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# Irene Koehler

Personal Branding and Social Media Strategist, Speaker

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://irenekoehler.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [8 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Unfriended on Facebook](https://irenekoehler.com/8-sure-fire-ways-to-get-unfriended-on-facebook/) - Ah, our Facebook friends. Some we can't live without and, well, then there are those other ones. It is the latter group that I'm focusing on today. We all know people like this, right?The chatty co-worker, the family member who can't keep a secret, that pretty girl you sat next to in junior high school. Wait a minute...if we all know people like this, is it possible that you might be one of those people, too?
- [If I ignore bad publicity, does that mean it isn't there?](https://irenekoehler.com/if-i-ignore-bad-publicity-does-that-mean-it-isnt-there/)
- [Multiple Personalities](https://irenekoehler.com/multiple-personalities/)
- [Top 10 Tips to Totally Suck at Networking Events](https://irenekoehler.com/top-tips-to-totally-suck-at-networking-events/)
- [Practice Safe Networking](https://irenekoehler.com/practice-safe-networking/)
- [Blogging Between Hot Flashes](https://irenekoehler.com/blogging-between-hot-flashes/)
- [I Didn't Think You Meant *That* Kind of Pink Slip](https://irenekoehler.com/i-didnt-think-you-meant-that-kind-of-pink-slip/)
- [Twitter Caroling](https://irenekoehler.com/holiday-caroling-in-the-twitterverse/)
- [How Can I Help You Today?](https://irenekoehler.com/how-can-i-help-you-today/) - Help others on Twitter by sharing feedback and advice
- [LinkedIn Tips - Pop Quiz!](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-tips-pop-quiz/) - Learn how to use LinkedIn for networking and career growth. Helpful tips and suggestions.
- [LinkedIn Tip - Does Your Profile Miss You?](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-tip-does-your-profile-miss-you/)
- [LinkedIn Tip - "Hey, Baby. What's Your URL?"](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-tip-hey-baby-whats-your-url/)
- [LinkedIn Tip - Mom Was Right, Manners Matter](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-tip-mom-was-right-manners-matter/) - Let's give a quick shout-out to Mom, who taught us many important lessons. Even though she may have exaggerated a bit when she said we'd ruin our eyes if we held them cross-eyed forYou're invited too long and that sitting too close to the TV would rot our brains, she was right about a lot. Remembering the value of using good manners and being respectful of others were two of the lessons which have stood the test of time.
- [LinkedIn Tip - Got Street Cred?](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-tip-got-street-cred/) - There was a time when a recommendation from your mother that you were a real catch was enough of an objective opinion to satisfy others' due diligence to determine if you were all you claimed to be. Following the time when Mom's praise was enough and prior to today, there was also a time,when customer testimonials printed on marketing brochures were all the evidence we needed to know you were the bee's knees.
- [Twebinar - My New Year's Gift to Help you Get Started on Twitter](https://irenekoehler.com/twebinar-my-new-years-gift-to-help-you-get-started-on-twitter/)
- [Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match](https://irenekoehler.com/matchmaker-matchmaker-make-me-a-match/)
- [Hoping You'll Ask Me To Dance](https://irenekoehler.com/hoping-youll-ask-me-to-dance/)
- [One Random Thing About Me](https://irenekoehler.com/one-random-thing-about-me/)
- [Business Cards - So Important or So Over?](https://irenekoehler.com/business-cards-so-important-or-so-over/) - After spending much time deeply immersed in the high-tech, heavily wired world of virtual networking, it can become easy to overlook some of the "old school" networking tools. Front and center among these time-tested tools is the business card.
- [Is There Such a Thing as Virtual Personal Space](https://irenekoehler.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-virtual-personal-space/)
- [Back it Up - Own Your LinkedIn Information](https://irenekoehler.com/back-it-up-own-your-linkedin-information/) - Export and save your contacts' information, your profile and recommendations.
- [Blogs: I'll Show You Mine if You'll Show Me Yours](https://irenekoehler.com/blogs-ill-show-you-mine-if-youll-show-me-yours/) - Why do you blog? Share your blog so that others can discover your wonderful content.
- [Got LinkedIn?](https://irenekoehler.com/students-and-graduates-got-linkedin/) - If you are a college student or graduate, there is no better time to get started on LinkedIn.
- [The Re-Branding of Me: Website Under Construction](https://irenekoehler.com/the-re-branding-of-me-website-under-construction/) - Until now, my site was created and managed by a relative tech novice - me. While what the reader saw up front appeared clear and functional, behind the scenes was quite another story.
- [URGENT: Facebook Rush Tonight - Claim Your Name](https://irenekoehler.com/urgent-facebook-rush-tonight-claim-your-name/) - At 12:01 a.m EDT (9:00 p.m. PDT), there will be an unprecedented rush to the Facebook website as millions of users try to be the first to claim their desired Facebook username.
- [Is Generation Y Killing Radio?](https://irenekoehler.com/is-generation-y-killing-radio/) - The story is as old as technology itself: An electronic device which played an important role in the formative years of most Baby Boomers has been adopted, dare I say, commandeered, by the younger generation.
