Social Media

on May 6, 2010

Yesterday, I had a major craving for a donut. Lo and behold, at the conference I attended this morning, there was a breakfast spread featuring chocolate-covered donuts.

I had a sneaking suspicion that an entire donut would make my blood sugar go nuts, so I had half of one and some fruit. It was perfectly satisfying!

And then we got down to work! I am participating in the Chevy Girlfriend Getaway promotion again. In March, I test drove the Chevy Traverse for a month and blogged and tweeted about my experiences. This time, weâ€™re test-driving the Chevy Malibu.

As always, whenever I do social media work, I give yaâ€™ll the full disclosure statement: Chevy is giving me the car for a month + funding some outings in exchange for me giving my honest opinion on the vehicle on the Chevy Girlfriend Getaway website. Iâ€™m not getting paid to say wonderful things about the carâ€¦ if I say I like it, I really like it!

You might remember one thing I did not like about the Traverse is the fuel efficiency, but the Malibu is much better (33 mpg on the highway) so Iâ€™m super excited to try it all month!

After getting the car, the Chevy bloggers toured the news stationâ€¦

And then we filmed some web commercials!

Donâ€™t worry, I didnâ€™t throw the peace sign or make the fishy face in my spot.

Meghann is also a blogger for Chevy. She did a really good job on her spot! Much better than me!

I came home and made the Husband and I a quick lunch:

Just a sunny-side-up egg on toast, Brussel sprouts, and a sweet potato. It was such a pure, simple, and satisfying lunch. Three cheers for real food!

I was thinking on my drive home how powerful social media has become! I think itâ€™s neat that Chevy wants to reach out to women this way, because Iâ€™m rather hear another bloggerâ€™s thoughts than watch a commercial or get a sales pitch from a dude at the dealership.

I recently wrote an article about how to save money at the grocery store for Spark People. I quoted fellow blogger Molly from Fuel Her Up as saying: "Follow your favorite companies on Twitter and Facebook â€“ you’ll be alerted to sales and giveaways! This past week, So Delicious let me know where So Delicious Kefir was on sale!" I follow tons of companies and charities on Twitter and love hearing about their sales, promotions, or events.

Social media can also be great when you have a compliant. Remember when Meghann had a bad customer service experience at a bakery? A few readers e-mailed her blog post to the company, who made amends immediately! I tweeted Stonyfield the time I opened a moldy yogurt (and got a coupon for a new one). And I tried to get Shimano to fix my broken cycling shoes, but no luck (theyâ€™re out of warranty).

Does the company you work for use social media? Do you follow companies on Twitter and Facebook? Whatâ€™s your best social media experience so far?

{ 80 comments }

Freya @ Brit Chick Runs May 6, 2010, 2:05 pm
ANOTHER free car!? Lucky you! I had a craving for donuts the other day too..those lovely hot greasy ones 😀
I’ve had little experience of social media cos I don’t work for a company or anything…but I couldn’t believe the response Meghann got when she had bad service!! It was very impressive!
Heather (Heather's Dish) May 6, 2010, 2:05 pm
the company i work for uses facebook and twitter, but i’m actually working with them on how to utilize other outlets…it’s crazy how successful it can make you!

i love that twitter keeps me connected to my blogging friends and that facebook keeps me in with my real-life friends. SO fun!
Shawna @ Balancing Me May 6, 2010, 2:05 pm
Yes, my company does use Social Media…and I’m in charge of it 🙂
Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story May 6, 2010, 2:06 pm
I corrected an error Boca made on a tweet once and got 5 free product coupons and a recipe booklet from them! That was my best so far. I do follow companies on twitter and facebook. I like to follow my grocery stores because they let me know when their new sales circulars are posted. 🙂
Jenny May 6, 2010, 2:07 pm
Social media is so powerful! The company I intern for uses Twitter, but there are some major corporations that don’t and I can’t see how or why not!
Sarah for Real May 6, 2010, 2:07 pm
Wow! Another car! Sweet.

