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The January SOBCon Report: Chats, Webinars, Soda Pop Parties, and Chicago Beckons

January 20, 2011 by SOBCon Authors Leave a Comment

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Hi all!  Starbucker here, filling you in on all the SOBCon goings-on.

The Main Event

First,  SOBCon Chicago on April 29 – May 1 is rapidly approaching – our lineup and program is stellar, with the theme of “Building the New Leadership and Loyalty Business”.   Liz and I love this program so much that we decided to lead two of the 6 “Model” sessions ourselves, so we’re really looking forward to that.  Ticket sales are well ahead of past years (thank you!),  so if you are thinking about coming, make your plans now – remember, last year sold out.

(Pssst…Here’s a secret for you – sign up for our newsletter and you’ll get a ticket discount code)

Also, we recently announced our host hotel and event partner, Hotel 71.   We have rooms available at the great price of $169, so get them while they last.

The FREE SOBCon Preview Webinar

On February 1oth, from Noon to 1PM EST, our great friend Chris Garrett will once again be hosting “The SOBCon Preview Webinar“.  There, you’ll meet 4 of the speakers that will be at SOBCon Chicago (Me, Liz Strauss, Michael Port, and Derek Halpern), get previews of their presentations, hear more about this year’s event, and get a chance to ask a few questions.  We’ll also have a couple of surprises for you.  If it’s anything like last year’s Webinar, it should be an interesting, informative, and entertaining hour.   This Webinar is FREE, but the only way to get the dial-in code is to be on our Newsletter list – so if you are not signed up, do it now!  We’ll be releasing the code a few days before the event.

The 2nd Annual SOBCon SXSW Party (and a Cool Road Trip)

On March 13th, Liz and I will be hosting our 2nd annual SXSW party in Austin, Texas, at the Key Bar on 6th Street  This year we’re pleased to announce a co-sponsor, Jones Soda Co.  They will have plenty of their product at the event, and, as was the case last year, there will be some fun activities to go along with the great conversations and networking.   If you are going to be at SXSW and are interested in attending,  sign up for our Newsletter and drop us a note at sobevents@gmail.com, because this is an invitation-only party, and you need to be a Newsletter subscriber to get one.

Our friends at Jones have a cool opportunity surrounding SXSW that we’d like to share – they are looking for a blogger to accompany them on a RV “road” trip from Phoenix to Austin
Here’s what they are covering:
– Airfare from your hometown to Phoenix, AZ
– RV Road Trip from Phoenix, AZ to Austin, TX
– One night accommodations in Phoenix, AZ
– One night accommodations in El Paso, TX
– All meals on the RV Road Trip
– All the WhoopAss and Jones Soda you can drink on the RV Road Trip
– Airfare from Austin back to your hometown

If you are interested, contact Todd Martini at Jones at tmartini@jonessoda.com It sounds like a fun trip!!

The #SOBCon Chats are Growing!

Every month we’ve seen a growing number of folks participating in our #sobcon Twitter chats – just today we had a Twitter chat hosted by Heidi Thorne and Lisa Petrilli on blog inspiration, and it was a great conversation, with over 600 Tweets.

Mark your calendar for the next one – February 17th, at 12 Noon CST.   We’ll be Tweeting out the topic as the event approaches.

That’s it for this month!  Don’t forget, if you haven’t already, sign up for our Newsletter, so you are eligible for our Webinar, the SXSW party, and the special Newsletter SOBCon Chicago discount.

Filed Under: SOBCon Site Posts Tagged With: bc, Jones Soda, sobcon, SOBCon2011, SXSW

SOB Business Cafe 08-13-10: The SOBCon SxSW Panel List

August 13, 2010 by Liz 1 Comment

SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking — articles, books, podcasts, and videos about business online written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week is

the list of panels by the friends of SOBCon. If you know these folks, you’ll know that it’s smart and lucky to vote for them.

SOBCon influence invades SxSW Panel picker. Get out and vote for these amazing folks so

  1. @lizstrauss @starbucker @caroljsroth@caroljsroth will present:

    Build, Buy, Partner: Time is Money
  2. @lizstrauss @starbucker @caroljsroth@caroljsroth will present:

    From Jobbies to Businesses: Strategies for Irresistible Success
  3. @ericlukazewski will present:

    Confessions From Social Media Event Organizers

  4. @JasonFalls will present:

    Social Media: The Pink Collar Ghetto of Tech?
  5. @renewabelle @renewabelle will present:

    Making Sustainable Attainable: Energy Efficient Computing
  6. @DaveMurr will present:

    Have Fun to Increase Customer Engagement
  7. @jeanniecwwill present:

