Social media workshops bear broad fruit

Greetings, friends! After hosting three recent, workshops -- two sessions on Community Contribution, and one session on Tout for beginners, in just eight days, this is what I've learned: 1. You don't have to be under 30, 40, 50, or even 60, to "get" the whole social media phenomenon. Many of our most enthusiastic "labbers" are card-carrying Baby Boomers. In many cases, this demographic has more time than their younger counterparts to experiment with social media, and have no problem announcing: "this is all new to me" or "I'm here to learn anything I can" or "Watch out, I'll be a after your job soon" lol. Actually, no one has quite said that. Yet. 2. This one is similar to No. 1. Milenials -- and feel free to quote me on this one -- don't have all the answers. OK. When it comes to social media, they do have many, if not most of the answers. But every now and then they do let me teach them a thing or two. For example -- "the coffee machine is over here." OK, seriously. A millenial in yesterday's workshop was unfamiliar with the social media platform "Tout", home to a mushrooming network of short-form videographers, much like you and me, who create 15-second videos to A. promote their brand, B. just for fun, or C. both. * Tuesday workshops at the media lab totally rock. On Tuesday's, visitors to the lab are lively, prepared and enthusiastic. Monday's and Friday's, are more of a challenge, with people just recovering from or busy preparing for the weekend. As for Wednesdays and Thursdays, not sure yet. We're pretty green behind the ears and so far all of our workshops have taken place on Tuesdays, so I'm running with it. (But if anyone would like to pitch good argument for Wednesday or Thursday, I'd love to hear it because I think we just might be ready to blow the roof off this place. * So many people hungry for knowledge. Today, Tout participant Sarah Jane Hanson downloaded the Tout app on her Android, then filmed and posted her first, short-form video. The sense of accomplishment she experienced was palpable. "Can't way to go home and play with this," she said on the way out. Last week Glenda Williams promptly booked a one-on-one with me to establish her travel blog "Gateway to Travel Plus" and Jennifer Meyers,

even blogged about her experience here, asking the question, Social Media: Is it for you?.
If you would like to book an appointment with yours truly, Media Lab Director Maryanne MacLeod, email me at maryanne.macleod@macombdaily.com. You can also read about and rsvp to upcoming workshops at meetup.com. See you in the lab. 

Networking top on Macomb Labbers priority list

We have been busy at the Macomb Regional Community Media Lab, hanging out with members of the community who want to learn more about blogging, social media and community contribution. Carol Walters is an artist from Clinton Township who recently brought her daughter, Lynne Trombly from San Antonio, Texas in to view the Black & White show she is participating in, touch up her art work, "Robert", a chalk and pencil sketch on one of her favorite unconventional medium's, cardboard, and book and appointment to pick up a few tech skills. "Do you teach old ladies how to improve their computer use?" Walters quipped. I can only hope that I'm as vibrant and full of life as Carol when I am her age. She recently pulled many "all-nighters", preparing portrait sketches of the contributing artists in a recent quilt show at the Anton Art Center and talks coyly about a collection she is currently poring her time and energy into "Bad Boys". "Don't ask me what 'Bad Boys' means?," Walters joked. "It means whatever you want it to." Walters hopes to learn how to network with other artists and possible venues online and find novel opportunities for showcasing her art. "I'm not a professional you understand," Walters cautioned, although she does sell her artwork. "'Professional' means you're living in New York City and making it as an artist."

Kathe Hale, Director of the Macomb Food Collaborative has also been to our offices a handful of times in the days following our Aug. 13 launch party. She is learning how to promote her Digital First Media blog, "Living Local" by creating a related Facebook Page and Twitter account. She will be retiring from MSU Extension where she has worked as a community educator for many years at the end of 2013 and is looking to establish her own brand as a food educator and expert. "There are so many exciting things to learn regarding how to promote your passions," said Kathe, who has fully embraced the social media marketing wave. "Even more people should be jumping on band wagon. This free service is for everyone and anyone." On Monday morning, Michelle Rogers, Kevin Martin and myself met with Karen Johnstone of the Macomb Intermediate School District. In facilitating the CTE program, a public outreach program in which Kevin has been working with Karen and students throughout the county, offering one-on-one that allow students to create their own newspaper page which appears in the Macomb Daily. Karen had come in to learn how we could teach the students how to use new social media tools to promote their programs, such as New Hive, Dippity and iPadio. "Wow! This is really exciting," Karen said. "This would be right in the students wheelhouse and put a whole new spin on the CT program. I can see that the Media Lab is committed to building community partnerships."