I feel like a total granny because I’m not on twitter and I just don’t like Facebook much. Hahaha

I love that companies Tweet about sales though. Me thinks I must begin to tweet…
Jocelyn @ Peace.Love.Nutrition May 6, 2010, 2:09 pm
Social media is the future! People are not watching TV commercials like they used to and companies are looking for new ways to get their products out there. Lucky for us bloggers we are ahead of the trend and helping it become big!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin May 6, 2010, 2:09 pm
My company does use social media (Facebook and Linked) because we hold conferences so spark discussions about the conferences and different events going on there.

I am not yet on twitter (have to get on that!) but do love social media. I commented on Kath’s post about how I never tried Dr. Krackers, and Dr. Kracker reached out to me to see if I’d like to sample every kind of cracker they have. They sent me a huge box with all 8 flavors of it in there! That was definitely one of my best social media experiences so far. 🙂
Hedda May 6, 2010, 2:09 pm
It is very interesting to read how the social media works in the US, as I think they have come further there than in Norway. But, there are a lot of companies who use the social media to reach out to customers, and to promote themself.
And then we have the politicians who have become such avid users of social media such as facebook and twitter. Our prime minister made quite a fuzz because he and some of the other Norwegian ministers send each other messages at Twitter about what they were doing. I think that is okay that they twitter about non-political stuff as well, because at the end of the day they are humans, just as you and me.

The most impressive aspect of social media if you ask me, is the ability it can give to suppressed voices all around the world.
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion May 6, 2010, 2:09 pm
Oh fun! I can’t wait to hear about your experiences with the car! And- I love your outfit in that photo. So cute!

I follow my favs on facebook and twitter. I love seeing their promotions and tweeting them when I try a new product I like or dislike. Social Media is so interesting to me and so powerful.
- Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion May 6, 2010, 2:12 pm
  Oh I forgot to add my best experience so far. I am working on providing my favorite gym in the world- Healthworks with an intern for their Events and Partnership Dept. -since I work as a business school and work closely with the Internship Director. I am glad to be able to help Healthworks and help a student at the University I work for 🙂
Danielle C. May 6, 2010, 2:10 pm
Caitlin, I love the red top in your picture! By any chance do you remember where you got it?
- Caitlin May 6, 2010, 2:24 pm
  Target! Pretty much everything I own is from there or old navy! Thanks 🙂
  - Sana May 6, 2010, 5:25 pm
    Yess ! Old Navy and Target is the way to go!
Kelly May 6, 2010, 2:12 pm
My company does not use social media, but I do follow some, like my cable company, on Twitter.
Jessica @ How Sweet May 6, 2010, 2:12 pm
Social media has really helped me with my blog. My company does use it, but they are such a trainwreck that it doesn’t really matter.
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday May 6, 2010, 2:12 pm
Oh man, a new car every other month? sweetness.
Lisa May 6, 2010, 2:13 pm
I write restaurant reviews on Yelp for all the places I go out. I am very honest and have many times blasted a place that had HORRIBLE service or worse food! One time I actually got an email from the head chef of a restaurant begging me to come back for a free meal to change my opinion.
Megan@EatScrapRun May 6, 2010, 2:13 pm
I am currently looking for a new job, and I would love a position where I can help a company grow and succeed using social media. It’s such a fun, new concept, and I would love to get more involved.
Shannon May 6, 2010, 2:17 pm
I actually do social media for my company! My position started as a contract one, and I became full-time a few months later. I developed our blog and write for it every day, as well as managing our Facebook and Twitter accounts. I’ve developed lots of cool relationships with people in the industry, and it’s been pretty awesome to see the initiative grow!
Greta May 6, 2010, 2:19 pm
Congrats on getting another Chevy! I’m sure you’ll love it.

