Category: Networking
Michael Jackson: “You got to be startin’ something.” In 1996, I started a group called IWOW, Independent Writers of the West. In 2008, a small group of folks, including me, started Social Media Club Chicago’s Chapter. Now, it’s time to start something completely different . . . and that’s DIF. Read More…
Coming up on October 30 in Lombard, Illinois . . . here’s a press release about an event that’s expected to draw over 500 people and 50 exhibitors. Need a business to business social networking or social media marketing strategies speaker? We released new about the expo via PRWeb.
Social Media Talks Buzz Up Lombard Chamber Business EXPO
Lombard, Illinois October 16, 2009 — Successful businesses know that one of the best places to network is a chamber of commerce business EXPO. Even better? Add in presentations on how to build up social media buzz and then attend a networking reception. Thanks to the Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, businesses can do all three at the 13th Annual Expo at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center in Lombard, Illinois. Social Media keynote speaker Barbara Rozgony of CoryWest Media, LLC – online at http:wiredPRworks.com – a virtual PR, social media and marketing consultancy will present three 20-minute social networking presentations: Facebook: Your Business or Your Life; Twitter 101: How to Tweet: Not for Birds, But for Business; and LinkedIn: 5 Power Strategies to Stand Out and Be Sought Out.
The “Wired PR Works” presentation is being sponsored by Chamber Gold Member Premier Payment Systems provider of Merchant Card Services. For more information visit: http://lombardchamber.com or call 630.637.5040.
Yvonne Invergo, Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive director, says exhibitors represent a wide variety of business sectors including banking, finance, insurance, marketing, computer, healthcare, senior living, education, publications, recreation, government and more. A social networking reception, at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., follows the EXPO.
Sponsored by Premier Payment Systems, Barbara Rozgonyi’s social media keynote presentations will cover:
Facebook: Your Business or Your Life? | at noon
How to have it both ways and become friends with people you can do business with
Learn how to harmonize your business, life and branding into a unified, cohesive presence that compliments your business – and your life!
Twitter 101: How to Tweet: Not for Birds, but for Business | at 1:00 p.m.
How to fly into twitter and attract a flock of loyal followers and customers
Birds tweet, but should you? Find out if twitter is a time-waster or a tool worth turning on and powering up. Discover how to leverage twitter to attract prospects, connect with customers, personalize branding and respond to everyone, including the media.
LinkedIn: 5 Power Strategies to Stand Out and Be Sought Out | at 2:00 p.m.
Becoming an authority on LinkedIn is easier than you think. In this session, take a look at the top five strategies authorities use to get attention and claim their space on LinkedIn: profiles, recommendations, answers, company sites and networks.
About Premier Payment Systems, specializing in merchant accounts for credit card processing
Premier delivers a personalized hands-on approach to businesses that are looking for competitive merchant solutions. Managed by an expert team with a collective 50 plus years experience in the bankcard industry, Premier’s leadership’s extensive background in risk management, leadership and sales management drives the company’s service and its vision. Premier’s diverse client portfolio consists of thousands of businesses, some of whom process as little as $60,000 annually in credit card charges while others process in excess of $100 million annually. Headquartered in Chicago’s western suburbs, Premier’s client base includes internet, retail, wholesale, mail order, phone orders and home-based businesses. Partnerships and alliances with the most well respected financial institutions in the world include First Data, named by Inc as the #1 Fastest Growing Business in Financial Services Industry 2008. For more information, visit http://ppsbankcard.com.
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Disclosure: Thanks to Premier Payment Systems for sponsoring my presentation and the event promotions.
What do women business owners really want to know about business, technology and communications? Listen in to a podcast and read twitter transcripts captured at a lively evening at the Apple Store.
Thanks to Theresa Carter, founder of Chicago’s “The Local Tourist” and Blagica Bottigliero [don’t we look like a fun trio?] for letting me speak to the group, “It’s Chic to be Geek,” I got to find out what women want to know about how to market their business online. If you’re in Chicago, you’ll want check out “It’s Chic to be Geek.”
