My company has been sending me to many conferences lately and I definitely can’t complain.  However it’s important to keep in mind that “working” a conference is different than just “attending”. I’ve already blogged about things to do DURING a conference to engage your Twitter followers. I’ve also blogged about post conference strategies AFTER you attend on how to turn a follow up email into a connection. But what about BEFORE the conference begins? As I prepare for PubCon I want to share  my top 10 personal conference preparation list .

1. Find out who’s going to attend- Many conferences don’t post attendee lists on their website so social media is the key here. The best resource I used to find attendees is Facebook Events. Although many profiles are private you have the first and last names of those who RSVPed. You can then look up on LinkedIn. LinkedIn events is second to Facebook events and then I will use Twitter Search.

2. Do research on sponsors and exhibitors- Find out what companies are going above and beyond to have a presence at the event and do research as to why.  Are they working on a new product launch? Is there a specific promotion they’re putting resources into? Knowing these facts allows you to position yourself as to why you will be a great resource or partner for that company. You will be prepared with knowledgeable conversation starters when meeting someone from the sponsoring organization or visiting an exhibitor’s booth. A list of sponsors and exhibitors can always be found on the event website . Go on the companies’ websites and carefully read the about, news and press release sections.

3. Socialize on the web with those you’d like to meet- When doing your research on attendees and sponsors, create a list of those you’d like to connect with and have a valuable reason for why they would want to meet with you. Connect and interact with these individuals on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, their blogs etc.  This helps build your credibility and shows that you’re engaged in their work, it will make the next tip a lot easier.

4. Set specific times for meetings- Invite your prospective business clients and partners to meet at lunch or for a coffee break. Conferences get hectic so make sure you have a confirmed date/time and place in advanced. Having an established is essential. Do research on nearby coffee shops or find out if the conference has private meeting rooms or quiet table areas. You may have to move the meeting time during the event but at least you have a commitment to meet which is much better than “let’s touch base during the day to see if we can meet up”  many times this doesn’t end up happening.

5. Set up a small intimate happy hour or dinner- One of the things I love doing is connecting various people who will all mutually benefit myself and each other. Set up your own small happy hour 5-8 people who work in different disciplines. Invite a few people you know, a few you may have met during the conference and a few people you have identified as wanting to meet. Use your best judgement when deciding if inviting a specific person will benefit the entire happy hour group.

6. Post reminders on Social Media in advanced- Use EasyTweets to post sessions you are speaking at, participating in or know you will be at in advanced. Post the exact date, time and location. You will need to be cognizant of event schedules that may change to update these tweets if necessary. This makes your tweeting more efficient as you won’t have to worry about tweeting your schedule during the event. Set up tweets to post anywhere from an hour to 30 minutes the session so people know where to find you. Use Selective Twitter Status to post reminder udpates on Facebook, especially if you’re speaking.

7. Have an agenda but be flexible- Review the agenda and highlight sessions, educational panels and forums and you’d like to attend. Do research on those presenting and their specific topics. Be prepared with specific questions or insights that may relate to the topic being presented. This prepares you to learn something valuable that matches up with your needs during Q & A time. This also allows you to prepare your introduction to the speaker after they leave the stage with relevant content and information.

8. Meet other business contacts in the area- Go through your contacts and LinkedIn to find out who else lives in that area and any companies you may want to work with that are headquartered in that city.  Even if they aren’t attending the conference set up a time to meet a day before or after. Depending on your schedule this may not be possible, but it’s always something to keep in mind. Since you’re flying all the way out there might as well optimize your presence.

9. Technology Packing list- This seems silly, but at every conference I go to I run into multiple people who left their phone charger or laptop charger at home. Make a list of all technology you need and ensure that it’s packed right before you leave for the airport. This includes your phone charger, laptop charger, extra batteries for equipment, mp3 player, camera, equipment to upload videos and photos (especially helpful for live bloggers) and anything else of that nature. Not having a piece of technology definitely puts a damper (more so than anything else that’s missing)  in your day so avoid this by being prepared.

