"Use social media for being social": Why? How?

We all have differing levels and styles when it comes to social skills. Some of us are socially awkward, some avoid social interaction as much as possible, some are social butterflies, some can pull anyone out of their shell, some we avoid at all costs. Yet people with all these types of social skills are involved in social media.

So when some social media experts advise, "treat social media like you're at a cocktail party," what should you do? Many people would ideally like to be the person folks never want to tear themselves away from at a party because of the enlightening and positive interchange. They seldom want to be the person who spouts uncommunicative concepts, monopolizes the conversation, or makes people feel time spent with you is a test of their emergency response systems. So why do so many people sometimes find themselves in those positions?

Affinity groups and QR Codes: A fashion statement

Affinity groups often identify themselves through merchandise, such as a sports fan wearing a team jersey or a Star Wars® fanatic wearing a hat with the words "May the force be with you." When it comes to affinity group fashions, one organization is banking on its creative use of QR (quick response) codes.

According to an AlumniFutures.com blog article written by Andrew Gossen, Senior Director for Social Media Strategy in the Division of Alumni Affairs & Development at Cornell University, the higher education institution is manipulating QR codes to create QR code clothing for purchase by alumni returning for reunion. Reunion represents a tremendous opportunity for Cornell to capitalize on alumni affinity to the institution, as well as on numerous affinity groups within the university, and improve the bottom line with merchandise sales and other purchases related to Reunion weekend.