Social Media Club Louisville

Just a note to reassure everyone that tonight’s Social Media Club Louisville event with special guest Lee Odden is on as scheduled. The gathering will be from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET at the Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower. Odden will present a talk on practical search engine optimization knowledge for communications professionals. A cash bar will be available and free hors d’oeuvres will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

While there has been significant snowfall in the Louisville area this week, the main roads are clear and the forecast is not calling for additional snow that would hinder driving conditions. HOWEVER, we do not want to encourage anyone to venture out if they do not feel they can do so safely.

See you tonight!

Just want to post a reminder for everyone to plan on joining us for a very special SMC Louisville on Tuesday night, Feb. 16 at the Water Tower. Lee Odden, CEO of TopRank Online Marketing and world-renown search engine optimization (SEO) and social media expert, will be the featured presenter at our February gathering. Odden will provide practical advice with his presentation, “10 SEO Tips Communications Professionals Must Know.” The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the Louisville Visual Art Association at The Water Tower. The event is free and open to the public. Hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be offered.

We’re almost bursting at the seams for this event in terms of RSVPs, but I’d like to ask everyone to continue to spread the word. The reason we wanted to bring Lee to Louisville was because we wanted a world-class expert to be able to explain the importance of SEO to public relations, marketing and communications professionals. Search happens 85% of the time a person opens a browser. It is the single-most important online activity. Understanding it as a marketer, developer or business owner is imperative. Lee will help us all get there.

We’re going to have a blast learning and networking with Lee and one another. See you there!

Our friends at the Society of Professional Journalists are hosting a conversation about commenting on social-enabled websites, including newspaper sites, blogs and company websites. The discussion will feature noted media and First Amendment attorney Jon Fleischaker and is sure to be enlightening. We thought we’d share the event here to make sure Social Media Club Louisville folks knew about the event.

From the SPJ:

So you’ve posted a new item on your web site or blog. Comments began pouring in. But one commenter says that the main story subject beats his wife. Can you edit that? Can you delete it? What if you do nothing and the comment goes live can you be sued? And does it make a difference if the person who posts the comment is anonymous?

Noted media and first amendment attorney Jon L. Fleischaker will guide you through these murky waters in a noon presentation for the Society of Professional Journalists. The event will be held Tuesday, January 26, at Louisville Public Media, 619 S. Fourth Street, in the performance studio. The program is $10 for SPJ members, $12 for non-members and includes a box lunch and drink from City Café. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn how to handle this emerging media problem from the foremost expert on First Amendment issues in the region.

SPACE IS LIMITED. Call or e-mail Robyn Davis Sekula at (812) 981-8223 or robynsekula@sbcglobal.net to reserve your spot. Payment will be at the door by cash or check, or by mailing a check in advance of the event to Robyn Sekula, 1811 Ekin Ave., New Albany, IN 47150. Deadline for reservations is Thursday, January 21.

Another job posting crossed our desk here at Social Media Club Louisville, this one at Mortenson Family Dental. It’s great to see social media specific jobs popping up here in the ‘Ville. If you’re interested, see the details below.

JOB POSTING

Mortenson Family Dental

Title: Reputation Equity Manager

PROFILE
It is mandatory for the position of Reputation Equity Manager that the candidate come from a PR firm/background. We will also consider candidates from a communications background, or substantial experience..

The candidate will develop effective social media programs and assures they are managed for client satisfaction and agency profitability. Recognizes and pursues growth opportunities on the accounts for which he/she is assigned and participates in new business pitches for prospective and current patients, providing a social media perspective and expertise, and solutions. Provides support to our offices as needed, and to also represent the company at events outside the office, as a PR representative.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Understands dental business (and the specialty options offered), provides appropriate and timely strategic patient counsel in the social media space
• Develops and implements innovative social media strategies and programs that produce superior results for clients and result in increased agency revenues
• Monitors social media projects to ensure that deadlines and quality standards are met; reports to Director of Marketing daily, and provides detailed reporting of social media results and results of the internal marketing of Demand Force

