Theory 11 (&tasks for today)

Theory 11: Social Penetration Theory 

States that as relationships develop, people's level of communication go from superficial to much more personal topics, slowly penetrating a persons public face to their more private, personal face (or toward their sense of self). It's considered to be a cyclical and dialectical path rather than just continuous. Persons have to work through tensions in the relationship, sometimes reverting back through stages and then quickly penetrating forward again- this is the cyclical. Sometimes though people within relationships need their space or are busy with other things that the relationship suffers to be less open. Social Penetration Theory argues that these  cycles occur throughout the entire relationship, it does not just simply stop because the people involved have become best friends, or married.

How I apply to my internship, two ways:

First, I think that on Facebook and Twitter, TNM is constantly advocating to build stronger relationships with our audience. Attempting to penetrate the public persona to learn about people in a deeper sense so that they not only support us, but we can support them to build our TNM community. I think this is applicable to the SPT, because we are constantly negotiating the cycles of STP.

Second, after yesterday I think this is really applicable with me and my boss Rodney. I thought that we had a stronger more OPEN relationship. Unfortunately, if I'm not persistent to maintain contact with him, then like the theory states the relationship suffers and becomes less open. I had known that Rodney was launching in Seattle, I just didn't know he was moving up there. Because my perception of our relationship this news was not only shocking but kind of disappointing. I mean, if they're going to be more successful in Seattle then that is awesome for TNM. Rodney and I only met a few times this semester anyhow, but I'm still just slightly surprised and taken aback, because I thought we had gone further in our relationship and didn't think we would retract so much.

Tasks: this theory piece, planning out interview questions, looking up Rodney and tweeting.

Total Hours: 140

April 8, 2013

Finally got a hold of Rodney. Apparently they've moved the offices up to Seattle, which is why he and I haven't been in contact. I kind of feel like an idiot, because I just kept posting and tweeting, without having him check in on me. Well, after the brief conversation him and I had today I know two things; (1) He's been impressed with how I'm doing and (2) I can schedule an interview with him for this week, well when I say "schedule" I mean just call him sometime.
[Along with that conversation I've also posted/Tweeted today]
I'm disappointed that I hadn't herd they were moving. I'm not sure why he's been keeping me out of the loop. Luckily since it's all media and online I don't need to physically be present.

Total Hours: 137

Theory 10 and an update

Theory Piece 10: Social Judgment Theory

What the Theory says:
 Muzafer Sherif; people make implicit comparisons between other people's positions on subject matters and their own; persuasion occurs when persuasive targets perceive that the advocated position is similar to their own

Basically a person's attitude or their own beliefs form a foundation which all of their other positions are based. If they think that an advocated position is similar to their own than they will accept it, this is the assimilation effect. If they think the position has a significant difference from their own views they will reject it, this is the contrast effect.

How it relates:
I know that I won't download a cell phone app unless I've seen a friend have it or talk about it. I relate this Theory to text no more in a sense that if someone strongly believes that they should be allowed to do what they want while driving, than it doesn't matter how cool the rewards, or how strongly we advocate against texting and driving, the contrast effect will ensue and our target would not download the Text No More app. But! This opens up, in my mind, another perspective. Focusing on the assimilation effect, if someone feels strongly about any other "No ______ and driving" then we can reach positively appeal to them. This opens a branch to drinking and driving, talking on the phone and driving, as well as smoking and driving (while children are in the car) which is an upcoming initiative here in Oregon [especially Portland].

Just an update: (The evening of April 4th to the morning of April 7th)

I've been preparing questions for my interview with Rodney although I have not herd from him. This is rather awkward because I see his posts and updates on Facebook... I've also been tweeting and posting, as well as researching for these theory pieces.

Total Hours: 135

Theory Piece 9

Theory Piece 9: Plausibility Theory 

The theory states that "something is plausible if it is conceptually supported by prior knowledge." It gives a more in depth look into decision making when risks are not know. Plausibility Theory is typically an application within the financial industry. However, I think it is applicable to the growth of Text No More by my boss Rodney.

