douglasmkelly's posterous

in a fish bowl

Eli Pariser wrote a book coining the term Filter Bubble. He describes “a phenomenon in which websites use algorithms to selectively guess what information a user would like to see, based on information about the user like location, past click behavior and search history.” (according to Wikipedia). Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix and many other sites cater ads, content and search results based on these algorithms. Yahoo calls this personalization - Facebook's algorithm is called Edgerank. I've called it Data Mining, and helped clients do it for years. No matter what it's called many believe this is all a conspiracy. The US Government has asked Google for user data 4,600+ times. That said, the debate is really more about personalization and whether or not you want to have your results filtered for you.

At aimWest, an organization I belong to, based in Grand Rapids Michigan, we discussed this topic a couple months ago. The event was in an open fishbowl format - which if you've never attended one, you have to find one or host one yourself. They're amazing! The topic was riveting, as you can imagine, otherwise you wouldn’t still be reading this post. Our fishbowl had 5 chairs in the middle of a circle of chairs. One chair had to remain open through out the evening, but anyone from the audience could jump up and hit that open chair. Once the 5th was filled, one of the other 4 had to sit down. In case you didn't know, I'm the newest President of aimWest – It's my job to start off and end a meeting – Chief Moderator as it were. I kept the event going for over an hour and a quarter. Generally the speaker portions of our meetings are 45 minutes long. At least half of the attendees seated themselves and joined the conversation.

An aimWest chair sitter did mention that they believed that the entire filter bubble will evolve over the next couple years. Tim Ferris believes that filtering is going bio-metric in the next 48 months. “Ferris uses gadgets and automated spreadsheets that can track our bodies’ biorhythms, including REM cycles, calorie intake, heart beat, blood pressure, glucose levels and even vitamin deficiencies... Those data streams can then be combined to infer how stressed you are, when you’re drowsy and, increasingly, what mood you’re in.” (from The Filter Bubble Blog site) Think about that one as you're formulating your thoughts and comments on the Filter Bubble. Imagine heart rate data being sent to insurance companies. I should think that there will be a huge call for privacy attorneys and engineers in the near future. 

One last thing, we should have some videos, that a board member took at the aimWest event, up on YouTube, if they aren't already. If you missed the event these will just be teasers. You missed a great one. I've included a couple links in this post. Read up on data mining, personalization or The Filter Bubble, how ever you like to look at it – and come back and comment here. Would you like aimWest to do another Filter Bubble Fish Bowl event? In like a year?

I attended (and moderated) an aimWest event this past week. I'm writing a future post about the event topic: the Filter Bubble. It was an awesome event! More on that to come, but this post is on Klout. Klout.com was discussed a little at the monthly aimWest - but more importantly "Have you quit Klout yet?" was the theme of that discourse. Klout is a site that presumes to measure your social media influence. You wind in your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and WordPress IDs for tracking. Those of you that only use Posterous, you're out of luck. Klout only measures from WordPress and Blogger. Also, none of you on Android cells with other social picture sharing apps can increase your Klout - only we iPhone users that have Instagram get the bump. Nice, huh?

So why would you want to quit? Why wouldn't you? is the better question. I know, I know, we humans want to measure and score everything. We like competition. But does Klout really do that for you? For one thing Klout keeps changing their algorithm, stating that the changes will make things more even - more realistic. After the last change, however, Klout's CEO feared (publicly) that he may have made a mistake. I think monetizing people's clout in Social Media was the first mistake, personally. But seriously, did your Klout "score" actually make you want to better engage your audience? Did it change you? Did you tweet more? Did you use Facebook better? Did you actually influence more people?

I believe true influence is noticed on and off line. A friend coined the term "Meat Space" (or at least started using it) a while back. It means to meet in 3-dimensional space - actually pressing the flesh. Touching the meat of someone by shaking their hand, patting them on the back, and interacting in person. To me, you influence someone by receiving a reaction or at least an action. You can see their reaction in person. You can tell you've influenced someone if they take action - like signing that contract. Klout doesn't measure your offline influence. 