    X Marks the Spot: Mapping The Customer Experience
  8. @LisaPetrilli @judymartin8 will present:

    Conquer Your Kryptonite: Superpowers Fueling Kick-Ass Business Deals
  9. @conniereece will present:

    Resources Roulette: Winning Social Strategies for Shrinking Budgets
  10. @ScottMonty @Schwen @ShannonPaul will present:

    Socially Regulated: Social Media in Regulated Industries
  11. @jonathanfields will present:

    Fear and the Art of Creation
  12. @LucretiaPruitt will present:

    Killing Clark Kent; When You Outgrow Your AlterEgo
  13. @GlendaWH will present:

    The untapped iPad Market: Is Your Site POUR?
  14. @hardlynormal Mark Horvath will present:

    A Conversation on Social Change through Social Media
  15. @armano will present:

    Why PR’s Future May Not Look Like PR

Remember, voting ends on August 27th, so do it now. BTW, these are also great people to follow on Twitter.

If you’re a member of the SOBCon community or want to be one and you have a panel you’d like to be on this list, Tweet or DM us at @sobcon, or add a comment to this post.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Buy the Insider’s Guide to Online Conversation.

I’m a proud affiliate of

third-tribe-marketing

Filed Under: SOB Business, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Great Finds, LinkedIn, small business, sobcon, SXSW

Blue ‘Vette, Pink Flamingos, and Customer Relationships

March 22, 2010 by Liz 2 Comments

How a Car Made a Conversation

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I had the lovely experience of spending two hours with @connieburke in a Chevy Corvette Grand Sport while we were at SxSW. It wasn’t because I’m anything special. Chevy had two ‘vettes, two Camaros, and the Chevy Volt ready for Ride and Drives so that folks could have the experience.

On Sunday when my SOBCon partner, Terry Starbucker walked by the cars, we stopped to say hello and talk to Connie about how ride and drive was going.

All I did was ask.

“Hey, Connie, you know I used to live in Austin. We could take one of these ‘vettes to go see the house we built. I could show you hill country and why folks really love it out by the lake.”

All Connie did was ask.

“I’ll put in for a car on Tuesday. Let’s see if we could make that happen.”

As it turned out, Tuesday it was raining … our GOOD luck because it meant we got the Blue Grand Sport for a couple of hours.

grandsport_blackhorse17

Connie and I hit the road at around 11:30 a.m. As we started, she was driving. Google maps wasn’t much help getting us to where I wanted to go. We ended up having a conversation with Onstar.

Seemed kind of weird having OnStar in ‘vette, just sayin’ … Good weird though because it got us to the “pink flamingos” at Pots and Plants the Nursery at 360 and Bee Caves Road in Austin.

The flamingos enticed us to pull in and park.

pinkflamingos_mondmann

But I think Connie was most partial to the old Chevy truck.
Or maybe she was just taking pix for my dossier.

pinkflamingoes_cogdogblog-2 flamingo_chevy_connie_burke-2

I took the wheel as we left. Going up the on ramp to 360, I slowed for a car to pass. Connie quietly said, “Ya know, you have the acceleration.”

Oh yeah! I was driving the ‘vette.

While we took 360 out to 2222 old route then to 620, I told stories of ’69 ‘vettes — one that my best friend, Nancy, raced in gymkhanas and another that my husband raced in the Grand Nationals.

When we reach the house I once lived in I looked over the fence to see the red oak I planted in the clay caliche soil in the dry Austin heat.

liz_at_fence_by_c0nnie_burke-3

On the way to Austin’s famous Oasis restaurant on the lake, we told stories about how our kids grew up. We talked business and possibilities.

At lunch we did about 10 minutes trading our favorite Stephen Wright jokes. Who knew that about either of us?

And at the end of lunch, I bought t-shirts for my son and my husband who’ll remember many meals we shared there.

That’s how a car connected Connie to my best friend, my husband, my son, a house we built — all parts of my history — and a hillside full of pink flamingos.

I became a person during that conversation. So did she when she told me some of the same things.

You can bet that I’ll be showing up if she calls. Proof to seal the deal is that I’m not sharing the conversation on the way back into Austin down 6th Street.

It’s not so outlandish that blue ‘vette and some pink flamingos would lead to good business … The car connected us in a mutual experience. Our trip wasn’t about the car it was about the people in it. The car started a conversation that led to a relationship. I can’t imagine how much longer it would have taken to cover the same ground without it.

This wasn’t a free ride without purpose. It was building relationships one person at a time. Back at the convention center, our meeting with Mark Horvath went even better because we knew other just that little bit more.

