[Note from the Proprietor: In case you're wondering what it's all about, well, we're smack in the middle of BLOGAPALOOZA! Hey, you're welcome to join in the fun if you like! All ya gotta do is click that cute little link and read all about it!]

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Guest post by Amber Naslund who writes over at Altitude

Plurkshop #4: Fractured Conversations and How to Manage Them

We used to have some great group discussions on Plurk about various topics. This particular discussion about social media opened my eyes to some of the inherent challenges and opportunities to having conversations that wend their way around a very complex and fractured web.

New York Times Wants to Censor and Influence Bloggers?

After I wrote a letter to the editor of the NYT about a story I thought was misplaced, the *real* firestorm happened afterward. I learned an important lesson here about haters: they’re everywhere, and part of being a blogger is preparing yourself amply for those who disagree. Sometimes loudly.

Contemplating the Social Media Plunge

Along with all the excitement about social media come companies wondering whether it’s right for them. This post was the result of some great discussion with friends about what businesses are contemplating related to starting in social media.

Is your social media consultant…social?

With a fishbowl full of everyone calling themselves a social media expert or guru or professional something, I wanted to talk about how I thought it important for social media consultants to practice what they preach.

17 Un-Pimped but Kick-Butt Social Media People

I love shining the spotlight on other people. I’m surrounded by really brilliant minds and I love it when other people find them, too.

ROI Begins At The End

Social Media ROI is one of our favorite dead horses to beat. But I couldn’t help talking about the fact that ROI is only as valuable as the goals you’ve set in the first place.

Social Media Predictions from a Jedi Master

I always did think Yoda could teach us a lot. And I thought his statements were particularly prescient when it came to social media.

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[Further note from the Proprietor: Hey, if you're interested in having your own "best of 2008" posts highlighted right here at the Middle Zone, then by all means, click on this link: (BLOGAPALOOZA: What I Learned From 2008) and read all about it! BLOGAPALOOZA will be open for entries from now until Sunday, January 25.]

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