Keepers – these all are. In late December, I cull through all wiredPRworks blog posts looking for the best of the best to share. Here’s the 2011 lot. You’ll find inspiration, ideas, trends, news and stories. What’s missing? What would you like to see here in 2012?

Rocks and Ripples

Although this post does not directly address social media marketing or PR, it is my top choice for a number of reasons: it features my son [with his permission], it tells a story, it responds to an inspiring story and it features a video. Everyone I send it to writes back about how they like it. I hope you will, too. Thanks to my son and Tim Sanders for the inspiration.

“You’ve got to go create a ripple.”

Those words came to me as our youngest son and I tromped around the woods. Early in the evening or late in the afternoon, depending on how you measured it, we were doing what we do best: an adventurous young man now, once a boy, coaxing a mom to overcome her trepidation to explore nature and life without boundaries. Where would he lead me if I said . . .

Best Picture Goes to the Social Network

Ending the discussion about whether or not social networks have a lasting place in popular culture and real life, The Social Network won four Golden Globe awards, including best picture.

Best of CES 2011 Innovation Electronics and Connections

Business Week found the 2011 show to be The Most Innovation-Filled CES in Years “The technology at the Consumer Electronics Show was more diverse, more connected, and in some cases just plain weirder than ever.” I enjoyed covering the show as one of five Sears Blue Blogger Crew members.

Personal Branding for Affiliate Marketers

Recap from a panel discussion about personal branding for affiliate marketers at Affiliate Summit West 2011 in Las Vegas. Panelists included Marty Fahncke, our moderator, Jim Kukral, and Geno Prussakov.

Social Media Twigs from the CES Tweet House

Tweet House speakers Angela LoSasso, David Armano, Jeffrey Hayzlett and moderator Steve Broback focused on social media tools and techniques for organizations.

Recovering from Being Hacked Off of Facebook – Now Back On

After two weeks and three attempts, my account was restored. Here’s how to get back on after being hacked off.

Atlantic City the Real Jersey Shore Travel Tuesday PR

When the offer came in to fly away for a girlfriends weekend, I erased my former memory files and eagerly said yes. After all, most of my friends would be away at South by Southwest Interactive in Austin. I wanted to get away, too.

SOBCon 2011 Models Teams and Tables

Deciding who to sit with can affect your SOBCon outcome. Your table is your group. This year, I got really lucky. I enjoyed sitting at the conference media production table with five amazing people, including the world-famous Lorelle Van Fossen who writes the blog Lorelle on WordPress.

3 YouTube & Video Marketing Tricks You Should Not Miss

Everybody’s making videos, but who really knows how to marketing them? For the answer to that question, I passed this topic over to a talented guest author, Bob Tripathi.

LinkedIn Checklist for Getting Your Next Job or New Client

No matter where your profile is in its stage of completeness, this LinkedIn checklist can help you not only get to 100%, but also truly present your professional credentials in the most accurate and attractive way possible.

7 Things Service Dogs Know About Love and Social Media

What do dogs know about service? What does service have to do with social media? Maybe the answer is as simple as: they know how to find somebody to love. That’s why dogs have one of the best jobs in the world.

Cloud Computing Business Basics for PR Folks

When Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Applied Technology, invited me to attend a cloud computing workshop, I was curious. Here’s what I learned.

12 Ways to Rock Your Speech, Your Audience and Your Event

This is a post about how to be a rock star speaker – inspired by Tony Robbins.

25 Thoughts re: Google+

Thanks to Chris Brogan for the suggestion to blog about what you think about Google+.

How Gray is Social Networking

Fully 65% of adult internet users now say they use a social networking site like MySpace, Facebook or LinkedIn, up from 61% one year ago. This marks the first time in Pew Internet surveys that 50% of all adults use social networking sites. Source: Pew Research on Adult Social Media Usage

37 Tweet Size Writing Tips

If you only have time to read one of the 37 tweets, read #22:  Empower writers. Because the writer runs the show. Quality content gets you where you want to go. Thanks to Ragan Communications for the ticket to the Corporate Writers and Editors Conference in Chicago.

