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!

Lee Odden, CEO of TopRank Online Marketing and world-renown search engine optimization (SEO) expert, will be the featured presenter at Social Media Club Louisville’s 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, February 16 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.

Odden is one of 25 online marketing experts featured in “Online Marketing Heroes” published by Wiley and has been cited for his search & social media marketing expertise by The Economist, U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. As an active thought leader in the search marketing industry, he contributes to top industry publications such as Mashable, iMedia Connection and MediaPost along with publishing Online Marketing Blog, recognized by Advertising Age as one of the top marketing blogs on the web.

Odden’s TopRank Online Marketing is a digital marketing and public relations firm specializing in strategic internet marketing consulting, training and implementation services including: online PR , search engine and social media marketing. A veteran internet marketer, Odden has consulted for clients including: HP, McKesson, BT, Northwest Airlines, PRWeb, Supervalu, WebAwards and the national PRSA.

From Jason Falls, president of Social Media Club Louisville:

“When you think of search and social media, one person stands at the intersection of those industries and it’s Lee Odden. His background in public relations gives him a unique perspective of understanding the on-the-ground communications professional and what they need to know about search engines to write and think for the web. This session will be as educational as any we’ve at at SMC Louisville. We’re excited to have Lee in Louisville.”

Please RSVP with the form below and join us to learn SEO from one of the top thinkers in the social media and search engine optimization.

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

A friend of ours at IT Business Edge passed on a job posting to see if we might circulate it to the Social Media Club Louisville group. While we’ve never posted job openings on the blog, to my recollection, in the spirit of making sure we can all fight through the economy, I figured why not? If you have a posting, email it to us at news - at - smclouisville.org. We’ll try to post it in a timely fashion. However, please do make sure it is relevant to the social media, technology, marketing or PR industries.

Inside Sales Manager

NarrowCast Group is a business-to-business electronic publisher. Their initial product offering is IT Business Edge, www.itbusinessedge.com, targeting technology decision makers.

Responsibilities:

• Reporting to the VP Sales, the Inside Sales Manager is responsible for hiring, managing, coaching, evaluating, and training a team of account executives. Keeps the team informed about: 1) the business and business strategy 2) the market and competitors 3) the company and team goals and objectives 4) company policies and practices 5) additional assignments and accountabilities 6) any business or company information to be disseminated via the management chain.
• Designs and develops strategic initiatives to generate new customers and to retain and grow existing business.  Utilizes direct marketing including web and email based programs, direct mail, and telephone.
• Assists in the development of lead generation and advertising proposals for advertising prospects.
• Drives revenue through lead generation and advertising programs to meet monthly/quarterly/annual revenue targets. Brainstorms with team and company leadership on ideas and ways to garner prospects and business.
• Monitors and reports sales metrics to team and leadership.
• Communicates market intelligence and feedback to team members and leadership.
• Manages the sales administration process.
• Develops, maintains and manages individual territories via Salesforce.com.

Skills:

• Strong leadership, management and motivational skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage details.
• Ability to effectively communicate with team members, company leadership and customers, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to drive e-marketing campaigns.
• Telemarketing skills.
• Ability to analyze customer needs and to create and execute initiatives to meet those needs.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills,
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.

Experience:

• 1-3 years experience in inside sales management.
• Proven successful track record of managing inside sales.
• Online advertising experience a plus.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training and experience.

Please send resumes to:

barbarajford@barbarajford.net

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!

November has two exciting events in store for Social Media Club Louisville. Our monthly gathering will be Monday night, Nov. 16, from 8 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Proof on Main as we welcome measurement guru Katie Paine to town. The informal meet-and-greet will be a great time to network and meet one of the leading thinkers in the social media space today. The gathering is free. Please RSVP below to ensure we account for enough space at the restaurant. Please note that you do not have to print a hard copy ticket to attend. We only use Eventbrite to ensure numbers for space. Everyone is welcome and the event is free and open to the public.

The following day, we will co-host our Social Media Strategy Boot Camp with the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. For more on that event, please visit the IABC’s website. The early bird special pricing has been extended until next Tuesday, Nov. 10.

We hope to see you at both events. Come meet Katie Monday night then settle in for some fantastic learning on Tuesday.

There’s been a fair amount of demand for Jay Garmon’s materials from last night. So, without further ado, his presentation:

And the video from it:

Jay Garmon can be found online at JayGarmon.net.

Social Media Club Louisville is thrilled to partner with the International Association of Business Communicators to present a day-long, intensive boot camp for communications professionals focused on Social Media Strategy and Measurement. “Social Media Strategy Boot Camp: New Age PR and Measurement for ROI,” will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 at Masterson’s in Louisville and will feature internationally renown measurement guru Katie Paine, Bad Pitch Blog author Kevin Dugan and SMC Louisville president and social media strategist Jason Falls.

To sign up, visit the IABC Kentucky’s website. Pricing is as follows:

Early-bird registration through November 5:

• Members of IABC, and the Social Media Club (defined as anyone on SMC’s mailing list by Oct. 19):  $99
• Non-members : $119

Regular registration:

• IABC/SMC members: $119
• Non-members: $149

The intent of the boot camp is to go a bit deeper into developing social media strategies, integrating them with traditional public relations and communications efforts and then understanding measurement and metrics to deliver reporting that shows executives the all-important return on investment, or ROI, behind social media. The sessions will run from 9 a.m. until approximately 3:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop computer.

On the agenda and from the IABC descriptions:

Building Your Social Media Plan
Jason Falls, President, Social Media Club Lousiville; author & principal, socialmediaexplorer.com

You’ve heard enough to know that social media could work for your organization. Now what? Jason will show you how other organizations have done it, and help you sort through the next steps of identifying your audience, establishing measurable communication goals, and developing meaningful online content. After this presentation, you’ll be able to write a practical, sell-able social media plan for your organization.

Messages that Matter
Kevin Dugan, Director of Marketing, Empower MediaMarketing, Cincinnati, Ohio; author, PR Strategies Blog & The Bad Pitch Blog

Communications strategies taking a one-message-fits-all approach have never driven real results. And now with social media, taking one message to social and traditional media might even cause companies problems. Kevin Dugan will conduct a practical review of how you can ensure your message translates across traditional and social platforms. Attendees will learn tips for approaching message development, best practices and review examples of companies that pull it off.

Building ROI into your Social Media Plan
K.D. Paine, President, K.D. Paine & Associates and Editor of The PR Measurement Standard

Flummoxed on how to show social media’s results to your management? K.D. Paine will demystify the process for you. She’ll discuss how to build a program that can be easily measured from the start. She’ll show you what the Internet’s free measurement tools can and can’t do, and compare what the best of the subscription based, paid measurement companies offer. She’ll show you what the best results- based reports look like, and how to create them for your own organization. You’ll never be at a loss for the right statistic again!

Sign up now at the IABC Kentucky’s website to reserve your spot at early bird pricing (through Nov. 1). See you there!