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. Why DIF? Why now?

DIF stands for Digital Innovation Forum. Like others who write about and proselytize about the future of social media, I believe that the future is beyond, or ahead of?, social silos.

The future is driven by collaborative digital innovation.

While there’s so much conversation around what social media tools to use and how to measure [almost] everything, at the heart of the hunt is a search for what’s really working – and why – right now.

That’s where DIF comes in. Right now, this whole concept is a bit fuzzy. The focus comes in when people get together and talk about what’s really happening in 3D: in real life, onscreen and in between.

If you know me, you know I’m fond of describing myself as “an alien whose spaceship has come in.”

Most of the time people who live on the edge, like every early adaptor, mature two years or more before everyone else gets to what we consider to be familiar territory.

But, that’s changing. As technology, people and communications converge, the lead time between what’s next is shrinking from years down to months, weeks, days, hours or minutes.

At this moment in time, there’s nothing like DIF in DuPage County – that I know of.

Why DuPage County?

Because that’s where I live.

Actually, I live smack dab in the center of one of the richest and most progressive counties in the country – in terms of technology, probably not politics.

We moved to DuPage County in 1996. My company’s local client list includes our village’s school, government, library, chamber and economic development corporation – along with retailers and non-profits. Event production includes the first local Idol competition. Last summer, we managed the social media for JazzFest Glen Ellyn. We all thrive on collaboration and that’s why I’m so excited about watching DIF come alive.

Special thanks goes out to our client, Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Applied Technology for providing meeting space and computer lab access.

Digital Innovation Forum Event Details

Date: March 10, 2010

Time: 7:30-9:30 am

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

Tickets: $5 for community conversation, $25 includes LinkedIn Lab and Learn Session

Digital Innovation Forum Registration http://budurl.com/difdupage

Contact: CoryWest Media, LLC 630.207.7530/voice/text, @wiredprworks on twitter.com

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.

Launching on the eve of South by Southwest Interactive, a five-day conference in Austin, Texas, DIF DuPage is a community think tank that focuses on content and community development via social media, mobile and interactive platforms.

Convene. Connect. Converse.

7:30 – 8:00 Breakfast and Socializing

8:00 – 8:30 Program and Community Conversation

8:30 – 9:30 LinkedIn Lab and Learn

“LinkedIn Power Profile Strategies: How to Go from the Sidelines to Superstar Status” led by Barbara Rozgonyi, LinkedIn author in “Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars”

DIF is starting out in DuPage County, but I’ve already had a request from Arizona to listen in. You’re welcome to join us, too.

Here’s the album I was listening to as I wrote the DIF news release. . .

What does Digital Innovation mean to you?

What happens when social networking skills meet up with horoscopes?

Thursday, May 6th, 2010 — You may be proud of your social networking skills, yet you still might feel like an outsider today. You want to be accepted by others, yet you choose to do things that demonstrate your independence rather than thinking with a group mentality. Don’t be afraid to dance to the beat of your own drum. However, consider the consequences of your non-conformist activities before you undermine the progress you have already made. Source tarot.com

What would your horoscope say about your social networking skills?

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com
Disclosure: image provided in exchange for credit, which we are happy to give.

Online you can be anyone you want to be. Not that you should, but you can.

While we would never, ever recommend our clients create even a slightly fictitious persona, some people can and do make things up every day in real life and online.

Over the weekend, I watched a rerun of this Saturday Night Live skit with Christopher Walken and Tim Meadows. Called “The Census Taker,” Walken answers questions about his life like . . . number of people in his apartment: 80; hours worked: part-time, part of the day from 9-5; citizenship: US with a passport to Florida; wife: a bobcat. Here’s the video from Hulu.com.

Many times when I present to live audiences, I’m asked: how do you recommend setting personal boundaries on social networking sites? The top concerns? Revealing too much, looking foolish and being out of character with their image and their brand.

Every now and then I unintentionally cross a social networking boundary I’ve set.

Like when I mention something more than I’d like people to know about my family and my life. Or, I say something that gets taken out of context because I didn’t have enough characters to set it up properly. Sometimes I hesitate and withhold useful information.

How do you make decisions on what to share on social media sites like twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn?

Social Networking Personality Checklist

Since 1996, I’ve been interacting with people online. Ten years later, I launched this blog and started shaping an online personality. Mine is a continual work in progress: you learn-you change-you evolve. In thinking about what goes into a social media personality, I came up with this preliminary guide to help new people starting out.

Set Personal Information Boundaries Online

How much do you want to share online? Keep in mind that age, address and phone may be in public records anyway.

Do you want to connect with family members, both close and extended? How far back do you want to go with friends, classmates and employers?

Revealing Lifestyle Preferences Online

Eating is usually a safe zone and can be a good way to invite interaction. While we don’t suggest posting every single meal online, a photo of a yummy dessert is always good, especially around lunchtime.

Are you an insomniac who rolls out of bed late or the one who gets up at 5am? People will be able to tell by the date stamp on your updates.

Drinking is a sensitive topic both in terms of mentions and updating under the influence. For some, mentioning vintages and beverages is acceptable, for others it’s always off limits.

Promoting Companies and Brands: Intentionally or Unintentionally

Every time you mention company or a brand in social media, it can be seen as an endorsement, review or a call for customer service. If you’re trying to get a brand’s attention, mention them often.

Quoting People in Social Media Updates

Be sure you quote someone accurately and in context – not sure? Then don’t quote them or better yet, ask for their permission first.

Referencing Employer Connections

Drop an employer’s name and it shows up in searches. People may attach your opinion to the company.

Signing up for Events

Going somewhere? You’re telling people where to find you, which can be a good thing if you want to meet up with friends.

Measuring: IRL BFFs or Digital-Only Friends?

In real life best friends forever may or may not be digital friends. My worlds are starting to merge as friends from both sides start to meet each other online and at events.

Knowing When It Is TMI

TMI, or too much information, happens when people find out more than they want to know. What’s on your TMI list?

What kind of animal are you?

Odd question isn’t it? But, one that’s fun to answer.

Image credit: Lynx in a living room by Barbara Rozgonyi copyright 2007 for www.thesociallens.com. Yes, I was there. Yes, this was one of three cats in a living room. Yes, it was exotic. Yes, it was amazing. Yes, it was in California.