I did partake in the Klout.com phenomena for a while. But I never really understood why I should care? Other than measuring myself against others - in that same competitive way that everyone else liked about it - why use it? If any of you can give me a valid reason, I'd possibly consider joining Klout again. Until then, I'm going to use Google Analytics and link shortners to track hits and clicks to my blog, site and other websites. I am going to measure my clout by getting new customers or perhaps new members to aimWest. I quit Klout. If you want to quit too but can no longer find the opt out, do this:

Klout disconnected the link between "profile settings" and "delete your account".  The removed function is now pushed to the very end of the "privacy" policy page which you can only access through a text link at the bottom of your "profile settings" page.

I have been on the Beta - Invitation-Only - Google+, for a few weeks now (thanks Jay!). I don't feel all special and alone, however. Almost everyone, that I get all Social Media with, are in. Actually that's a pretty good thing - as, if they weren't, I wouldn't be having any fun.

So far, I like the cleaness, and I like the lack of ads (so far, right?). Circles are nice - and slightly easier to use than Facebook's lists. I like that I get notifications while I'm using other Google apps. I also like that all the Social Media Gurus and Techies have embraced Google+ and write frequently. It almost has that brand new Twitter feel.

However, I've not been using it as much as Facebook for a couple reasons:

One: I can't publish from Hootesuite or Tweetdeck to Google+. When you post to 4+ social networks, you look for the easiest possible way of transacting with them.

Two: I'm using/playing EmpireAvenue. EA gives you increased share price based on your social media use. It's just a way to monitor engagement. Also, it's a great way to find people to follow and engage people with similar interests in Facebook. Actually I've been contacted by and contacted EA users about all sorts of things including finding speakers for a non-proffit I'm a part of - Oooo Social Networking! Think what you will about EmpireAvenue, however, it is gaining traction in the SocMed sphere and almost all the Fortune 500 companies have a presence/user on EA. So I'm on EmpireAvenue - as it is a way to measure Social Engagement, it is growing, and I'm intregued by a Social Media game. This all said, they're not wired in with Google+ yet. I get no boost to my share price by posting to Plus. I do get the bump from Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And hundreds of people that I do interact with often, are on FB. 

So I'm looking for some thoughts and musings from my blog followers here. Are you using it daily? Do you like it more or less than Facebook. Is it as important to you as Twitter? Do you dislike the Mobile App?

Also, I started writing this post long ago, and haven't blogged in all of August, so wanted to get this done and out. Hey it's Summer. I'd rather be outside, or increasing business, or writing other's Social Media Content - than blogging. Call me odd.

Have you seen the video by Socialnomics/EQualman? - It's been out for a few years and edited as recently as last year.

Social Media Revolution 2 (Refresh) from Erik Qualman on Vimeo.

I mentioned in the beginning of March, change was gonna come. That change was that I merged my company with another in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Things didn't work out, unfortunately, and the merger diverged or divested a couple weeks ago. My next post will discuss this "Diverger".

Change isn't often easy - in fact it can be rather difficult sometimes. Periodically it can actually be painful. (Ready for the segue?) The change from businesses managing the dialog, to consumers having a voice through Social Media doesn't have to be painful. It could be, however, difficult for some to completely grasp. Last week, I assisted the Grand Rapids Social Media (GRSM) group with a round table discussion on how to get followers in social media. It would seem that a number of people still have questions.

It's alright to not understand something. You don't have to be an expert in in a matter just because it flirts with your job title. Most likely you were hired for several specific tasks - then this whole Social Media "Revolution" came along and now you feel the expectation that you must do SocMed for your company. There are plenty of great resources out there that can help your business. But please, consider outsourcing a practice in which you're not trained or adept.

If you feel that you can handle this strange new abstract, then you must embrace change as well as discussion. Like any relationship, it's all about conversation. If the communication is not there, things aren't going to go well. Everyone has to understand the expectations: If your audience wants to learn about what you had for lunch, then by all means tell them - if they don't, stop blathering on with statements they have little concern for. A small FYI: by-in-large no one cares about your cats. Perhaps your listeners really want engagement - ensure you are responding timely. It is possible that you mostly want to inform, make sure you are giving the info your audience desires, but you still need to listen - SocMed is not push only.

As I said before: there are lots of resources out there, both online and human. I really recommend if you don't have the time or inclination, hire a reputable consultant.

