Social Media Conference Recap (Engagement)

This year I attended the IN-NW Conference in Seattle which focused on the latest trends in Social Media.  Representatives from big-name corporations like Coco-Cola, Starbucks, and EA Sports discussed what they are doing in the marketplace.  The room was packed with over 200 attendees clambering to find guidance in a topic that is evolving daily.

Unfortunately, like most Social Media presentations, the theory is that the campaigns are successful but there is nothing necessarily measurable to support it.  When you are striving for management buy-in, results are essential.  The suggestion was to not focus on the numbers as much as the response rates.  For example, instead of reporting that you have 400 likes on Facebook, reporting that you had 15 shares on a post indicate better results.  The effectiveness is shown by the ability to leverage Social Media to increase connectivity and inspire your online community to take action in sharing your content. 

To achieve the response rate, several speakers agreed that it is the proactive and personal approach that engages the community the most.  Brands must have a relatable “face” to create two-way communication and increase the probability that your audience will help guide your content.  By tracking the posts that are responded to or created organically by your audience, you can refine your message to speak to what is important and relevant to them.  This could be current events, charitable efforts, or an inside view of the company and staff. 

One of the best quotes of the event was “personalization breeds passion.” By tailoring your content to be more personal, people are hypothetically more willing to follow and contribute.

Engagement was just one of the discussions.  More to come….

Tips to Control Costs on your Next Company Event

A friend refers to me as the “Budget Baller” and I take that title seriously ;-)  So here are a couple tips for saving money on your next company event.

Opt for platters – Food will take up a majority of your budget.  It’s not unheard of to spend upwards of $10,000 on food for a nice event.  Check with your venue to see if you can provide your own catering.  Many grocery stores and restaurants have platter options which can save you hundreds.  Although you’ll loose some of the elegance of individually served food, the self-serve option allows for better quality products on a tight budget.

Choose venues wisely – If you can’t provide your own catering, ask about terms.  Some venues will waive or reduce the room rental fee when you buy their catering.  Also check into city owned recreational areas, educational facilities or non-profit meeting spaces for discounted rental rates.  Not only will you score a great price on a space for your event but you can help support your community.

Drink tickets – Alcohol can definitely put a big dent in your budget. To help control costs, select a couple of house wines and beers and have the rest as a “cash bar.” I’m a big believer in drink tickets as well.  Normally 2 drinks are a nice gesture and does not allow guests to get too crazy.  Nothing is more embarrassing for you or them, then being drunk in public.  Also by limiting the number of free drinks, guests will be less likely to be wasteful.  I’ve seen many times that an open bar will result in some taking a couple sips of a drink and then wasting the rest.  At $5-$10 a pop, that adds up fast!

Craft when possible – Making your own centerpieces, signage, and other décor can give your event a custom look without the custom price.  If you’re not particularly crafty, there’s bound to be someone on your staff who is.  Recruit employees for a day of crafting with free lunch.  It’s great for team building and they’ll take pride in knowing they were a part of the event.

Planning an Amazing Holiday Shindig!

Sometimes wearing the marketing “hat” means that you will do a lot more then marketing.  In many of my positions I have found myself doubling as a party planner.  No complaints here!  I love putting together morale boosting events, especially the annual holiday party.  It doesn’t matter what your budget may be, anyone can put on a fun-filled event with a little creativity.  Here are my Top 7 Tips in Planning an Amazing Holiday Shindig. 

Establish a budget – This might be out of your control, but knowing what you have to work with is important.  Although you operate on a tight budget, no budget only works with fairy dust.  Knowing your numbers will help guide you in terms of venue, food selection, and entertainment.  There are ways to cut corners with these fundamentals allowing you more wiggle room for décor and gifts.

Have a theme – You don’t have to go with the most popular of themes like Luau, Casino or Mardi Gras.  Unexpected is interesting and will keep your guests chatting.  The main purpose of a theme is to give you focus and structure. 

Other popular theme parties include: Fifties, Paris, Fairytale, Beach, Western and Hollywood.

Start planning early – Especially during the holidays, venue reservations fill up, gifts go on backorder and entertainers are booked.  I start thinking about our holiday party at least three months in advance.  Creativity doesn’t always happen on schedule, so by giving yourself plenty of time, it will be easier to let the ideas come naturally then trying to force them for a last minute crunch.  Also be sure to communicate with vendors at least a month before your event to ensure everything is confirmed and there are no questions.  Your week before will be busy and there will be little time to fix any last minute issues.

Research – There are tons of event planning websites and blogs at your fingertips.  Use to web to get inspiration and then customize to fit your team and your budget.  Google images are also helpful to find décor samples.

