Mike’s Points

I don’t know, maybe it’s the cynical former journalist in me, but I bet there were a lot of tire-kickers at the inaugural Social Media Breakfast-Toledo April 3. Many people just seeing what was going on, and may not be back.

But, it’ll be their loss.

There were definitely plenty of people interested in and eager to learn about, dip their toes into and expand on their own experience in social media marketing at SMB-Toledo #1. There was great excitement in the air from the crowd of 79 people — plus many others who viewed it via Ustream.tv, as well as seeing the #smbtol Twitter stream.

If you’re one of those tire-kickers, you need to know that social media is no fad. And, to fellow area marketing communication professionals, business owners and business execs: if you bury your head and ignore social media marketing — you will become like the dinosaurs.

If you liked SMB-Toledo #1 or didn’t attend, you won’t be disappointed in SMB-Toledo #2 — no matter if you are new to social media or a savvy veteran (if there is such a thing in social media? Everything is relative.).

The focus is about social media monitoring.

I’m a firm believer that not every company and organization should be active in social media outreach. BUT, every company and organization should be monitoring social media for their name, products and services, competitors and trends pertinent to them. Just like having a clipping service if you are active in media relations, you need to be monitoring social media — no matter what.

Rant over — now for the details

Techrigy is one of the leading providers of social media monitoring and analysis tools. I’ve used Techrigy’s SM2 since late 2007. During that time, I’ve gotten to know Techrigy’s founder and president Aaron Newman — who’ll be talking about social media monitoring and measurement on May 1.

I’ve never heard him present, so am very much looking forward to it. (If you’re worried that Aaron’s talk will be a sales pitch, have no fear. Expect to learn, not to be pitched.)

So, without further ado, here are the details:

• Friday, May 1, 2009, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
• Elks Lodge Toledo #53, 3520 Holland-Sylvania Road, Toledo, Ohio, 43615
• Program: Techrigy’s Aaron Newman talking about: Monitoring and Measuring Social Media. A Q&A will be included.

For more detail and to register, please see SMB-Toledo’s EventBrite page. Cost is only $15.*

Remember, if you can’t make it, you have two options to still participate:

• Watch & Listen (yes, we’ll have the audio on for the entire event ) at SMB-Toledo’s Ustream.tv channel
• Watch the #smbtol Twitter stream or follow @SMBToledo

But wait, there’s more!
On Thursday, April 30, (the evening before Social Media Breakfast-Toledo #2), we’ll have a combination Toledo Tweetup (a/k/a #toleetup) and just a plain ol’ social media social time at Nick & Jimmy’s on Monroe Street, 6-9 p.m. For details, see the Facebook event or, if you’re not on FB, see details at Toledo.com.

Of course, if you want to connect with others in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan interested in social media — in between the Social Media Breakfast-Toledo events — please join the SMB-Toledo social network.

-Mike

*Yes, the registration from Social Media Breakfast-Toledo events went from $10 to $15. For the first one, the organizing committee pretty much broke even. For that first event, the Elks Lodge #53 donated the room. It was very appreciated. However, the Elks logically cannot do that for every one (and they aren’t). While Galen Bennett of Website Optics is sponsoring the room for SMB-Toledo #2, we can’t guarantee any sponsors for future events.

So, the SMB-Toledo committee decided to raise the event charge to cover the cost of a future location (whether or not it’s at the Elks Lodge) and other costs (like if we have any speaker or program expenses) that likely will come up. We can’t guarantee a sponsor for future events and want to keep the event charge consistent. Note that Aaron has not asked us to pick up any of his expenses for coming to Toledo.

If you are interested in sponsoring a future Social Media Breakfast-Toledo, please contact me or any other member on the organizing committee:

• Patrick Giammarco, PWG Marketing
• Kevin Cesarz
• Janeile Cudjoe, McGowen Properties
• Julie Cantu, 360 Graphics
• Tim Langhorst, Lauerer Markin Group & Thread Information Design
• Steve Robison, West Printing Company
• Allen Mireles of Allen Mireles Social Media Marketing / PR
• Victoria Kamm of BizTube 24/7
• Damian Rintelmann, Hart Inc.
• Michael Temple of Temple Development Co.

NOTE: Images are of SMB-Toledo #1 and courtesy of Mike Brice Photography, and can be found at his blog. And, don’t ask me what I’m doing in the image talking with Larry Eiler. I have no clue.