hayleymilon

[hayleymilon]

How to be "someone" online; Give yourself a voice.

Young professionals are increasingly pressed to have a vast social media reach. A large social media following makes you an invaluable asset to most companies. While poking around Twitter, sometimes I’ll wonder “How the HECK does this person have thousands of followers?”

So what makes someone internet famous? How does an ordinary person gain popularity on the web, sometimes, seemingly, for doing absolutely nothing consequential? Relax you don't have to be Jenna Marbles-level-funny to gain a following.

I’m going to tell my story and then analyze some different routes to internet clout (not an intentional rhyme but I’m gonna keep it).

Recently my Twitter and Instagram followings grew tremendously due to some internet attention I got. Barstool Sports, a popular blog among the college demographics, wrote a post on me claiming that I’d taken some job that I in fact hadn’t. The site tends to objectify women in an overtly derogatory and unrefined manner, so this was attention that I didn’t want as I prepare to embark on my sportscasting career. (DONT WORRY I AM NOT GOING TO EMBARK ON A DIATRIBE ABOUT RESPECT AND EQUALITY FOR WOMEN. THAT’S FOR ANOTHER DAY WHEN I HAVE HOURS TO SPARE. SO KEEP READING). They included old photos from my Twitter and wrote up all the information that is available about me on the web.

I'd like to think I look more like an "intimate gathering of friends" than a "party" but to each his own.

To be completely honest, there is nothing significant about me. But the post gained tons of traction as sports fans commented and shared it. I gained hundreds of Twitter followers within a couple hours. Several other sites saw that Barstool’s post was popular, and they wrote similar posts. And like that, my squeaky clean internet image was redefined by a few bloggers. On the bright side, I was left with a large following of people who are at least broadly interested in my craft of sports reporting.

Case in point, freak incidents such as this can render someone momentarily “internet famous”. However, my experience says more about the influence and effectiveness of blogs than it does of my own social media habits.

So let’s take a look at the other side: How does Barstool have such a strong internet influence over social media users? Several reasons:

1. They are giving you what you want. 20- somethings appreciate the jargon these writers use, and how relatable they are. A college student sitting in his dorm room can read Barstool and feel as if he is conversing with his equally sophisticated and cultured friends.

2. The content is humorous/ timely. Since they have a large following, individuals with a “compelling” story will go to Barstool with it. Therefore, they’re usually the first to write about it. They deliver it in a funny way.

3. They’re consistent. Successful blogs are consistent with dissemination of content. They have a staff of about a dozen writers, all of whom have internet images and a familiarity amongst their following. They are able to put out several posts per hour. For those of us with internet add (no it’s not a real thing, I made it up) we can head over to Barstool every so often and know that we will get a quick laugh.  (For those of you non-Stoolies, here's a quick taste of the content they're putting out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6qHMraAiac)

By Henry Jenkin’s standards, Barstool is Sticky and Spreadable. What does this mean? “Stickiness” on the web refers to content that attracts people. What compels you to check Barstool everyday? All the photos, funny stories, and videos. It’s all in one location, the Barstool homepage. You known that every time you go to the site, you’ll find the content you want. And the content will hold your attention. Many users interact through the comment section.

The “spreadability” means that the information is cast over a vast network. You get a laugh out of a Barstool post, and copy and paste it to a friend’s Facebook wall. You see something they tweet, and you retweet it. 

So the difference between these two, in the words of Jenkins:

“Stickiness depends on concentrating audience attention on a particular location; spreadability seeks to expand audience awareness by dispersing content across many potential points of contact”.

These guys are constantly engaging you, giving you consistent content that is catered to a very specific audience (You know, the college age, frat bro demographic).

 OK, so now that I’ve explained to you how your favorite blog has brainwashed you and forced you into the “Stoolie Nation,” let’s examine how you can apply similar principles to elevate your social media cred. 

Yochai Benkler is a learned scholar who you’ve likely never heard of unless you’re in my SMPA classes or are weirdly interested in communication theories. 

Anywho, this dude actually says that YOU can have an important voice thanks to the internet age!

Over the past century there has been a shift in the architectures of communication networks. Prior to the emergence of the internet, information came from one central source, and the information was passed down to various “hubs”. The central hub is represented by the mainstream media and other influential voices. 

The shift means that these networks have become decentralized, and information is coming from everywhere…from users like you! If you use the correct strategies on the internet, you can effectively become a strong influence through blogging, Twitter use, what have you.

