It took radio 38 years to reach 50 million people; TV 13 years; the internet four years; and the iPod three years. It took Facebook only 9 months to reach 100 million users. (mashable.com)

According to trendsspotting.com, 96 percent of Generation Ys (who now outnumber the baby boomers) have joined an online social network.

A revolution in people power is going on as we speak and for the first time in modern history, we can choose our news instead of having it fed to us by a third party. This has huge implications for creating the kinds of grassroots movements needed to spark widespread social change.

However, only in recent times has the momentum of social media broken through the barriers of convention and spilled out into the streets. Literally.

The combination of small concealable video cameras, in many cases our mobile phones, and instant uploading and sharing, has meant that events like the protests in Iran have been watched by most of the world, often just hours after it happened.

There is no longer any excuse for not knowing what is going on the world – and doing something about it.

Google has become the portal we use to access any and all information available. And now their ‘Don’t be evil’ slogan is being tested in a showdown with China, where they have taken a stand and said they will no longer censor their search results.

But not all media and software companies have made the transition to the internet with their morals intact – if they ever had them.

MySpace, the first large-scale social networking site, acquired by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp in 2005, has since experienced a decline in users and credibility due to the rise of more accessible and family-friendly social media websites.

And from Rupert’s recent statements on Telegraph.co.uk indicating his desire to monopolise the internet, and to cease indexing his news sites in Google, he clearly does not understand the shift that is going on. Even Bill Gates is struggling to adapt to the open source and free environment that is the internet.

They are scared because they cannot control it. And we, the people, are no longer subject to the old channels of media and information. We are free to find sources that we trust for news and information.

With so much information though, many of us can get overwhelmed. Finding trusted sources becomes paramount. Ultimately though, you have to be critical in your thinking and intelligently filter what you read and expose yourself to, no matter what the source is.

So, how can social media bring about social change?

User Generated Content

Every day, people upload videos, articles and comments, creating a place where anyone can express their views and engage with others without interference.

Organisations like Greenpeace have managed to harness social media to create campaigns that have captured people’s imaginations.

In late 2007, Greenpeace were tracking a humpback whale in the South Pacific with a satellite tag as a part of its Great Whale Trail Expedition, a response to Japan’s Fisheries Agency plan to kill 50 humpback whales.

The whale’s name was chosen in an online poll that garnered attention from several websites, including Boing Boing and Reddit. It quickly became an internet meme (a catchphrase or concept that spreads virally from person to person on the internet), and later was the subject of a TED talk by reddit co-founder, Alexis Ohanian (www.ted.com).

His name? Mr Splashy Pants!

The rise of real-time search, lead by Twitter.com has created an up-to-the-minute news medium, where people can be informed minutes after an event. When the earthquake happened in Haiti recently, the news broke first on Twitter.com and became a trending topic for weeks as the relief aid flooded in. Many of the main news networks now have Twitter accounts and the possibilities for things from customer support to real- time news reporting are being explored by businesses, the public and governments.

In the wake of the NSW fires, the Australian government has made moves to implement an early warning system on sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The point is that when people like you and I get involved and support these kinds of initiatives by either spreading the word, signing petitions or donating money, it can make a difference. A showing of solidarity and online activism can influence government decisions…but only if enough of us get involved.

So jump in to the social media and online revolution and let your views be known.

Websites to check out:

News

• www.Truthdig.com – Stands out as a modern sceptic’s look at the news.
• www.Current.com – Amateur filmmakers and documentary makers submitting videos for user ratings. News for and by the people!
• www.news.bbc.co.uk – BBC News still seems to be maintaining a more mainstream integrity as well.

Inspiration

• www.Ted.com – Awesome thinkers and doers giving seminars on everything from biology to engineering and spirituality.
• www.AshesandSnow.org – Beautiful, inspiring images of animals and people in harmony presented as a wonderful flash exploration.

Social Media and Technology

• www.Mashable.com – A slightly geeky but cool site for social media enthusiasts.
• www.TechCrunch.com – Find out all the latest developments in technology.

Twitter represents yet another move towards this ideal state of information filtering. It’s not perfect but with the right tools it can be awesome.

So here, for those people that haven’t had an experience of Twitter is a simple video explanation. And for those that have, perhaps we can soak up some of the easy-to-follow language to incorporate into our online communication.

This proves it’s smart to make it simple!

“The entrepreneur builds an enterprise; the technician builds a job.”

Most businesses don’t work because the people that start them don’t know what they are doing. They know how to make widgets, or install plumbing or create a website but have no idea how to create a business that works.

Michael E Gerber is the author of the best selling book, The E-Myth. He has been working with small businesses for over 30 years and challenges us to start reviewing the way we think about what we do and what our roles are.

An entrepreneur studies the marketplace and asks good questions:

• Is there a need for what I have to offer within this area or if it’s online is their a genuine need for what we have to offer?
• How would I need to make my product or service in such a way as to be original and in demand?
• What are the frustrations and problems that my customers experience?
  