We’re already ready exploring some ideas together. A natural one is Chevy: Your Mission. Our Drive. People who would like to make a difference in their community (with the help of Chevy vehicles and volunteers) can fill out a short, online application on our Facebook Chevy Missions tab or follow progress on @ChevyMissions

Every business is relationships and relationships are everyone’s business. Companies who reach out fearlessly with trust in their customers are the ones who can win.

You must have a story about how a product connected two people in business. Will you take a minute to share it now?

_____
Thank you, Connie and Chevy for that … looking forward to how we’ll be helping folks in North Central region with the new initiative.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!

Buy the ebook. Learn the art of online conversation.

Register Now!! for sobcon-vmc

Filed Under: Customer Think, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog, Writing Tagged With: bc, Chevy Corvette Grand Sport, Connie Burke, customer_relationships, LinkedIn, relationships, SXSW

The Castaways of Survivor SxSW Austin: How to Find ADOS Immunity at a Huge Conference

March 23, 2009 by Liz Leave a Comment

Off to the Island We Go

I was still a young pup when I discovered the key to conferences. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in. They’re arranged, funded, and attended by people. People at conferences seem to fall victim to the same behaviors. By the end, the folks leaving can look like they’ve lived a season of Survivor — Take for example this recent conference: Survivor SxSW Austin.

People were off to the island of Austin. Soon enough SxSW castaways realized that their ties to home were gone. We started saying hello; finding common ground; seeing who had a SxSW badge, forming our teams. The people of the town, the people of restaurants, the people in the cars, cabs, and hallways become like so much scenery — we only interacted with them when we needed essentials — food, clothing, and shelter (well, mostly food.)

Survivor SxSW became Reality 2.0. Anticipation was high. Possibilities were higher. Intentions and expectations were everywhere. “Do everything” looked like the only option between now and home. Survival required focus and follow through in the alien environment that only a huge conference can be. The folks who came without training were at a serious disadvantage.

The 3 questions on the Survivor site were heard throughout the week.

  • Who’s most under-estimated?
  • What’s the wildest moment so far?
  • Which castaway seems most out of their element?

Who would be left standing at the end of a week?

It’s easy to feel alone. No one gets automatic immunity. You have to find your own.

The Castaways

Huge conference after huge conference the cast doesn’t seem to change. Let me introduce you to the folks I always see. They were there last year … but like a new season of Survivor, they seemed to be the same people with different names.

  1. The first timer: She was glad to be there and overwhelmed that everyone knew what she didn’t — that just because you know 100 people at the same conference, it doesn’t mean you’ll see any of them. She’s was soon wishing she’d come with comfortable shoes, with a plan, with a friend to keep her company.
  2. The up and comer: He went for the win. In a few hours, everyone knew him. He was networking until the cows came home, or at least back to his hotel. You’ll know him by the number of flickr pix that you find tagged with his name. Do you have a copy of his book? Wait, he hasn’t had time to write it yet.
  3. The information junkie: Her head was in the panels. She could quote chapter and verse of the keynotes and blogged every question. Her program was worn to shreds from handling by Day 2. She exchanged cards with every speaker, but didn’t really have a conversation the entire week.
  4. The party monkeys: Each morning they built alliances on the list of parties they’d attend that evening. The next day they spoke slowly about how long the lines were. They lost their voices and their hearing by bits with each new sunrise.
  5. The rockstar: She showed up for appearances, did her gig, smiled at fans, shook their hands, and disappeared almost as quickly. She might have gotten off most easily because her unreal fame fits the unreality of the conference with a resonating rhythm.
  6. The social jockey: He decided what to do and which people to spend time with based on whether they add to his visibility. You know your star is rising if his kind spoke with you this year.
  7. The sponsors and the sponsored: They worked their butts off and hardly had time to talk. They made everything happen. When they had downtime they talked business or partied like the attendees.
  8. The camera crew: The camera crew was busy with their cameras. They are not allowed to interact while the cameras are on. They’ll experience the conference when they look through their flickr accounts.
  9. The pros: They treated the conference like a Twitter stream — taking part in what they found valuable, letting the rest go by. They did business. They attended some sessions and events. They skipped others for quality conversation. They got sleep every night. They kept their feet on ground and their thoughts in perspective.

Lots of regular folks were there too, by Day 4 they were easy to identify. They were the ones who were still awake and itching to find their own pillow. A Survivor Experience can wear on the most grounded psyches. These are the folks who disappeared from the interwebs when they got home.

How to Find ADOS Immunity at a Huge Conference

Lots of great things happen at conferences. SxSW is outstanding for what it offers –incredible opportunities to expand your network and constant input to move your thinking to new levels. You’ll meet great people and if you try, you’ll get a chance to know them. To be successful, you need to find immunity to an extreme case of ADD that someone called ADOS — AD-oooo shiny.