I know you were probably looking for Part 3 of the "Too Busy" saga, but I just wanted to touch on the networking that I've done this week. AimWest had their Signature 5:01 last night, where I met some new people that I'd only talked to on Twitter and LinkedIn - and ate some sushi - and met and talked to Gerry Barnaby (local celeb) for like 20 minutes. It's like you already know them, after meeting them virtually. I've started calling this physical Pressing the Flesh, "Meating". Next month's meeting is a Confab. You should really check out the Midwest Social Media Confab day event in November. Tickets are on sale now and are going fast.

Earlier in the day I moderated Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence's (Keyword #GrapeGR or @GRAPEGR on Twitter) monthly meeting. The four panelists talked about Social Media, Old Media, PR and Corporate Communications. Danny Beckett of Spearia did touch on physical meeting as important, but I don't think that it resonated as much as it should. Either that or I couldn't see all the head nodding because of the stage lights.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm on the board of both organizations. I'm also on the leadership team for GRSM and our monthly lunch and learn is next week. And yes I am pimping all 3 groups. They all have different missions and varied membership. GRSM's mission is to educate Grand Rapids on Social Media. Since I am the Social Media Apostle, I will preach about the group. GRAPE and GRSM are currently free events - bring your own lunch, and learn something.

There, I think I've plugged everyone - If I've missed something, please do comment below. And, I hope you do make it out for the coming events for all three organizations. I bet you learn something. Next week look for more on being busy and what I'm learning about how to make life easier in an increasingly busy world.

This post is meant as a followup to last week's post on having too many things pulling at my time. I discussed that I really wanted to see more of ArtPrize, but had conflicting time constraints not allowing me to experience as much as I'd like. Since that last post I've had even more requests of my day. I had to turn down invitations to political fund raisers and networking events as they just couldn't fit into my schedule.

So how have I started to better manage my time in the last week? For starters, I added Mozilla's Sunbird Calendar Thunderbird extension. It's called Lightening and it allows you to accept calendar invites in your email. Next, I synced up all my calendars including my iPad, iPhone, iCal, GCal and Lightening on the laptop. There's a great article for how on LifeHacker. I love LifeHacker. If you have a spare hour, just go peruse all the cool time saving, computer tweeking, and awesome apps out there that will help your life.

So allowing all my calendars to automatically sync themselves, cuts about 1/2 hour out of my day as I only need to sync the iPad with my laptop, or use google's calendar from the app, and make changes there.

Next I started using DropBox more. If I need to work on a particular file remotely or am delivering a look I drop the file in a DropBox folder and it's accessible from anywhere. That way I don't need to haul around the laptop for every little thing like my last AimWest Board Meeting. I could access to all my agendas right on the iPad. Google Docs works for most all docs, spreadsheets, images and PDFs. Those are all accessible on the iPad as well, and just as easily shared with groups and individuals. I don't need to pull out the lappy, wait for boot, get out a hard drive and locate the file. Instant access on the iPad! No Internet connection? No Problem! iPhone to the rescue with Google Docs and DropBox I can view all the files loaded there. This means that I don't need to perform an aRsync as I'm tring to run ou the door, late, to a client meeting. Next I need to locate some technology that automagically syncs my NAS, an attached HD and DropBox. Any suggestions?

One thing I could really use is a teleportation device, so that I don't have to spend so much time driving downtown, to the soccer fields, home, clients... Ooo ooo, and if Google Goggles was actually something you wore, where you could drive and access your documents, maps, contacts and other files.

Also as a followup - I was able to make it downtown to view some more of the ArtPrize pieces. I took in about 20 pieces at the B.O.B., outside the GRPM and on the Blue Bridge. That was only about 3 of the top-10, but 3 more than I had to that point. If you have a chance to do it with kids, you'll find out what's cool and what's not - if you need help with that.

Look for my next post on more technologies and tricks I'm implementing to help me better manage my time, tasks, thoughts, projects and overall life.

ArtPrize initial voting wraps up tonight at midnight. I've only physically been to 3 of the venues, but have seen some of the other pieces in a walk by or drive by. If you aren't from 'round here, ArtPrize is the largest art contest based in Grand Rapids MI. Artists from all over the world have come to win the $250K prize. I met one artist from Florida. I saw one guy from Tibet. Another from Israel. I'm sure there are lots more I didn't meet from many other countries.

