Talking Nerdy in San Diego @TiltedKiltPub #NerdsUnite

This past weekend, nerds united in San Diego and it was a wonderful time! Thanks to social media and TalkNerdyToMeLover.com‘s @JenFriel I had an opportunity to host a lovely group of  ladies who are like-minded, smart, passionate and of course understand and embrace digital technology and social media just like me! We organized a meetup through the power of Twitter! Yes, like energy always attracts like energy and this past weekend was a prime example. @ItsMeJoolie, @MsMeghanBrown, @MegCorbs, @iamrachelwho were all part of the #NerdsUnite crew who came down to San Diego from our neighboring town, the City of Angels!

The girls arrived and we spent the afternoon hanging out, speaking geek, talking tech and of course nerding out! I am so grateful for my online community and even more grateful when I’m able to connect on a more personal level in real life. Every single one of us all met through Social Media yet the first time we meet in real life, we are instant friends. Rather than greeting with a handshake, we embrace with a hug because we already feel so connected thanks to the social space.

I was so happy to learn that @MegCorbs, recent SDSU grad used to live in the complex right next door to me. Meg was able to show the ladies the San Diego way by welcoming everyone with California Burritos, which I just learned aren’t found in LA!

We soon made our way over to Oggis for some pre-meetup drinks and more nerdy talk! I learned about the Facebook page Nothing Rhymes with Orange. A viral phenomenon that was accidently started by one of the lovely ladies in our group @iamrachelwho. I am fascinated by the whole story of how this page blew up on the internet currently with over 300K fans!

After Oggis, we cabbed it to Tilted Kilt Mission Valley where we were meeting up with everyone else. @TiltedKiltPub generously welcomed us with great service and  hosted appetizers! Their nachos are absolutely delicious and so far my favorite nachos I’ve enjoyed in San Diego!

Of course being techy nerd girls, we checked in, tweeted and took a lot of photos of our fun night! Soon after we arrived more friends showed up including some of my great friends from the San Diego Tech scene @danlarsen, @iPodschun, @robotfaith, @thecrazymagnet (just to name a few).

Nerdy shirts are a must for a nerdy meetup. This one definitely wins for my favorite! @thecrazymagnet exaplained that he purposely wore his nerdiest shirt for the occasion!

After hours of good food, drinks, nerdy talk and of course a fun night, we made our way back to my place for a nerdy girl’s sleep over!

This entire weekend reinforced my belief on the importance of connecting with your online community in real life. A real life connection and an online connection both go hand in to create a strong bond, build community and mix in some real live fun! I want to once again thank the #NerdsUnite girls for making the drive down (it was an honor to host and hang out with phenomenal women in my industry), my San Diego community for attending the event and the Tilted Kilt Mission Valley for hosting us!

Networking Tips I Learned from Meeting @KeithFerrazzi in San Diego

I had the honor of meeting my favorite author, Keith Ferrazzi in San Diego this week at the Entrepreneur Challenge Fall Kickoff Event at UCSD where he interviewed the renowned Dr. Irwin Jacobs, Co-founder of Qualcomm.  As I mentioned in my post welcoming Keith Ferrazzi to San Diego, there’s not a single time I recommend a business book that I don’t mention his best seller, Never Eat Alone! I’ve learned so many great tips for networking, connecting and building professional relationships through Keith’s books, blogs and videos. Meeting him in person really reinforced many of these tips  Here’s a glimpse of my amazing evening spent networking with entrepreneurs and meeting Keith Ferrazzi. I’ll end the post with valuable networking tips you can apply to the very next event you attend!

The evening started off with a networking dinner so of course, I had an opportunity to meet some great community leaders, UCSD students and affiliates. The photo below is a prime example of never eating alone!

I followed one of Keith’s golden rules for meeting the speaker at the event. Get to the speaker, before he goes on stage! I saw Keith Ferrazzi walk by and immediately went up and introduced myself to him. He’s extremely personable, enthusiastic and positive. I manifested this exact moment into my life because in 2009 when Who’s Got Your Back came out, I told Keith Ferrazzi that I would get his second book when I met him so he could autograph it and that’s exactly what happened!