How to Pick My Brain

Ever wished you had an on-call marketing consultant, but didn’t think you could find someone who was willing to give you the answers you need to get to increase your visibility, influence and profitability? Here’s how to pick my brain.

Guest Blogger Guidelines How to Write at Somebody Else’s Place

Writing for a popular blogger with a fanatic following online is even tougher. It’s not just their space, it’s their readers’ communal gathering zone where they can and do talk back. Here’s a quick how-to guide along with an invitation to be a contributor to wiredPRworks.

Image: Taken on a family hike at Amnicon Falls, this one got several Big Faves at my photography site over on flickr. copyright 2011 by Barbara Rozgonyi

Which of these posts/topics interest you the most?

Tomorrow I’ll be doing my “BarbWired” report for Chicagonistalive, a live internet show. We’ll be broadcasting online at 2:00pm cst from Willis Tower Skydeck, at 103 stories up [updated location]. TechWeek Chicago is my feature story.

As a #TeckWk VIP, I got complimentary admission thanks to a Klout perk. Disclosure: http://cmp.ly/2/va. Although TechWeek events and sessions spanned several days, due to speaking engagements and other commitments, I only attended the opening party and most of day one.

So, if you’re looking for complete coverage, this isn’t it.

My goal, here, is to give you a sense of the depth and diversity of topics – all with a light touch.

Did you go to TechWeek? Please share your comments or links to your coverage so we can exchange ideas.

If you were one of the 2,000 or so folks there and you saw me there, but we didn’t talk – let’s chat soon. The Social Media Club Chicago members in the crowd stood out. We were the ones hugging each other.

It was great to see Social Media Club co-founder Chris Heuer at TechCocktail’s Fifth Anniversary Party on Thursday night. Chris flew in just for TechWeek.

To leave more room here for content, check out this post from ChicagoNow.com on TechWeek and the Merchandise Mart atmosphere. For more details on Chicago’s biggest tech event ever, check out this preview post from TheNextWeb.com

Congrats to MidVentures on achieving their mission of connecting as many people, places and things with the span of TechWeek.

Here’s a quick rundown of the TechWeek speakers and sessions I enjoyed.

J. B. Pritzker Keynote

From jb-pritzker.com . . .

Throughout his business, philanthropic and political involvement, Jay Robert (J.B.) Pritzker, has built a reputation as a strong leader, an innovative entrepreneur and a champion of charitable causes. His businesses include New World Ventures – a venture capital firm – and The Pritzker Group – a private investment firm. He is also a principal owner of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and TransUnion Corporation.

J.B. Priztker of New World Ventures talked about three things that have changed for the better on the Chicago tech scene:

1. Quality and experience of start-up founders who are now magnets for talent and capital

2. Capital – venture investments have leaped in Chicago

3. Talent pool – It takes a village to raise a start up and there’s no other city with as rich of a talent pool as Chicago. More Nobel prize winners come from Chicago than anywhere else. We have the second largest business district in the United States.

Need hi-tech connections? Join Built in Chicago, a social network of over 4200 members, is dedicated to “promoting digital innovation in the world’s greatest city.”

Chicagoans have a long tradition of giving back.

“We’re nice, but we’re tough.” J.B. Pritzker

Want to exchange ideas? Check out Chicago’s Idea Week coming October 10-16

Aneesh Chopra, U.S. Chief Technology Officer

From the TechWeek progam . . .

Aneesh Chopra is the United States Chief Technology Officer and in this role serves as an Assistant to the President and Associate Director for Technology within the Office of Science & Technology Policy. He works to advance the President’s technology agenda by fostering new ideas and encouraging government-wide coordination to help the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland. 

Aneesh, who is on twitter @aneeshchopra, referenced Startup America and Startup Illinois, as two places entrepreneurs can go to build their businesses.

Working together, technology teams can design, develop and deliver incredible projects. Watch how fast the first crowd-sourced military vehicle, designed by Victor Garcia [an IIT grad] and built by Local Motors, goes together in this video.

