"King of the Hill" tells you how not to create a social media website

I was watching "King of the Hill," as I do every single night, and this episode came up about Strickland Propane and MySpace. It originally aired in November 2008. I know the show is comedy and none of it is supposed to be taken seriously, but I can't help wondering if some companies actually do make some of these mistakes (if not to the extreme).

1. Drunk videos.
No. Just no.

2. Goofing off at work videos.
It may seem like harmless fun, but if you don't stick with that job forever, people may not ever take you seriously. No posting on the website.

3. "No way to represent Strickland."
He's right. Goofing off and showing a laid back atmosphere are two different things. You can be laid back and professional, but you can't be goofing off and professional. Choose how you want to present yourself closely.

4. "...and I can't do creative things."
Goofing off and posting drunk videos are not creative.

5. "It was so much fun!"
It's great that it's fun, but as a customer looking at the site, you won't find it fun. You'll find it disorganized and worrisome to give business to.

6. "Nothing attracts customers more than fun!"
Those Luna commercials where the Luna Lady is telling us that the "other guy" is not the right choice is fun. How the "other guy" acts is fun. It also makes a point as to why Luna is the best choice. Make sure it's the right kind of fun.

7. "Nothing about the propane or propane accessories."
On a website, it's okay to give too much relevant information than not enough. If you need to take away some fun to make room for the relevant information, do it. You can always show your fun personality later on. You need to get the customer or interview first before they'll care about your fun.

8. "We need to add some new video to the site."
Current videos are a must. It's okay to add, then redo and change. Making it better and better is the key and shows that you strive for perfection and timeliness.

9. "So. Who wants to get kicked in the ding dong?"
Unless you're trying out for a spot in the "Jackass" club with Johnny Knoxville, I suggest not doing this. Just a suggestion.

In a way, Hank did have the right idea. He wasn't enthusiastic about the MySpace page (that part wasn't in the clip), but then realized the potential when it got over 40 friends that would regularly see the site. I guess just by watching the video, try to do the opposite of everything it says except #8; do new videos frequently.

Video courtesy of Hulu.

"The City" on MTV isn't limited to drama and fights, but also social media at Elle.com

Yes, "The City" is a reality docudrama that's on MTV. Yes, some people would say it's a dumb show about pretty people. However, if you actually watch it, you'll realize there's more to it than that. What exactly? Social media.

Erin (the girl on the far left) and Olivia (the girl on the far right) work at the fashion magazine Elle. Erin is the Director of Public Relations and working on the website Elle.com. She wants Olivia to interview fashion designers and post videos on the website to expand how they communicate with readers. The show documents Erin's ideas as well as Olivia's struggle to get the interviews.

Aside from the drama aspect, girl fighting, and long glares, it shows a realistic, up-to-date take on how a major, popular company is moving towards social media as a way to keep readers interested and informed. In addition, "The City" shows what it's like to work in an actual setting and the complications the workforce provides, including rejection.

I watch the show primarily because I am interested in fashion, but also because it shows just how serious Elle is about developing their website and social media outlets. It makes you realize that if Elle is this serious, there must be many other large companies that are doing or want to do the exact same. It tells you that the internet really is the professional future.

Photo courtesy of MTV.

News stations use iPhone application to keep updates during tornado

On the night of Monday, June 21st, intense weather hit in south central Wisconsin that caused tornadic conditions as well as two tornadoes in a span of about three hours. Lightning flashed every two seconds, winds were so intense that they tore trees from the ground, and rain poured buckets from the sky. The power went out in a lot of areas, but luckily, my phone was charged and I had an app for that.

When the cable went out and the AM station we were trying to listen to in the basement wasn't coming in, the only working electronic that my house had was my iPhone. I flipped between my WeatherBug app as well as my TMJ4 app (I don't have FOX 6's app, but I imagine that they are similar).

WeatherBug informed me how deep in the storm we were as well as how long we had to wait until the tornado conditions were far out enough in the lake. TMJ4 kept me updated on how the conditions were throughout the area and how badly damaged villages and cities were due to the weather as well as confirmed tornadoes.

It pleases me that a couple news stations in Milwaukee took into consideration the applications because power outages do happen and they're looking into alternatives, such as the cell phone, to keep people updated when it does happen.

What's more, the village of Eagle was the one that was most effected by the tornado and it was discovered that the sirens didn't go off. If their power was out in addition to no sirens, they would be left in the dark literally (as the meteorologists liked to constantly say, tornadoes are almost impossible to see at nighttime). No one was killed and not many were injured, thankfully, but cell phones would be the only resort left in the situation until the phone lines were destroyed.

If an iPhone app was all a family had to rely on, it's something more than their neighbor may have to know what's going on.

Larry King Live uses "Social Suite" for telethon "Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help"

On Monday, June 21st, Larry King held a telethon Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help for a two-hour special. Aside from taking phone donations and celebrities giving information on how important the cause was, Ryan Seacrest was in charge of the internet.

The telethon incorporated the use of Twitter and Facebook to reach out to a younger demographic. Celebrities checked in at a "Social Suite" where they sat in front of the computers to communicate with people over the internet. From the hashtag #CNNGulfHelp to celebrities tweeting throughout the show as well as being able to donate by texting ("coast" or "united" to 50555, or "NWF" to 20222 for $10), it was very apparent that social media is now a norm on not only to raise awareness of current events, but to communicate.

The telethon went on to raise $1.8 million.

We saw a similar strategy when Larry King aired Haiti: How You Can Help in January, which was also a two-hour special. Ryan Seacrest was behind the computers there as well.

Photo courtesy of Larry King Live and Rock You.