I’ve been a first-hand witness to the power of social media – check out herm2hockeytown.com. Earlier this year, over a hundred people came together almost entirely via blogs and twitter over the course of a few months. We ended up raising over $5000 to donate to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan AND funded a fellow Detroit Red Wings fan’s trip from Brazil to Michigan to see his very first hockey game in person. In a word, amazing, especially since we’ve been able to keep in contact with people from all over the world. It’s been so much fun to make new connections with friends I would have never known otherwise.
- Caitlin May 6, 2010, 2:25 pm
  That is truly amazing!
ashleigh May 6, 2010, 2:19 pm
Congrats on the new car for a month! That’s an awesome deal. I hope you enjoy it!! The best thing thats happened to me through social media is making new friends 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg May 6, 2010, 2:19 pm
Very cool to get another free car for a month!!! Lucky duck!
Kelly May 6, 2010, 2:22 pm
I follow lots of restaurants, food companies, etc. on Facebook and Twitter. Mostly it’s a good experience – coupons every once in a while, new product news, etc.

But my BIGGEST pet peeve about companies that use social media is when they don’t individualize. I’m talking about posting something on Facebook and then linking to that from Twitter. And I’m not talking about occasionally doing this, but there are companies that I had to chose weather to follow on Twitter or Facebook because I was getting the exact same update – within minutes, or even seconds – on both sites. Every time. I understand the convenience for the company, but as a consumer of their product, I want to feel like I’m getting something special for each interaction with them.

I understand not everyone uses Facebook and Twitter, but I think some companies need to try to be a little bit more creative about how they use the powers of social media.
- Caitlin May 6, 2010, 2:27 pm
  A very good point! You should work in social media!
  - Kelly May 6, 2010, 2:28 pm
    I actually am in charge of the Facebook page and Twitter account where I work. 🙂 I try really hard to practice what I preach – it is hard to not just take the easy way out!
runnerforever May 6, 2010, 2:23 pm
It is insane how powerful social media has become. I wonder if it is more of a fad or something that will continue to grow.
Cynthia (It All Changes) May 6, 2010, 2:35 pm
The Salvation Army is using social media in many ways. And I follow a lot of the companies I use to see if they have any coupons for me to use.
emptynutjar May 6, 2010, 2:37 pm
I like seeing you embrace real food too. And good for doughnuts…you’re too good eating only half…more for the rest of us 🙂
chocolate sprinkled donuts remind me of when I was a kid.
Karen @ Not Just Celery May 6, 2010, 2:38 pm
Social media really is so powerful! I found out about two events recently through Twitter and had a blast at each! First I did a 5k at JFK Airport in NYC and met Tara from Biggest Loser Season 7 afterwards; then I went to Borders in Columbus Circle in Manhattan and listened to and met fitness trainer Jackie Warner, who had a show on Bravo, Workout.
Ilana May 6, 2010, 2:40 pm
In the past two years, I’ve interned for two different organizations, one not-for-profit and one educational. At both internships, my social media aptitude and understanding were my most used and useful skills -Facebook, Twitter, blogging, other social networking platforms- and it amuses me because these are the skills I’ve learned simply from being an internet user, not from being in the classroom!
Stacy May 6, 2010, 2:56 pm
Ok, I guess I live in the stone age. I had no idea you could do all that on Twitter! Maybe I’ll create an account just for that purpose. Also, I have a friend who is a fan of every product imaginable on Facebook and I thought it was really weird. Now I get it. 😉
Lauren May 6, 2010, 2:57 pm
Haha I don’t know why, but when I read your first paragraph, I thought it said you had a “major social donut,” and I was intrigued!
Amber @ Pampered Recipes May 6, 2010, 3:06 pm
I hate being just a number on facebook or twitter…or even when I was in school. They assign you a number when you’re born and lose the personalness
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) May 6, 2010, 3:08 pm
I Tweeted a bad meal at Au Bon Pain a few weeks ago. An HR rep responded quickly and sent me coupons for free food. Awesome!
Johanna B May 6, 2010, 3:09 pm
My favorite example of what social media can do is Dave Carroll’s experience with United Airline. Has anyone not seen United Breaks Guitars on You Tube?
Lisa @ Early Morning Run May 6, 2010, 3:16 pm
Social Media has become a very powerful tool for marketing, but I think some companies are too eager to jump on the bandwagon and start twitter and facebook profiles when it doesn’t make sense for them too, or, they don’t use it correctly. Twitter, especially, should be used as a means of communication with consumers, like the experiences you mentioned, not just a way to throw out info that just takes up space on my feed! The best experiences I’ve had have been when the company writes back. That shows me they actually care.
Carolyn May 6, 2010, 3:17 pm
I follow a few companies on twitter and businesses on Facebook. One of the local froyo places posts their flavors at each location on Facebook daily!
Erin May 6, 2010, 3:21 pm
That’s so great you get to test drive a car! Sounds like you get to do some awesome things because of your blog. I think I need to start tweeting my experiences more! Thanks for the advice.
Rachel May 6, 2010, 3:22 pm
I, too, have been craving a donut. I shall live vicariously through you!