Heidi Miller generously offered to record my presentation. Read Heidi’s review and highlights of our group discussion about how technology drives business online. I love these types of presentations that begin with a backdrop and then open up to an open forum. Thanks to Heidi for all the coverage, which included a post-talk video interview.
Check out my Chic to Be Geek photos on flickr, all by Beth Rosen – thanks, Beth!
Twitter Transcript: Barbara Rozgonyi on writing, business, communications and technology at It’s Chic to Be Geek
Copied directly from twitter search using chic2geek – comments in reverse order. Thanks so much to all of you who tweeted! You added another communications channel to the live event.
heidimiller: Photos and video from #chic2geek up in the Facebook group: http://is.gd/jjcV (expand)
heidimiller: Multitasking: conference call talking over contracts while uploading video from #chic2geek to Facebook.
heidimiller: @blagica Thanks! I’ve actually been abbreviating “chic2BG” in my notes, but #chic2geek is probably more clear. 
GREAT job organizing!
celikins: @thelocaltourist & @blagica thanks again for another wonderful and educational event #chic2geek
heidimiller: Fantastic event that @blagica and @thelocaltourist put on! Great geek girls, great info. #chic2geek
khw77: @dijana hi it’s Kim who met you on the way out. Congrats on the wedding. #chic2geek
gizmodesign: HA! RT: @bcbeatty @heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it” #chic2geek
bcbeatty: RT @heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it” #chic2geek
heidimiller: Talking about how cool and energetic @chrisbrogan is. #chic2geek
khw77: @heidimiller want to talk to you more about your business #chic2geek
gizmodesign: so sad i had to miss 
hacked sites require attention [take note all wordpress folks!] #chic2geek
thelocaltourist: Great, @Blagica. Now the windows are all steamed up #chic2geek
MaggieConv: Bummed about missing the #chic2geek event, but rest is much needed.
karitas: barbara rozgonyi did a nice presentation tonite at #chic2geek event
khw77: @windycitysocial hi I’m sitting right behind you and talking about your business with you. #chic2geek
amyseye: eNjoyed Barbara’s presentation at the #chic2geek event. Thanks @blagica for the visual presentations:)
stacyjill: Next event will probably be about Blogging #chic2geek
heidimiller: How do you pitch your release online: Pitch Engine and TwitPitch. #chic2geek
heidimiller: How do you use Facebook for business? A: join a related group and ask the admin how you can help #chic2geek
stacyjill: RT @heidimiller: Can’t keepip with @stacyjill ‘s #chic2geek Tweets.No fair! She’s got a laptop, and I’m just one-thumbed iPhoning! *giggle*
stacyjill: Btw… all of you wedding people in the crowd… get ahold of me please. #chic2geek
stacyjill: Get to know the admin of the event you are attending. (great way to network) #chic2geek
stacyjill: Q from crowd – what is the best way to use Facebook for Business? A. FB is great for events (not so much an expert for Biz) #chic2geek
heidimiller: Can’t keepip with @stacyjill ‘s #chic2geek Tweets. No fair! She’s got a laptop, and I’m just one-thumbed iPhoning!