Tips:

-Decide what you would like your image to be. Do you want to be funny, quirky, informative, or a combination of things? Think about how you can project that on social media. Utilize your bio spaces and use a fitting profile picture. 

-What do you want to talk about? Follow experts and people also interested in the field. You might even get some follow-backs. Having a constant stream of information is advantageous in several regards. You’ll be informed from “experts,” you’ll be up-to-date, and you’ll know what kind of questions like-minded users are asking.

-Engage with people! If someone has a good post, thank them and give feedback. retweeting and sharing also goes a long way in bonding with your social media connections. You’ll get some fair-weather followers who you’ll eventually lose because you don’t engage with them. Strengthen your connections by reaching out to people and interacting with your following. Conversing with people will make you approachable too and more people will want to be a part of your network.

-Be weird. That’s right, be a weirdo! Or just an individual. Quirkiness is a pretty effective way to get people’s attention when you only have 140 characters. Don’t scare people away. But twitter and blogs are informal venues for conversation. Don’t write rigidly. Be a person. What do your friends like about you? Convey those personality traits through your posts. 

-Post GOOD content. If you consistently provide new, interesting information, you will be of value to your network. For example, the tweets that gain the most traction for me are interesting infographics. Posting links is great, but include a photo if you have room, so you catch attention on people’s timelines.

-Be consistent. You may not have a task force of 12 middle-aged bloggers, writing in their mom’s basements all day (cough, Barstool, cough). But if you’re going to blog, do so regularly. Tweet regularly. People will lose interest if they revisit your pages and find no new information. Once you start generating cool content, the pressure is on for more!

I hope this post helps you understand the power the web gives you.  Your voice can be just as loud as those voices speaking to you through your computer. 

[hayleymilon]

Ah, a young GM in the making out in San Diego.

[hayleymilon]

Josh Hamilton adding some spring to his step

Josh Hamilton is swinging .500 (12 for 24) with 2 HRs seven games into the season. Hamilton, a prototypical free-swinger, is coming off a 2013 with a career-low .250 average.  What has made all the difference for him since spring training, he claims, is "a little bounce" in his swing.

"It's small, but something small can go a long way sometimes", said Hamilton.

The "bounce" is something that has been present in his swing for years. Last season, it wasn't there. Whether he forgot (LOL) or lost his feel for a bit, it's unclear. 

Now call me crazy, but I'm just not able to detect the spring in his step (or swing, rather) in 2011/12 versus 2013.

2011:

2013:

Okay, I'm really not picking up on it.

But anyway. 

I may not be able to see it, and I doubt many other baseball fans will be able to. But this seems to be a game-changer for Hamilton and will likely result in better numbers for 2014. It's the bounce needed to rebound from his blip of a season in 2013.

Not only will this help him make contact, but it will help him work the count. He has already drawn six walks in 30 plate appearances. Patience at the plate will also make him tougher to pitch for and he'll see more pitches he likes. 

[hayleymilon]

Sports reporting reel

[hayleymilon]

Jacoby's home debut in the pinstripes, and they spell his name wrong. "Ellsubry" had a great game though

[hayleymilon]

Oakland A's: New stadium enough to revitalize franchise?

Under clear blue skies on Saturday, fans were told that the Oakland A’s game was rained out. Not because impending weather, but because it rained the night before, leaving the shoddy field unplayable.

The A’s have called Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum home since 1966. In an age where many teams play in state-of-the-art stadiums, O.co was average at best in it’s prime. It’s the fifth oldest stadium in Major League baseball behind Fenway, Wrigley, Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium. They consistently draw one of the poorest attendences in all of baseball. In 2011, they had the worst attendence of all the teams, drawing less than 1.5 million fans (note, however, that the park has the second lowest capactiy in baseball. But still, pretty awful). The film Moneyball rejuvinated interest in the team a year later, but not enough to salvage the weakening fandom in the O.co.

It’s a dillemma for Major League Baseball to say the least. The franchise plans to move in the future to San Jose; A different market, encroaching on Giants-land.

(MLB allegiances across the nation. Where is Oakland?) 

The biggest questions are

–Would a new stadium improve the ever-shrinking fanbase? (Or entice free agents whose presence would put fans in the stands?)

- If so, who will pay for the park? In recent years MLB has gravitated towards opperating as a free-market. Springing for a ballpark for a team with a miniscule fanbase would certainly be met with critism, though if a new park saves the franchise, the investment may be seen In his last year as commissioner, Bud Selig could use such an opportunity to cement his legacy and distract from the PED fiasco that plauged baseball for most of his tenure.