- [11 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Me to Unfollow You on Twitter](https://irenekoehler.com/11-sure-fire-ways-to-get-me-to-unfollow-you-on-twitter/) - I love Twitter, no doubt about it. I have found it to be a fabulous tool, through which I've come to know countless brilliant and fascinating people. To me, Twitter is about building relationships. Like all social media tools, there is no one right way to use Twitter. I cannot control how others use it, but I can control who I follow and how I interact with them.
- [TrueTwit: Managing Spammers on Twitter. Does it Work?](https://irenekoehler.com/truetwit-managing-spammers-on-twitter-does-it-work/) - At last, someone has taken the initiative to address the rampant and rapidly-growing problem of spam on Twitter. While many are questioning why Twitter itself hasn't yet addressed this problem head-on, TrueTwit was developed to manage the nuisance right now.
- [Dear Ex-Facebook Friend...](https://irenekoehler.com/dear-ex-facebook-friend/) - Dear Ex-Facebook Friend, You've crossed the line. As with all things virtual and social, it's hard to say exactly where that line is, but I sure do know when someone comes rushing across it.
- [What Happens in Vegas... (Or How to Ruin a Reputation With Just One Click)](https://irenekoehler.com/what-happens-in-vegas-or-how-to-ruin-a-reputation-with-just-one-click/) - As they stumbled across Las Vegas Blvd., I marveled at how they were able to stay atop those five-inch stiletto heels, despite the obvious challenges in pay. Loudly, and repeatedly, the members of the bachelorette party proclaimed, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," as they lifted their drinks aloft. Armed with the knowledge that "no one will ever know," they embraced the opportunity to party in public with gusto and enthusiasm. While I imagine that this attitude makes the local board of tourism very happy, is there really any place where we can do whatever we want and be assured that no one will know about it? For these scantily-clad partiers, there are photos to think about, lots of photos. I know; I took some of them using their cameras and cell phones so they could all get into the group shots. There is no doubt in my mind that many of those photos were already uploaded to Facebook and shared with friends. While I don't know these young women, I'm guessing this may not turn out to be their proudest moment or one they'd like to have shared with Dad or their boss. The photos been posted, tagged and emailed. Do they really have any control over what happens with those photos now?
- [11 Tips To Thrive on Twitter](https://irenekoehler.com/11-tips-to-thrive-on-twitter/) - After my post on 11 Sure-Fire Ways to Get Me to Unfollow You on Twitter, many asked that I put together some tips highlighting the best way to get started on Twitter. I'm very happy to oblige. Here are several recommendations to get your started...
- [Adventures in Social Networking with Mom and Dad](https://irenekoehler.com/adventures-in-social-networking-with-mom-and-dad-parents/)
- [Directory of All Things Twitter - Finally!](https://irenekoehler.com/directory-of-all-things-twitter-finally/)
- [The Art of Saying Thank-You on Facebook](https://irenekoehler.com/the-art-of-saying-thank-you-on-facebook/)
- [What Would You Ask a Blogger?](https://irenekoehler.com/what-would-you-ask-a-blogger/)
- [Blogging - Just Do It!](https://irenekoehler.com/blogging-just-do-it/) - First up is Chris Brogan. Chris is widely respected in the social media world, both for his technical expertise and his solid reputation as a caring and endlessly decent guy. His blog at ChrisBrogan.com is always inspiring and educational. Subscribe and you are in for a treat! He recently co-wrote the New York Times Bestseller Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust, a must-read for those interested in building valued relationships through social media.
- [New to Social Media? Step 1: Be a Consumer](https://irenekoehler.com/new-to-social-media-step-1-be-a-consumer/) - In the last post, you heard Chris Brogan describe how important having a blog can become in the quest to be found more readily online. Should you be thinking about taking the plunge, you'll want to be sure to watch this video first. Today, bestselling author Jennifer Kushell suggests taking the time to become familiar with what others are doing online before feeling the pressure to jump feel first into social media.
- [Guess Who's An Official Blogger for LeWeb 09!](https://irenekoehler.com/guess-whos-an-official-blogger-for-leweb-09/) - Me? Really? You know that feeling when that really attractive person looks over at you and you're really pleased with yourself, but still wondering if they are *really* giving that "Hey, baby!" look to someone right behind you? Well, OK, maybe it's just me. That is exactly how I felt when I first received the email that began, "I'm happy to let you know that you are one of the lucky (and talented) bloggers who are receiving an accreditation to attend the conference LeWeb'09 in Paris, December 9-10th, as Official Bloggers."
- [Use Social Media to Be Human: Tips from Michael Brito](https://irenekoehler.com/use-social-media-tools-to-be-human-tips-from-michael-brito/) - Sure, we've seen big brands using social media. We see them online on Facebook and Twitter, though we're not always quite sure what they're doing there. Are they there to sell products? Reply to customer complaints? Monitor our conversations? More importantly, if they are using the tools and platforms successfully, is there anything that those of us with small businesses can learn from them? Are the strategies applicable to small businesses without the same brand recognition?
- [Twitter Allows "Real" Connections. I Defy You to Disagree.](https://irenekoehler.com/twitter-allows-real-connections-i-defy-you-to-disagree/) - If you believe Twitter is a place where only trivial information is shared, I invite you to read the "tweets" posted by Apple engineer, Mike Lee (@bmf) today. Read from the bottom up. Mike's friend, Vinay Venkatesh (@djgraphite) died today as a result of a motorcycle accident here in the Bay Area. I don't know Mike, but his pain is real and palpable. I can't begin to imagine his thoughts as he shared these updates on his friend's condition with anyone who might be listening. As Robert Scoble (@scobleizer) tweeted tonight, "Who the hell said 140 characters can't make a grown man cry?"