heidimiller: “You’re not going tone able to predict what will be great content until you ask your readers” @wiredprworks #chic2geek
stacyjill: @mediabistro is a great site #chic2geek
stacyjill: 20somethings.ning.com is on the screen… #chic2geek
heidimiller: Anything Guy Kawasaki writes is good. #chic2geek
heidimiller: Recommending @shel ‘s Blogging for Business #chic2geek
stacyjill: @wiredprworks – surround yourself with great advisors #chic2geek
stacyjill: Shel Holtz books – @shel check out his books #chic2geek
stacyjill: Selling advertising space on your blog is good if you have the traffic #chic2geek
stacyjill: A. Check out Six-Figure Blogger….. #chic2geek
stacyjill: Q. from crowd: Is there a list of the best sites to use for blogging? #chic2geek
stacyjill: comment from crowd – newbie – blogger/typepad are good for people who might be intimidated by wordpress #chic2geek
momofteenstwit2: What if there was only one Doctor in the world?. There is room for you too in business.. #chic2geek @wiredprworks speaking
stacyjill: Comment from crowd- when you go to websites and check domains, buy it immediately so nobody else buys it up! #chic2geek
stacyjill: You may want to have a guest author #chic2geek
heidimiller: #chic2geek question: how do you let people know to come to your blog? A from @wiredprworks: SM press release, postcards, email
stacyjill: A. You may want at least 3 posts, etc #chic2geek
stacyjill: Q. How much content do you want on your blog before you send it out #chic2geek
stacyjill: A. Press Release – let people know your blog is up. Place your blog URL on every biz card you have. Create a postcard #chic2geek
stacyjill: Q. How is there a way to build up your followers – How do you let people know? #chic2geek
stacyjill: @blagica – there will be a sep. blogging event in the future #chic2geek
stacyjill: @blagica is picking out funny domain names online #chic2geek
8 days ago from TweetDeck · Reply · View Tweet · Thread Show ConversationHide
heidimiller: “Twitter is like sex: you don’t know what it’s going to be like until you try it”
joipodgorny: @blagica you keep going to every site I think would be a good background site #chic2geek
stacyjill: Some people say Twitter is like Sex – you won’t know until you try it @wiredprworks ( that should be a tagline…LOL) #chic2geek
heidimiller: What question would you like to ask @wiredprworks on getting new media to work for you/writing for social media? #chic2geek
stacyjill: Figure out who your audiences are #chic2geek
stacyjill: Q. How do you start a blog? A. Make the decision… read blogs… what do you like that people are talking about? #chic2geek
thelocaltourist: http://twitpic.com/1fwep – At #chic2geek, @wiredprworks presenting
stacyjill: Btw – @leahjones is curious if we are going anywhere afterwards??? Ladies?? #chic2geek
stacyjill: Opening up to questions #chic2geek
heidimiller: Strategizing content plans for Facebook, Twitter, blogging: decide who your audience is and what they need #chic2geek
tokissthecook: @Blagica Hello Ladies!! So sorry I’m still at the office but have fun!! #chic2geek
stacyjill: What are your audiences? What are your goals? #chic2geek
stacyjill: Windycitysocial.com is asking the question – #chic2geek
blagica: http://twitpic.com/1fwc1 – @wiredprworks at the #chic2geek event
heidimiller: @wiredprworks on 17 Ways to Enliven Your Message question: how can a blog drive traffic to the website?#chic2geek
stacyjill: Quick Q Does a blog talk away traffic from a website (can you put your blog within your website) – Yes, talk to your web designer #chic2geek
stacyjill: @wiredprworks – check out her blog post today called Wired Writing – 17 Ways to Enliven Your Message #chic2geek
stacyjill: @blagica is running through great twitter accounts on the screen… @comcast cares, @barackobama, @zappos #chic2geek
heidimiller: @blagica is blazing across the Twitterverse at #chic2geek
stacyjill: People like twitter because it is faster than google (in terms of info) (The Octo-Mommy, the Hudson River plane) #chic2geek
momofteenstwit2: @@Blagica thanks for a great event..love when the girls hang out #chic2geek in Chicago..go girls
stacyjill: Twitter is a great place to show people what you are working on. #chic2geek
stacyjill: Watch out – she is pimping out the single ladies @blagica #chic2geek
blagica: YO SAY hello to the LOVELY ladies at the #chic2geek event at the Apple Store…boys plenty of ladies in the house:) single, too,
stacyjill: Question – @blagica is tweeting! #chic2geek
stacyjill: @wiredprworks -businesses communicate with customers (email, PR, advertisements, telemarketing, twitter, facebook) #chic2geek
heidimiller: From @wiredprworks: Think of yourself as a content producer and a storyteller #chic2geek
stacyjill: Check out @wiredprworks blog for a creative work plan and how to liven your writing #chic2geek
stacyjill: If you take away one thing tonight,… How to become a content producer #chic2geek
stacyjill: @leahjones just got a shoutout at the event by @wiredprworks #chic2geek
stacyjill: @wiredprworks Back when she started a computer cost $2800… Ouch #chic2geek
stacyjill: @Blagica is introducing @wiredprworks #chic2geek
stacyjill: Ok – Heidi has a hashtag.. woo hoo #chic2geek
heidimiller: Wiring @wiredprworks for an impromptu Podcast of her #chic2geek talk
heidimiller: @wiredprworks is about to speak on business communications. Any questions for her? #chic2geek
Social networking online is a lot like driving in Chicago in winter. This time of year it’s difficult to drive down the street without dropping into a pothole. You know, a dip that jars your car. After a few potholes, you start to dodge the drop off. This post covers five ways to fill the biggest potholes and navigate your social network smoothly.