He started with "A Safe Way Home" his cell phone application to help prevent drinking and driving, by networking friends through an app that says "So and So is going out tonight and may need a ride home, would you be available?" and then any friends linked with So and So on the app can then reply saying no or if yes, when they would be. 

How this relates to Plausibility Theory in my opinion is that when he was coming up with the idea for Text No More, Rodney thought carefully about the successes of his first cellular application and the potential risks of adding another. He thought about the aspects that mattered to him in a business and wanted to add a "giving back" portion to his community and a community abroad. All these factors made Rodney think about the Plausibility that this application would also help to grow his company or if it would be too big of a risk.

April 2nd-4th

Hasn't been the best week. Emailed Rodney three times, and FB messaged him (sometimes that's the best way to get a hold of him) and have yet to hear back from him regarding the interview, intern evaluation, and my future at the Text No More company.

Posting and tweeting as usually, as well as reaching out.

total hours: 128

--I hope to write at least two more theory pieces this weekend (if not more). 

March 28th-April 1st, Theory Piece 8

Been attempting to contact Rodney in regards to an interview and evaluation. No word back. Posting and Tweeting, as well as reviewing and attempting to contact with other similar businesses on Twitter. Feeling stressed about meeting requirements and getting a hold of my boss.

Total hours: 120

 

Theory Piece 8: Two-Step Flow Theory of Communications

=Media effects are indirectly established through personal influence of opinion leaders, most people are hence influenced secondhand through the influence of said opinion leaders.
OR:
Mass media (influence--->) Opinion leaders (use interpersonal means to influence--->) General population.
An example given by professor Simmons here at the University of Portland:
"A fashion maven is influences by the media and her friends dress as she does"

A relate this to my internship in two ways: 

1) The other student who is currently "doing" the internship with me, usually uses other medias to help influence his postings. Or more often than that, he uses my examples or what I suggest because in his mind I interpret media messages at a higher comprehended level then he does and thus I become an influential opinion leader to him.
2) The second and more important way that I think this theory is applicable to my internship is that we (Text No More) attempt to use opinion leaders to make our media messages more influential. This is done with well known people such as, Jordan Sparks, Jodi Sparks, and several members of the Real World Portland Cast. The last grouping of people will become much more valid after the RW:P airs, with the episode about car accidents and the TNM president Rodney speaking in the episode on the TNM mission.

March 27th

I've been waiting to post on Facebook for the release of the iPhone app but there is no certain release date. The latest Facebook post was about the trial with iPhone so I'm hoping for release date soon!

Twitter has been a blast. I'm not sure what it is about a few short characters that really challenges me to enjoy creating new posts.

Later today I plan to email Rodney about the profile interview. Super excited.

Total hours: 110 hours.

March 24th Theory Pieces 6 & 7

• Posting
• Tweeting
• Blogging
• Theory pieces

Time: 3 hours 
Total time: 105 hours

Theory piece (6): The Displacement Effect
Stating that people's use of traditional news sources declines as their time and experience on the internet increases.

I think the displacement effect can be applied and more positively spun when viewed through the lens of an online entrepreneur. 

For example, with my internship I have noticed that Text No More can save considerable amounts of money on advertising. Twitter and Facebook offer the chance for their brand to be talked about and exposed to many online users without costing them a dime. Now that people spend more time on the internet, there is that much more opportunity for TNM to gain exposure.

My boss has also been in several news clips lately because of the TNM mission, this is another kind of exposure and through the online streaming are gaining that source of displaced attention from online media users.

Theory piece (7):  Reflection Theory
 One portion of the Reflection theory for mass media states that "the mass media reinforce existing values, behaviors and beliefs."