I love art. I used to be a graphic artist. Three pieces that I created, in my early life, hang in my house. I create websites that I try to make works of art. I've not been to all 250 venues or even 10 because of all of the other things I'm doing. I belong to 5 networking groups, and have attended 2-3 others. I have been asked to join the board or leadership of 3 of these groups. I once told the president of one of the other organizations that I generally end up running groups that I join. It's been that way since High School. I don't know if it's because I'm opinionated or if I can just see new and better ways of doing things. What do you think?

One of the boards is for AimWest, a group I joined when I needed to get back into the sales game - I'm now their secretary. I believe they asked me to join their board because I'm opinionated, a technology geek and have growing ties in the community. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I've become, essentially, a professional networker. I say professional because I've won a $100 golf outing and an iPad in the last year. But it's pretty bad that when you network so much they actually ask you to help run a group.

The other two groups aren't formally non-profits or are organized with actual boards (president/vice-pres/secretary/treasurers/etc) yet, which is why they've asked for my help. They want to be better organized, get speakers 3-5 months out and provide their membership more benefits to joining and attending meetings. GRAPE is having me do their website... which, yes it taking a while to get done - see the title of this post. Group management is looking for how we can grow the group, expand the membership to more types of professionals like doctors, lawyers, CEOs, CFOs... so we're looking to bring in different types of speakers that will promote that growth. GRSM, the third one, was started by a couple guys from ArtPrize. It's primary focus is on Social Media education. People can network too, but the prime reason for attendance is learning. This last month GRSM held a tweetup at the GR Public Museum, which had more than 70 ArtPrize entries. That's one of the 3 venue's I graced with my presence - but solely because I was working a group. I did get to see many of the pieces and use a new iPhone App called Scavenger Hunt (SCVNGR).

So, lets see, that's 5 groups I attend meetings of, 3 which I help manage - AND - I run a business that helps companies get found on google, look good, and have an easy time managing their websites. If you're just tuning in to me: Essentially Evolve can provide any solution from Website Design to Social Media Strategizitation (new word - check Doug's Dictionary), from content writing to branding, eCommerce, Content Management and even logo design. I have a bunch of resources that I use for these jobs, so my primary role is sales and project management of Evolve Solutions. That's a lot of work, in and of itself, so helping run all these groups is further draining me of time. The upside is that it is driving business my way. The downside is that I don't have as much time for fun.

Lastly I'm coaching 2 soccer teams. That takes about 8+ hours per week. My lawn looks like crap. The leaves are down. The grass could be mowed again before winter, and I don't have, but, 9 logs next to the house for the wood stove. I've not ridden either of my bikes more than 3 times since Spring.

If I've not called, written, IM'd, DM'd, or FaceBook Messaged/Commented you in a while, it's not because I'm ignoring you, it's because you didn't hire me, don't go to any of the groups I attend, or your kid doesn't play Y soccer in Lowell. Over the next couple weeks I'm going to try some new time, technology and life management tools. I plan on blogging about them over the next month. Yeah - something more to add to my schedule: blogging.

So all this being said, I'm still hoping to carve out some time to get back down to ArtPrize to see the final voting portion and see more pieces. If you see me down there this weekend say "Hi" and perhaps Bump with the SCVNGR app on your iPhone.

or - GRSM: Now in Technocolor...

I've been writing a lot lately, it's just been in the form of site content, quotes and proposals. Since the next Grand Rapids Social Marketing Lunch is dawning on us again next week, I thought I'd post something about last month's meeting. In case you don't know, The GRSML is a free, open to the public, lunch and learn, Networking opportunity. You bring your own lunch (generally). The Free Water GRSM was pretty well attended as the speaker was a good draw. @aaron_creo or Aaron Creo (outside of the twittersphere) spoke on Video as a Social function. He listed all the various stats that many of us have seen and showed a couple videos that have gone viral along with a couple campaigns like the Old Spice one and the Toyota Sienna Swagger Wagon. I've talked these up quite a bit on Twitter and Facebook over the last few months, so it was nice to see Creo adding some cred to my posts. That wasn't my take away from his talk, however.

