PearlTrees: Goodbye Bookmarks?

I became introduced to PearlTrees by my #NewhouseSM4 social media instructor @DR4Ward

a few weeks ago, and it is slowly changing the way I navigate online. PearlTrees is a website that allows you to visualize and hold on to websites and online content in groups (or “pearl trees”). The concept is more or less a bookmark website for your online curation, and it allows you to create “pearls” (much like bookmarking a page) under specific groups (bookmark folders).

The site takes much getting used to, and it’s confusing structure can easily drive one away from using it at first. It took me a while to understand exactly how to use the site; but once you know the basics of the website, “pearling” becomes efficient and enjoyable. My favorite part about using PearlTrees has been the accessibility of sharing content in team projects. When gathering research and compiling online content for team projects, PearlTrees has made it so easy to share gathered websites and visualize the flow of content gathering. Instead of emailing my team mates an endless list of hyperlinks, I can simply “pearl” a site and my team mates can instantly view, add and comment on the content I have curated.

My experience with PearlTrees has just begun, so I cannot give a true critique of the website. I am excited to see if and how I incorporate the site into every-day use, and I believe PearlTrees will be perfect to help me manage content for projects or work.

Inaugural Post: My Journey in Social Media

Before I begin, I encourage everyone to read DR4WARD‘s The History of Social Networking and  The History of the Business of Social Media: whether you’ve realized or not, our generation’s social media journey has lasted and influenced our entire lives.

My journey began the same as most of my friends and classmates: downloading AOL’s latest version in the 1990′s and interacting with friends online. Online interaction slowly became a social norm before the explosion of social media channels, and it has influenced our decision making and social habits since the days of clever away messages and chat rooms. The vastness of the internet meant that there was more beyond AIM and AOL, and curiosity led to the development and implementation of more virtual connectivity platforms from Xanga to MySpace. MySpace was revolutionary: it was a platform unlike any other to connect with friends, personalize your page with music and themes, and begin to understand the impact of social sharing and influence. Like many others, I soon realized the greater benefits (and security) of Facebook, and my social media experience evolved exponentially. Those in my generation were fortunate to grow up parallel to the development of social media, so the beginning of everyone’s journey is similar– it’s what you’ve done to utilize these skills that differentiate us in our journeys. It wasn’t long that I began to see social media as an opportunity to my social connectivity and my future.

Since I began college, I have developed a passion for the cultural, social, and business impacts of social media. The innovations and developments of social media have generated opportunities that I never thought I would have: developing a national company’s online presence, earning a few internships in digital media, expanding my education in public relations, connecting with influential communications professionals, and furthering my career path.

While many may think that the wide variety of social media channels can be overwhelming and unnecessary, I think otherwise. I love learning about innovative channels of online platforms- both in social media and music industry development. Beyond my internships and personal experience, enrolling in Dr. William Ward’s social media course has been the most impactful part of my social media journey. The knowledge and social influence I have gained in the past two months have surpassed the last two decades of online experience, and I have developed my personal brand and connectivity with industry professionals beyond compare.

Most importantly, the power of social media has made our world significantly closer. 30 years ago, the concept of instantly connecting with family in Venice, It. or hearing international news within seconds was inconceivable. I feel lucky being able to make those concepts a reality, and I look forward to experiencing impossibilities become realities through social media.