Five ground rules will help.

  1. Build your network before you go. Meet people via email and telephone long before you get to the “island.” Huge conferences are more valuable if you already have a connection to the people you’re going to meet. You’ll also find that more of the meetings that you plan will actually take place.
  2. Invest in a goal. That will give your conference a direction and a basis on which to make decisions about what to do next when unexpected opportunities jump in front of you.
  3. Only plan 3 – 5 things each day and be lethal about getting those done. Interruptions and opportunities to explore people, places, and conversations will be everywhere all day long. If you find you have time to do more than you planned, you’ll be ahead of the game.
  4. Make time for at least one important conversation daily. Go to lunch with smart people. Talk about smart things. A week of continuous small talk can make any person feel shallow, insecure, and a little lost.
  5. Make time for sleep. Don’t think you can do everything. No one will notice if you missed that third party on Tuesday. Everyone will notice if you look a wreck and can’t think by Day 3.

Those few strategies can help keep your balance. You’ll accomplish your goals, get a return on your investment, and learn plenty from just being there. You’ll head home a Survivor, feeling like the tribe was worth every minute you spent in their company.

What do you do to survive huge conferences?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Register for SOBCon09 NOW!!

Work and network in a small quiet space with a dream team.

Filed Under: Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, conferences, LinkedIn, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Productivity, relationships, SXSW

SxSW People and a Panel that Rocked Butt

March 15, 2009 by Liz Leave a Comment

Gee “Butt” It’s Great to Be Back

Sometimes you have to take an airplane clear across the country to have a conversation and conversations are being had. From the minute, I came down the escalator to baggage claim and saw Becky McCray waiting for me the talking began. Before the bag even arrived, Jonathan Fields and David Maher Roberts showed up.

From the airport, it was off Vignette for Austin Social Media Club — where I finally got meet up with old friends and new Connie Reece , Mike Chapman , Ben and Lani Rosales , Lauren Vargas , Aaron Strout , Jason Falls , Shannon Paul , and many others.

Later we caught up with the guys from Radian6 and had finally found our way how to @SheliaS and @CFanch where Becky and I are holed up.

We collected our badges and @Tojosan in the morning and set up Table2.0 for a Tweetup Firday that corresponded with @EricaOGrady’s birthday party. We also met up with @ShashiB, @EricaBiz and few others, including @Geekmommy and @SaulColt

Later it was on the BlueSky event, I finally got to see my friends @ChrisBrogan and @Copyblogger and to meet the famous Pam Slim. So many good conversation were had.

I had the bp pleasure of walking over with a great group of the Walmart Moms to the high point of any conference is the @BrianSolis and @StephAgresti Tech Set event.

Amazing how much fun you can have in a new pair jeans – heh heh!

BTW, Sheila Scarborough’s travel panel rocked butt!! Watch the video.

(CC) Brian Solis. www.briansolis.com
(CC) Brian Solis. www.briansolis.com

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Register for SOBCon09 NOW!!

That many incredible people make it incredible!!

Filed Under: SOB Business, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, LinkedIn, SXSW

Conference Time!

February 26, 2009 by Guest Author Leave a Comment

I attended a Podcamp unconference over the weekend. It was so much fun. Not only did I learn from the sessions, which covered topics such as podcasting, metrics, and monetization, but I met so many wonderful people as well. The conference was a two day event with days full of sharing information and dinners and parties at night. It was busy and exhausting. In order to get as much out of the conference experience as possible I have suggestions that might be helpful.

 – take the time to say hello and introduce yourself to as many people as possible. If there is a person at the conference whom you admire, say hello.  Say hello to the person you’re sitting beside, the person who presented and the person in the coffee room. Chances are you have come across these people online and just may not recognize them. If not you’ve just made new connections!

–  remember the hallways, lobbies, and all public spaces in the venue. You’d be surprised how much networking occurs in these busy spaces. Hang around and introduce yourself to the other people hanging around there.

– remember business cards. I’ve asked this question a few times on Twitter and I always have someone say “business cards are obsolete”. That may be for someone who’s famous online, but business cards are like souvenirs for encounters. Make yours memorable. One of my favorites has a picture of the person and their url on it. Be generous in handing them out.

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It’s conference season coming up. SXSW is the big one that comes to mind and, of course, there’s the one we’re all looking forward to – SOBCon 2009. Plan your time there wisely you so you can walk away with a wonderful ROI in the relationships you create there. Are you planning on attending any conferences this year?

from Kathryn aka @northernchick

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photo credit: @SuzeMuze

Filed Under: Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, podcamp, sobcon, SXSW

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