Social Media is Different

Next week, I'm leading a workshop on Digital Media at the Annual Conference for the International Association of Conference Centers.

One of the exercises I'm having the group perform is to select which words, from the image below, aptly describe Social Media versus traditional advertising. Can you pick the right words?

Traveling Speaking Circuit for March

I'm not sure what stars and suns have aligned, but all of a sudden I find myself looking at a March of traveling for speaking engagements.

March 7-10 : I'm delighted to be speaking at the aspdotnetstorefront Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Topic: Social Media Sells and How?!

March 22-25 : Then its fun times in Virginia with the International Association of Conference Centers' America's Annual Conference where I'm leading an original workshop on Utilizing Digital Media for Marketing Your Conference Center.

And, to top it all off, I'm leading another LinkedIn workshop here in Winston-Salem, NC at Graylyn on March 31st.

Can you say "Happy as a Clam at High Tide?"

If I May Speak Frankly - The 4 Demands of Joy

Dear Readers:

I hope I'm not imposing.. I'd like your awareness of a new project. 

The 4 Demands of Joy marks the culmination of 30+ years of work and thought in the area of life, love and spirituality.

My bio will give you some of the details of my life journey and explain some of the education and work experiences that have brought me to a new and helpful way to embrace more Joy in your life.

Please visit the temporary website (http://the4demands.blogspot.com) and the Facebook page (give us a 'like' won't you?)

Also, if you would care to promote this via your own Social and Blog world - well, so much the better.

If you are personally interested in the January class, let me know and I can answer any questions that you might have.

I now return you to the regularly scheduled Kim's Korner...

ConvergeSouth 2010 - Be there! October 1-2

ConvergeSouth 2010

We are most fortunate to have one of the premier and longest running Internet Conferences right here in the Triad of North Carolina. The event is extremely affordable (thanks to grants and some serious local funding) and will be held this year October 1-2. See more information below, but seriously, just click over and register. Now. Do it already!

About Converge South

After a short break to re-energize, ConvergeSouth 2010 is back to champion Creativity Online For Everyone. Mark your calendars for October 1 and 2, 2010 and set your Google Maps for downtown Greensboro, NC.

We’re excited to connect social media novices, strategists who know their way around social networking and experts willing to share their stories and advice.

This year’s event will feature three tracks:

Personal Branding

From Twitter 101 to best blogging practices, you’ll learn hands-on how to create your profiles across networks and the value of social media for reputation building, brand monitoring and more.

Internet Strategy for Small Business

Taking it to the next level, you’ll learn how branding is more than your logo, why content is king, how you can create a free website for your business and that using free social media tools pays off — but requires a different kind of investment.

Developing Outside the Box

From developing your own apps for iPhone, Facebook and more, to getting them approved and becoming a millionaire 99 cents at a time – this track connects developers and tech-savvy users.

Saturday Feature Luncheon

Join everyone for a buffet lunch and a panel discussion, “Internet Legislation,” moderated by John Robinson, Editor, News & Record. Joining the panel are Congressman Howard Coble, Congressman Brad Miller and several North Carolina legislators.

Register NOW!

Leveraging LinkedIn

Do you use LinkedIn effectively? If you are interested, I'm leading a workshop at Graylyn International Conference Center in Winston-Salem, NC on September 16th "Leveraging LinkedIn."

Details and Registration HERE.

To Tweet or Not to Tweet - 5 Tips

Twitter is a rapidly growing platform. I enjoy using Twitter both personally (@WilliamsKim) and professionally (@BEMinteractive). A recent Tweet from (@PracticalWisdom) about tweeting in a meeting got me thinking: As more people value Twitter for communication and information sharing, when is it ok to Tweet in a meeting and when should we refrain?

I'll share a personal prejudice and then 5 tips for your consideration. I'm over 50, so my educational era (error?) is one that preceded much of the technology that we enjoy today. I was exposed to classrooms, lectures and presentations when the speaker was due unwavering attention. To talk, shuffle papers, or read something other than handouts/outlines was disrespectful. I'm accustom to something akin to lofty respect for those who stand before you to teach, inspire and guide. Multitasking electronic communication - even electronic note taking - fractures this paradigm.  I've experimented with tweeting in a variety of settings and had some useful and some embarrassing (that's another post) results. So, what of tweeting during meetings and other gatherings?

