Association Meetings

Tweeting At Conferences And Events: The Good, The Better, The Best

What am I reading today?

Today I am reading many of the blogs and twitter streams coming from the PCMA’s 2010 54th Convening Leaders Conference in Dallas Texas.  Many of my meeting and event planner colleagues are in attendance sharing their experiences. 

One that I would like to share is from Jeff Hurt on the topic of Twitter.  For those of us who actively use Twitter we truly appreciate those who "get it"; those who tweet with value! To post a message in 140 characters or less does take some thought.  To create a message that shares information, resources, content in a meaningful way takes practice.

Jeff shares several examples of the good, better and best approach to tweeting during events - 

Tweeting At Conferences And Events: The Good, The Better, The Best

Thanks Jeff ... Looking forward to more great Tweets from the conference!

The "3 Words" for 2010

Photo by jkhewett via Flickr

A few days ago I read the Blog Post by Chris Brogan’s about his “3 Word” approach to New Year’s Resolutions.  Instead of a listing of goals, he chooses three words that represent what he wants to accomplish during the upcoming year; three themes that summarize his priorities.

As I have thought about this approach I have come up with my “3 Words” -  Systems, Connect, and Deliver.

Systems: As my business grows and my interests grow even further, it is an absolute requirement that I have the systems in place to make sure everything gets accomplished.  These systems need to streamline the actions taken and allow me personally the time to devote to more creative energies.  They must be understood by all who are involved in the process and flexible enough to quickly adapt when necessary.  Systems also be seen as those tasks that must take place in order for success to be achieved.   For 2010, systems will be at the foundation of growth.

Connect:  Shortly I will be posting about my “Passion Project” for 2010, helping others to connect to each other, their colleagues, clients and communities through the use of social media.  To connect with others in 2010 will build the house upon the foundation.

Deliver:  This will probably be the most difficult of the three themes.  To deliver all that I have agreed to do, on time, completely and without excuse.  What this also means is the ability to say “no” or “I can’t” when presented with a task that either I cannot deliver as agreed or that will cause me not to deliver on some other promise. To deliver will allow me to strengthen the connections that make up my neighborhood.

These three words:  Systems, Connect and Deliver, will be carried with me wherever I go as a constant reminder of how I want to proceed through 2010 both personally and professionally.

What would your three words be?

Social Media Marketing Strategies for Event Panners

What am I reading today?

A really great blogpost  by Anne Thornley-Brown on the topic of Social Media Marketing Strategies for Events.  She nicely lays out step by step how to develop a marketing campaign with ease.

Social Media Marketing Strategies for Event Planners - Part 1

Enjoy!

How Associations Use Social Media for Meetings

Some interesting statistics ... How do you compare?

How Associations Use Social Media for Meetings

The Social Media Puzzle ... how the pieces all fit

Often I am asked to explain WHY I spend so much of my time "playing" with the various social media tools that are now available.  Many do not understand why posting on the wall of a colleague in Facebook has a benefit to my "business." Or how sending out Tweets can lead to clients.  There are many people who have blogged on this topic, but I came across this YouTube video that gives the puzzle a new look.

Domino's Diaster ... what we can all learn

Last week a video made by now past employees of Domino's Pizza made us all ill ... Within days it was viewed nearly 1.3 MILLION times, was embedded in about 300 blogs and had well over EIGHT THOUSAND comments. 

While Domino's response was very appropriate, what impact did it really have?  Jon's Burg's blog Future Visions gives some great ideas as to how the Domino's situation could have been handled differently IF the company had been actively involved with social media BEFORE this happened.

This example gives us all "food for thought"

Case Study - Domino's is Response Enough

Getting ready for the meeting ...

In Chris Brogan's blog "27 Things to do Before a Conference", he provides a listing of activities that we as meeting planners can be doing to prepare.  Many of his action steps involve the use of social media and provide a great example as to how all of the tools can be pulled together in a meaningful way.

Many of these ideas are focused on what we as an individual can do to prepare to get the most out of the upcoming event.   

27 Things to do Before a Conference

Is Seth Godin right?

If you have been reading this blog long you will know that I am a big fan of Seth Godin and have been for many years. His insights to permission marketing changed the way business look at clients.  His very straight forward style cuts to the heart of the matter and clears the path of uncertainty.

In the video clip below Seth is serving on a panel answering audience questions when he was asked his option on social networking for small businesses.  While I strongly agree with Seth's statement that networking must be "real" he completely missed the boat that this can be accomplished through this media.  

What do you think?

Social Networking - Good for Small Business?