Orangejack LLC

BlogOrlando was one of the best conferences I’ve ever attended.  It wasn’t just about the content (though it was great!), it was about the connections.  It was pretty easy to make connections and the conversations were easily started and continued with ease.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the team to pull the conference together.  Going into the conference I contributed with blog and twitter duties.  During the conference I was around to make sure things like power cords were in place and helped the speakers in the PR/Communications track stay on track.  It was easy because Josh Hallett was in charge and ran a great ’show’.

I was also fortunate to be part of a pre-conference, invite-only ‘think tank’ to kick around some of the thoughts and ideas of what is currently going on in the social media spaces - and what will be more and more important in the near future.  I came away with a fresher perspective on listening and monitoring what is being talked about online.

Did you also notice who else visited us?  Unfortunately he wasn’t much help with understanding twitter.

Saturday was the big day for the conference (excuse me, unconference - my second like it). I decided to audio record a few of my initial thoughts.

Below are a select few take aways from a few sessions:

• Jake MeKee told us it’s better to have an environment of trust; that a non-disclosure statement communicates discomfort, lack of trust, and is there for protection (I’m uncomfortable with you, distrust you, and I have to protect myself)
• Spike Jones told us that 92% of Word of Mouth still happens offline but that 8% online are passionate, influential, and what they say is easier to track.  Social media helps take a person from a participant to a fan. It’s not just about companies and customers talking to each other - it’s about reframing the conversation.
• David Alston told us monitoring what is happening online is similar to a call center that listens to the needs and opportunities then routes it appropriately. The reminder is that an influential person can give you attention, but it’s the long tail (everyone else) that can give you awareness.  He also had the best twitter analogy: “Twitter is like a digital handshake” when you follow each other.
• Joe Thornley reminded us that the benefits of living in the open online must outweigh the potential risks and it’s not for everybody.  However, you can’t stand still and since social media is cheap, instead invest in the people who can make the most of it.
• Erik Hersman ended the day reminding us that the reason we go online and build relationships is so that we can meet offline and strengthen them.

Overall this was a great time for me.  I was albe to reconnect with some and make new friends.  With the above notes I haven’t even scratched the surface of what all happened at BlogOrlando.  If you’d like to get a pulse of what happened, you should scroll through the public twitter stream and blog posts.

I think the biggest take away for YOU is that it is imperitive to be involved in listening and responding to what is happening online around your interestes and brand.  If you feel unpreparerd, find someone (ahem, like Orangejack!) to help you figure it out.  We’d be more than happy to help.  In fact, it’s what we love to do!

Photo sources: hyku, alexdecarvalho, alexdecarvalho, markkrupinski, and markkrupinski

UPDATE: The official recap is live on the BlogOrlando site.

What’s that you say?  The web-o-shpere is only for young bucks?

Well boot my apple and fire my fox!

One of the Starbucks locations I frequent often has a seasoned couple in there - I’d say between them they have a good 150 years of life experience.   She is in a comfy chair with her Dell laptop, he’s in the comfy chair beside her with his Mac.  His iPod is plugged in and charging while she has her headphones on.

What they are doing isn’t any of my business. Maybe they are hanging out at Growing Bolder or maybe Eons. They may not even be online but there’s a good chance they are according to this New Study Released By The Center For The Digital Future and AARP Shows Internet Users 50+ Are Rapidly Closing the Digital Divide with Booming Online Activity

The perception is that Americans over 50 only dabble on the Internet, but we are finding that they are increasingly spending time online becoming involved in robust Internet activities, such as online communities,” said Jeffrey I. Cole, director of the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication. “In specific areas, there is often little difference in use of online technology between older users and some of the youngest users.”

Anyone and everyone is online.  In fact, about three of every four Americans are online!  And we aren’t just checking email and the news, we’re buying stuff, playing games, and being active in social activities online.

So this begs the question: you think there’s a chance that someone you want to connect with is online?  I think so. So how are you going to show up online to meet them?

Photo credit: Ecoagriculture Partners

Later this week I’ll be attending the third BlogOrlando unconference.  You can read all about the sessions we’ll have.  Though I’m not presenting, I have been helping with the blogging and twittering for it.

I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with some people, meeting some new folks, and taking part in the unconference.

On the serious side: don’t let the Internet overwhelm you. Let us know what you’re struggling with. We can help.

On the funny side: just enjoy the video! It’s hilarious!

YouTube - The Internet Overdose Song (w/FREE mp3)

On Tuesday Rob presented Social Media Basics at the Doterati Social Media Breakfast. In 20 minutes he did a great job of explaining Social Media, the different tools available, and why Social Media is important personally and professionally. While there are many social media tools available Rob focused on the more well known tools. And as usual he brought humor to the presentation! There is never a dull talk from Rob.

On his personal blog Rob posted a video created by Greg Pollack about the event that is worth watching.

Rob’s presentation was followed by Mike Whaling who talked about blogging for your business and Mark Krupinski who spoke on brand management.

PS. Rob’s presentation was featured on slideshare.net the day after he uploaded it to that social media website!

Wow!  I almost forgot to let you know that Tuesday morning I’ll be presenting Social Media Basics at the first event for doterati at the Social Media Breakfast.

Text messaging has grown from 17 million to almost 2 trillion this decade.

I’m not shocked by this. In Asia, Europe, and Africa, texting is perhaps the most common use for a cell phone.

Do you use your mobile phone for texting?  If so, why?

Chart from Anne Jackson