Coming up: the last days of summer. I don’t know about you, but even though the weather is still nice after Labor Day,  the summer season feels like it’s over. So, it’s time for one more summer social. And, if you’re in the Chicago area, I’d love it if you could join DIF DuPage on Wednesday night.  RSVP via Eventbrite: http://difdupage0811-efbevent.eventbrite.com/

DIF DuPage Invites YOU to Summer Sunset Social Round Two
Share YOUR Social Media Stories

Free Admission. Cash Bar.

The last time we got together to socialize, in June, it took four hours for everyone to get to know each other. Wow! This group LOVES to network – how cool is that?

This time, join us and share your best of summer stories.

- Have some vacation pictures you’d like to share on your phone? Bring ‘em.

- Got a great summer social media success story? Let’s hear it.

- Did you learn a Facebook lesson here or there? Share it.

- Maybe you read a great book you’d like to pass on. Exchange one, get one.

One lucky winner will get tickets for two to Matthew Stella’s performance of “At 5’2? and 125 pounds, a featured presentation at the Chicago Fringe Festival.

We’d also like to request that you hold this date:

September 29 and time: 1:00-5:00

to celebrate DIF Day in DuPage County. Our theme is “Circle Up with Social Media” and we’re working on rounding up the program now. Stay tuned for details.

Convene. Connect. Converse.

It’s new. It’s now. It’s DIF.

Mixing socializing with programming and a live learning lab, Digital Innovation Forum [DIF] breaks the traditional networking world mold into a 3D [digital, dynamic and direct] experience.

If you’re looking for a place to connect with other social media enthusiasts where you can:

1. exchange digital innovation ideas

2. learn more about how to get social media to work for you and your business, and

3. grow your community connections in 3D

DIF is it.

DIF DuPage is a community think tank that focuses on content and community development via social media, mobile and interactive platforms.

Learning Location
Illinois Institute of Technology School of Applied Technology 201 E. Loop Road Wheaton, Illinois

Producer
DIF is proudly brought to you by CoryWest Media, LLC, a DuPage County business since 1996. Thanks so much for your interest and consideration in attending this event! For more information, contact Barbara Rozgonyi at 630.207.7530, email connect@corywestmedia.com or follow @wiredprworks on
twitter.com.

Image credit: Thanks to our youngest for obliging his mom’s request for a sunset picture on our family vacation in Door County. Take a look at that sky!

So, where is all this digital stuff going?

Edelman’s Digital team gives us a preview of their opinion of what’s to come in their recently released white paper, Digital Visions: Ten Ideas for the New Decade.

The bigger opportunity for clients, we believe, is to identify the global societal and technological trends that are reshaping how we think, act and buy – and to pivot into them early. Trends today tend to develop more slowly and are harder to see, allowing clients to take a more thoughtful, thorough and systematic approach. Steve Rubel, Edelman

A collection of essays from thought leaders, it’s worth reading. And, Steve’s quote is really what it’s all about. While convincing businesses to invest in or even think about infusing digital into their business was almost impossible even a year ago, now it’s a conversation they not only want to start, it’s an area they want to invest in.

Why? In some cases it’s the iPhone. Apps change the way the way businesses run: quicker, in real time, customized, on demand and more accurate. In other cases, it’s search. Being where your customers can find you is no longer optional, it’s critical. For others, it’s an affordable marketing and customer service option that sets up an outpost on a popular place where clients congregate. Now, everyone is starting to get why they need to have a digital profile that wires business, branding, marketing and social.

Image: Barbara Rozgonyi from the MSI collection copyright 2009 for www.thesociallens.com

What do you think: How is digital impacting your business?

Confession: I love jewelry that sparkles – preferably a lot. To make stones sparkle, they have to be cut to catch light. To be attractive, they need to be shaped. To be displayed, they have to be set. Stones come in many colors, sizes, cuts and shapes. But, they all start out as a rough piece of rock.

Content is the same way: rough at first, then shaped, cut, colored, polished and set. Here’s an update on an article about how to take a content relevancy test that will help you polish your content and make it more appealing, effective and attractive.