-Is the situation in Oakland so dire that the franchise needs to relocate from the West Coast? Highly unlikely as of now, but if the proposed move fails, may be necessary. GM Billy Beane has engineered the roster to peak when the team gets a new stadium in San Jose, a move that has been stalled for three seasons now. He’s sent a number of young-ish stars packing, including Gio Gonzalez, Dan Haren, Trevor Cahill, and Andrew Bailey.

If all goes according to plan, in a few seasons the A’s will be bringing in money with naming rights for a new stadium, advertising, a television deals. So for now, they just have to watch the weather forecast and keep the tarp on the field and not sabatoge the season.

[hayleymilon]

What is happening to baseball?

Last night was "Opening Night"  for baseball as the Dodgers faced the Padres at the beautiful Pepco Park. 

But what is "Opening Night"? Where did it come from? 

The official start of the baseball season is supposed to be monumental. It begins with a parade in Cincinnati, a first pitch from the president, and adults playing hookie from work so they can head to the park for the game that marks the beginning of the 162 game marathon. 

So when did the season begin this year? The series in Austrailia between the Dodgers and the Dbacks (on a cricket field!) Or last night on ESPN? 

I can't answer that question, and I think most fans are just as confused as I am. 

The old days of baseball are long gone. Baseball commences on Sunday nights, when tv ratings will be maximized. MLB spent $33 million on a center to review calls.  And by the end of the day, baseball's most iconic current player, Derek Jeter, will have played his last Opening Day game.

[hayleymilon]

Wonder where those home run balls are headed? None of them are going west! Thanks for this, MLB

[hayleymilon]

[hayleymilon]

Moronic Women in Sports Journalism Need to Go.

Being a woman in the sports media world isn’t easy. Adversity comes at you from every direction. People question your credibility as a reporter, because, you know, women don’t really know what they’re talking about when it comes to sports. You’re objectified for your appearance. The same men who ogle you also claim that you are only employed because you’re “eye candy”. Okay, double standard there.

But whatever. I’ve always been okay with these stigmas and assumptions against women. In fact, I embrace the hostilities in the sports environment. I thrive when I know that I need to prove people wrong, and exceed expectations. If someone questions my knowledge, I can usually shut them up quickly- Afterall, I can name all 306 members of the baseball Hall of Fame, list every Super Bowl winner in chronological order, and provide an astoundingly in-depth analysis of pitching mechanics.

So really, I can’t wait to flaunt my knowledge and prove the boys wrong.

What frustrates me to no end, though, is that some women embrace the role of the archetypical female sports reporter. 

So I came across this idiot on Twitter. Her name is Rebecca Grant. Her twitter bio:

Sexy NFL hostess on Fox sports and ESPN is not the only place you have seen me. I've been in FHM & Maxim in a bikini swimsuit & Actress on film/TV. Follow me

Sexy. FHM. Bikinis.

As a sports journalist, I will have to consider this airhead my peer? I’m working to earn one of the best journalism degrees in the country and predicate myself on my knowledge and skills. 

But Ms. Grant, whose self-acclaimed best attribute is being “sexy”, seems to be doing just fine in the industry. I don’t think she brings a whole lot else to the table. 

It gets worse. Some blog- Gunaxin (?)- haven’t heard of it either- named her one of the sexiest sports reporters of 2013.

Grant used her new renown accolade to try to get the attention of ESPN, Fox Sports, and NFL Network:

“Biggest names in the biz & I'm #2! Hey @espn @nflnetwork @FOXSports take notice the fans have spoken! Thanks @Gunaxin”

She thinks that her appearance is enough to get her a position at one of the leading sports news outlets in the world.

Well if my employment is contingent upon sex appeal, I’m going to go ahead and reassess my dreams and goals.

[hayleymilon]

Not great weather in Sochi. In fact, Olympians on the sloops couldn't see too far. They put fans on the snow blowers to blow the smog away... I'm no scientist but something tells me they'll need more fans.

[hayleymilon]

Super Bowl Ads Breaking the Bank

I've heard that plenty of advertisers save throughout the year in order to buy precious air-time during the Super Bowl. Makes sense, because some of these commercials probably require a ton of writing/production time. But LOOK at how much money companies are shelling out these days.

http://admeter.usatoday.com/story/sports/ad-meter/super-bowl/2014/01/20/ad-meter-story-super-bowl-ad-costs/4476441/