Wild Web West

You've heard it on the news, in emails, online and from your friends and family.  Lets face it, the likes of Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media tools are here to stay.  Even if you can't come home to Idaho County physically, there are plenty of opportunities surfacing online that allow you to connect with friends, classmates, business contacts and prospects that enable you to virtually come home to Idaho County.

Twitter.com deserves mention.    While Idaho County is very slow to venture into this micro blogging mechanism, the information gleaned has been of great value so far.  I have setup a Twitter alert that picks up twits whenever the keywords "Idaho County" or "Grangeville Idaho" are mentioned, and are emailed to me in a weekly digest.  From information about Idaho County's public health department reports on local eating establishment violations, to weather advisories and swine flu outbreaks in Idaho County, the value of information we can glean from this instant messaging tool is worth its weight in gold.... and should I mention,  its FREE!  

Facebook.com has risen to the surface as one of the most popular social media tools, and is gaining more and more popularity every day.   There are alot of Idaho County residents who are using Facebook to connect with friends, share photos and generally stay in touch.  From a Grangeville High School Alumni Group composed of 169 members and reunion groups for various graduating classes, there are many Idaho County oriented groups popping up.  By using the Facebook search feature, you can find friends and groups easily and follow the link to join. 

Using Facebook as a business tool is perhaps an area that might need some time to catch on in Idaho County.  In one Idaho county, social media has been used very effectively to engage its residents in dialogue and communication according to an article in Idaho Business News titled "Social media being used to inform public on proposed nuke plant".   The article states that "supporters of a proposed nuclear power plant in Elmore County have set up a Web site, Facebook page and Twitter feed to provide information".   For any issues, Facebook seems a very effective way to open dialogue for supporters and protesters who can lodge their comments freely through the network of connections. 

Youtube.com is a social media application that brings visual content into play for millions around the globe.  If you're lucky enough to capture the hearts and interests of followers, your youtube.com video can go viral.  While I have not experienced a viral video sensation, I'm happy dabbling with real estate videos and other recreational videos for fun and to add to my arsenal of online media services as a web designer and licensed real estate agent.  At www.youtube.com/IdahoRealityTV I have launched my home grown videos and also created playlists of other Idaho County related videos.  My videos show up in search engine results and generally add a nice feature to my real estate site at www.marymangold.com 

United County Musick & Sons is making plans for a few dynamic online tools that will enhance the way that visitors to their site engage in valuable details about the real estate auctions they conduct.  Stay tuned to www.musickauction.com for excellent online and social media tools coming soon! 

In using social media, content is your choice as well as your target audience.  The more time and thought you give social media, the more return you can have from it.    It's a simple mantra.  In an age when we have so many different elements competing for our time, its important that social media is used in just the right formula that will produce the kind of friendships, connections, information, business opportunities and results that works for our individual lifestyles, goals and objectives.  

Take advantage of the wonderful opportunities presented to stay in touch with the people and the places of  Idaho County by venturing into the social media tool that works for you!

To me, the internet and cyberspace is as safe as the guidelines that I live by in my normal everyday life.  I use precautions and sensible judgement online and offline.   Someone named "fuzzpeck" requested to be follower on my Twitter.com account.  Upon checking this characters profile, in addition to my gut feeling about his Twitter account name, he did not appear to be a candidate I wanted in my twitterverse.  The content of his profile was sordid as well, and therefore, I have not followed fuzzpeck.  If he follows me, I will block his account from having access to mine.  The importance of using discretion and good judgement is one that I attribute to the fact that I have rarely ever tripped over or had exposure to the dark side of life in cyberspace. 

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Linked In, Plaxo:  These are all names you may be familiar with and are categorized by the type of online accounts they represent:  Social Media

You've seen it on television, online and in print: Social Media is Taking Us By Storm.  Whats all the buzz about?

Stay tuned here for my upcoming Social Media series, as I take you on a journey of learning and discovery about Social Media in the 21st century.  

In the meantime, click on my Facebook banner above to begin your own discovery of a world that is largely human and places millions of people in touch with old friends, family, business contacts and a network of people who might have otherwise never been in touch. 

I have enrolled in an online webinar series called "Social Media Summit 2009", a series of audio webinars and question and answer sessions by some of the brightest social media gurus in the industry.  As I learn, I will bring information to those who enjoy the information posted at WildWebWest.com

Thank you for your visit. 

The following information is provided as one of the default articles when I setup Joomla Content Management Systems (CMS) for my valued customers.  When installed, I typically delete all sample data to make room for the customers' website content. 

This article is extremely resourceful for those who are trying to decide on the correct approach to a new website presence or an upgrade from a static site to Joomla CMS.  It is one of the sample articles that Joomla Open Source professionals have included, for guidance on what makes Joomla so fundamentally WONDERFUL!!!

Personally, I began my love affair with Joomla back in April 08.  While I had tried other content programs in the past such as Drupal (not in my sack of tools any longer) and Wordpress.com (love this program, as it continues to evolve, but mostly use Wordpress for little mom/pop businesses who need a presence but don't have coins to spare), my very favorite Open Source application is obviously Joomla.   Since the April 2008 timeframe, I have installed, setup, custom designed and successfully launched over 15 CMS sites, and that list continues to grow.  I have just booked 3 new projects to convert sites from static uneditable websites to Joomla CMS editable and search engine friendly sites. 

My customers love it and find it easy to use, self publish and to provide their audience with fresh, relevant content on a regular basis.  Smart!  Thats why I'm taking time to write this article.  I want to provide prospective customers with the knowledge and information needed to make a decision.  Hire Wild Web West to create an attractive, custom designed, CMS site that is search engine friendly, editable, and offers the organization the opportunity to make a difference in their bottom line by really focusing on valuable content.  Not only do existing customers appreciate the ability to find information 24/7, but prospects can identify a company that is creating relevant content and positioning themselves as experts in their field.  BONUS!!

Beyond adding text through articles, blogs and such, there is still a learning curve with most folks,  when it comes to launching photos and other intriging elements.   The most compelling statement I can make is this:  by virtue of a CMS website, you do not automatically become a webmaster.  Webmasters do not have a magic wand or vulcan mind melt that enables you to suddenly do everything your web designer can.    While our society is bent on getting what it wants NOW,  I prefer the slow,  steady path where reality meets the pavement.  Focus on your business, become more proficient with the important steps of providing information, and in time, you will be doing so much more as a self publisher of content, than you did by sitting around with an old, static site that was never adorned with new content.  

If your organization would benefit from being able to self publish content for your target audience so as to enrich those relationships, converting web visitors to prospects and new customers, a Joomla CMS site can be the answer to your wishes, and will fit the need for a budget-minded approach to what appears to be a very tough year for most.   Where most of us our tightening up on expenses so that our ships operate more efficiently,  there will still be those who ignore all the signs and keep their heads in the sand. 

Tis the season for change.  Contact Wild Web West if you would like to discuss your web goals and obtain the details about getting your company positioned for 2009.  

Now I'd like to share some important information about Joomla.  This information is provided by the folks who participate in the development and continuing evolution of Joomla.