I see this as being applicable to my internship because, the TNM mission is to help stop texting and driving through a rewards system. This is reinforcing existing values that (a) people want other drivers on the road to be safe, so that their safety isn't threatened and (b) that if you do something good [like using the TNM app] then you will be rewarded for said good deed. 

I'm acutely  aware of this idea that I can reinforce certain aspects of TNM that parallel societal values through my Facebook posts and tweets. 

March 19th to the 23rd.

Internship:
-brainstorming
-posting
-tweeting
-reviewing
-and emailing Rodney
-scheduling an attempt for an interview with him!!


Hours: 11 hours
Total hours: 102 hours

Theory (5): Structural-Function Approach

Structural-Function Approach:

Looks at organizations as organic things, observing how communication flows throughout the "things" structure.  Looking more closely at communicative form, movement, and function.

In regards to Text No More, [Please keep in mind I don't spend time within the offices this perception is from my more isolated observation], through their Facebook and Twitter, TNM reaches a wider audience than just that within the Portland area. I send out a Facebook post regarding the rewards on the application for example and someone that follows us in California, isn't necessarily going to be able to use those rewards. But my message is transmitted to them, and then they could tell friends or family in the Portland area about it, and while these new receivers have not yet followed us on Facebook, they may start to receive such rewards. This is an example of the movement of communication and it's function.

The days before Spring Break

Thursday and Friday (March 7th and 8th)

I posted and tweeted, as well as researched some of my past posts. Looking at the page statistics I realized that my "views" on posts were typically the same but posts which asked questions, were less effective than posts with some statement or humor.

Total hours: 90

I did not post or work over Spring Break.

Today (March 18th) I have tweeted but not Facebook posted.

Time: 1 hour

Total hours: 91

March 6th

Twitter is gaining more followers! They Facebook page is still idle with the likes, I'm pretty sure this is because the iPhone app was expected in February and it still has not happened yet... however, just in the past few days my Facebook posts have reached over 1,000 people. This (in my humble opinion) is awesome!

Here are some samples:

Facebook, crafted earlier

Recent Tweets! (screen shot last night) 

Total time: 86

March 4, 2013

Here is a screen shot of three Facebook posts I have done recently (Feb. 26-28) I chose to include these because they were three consecutive posts that I contributed to the website, and I know that you (Dr. Lovejoy) want images :)

I've been in the same groove, posting, tweeting, researching, and emailing my supervisor.

Total hours: 84

ps. The sun is shining with the promise of spring!

March 3rd and a Theory (4) statement

Yesterday and today:

-posting
-tweeting
-analyzing the company website, looking for things that could be adjusted 

I've been trying to get a hold of my supervisor, still haven't.


Theory: Trait Theory

This might seem a little off in regards to computer mediated communication. However, I'm applying the theory to companies rather than individuals. So from that standpoint, companies that poses certain traits are able persuade more susceptible users into wanting to invest, or use, their product. People who have a lower self esteem are than even more susceptible to being persuaded.

In regards to my internship I think that because I personally do not have traits that make me more persuasive, and I haven't recently gotten an update from my supervisor, that my posts and tweets show I am less knowledgeable and can't offer newer insights. This is most notable when someone posts, or comments, on our Facebook page and I am unable to comment back because I don't know how to best handle it...

Hours from (yesterday/Friday night/today): 4 hours

Total hours: 80

March 1st!

This morning I tweeted, and later today that tweet was RETWEETED! A little frustrated though because I've emailed my superviosr, and he still hasn't gotten back to me. It's starting to make this process feel less educational. I plan to write a theory piece, either today or tomorrow.

Time: 1&1/2

Total: 76hrs

The last day of February!

Short and sweet today:

-posting, I reviewed old posts and checked out a similar companies Facebook to see what kind of things they post
-tweeting, caught up on some of our messages too, it's ridiculous what people say to you when there's anonymity involved...
-and emailing Rodney

Today: 1 & 1/2

Total: 74&1/2

February 27th

Hello! Sorry this post is coming in so late.

