine, go to park, and enjoy some free shows :)

Music Apps Are Way Cooler Than I Knew

Hi! What are you doing for your long weekend?
 Me? I'm trying some music apps (is that how you call?) just for fun.
I'm surprised that everything I checked here is FREE!
Who wouldn't love that?



1. Party Cloud
This is a website that you can  DJ.
You don't have to install anything. Just go to their page, and you are ready to play!
They already have music for you too. (Approximately 20millions songs! @_@!)
I have never tried DJ, but hey, why nor try?
Well, note to myself: Try privately before you embarrass yourself in front of friends. 

2. plug.dj
You can sign in with Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ account and create a playlist from youtube.
In plug.dj, your playlist becomes your "room."
You can invite your friends to your room and share the playlist with them.
Of course you can go to your friends' room and check out their lists.
What is different from Sportify?
You can watch the music videos!
I like watching music videos. It gives me the images more than I just receive from the song itself.
(And hey, there are so many actors working long hours for music video shoot.)
I also would create a playlist of performances from Tony Awards!
It sounds theatre nerdy, but I'm honored if you call me so.

3. Rolling.fm
This one seems something similar to plug.dj.
You can sign in only by Facebook account.
Multiple people can be DJ in a room and share their favorite music.
Or you can make it a closed event that only who has the link can access.
I couldn't really try this one since there weren't many people playing, yet I'd love to try later.

I have my account for Pandora and Sportify, but neither of those didn't really fit in my style.
Now I know there are some other option I can try :)
Do you have any other recommendation? Let me know!