 I think there are certain environments that are more appropriate than others for tweeting. Here some suggested guidelines:

1. Consider the setting. If it is a Tweet-Up event, then a certain amount of twitter activity is expected. However, don't assume that everything is up for grabs. There may be moments when someone is presenting or speaking and needs you attention. If you are meeting with your boss, tweeting about the conversation might be a bit much.

2. Ask the Speaker/Leader. If an event has a formal speaker scheduled, ask about their preference regarding tweeting.

3. When in doubt don't tweet. You can always make notes to tweet or blog/tweet about later.

4. Consider your followers. If you are a 3-4 tweet a day person, you can alarm your followers if you start sending 10-20 meeting notes or quote snippets out while attending a 1 hour Tweet-Up.

5. Determine your goal for the event. If you are there to promote or share information "real-time" via Social then your use of Twitter is helpful. However, if you are attending to learn something new, there is some research that seems to indicate that electronic multi-tasking (especially via twitter) may interfere with your ability to hear and retain complex information. 

Seminar - Social Media

I'm teaching, again. Feel free to join me for a fast paced look at formulating your Social Media Strategy.

Small Business Development Seminars

June 16th!
Pre-registration required.
Call 336.631.1320, 336.631.1167
or 336.761.1002.

Time: Noon - 2 p.m.
Cost: Registration Fee - $10
Location: Room 105, 4th Street Small Business Center, Chamber Building, 601 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem

Strategy & Success in Social Media Marketing
This workshop is an in depth discussion on social media marketing (SMM) strategies and how to measure your success in SMM. Find out what key performance indicators you should be watching. Learn how to “listen” for your brand on the internet. This workshop will show you how to take what you’ve learned in the previous sessions and weave it into your interactive marketing strategy for fabulous results.
Course Code: #41788 Wednesday, June 16

Forsyth Technical Community College Summer Tech Offering

I'm teaching two Summer Classes through the local Technical Community College. If you are interested, here is the information and you will need to register the 'old fashion' way by calling the phone number below.


Small Business Development Seminars
Pre-registration required.
Call 336.631.1320, 336.631.1167
or 336.761.1002.

Time: Noon - 2 p.m.
Cost: Registration Fee - $10
Location: Room 105, 4th Street Small Business Center, Chamber Building, 601 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem

Social Media Marketing: An Executive Overview
This Social Media Marketing Overview is a non-technical walkthrough of the different components of Social Marketing. If you are new to SMM or just looking to explore what this Web 2.0 strategy is all about, this is the workshop for you. This is not a “how to do it” workshop, rather a “why you should do it” executive overview. Course Code: #41786 Wednesday, May 26


Strategy & Success in Social Media Marketing
This workshop is an in depth discussion on social media marketing (SMM) strategies and how to measure your success in SMM. Find out what key performance indicators you should be watching. Learn how to “listen” for your brand on the internet. This workshop will show you how to take what you’ve learned in the previous sessions and weave it into your interactive marketing strategy for fabulous results.
Course Code: #41788 Wednesday, June 16

Yes.

Yes. I'm back from my weekend at the historic Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I saw President Obama as we walked down the hallway.

Yes. I delivered a devotional message to a few hundred Rotarians at the Grove Park Inn.

Yes. I enjoyed the vistas and expanse of the NC mountains.

Yes. I am tired and looking forward to returning to 'normal' starting now.

The Divine Truth

True story. I'm only two degrees away from witnessing this.

A young Methodist pastor, preaching one of his first sermons, took on the topic of the Apostle Peter and crafted a message intended to calm the fears of a congregation facing some significant changes ahead. He sset out to encourage them to be steadfast in their faith.

He did very well, at first, speaking about Peter's faithfulness in Proclaiming the messiahship  of Jesus, quoting Jesus, "Upon this rock, I will build my church." In his enthusiasm and youthful naiveté, he didn't fully understand the meaning of his words as his message reached it's central point and he proclaimed, "What this church needs is more firm Peters."

You can't make this stuff up folks.