Aaron touched on a few things I put into my craw:

• Video is a captive audience
• You can craft messages for specific types of people
• With online video there's no media buy
• People are sharing more than ever before
• Not for profit organizations are great candidates for video use

Mr. Creo also gave a few do's and don'ts for organizations wishing to dive into social video:

• Only make videos that make sense
• Utilize tips on framing and lighting from sites like http://www.tiltnpanstudios.com/videotraining.html
• Ask questions like "What does your audience expect from you?"

He also reminded us that Video is permanent. Once you post it, someone somewhere has downloaded it and can repost. So, make sure it's done right and that your message is clear, on-target and well thought out.

I've been talking up YouTube over the last several months and am writing some scripts for clients, to give my company some visual/verbal feedback on work done for them. These are mostly bullet points reminding my clients of what was accomplished and things they said to me, like "Wow!" or "That's exactly what I wanted". Things like saying, "that is so cool" and a hug after the meeting I can talk about but until the permanency is posted on YouTube and linked from my site... It's just me talking about it. There is so much more credence to the client in their own words. LinkedIn is great for recommendations, but watching someone talk about how well you've performed for them is even better.

Just this morning I posted a video to a client's site linked from a local news outlet. The article was about ArtPrize, a local arts event that you can win. This client is a venue for ArtPrize and when the news channel did the report, it was mostly about the event and not the venue, but the clients face and venue exterior were actively shown throughout the piece. She was able to help explain ArtPrize. Not only did she receive some free press, but now has the better ability to showcase her business to the world from her website.

My recommendation is to incorporate YouTube or other social video sites into your overall Social Media and Marketing strategy. YouTube is the 2nd most used search engine in the world, behind Google. If you can be found there, how much business do you think you'll garner?

Last week 250 West Michiganians and I attended the AimWest Google Lunch at the Devos Place. I won't get into what a cool venue Devos Place is, or that the Devos-Provided WiFi didn't work for most of the day, or that I took 3/4s of a day off to go. I won't get into the price for AimWest Members being only $10 less than non-members... Ok I guess I just did... I just couldn't believe for the price of the event, that the WiFi wasn't adequate.

Was it cool to go to a great venue to listen to The Almighty Google speak? Oh Yeah! Was it cool that a local organization can pull in a Google Rep? You betcha. I will start with saying, that I knew most everything presented by all 3 speakers I listened to, and if I didn't, I could've Googled It. I also made up a half dozen people's mind on what they were going to attend – solely because they believe I know what I'm doing. I picked events based on packaging and name instead of really asking what the product contained. To all of you that decided to attend the break out sessions based on my going: I am sorry.

I did come away with some minor notes. Google's John Black (I'd so change my name to Jack!) was the Keynote speaker. Google's retail online sales manager didn't have all the techie info I had hoped to glean. John briefly talked about Google's association with Dish Network for TV ads. That was cool to hear. They have set-top boxes helping to manage ad integration. The ad supplier is only charged for when someone actually views an ad – local or national. That was pretty much it. The coolest take away.

Some of the other areas Black touched on were:

• Based on customer feedback they are also working to make it easier to use Google Adwords.
• In 3 years Google's seen a 300% growth in mobile search, with 50 times more search on mobile devices than regular cell phones.
• Google believes more and more computing will be done on the Cloud than on your C: drive. (This is not news)
• Google.org tracks flu trends world wide
• Some of what's next: Consumer Internet, Smart Grid Technology, and Green Energy

You know what? I could have Googled all of that. It was cool to see the Flu graphs and how Google is predicting breakouts around the globe on similar numbers with the CDC. Some of the other numbers were slightly noteable. But John Black didn't come with anything new – seriously new. 25 minutes after his key note finished Google released a statement that they were rolling out Font API and Font Directories. No one in the room knew about that! It could have been the Steve Jobs-esque end to an address. Then on Friday (or Monday, I don't exactly remember), Google released a notice that Google TV was coming to a provider near you. Ok, I get it: Google's a HUGE company and all, but come on! The GR Press was there. One of the local TV news outlets had a camera going. Grand Rapids is number 1 or 2 (depending on the poll) to get Google Fiber. John made a comment about GRGoogleFiber initiative, but that was it. No major announcements. No major un-Google-able points.