My company uses social media but we are a small law firm – and there are only 4 of us total here. We have a facebook fan page and the office manager posts bankrupcty related articles during the week.

I’m surprised at how ingrained social media has become in our society. I remember waiting to graduate high school and having to have a college e-mail just so I could join facebook! Times have certainly changed.

Enjoy that car! You get such cool perks with your blog. I can’t wait to grow up and be just like you 🙂
Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness May 6, 2010, 3:34 pm
Social media is incredibly powerful, it’s true! It seems that every company that has a clue is now on Facebook, Twitter or other areas.

I have to say – I bought the exact same black Malibu last summer and it has been amazing! I seriously LOVE my car. I had never purchased a new vehicle before (every car before it was a hand-me-down from my parents) – and I could not be more pleased with my Malibu. And no, nobody is paying me to say this 🙂 It is my unsolicited, honest opinion! The only downfall has been that I’m now addicted to XM radio, lol.
- caitlin May 6, 2010, 5:23 pm
  I’m so happy to hear that!
Shannon, Tropical Eats May 6, 2010, 3:41 pm
I think it’s awesome that companies are letting their personalities shine through with social media.

There are some that are winning– by sharing behind the scenes info, doing promotions, listening to their customers– but a lot that are totally failing. The companies that purely tweet 140 character ads need to step it up and realize we don’t care about non-personal and boringgg sales pitches.

Overall though I think most companies are doing an awesome job at the whole social media thing! It’s going to be interesting to see where social media will be in a year from now
Abby May 6, 2010, 3:44 pm
Man! I want to be a Chevy blogger.. or better yet, a HONDA blogger.. or a BMW blogger. Jealous!
Really, because I get so many rentals for my job, I could just blog based on those experiences. I really liked the Chevy Equinox, but I’ve never had the Traverse or Malibu. Fun times!
Evan Thomas May 6, 2010, 4:05 pm
My best social media moment was getting a DM from Peanut Butter & co. Last night telling me I rock. It made me feel really special 🙂
Heather May 6, 2010, 4:06 pm
how awesome you get to test drive another car! I think social media will jsut keep getting more and more important. I follow a couple companies on twitter but not as manya s i should!
Frannie May 6, 2010, 4:07 pm
I’m excited you’re testdriving that Malibu. I have a 2006 Malibu and my dad bought a 2009 because I love mine so much. His is saaaaweeeeeeeeet! My personal opinion though – my 2006 cost 7G less brand new than the 2007 or newer Malibu’s and having 2 in my family has taught me that the new ones are not worth that much more money! It’s not like the care is bathed in gold or anything!
Kristy May 6, 2010, 4:08 pm
I went to Pollo Tropical and they WERE OUT OF CHICKEN, really, WTF – how does that happen? Anyways, I posted on twitter about it and mentioned them. They contacted me and sent me 10 free meal coupons. AMAZING!
- caitlin May 6, 2010, 5:25 pm
  hahah how is pollo tropical out of chicken?!
- Diana May 6, 2010, 5:29 pm
  I ate a hershey take 5 bar last week and it had glass in it! I e-mailed them and they said they’re mailing me a refund plus some coupons.
  
  Pretty nice 🙂
  
  My dad emailed Glad for selling smashed plastic wrap, he had bought a tube of it and the inside was all messed up and it didn’t work right, and they responded with 8 coupons for free plastic wrap.
  