10. Establish a follow up strategy- Don’t wait until you return from the event to establish a follow up strategy. Have this set before you leave. Identify key resources you can offer to attendees so you can excite those you meet and prompt them to expect a follow up with valuable information. Perhaps you have a new white paper, an upcoming webinar, a future speaking engagement or a new product launch. Let people know to look forward to an email from you that will provide something valuable such as those items I listed. Have an email draft that can be customized for each individual which includes your value offering. This reduces the chance a follow up email will be viewed as spam and increases the chances that your follow up will be success. Refer your follow up back to your conversation at the event. “Here is a link to the white paper I promised you during our conversation.”

11. Have fun! This is a bonus and just a friendly reminder that although you are traveling for work, there is no reason not to enjoy yourself. If you don’t meet someone or miss a session then there will be other opportunities so don’t let that bring you down.

What are some other things do you do to prepare for a conference? Share your own tips in the comments and see you all at PubCon!

I love attending conferences because they continue to provide me with inspiration and ideas to create relevant online content for me to share. This week I’ve received many follow up emails from DMA09. I want to praise those on a great job for being prompt and also remind everyone that if a follow up email is drafted a certain way it can sometimes be viewed as unwanted solicitation, aka spam!

Here are tips on increasing the chances you’ll get a reply and create a business connection. I’m using real examples from follow up emails I’ve recently received and will share my insight on how to enhance these follow ups as I share my tips. (All names removed)

1. Familiar subject line:

Emails to me: Subject: “Analytics and Marketing Science Services” and “1:1 Marketers have incomplete Online Marketing Capability”

Both  subject lines are descriptive but immediately resemble a sales pitch as opposed to a personalized email. I receive hundreds of emails and will skip over emails that I know are sales pitches and do not catch my attention with something personal. Subject lines that are more enticing can be as simple as “Nice to Meet You at DMA09” and “Thank You for Attending My Session at DMA09”. Notice these examples include a specific event that will be familiar to your recipient. The subject line should not be used as a sales pitch. Rather, a hook to get you to read more or a simple personal greeting.

2. Personalize the greeting:

Emails to me- Addressed as: “Dear Subscriber” and “Dear Colleague”

The greeting is the first thing your recipient sees when they open the email. Using the person’s name makes the email much more inviting. If your reader feels like their email address was entered into an automated system, you will lose them immediately. An automated service to send follow up emails may save time initially but taking the extra few minutes to personalize your greeting will yield more replies that turn into business connections in the long run.

3. Refresh their memory:

Email to me- “Melodie- what great memory and follow through. Impressive.”

After the greeting, it’s a great idea to bring up something specific that was discussed. I easily meet over 100 people at a large conference so it’s difficult to keep track of specific conversations. After meeting someone I immediately jot down a note about our specific discussion so I can refer to it in the email. The email I received for this tip was written to me after I addressed something very specific from a conversation. People appreciate if you refresh their memory about your discussion, especially since most people don’t do this. It shows you are truly engaged and interested in the conversation.

4. Call to action:

Email to me: I am trying to reach you to discuss the management of  your  meetings and events, which I understand may be an aspect of your job.

This sentence does not sound confident. It is very ambiguous as to what the company offers and why I will benefit from responding. Create specific calls to action. Another way to craft this sentence is “I’d like to speak with you to discuss a great opportunity I’m offering for the management of your meetings and events”. I’m currently offering a complimentary consultation to anyone who schedules an appointment before the end of this month”. This new sentence has a specific offer (free consultation) and is also time sensitive prompting  the reader to respond right away. Make sure your follow up email is accompanied by an additional item that keeps the connection alive and gives the reader a reason to reply.

5. Socialize your email:

I see very few follow up emails that incorporate social media. Include a link to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or blog in your follow up emails. By socializing your email you allow your recipient to connect in a more interactive way. You are also showing your potential customer that you care about community building. By linking to your blog and other networks that have relevant content you will enhance your credibility as a resource and expert. I often send a LinkedIn invite that corresponds to my email.  I will reference my email “I have sent you an email in regarding our conversation.” If your recipient receives 20 follow up emails from attending a conference, a personal invite on LinkedIn  significantly increases your chances of creating a connection because you are showcasing your credentials and can show an established professional background.

6. Follow up your follow up Email:

To conclude your email I recommend stating your intention to follow up again after the initial email. This lets your recipient know you plan to follow up again so they your next communication. “I appreciate you taking the time to read this email. I will follow up by phone next week to set up a meeting”.

Keep all of these tips in mind when drafting follow up email and motice your connections accelerate. What other tips do you have to enhance follow up emails? Please share your tips I am always open to learning more from other industry leaders!