• Educates offices and leadership about strategic benefits of social media opportunities
• Understands social media needs and the appropriate channels for dissemination of information
• Meets the key online media important to our business
• Provides and oversees on-site and online support for events
• Guides and trains account staff on social media strategies
• Develops plans and techniques for generating and pursuing new business and assists in the development of new business presentations
• Monitor and manage our internal patient marketing through Demand Force for all offices

QUALIFICATIONS
• Strong verbal, written and technical communication skills
• Understanding of the web development process
• Ability to prioritize
• Attention to detail
• Ability to handle multiple assignments/projects
• Proficient in major social media and online tools
• Strong leadership/team building ability
• Growing knowledge of social media and digital landscape and its innovative application for communication solutions
• Demonstrable client relations, budgeting, social media program development, project management, and writing/editing skills (in the online space); Required to type 80words per minute
• At least two years of social media pr/marketing experience

EDUCATION
B.S./B.A. degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, Digital Media or a related discipline/experience

Apply by emailing your resume to:

Shelley Spragens

sspragens@mfdc.net

or fax 502-245-5021

What a year 2009 has been for the Social Media Club Louisville. From unbelievable speakers to intensive learning opportunities to good, old fashioned networking and fun, our organization has grown and spread the word about social media in and around Louisville. For our December gathering, we just want to bring everyone together and celebrate.

Please join us for an evening of fun and fiesta at On The Border at Springhurst Shopping Center, just off Westport Road, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. We will have some fantastic door prizes (including a catered On The Border home party), enjoy some festive Mexican cuisine and have some time to kick off our holiday celebrations with networking and fun together. There will be no formal program, but we’re anticipating a large turnout, so bring your business cards and enjoy a night with your fellow social media enthusiasts. We will provide some appetizers for everyone to much on. Dinner and drinks will be on your own.

Please RSVP using the form below and do note, despite Eventbrite’s instructions, you DO NOT NEED to print a ticket to get in. Just let us know you’re coming so we can plan for space and enough munchies for all.

And if you cannot make it, thanks for all you’ve done to make Social Media Club Louisville happen. We’re now two years old and not slowing down at all. Thank you!

The Louisville chapter of the American Marketing Association has graciously extended an invitation and a special member’s rate to Social Media Club Louisville to attend the April 30 AMA luncheon with Brains on Fire’s Geno Church, one of the masterminds behind the Fiskateers community of Fiskars enthusiasts. The event will be held at the University Club at the University of Louisville from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The special, SMC Louisville rate is $25.00. Purchase your tickets by purchasing through our Eventbright RSVP below below. (A $0.99 fee will be added for Eventbright processing.)

Please note SMC Louisville guests will need to buy via the Eventbright order form. The special rate will not be accepted at the door.

Church will give tips on how marketers can create sustainable word of mouth movements for their brands, how to find people to engage the brand and how to manage the community once it’s started. He’ll also give tips on how to evaluate a word of mouth program’s success. Learn more about Church and Brains on Fire at www.brainsonfire.com.

Location:
The University Club at the University of Louisville
11:30 - 12:00 networking; 12:00 - 1:00 lunch and speaker
www.louisville.edu/org/uclub

Best-selling author Emanuel Rosen will be the special guest of the Social Media Club Louisville for the organization’s April gathering, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET at the Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower. Rosen is the author of the national bestseller, “The Anatomy of Buzz” and his latest effort, “The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited” and is an internationally-renown expert on word-of-mouth marketing.

Emanuel Rosen, author of "The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited"

Rosen is appearing at the event as part of his national tour to support “The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited.” The effort adds nearly two-thirds new material to his original best-selling work with more in-depth coverage of social media as a supplement to word-of-mouth, or buzz. Admission is free. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.