  I love when companies show that they listen to the customers!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly May 6, 2010, 4:09 pm
Way to go for only eating half the donut! That is some willpower! 🙂
Ellen Collis May 6, 2010, 4:22 pm
Love your ability to eat just what you want, but not overdo it! I haven’t had a doughnut in forever, but now I’m craving one. Thanks a lot! 🙂 I actually don’t follow my favorite companies on Twitter, but that’s a really good idea! I’m always amazed by the different kinds of people who can find you via social media. It’s an awesome networking tool!

http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/
Rachel May 6, 2010, 4:48 pm
I like to follow theatre companies – they’re always tweeting about special offers, like discounts on tickets bought before midnight, that sort of thing. Just what I want!
Sarah (OC2Seattle) May 6, 2010, 5:16 pm
AH, donuts. I agree with you re social media. I would much rather read a real blogger review then hear a sales pitch. Have fun with the Malibu!
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn May 6, 2010, 5:16 pm
I really like this post. I have a love/hate relationship with social media, but there are a lot of really great things it brings. I guess the part that makes me uneasy is the constant connectivity and product plugging. Ultimately I want to shine a more positive light on it though.

🙂
Rachel @ WOW May 6, 2010, 5:44 pm
Though I really love the advantages using social media can create for a business (or blog), it can totally be a pain in the ass. It’s difficult to stay plugged into the “social media” world while simultaneously living a life outside of that world, and sometimes I question if it’s even worth the hassle to be on Twitter or Facebook or any other number of time wasting websites that connect you to other people online.
John May 6, 2010, 5:54 pm
I don’t follow anyone let alone companies on Facebook or Twitter.
Nicole, RD May 6, 2010, 6:10 pm
We are not on social media at work, but I work for the government so I don’t find that all too surprising. I think blogging has been the best media outlet for me, but I do love me some Facebook, too! I don’t follow too many companies on FB or Twitter, but a few I love!
Stacy R. May 6, 2010, 6:11 pm
While I do not blog I work for a really small non profit (4 strong) and we are currently trying to increase our Social Media Usage. We do youth & civic engagement with high school students, so social media is a way that we can easily communicate with the young people we work with, but we are trying to find new ways for it to help us fundraise.

It’s really challenging with only 4 people the responsibility isn’t really dedicated to one staff person and it’s usually the last thing on our priority list, I’m trying to put it at the top of mine!
Susan May 6, 2010, 6:13 pm
I used to work for a university that had only JUST started getting into the social media stuff. American universities use it a lot more than Canadian ones, and I was really keen on making us ahead of the pack in that respect. Especially in terms of recruiting high school kids who only know social media now!!

At the same time, I’ve grown tired of being invited to join a million facebook fan pages everyday.
- Laura May 6, 2010, 6:22 pm
  Wow! Your Universities use social media?! Do you have problems with privacy or inappropriate online behaviour? I think UK ones still live in the 1950s- not necessarily a bad thing though!
  - Susan May 6, 2010, 6:32 pm
    Facebook, and sites like Zinch (which is US) are pretty easily moderated. But we were just starting to throw ideas around on how to use Twitter to market the school. We wanted it to be useful, fun and engaging, but couldn’t figure out a way to execute it. I’m bummed I didn’t get to stick around for the project – social media for marketing is SO interesting!
Laura May 6, 2010, 6:20 pm
Its quite interesting, I was amazed at how extensive social media seems to be nowadays in marketing/promotion of products in America- it is still very much in its infancy here in Britain. It does look like a really effective way of marketing- more personalised and informal, and probably a lot more targeted than generic TV campaigns etc. Only a select few companies have blogs/twitter accounts here- so its going to be fun to see how it pans out I even only discovered Facebook 3 years ago (BLush!). Btw- is your husband at all interested in the British general election (I don’t know if he voted- my Uncle in Boston still can)? Because if he is, he can listen online at bbc.co.uk/radiofivelive – the results are just coming in- looks like we’re in for a bit of a shake uo- from Red to Blue ;( Have a lovely evening…
Samantha May 6, 2010, 6:27 pm
I wish people would talk more. Staring into an electronic gadget is not the same as looking someone in the eye. For business, however, I think it works!
Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries May 6, 2010, 7:37 pm
Your simple lunch looks so yummy. And I feel like every company uses Twitter or Facebook or even both these days!
Camille May 6, 2010, 7:37 pm
The test driving is so cool! Looks like fun!
Annabananabomb May 6, 2010, 8:11 pm
I’m not sure if it’s just an Australian thing, but giving the peace sign backwards (showing the back of your hand to the person you’re giving the sign to) here is a rude thing! It’s almost as bad as the middle finger aka “flipping the bird”, giving the backwards peace sign is called “giving the forks” and it basically means “f.. you”.