If you haven’t heard of Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone and Who’s Got Your Back? I want to share the inspiration I’ve gained through his work and the enthusiasm I have for spreading his teachings to my network. Here’s my personal description of Keith Ferrazzi, he’s an inspirational marketer in the business of helping other businesses build strong communities and strengthen their relationships to attract strategic partners and loyal customers. He transformed professional networking by shifting the focus on making the event all about you to how you can help and provide value to others.

Keith Ferrazzi on Larry King

I’m so happy to see Keith utilizing the power of social media to connect with his fans, clients and readers. He truly understands and embraces evolving technology to strengthen his own relationships. Little did he know that social media would open up a great opportunity for me to nudge him through Facebook and Twitter to make an appearance in San Diego. He’s near the end of his 16 city Who’s Got Your Back Road Show to promote his latest book, Who’s Got Your Back? but missed a stop in San Diego!

Why am I such a Keith Ferrazzi Enthusiast? Not only is he a Marketing Maven, he inspires people authentically and has it in his nature to build strong, long lasting relationships. I strive to achieve everything he’s already accomplished and see him as a prime example for someone who’s taken my ambitions to the next level. There are several inspirational leaders I look up to but none of them are in a field that I’m so passionate about, Marketing. Keith couldn’t have said it any better on his very own media reel:

“…at 25 years old (this would be me, age close enough but not exactly accurate!) You’re going up to them (this would be you, Keith) and saying I WANT TO BE YOU SOMEDAY. You’re being immensely generous to them by saying that to them”. When I describe Keith to those who many not know him, I say I want to be him!

I’m confident Keith will find a lot of value in connecting with San Diego’s tight knit community of entrepreneurs, marketers and tech savvy crowd. Here are my top 3 reasons why I want to meet Keith and attract him to San Diego at an event I will host.

1. Inspiration : As a marketing professional and aspiring inspirational leader, I can’t think of anyone else who fits the description of success in my career path better than Keith Ferrazzi. I see marketing as a means to inspire others to do great things with their business and believe in mutual success with my clients. Our greatest leaders can still be inspired so I believe San Diego will inspire Keith in such a positive way he’ll make sure to include us in all future tours!

2. Networking Extraordinaire: I attend many networking functions because I believe connecting in real life strengthens relationships. (with the popularity of social networking, networking in real life is sometimes taken for granted). Keith has taken networking a step further by identifying key ways to network that allow you to connect more intimately and authentically. He ensures you never have to attend another useless networking event. I am assuring Keith that his time in San Diego and participating in an event I host will be well worth it!

3. Collaboration: Keith talks about working together to reach goals. There truly is strength in numbers. Collaboration is the ultimate key to success. Working with others allows you to combine strengths, maximize each others’ talents and create mutual success for all involved that extends far beyond what an individual can achieve. Keith will really gain a lot of value and insight in collaborating with some of the brilliant leaders we have right here in San Diego

San Diego, now I need your help! Please repost and retweet this blog post on all of your social networks! Every time you tweet about attracting Keith Ferrazzi to San Diego, use the hashtag #WGYBSD (Who’s Got Your Back San Diego). Lets get the momentum going and show Keith Ferrazzi that San Diego has his back!

To conclude this post, I must admit I don’t yet have a copy of Who’s Got Your Back?. I do however have it on hold at the library so look forward to it being ready for pick up soon. Why haven’t I bought my own copy? I look forward to receiving my own autographed copy when I meet Keith in real life in San Diego!

Last week I had the honor of attending Twiistup, a premier event in Los Angeles that connects people from technology, media and entertainment. I met a plethora of amazing people from all walks of life who share a passion for staying at the cutting edge of technology.

Attending events and networking in person goes hand in hand with social networking. While we have a myriad of ways to communicate virtually, the power of a handshake still adds a personal touch that can’t be achieved through online communication. Having both is essential for me to build credibility and authenticity to strengthen my relationships.