- [Creating Evangelists: Social Media the Cirque du Soleil Way](https://irenekoehler.com/creating-evangelists-social-media-the-cirque-du-soleil-way/) - As part of Cirque du Soleil's social media strategy, a number of bloggers attending BlogWorld in Las Vegas were invited to attend one of their fabulous shows. With six completely different Cirque shows in Las Vegas, choosing one proved a daunting task. As a result, I am now official ruined. It is hard to imagine any theatrical experience topping the feast for the senses that is LOVE, Cirque's tribute to The Beatles. It is a high energy show in which cast members defy gravity and the line between performance space and audience members is blurred. It's as if LOVE dug deep into my imagination and created it all on stage, and making it all much cooler and more psychedelic in the process.
- [Getting Ready for LeWeb, Need Your Ideas](https://irenekoehler.com/getting-ready-for-leweb-need-your-ideas/) - Though I don't yet have a place to stay, a map of Paris, or any appropriate winter clothes, I am indeed heading to LeWeb as one of three Official Bloggers from the U.S. While I'm there, I would like to ask one question of those I meet. If you had the opportunity to meet technology and social media users and entrepreneurs from around the globe, what one question would you ask them? It can be related to software, hardware; serious or fun. I am most interested to know what you, the AlmostSavvy community, want to know from them. I will ask them and compile their answers into one blog post once I've returned.
- [Help Me Help You - When You Have Questions](https://irenekoehler.com/help-me-help-you-when-you-have-questions/) - If you are online using any sort of social media, you know that it has been a wild roller-coaster lately. The primarily networking platforms which many of us use - Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn - have all undergone huge changes, seemingly at a breakneck pace. Some have been communicated in advance, many weren't. Some have been well-received, many have led to frustration. A few have worked well immediately upon launch, most seem full of bugs and perform inconsistently.
- [I'm Engaged! (4 Tales of Accidental Twitter Friends)](https://irenekoehler.com/im-engaged-4-tales-of-accidental-twitter-friends/) - It's true, I'm engaged. No, not that kind of engaged. I'm virtually engaged - listening to conversations and building relationships online. As with other networking platforms, I use Twitter primarily for business purposes. Still, as we all know, even when we network and use social media for business, we don't talk about business 100% of the time, right?
- [13 Signs That You're At a Tech Conference](https://irenekoehler.com/13-signs-that-youre-at-a-tech-conference/) - Having had a very long career in the corporate world before plunging into social media, I've attended conferences of all types. While I truly love the energy and content at tech conferences, I'm struck (and, at moments, slightly entertained) by the differences in style and etiquette between the entrepreneurial tech events and those with a more traditional, corporate bent. It is with the greatest love, respect and true geek-envy that I offer the following observations:
- [Moments and The Power of Not Laughing](https://irenekoehler.com/moments-and-the-power-of-not-laughing/) - I didn't know what to expect. The guy was a complete stranger, yet here we were having a delightful and very natural conversation. We talked about our kids, observations about life and social media. A few days prior to our meeting, I saw a tweet from this guy saying he'd be in the Bay Area and asking if anyone wanted to get together.
- [LeWeb Bingo! Watch and Play Along!](https://irenekoehler.com/leweb-bingo/) - Here in Paris, the excitement about LeWeb is palpable. While the actual conference will take place over the next two days, there are many pre-conference parties and activities today. For those of you who aren't lucky enough to be here, the entire event will be streamed live. If for any reason, that link doesn't work, just go to the LeWeb homepage, I'm sure there will be an updated link, if needed. Whether you are participating in person or via the web, I invite you to have a little fun with the content by playing LeWeb Bingo. If you've never played bingo, it works like this:
- [What is Your Favorite "Real-time" Tool?](https://irenekoehler.com/what-is-your-favorite-real-time-tool-leweb-leweb09/) - The theme of LeWeb '09 was "The Realtime Web," but what exactly "is" realtime? And, at what point, do realtime tools stop being new toys which only geeky people use and start becoming so embedded into our everyday lives that we don't really think about them, but can't imagine living without them?
- [Hey, Facebook, It's Me - Really! (Just Ask the Goat)](https://irenekoehler.com/hey-facebook-its-me-really-just-ask-the-goat/) - OK, people, who tagged the photo of the goat on Facebook? You know who you are. Stay right there; I?ll deal with you in a minute. So, here I was doing my usual social media evening check-in to see who?s doing what and what?s news. I happened to see some news of yet *another* virus of some sort spreading throughout Facebook, appearing to come in the form of a status update from your Facebook friends. After reading a bit about it, I went straight to Facebook to post a warning to the AlmostSavvy fan page and to my own profile letting others know to avoid clicking on certain links.
- [Happy Holidays! Please Enjoy This Spam](https://irenekoehler.com/happy-holidays-please-enjoy-this-spam/) - Over the last few weeks, I have been inundated with holiday cards and greetings of all types. While this is typical at this time of year, this is the first time I received so many automated cards and emails, most of them from people I don't really know.