 After enjoying a great dinner, Dr. Irwin Jacobs and Keith Ferrazzi took the stage. Keith Ferrazzi’s job was to be curious and ask Dr. Jacob’s questions related to the topic of “Why great relationships matter in business?” Keith did a great job at asking questions that prompted Dr. Jacobs to share his inspirational story. As both a Marketer and an Entrepreneur, I really resonated with both Dr. Jacobs and Keith Ferrazzi. I definitely learned a lot about having a vision and following it, being a great leader and of course networking! Below are some networking tips I’ve learned from Keith Ferrazzi, some of them definitely came into play during this particular event!

1. Reach out before the event- If you’re attending an event and want to meet someone specific, reach out to them before the event. I’ve already discussed how to work a conference before it begins. This tip is very similar. Social Media is a great resource that allows you to connect. Before attending the event, I tweeted Keith a bunch of times and of course wrote my post to welcome Keith to San Diego. Reaching out can also be done by a simple email. You can let someone know that you enjoyed an article they wrote, congratulate them on a recent accomplishment or connect with them on a more personal level if you know a hobby they enjoy. (In the tweets below I engaged several people in conversation about Keith Ferrazzi and I even received a reply from him acknowledging that he would see me tomorrow!)

2. Arrive Early- If you want to meet the Speakers, they’ll definitely be at the event at least 30 minutes before hand. Chances are the speaker won’t be bombarded by everyone else so you may have an opportunity to introduce yourself before anyone else. If you wait until after the event to try and connect with a speaker, chances are they’re going to be busy talking to everyone else and also thinking about going home so it’s harder to make a personal connection. I actually arrived at UCSD 30 minutes early so was one of the first one who was let into the room.

3. Talk To the Organizer- Arriving early also gives you a chance to find and introduce yourself to the organizer and let him/her know who you may be looking to connect with. Ask the organizer if there’s anyone they feel would be a great connection for your industry. The organizer knows everything that’s happening behind the scenes and everyone who’s going to be at the event. See if they can introduce you to some other attendees or even the speaker. When approaching the organizer, make sure to be mindful of their time since they’re probably still planning last minute updates and make sure to thank them for hosting you.

4. Ask Questions- After many presentations and panels there is often a chance for audience Q & A. This is your golden opportunity to get in front of the room and let others know what you do. Before asking your questions, clearly state your name with a brief intro. Since you have everyone’s attention, there very well may be others in the room who are seeking your service, product or who many want to collaborate with you. Asking questions not only gives you mic time, it also allows you to interact and stand out to the speakers and attendees.

5. Give Books as Gifts- Since the holidays are approaching so quickly, tis the season to start thinking of gifts for your prospects, clients and colleagues. Books are full of information and are personal because you’re recommending something that has helped you. Autographed books are even better! Keith reminded me of how great of gifts books can be as he was signing mine. He asked if there was anyone I’d like to give “Who’s Got Your Back” to so he could sign the book to that person. I didn’t have anyone in mind, so I just told him to sign his name in case I did want to give the book away as a gift. Well Keith came up with an even better idea by writing “Melodie’s Got Your Back”. This way I’m able to keep the book myself or also give it away as a gift.

Again, it was such an honor to meet my favorite author, hear Dr. Jacobs speak and connect with other Entrepreneurs. I’m grateful that attending the event inspired me to refresh my own networking skills, allowing me to share tips with you. If you have additional networking tips, please leave them in the comments below! I’m personally hosting a networking event and seminar coming up on Wed. November 2nd! If you’d like to attend my next seminar where you’ll definitely have a chance to apply these networking tips, you can register here. If it’s your first time attending one of my seminars, please email me: melodie at marketing melodie dot com and I’ll send you a code fore $10 off. Happy Networking and if you don’t already have Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your back, check them out at your local library or purchase them! You won’t be disappointed.

Welcome to San Diego @KeithFerrazzi!

This coming Tuesday October 11th, 2011, Keith Ferrazzi is going to be in San Diego for the  Entrepreneur Challenge Fall Kickoff Event at UCSD. He’s interviewing Dr. Irwin Jacobs – Co-founder of Qualcomm. Keith Ferrazzi has been an inspiration to me ever since I read Never Eat Alone in 2008. There’s not a single time I’m recommending actionable business books that I don’t bring up Never Eat Alone. When he started his book tour for his next best seller, Who’s Got Your Back in 2009 I even blogged about why I wanted to meet him and top 3 reasons why Keith should come to San Diego. Keith even replied to me in direct message back in 2009 that I was so excited to receive!