These are the questions that an entrepreneur must ask and they are vital to framing your goals within a context of reality and actual demand.

Most entrepreneurs are merely technicians with an entrepreneurial seizure. Most entrepreneurs fail because you are working IN your business rather than ON your business.

There are 3 main roles in a healthy business. All are necessary, but the key is to get them working in synergy.

1. Entrepreneur – Ideas, strategy and vision.
2. Manager – Reaching goals, hiring and firing, keeping standards, following the plan.
3. Technician – Doing the work, making the widgets. Creating and distributing the products or services.

If you work alone or in a small business the challenge now is to move between these distinct roles so as to get the benefit from each way of thinking and being.

How does this all fit into your marketing strategy? The true spirit of entrepreneurship is to create a solution that solves all the problems and answers all the questions and concerns of your customers. The more confusion you can cut through, the more simple you can make it, the more elegant your product, the more your customers will appreciate you. And by default, how many others they tell in the process.

What are the take-home points from Michael E Gerber’s presentation?

• Invest in documentation and training – This allows you to create a structure that can be replicated and therefore refined. Even if you work only for yourself, you can begin to separate the roles of technician, manager and leader.
• Create a strong business ethic – Part of what makes great businesses is that they have a special way of going about things. It may be a specific  standard or process. It may be a specific packaging with personalized attention. Whatever it is that delineates you from your competitors, do it with commitment and certainty.
• Be objective and start gathering feedback – If you have been doing it doing it, working hard and not looking down the road, feeling that soon it will all happen, perhaps you need to review your strategy. The technician is by its nature enamored by the “work” part of the job and wants to keep going, and going and going… Begin to gather feedback from customers. Create a rewards program for the ones that really take the time to interact and share with you.

E-Myth and Business Development expert Michael Gerber

The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We’re born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel, and experience. It is developed, nurtured, and given space to flourish or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and dies.

Michael speaks about being a learner and always growing

“If your thinking is sloppy, your business will be sloppy. If you are disorganized, your business will be disorganized. If you are greedy, your employees will be greedy, giving you less and less of themselves and always asking for more.”

Micheal E Gerber

Official Website

http://michaelegerber.com/

More YouTube Videos

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=michael+e+gerber&search_type=&aq=f

Much of it has to do with the growing younger demographic, but it seems more older people are getting into Facebook as a way to connect with family and friends. Prepare to experience a presentation of the new social media revolution!

The Social Media Revolution

So now you should be asking yourself, “Am I tapping into this stream of social media as a way of promoting my product or services?”

Recent studies show that very few small businesses are using social media as a way to reach out to people.

Reuters

Only 25 percent of businesses say they have used online media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter to find and develop new customers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/smallBusinessNews/idUSTRE59759L20091008

CNet News

Survey: Do small businesses use social networking?

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10374886-93.html

By itself it has no value except as a way to facilitate change or sharing in some way. To the degree that we get clear on ourselves and our purpose we can create a website that succeeds.

This will help you to see your website through the filter of one of the most important self-help programs ever created. Stephen R Covey, the author of The Seven Habits of Effective People, is one of my personal heroes.

By that I mean that he is both humble and deeply inspired to empower and educate people about the things in life that are truly important and  constant.

“There are three things in life that are constant. Change, Choice and Principles.”

Stephen R Covey

If you have not heard of the book and his work, I highly recommend his books and teachings. Learn more about Dr Stephen R Covey.

Stephen Covey on Choosing Success

So here I re-interpret The 7 Habits through the filter of creating and developing a website:

Habit 1 – Be Proactive

A good website takes the initiative and does not wait for the ok from the world to start or beg for any kind of special treatment. It is driven by a passion and sense that we can create our own destiny.

In a sense it means to be focusing on empowerment and drive. That ethic will filter into everything it represents whether it is a personal blog or a company website. The presentation, content and tone will be clear, unapologetic and confident.

Habit 2 – Begin With The End In Mind

Once you know where the site is going you can design it to suite that aim. Most people do it the other way around. i.e. Make it look cool and then hope that it fulfills the vague plans you may or may not have.

This means you avoid complacency and always look to improve and develop your site. It also suggests knowing who your audience is and not trying to appeal to everyone.

Habit 3 – Put First Things First

This means having the courage to put aside petty desires and whims and place your emphasis on what tells your story and/or communicates to your visitors most eloquently.

An obvious hierarchy, without any extra baggage means that your site will signal clearly what it is and who it is for.

Your site will be easy to read and have clear navigation with a minimum of flashy graphics and unexpected pages and/or pop ups.

Habit 4 – Think Win/Win

The spirit of Win/Win is vital to the success of any website. If you enter into your web project only thinking of what you want, it will come across as being self-absorbed small time and in a word, boring.

You must be able to provide some tangible benefit to the reader and provide solutions to their perceived problems. At the very minimum your site should be entertaining.

Habit 5 – Seek First To Understand and then to be Understood

Create a dialogue in which your visitors are encouraged to submit comments and suggestions. Be open to criticism and feedback.