If you follow me on Twitter you may know I generally follow people I have met in real life (IRL)  or people I will probably meet IRL. I have met about 90% of the people I follow IRL. Those I haven’t met may be business accounts or high profile people.  I choose to follow with this strategy because knowing someone IRL significantly strengthens the value of their tweets for me. I am able to place a face and personality to the short 140 character blurb which really makes a difference in how I process the information that’s presented to me.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of my online friends IRL. Upon the initial handshake, I immediately felt connected and comfortable as we dived right into conversations as if we were catching up from when we last saw each other which in this case was online.  I’d like to give a shout out to a few of my online friends who I met IRL at Twiistup.

Adena DeMonte- @AdenaDeMonte is  from Diddit. Her company was featured as a Showoff at Twiistup. I have used Diddit before and found her through the service so it was great to meet the face behind a social network. I always find it exciting to meet people who work for social networks or big online companies that don’t have a brick and mortar location because it really humanizes the brand and allows me to identify with the service I’m using.

Marvin Tabangay-@Sketch678 is well involved in the Los Angeles tech scene. I always love connecting with other like minded people in different cities. He also happens to be one of the people on Twitter who motivate me to run! There are a few marathoners I follow and it’s always inspirational to read about their training, progress and then race day! I’ve been following him as he was training and fundraising for Rock and Roll Marathon and also know he is a designer so I immediately had a many questions to ask him about how things have been progressing in the tech world and fitness.

Chris Brogan- I told a friend who didn’t know who @ChrisBrogan was about how excited I was for the opportunity to meet him (friend is not as involved in the online space). I described Chris Brogan to my friend as someone who is “famous on Twitter”. He is one of the few people I follow not from California who I hadn’t met in real life nor did I expect to meet soon.  But really, Chris Brogan is more than just someone who has a lot of Twitter followers. He is a true leader in the social media space because he is authentic, caring and truly passionate about his work.  He projected these qualities in person just as his online persona does in the digital space. Meeting him in person really gave me a chance to confirm why people including myself respect him as a leader in social media.

There are many other people I’ve met online then IRL but I wanted to feature a few to give you guys an idea of how I strengthen my relationships by combining social networking with real live meetings.  Please feel free to share a story of how combining online and offline networking has strengthened some of your relationships. I look forward to connecting with more of you in person soon!

For some more Twiistup fun join me on Facebook and check out the photos. Please feel free to tag the photos as I don’t know everyone in all of them.

The Cool Twitter Conferences World Tour is in full swing! Making it’s debut in Washington DC and now to the west coast in San Diego where I’m currently live tweeting and blogging at the conference. What makes The Cool Twitter Conferences standout is that the event highlights industry leaders in all different fields such as Green, Non- Profits, Customer Service and how they specifically use Twitter for their industry.

Although I’m well versed in social media I embrace the opportunity enhance my knowledge. I have yet to walk away from a conference where I did not learn a piece of valuable information that I will actually integrate into my marketing strategies. At the Cool Twitter Conferences in San Diego I’ve already gained insight on:

1. How to distinguish between different types of green consumers from Maryanne Conlin’s presentation. From a marketing perspective this gives me great insight on how to communicate with different audiences in the green market.

2. I learned more about the power of photo sharing and it’s ability to enhance and strengthen relationships with a personal touch from one of my favorite leaders to follow in the Social Media space, Rodney Rumford of TweetPhoto. He has definitely encouraged me to participate more in photo sharing. I loved his analogy of saying “No one cares what you had for lunch, but they do love seeing photos of your lunch”

3. In addition I learned some important ways to craft your message if you’re strictly using Twitter as an e-commerce tool from Mirna Bard.

The next Cool Twitter Conferences event I’d like to highlight is taking place in Los Angeles on Friday July 31st, 2009. I’m honored to be one of their featured speakers. My topic is: Authentically Build Your Credibility as a Subject Matter Expert on Twitter.

Here is a preview of my presentation. I will focus on building your credibility as a subject matter expert in your industry with an authentic voice.  I will provide tips on how to be portrayed as an authority and resource in your area of expertise so potential clients and customers will know to contact you in time of need. This will include details on how to stay top of mind with your customers, how to present information so you are seen as a positive influence in your area rather than someone who is strictly promotional, how to reach out to those seeking your service and how to engage in conversation regarding your specific area of expertise in a way that allows people to understand your business and how you  will really solve one of their needs. The main message I will resonate with the audience is how to be a true resource and authority in your industry that people are eager to follow, retweet, recommend and work with.

I am looking forward to the Cool Twitter Conferences in LA and as always I want to provide my readers opportunity to attend on my behalf so it’s contest time!