“I’ve read both books and would recommend them to marketers of all walks,” said Jason Falls, president of SMC Louisville. “For those interested in social media, consumer-centric public relations and community-building advertising platforms, ‘The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited,’ is a must-read and Emanuel Rosen is a must-meet thinker.”

Rosen is touring the country on the National Outdoor Leadership School’s tour bus. The NOLS is a not for profit educational institution that takes people of all ages on remote wilderness expeditions, teaching technical outdoor skills, leadership and environmental ethics in awe-inspiring locations around the world. The tour bus, central to the NOLS’s word-of-mouth marketing efforts, is featured as a case study in Rosen’s new book.

The NOLS bus is powered by recycle vegetable oil and solar power. It has been traveling the country spreading the world about NOLS and alternative energy since 2004. More more information about the NOLS, visit http://www.www.nols.edu/about/. For more on the bus, visit http://www.nols.edu/bus/bus_activities.shtml.

To learn more about Emanuel Rosen visit him on-line at http://www.emanuel-rosen.com or follow him on Twitter at @EmanuelRosen.

WHO: Emanuel Rosen, best-selling author of “The Anatomy of Buzz” and “The Anatomy of Buzz Revisited”

WHAT: Social Media Club Louisville’s April Gathering

WHEN: 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 14, 2009

WHERE: Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower, 3005 River Road, Louisville

WHY: Learn about word-of-mouth marketing and the anatomy of buzz from a world-renown, best-selling author and expert.

Please RSVP using our Eventbrite form below:

The Social Media Club Louisville will conduct the second in its series of educational boot camps for the Louisville area from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. ET, Tuesday, April 14 at the Frazier International History Museum. The event will focus on helping advertising, marketing and public relations professionals to leverage social media for their organizations, agencies and clients.

“We can talk about social media until we’re blue in the face, but businesses need to learn the tools, not just the philosophies, to hit the ground running with actionable social media tactics for their organizations and clients,” said Jason Falls, president of the Social Media Club Louisville. “As we showed the non-profit community in January, our boot camps are working sessions that sign you up for accounts, get you started and teach you the tools so you can start using them immediately. This session will demystify the technologies, give participants new found productivity in their day-to-day jobs and help them reach on-line audiences in more efficient and effective ways.”

The cost of the boot camp is $150.00 per person. Proceeds support the Social Media Club Louisville’s mission to increase the awareness and understanding of social media tools, strategies and programs to improve and enhance consumer experiences with businesses and individuals. WiFi and refreshments will be provided. Participants should bring a laptop computer with wireless Internet capability.

This hands-on training will provide participants with practical understanding and use of the latest social media tools and technologies, as well as an overview of the strategic approaches to each. The sessions will be taught by social media strategists Michelle Jones, Falls, David Finch, Nick Huhn and Brendan Jackson. Topics to be covered include: RSS technologies, social media monitoring, blogging, marketing through social networks (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), web video and more.

The Frazier International History Museum is located at 829 West Main Street in Louisville, Ky. The event will take place in the Fourth Floor Cultural Arts Center. Participants should identify themselves as attendees for the Social Media Club Louisville Social Media Boot Camp at the museum’s front door.

To purchase a seat, use the PayPal checkout button here:

We are offering a $25 discount to non-profits. If your organization is incorporated as a non-profit, please use this Buy Now button to register:

If you have any questions about the event or are having trouble booking your seat, please contact us via email at smclouisville — at — gmail.com or call Jason Falls, SMC Louisville President at 502.619.3285.

Join Social Media Club Louisville’s March gathering for a helpful look at smart marketing in a recession using social media. Brendan Jackson of Creative Alliance and internet marketing consultant Nick Huhn will take you through ideas, strategies and tactics of marketing your organization in tough economic times using social media. Learn how to achieve marketing success with tightened purse strings and conservative budgets.

As an additional bonus, representatives from H&R Block will be on hand to give tips on filing returns and discuss implications of the new federal tax incentive program. H&R Block is a national sponsor for Social Media Club.