Poll your visitors and give them incentives for doing so. This information is vital and if taken on board will endear your visitors to you. Once you understand your visitors views and concerns you can edit and refine you copy and site taglines to speak to these issues.

If your site visitors feel understood they will automatically be open to you and your message.

TIP: Create a free download that provides a simple solution to some of their main fears and or concerns and people will begin to think of you as a trusted adviser.

Habit 6 – Synergize

Together with your growing tribe you can work on soving your primary problems in a more elegant way than if you did it alone. Ask for involvement and input. Some may give useful criticism. Others may interact more often and passionately. These people are going to share your message with friends as well as help you grow.

It’s more fun working with a team that includes your customers anyway.

Habit 7 – Sharpen The Saw

Take time out to leave the computer and live! Breathe and stretch. Open your mind to new possibilities and options. Go for a run and listen to inspirational music or audio books. Watch Ted.com and draw in their spirit of innovation and discovery.

This new fresh you will bring more life and passion to the project. It will be there when you get back anyway and you will feel so much better for it. You could also remind your people and customers to do the same thing!

How do you see these principles or habits apply to the process of creating a successful web presence?

Take the time to think and process how you might be more effective right now.

This will show you how to upload and install a new WP theme that you have downloaded. It also covers how to browse the WordPress.org themes site as well.

NOTE: This guide shows the interface from WP 2.8 but also features an admin navigation plugin called “Ozh’ Drop Down Admin Menus” Find out how to install that right here.

1. Start by Logging in to your WP site.
2. Click on the Appearance tab then select Add New Themes.  (To preview themes already installed click Themes)
3. Now we can choose to browse the WordPress.org site by using Search or selecting layout elements like Black, Left Sidebar etc, then click on the Find Themes button. Or we can click the Featured | Newest | Recently Updated to see those options as well.
4. To upload a theme we have downloaded to our computer already click the Upload link.
5. Click the Browse button and navigate to the sopt of your PC where the ZIP file is located. Press Install Now.
6. Once it has been uploaded, WordPress will ask if you want to Preview | Activate | Return To Theme Viewer.
7. Pressing Preview will show you what your site would look like to visitors.
8. Click Activate if you want the new look to go “Public”.
9. You have a new theme for your site!

Screencast Tutorial – Installing Themes in WordPress

His approach is simple and sensible and reminds us that social networking is about making friends and if you have something to “Sell” it should come up casually and naturally rather than being a obsession that turns people off.

Perry Belcher demonstrates how YOU can use social media in business without being a jerk.

He defines it as:

The art of telling a story to a consumer that they want to hear, that lets them persuade themselves to buy something. Inherent to that story:

1. You have to have something they want. You must not force it on them.
2. You have to be authentic. Tell the truth.
3. Your story has to be so remarkable that people want to tell your story to others.

Remember, we have so much choice today that permission marketing is just the beginning of your strategy.

The nature of the web has ubiquitized products and services. What you provide must serve a real need in your audience but also have that special quality that shows a deep regard for elegant solutions.

Take the new Apple MacBook for example.

Apple MacBook

Never before has there been a portable computer so remarkable. Read more about the new MacBooks here.

This short video Screencast will show you how to upload plugins (or anything for that matter) using Cpanel.

Cpanel is a very common admin backend system that comes with most hosting packages.

In this case we want to upload and install the WP-Easy Uploader plugin. This one plugin gives us the ability to upload anythign to our WordPress blog. Plugins, Themes and anything in fact.

http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-easy-uploader/

This one plugin allows you to upload and install many other plugins and themes from within the WordPress admin interface. Very cool!

Geeks basically, that make really cool new features available by creating little applications that run within the structure of WordPress.

Hot Tip: Find new plugins and themes fast! Try our new Google WordPress search engine page.

Want to add video from YouTube and Quicktime movies to your site? Try the Vipers Video quicktags Plugin. Maybe you want to make sure the email addresses you display on your page can’t be harvested by spam bots. Go for the DBD EMail encoder.

This 5 minute screencast will show you the most elegant expedient way to try out new plugins on your site.

Keep in mind that some (not many) of these plugins require some coding experience too.

2 Plugins feature in this Screencast:

• WP-Easy Uploader – allows you to upload anything to your WordPress web space, try out plugins or themes and upload media.
• Ozh’ Admin Drop Down Menu – gives you the quick drop down menus for WordPress 2.6.5 and earlier.

Installing a new plugin goes as follows:

1. Find the plugin you are after by using our Google WordPress search engines on this site. Go to http://effectiveclassywebsites.com/wordpress-search/
2. Find the download link on the WordPress.org website.
3. Right-Click on this link and choose Copy Link Location (in Firefox). This will copy the url to the plugin file to your memory.
4. Go to your WordPress Dashboard and select Manage > Upload Files.
5. Paste into the From URL field by Right-Clicking and choose Paste.
6. In destination, choose plugin. Options can generally be left alone.
7. Press Upload!
8. Go to the plugins page and activate your new plugin.
9. Make any settings and options changes you need to operate the plugin.