Today's accomplished tasks:
-Posting
-Discussing with a few friends what kind of Tweets would intrigue them to want to follow a company
-Reading and learning about SWOT analysis and development, began brainstorming some ideas for a Text No More SWOT... more to come
-Social Media Class, learned a vast amount (like audience analysis, that I would like to apply to TNM, and talk to Rodney about

Today: 3&1/2

Total: 73 hours

Ps. Another Theory coming soon!

Tuesday February 26th, 2012

My Update for today:

I've been reading in the Social Media Bible, has been about strategy and implementing predetermined definition for conversation. I sent Rodney an email earlier today and look forward to potentially discussing some of these "definitions for conversation." Anyways, here's the bullet points for today's work:

• Reading from the Social Media Bible (Lon Safko) <-- I really dig this book
• Emailing Rodney [and Dr.Lovejoy] After sort of falling off the wagon a bit, I'm trying to jump back on with even more enthusiasm than before!
• Looking through multiple theories [from class lecture notes, THANK YOU COM 101& Brian Simmons] that are applicable to my internship and what I am currently trying to learn within it
• ^Along those same lines, writing out how some of those theories can be applied to my internship and delving a little bit deeper, through online research
• Reviewing my own posts on Facebook and Twitter 
• && My favorite part about this internship and the educational process, posting on Facebook and tweeting!

Today I worked particularly hard at this, I hope to keep this up and not let procrastination take over ever again. 

Hours today: 3 & 1/2 
Total hours: 69.5

Theory(3): Uses and Gratifications Theory

In Uses and Gratifications theory, people are using Computer Mediated Communications to meet a need or some type of benefit.

Through CMC people can gain access to information they might not be able to otherwise (example: Through my internship I posted about Rodney, our co-founder, being on the news just an hour before he was going to be, so our audience could tune in).

Sometimes, CMC can be more preferable (in the case of my internship: it is much easier for my to post on Facebook and Twitter, and than to go stand outside Fred Meyer and try to talk to people about TextNoMore).

Lastly, CMC can be a substitute form of communication. At my internship, I talk to my boss through email the majority of the time, rather than driving into the city to discuss a few things or calling him on the telephone. Of course, we do get together for meetings every once and awhile.


People, much like myself, use Facebook and Twitter because they gain some kind of need through it that also brings them a benefit. With my internship, our company benefits greatly when people download the app because they see a Post or Tweet that I wrote.

Theory(2): Social Presence and Media Richness Theories

Social Presence (John Short, Ederyn Williams, and Bruce Christie) and Media Richness (Richard Draft and Robert Lengel) Theories:

These two theories, when combined together, are invested in what peoples awareness of other people within certain interactions of various medias are. Basically, varying levels of communication offer difference levels of experience through social presences, based on each individual engaged in that type of communication.

For my internship, my Twitter audience has a different social presence than my Facebook audience.

My audiences' media richness varies; tweets are most important for my Twitter followers, where Facebook tries to make photos, posts, events, likes, etc. highly important, so that "friends" can more heavily follow one, another.

I also think that ties into their social presence because it depends on how aware someone on Twitter is of me and the TextNoMore brand I am promoting, more heavily than on Facebook since I only have 140 characters and will only be at the top of their Twitter feed for such a short time.

Theory(1): New Media Theory

New Media Theory (Mark Poster):

Based on my first week with Text No More, I've seen how we are in a "Second Media Age." Poster describes the first age as one-way communication, and centralized production, with a fragmented mass audiences and the shaping of social consciousness.

We are now in a Second Media Age, where production has moved to be more decentralized and communication has become two-way.

But what I noticed particularly in my internship is the importance on the individual. This second age, is more individual oriented, and promotes the individuals consciousness.

This is applicable to my internship because, I work predominately independently to reach individuals through Social Media. When I'm attempting to reach those individuals I'm crafting my posts and tweets in a way that I feel appeals to their own consciousness.