Join us on Tuesday, March 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower. Free hors d’oeuvres and a beer and wine cash bar will be available throughout the evening, courtesy of H&R Block. The event will also feature networking opportunity.

The event is free and open to the public.

WHO: Social Media Club Louisville

WHAT: March monthly gathering - Smart Marketing In A Recession With Social Media

WHEN: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - 6:30-8:30 p.m.

WHERE: Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower, 3005 River Road

WHY: Learn strategies and tactics to market intelligently in a recessive economy.

Please RSVP your attendance by emailing us at smclouisville - at - gmail.com.

While things may seem quiet on the Social Media Club Louisville front, rest assured we have been mighty busy. The organization is now an official non-profit corporation. We have a board of directors (more below) and have had a successful first fund-raising event in our Boot Camp for Non-Profits last week. But that’s not the really good news. (Chris Brogan is coming to visit us in May.)

While we are not scheduling an official event in February, we have an exciting list of events for the spring I wanted to give you a sneak preview of so you could get them on your calendars.

MARCH GATHERING: HOW MARKETING IN A RECESSION IS SMARTER WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

SMC Louisville’s leadership will take you through ideas, strategies and tactics of marketing your organization in tough economic times using social media. Learn how to achieve marketing success with tightened purse strings and conservative budgets. Join us on Tuesday, March 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Louisville Visual Art Association at the Water Tower.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOOT CAMP FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

We’ll turn our focus to the advertising, marketing and public relations industries on April 14. for a half-day boot camp that will give professionals in those industries an up-close look at the tools, technologies and strategies they can use to reach their audiences in the social media space. This will be more than just the basics with particular focus given to working with creatives, integrating social media strategies across campaigns and delivering return on investment for social media efforts. Mark your calendars for 8 a.m. until 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 14. Location TBD. This will be a working session, so bring your own laptops! The cost will be $100.00 per person. (Opportunity to RSVP to come.)

APRIL GATHERING: GENO CHURCH FROM BRAINS ON FIRE

Join us for breakfast on Thursday, April 30 (site and time TBD) for a chat with Geno Church from Brains on Fire. Church is the word of mouth inspiration officer for Greenville, S.C., based Brains on Fire. Church and his firm helped develop the award-winning word of mouth movement, the Fiskateers, which is part of the Fiskars Brand. Church will take us through the social media and off-line strategies that help build a more than 5,000-member community of brand enthusiasts for Fiskars.

MAY GATHERING: CHRIS BROGAN

Social media expert and industry thought leader Chris Brogan will join us for two events on Tuesday, May 19. His New Marketing Summit organization will conduct an all-day boot camp, then Chris will speak to SMC Louisville Tuesday night. Sites and exact times are to be announced. The boot camp will have a cost associated with it. Details will be announced soon.

JUNE GATHERING: SUMMER NETWORKING

Join us from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on June 16 for some good, old fashioned networking. No formal presentation is planned. Door prizes will be given away.

SMC LOUISVILLE ELECTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

As part of our incorporation as a non-profit organization, we were required by law to name officers which now comprise our board of directors. The Social Media Club Louisville officers are: Jason Falls, President; Michelle Jones, Vice-President; Nick Huhn, Treasurer; Brendan Jackson, Secretary; David Finch, Board Member. We would also like to thank Dan Canon (our lawyer) and Tammy Finch (our accountant) for assisting us with the incorporation and setup of the organization.

And just to make up for the lack of a February presentation, here’s some added value for you for this month.

Enjoy!

1. 100+ Smart Ways to Use LinkedIn - Linked Intellingence

2. 50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Business - Chris Brogan

3. Starting a Bog? 12 Ideas for Blog Posts - Online Journalism Blog

4. The Social Media Starter Kit - Altitude Branding

5. How to Use the New Friendfeed Search for Social Media Intelligence - Read Write Web