The winner receives a complimentary pass ($295 value) to Cool Twitter Conferences in LA

There are 3 ways you can enter. You can enter once from each option to be entered a total of three times.

1. Blog Entry: Leave a comment on this blog answering the question: How were you introduced to Twitter?

2. Facebook Entry: Add me on Facebook . Click on the discuss box and reply in the discussion about The Cool Twitter Conferences.

3. Twitter Entry: Retweet this blog post with the Tweet button on the top of this blog. Please add the hashtag #CTC.

I will choose a lucky winner on Monday July 27th, 2009. Good luck and I look forward to connecting with you both at the event and on MyMelodie’s Twitter.

I officially launched my new Facebook Page less than a week ago and am honored to already have over 100 fans meaning I was able to claim my official Facebook domain: http://www.facebook.com/marketingmelodie! I will be providing most of my Facebook updates through my Page instead of my profile. Many of you have asked why I chose to create a Facebook page so here’s the scoop along with my commentary on the benefits of a Facebook Page.

1. I joined Facebook in 2004 when it was limited to very few colleges (Did I just date myself ?). The etiquette was  that you just DID NOT accept random people you had not met IRL (In Real Life) as friends on Facebook. I started getting a lot of friend requests from people I did not know but am not used to my Facebook being an open forum. With my Facebook page everyone can connect with me and I don’t have to worry monitoring my updates to make sure it’s appropriate for my networking audience.

2. I was not maximizing the networking and professional opportunities of Facebook. Even though I know the value of using Facebook for business I was not using any of these best practices on my profile because it has always been a social tool for me.  My Facebook profile has no content relevant to marketing, people tagging me in photos  I don’t approve of and rarely did I update my status. On my Facebook Page I have a Marketing theme and will provide real value about my industry while still being able to add a personal touch.

3. Since my Facebook Page is an open network it is more interactive than my profile. Having an interactive social media campaign is important because it’s a way to really communicate and engage with your audience which builds credibility, friendships and often times authority in your specific industry. I’m also starting to host fun contests and giveaways as an additional incentive.

So there you have it. Three simple reasons on my decision to create a Facebook Page. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to Fan me!

Marketing Melodie's Facebook Page

Hello to my regular readers and new faces who are finding this from my TV segment! I promise I’ll be writing another blog soon that’s non Twitter related. It’s been such a hot topic recently that it’s impossible to avoid the hype! I was invited to be on Television tomorrow morning at 9am on CW6’s  San Diego Living to discuss Twitter and it’s opportunity in the dating scene. I’ll be appearing with local dating coach, DeAnna Lorraine. What excited me is yet another traditional media portal, television is recognizing and embracing new media.

Many people have been calling me a Twitter Expert. I don’t consider myself an expert and there are still negative associations with people who call themselves a Social Media Expert. I do however have a lot of experience on the social network. I have executed many social media campaigns utilizing Twitter and built up my own brand and online persona using Twitter but I still have so much to learn! Technology is changing by the minute. What may have worked yesterday could be history today so it’s important to always stays ahead of evolving technology to ensure you surpasse industry standards.

Dating is a big part of building relationships which is where the correlation with Social Media comes in. Social media campaigns focus on building relationships and community around a brand. Social media is used to establish connections and engage with your consumer. I’ll refrain from giving dating tips in this post (PHEW). You can turn to DeAnna for that but I do want to give a few simple tips in building customer relationships through Twitter.

1. Listen- Be an active listener on Twitter. Listen to what your community is saying. Listen to what your community wants.  Many of us have poor listening skills. Before we finish hearing what the other person is saying we stop listening and start to formulate our response. This prevents us from really understanding what the other person’s needs are. Before you start blasting out promotions, make sure it’s what your customers want.

2. Show You Care- Now that we’ve got our listening skills fine-tuned take action to show you really care about your community’s needs. Listening allows you to provide useful content and information that your followers want. Perhaps there were complaints about your product being too expensive? How about offering a discount to Twitter followers? Perhaps your followers had many suggestions. How about posting changes on Twitter your company made through customer suggestions?

3. Count On You- By listening and showing you care, your followers will begin to believe you’re a leader. Make sure you’re proactive in keeping this reputation. Be the first to post industry news and unique information. Be an authority and useful resource in your field. When a situation comes up where your service is needed your company will be top of mind because your followers already know they can count on you.

