[Hidden-tech] Why I'm Coming to the Using Social Media in Business Event

[Michael Muller]

Jon,

I agree that there is a bunch of hype about social networks' value as a business booster.  I'm finding that the social networking systems that work best are those that are (a) relevant to your business and (b) are local to your business, and that (c) if you're going to use guerilla marketing tactics, you need to be authentic in your use of these methods, not brash or overtly marketing.

To wit, my partner and I use our own groupware software to host several local social community websites, and have begun to go directly to the business associations and other business-oriented collectives or hubs to let them know that the sites exist, and that they can be used to market and mesh-in with and support / underwrite the communities that grow there.

I wish I could come to the program on Thursday but it's my girlfriend's birthday. Goin' out for dinner.

I hope it goes well, and I hope someone video tapes it.  Tom, you still on this list?

Mik



At 05:36 PM 2/23/2009, Jon Reed wrote:
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>
>
>Hey folks...
>
>By now, you have likely received a couple of announcements for the Social Media for Business event Hidden-Tech is putting on this coming Thursday evening the 26th (info below). 
>
>I wanted to take a moment to share why I helped to initiate this program and why I think it's important. To me, social media is a compelling discussion because in a down economy, innovation through social media is not only appealing, but often financially viable as well, especially when compared to traditional marketing alternatives. On the downside, there is huge amount of hype about social media (e.g. "everyone should be on Twitter," or "the real action for businesses is on LinkedIn/Facebook/etc"). In fact, the only social media approach that works for businesses is the one that works for you specifically. 
>
>That's why I'm real excited to have Tish Grier moderating this panel. When I was debating launching a Twitter presence nine months ago, Tish was the one I paid to consult with me about whether this was indeed the best option. She has deep and relevant experience speaking about these trends. I've since had a great deal of business success from Twitter and Tish's advice was instrumental. Tish has put together a great panel of folks with different perspectives for our program on Thursday, all of whom should have some good ideas for us on putting social media to work for us in this economy - and not getting buried in useless hype.  
>
>I'm really looking forward to this program, and hope to see many of you there. 
>
>Jon Reed
>Hidden-Tech Board Member
>
>
>>*************************************************
>>HOW HIDDEN-TECH BUSINESSES ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA
>>*************************************************
>> 
>>When: Thursday, February 26
>>5:30 - 6:00 informal networking
>>6 - 7:30 Panel Discussion
>>7:30 - 8:00 question and answer session
>> 
>>Where: Media Education Foundation (MEF) Community Room, 60 Masonic Street, Northampton, Massachusetts
>> 
>>Refreshments: Snack provided, drinks and sandwiches can be purchased from Woodstar Cafe
>> 
>>Investment: $10
>> 
>>Registration preferred: You can register at <http://live.hidden-tech.net/index.php/component/option,com_attend_events/task,view/id,7/Itemid,44/>Register, or go to <http://www.hidden-tech.net/>www.hidden-tech.net for more information.
>> 
>>Join us on February 26 for an interactive panel discussion of "How Hidden-Tech Businesses are Using Social Media." The panel will focus on the real-life success stories and lessons learned from local businesses who have used social media to improve their business model- and their bottom line. Moderated by Tish Grier, a frequent speaker on these topics, this panel should provide us all with tips we can apply - in any economy.
>> 
>> 
>>About Our Moderator:
>>Tish Grier is a social media strategist for startups seeking to develop online communities. She is currently at work as community developer for Placeblogger.com and on a new crowdsourcing project. She has worked in community development at NewsTrust.net, a journalism review site, and Assignment Zero, the first crowdsourced journalism project. She speaks frequently on social media in journalism, and blogs at the <http://spap-oop.blogspot.com/>Constant Observer on media and technology.
>> 
>> 
>>About Our Panel:
>>Panelists include Morris Partee, founder and Chief Experience Officer at EverythingCU, a central hub for connecting credit union executives across the country. Morris seamlessly combines both the personal and professional in his use of social media.  He is also active in organizing several BarCampBank unconference events. He blogs at <http://everythingcu.wordpress.com/>EverythingCU and is very active on Twitter and Facebook.
>> 
>>Ron Miller is a freelance writer and member of Hidden Tech. Ron has been blogging since 2003, and has recently begun to leverage new forms of social media such as Twitter to further his personal brand, mine new sources of information, and connect with other Hidden Techies. He blogs at "<http://byronmiller.typepad.com/>by Ron Miller," is a regular columnist at DaniWeb, and is also on Twitter.
>> 
>>Ann Kingman is a sales manager with Random House, Inc. She works primarily with independent booksellers, and understands the challenges of brick-and-mortar stores in an e-commerce era. She sees the value of social media for brick and mortar businesses who are challenged by online competition. Ann blogs at <http://booksellersblog.com/>Bookseller's Blog and does both blog and podcast with colleague Michael Kindness at <http://www.booksonthenightstand.com/>Books on the Nightstand)
>> 
>> 
>>About Hidden-Tech:
>>HIDDEN-TECH (<http://www.hidden-tech.net/>www.Hidden-Tech.net) is a rapidly growing group of 1900 technology-enabled entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners scattered throughout the Pioneer Valley in Western Massachusetts who have come together to beat isolation, share business tips, find resources, create alliances, learn business skills and alert regional economic planners and technology service providers about our presence. 
>> 
>> 
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--------
Michael Muller
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