- [LinkedIn Lets You Show Off Your Best Assets](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-lets-you-show-off-your-best-assets/) - So you think LinkedIn isn't as sexy as Twitter, Facebook or other networking sites? I encourage you to think again. If providing the most powerful professional networking and job search platform around is sexy, then I'd say it's pretty sexy. And, it just got a little sexier in that you can now show off your best assets more prominently. No, I'm not talking about push-up bras; the change I'm talking about allows you to bring more attention to your professional assets.
- [Ready for Yet Another Social Platform? Here Comes Google Buzz](https://irenekoehler.com/ready-for-yet-another-social-platform-here-comes-google-buzz/) - Are you ready for a new social platform? Here comes Google Buzz, which brings social elements right into you Gmail inbox. With so many of us using Gmail, this just might stick. It will be rolling out over the next week. You'll be notified when it is live for your accoun
- [Do You Have a Digital Business Card? (Register for .tel for free)](https://irenekoehler.com/do-you-have-a-digital-business-card-free-tel/) - We all want to be found more easily online when our friends, potential clients and employers Google us. We've set up our LinkedIn profiles, started blogging, created websites, invited others to be our friends on Facebook and tweeted like crazy on Twitter. With all of these fragmented presences online, wouldn't it be nice to have a directory of all the places we can be found, plus the option to include our email address, phone number and tags which help the right people find us and get in touch?
- [Coming Soon: An Interview with YOU!](https://irenekoehler.com/coming-soon-an-interview-with-you/) - As the blog's readership and community have grown, I'm continually impressed with all of you. I'm pretty sure that I've learned far more from you than you have from me. You share your thoughts by commenting on blog posts, sending emails and tweets, and participating on my Facebook fan page. Through all of my activity online, I've met so many fabulous people I never would have met otherwise.
- [How-to: View and Organize Fan Pages on Facebook](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-view-and-organize-fan-pages-on-facebook-tip/) - Today's post is in response to a question I've received from a few people lately. With the most recent redesign of Facebook, some people are finding it more difficult to keep up with their favorite fan pages as their updates drift by in the stream along with your friends' status updates.
- [How To: Enjoy SXSW (Without Being at SXSW)](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-enjoy-sxsw-without-being-at-sxsw/) - Over the next couple of weeks, you may be hearing and reading a lot about SXSW (read: South by Southwest). In the real world, it may not be that big of a deal, to many in the tech, film or music worlds, it is a must place to be to see the latest and coolest things happening and mingle with those making it happen.
- [Yet Another SXSW Post (And, No, I Don't Know If You Should Go Next Year)](https://irenekoehler.com/yet-another-sxsw-post-tips/) - I wasn't going to write about SXSW (South by Southwest). After being asked by countless people what I thought of it and whether they should attend next year, I gave in. Rather than write a comprehensive overview, I decided to just fill in the gaps with some points which may be helpful and different than what others have said.
- [I Don't Care Where. You. Are. Right. Now.](https://irenekoehler.com/i-dont-care-where-you-are-right-now-geolocation/) - Hey, you! Yeah, you standing in line at Starbucks using your phone to check-in while waiting to get your daily latte. We need to have a word. We've been connected for awhile on Twitter and Facebook. I like you, really I do. I enjoy getting to know you better through our connection. I appreciate the information you've shared about your interests and news in your area of expertise.
- [Who Influences You? (Plus, get a free book)](https://irenekoehler.com/who-influences-you-plus-get-a-free-book/) - One of the best ways to learn is to watch others; see what works, what falls flat, what suits your style and what doesn't. Learning how best to communicate and influence others is no different. Don't we all hope to influence others? Whether it is to market our business, persuade a client, motivate an audience or capture the attention of potential employers, influence is important.
- [LinkedIn-apalooza! Ready to rev-up your profile?](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-apalooza-ready-to-rev-up-your-profile/) - If you're a professional or business person, you know you need to be using LinkedIn wisely, right? And, college students, that goes for you, too. If you don't know why it matters or know deep-down in the pit of your stomach that you're really not all that sure what to do with LinkedIn, then this is for you......
- [How to: Turn On/Off LinkedIn Notifications](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-turn-onoff-linkedin-notifications/) - From the AlmostSavvy mailbag: How do I stop receiving an email each time someone connects with me on LinkedIn? LinkedIn can be a real workhorse when it comes to our networking efforts. The potential benefits are huge, but filtering content can become a challenge. The good news is, like most networking sites, we have the ability to customize how we'd like to receive information from our connections.
- [Important Facebook News: Privacy Updates](https://irenekoehler.com/important-facebook-news-privacy-updates/) - Facebook has been facing a barrage of complaints regarding their "public is the new norm" approach to privacy which resulted in much of your/our content being made public by default.
- [Helping Kids Stay Safe Online. Is SocialShield the Answer?](https://irenekoehler.com/helping-kids-stay-safe-online-is-socialshield-the-answer-review/) - There have been many moments in my life as a parent where I considered locking my child in a closet. It would have been for her own safety, mind you. And, I would have let her out when she was, say 30 or so. I realized that I may have some legal entanglements to deal with along the way, but there were still those moments when I wondered...
- [Words That Totally Make My Head Hurt](https://irenekoehler.com/words-that-totally-make-my-head-hurt-slang-online/) - You know those words, the ones that make your skin crawl and set your teeth to grind mode when you see them? What's up with those people? Don't they know how to spell? Did they sleep all through elementary school?
