Archive for March, 2009

Posted on March 14, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

Day 2 at #sxsw with @LouisGray on blogging trends and #sxsw news

Day 2 at #sxsw with @LouisGray on blogging trends and #sxsw news

Louis Gray @louisgray http://www.louisgray.com

Posted on March 13, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

Talk Social News at SXSW day1 … social media rock stars

Talk Social News at SXSW day1 .. social media rock stars, check out the interview with
Bryan Person of LiveWorld http://BryanPerson.com @BryanPerson
Jason Keath of Heels.com http://twitter.com/jakrose
George G. Smith Jr. of Crocs.com http://twitter.com/georgegsmithjr

Posted on March 11, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

Talk Social News to use @Tweetaways for contest during SXSW

Talk Social News (Kipp Bodnar @kbodnar32 and Wayne Sutton @waynesutton) is partnering with Tweetaways.com @Tweetaways to giveaway 7 prizes to listeners from Friday March 13th – Tuesday, March 17 during SXSW interactive. While at SXSW Kipp and Wayne will be broadcasting live from the PepsiCo Podcast Playground. The podcast times are Friday, March 13th at 11:00 A.M. and from Saturday March 14th to March 17th at 9:00 A.M. To win the prizes you’ll have to send a tweet to @TalkSocialNews with a special #hashtag.  Each contest #hastag will be announced during the daily live podcast and tweeted from @TalkSocialNews . After the announcement you have until 7:00 p.m. to enter, then a tweet from @Tweetaways will tweet the winner.  Each contest is open to everyone not just SXSW attendees.

The SXSW prizes consist of the following:

1. Crocs gift certificate via @georgegsmith,  Social Media Specialist @Crocs, Inc.

2. Vans gift certificate  via @vans_66, Online communities for Vans.

3. Brightkite swag (2 T-shirts) -via @brightkite, the location-based social network

4. Sharpies swag via @sharpiesusan, Leading the charge on PRSM (public relations social media) at Sharpie

5. Tweetie iPhone apps coupons (4qty) via @tweetie, rockin’ Twitter client for iPhone and iPod touch

6. Tweetshirts (2 T-shirts) via @jazzychad, of @tweetgrid : http://tweetgrid.com

7. Kodak Zi6 via @kodakcb,  -Jennifer Cisney – Kodak’s Chief Blogger/Design Geek.

How to win in plain english:

1. Follow @TalkSocialNews and @Tweetaways on twitter
2. Listen to the daily SXSW podcast for the contest hashtag to use in your tweets on http://talksocialnews.com
3. Watch for the hashtag from @TalkSocialNews twitter account after the podcast
4. Send a tweet to @TalkSocialNews with the contest hashtag (you can enter multiple times and it must be a public tweet, no DMs)
5. Daily at 7:00 P.M. @Tweetaways will announce the winner.

About Tweetaways

Tweetaways.com is an easy way to pick a random winner for your next twitter contest or giveaway. Tweetaways was dreamed up by, Rodney Blackwell @CircleR, after seeing a lot of contests being held on Twitter. Rodney always wondered how they were picking a random winner out of all of those tweets, and thought it would be cool if we could “see” the drawing happening. Watch the how it works tweetaways video here: http://tweetaways.com/howitworks

About Talk Social News

Talk Social News is a weekly podcast about news and innovations in social media. The show is hosted by Kipp Bodnar and Wayne Sutton, two geeks, who interview industry leaders and share their own opinions about the technology that is changing the way we all interact online and offline. http://talksocialnews.com @TalkSocialNews

Kipp Bodnar, co-host
Kipp Bodnar is Social Marketing Manager for a full service marketing agency in Raleigh, NC. He helps companies build communities and improve their communications through the use of social media. He is organizer, speaker, and participant in regional and national social media conferences and events.

Kipp blogs at http://digitalcapitalism.com and recently started a blog focused on social media’s impact on B2B companies at http://socialmediab2b.com and is on Twitter as @kbodnar32

Wayne Sutton, co-host
Be it social media strategy, Web apps, blogs or new ways to use mobile technology as both a marketing and a sales tool, I make sure that my clients receive the most up-to-date information about best-practices and industry standards for digital/online communities. Speaking engagements, arranging meetups, producing conferences and events are extensions of my capabilities.