Here’s where the question originated . . .
Question
In preparing an online networking presentation for small business owners, I got a call from the meeting planner who asked me: “Can you talk about the icky stuff first? I know these questions will come up sometime in the presentation.”
Answer
As a former sales person, I know how important it is to overcome objections. And, I know that not every product or service is for everybody. If you’re one of the ones who sits on the sidelines and waits for people to invite you to join their social network – or you’re not participating at all, see if one of these possible potholes is holding you back. The two biggest concerns are privacy and time management.
1. PRIVACY Set social network privacy boundaries – shading the view
How much do you want people to know about you? is not the question
This is: How much do people have to know about you before they make a decision to connect with you?
Meeting someone online is a first stopping point in what may or may not be a long-term relationship. The key here is to give people who want to follow enough information to make a decision to connect. It’s okay to turn off some people. Believe me, you don’t want to attract everybody.
Decide how much you want to reveal before you get started because once you put anything out online, it can be impossible to cancel it. For example, if you work from home, you don’t have to give your specific address or even the name of your village. I use Chicago because more people recognize this city than the name of my town. Will you post pictures of your family? Mention your hobbies?
2. TIME MANAGEMENT Manage your online social networking time as an investment in your business
Yes, social networking can be time consuming and distracting. But, most business owners aren’t used to spending much personal time on building their business. Typically, they’re more focused on delivering products or services. Traditionally, brochures, mailings and emails manage most of the marketing contact time. What do these strategies have in common?
To build your community online, think of treating your time as an investment in building your credibility and connecting in new ways. How do you find time to network online? Try checking email only once or twice a day and then schedule in 30 minutes to check in with your online networks. Start small and build up. The key here is frequent interaction, in small bites. It’s kind of like working out. You don’t run a marathon the first day you start training.
3. INVITATIONS Decide who you want to connect with
Be prepared for “invitations” that come from unlikely people on networks you aren’t on. Don’t join a network just because your friends are on it. Check out every person who invites you to connect before you accept. Have an invitation you don’t want to accept – like the one from your sister’s ex-husband? It’s up to you to decide. If you have 1500 connections, one isn’t likely to stand out. If you have 20, you want them all to be people you like.
4. PRIORITIES Strategize your system by identifying professional priorities
Why am I here? What do I want to get out of it? Who do I want to talk to? Should I stay or should I go now?
Join networks that you will participate in – check out the conversation first. Smaller networks within a larger site like LinkedIn offer more opportunity for connecting in a small group setting.
5. ETIQUETTE Be nice and act responsibly
You get what you give. If you’re nice, others will be, too. But, sometimes people are mean and nasty to those who are more successful than they are. And, your message might get misconstrued. Nuances drift into short messages. People read words the wrong way. Apologize and correct any misunderstandings immediately. Read your message out loud before you send it. And, if you don’t have anything nice to say . . . well you know . . .
What do think?
What’s your biggest social networking pothole?
Challenge: Differentiating You and What You Do
Solution: Promote ALL of YOU, including your social network
Read: 33 Ways to Get Social Networking to Work for You
Time: < 3 minutes to read
Action: Choose top 2 or 3 to implement
Inspiration: Chris Brogan’s post “Will Companies Value Your Personal Network?”
33 Ways to Get Social Networking to Work for You
Share your ideas – let’s see if we can get the list to 50!
What’s the most important step to take first? What would you add to the list?
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Wired PR Works by Barbara Rozgonyi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at wiredprworks.com.