I'll back off Google for a minute. The best thing I've enjoyed about AimWest events, even when I could have given the talk my self, has been the Q and A. Even if I know most of what the speaker discusses, the questions fired and the answers given help me with my potential clients. I ended up walking out of the Mobile break out session, when the guy went long, and we never had any question period. For one thing the guy was extremely boring, wasn't used to giving speeches, was visibly unprepared, and spoke above many people's heads. Part of what he talked about was essentially Business 101 – but for iphone apps. I attended the mobile session because I believed it was going to be about new trends, or how Google and iPhone/Android were going to revolutionize the world. I didn't really want to hear about the steps to rolling out an app. I only jotted down a couple things during his session:

• Launch your App with friending to gain stickyness
• Plan for Participation
• Support Social Networking and Location
• and expect emergent uses because you may have envisioned it being used one way, but the marketplace may find another way.

I only noted these because they cemented what I already knew and spoke to Social Media. The guy talked about who you need to have buy in, from Legal to IT. Any department that wants a new site, app, marketing expenditure or corporate direction knows and lives by this. It's called “Red Tape”. I almost walked out to find another session, not caring who I offended or what I missed, because I made the terrible assumption that it would get better – or end soon and the Q&A could begin.

So ok – 1). the food was good. 2).I saw 40-50 people I know. And, 3).I met someone that I've only talked to on Twitter. I set up 2 meetings from this event. Those are good things and if I close any business out of it, will probably change my tune – but even the last breakout was google-able. Pete Brand was a much better speaker than either Mobile Guy or Google Guy. But he only read a list of Google Apps, that anyone can find on Google's App Site. He did give one sentence describing each... (psst, you can also read that from Google Apps), what I really wanted to know was how his company helped organizations save money. How he helped them migrate from Microsoft to the free Google Apps. How much money did his clients save? How easy was it? I only tweeted a couple things from Brand's talk:

• Use forms to easily roll out marketing questionnaires with out needing IT support.
• The other was that I already knew all of this.

There was some Q&A, like “How did you migrate your clients from MS to Google. Brand deferred to the audience. The Grand Public Library rep tried to answer that going Open Office was pretty easy. Does it sound like I'm griping here? It should. For $40 I got to have a Google Search recited on 2 different topics, and some guy review Business classes. I can believe that, in the West Michigan area, there are many knowledgeable individuals. Having the audience answer other's questions isn't really as bad as you might think. I attend a local Social Media Free Lunch where the group founders have asked me to answer some questions. It really shows that there are several topic savvy individuals locally. The difference between a lunch/learn and a conference, however, is that the speaker is supposed to be an expert.

Am I asking too much?

I know that the AimWest Board works really hard to pull these things off. I respect all and know many  board members. I also bet that they don't review presentations pre-event. After this one, I hope they start. If any of you attended the AimWest Google Lunch and took some good things away, please for the love of all things Google, comment. I love Google. I love AimWest. I'd like AW to get better. I think all comments here could be reviewed by the board. Google, on the other hand, is getting too big - in my assumption. They'll not be reading this blog. But if you're from Google, change my mind!

For about 6 months, I've been networking pretty heavily. As I said in a recent post, I'm out looking for new business after a few client jobs drew to an early close. They had been long term, but either changed their direction, added staff to do what I accomplished for them, or just ran out of money. So I needed to get back into the sales game to generate some new revenue streams. Last month I listened to Tony Rubleski speak about marketing and networking, where he said one should spend at least 3 hours per week networking. However, he didn't really explain how to network more effectively. Tony also talked about setting yourself apart from the herd. Be the Yellow Tulip in the sea of Red. More on that later in the post.

I've been attending AimWest, GRAPE, GRSML and GRSBBC pretty religiously for a few months. I have joked that if I could only get paid to network... I've gotten involved with the GREC and GRYP, and attended events like Free Lunch Friday and a Community Expo. I've tried to work the room, meeting people, talking to them about their businesses and accumulating cards. I've called on several, emailed many, and mostly attempted to create relationships with repeat attendees, hoping to garner business. This effort has gotten me some call backs and a few alliance partners, but my funnel is still not full.