Since that post I haven’t had a chance to meet him yet but I always believe things happen exactly when they’re suppose to happen so I’m thinking that tomorrow is the day I’ll finally meet Keith Ferrazzi in San Diego!

Never Eat Alone dispels the myth that  business relationships must be kept strictly professional. Business relationships can be rooted on friendship, authenticity and generosity just like personal relationships. I identified with this book so much because I use Social Media as a primary tool for creating marketing opportunities for both myself and businesses. If you read my recent post on being cast for a Microsoft commercial you’ll understand the many opportunities I’ve created for myself through Social Media by sharing personal stories.

Social Media is a medium that encourages people to be honest, authentic and real when creating marketing messages for their business. It personalizes and humanizes experiences for consumers, which is the exact type of connection Keith Ferrazzi emphasizes creating in Never Eat Alone. Keith, clearly understood the importance of building strong relationships even before Social Media became a prominent marketing tool. But since Social Media has revolutionized the way we communicate, Keith himself has also embraced the space through connecting with people on Facebook, Twitter and his blog.

If you’d like to join me in welcoming Keith Ferrazzi to San Diego tomorrow. You can register for his event here. You’ll learn Why Great Relationships Matter in Business. Dr. Irwin Jacobs will be in conversation with Keith Ferrazzi.

In addition to attending Keith Ferrazzi’s event tomorrow I’ve been nudging him on Social Media to see if he has some time come into San Diego a little early to enjoy a nice walk, hike or even a meal with myself and perhaps some other San Diego business leaders who are interested! If you’d like to connect with Keith in San Diego, please let him know! The San Diego social space has so many amazing leaders that I know Keith will have an opportunity to learn, collaborate and enjoy some great spots during his time here!

If you don’t already have Keith’s books, check them out at the library or purchase them below! I’ll write a follow up post soon after meeting Keith Ferrazzi tomorrow! I’m really looking forward to it!

 

 

 

Join Marketing Melodie at Digital Media Dinners Thursday July 14

Marketing Melodie presents the 3rd event in the Digital Media Dinners series: How to Build Your Social Media Community on Thursday July 14th 6:30pm at Nik Software Headquarters in Mission Valley, San Diego.

My inspiration for creating Digital Media Dinners came from meeting many business owners and professionals who tell me they’re on Social Media but are challenged in executing it effectively. I’m here as a resource for those eager to succeed and grow their businesses in the digital space. My goal for each event is to have attendees walk away with tactical and practical tips they can implement immediately into their marketing strategy. I also want to provide an opportunity for networking and growing business connections.

At the first Digital Media Dinners- Facebook and Twitter for Business attendees learned specific tips on how to optimize their accounts. At the second Digital Media Dinners- Social Media Branding attendees learned how to take action to ensure  a positive brand reputation and attract qualified customers and clients. The third event focuses on building a social media community. Attendees will learn how to strategically interact with customers and prospects to ultimately grow an audience of loyal brand evangelists.

YOU WILL GAIN:

• Hands-on, tactical tips to implement and incorporate immediately
• Knowledge on how to effectively engage in conversations on Social Media
• Tips on how to encourage interaction with your community and turn your audience into true advocates for your brand

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Business Owners and Leaders
• Marketing and PR Executives
• CMOs, Marketing Managers and Directors
• Product and Brand Managers
• Anyone interested in learning how Social Media will help grow your business

EVENT FORMAT:
Melodie Tao, founder of Marketing Melodie,(www.marketingmelodie.com) will give an educational presentation on How to Build Your Social Media Community followed by a panel discussion with successful industry leaders. The panelists will provide insight on how their business or organization is excelling in community building through Social Media. The event will conclude with audience Q&A.

6:30- 7:15pm: Networking, Buffet Style Dinner sponsored by Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill
7:15- 7:45pm: Presentation by Melodie
7:45- 8:30pm: Panel Discussion, Audience Q & A

Early Bird Registration $59 per person (Until July 7th), Regular price $69 per person and $79 at the door

DINNER: Registration includes dinner sponsored by Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill and will consist of their Beach Mex Buffet with Grilled Chicken and Steak, rice, “no-fried” pinto beans, jack and cheddar cheese, lettuce, fresh guacamole, three signature salsas, soft tortillas and tortilla chips. Veggie Burritos available by request.