LMAO
- caitlin May 6, 2010, 10:52 pm
  omgggg! thats so funny. whoops. here it just means, im cool yo!
Julie @ Pickley Pear May 6, 2010, 9:02 pm
Social Media has changed the world in so many ways…good and bad. I was offered a position at my company based on my social media and communications experience. That was on my resume as “volunteer/extra cirricular activities” because I was never formally trained.

I’m glad you are liking the Chevy promotions and vehicles. I worked for GM for 3 years, they’ve definitely made a comeback and focusing their efforts on the customer.
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) May 6, 2010, 9:12 pm
Wow, that’s so cool that you get to review cars! 🙂 I agree, I’d rather get an honest opinion from a blogger I’m a fan of than a humdrum TV commercial. Real life experience is infinitely better than scripted ads.

Now I want a donut. 😛

Jenn
Misty May 6, 2010, 9:59 pm
I have a 2005 Malibu (bought it about a year ago), and I absolutely LOVE it. Great gas mileage, too.
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter May 6, 2010, 10:46 pm
This is actually really interesting post because in class today we were talking about how kids are affected by the social media. How they have little girls test out products at a “slumber party” and take a survey about it too. Kinda weird.
Nicci May 6, 2010, 11:14 pm
I’d say following companies has saved me money, especially learning about great offers and sales. My favorite social media experience would be blogging for Chevy and test driving the Malibu last month and meeting other bloggers in my area!!
Amber K @ sparkpeople May 6, 2010, 11:24 pm
I follow some companies on facebook, but they tend to clog up my news feed when I’m trying to see what my actual friends are up to. And I’m not on twitter, so I don’t follow them there obviously.

But I do think it is a neat idea! I work at my church, which does actually have a facebook and a twitter. I do follow them on facebook and it’s awesome because I can see what’s going on!
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) May 7, 2010, 2:44 am
I do think a lot of companies take Facebook stuff too far, and if it continues to get commercialized the way it has been, it is going to start going the way of Myspace because people are going to keep getting more and more annoyed. Twitter is a cool concept, it can just be hard to keep up with everything. But it is really cool to see how widespread the reach of social media cna be, and how we can all use that for good. Keeps companies much more accountable to public opinion.
Patti Bevans May 7, 2010, 7:05 am
Oh my God – A DONUT!! I was beginning to think you never ate sweets! In fact I was driving and thinking about you yesterday as I drove by Dunkin’ Donuts and wanted to stop (I didn’t). I honestly think that you’re the healthiest person I “know” – you eat SOO well and I swear, I think this is the first time I’ve read about you eating sweets! Thanks for letting me know you’re human 🙂
- Caitlin May 7, 2010, 10:22 am
  haha what about ice cream? i eat so much ice cream!
Lauren May 7, 2010, 10:46 am
My fiance works for a men’s formal wear company as a general manager BUT he recently suggested they increase their advertising/sales by using social media sites like twitter and facebook and even starting a blog for their company! They were hesitant at first but now they pay him an additional stipend to run these sites AND they gave him a company mac book! 🙂
Katherine May 7, 2010, 11:42 am
My mother-in-law has a new Malibu, very nice little car. I have been eyeballing the new Camaro myslef….too hot!

Your trail run looks amazing. Makes me look forward to hiking tomorrow morning. There’s nothing like being out in nature, although I have to watch out for snakes! Yikes!!

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