There you have it, three simple ways to build good customer relationships on Twitter. If you have any other tips, please leave them in the comments below. If you’d like to find out more how to enhance your customer relationships through Twitter and other Social Media networks please don’t hesitate to contact me.

As a marketer I’m always thinking of ways people can enhance their image to be more impressionable and memorable. This is especially true in cyberspace where images definitely trump text. Your avatar is your face in cyberspace and a unique reflection of your online persona. It’s a way for people remember you in an infinite galaxy.

I’ve been known to express my views on avatar choices so I decided to share a few tips on how to maximize the power of your avatar:

Personality: Your avatar is your first impression to many in the online world. Add a little personality to it! If you’re fun and outgoing lets have fun looking at your avatar. If you’re athletic or active, inspire us to work out. If you’re intellectual, how about an insightful image? If you’re a hard worker and proud of your career, let us know!

Consistent: Being consistent helps people recognize you across various social networks, blogs and forums. This builds brand recognition for your online persona. Your avatar will immediately evoke an impression and provide a better understanding of your online purpose and goals. If you use a completely different avatar for every single profile then it becomes difficult for people to piece together your thoughts from different areas of the web. This makes it difficult to build a strong reputation and following.

Memorable: A memorable avatar can be created in many different ways. Use bright and bold colors, a distinct smile or even a strategically incorporated item or logo. Memorable avatars stand out. They’re usually not composed of dull colors and if they are then the image is bold. A great way people remember my avatar is the flower I wear in my avatar that shows up on many of my social networking profiles. If you have a memorable avatar people will see your image and immediately know it’s you without thinking twice.

Recognizable: My test of a recognizable avatar is meeting someone in person. If I meet you for the first time offline and I immediately feel like I already know you from our online interactions then you’ve done a great job at creating a recognizable avatar. I’ve been to many networking events where someone will come up to me and start talking to me as though they know me but I have to ask to make sure if we’re met before because I don’t recognize the person from their avatar. Of course after a few words are exchanged my memory is triggered but the initial recognition was not there. Examples of avatars that aren’t recognizable include a blurry image, a photo where something is covering your face, a photo that’s too light or too dark or even a corporate logo.

I personally always recommend avatars that are a photo of your true self. Unless I already know you, an avatar that’s a logo or image other than your face does not feel as personal. I don’t feel as connected or engaged when interacting with you.

We all remember the night before senior picture day in school. Trying on countless outfits, making sure the colors were right, making sure our outfit doesn’t clash with the background and doing our hair up to perfection. This photo goes into our senior yearbook, something our classmates will hold on to for years. This photo gets sent to our friends and family with graduations invitations. This photo is the reputation we’ve built throughout our primary years of school and this photo is a glimpse into the next chapter of our lives. If you apply these same principals of importance to your avatar choice you’ll enhance your opportunities for building a strong internet presence.

Here are some San Diego Avatars that incorporate many elements of my recommendations. They all definitely have personality and are recognizable. I wanted to include some female avatars but for some reason only guys responded when I asked permission to use avatars!

Between personal and job related stress I’ll be completely honest and admit that 2008 was a rough year. To restore my sanity I decided to dedicate the month of January to refocus my energy, refresh my spirit and mentally prepare to positively  embrace opportunities that come my way. This leads me to share one of my favorite quotes:

“Luck is when preparation Meets Opportunity” -Seneca (Roman Philosopher)

The quote by Seneca is a line I truly believe in for all areas of my life. I take action and am assertive toward things I want to achieve.  I won’t just sit back and let things happen because I know they won’t. I’m prepared to embrace opportunities in order to maximize the success of my potential outcome. People often set goals and lose track of how to achieve them due to lack of clear milestones to track progress and lack of goal success indicators. I started off 2009 with an ambiguously big picture. I soon realized  I had no road map to achieve an undefined goal so  I decided to create this post  as  a personal reference for staying on task but also to help my readers gain a better understanding of the premise behind my blogs, social networks, client pitches, partnerships etc.

I must preface this list by saying that I’m not a numbers person but I know that numbers are a tangible way to measure a goal.  I’m using them for the sake of this list but am also using active words and  keeping in mind that my priorities may change so I might completely overachieve one goal but not completely reach another.