Have an agenda – Map out a clear action plan for your event.  Consult with your caterer and entertainment on their needs so you can plan accordingly. Keeping to an agenda will help your party run smoothly and to create a pre-function checklist.

Provide icebreakers – I would say this is the key to having a lively party.  I remember the worst party I ever went to. I walked into a room with 50 people I didn’t know.  There were no introductions, no one tried to strike up a conversation or even ask my name. It was completely awkward.  By providing ways for your guests to interact, you take away some of the discomfort of being bombarded by a room of new faces and encourage people to mingle.

Treat all guests as equals – Along with providing icebreakers, if you have spouses attending, get them involved just as much as the employees.  A guest once told me that they felt more welcome at our company party, then their own.  I took it as a great compliment.  Encourage your staff to welcome guests, provide spouses with little trinkets and by all means, let them join in on the activities.  If your party is remembered as the one everyone enjoyed, then your attendance will improve in years to come.

Trick to Being A Good Mentor

As I’ve written before, I’m a big believer in mentoring.  It astonishes me how today’s youth with access to the world-wide web, lack the most basic of skills.  The only way to bridge that gap is by sharing experiences, giving advice, and by setting the stage as someone who will truly be supportive and encouraging.

Although sometimes it’s hard to offer help to a generation that may think they already know it all.  I sometimes giggle at the fact that my niece and nephew educate me on how well they know so much about nothing.  Thinking back, I believe I was the same way, resistant to my elders.  It wasn’t until I met a woman who I had the utmost respect for, someone I wanted to be just like.  It was then that I started to listen.

So I guess the trick to being a great mentor is by just being someone others can look up to and who others will strive to be.  In that, giving advice will be much more accepted.  You can do good for others by doing good for yourself.

Be as Professional as your Profile

I have already written about the importance of having a polished Linked In profile.  Your profile is an amazing tool to promote yourself professionally.  I hope you took my advice and really showcased your talent and expertise.  Now that your virtual image is something worth taking notice, it’s time to talk about follow-through. 

More online exposure will prompt others to seek you out.  Whether it be for an expert opinion, your assistance on something of common interest or just some general advice, it’s important to always address the inquiry.  Although you may not be able to assist everyone, I think that it’s good practice to at least acknowledge and thank that person for reaching out to you.  Keep in mind, if you don’t have the time to reply, your competition will.

Relationships might start as a simple inquiry but are nurtured through communication.  Keep the lines open, realize that even if something doesn’t seem important to you, it very well may be to the other party and be gracious that you’re the one they contacted.

Live Wealthy

Last weekend, as I sat out on the deck on a warm summer evening with a couple friends, a conversation about life broke out.  One friend, 34 years young, homeowner and making around $60K a year commented that he was not “living wealthy.”  He had sought out the “American dream” of getting a good job and owning a home, but had he known what he knows now, he may have done things differently.

It is a story of tradition; you go to school, get a good job, maybe get married, own a home, have a couple kids and ultimately start living beyond your means.  Our drive is to continue making more money to acquire all those things we were programmed to believe were indicators of success.  However, I wonder if the coined mid-life crisis isn’t merely the realization that we’ve worked for a dream thought up years ago by someone else only to miss out on, well, “life.”

My friend said that if he could do things differently, he’d still go for the good job, but trade in the house for a small condo, not worry so much about material items, and focus his funds forwards having more fun and early retirement.  I think that’s a good point for all the young professionals out there, just getting their start.  Wealth is not in that which you possess but rather in having the experiences that enrich your life, only then will you “live wealthy.”

To all the seasoned professionals working 60 hour a week to keep up with the “Jones” take a minute to reflect.  Focus on what makes you happy about your job regardless of the pay and what you really need to be happy and feel successful.  There is no need to strive for someone else’s dream, when yours is within your grasp.

Digital First Impressions

I am sure you are no stranger to the fact that first impressions are key in the business world.  In the 1970s it took a person a matter of seconds to form an opinion of you.  In the 1990s women had judgment on lockdown and could size you up in as little as eight seconds.  Today, a person will spend an average of four minutes researching you online before deciding to meet you.  Forget fancy ties and business acumen, you better have a top notch profile picture and website to make it these days.

Not too long ago, I gave a workshop on the importance of Linked In and creating a polished profile.  You can't control everything that's on the web, even content that includes you.  Since you have full control over your Linked In profile, it's a great opportunity to show your expertise, experience, and create a great first impression.

Blogs are also a great resource to make you more searchable and again show off your expertise.  With so many free resources available, I recommend taking the time to invest in enhancing your online image.  Your prospects are definitely taking the time to research you, give them something worth finding.