Democratizing Data Liberation

Data liberation, which may be a new term for some, is a way for users to access,  interpret, share and keep data. The Indian and U.S. governments are working together on an open government project that enables global data liberation.

Do you do project research?

Then, you’ll love what data liberation does. Check out data sets for the city of Chicago. Or, research individual landmarks in Chicago.

The “Blue Button” program liberates individual health care information for veterans.

“There’s never been a better time to be an innovator in health care,” Aneesh Chopra

Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist and Craigconnects

Disclosure: Last summer, Craig Newark and I were on Barry Molts’s Business Insanity radio show on the same day! I also wrote a press release about Craig keynoting a conference and I posted a few ads on craigslist. That’s the extent of my Craig Newmark connections.

Craig talked mostly about Craigconnects – here’s the mission from the site:
craigconnects helps connect people of good will for the common good by highlighting nonprofits that are making an impact in Community Building, Journalism Integrity, Middle East, Open & Accountable Government, Service & Volunteering, Technology for Social Good and Veterans issues.

According to Craig, most non-profits don’t know how to tell a good story.

[We’re happy to help them with that.] The more polished their story is, the more bogus Craig thinks their guidelines are. Do you agree?

[The same could be said in business. Sometimes, the company with the best advertising is not the best in the industry. But, BestAd may be making more money than its more accomplished competitors. Do you agree?]

Craig suggests checking out charities on charitynavigator.org and greatnonprofits.org.

He says his number one power is cutting through bullsh*t.

It’s not coding. But, he loves to code. Whenever he tries to code, his staff pulls him back.

[This is a great lesson for entrepreneurs who distract themselves with doing work others could do much better, faster and cheaper. For example, when I finally admitted that someone else would do a much better job than I ever could on redesigning my blog, I invested in freeing up more time, activating a new brand and relieving all the frustration I would feel from this type of project.]

“If you want to make the world a better place, get engaged with social media. Social media and its effectiveness is not new. Guttenberg didn’t know what to do with it, but Martin Luther did. When good stuff happens, get the word out on social media.” Craig Newmark

[That’s why we work to match up businesses with non-profits that can leverage each other’s social media presence and connections. ]

Fireside Chat with Jory Des Jardin, co-founder of BlogHer

From the TechWeek program . . .

Jory Des Jardins co-founded BlogHer, Inc. in 2005 with Elisa Camahort Page and Lisa Stone, and serves as the company’s President of Strategic Alliances and lead evangelist to top revenue partners. With Jory’s leadership, BlogHer has developed its own distinctive brand of strategic partnership, helping to facilitate constructive dialogue between some of the world’s major brands and women who are social media leaders and their readers.

“If you want to come into the blogosphere to make money, don’t do it. “ Jory Des Jardins

Jory says the top reasons women like to blog are to express themselves and to meet people like them.

With 25 million unique views every month and 2,500 bloggers in the BlogHer network, Jory knows what she’s talking about.

If you’re a woman who blogs, you may submit your blog to be considered for the BlogHer ad network. They’re not selective based on a blogger’s traffic, they’re selective based on an advertising match. “We look up to traditional media, we’re not trying to replace it. We’re symbiotic.” Jory said.

BlogHer also creates events that springboard to life from the network to connect brands with bloggers.

Asked about her favorite blogs, Jory mentioned RedneckMommy, SimplyRecipes and Pioneer Woman by Ree Drummond, one of the largest female bloggers. Jory also said there is no “top 5.” The top blogs differ based on brands, readers and organizations.

Jory Des Jardin’s Suggestions for Bloggers

Read as much as you write. Link out for good blog karma.

Make your posts digestible –easily and quickly – and something people can connect with.

Jory said she used to spend hours writing a 2500 word post that would get a few readers. But, people want bite sizes, not five course meals. [I can relate to that. Can you?]

When I asked Jory about social media and blogging, specifically Google+ she said women will really like it because it’s easy to segment. “We like Google+ and we think it’s going to be someone some day.”