- [Social Networking Friends vs. Real Life Friends](https://irenekoehler.com/social-networking-friends-vs-real-life-friends/) - While many of us use social networking tools differently, most of us struggle with similar questions and challenges. Should I connect only with family and good friends on Facebook and only business contacts on LinkedIn? How secure should I feel when using Facebook's privacy settings to determine which groups of friends can or cannot see particular photos? Should I be concerned when someone tags me in a photo or I comment on someone else's post?
- [Just Because We're Social Networking "Friends" Doesn't Mean I'll Go To 3rd Base With You](https://irenekoehler.com/just-because-were-social-networking-friends-doesnt-mean-ill-go-to-3rd-base-with-you/) - Where did the romance go? When did we stop asking, "Tell me about yourself," "Do you like to take long walks on the beach?" or even the tired old line, "What's your sign?" Suddenly, upon meeting someone new, they immediately try to score and ask me to go over to their place to seal the deal.
- [Social Media Stats - It's Raining Content!](https://irenekoehler.com/social-media-stats-its-raining-content-twitter-facebook/) - Does it ever feel that there is a non-stop downpour of Facebook posts, YouTube videos, Twitter tweets, LinkedIn connections and blog posts? Do you ever feel like you're drowning in content? If so and you spend any amount of time online, it isn't just your imagination. The larger our networks of contacts, the more information we see pushed in our direction every time one of our friends shares a link to a news article, their latest blog post and a funny video of a cat dressed as Lady Gaga.
- [New Tool Makes My Email Work Harder and Smarter](https://irenekoehler.com/new-tool-makes-my-email-work-harder-and-smarter-rapportive/) - Remember the old days when we began to use email for business communication and to send messages to multiple people simultaneously? Ok, so maybe I'm the only one who remembers when that was a big deal. It seems like eons ago, long before we tweeted and poked to get someone's attention. Not so fast. Email is still as important and relevant as it ever was. Two primary differences between email then and email now for me are:
- [How Not to Use Twitter for Business (FroYo Edition)](https://irenekoehler.com/how-not-to-use-twitter-for-business-froyo-edition/) - I was a rabid frozen yogurt fan when it was all the rage in the 1980s. Then, like all good things I loved, it was sent out to pasture with my severely wide-legged pants, sweaters with shoulder pads and my Lionel Richie records*. The period of mourning has long since passed, but imagine my delight to see that frozen yogurt is now *in* once again. I was thrilled to see a new frozen yogurt shop open within walking distance of my home. OK, so it is wildly overpriced, but it's there and that's all that matters when I want a fix.
- [Facebook Tip: How To Choose Who Can See Your Friends](https://irenekoehler.com/facebook-tip-choose-who-can-see-your-friends-privacy/) - If it feels like it is next to impossible to keep up with all of the changes Facebook seems to implement on a weekly basis, you are definitely not alone. What's public? What's private? How do I know who is seeing what I post? Staying on top of all the changes can be an overwhelming task indeed.
- [BREAKING NEWS: It Takes Work To Get Ahead](https://irenekoehler.com/breaking-news-it-takes-work-to-get-ahead/) - Lately, I’ve found myself repeatedly faced with the same request. Whether the goal is the increase sales or to find a job, the request is often the same. “Tell me the one thing that I need to do.” While the request may come in different forms, it is really the same.
- [How Facebook Hurt My Feelings](https://irenekoehler.com/how-facebook-hurt-my-feelings/) - I'm a fairly self-assured person. Sure, I have days where I wonder about my place in the world or why, despite my best efforts, I continue to have jiggly arms. Still, most days, I'm confident of my abilities, my fabulous sense of humor, my remarkably average looks and my good fortune to know lots of killer-smart people. How, then, with all this self-confidence, did Facebook manage to hurt my feelings?
- [Introducing Social Media Informer](https://irenekoehler.com/introducing-social-media-informer/) - Learning to maximize the benefits of using social media can easily seem an overwhelming task. Toss in keeping abreast of the constant changes, new tools and applications and the latest tips, and it suddenly feels like a full time job just hunting down the information you need from sources you can trust.
- [Practice Safe Clicking](https://irenekoehler.com/practice-safe-clicking-spam-links/) - To my friends who have received the bossy emails from me lately, I'm sorry. I tried to be nice when I told you to change your password right away and delete all the posts you'd sent to your friends. I know you didn't like hearing about this. I'm sorry, but I've got to say, it's not me, it's you.
- [Facebook Groups: Privacy Bait and Switch?](https://irenekoehler.com/facebook-groups-privacy-bait-and-switch/) - There was this little get-together for tech reporters at Facebook headquarters today. You may have heard about it. Whenever Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, summons an audience because he’s got something to announce about Facebook, life as we know it grinds to a halt. Or so it seems.
- [How Not to Use Twitter For Business (DMV Edition)](https://irenekoehler.com/how-not-to-use-twitter-for-business-dmv-edition/) - Ugh. Does anyone like dealing with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)? Seldom does a day go by without seeing a tweet or a post from some tortured soul waiting in a painfully long line at the DMV. Similar to that other beloved public agency, the IRS, the DMV has a reputation for confusing processes, no sense of customer service and an infrastructure stuck in the technological dark ages.