An example of this is posting, "Hey college students, how often do you enjoy a nap within a typical week? Well don't nap at the wheel! Texting and driving is nearly as dangerous. It takes your attention away from the necessary safety of driving! Download TextNoMore and you're rewarded for your safe choices." 

^^ Granted a little goofy, but attempting to appeal to "college students" and their conscious to drive safely. 

Maybe this one works better: "The Ravens win the Super Bowl! No matter which team you support though, we can all support the life-saving cause by Text No More by not texting and driving!"

My Sincerest Apologies

Yet again, last week was incredibly busy.

For February 18-23:

-posting
-reading social media "tips"
-discussing with another business owner, what he felt works best for his company

Hours: 8

I'm worried I'm falling behind in relation to this internship as a class...

Total Hours: 66

BUSY WEEK!

My apologies.

This week I've been reading from the Social Media Bible, researching brand analysis and audience analysis, as well as posting on my assigned days and times.

This past week I've totaled up about: 10 hours

Total time: 58 hours

Ps. I'm so sorry for the hurried post!

February 9th

Read a ton in my "social media bible"
A chapter that really intrigued me was one about the "trinity" of social media. The next time I have a meeting with my boss I want to talk to him about those chapters. I think they give an excellent prospective on how to adapt messages and such depending on what that message is that you want to deliver to your client.

I then brainstormed and posted on Facebook and twitter, as well as tweeting again a bit later.

Total hours: 48

February 8, 2012

Begining to feel self doubt that I'm a capable intern. 

-Researched some of our sponsors and rewards

-Looked at other interns posts 

- Emails

-Posting this morning

doubting is never good.

Total hours: 46

Thursday February 7th

Hey you out there. I was working this morning on Google presence, and seeing what pops up when certain things are searched. Such as, "Text No More" and "Rodney Stearns," I was overwhelmed when I searched his name. So many of the links were actually older from 2010-2012. I did however find a really great one from January of this year and used that for my Twitter inspiration: 

You can't see on here, but it was retweeted! Which is huge for developing a bigger message. I'm a giant fan of this company and I just want to expand more and more outside my tiny network!

Total Hours: 45!

Wednesday February 6th

Researched today, then looked for the iPhone app... Still not on the market -_-

Posted on Facebook and Tweeted. As well as began reading a textbook on social media. "The Social Media Bible" by Safko
Time today: 2 hours

Here's the Tweet: "#ChangeStuff" was trending so I needed to incorporate it

Total time: 43 Hours

Terribly Sorry

I've fallen horribly behind! I'm so sorry. This past week has been nuts with school and my health.

In regards to the internship, Carbs and I have worked out an AM/PM schedule for posting on Facebook and Tweeting. We also have divided up weekends so each of us can have "a day off."

I cannot break it down day-by-day but research and emailing as well as Tweeting and Facebooking (not really a word), I put in a little more than 14 Hours since Thursday January 31.


Today I did about another hour; My current total: 41 hours

Please excuse my lack of posting, I hope to get better about it. 

Tuesday/Wednesday January 30th

Tuesday:
Tuesday evenings are one of my agreed "posting" times.
-I checked email throughout the day
-Checked the Facebook and Twitter throughout the day as well
-Began drafting for my later posts
-Followed Rodney's posts throughout the day
-Posted twice on Facebook
-Tweeted three times

Time: ~~2 Hours

Wednesday Morning:
My morning to post!
-Drafting
-Emailing
-Twitter
-Facebooking
-More Twitter and Facebook
-Check with Carbs so he would post more tonight...
 Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

This evening is really crazy for me so I won't have time to work on this.