After her fireside chat, I met up with Jory to thank her for coming back to Chicago – where I attended BlogHer 2007 and 2009. In 2012, BlogHer moves back to NYC.

Exhibits for Startups and Entrepreneurs

Browsing the exhibit area, I stopped by the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Illinois. My marketing degree is from the College of Business at the University of Illinois. How exciting to hear about the work they’re doing with companies like Intelliwheels.

Recruiting for Start-ups

With so many sessions to choose from, I decided to cap off the day with two. Recruiting for start-ups shared insights on how to hire and fire, quickly and correctly.

Each panelist’s personality influenced their company’s hiring practices. A few of the top takeaways for me . . .

~ The head of HR is a hidden gem in every company and is more important than the CFO

~ Have a process and hire in teams – leader plus technicians

~Funding can slow the hiring process, a good thing

~ Hire slow and fire fast, especially if there’s no culture fit

~ You have to be crystal clear about your culture

~ When you’re interviewing, give people Legos and see what they create

Managing Digital Reputations

Barbara Mald0nado covered the TechWeek online reputation panel for TeckCocktail much better than I do here.

Because our clients come to us for expertise in reputation management, this was a particularly relevant session for me – and probably you, too.

A few thoughts that stuck with me . . .

Your digital reputation is everything about you on the web. What comes up when you Google your name on page one?

That’s where 90% of people will stop. Only another 4% will keep looking.

The more important to commerce you are, the more people will want to know about you. The reality is: as information transfer becomes more efficient, more of your life is on the line.

Here’s coverage by @interactiveamy on a session I wanted to go to, but couldn’t. Social Media Magic: A Woman’s Touch with Amy Korin and Hope Bertram.

Remember to watch Chicagonistalive online at 2:00pm cst on August 9, 2011 with MJ Tam, Nancy Loo, Beth Rosen, Duong Sheahan – and me!

Main Image Credit: Merchandise Mart Chicago TechWeek 2011 via instagram by Barbara Rozgonyi

Invitation: If you got this far, why not share a few thoughts? We’d love to hear what you’re thinking!

My bio has a new line: The mother of three, Barbara is a contributor to Chicago Moms Blog.

I. Am. Not. A. Mommy. Blogger.

I am a mom who blogs. So, call me a mom blogger; a women who blogs who also happens to be a mom; or the mother of two teens and a twenty who likes to write about lots of things, including what it’s like to be a mother. And, I’m a consultant who likes to be on the inside of the mom blogosphere. It’s an interesting place and I’m honored to be there.

My most recent Chicago Moms Blog post, Graduation: The Second Time Around, got proofed by my oldest who said, “I love reading writing with no mistakes!” My son, the subject of the post, didn’t read it, but said, “Did you HAVE to use that picture? Whatever . . . ”

Coincidentally, this post was selected to go up the same day he graduated from high school. Although I’ve been a mom for almost 21 years, writing about motherhood so openly is new to me.

Here’s my first official mom blogger post.

But . . . It didn’t make it past submission. The editors suggested that this post belonged on a more personal blog. And, while this blog is not a hyper personal blog, it is my blog.

Let’s Start Here

Although I’ve been writing for what seems like my entire life, including writing professionally for the last 20 years, I’m a bit anxious about writing here.

Why is that?

What makes me anxious?

I don’t know you yet. Yes, I know a few of my co-contributors here very, very well. In the past year or so, we’ve become friends and business partners.

And, I don’t me.

My experience tells that I can do this. I started writing to our firstborn on my first computer when I started my business in 1990. These were late night chats meant to communicate with someone so little that their only communication back was not yet in words, but in smiles and sounds.

Over the years, my mother’s writing work spilled into spirals stacked on shelves around the house with stories like what it was like the night my kids took their first pony ride.

When I started my business blog in 2006 – four years after presenting a sold-out workshop for writers and two years after teaching my first blogging course, I struggled with where to put my mother stories.

Did they belong with my business? Was a business blog a place where I could wander off into a space that’s private, personal and emotional? Or, was it better to be more neutral?

I settled on the latter and managed to sneak in a few glimpses to what life behind the business was like every now and then – about once or twice a year.