- [Blogging for Tickets. Am I Selling Out?](https://irenekoehler.com/blogging-for-tickets-am-i-selling-out/) - I'm torn at the moment. Ethically speaking, I made the right decision. Practically speaking, I'm disappointed. You may be aware that journalists and bloggers are sometimes offered free stuff in exchange for media coverage of some sort. This free stuff may come in the form of anything from products to services to tickets.
- [How to: Keep Your LinkedIn Profile Visible to Everyone](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-keep-your-linkedin-profile-visible-to-everyone-viewable-tip/) - Rod asks: "I see that I'm able to see some people's full LinkedIn profiles when clicking on their link, but when clicking on the link to my own profile, I see very little information. Do I need to have a paid membership to have everything visible"
- [Sorry It's Been So Long; I've Got More Important Things To Do Right Now](https://irenekoehler.com/sorry-its-been-so-long-ive-got-more-important-things-to-do-right-now/) - For any normal person, not connecting online for a short while doesn't seem odd. In fact, it makes sense. When I notice that someone hasn't posted in a few days, I assume they are out and about living their lives. When a social media geek like myself doesn't post updates to Facebook or Twitter and too many days have passed since my last blog post, people begin to wonder if I've fallen off the Earth.
- [Tech Innovators + Paris = 100% Awesome](https://irenekoehler.com/tech-innovators-paris-100-awesome-blogger-leweb/) - Has it been a year already? It's hard to believe that I'll be heading to Paris in just a few days. I'm thrilled that I've once again been selected as an Official Blogger for LeWeb, Europe's largest and most exciting tech event. It's an honor to be included among such a diverse group of multinational bloggers.
- [Top 10 Most Commonly Used Words on LinkedIn](https://irenekoehler.com/top-10-most-commonly-used-words-on-linkedin/) - Ah, the challenge online. How to appear that you fit in while also appearing to stand out from the crowd. We really work hard to think of just the right words to use to let others know how irresistibly awesome we are. It appears that many others believe they are as irresistible as we are and are using the exact same terms in their LinkedIn profiles.
- [How to Screw-Up a Blogger Pitch in 4 Easy Steps](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-screw-up-a-blogger-pitch-in-4-easy-steps-leweb/) - In addition to all of the presentations and workshops, one of the many wonderful aspects of the recent LeWeb conference in Paris is the opportunity to connect with others who are working on innovative projects and developing new applications which make our lives easier or more productive. As I was listed as one of the LeWeb Official Bloggers, I received a few requests to meet from those interested in obtaining coverage for their product or for one of their clients
- [What Was the Hottest Topic at LeWeb 2010?](https://irenekoehler.com/what-was-the-hottest-topic-at-leweb-2010/) - With a two-day program filled with tech thought leaders and innovators, there was one subject which seemed to consistently rise about the rest and dominate so many of the conversations at LeWeb. What was it? Wikileaks. While I didn't go into LeWeb expecting to hear so many opinions about Wikileaks - it's mission, it's founder, it's future - it shouldn't have been a surprise. The issues surrounding Wikileaks and it's release of mountains of sensitive information exist at the intersection of privacy, safety, security, technology, social media and politics. With such a smart, savvy and international crowd, seemingly everyone had and interest and strong opinions on the matter.
- [Social Media Refresh Tip #1: Clean-Up Unused Apps](https://irenekoehler.com/social-media-refresh-tip-1-clean-up-unused-apps/) - Remember how excited you were when you learned that you could connect your Flickr account to Facebook so that all of your photos could easily be uploaded and shared with your friends? Or, how intrigued you were with the idea of posting every single update to all of your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn friends simultaneously?
- [Connecting Twitter to LinkedIn: Just Say No](https://irenekoehler.com/connecting-twitter-to-linkedin-just-say-no/) - I already know almost all of you will be in one of two camps. Some of you will immediately feel my pain and totally get what I'm talking about. Others will think I'm making much ado about nothing and ought to let go of my outdated idea of how and where content is best shared. There will be a handful in the middle; those who can see both sides, but there won't be many of you in this third group. That said, let's get ready to rumble!
- [Social Media Refresh Tip #2: Export Your Friends' Contact Info](https://irenekoehler.com/social-media-refresh-tip-2-how-to-export-your-friends-contact-info-facebook-linkedin/) - You've taken the job of connecting with the right people online seriously. You've methodically built your professional network of connections on LinkedIn. You've added your family, friends, old classmates and co-workers to your list of Facebook friends. This is a wonderful way to stay in touch by keeping up with status updates and photos, but what if you want to send a private email to one of your connections?
- [How To Easily Hack Your Facebook Profile Photo](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-easily-hack-your-facebook-profile-photo/) - I finally gave in. I resisted the call to "upgrade" my profile on Facebook. Calling it an "upgrade" didn't fool me. I heard the buzz and read the complaints. Many of those you moved to the new format weren't happy. I knew, though, that my days of being able to remain on the old profile design were numbered. For the last few days, there has been a message at the top of my Facebook homepage,
- [It's All About.Me (Your Identity Online - Simplified)](https://irenekoehler.com/its-all-about-me-your-identity-online-simplified-reputation/) - Have you ever received an email from someone and their signature block seems to run on forever with so many links that the signature is longer than the email itself? Do you do this yourself? Come on, it's okay to admit it, you're among friends. I have several links in my own signature block.