Total Time: 26 hours 45 minutes

Monday January 28th

Holy cow it's nearly the end of January!
This morning I emailed Roy, about our Monday check-ins to let him know that Carbs and I were getting together later to write that e mail. I know that seems ridiculous but I don't really feel like making him think that we aren't brainstorming or working on anything. I also want to ask him if there is a time preference for him, for when we send that e mail out. Anyways, I did that, reviewed his last e mail, and tweeted for the page. Then I looked at my last recorded "likes" on Facebook and "Followers" on twitter. Slowly but surely the numbers are going up. A review of posts that I've done made me realize that I can be a bit more creative than I expect. But I should also linger on a post for a bit longer. I'll be getting back to the blog after Carbs and I's meeting. So far today: 1 hour (let me tell you, the social media browsing, looking at likes, followers, posts, photos we have, etc., rather time consuming).


After I got off work I worked with Carbs on scheduling, posting and emailing.
We:
-Tweeted
-Posted
-Analyzed our progress for our Monday Follow Up with Roy
-Checked out the Webpage and sent Rodney our revisions
-Today felt like a real research day :)

Progress! Progress! Progress!
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME:  23 Hours

Saturday the 26th

Hopped online rather quickly to compose and post for the day.
Unfortunately didn't feel the support from the other intern this weekend.
But we are still building on that relationship.
Planning to get together tomorrow, well actually it's really late, so today after 7- when we're both avaliable.

Total time: 20 hours & 45 minutes

Week Two (Continued)

Thursday, still
-Currently (time: 15:16pst) working on social media posting with Carbs. Had a minor hiccup with a clever tweet where the word "bombing" was used instead of "balmy"...
-currently thinking up new names for their student fundraising initiative "4UOK" plan... because that name just doesn't sit with us
-reviewing Roy Brannon's social strategy plan and campaign for us!
-e-mailing Brannon (nerve wrecking!)
Time: 2 hours (total time Thursday: 4 hours)

Friday
-This morning, checking e mail from Roy
-Composing e mail for Carbs
-drafting post
-posted to Twitter (x2)
-posted to Facebook
... will return to it again today
-tweet once more
-facebook another post

Time: 1.5 hours

From here on out I think I'll just post each day and not "weekly" only because it already seems to be too difficult for me to want to wait to post this! I'm just too into the blogging. 

TIME: 20 hours

Week Two (so far...)

Monday:

-Spoke with Carbs about some ideas he had been having

-Talked him through several "posting plans" 

-Began looking into brainstorming for different projects 

Time: 1.5 hours

Tuesday: 

-Reviewed Carbs posts

-Checked Twitter

-Favorited posts and shared 

-Read through media decks

Time: 1.5 hours

Wednesday: 

-Met with Dr. Lovejoy 

-Talked to Carbs about meeting Thursday

-Re-wrote internship description and e-mailed to Dr. Lovejoy

Time: 1 hour

Thursday: 

-Gathered sources for brainstorming meeting with Carbs 

-Reorgainized files 

-Re-read through e-mails I had skimmed before

-Created this blog

... The day is not yet done

Time: ~2 hours 

Total time as of Thursday January 24, 9:50 am: 16.5 hours 

Week One Summary

Here I'll be blogging about my internship with the Text No More company.

The first week back to school broke down like so:

Monday/Tuesday: 

-Reviewing notes from last semester

-Email exchange with Rodney 

-Revisiting Text No More website 

-Checking their Facebook updates 

-And adding more people on Twitter

Time: 2.5 Hours

Thursday:

-Preparing for meeting

-Meeting with Rodney and Michael Carbonell*

-Reviewing meeting notes and brainstorming

Time: 4 Hours 

Friday: 

-Researching for post on news articles

-Crafting, and drafting my first post of the year 

-E-mail exchange with Rodney about Networking

-Posting to Facebook and Twitter 

-Revisiting posts to "share" and double check views and "people reached" 

Time: 4 Hours 

Total Time:10.5 Hours 

*Michael Carbonell is a student at the University who also has an internship with Text No More. From here on out I'll refer to him by his nickname Carbs.