So when MJ Tam suggested that maybe I might like to contribute to chicagomomsblog.com, I pondered the idea of having a coming out party of sorts.

Applying to become a writer here felt right. Thanks to MJ, chicaomomsbog.com team lead, and to Jill Asher, founder of Silicon Valley Moms blog for welcoming me so graciously.

Not a new idea, really – my kids first suggested I write about family issues in 2007 after I came home from my first BlogHer conference. “Wait – you’re a mom and you’re a blogger. Why don’t you be a mom blogger?” they asked. And, truthfully, it’s been a bit awkward to be around other moms who blog about being moms and not adding my voice online.

So, here it is. My first post here. Let’s get this ball rolling.

I’ll kick things off with a bit about me. You tell me a bit about you. Along the way, we’ll get to know each other, learn from each other and inspire each other greatly.

Quick bio . . .

Mom xs 3
One college girl, a junior studying music business management and two high school boys, a freshman singer/game enthusiast and a senior skateboarder/film maker. [update: a sophomore singer/skateboarder/ebay expert and a college freshman who studies film when he's not filming and skateboarding]

Wife: celebrating 25 years of marriage to an athlete who’s completed 77 races at the marathon distance or longer and climbs rocks and mountains.

Pets: One survivalist tabby cat who lovingly shares her purrs and furs with us.

Photographer: http://thesociallens.com [update: photo credit: copyright Barbara Rozgonyi 2010 for http://thesociallens.com]

Entrepreneur: Named my company after my mother [Cory] and grandmother [West]; transitioned away from a successful national sales manager to become a pioneering work from home mompreneur in 1990.

Where to find me in Chicago: at Social Media Club Chicago events

What else do you want to know?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What part of you needs to be nurtured and bloomed? How can you start that happening?

On April 11, I attended my first Chicago Moms Blog live event. Produced by Silicon Valley Moms and sponsored by Chevy, contributors to Chicago Moms Blog convened to discuss brands and blogs. Held at Hard Rock Hotel, a brands meet blogs reception followed the almost two hour discussion. Thanks to MJ Tam for organizing a spectacular event.

The Silicon Valley Moms Group is criss-crossing the nation, partnering with fantastic sponsors to host events during which our writers and sponsors can network. In conjunction with these gatherings, we host Twitter parties for our readers with special giveaways. As well, we are always adding to our 2010 Sponsor Guide; keep checking it for new coupon codes and offers from the companies that help to bring you the SV Moms Group of blogs! from SV Moms Chevy Sponsor Guide

As a mom, Chicago Moms Blog writer, branding consultant, PR blogger, professional writer, author, speaker and founder of Social Media Club Chicago, I found the conversation fascinating.

What I confirmed: it’s about valuing the relationships.

Both sides want to the relationship to last for more than a two paragraph review. But, you have to find the right match. And, each side has to get the right balance of value, attention and reward. For example, brands might offer bloggers a link from their site, behind the scenes tours, exclusive information or coverage on their site – in addition to compensation for posts and promotions throughout the blogger’s social network.

[Yes - I am open to being a brand-sponsored blogger/consultant.]

This is a conversation I look forward to continuing with my newfound Chicago Moms Blog connections – and my consulting clients. For more in-depth coverage, check out Chicago Moms Blog Brand Blogger Meetup Recap.

Could moms who blog be the new major media? What do you think?

With my Chicago Moms Blogs buddies: Beth Rosen, Duong Sheahan, Nancy Loo, MJ Tam,Connie Burke-Chevy, me and Jill Ascher, Silicon Valley Moms Blog founder. View more images on the svmomschevy Chicago Event thesociallens.com flickr set.

About the stuff. . .

I came home with so much stuff I needed a valet. A friend suggested I do a video blog, and that is a good idea, but my 15 year old unpacked too fast. Here’s a quick overview of a few of the 16 or brands represented. If your brand is missing, feel free to add a comment about how the event worked for you. Interviewing each brand about how they interact with bloggers is a possible future post series.