- [9 Things to Include in Every Speaker Request](https://irenekoehler.com/9-things-to-include-in-every-speaker-request-tips-how-to/) - I've been doing a lot of speaking lately. It is a huge compliment to receive so many requests. I am grateful for every one and wish I had time to honor all of them. It's funny; I am extremely introverted, but give me a captive audience and a microphone and I'm in heaven. I love public speaking! Go figure.
- [Disconnected in a Hyper-Connected World](https://irenekoehler.com/disconnected-in-a-hyper-connected-world-social-media/) - It had been nagging me for months, though I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was. Things with my work have been going well and keeping me busy, but something didn't feel quite right. I know a lot of people, more than I've ever known at any other time in my life. I spend much of my day connecting with them in one way or another.
- [Twitter Etiquette: Outside Voices, Inside Voices and Whispers](https://irenekoehler.com/twitter-etiquette-outside-voices-inside-voices-and-whispers-tip-how-to/) - If you grew up with a mother anything like mine, many of your childhood memories include being shushed and reminded to use your inside voice. We had three voices, but the one we heard the most about was our inside voice. Heaven forbid we might say something too loudly and the neighbors would hear! Little did I know these voices would come in handy when thinking about Twitter.
- [8 Tips: How To Choose the Right Profile Photo](https://irenekoehler.com/8-tips-how-to-choose-the-right-profile-photo-linkedin/) - You know you've seen it. That cringe-worthy photo from your friend's beach vacation that he's using as his LinkedIn profile photo. "What in the world is he thinking?" you asked yourself. "I'd never use a photo like that to represent myself online." Really, Ms. Look-at-me-and-my-super-cute-puppy?
- [How Our Vanity Leads to Spam](https://irenekoehler.com/how-our-vanity-leads-to-spam-links/) - The email I received from Gina had a very simple subject line: "Hello." The body of the email was also simple, just a link without any other text. Ugh; spam. I knew immediately what had happened. Somewhere, she had clicked on a malicious link and all of her contacts received the same email.
- [How To Get Feedback on Your Profile Photo](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-get-feedback-on-your-profile-photo/) - Welcome to my shortest blog post ever. The response to my recent post about how to select the right photo for your online profile has been fantastic. I invite you to watch this video to find out...
- [Old Habits, New Skills: Repetitive Injuries and Voice Recognition Software](https://irenekoehler.com/old-habits-new-skills-repetitive-injuries-and-voice-recognition-software-dragon-dictate/) - I've been in pain for the last month. At first, the pain in my hand would come and go. Gradually, the pain moved to my wrist up my arm and eventually to my shoulder. I spend too much time on the computer, there's just no way around it. Between email, blogging, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, my fingers are constantly tap-tapping away. I'm typing away at the keyboard for most of the day and when I'm not sitting in front of my laptop, I'm often clicking away at my smart phone, delightfully unaware of the abuse I'm inflicting upon my body.
- [3 Mistakes You're Making Online](https://irenekoehler.com/3-mistakes-youre-making-online/) - Oy, the internet. Must it be so complicated? Can't we all just have fun online and not worry so much? While some people do take that approach, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. If you're reading this, chances are you're active online and chances are you're making one of these mistakes. OK, maybe you specifically aren't doing these things, but many of our friends are.
- [Facebook Friend Requests: Accept or Ignore?](https://irenekoehler.com/facebook-friend-requests-accept-or-ignore-how-to/) - Everybody uses Facebook differently. Just like all of social media, there is no one right way to use it. Still, I'm often asked how I use it. One of the common questions about Facebook concerns friend requests. How to choose which to accept and which to ignore?
- [How To Manage Your Online Reputation By Using Google Alerts](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-manage-your-online-reputation-by-using-google-alerts/) - In addition to the wonderful feedback to my post last week about 3 Mistakes You're Making Online, I also received questions about my third point - using Google Alerts to monitor your reputation online. While I know throngs of hyper-connected people for whom using Google Alerts is second nature, the fact is that this is a new tool for many people.
- [LinkedIn Adds 3 Fun Ways to Remember Your Connections](https://irenekoehler.com/linkedin-adds-3-fun-ways-to-remember-your-connections/) - LinkedIn doesn't get much love in the "I can't wait to go online and have fun with my friends" category of social networking sites, but make no mistake - for professionals, wannabe professionals, businesses or non-profits, LinkedIn is where the real action is. While you may be getting benefit out of Twitter or Facebook, LinkedIn is probably where I'll find you first when I google you and where I'll look to get an early sense of your reputation.
- [8 Tips for Using Social Media for Political Campaigns](https://irenekoehler.com/8-tips-for-using-social-media-for-political-campaigns/) - By now, most candidates for public office have figured out that incorporating social media into their campaigns is a critically important step. It's the how to do this that escapes most of them. That's perfectly understandable. The last couple of election cycles, much of this social media business was new. That was then, this is now.
- [How Old is the Perfect Social Media Expert?](https://irenekoehler.com/how-old-is-the-perfect-social-media-expert/) - So, there I was. Listening in on a fascinating conversation online with one of the business world's most well known thought-leaders*, some of his most famous books on the shelf above my desk as I soaked in his words coming through the speakers of my computer.