Wayne Sutton blogs at http://socialwayne.com and recently relaunch http://wayne-sutton.com a personal branding profile and is on Twitter as @waynesutton

Posted on March 11, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

Talk Social News SXSW Winners 2009

Talk Social News (Kipp Bodnar @kbodnar32 and Wayne Sutton @waynesutton) is partnering with Tweetaways.com @Tweetaways to giveaway 7 prizes to listeners from Friday March 13th – Tuesday, March 17 during SXSW interactive. While at SXSW Kipp and Wayne will be broadcasting live from the PepsiCo Podcast Playground. The podcast times are Friday, March 13th at 11:00 A.M. and from Saturday March 14th to March 17th at 9:00 A.M. To win the prizes you’ll have to send a tweet to @TalkSocialNews with a special #hashtag. Each contest #hastag will be announced during the daily live podcast and tweeted from @TalkSocialNews . After the announcement you have until 7:00 p.m. to enter, then a tweet from @Tweetaways will tweet the winner. Each contest is open to everyone not just SXSW attendees.

The SXSW prizes consist of the following:

1. Crocs gift certificate via @georgegsmith, Social Media Specialist @Crocs, Inc.

Winners: http://twitter.com/jaymoney and http://twitter.com/NOCrimeExaminer

2. Vans gift certificate via @Vans_66, Vans/Online Communities Development/Marketing/Ruckusing.
Winners: http://twitter.com/NOCrimeExaminer and http://twitter.com/HelloPresto

3. Brightkite swag (1 T-shirts) -via @brightkite, the location-based social network
Winner: http://twitter.com/AmazingAaron

4. Sharpies swag via @sharpiesusan, Leading the charge on PRSM (public relations social media) at Sharpie
Winners: Various attendees at #SXSW who were alwaysbecharging.com

5. Tweetie iPhone apps coupons (4qty) via @tweetie, rockin’ Twitter client for iPhone and iPod touch
Winners: http://twitter.com/jaredwsmith and http://twitter.com/rayrayangel

6. Tweetshirts (2 T-shirts) via @jazzychad, of @tweetgrid : http://tweetgrid.com
Winners: http://twitter.com/joshuaarnao & http://twitter.com/Leann_BC

7. Kodak Zi6 via @kodakcb, -Jennifer Cisney – Kodak’s Chief Blogger/Design Geek.
Winner: http://twitter.com/warey

To all of our sponsors and winners thank you for supporting Talk Social News!

How to win in plain english:

1. Follow @TalkSocialNews and @Tweetaways on twitter
2. Listen to the daily SXSW podcast for the contest hashtag to use in your tweets on http://talksocialnews.com
3. Watch for the hashtag from @TalkSocialNews twitter account after the podcast
4. Send a tweet to @TalkSocialNews with the contest hashtag (you can enter multiple times and it must be a public tweet, no DMs)
5. Daily at 7:00 P.M. @Tweetaways will announce the winner.

About Tweetaways

Tweetaways.com is an easy way to pick a random winner for your next twitter contest or giveaway. Tweetaways was dreamed up by, Rodney Blackwell @CircleR, after seeing a lot of contests being held on Twitter. Rodney always wondered how they were picking a random winner out of all of those tweets, and thought it would be cool if we could “see” the drawing happening. Watch the how it works tweetaways video here: http://tweetaways.com/howitworks

About Talk Social News

Talk Social News is a weekly podcast about news and innovations in social media. The show is hosted by Kipp Bodnar and Wayne Sutton, two geeks, who interview industry leaders and share their own opinions about the technology that is changing the way we all interact online and offline. http://talksocialnews.com @TalkSocialNews

Kipp Bodnar, co-host
Kipp Bodnar is Social Marketing Manager for a full service marketing agency in Raleigh, NC. He helps companies build communities and improve their communications through the use of social media. He is organizer, speaker, and participant in regional and national social media conferences and events.

