A Follow Up on Twitter Trends.

Where does this week's twitter trend leave us? Let's try to forget Justin Bieber for a minute, even if he's #1 on the trend list. All right, so like we said before, the trends list keeps tweeters in tune with what's happening on Twitter. Well, if I hadn't looked at the trend list, I probably would have found out in like 2 years, that Super Junior was on the trend list! Who is Super Junior? For those of you who do not listen to Korean music, Super Junior is one of the largest boybands in the world with 13, yes, 13 members! Now 2 of their members are on Twitter, so only 11 more to go, right? It's interesting how celebrities from all over the world are getting onto Twitter and making use of their celebrity status for the good and sometimes the bad.

So what are some other functions of the trends list? Many of the subjects that make it to the list are completely because tweeters share some love for the celebrities or topics. It's also a place where tweeters can share things such as song titles or a place where tweeters can show they're knowledgeable and make their tweets heard! For example, in the past week, many people tweeted about earth day, it is like a community that bands together for a good cause! When's the last time you found a way to mobilize people for a good cause so quickly?

What's so special about a Like button?

In a recent article for CNN Tech by Mashable's very own, Pete Cashmore, we learn the Like button on Facebook is so much more than a button! So we know that there are a lot of things we can do on Facebook, but on Twitter, the options appear to be limited to three things: follow, tweet and retweet. However, for a lot of Facebook users (a.k.a. me) who aren't into all those applications, what is the big draw with Facebook? In the article, I have found the answer, the Like button. Ah yes, we like to like things and this button just makes it so easy and NORMAL. For example, if a friend of yours says something to you, don't you wish you could hit a Like button then, but that would be weird, right? You wouldn't say to them, "I like what you just said." On Facebook, "liking" things is beyond normal, it's a part of our daily routines! I think the like button makes the whole entire Facebook experience more personal and more interactive; it basically lets Facebook users know that they have a voice amongst Facebook users. If you tell me that you have never "liked" a friend's status or a facebook page, I just know you are lying! Ok fine, were you at least tempted to hit the like button?

Social Media Savvy?

I find that lately, there isn't much to do on Facebook or Twitter. I passed the phase of adding a bunch of applications in which I own a virtual restaurant or have a virtual pet. As for Twitter, there is the occasional tweeting and retweeting, but I don't really have the drive that I once had to look for people to follow. So, in a recent post on Mashable, it does a rundown of some resources that social media may have that we probably overlooked. The thing I love about this post was the advice it gives in addition to the resources.

Many of the resources are perfectly legit and useful! For example, you can learn how to create a FREE music playlist, watch photoshop tutorials on youtube or just overall, be more productive when it comes to social media. I have to admit though, it was the great additional advice that the post offered that I had to read over first. I'd like to know how Facebook changed dating for the worse, wouldn't you? Yah, everything in that tidbit sounds about right. Also, we may laugh about all that Facebook stalking and all, but it can be serious and really creepy. So one of the topics you can read up on is how to prevent and report online stalking, simple and straightforward tips, but so much so that we easily forget it. When you get a chance, you should definitely take a look at the resources we actually have when it comes to social media; in the end, it all goes back to why we're here in the first place. Did you forget already?

Press Releases via Social Media

In recent years, we can certainly say that the PR field has adapted well to the constant changes when it comes to reaching out. Moving away from traditional press release, many companies have moved their press releases online for faster and more efficient reasons. Among the websites that offere a place for press releases to be shared, the most popular is PR Newswire; this is not by mistake. When you visit the site, there is an entire list of the products and services that this website offers. There is no need to wonder how this website can be helpful because somewhere in the list, there has to be something that you want or need - it does it all:

- Distribution
- Targeting, Monitoring & Measurement
- Web Site Engagement
- Multimedia & Broadcast PR
- Marketing
- Investor Relations
- Trade Show
- Small Business Solutions
- Non Profit Tool Kit
- Request a Price Quote

Similar to PR Newswire is another website, PR Web. This website may not cover as much as PR Newswire, but it does emphasize an important point, it's really about visibility! Many of the companies in their database are top media outlets in a wide variety of fields. The website emphasizes how much visibility press releases will be getting, which promotes greater distribution.

So, simply put, it covers all the ground necessary when it comes to spreading the word, which has always been the job of press releases. From what I understand, these websites do a great job of tailoring to individual needs of companies and PR professionals. Doing press releases online creates a broader outlet circle. There may no longer be that close relationship that was necessary previously. Instead, it is the possibility of more outlets picking up the press release and in a shorter amount of time.

Trending on Twitter.

You ever wonder why Justin Bieber is always trending on Twitter? Yah, I'd like to know what that's about too. It's really no surprise that he is among the top 20 trends all the time! Tweeters love to start or follow trends on Twitter. Most of the time, I don't really know what's on the trending list unless I sign in to my account. The other times that I realize what is trending on Twitter is when about 6 or 7 of my friends all have the same thing, usually a sentence that starts or ends with a # symbol.

A easy way to understand the trends would be to click it and see how other people are tweeting in relation to it. If we have more time to invest in understanding the trends, the What The Trend website does an amazing job. This site is very useful, especially when we don't always follow what EVERY trend is about on Twitter. Luckily for tweeters like me, this site keeps me updated every week and breaks down who and what the trends are. After taking a look at this site, I think it makes a lot more of the trending topics more appealing to me. So, another perspective to the whole trending ordeal, it's not all nonsense. Justin Bieber is at the height of his career and Tweeters are simply showing him their love!