PANELISTS:

• Jim Trotter- Senior Writer, Sports Illustrated
• Megan Pogoda- Community Manager, Google (Google Places)
• Jeff Monday- Development Executive, Apple Inc.
• Read more about the panelists here

EVENT PARTNERS: Silk Road Productions

PRO TIP: Join Marketing Melodie on Facebook and receive a $10 off promo code!

I look forward to seeing everyone for the next Digital Media Dinners on Thursday July 14^th at 6:30pm. Please feel free to share any feed back you have from previous events or let me know what you’d like to see at our upcoming event.

Marketing Melodie in 2010: A Year in Review

I’m excited to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 2010 was a phenomenal year for Marketing Melodie filled with new ventures, learning experiences, new partners, clients, and friends.  To kick off 2011 I’d like to express my gratitude for 2010.  Here’s a year in review highlighting noteworthy events, clients, blog posts and amazing opportunities.

*JANUARY*

2010 was a breakthrough year for my Professional Speaking career on Social Media and Marketing. To start the year I was honored with an invitation to speak at an Internationally renowned event, Domainfest alongside keynote, Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos and on the same Panel as two of the most well respected professionals in the Online/ SEO industry, Danny Sullivan: Editor in Chief of Search Engine Land and Bruce Clay: Founder of Bruce Clay Inc.  The event coincided with a fabulous private dinner  at the Getty Center and a party at the Playboy Mansion.

[VIDEO]  DOMAINfest 2010 Panel Importance of Social Media for Real Time Search

 

 

I also began my career as an Educator teaching my first Marketing Class at Platt College San Diego, a Private Accredited Post Secondary and Vocational Institution. My classrooms are filled with intelligent and creative students that I not only teach, but learn from.

 

*FEBRUARY*

I had the opportunity to work with another renowned Web Entrepreneur, Dmitry Shapiro Founder of WeekendU and CTO of Myspace.com. I taught several courses at WeekendU for the Internet Power series alongside Dmitry in San Diego at the University of California, Los Angeles.

 

*MARCH*

With so many great speaking and teaching opportunities in first quarter I wrote several blog posts to educate others on how to Grow Your Business Through Professional Speaking and of course incorporating Social Media with 10 Social Media Tips for Professional Speakers

*APRIL*

My first International Speaking Engagement! I was invited by the Internet Society to give a Social Media Marketing presentation at  the INET Asia Regional Conference in Hong Kong which corresponded with the Hong Kong Electronics Show. In addition to speaking I took advantage of my time in Hong Kong and toured the city for over a week experiencing their food, culture and nightlife.

 

I gave my community a chance to hear me speak live at AIGA to learn Social Media Design Techniques

I also returned to my beloved Alma Mater, UCSB  to speak on a Panel for UCSB Communication Career Day. I remember being so impressed and intrigued by the Speakers when I was a student so I was humbled and enthusiastic to be on the other side and now share what I learned with students as I was in their shoes not too long ago.

*MAY*

Getting ready to teach my third Marketing Class at Platt College I posted a Call for Speakers and received a tremendous response. Throughout the school year I brought industry leaders to speak in my classroom to provide an interactive educational experience.  I had speakers in Mobile Marketing, SEO, PR, etc. In addition to teaching my students, I personally  also learned something new from each and every speaker which I’m grateful for.

 

*JUNE*

Marketing Melodie launched a fun summer Social Media promotion for a client: Vacation Smart with Credit.com. A lucky winner won a free flight! Working with Credit.com was a great way for me to learn more about credit, finances, savings, etc. I’m appreciative for the chance to work with many different industries allowing me to be knowledgable on a myriad of topics.

San Diego Has Earthquakes! But it’s a small price we pay for living in America’s Finest City. I gave a Glimpse of a Real Live San Diego Earthquake on Social Media.

*JULY*

I had my 5 seconds of fame on TV! I modeled clothing from Nordstrom for MyFashionPlate.com on NBC San Diego. Of course I incorporated my modeling career into Social Media with How To Optimize Your Public Relations Effort for Social Media.

 

*AUGUST*

August was a great opportunity for me to fine tune my corporate Social Media workshops and seminars for B2B companies. It’s an honor to work with National companies based locally in my backyard. I hosted a workshop for Networkfleet, and later worked with them on setting on their Facebook page that’s increasingly becoming more interactive. They’re a prime example on how a B2B company can benefit from Social Media.