Is Your Content Full of Junk or Jewels?

Take the Content Relevancy Test [CRT] and Find Out

To request permission to reproduce or republish this article, contact connect AT corywestmedia DOT com.

Instructions: Read through the CRT. Print out. Read again. Jot down actions to take to make your content more relevant. Take action. Test results. Refine approach with every post.

You Content is Related to the Outfit – how?

Being related to someone or something conveys a connection that goes beyond temporary interactions. Who are you in a relationship with? List new, building, mature along with healthy, in need of healing and on the way out. Consider all avenues: client, computer, family, social, spiritual, etc. You’re starting to build your ideal reader/client profile.

Experiential – process?

What happens in your relationship? Do you learn, teach, mentor, report, commentate, advise, give? Every action you take produces some kind of interaction. Making it mutually beneficial increases the likelihood that you’ll both benefit and that the relationship will continue to grow.

Life Application – when it happens

Where did you meet? How often do you get together? What do you expect to happen when someone gets your message or hears from you? Setting intentions to shape the relationship and follow a long-term vision helps you both stay committed. Continually updating your contacts, readers or clients with news and ideas keeps the relationship fresh and vibrant.

Education – help them understand

Not everybody gets what you do right away. Confirming understanding is a thoughtful step, if you can do it without being condescending. Often the most uncertain time is at the beginning of a relationship. Make your connections feel comfortable by offering levels of information. Don’t be surprised if beginners turn out to be your biggest audience.

Voyage – tell stories that give them a passport

Case studies [solution, approach, result] walk your reader through how the relationship will work. If they can see themselves in the story, they’ll be more likely to relate to working with you. Come up with a half dozen or so of your best results stories that each portray a different angle of your expertise. Then, get an audio or video [best] testimonial to use on your site or blog. If you have a process, map it out for them.

Alignment – veering back from being off-topic

Sometimes you want to comment on something that’s seemingly completely irrelevant. Start out with the story and twist it back to tie into your topic. Build a frame you can overlay into any subject and you’ll convert interest from hot topics over to your message.

Nuances – how you’re different

Everyone has a thumbprint, now make a brand print that sets your content apart. And, stick to it. Writing in the same voice every time keeps your readers engaged and comfortable. When you change tone or nuances, you’ll confuse them and lose them. Develop a style that’s comfortable for you – because it is you. Don’t try to be someone else. Admitting your failures humanizes your content and your relationships.

Convince – persuade with passion

Being passionate about what you write comes through. If you’re faking it, your readers will know. Rather than persuade them, you’ll reroute their interests elsewhere. Remember English 101? Start with a thesis statement and then write three paragraphs that support your argument. Outline what you’ll write about and then fill in the blanks. One more thing – write your headline first. Crunch the feel of the content down into seven words or less and then get going.

Yellow – glow in the relationship

After you pass the relevancy test, stay focused and keep glowing. Accept that some readers will leave. Reward those that stay with a steady stream of relevant content – from you and from them. Communication is [at least] a two way channel. Ask them what they want and they’ll tell you what to write.

What makes content sparkle for you?

Image credit: Barbara Rozgonyi for www.thesociallens.com from the lighting series

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

A few days ago I spoke to a group that started programming early in the morning. Although I wasn’t on until 9:45 I decided to get there early to hear the first speaker talk about communications. Our preliminary exercise required that we introduce the person to our right. The person on my left introduced the person on their left leaving me as the only person in the room to not be introduced. I was okay with that since I’d soon [hopefully] get their attention with my presentation.

The next exercise asked that we talk about a difficult person in our lives. Several people came to mind as being a bit troublesome, but not terribly difficult. And then I thought about how sometimes groups of people can be downright whiny and demanding. Rather than divulge details here [or there] I chose to share something so minor it probably didn’t qualify for sharing. But, my partner also found it challenging to think about any truly difficult people in their life. Keeping the disconcert to myself, I listened as the speaker said:

 “If we think people are difficult, they think we are, too. What would happen if we changed positions?”

What if you replayed all the conversations and reread the communications that you considered to be contentious?