Kipp blogs at http://digitalcapitalism.com and recently started a blog focused on social media’s impact on B2B companies at http://socialmediab2b.com and is on Twitter as @kbodnar32

Wayne Sutton, co-host
Be it social media strategy, Web apps, blogs or new ways to use mobile technology as both a marketing and a sales tool, I make sure that my clients receive the most up-to-date information about best-practices and industry standards for digital/online communities. Speaking engagements, arranging meetups, producing conferences and events are extensions of my capabilities.

Wayne Sutton blogs at http://socialwayne.com and recently relaunch http://wayne-sutton.com a personal branding profile and is on Twitter as @waynesutton

Posted on March 9, 2009 - by Wayne Sutton

9 Things I Don't Like About Social Media (And a Few Things You Don't Like Too)

If you’re a newbie or want to learn more about social media, read this post: “What is Social Media? In plain English“.You could say social media is everything on the internet, but that’s another conversation. This post is a personal rant, so here it goes,

1. The “always on” factor:
A lot of people ask “how do you manage your time on social media, with emails, tweets and smartphones?” and I feel almost obligated to responded to everything immediately. Plus people can reach each other in various ways, and I sometimes think others don’t take into consideration whatyou have going on in your personal life. You have to have some self control and some rules in place to use your time effectively.

2. The immediacy factor:
I blame this one on Twitter. Everyone wants to be first to report or reply, or they want you to accept a friend request asap. We’re living in a microwave age,. People want content and replies, and they want it now. I think this is part of the reason newspapers are failing.

3. The expectation factor:
I’ve been dealing with this for a while. You create a web presence, build a brand, and people will put a label on you in a heart beat. I’m no master, expert or anything like that; I’m online to use the tools, build relationships, start a business, and go from there like the next person. If you are like me, you have put in time to build your brand and now that the space has become so crowded you have to work harder to prove your value and how you’re different or better than the next person.

4. The echo chamber factor:
Maybe I’m spending too much time online, but I’ve seen a lot of posts just copy the same stories from others.  For the blog’s sake don’t let an Apple “rumor” get started; you’ll read about the same story on 10 Mac blogs.

5. The rich are getting richer and the poorer are still trying:
The popular blogs are gaining more and more traffic, and although it’s easier for people to launch new websites and blogs, I think gaining sustainable traffic is harder. But it can be done .

6. The Lack of diversity:
This one is a touchy topic but true, there’s lack of diversity in social media. The space is dominated mostly one race and gender. Others have to work harder to succeed and they must have a thick skin and be strong to last.

7. Everyone is a judge:
Social Media has given everyone a voice. You can easily tweet, blog, or record a video about anyone and be heard. Sometimes people care about what you are doing on line, and sometimes they don’t, but when you make a few mistakes people will call you out. Pick and choose your battles wisely and always try to do your best.

8. The one-person or one-blog or one-tool factor:
Despite what anyone says, I disagree that any one person or blog has all the answers about social media. Social media is not just Facebook or just Twitter.  It’s so much more. A few years ago, it was all about web 2.0,  and before that it was about charging $35,000 to $50,000 just for a plain brochure website. I don’t have all the answers, and if anyone else tells you they do, run and run fast. Everything is in beta and I’m sure by the end of 2009 the world will be buzzing about the next big thing online. Either way, I’m going to do the best I can with what I’ve got, work on a few projects, and see where the web ends.

9. The “taking it to serious” factor:
Sometimes I want to say lighten up, we’re all different and entitled to our own opinion, and that’s what makes us unique. I’ve seen comments and conversations that have just gone too far. If you’re a business, protect your brand and your voice. If you’re an individual, be careful what you say online because it can come back to haunt you one day. And let’s try to just get along.

Conclusions
Ok, I think I’ve done enough venting for now, and I feel a little better. But there’s a lot I have to work on, to improve on as a man, husband, entrepreneur. I also want to improve everything I put online to try to make it great, because I’m getting judged on everything. I’m in beta folks, time to work stronger, faster and smarter in 2009, and see where the road takes me.

By the way, I recently posted the following tweet: “Working on a blog post: Things You Don’t Like About Social Media - What are Your Pet Peeves? Reply to be included”  Below are the responses.