*SEPTEMBER*

I had fun hosting a Social Media Educational workshops for a client, Insect Shield because their products and technologies fight pesky insects that always bite me! I was able to use my ammo, Social Media to fight bugs!

 

*OCTOBER*

Another unique and amazing speaking engagement took Marketing Melodie to the Middle East! I was invited as a featured speaker to another Internet Society conference INET Beirut

 

Beirut is a booming place for Social Media. Their social networking technologies are slightly behind those in the states but speaking to a savvy audience was truly an honor.  In addition to presenting at the conference I stayed for over a week and toured the oldest cities in the world, Byblos, Baalbek, Anjar just to name a few. I was in awe of the sights, culture and architecture.

 

*NOVEMBER*

I launched Digital Media Dinners and hosted the Inaugural event at Jasmine Seafood Restaurant. The topic was Facebook and Twitter for Business. My goal was to have attendees walk away with tactical and practical tips to implement immediately into their marketing strategy. I also provide an opportunity for networking. Stay tuned for more Digital Media Dinners in 2011!

[VIDEO] Digital Media Dinners- Facebook & Twitter for Business

 

My enthusiasm for sharing my experiences earned me Yelp Elite Status and inspired me to teach business owners How To Encourage Authentic Yelp Reviews for Your Business

*DECEMBER*

As the featured speaker at the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau’s E Commerce Summit, it was a joy to combine my passion for San Diego and enthusiasm for Social Media, my two favorite subjects!

My final blog post of the year was a festive piece to celebrate the Holidays but also motivate everyone during a time that’s difficult to focus on work. Tis the Season for Marketing Yourself to Advance Your Career.

 

Thanks to everyone who motivated and inspired me this past year and here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.

*Photo Credits

1.Dmitry Shapiro at WeekendU: Photo property of WeekendU, 2.Digital Media Dinners: Michael Regala Photography, 3. Yelp Elite Party: Rich and Creamy Productions

Tis the Season for Marketing Yourself to Advance Your Career

The Holiday spirit is in the air but before you pack your bags for a long vacation, keep in mind that this week is the PRIME week for job seekers and business professionals to market themselves and get their foot in the door.  Whether you’re working to land that big client, seeking new career opportunities or wanting a promotion within your company, these 4 simple tips will help you reach your goals while putting you in the Holiday spirit.

1. Attend Holiday Parties- Everyone loves holiday parties! They’re festive, fun and flowing with libations from spiked egg nog to spiced rum.  Use these gatherings  to your advantage to tactfully schmooze with someone in your industry you’ve always looked up to. Job seeking? Many professional organizations host Holiday parties open to the public. You’ll meet industry leaders of companies you may be interested in working for. Don’t be too formal when introducing yourself.  Just enjoy the Holiday cheer and you’ll find that most people are more relaxed about giving you tips on how to advance in your career especially if they’re about to go on vacation. This means they’re in a good mood.

2. Holiday Cards and Gifts- This is the best time to send a holiday greeting to prospects. Sending Holiday cards has diminished due to email and ecards so you’ll stand out when a prospective employer or client receives a nice hand written note from you. Don’t worry if your cards don’t arrive on Christmas Day. It’s often nice to receive a greeting to kick off the New Year.  This also ensures your cards won’t get lost in the stack. If you have prospective clients, perhaps send them a small gift that relates to your industry. In my field, sending a Marketing or Social Media book is a great example of a thoughtful and cost effective present.

3. Holiday Temp Work- If you’re unemployed or seeking a new job, this is a great opportunity to temp for a company that also has long term potential. Avoid seasonal jobs since your position won’t be relevant after the holiday rush. Signing up for a temp agency won’t cost anything and they can place you at a company you’re qualified for. Many employees go on extended vacations during this time so you may find a position at a company that needs your service year round. Remember to take your temp position seriously. This is an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door so when permanent jobs open in the future the employer will immediately think of you.

4. Social Media Greetings- While hand written cards are more formal, sending a holiday greeting through Social Media is also a great way to reach out to your network. Find a relevant industry article that the person you’re connecting with will find helpful for their business. Depending on how you’re connected to the person, send it through LinkedIn, a reply on Twitter or post it on their Facebook wall. You can add a personal Holiday note to let them now you’re thinking of them while also demonstrating how resourceful you are by providing them with information they can use.

If you have any other career development tips for the Holiday Season please share in the comments below. Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

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