This week saw me at the Breakfast Club listening to Dave Kersjes speak on Networking. Dave's a very analytical guy (we've had coffee before), having been an engineer prior to becoming a business development specialist. He spoke about having a process and tracking procedure for networking. Perhaps I need those but I'm more of an artist, free flowing, type of guy, tracking it in my mind. I figure if I have new clients it must be working. But conceivably I should start being more organized with the contacts I make and do some tracking. I use Google Analytics, why not Business Card Analytics?

A few, of Mr. Kersjes' suggestions, I've always done: Have a Firm Handshake, Identify Areas of Mutual Interest, and Eat Before You Go. One point, however: I don't always Avoid Controversial Topics. I don't like weak hand shakes, so don't give them. I always look for ways I can help. And, if I don't eat before I go, I'm not sure they'll be anything there I can eat. The reason, Dave says, that you eat previous, is that it's not about the food. It's about meeting the people that are there. You don't want to spill a glass of wine on your prospect - or spit food on them.

The greatest points I took away from Dave's presentation was “keep eye contact”, “take their card, but don't give one of yours unless they ask for it”, and to meet as many people as possible while you're there and ask if you can call them. The biggest thing that hit me was, “listen to them and their needs, looking for an opportunity” to interject your businesses' talents. Essentially tying your value statement to the other person's business. Focus on them while you're talking to them. It's all about them. I do that! I listen. I love to hear what people are passionate about and why they love their job, what they do to help their clients. It's one of the best parts of my job. I can't create a solution if I don't understand their business and their problems.

Dave talked about 2 hour networking events and spending 2 minutes with each person you meet, to get as many cards as you can. Here's my problem with the “meet as many people as possible point”: I can't really get a good understanding of their issues and what hurts, if I don't spend enough time listening. Two minutes is just not long enough for me. But 6 might be. Some of you, reading this today, might be at my blog as a result of our meeting at an event. Would you be here if I ignored you at a networking opportunity because I had already met you once? If I only spent 2 minutes with you? Now Dave did impart that you want to follow up with that phone call and have a longer meeting with them. That's my next biggest point – and one I implemented successfully this week. I have 4 meetings this week and a couple next week because of the “can I call you next week to learn more of your business” strategy.

One of the concepts Kersjes shared was Networking is the opportunity to “Share Your Network and Your Knowledge”. Well I'm very willing to share my network, and help others gain opportunities. I'll share some knowledge as a free take away, but am getting a little reluctant to give away all of my knowledge. I pretty much sell my knowledge and talent. I don't have a widget or product that I sell. What's the old adage, why buy the cow when you get the milk for free? But my network is another matter. You can get LinkedIn with me and view my entire collection of contacts. If you want access to someone in my network, I'd be happy to introduce you.

The next strategy that worked for me this last week, was creating a name tag to wear to networking events. It has my twitter handle, name and company, and says that I'm a Website Beautician and a Social Media Evangelist. Not that I do “Website Design and Development” and “Social Media Consultant” << Borring! (that's a SM thing). And it's my own badge, not the peal and stick, sharpy marker-written kind.  I also stood up at the SBBC to give my name, business and title and said “I have 5 titles, come ask me what they are”. People did! They also wanted to know what a Website Beautician was. They wanted to learn more about being a Social Media Evangelist. Hello! Yellow Tulip over here! It probably helps that I like to laugh and am not quiet about it. It might also bolster me that I'm a big guy with spiky hair, long goatee and ear ring. I kinda stand out in a room full of suits. But just being noticed isn't enough. “Why do I want him to call me?” Because I can make your website a pageant winner, and I can explain Social Media and develop a strategy to use it effectively. Check my name tag, you might notice I'm a little creative.

The last thing that stood me apart at the SBBC, was throwing a giant business card into the door prize fish bowl. A new alliance partner has a slightly oversized card that helps her stand out (at least in the rolladex). She has won the door prize at 3 events I've been to. So I thought I'd try out her scheme and go large. I got more people coming up to me after the event was over, when I won the $100 golf outing, to ask if I golfed, ... or to say that I cheated. I might not have gotten to talk to them this month, but I can guarantee at the next event I'll still be noticed. Oh and if I keep winning, that's almost like getting paid to network, right?