- [Dear Netflix: While You're Huddled Under the Table, I've Got One More Thing](https://irenekoehler.com/dear-netflix-while-youre-huddled-under-the-table-ive-got-one-more-thing-pr/) - Netflix has a bit of a public relations nightmare on their hands at the moment. You may have heard about it. The internet has been ablaze following an email sent to all of their subscribers and this blog post by the company:
- [Why I'm Over Declaring Tech Tools "Over"](https://irenekoehler.com/why-im-over-declaring-tech-tools-over/) - With the launch of Google's new social network, Google+, there are many who have rushed to publish opinions about the demise of other networks, most notably Twitter and Facebook. Some have even gone as far as to shut down their accounts on these other networks to move their entire online network to Google+.
- [The #1 Reason You'll Want to Use Google+](https://irenekoehler.com/the-1-reason-youll-want-to-use-google-googleplus/) - If you're still wondering if you ought to bother spending time getting to know yet another social network, I've got one big reason you might want to give Google+ a try. The team at Google thought long and hard about how people and brands use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and worked to incorporate the best features of all, while adding a few cool features of their own.
- [How To Opt-Out of Social Ads on LinkedIn in 5 Clicks](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-opt-out-of-social-ads-on-linkedin-in-5-clicks-privacy/) - Oh, how I love LinkedIn! I often speak and write about LinkedIn, as well as provide a great deal of training to help others get the most out of the most powerful professional networking site online. As much as I also adore Twitter and Facebook, LinkedIn is still the one place to get started building your brand and career online.
- [10 Steps To Create An Awesome Google+ Profile](https://irenekoehler.com/10-steps-to-create-an-awesome-google-profile-how-to-plus/) - Once you sign-up for Google+, the first order of business should be to build your profile. As with any social networking site, your profile is your home base. It's where you tell people what you'd like them to know about you. This is where you showcase the information you want to be publicly available when someone searches, or googles, you online.
- [The ROI of Respect, Listening and Hugs](https://irenekoehler.com/the-roi-of-respect-listening-and-hugs/) - I spend way too much time online, most of it on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or LinkedIn. While you may not spend the hours online as I do, admit it, you are online a lot. My question to you is a simple one: How well do you really know your virtual connections?
- [Confused About Facebook Changes? (Free Webinar)](https://irenekoehler.com/confused-about-facebook-changes-free-webinar/) - While it may seem that David Bowie is referring to Facebook when he sings, "Ch, ch, ch, ch, changes.." I'm pretty sure he had something else in mind. Still, the lyrics do include "Turn and face the strain," which may be how you're feeling each time you visit the site. The good new is that you're not alone. I've been inundated with questions like, "How do I...?" and "Where do I find...?" The even better news is that you're now invited to join me online to answer some of your questions.
- [Facebook Sharing and Privacy Tips (Video)](https://irenekoehler.com/facebook-sharing-and-privacy-tips-video/) - If you're a Facebook user, you've probably noticed a lot of changes, especially on the homepage where you see updates from your Facebook friends. What you may not have noticed are the significant updates in how you manage your privacy, along with other new features and changes. Facebook is a wonderful tool for connecting with family and friends, as well as your favorite brands and businesses. In order to get the most out of your time on Facebook and to use it safely, it is critical that you understand how it works and how you can customize your settings in a way that is comfortable for you.
- [How to Find and Ban Members in Facebook Groups](https://irenekoehler.com/how-to-find-and-ban-members-in-facebook-groups-list/) - Today's post is written specifically for those responsible for managing a Group on Facebook. Facebook Groups don't get as much buzz as Facebook Profiles (soon to be known as Timelines) and Facebook Pages. Still, there are many wonderful uses for Groups. I belong to many, including some business, community or family related.
- [Top 5 Signs Your Business Should Not Be Using Social Media](https://irenekoehler.com/top-5-signs-your-business-should-not-be-using-social-media-tips/) - Social media is all the rage. All the cool kids are using it; at least, that's what the cool kids on the internet are telling us. The number of businesses on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and YouTube is mind-boggling, but the real question is how many of them are using the tools wisely?
- [Is Social Media the Brussels Sprouts of the Internet?](https://irenekoehler.com/is-social-media-is-the-brussels-sprouts-of-the-internet/) - To those of us who live and breathe social media every day, it is easy to forget that not everyone is as comfortable online as we are. In fact, many people have concerns about being too visible online and some don't want to be online, period. Yes, there are people who, by choice, do not have Facebook, Twitter or Google+ accounts. To my fellow social media aficionados, I realize this may come as a shock.
- [10 Email Sins You Must Stop Committing Right Now](https://irenekoehler.com/10-email-sins-you-must-stop-committing-right-now-mistakes/) - Email. Whether we like it or not, it is part of our lives. We love it when it's easy and when others use it in a way that works for us. The rest of the time, we hate it. And when we hate it, we really hate it. Do you know an email sinner? Might you be committing some of these sins yourself? Here are a few email sins. Take a peek and see if any sound familiar.
- [Your Brand Screwed-Up On Social Media, Now What?](https://irenekoehler.com/your-brand-screwed-up-on-social-media-now-what/) - This blog post isn't about what happened. It's about the thing that happened next - after the first thing had happened. Confused? Hang in there; allow me to explain. This is important because there are critical lessons here for all of us using social media for business.

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