Garretts Popcorn
Small sample bags, which get consumed in, literally, seconds by my high school sons. Garrett ships, which makes a great business gift. I love cheese/carmel mix.

Chevy
Thanks to Chevy for being the major sponsor and for the plantable tree with seeds. Chevy is a familiar brand at BlogHer events and it’s good to see them keeping a high profile here in Chicago. Chevy Missions, a newer initiative, helps non-profit organizations.

iGo Charge Anywhere
Did you know that vampire power sucks? Vampire power is what you pay for when your electronic devices are plugged in, but not turned on. iGo has a wall tower for that. The iGo Charge Anywhere is a portal device with interchangeable tips to power up all of your devices with one unit. If you’re like me, you have chargers coming out of drawers, walls and backpacks. Here’s a way to clean the cords and consolidate charging.

ebay classifieds
You don’t have to set up auctions on ebay to sell things. You can run free classified ads. Local businesses can use them to advertise services or job openings.

Babies The Movie
Premiering on Mother’s Day, this movie tells the story of four babies. The first time I saw the trailer in the movies around the holidays, I loved the concept: track the development of infants in four diverse cultures and locations. Each blogger got a DVD press kit and information about the film, simplifying the review process and adding details. I like this approach.

1-800-BASKETS.COM
Wow! This company arranges some gorgeous gifts. Each blogger got to choose one to take home – I went with the chocolate.

Energizer® Recharge Smart™ Charger
Who doesn’t need more rechargeable batteries? The Energizer® Recharge Smart™ Charger features a slow charge rate, which extends the number of life cycles, charges 2 or 4 AA or AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries, and is ENERGY STAR®-certified. My kids liked the countdown clock that displays how much charging time remains.

litl
What a cool home computer! Here’s a clip from a recent review.

The first thing you notice is the hardware. It’s distinctly unlike any laptop you’ve seen. While Apple, Microsoft, HP and HTC’s industrial designs are abundant with sharp corners and monochrome color pallettes to evoke a futuristic feel, litl attempts to create a different impression—that of an analog appliance. And I mean that in the best way possible, from its smooth curves and pastel colors to the asymmetry of its two halves and the materials used, the litl’s physical form is both unique and wholly memorable. Source: Applematters.com

Want one? Take $100 off at litl.com/momdeal

Transportation

Thanks – so much! – to my friends Dawn Burtuca and Tina Bishop for letting me and my goodies ride home with them.

SV Moms Chevy Brand and Bloggers Meet Up Chicago Images
Silicon Valley Moms Blog Chicago Event Gallery on Lahleyoo by Eulalio Fabie de Silva
SV Moms Chevy Chicago via http://thesociallens.com

Full Disclosure

This post is an event recap and an introduction to products I think Wired PR Works readers would like to know more about. This is not a product review or an endorsement post. All companies mentioned sponsored or exhibited at the event. All products were given to me with no expectations or review requirements. Food and drinks, as well as free parking and coat check, were provided.

Tell us about your take on bloggers and brands . . .

Even though I don’t have an iPhone, I want iPhone apps. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve said, “If I had an iPhone, I could _______________.”

That’s the personal side.

From the business side, I looked into making iPhone apps for clients a few months ago. We found a developer who said the cost started out at around $800, which is a small price to pay for the cool factor. What stopped us? The developer – who said, “Unless you make something really cool and useful, having an iPhone app might backfire. People won’t use it or they might make fun of it.”

That was then and today it’s WOW!

Thanks to Guy Kawasaki, now anyone can make a reasonably priced iPhone app with AppMaker. Use coupon code “GUYK” to pay $49 instead of $199 before January 19, 2010.

Video on how to Turn RSS content into an iPhone app easily, with AppMakr

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsix7R7BOro

Since this post is going out on the first business day of 2010, here are 10 iPhone apps that will help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. Browse through over 100,000 selections at the iPhone App Store.

Image: AppMakr model of Wired PR Works’ iPhone App. Credit goes to Artist Tara Reed for sending the link over.

What do you think? Is an iPhone App the next social marketing must have?