1. Write 120 Blog Posts
I have so much information that runs through my mind all time. If only I could be more consistent about documenting and sharing it. In 2009, I will be. I want feedback on ideas, provide resourceful information, share exciting events and news and leverage the power of the blogosphere to get my content out there. 120 seems like a lot but if you break it down, it’s 10 blog posts a month, 2-3 per week which I feel is very reasonable as long as I schedule time every day to blog.

2. Host 3 San Diego Speed Networking Events.
My previous post explains the event. After the last event I hosted I received great feed back and lots of emails from people asking “When’s the next event?” Before I can host any more events I have a long list of goals I need to accomplish. I need to redesign my website to make it more user friendly, seo friendly and interactive, the list goes on. I want it to be a resource for San Diego Networking. My ultimate goal to host 3 events will motivate me stay on top of all the prep work that I’ll need to do before I can even start planning the events.

3. Earn the business of 10 New Internet Marketing Clients
The more businesses I’m able to work with the more opportunity I have to execute and demonstrate the power of online marketing.  I’ll be able to share my passion through educating and helping others grow their business.

4. Leverage my own Social Media Campaign
I want to update and be active in all  my Social networks but I know it’s not an effective strategy if I just sign up for every social network on this list. It also won’t make sense to put minimal effort in each community.  I’m choosing  primary networks and secondary networks to invest my time and will remain remotely active in all the rest. I made a brief list of some things I’d like to achieve within each social network. This list is subject to change.

Primary Social networks

• Twitter- Build a strong following of people who know me as a resourceful digital marketer, connect people, provide useful information, entertain people as a socialite
• Facebook- Bridge the gap between social and work life, post photos
• LinkedIn- Become an authority by answering questions, connect people for career and consulting opportunities
• Tumblr- Anything goes! There seems to be a lot of opportunity for fun on here. Share recipes, green tips

Secondary Social networks

• Digg- Share interesting articles, videos,
• Yelp- Demonstrate and share my civic pride my letting people know about my experiences with local businesses, restaurants, events, etc.
• Myspace- I may eliminate this as a main social network  but I’ve had this the longest and want to see if I can reestablish a strong brand on here as a marketer
• You Tube- Create my own video resume, share cool videos

5. Present 5 Presentations In order to give presentations they require prep work, research, collaboration with other experts etc. The work that goes into putting together presentations is a great learning experience in itself. I like the idea of vocally and visually sharing my knowledge.  I get instantaneous feedback from the audience, have the opportunity to address questions, overcome objections and speak face to face with leaders who are eager to learn. In 2008 I gave the following presentations. I look forward to expanding upon this list in 2009. I know that I’ll need to update my speaker page with past presentations, photos, video, etc.

1. Women’s Global Network: Communicating with the Media
2. Art Institute of San Diego: Meet the Industry
3. San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce: Clear Channel Marketing
4. BarCampSD: Origami with Melodie

I have a plethora of other goals,  but I feel that listing five will allow me to stay more focused. Many of my other goals are actually milestones that will help acheive the ultimate goals on this list. And of course I have non-career related goals that aren’t listed but are just as/if not more important, one of them trumps the importanace of every other goal on this list so I’ve definitely got my work cut out of me in 2009.

On Wednesday I attended Revison3’s taping of Diggnation and the Digg LA Meetup at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Diggnation is a weekly tech/web culture show based on the top digg.com social bookmarking news stories.

Among the attendees were a diverse crowd of Diggnation Fanatics, Tech/Web industry leaders and people from all facets of the online world. The event really emphasized the growth of web series and the prominence of this media becoming a primary form of entertainment. The enthused audience kept the room energized as the show’s hosts Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht entertained and interacted with the crowd.

My favorite part of the event was meeting some of the LA Tech/Web Industry leaders. If you follow me on Twitter you know I appreciate establishing real live connections with people I follow/ follow me. It makes the experience so much more personal so it was great finally meeting some people I’ve been interacting with in cyberspace. After the event many of us including the Digg crew headed across the street to the Roosevelt Hotel for some more mingling and we somehow snuck in Kogi BBQ (Korean BBQ in Burrito?!). I’ll definitely look forward to attending more events and growing my network in my neighboring city! Thanks to everyone who made me feel welcome at the event.

Here are a few photos for your viewing pleasure.