Communicators Anonymous

Social Media Club: Dallas is alive!

This past Thursday, Social Media Club: Dallas was relaunched after a year in hiatus! We took the time to mingle and get to know each other. Unlike Austin, Boston or DC, Dallas does not have a large social media following. At least not yet...

Future meetings will be on the last Thursday of each month. Stay tuned for details on this site and official SMC site and twitter postings. We are seeking venues and topics for meetings. Please contact me or another SMC member to suggest locations and ideas.

Thank you! It was great to meet people I have been twittering with face-to-face!

Accidental Branding

The stories of how to catch lightning in a bottle are captured in Accidental Branding by New York University professor, David Vinjamuri. The inspiration for the book came from a class project asking students to write about entrepreneurs who had created large consumer brands without any marketing training. Some of the stories that made it into the book were discovered by the students. Vinjamuri did not include any stories which he did not personally interview the entrepreneur. Each entrepreneur (1)  is an individual who is not trained in marketing that must create the brand, (2) must experience the problem the brand solves and (3) must control the brand for at least 10 years.This twist lends authenticity in the book and the inside scoop to winning personality.

Right out of the gate, Vinjamuri talks about his battle with the status quo marketing practices. Like Vinjamuri, my students are working professionals, not MBAs. Using this lens, he and his class identified traits not taught at Harvard Business School:

1. Do sweat the small stuff - "I learned from these entrepreneurs that it is just this attention to detail that makes these brands authentic." Ensure you know every way the consumer will interact with the brand.
2. Pick a fight - "Defining the "other"...helps define the brand." Draw a line in the sand to demonstrate passion and trust.
3. Be your own customer - "Accidental brands are almost always created when people solve their own problems."
4. Be unnaturally persistent - "Unless you are extraordinarily lucky, though, your path to success will start slowly and involve a period of significant questioning and self-examination."
5. Build a myth - "The trick in building your founding myth is selecting the facts that you want to tell and deciding how best to share them."
6. Be faithful - "You just need to stay connected to the values that got you to start your business in the first place." ***dig this one

The book begins with the story of the eccentric storyteller, J. Peterman then introduces you to the contrarian, tinkerer, visionary and strategist, pugilist, perfectionist and anarchist. I will be using this book in an upcoming class and encourage all of my readers to rediscover accidental branding genius.   

Zany: Sexiest Geek

This zany topic posted earlier this week and you may already be aware, but it was too good not to re-post on CA! District of Corruption co-host, Aaron Brazell (@technosailor) was voted April's Sexiest Geek by Geeks are Sexy. Geoff, is this why Aaron's pic is the only one associated with DoC landing page? Truly a DIVA!

Catch Aaron and Geoff broadcasting live from Podcamp DC for special edition of DoC at 2pm EST, 19 April!

Enough Already!

Enough already?! Do you not realize I am trying to teach students and corporations about social media and all they see at first glance is children taking petty shots at each other? I had hoped to ignore the latest blogodrama (yes, it is ridiculous) and bat it away like a pesky mosquito, but I cannot. Pathetic. I am sickened at the lack of self respect and devaluing of others. The mess continued into the weekend...

Truly, you must understand that this type of behavior may be funny now, but in the long term will only harm your digital identity and corporations you represent in the future. The Internet is a permanent archive where the deepest and darkest of deeds are easily unearthed. Tread lightly. Once broken, social values are not so easily mended. Until then, take note. I am not using you or your tactics as professional examples of success, but quite the opposite.

Think Liquid

My favorite chapter in Now Is Gone by friend, Geoff Livingston, is Think Liquid. Ironically, I read this chapter before going to an important social media strategy meeting this morning...to help frame my thoughts and disposition. When I return from my meeting, this Daily OM appears in my inbox:

 

April 11, 2008
Fluid Like a River
Living Like Water

The journey of water as it flows upon the earth can be a mirror of our own paths through life. Water begins its residence on Earth as it falls from the sky or melts from ice and cascades down a mountain into a tributary or stream. In the same way, we come into the world and begin our lives on Earth. Like a river that flows within the confines of its banks, we are born with certain defining characteristics that govern our identity. We are born in a particular time and place, into a specific family, and with certain gifts and challenges. Within these parameters, we move through life, encountering many twists, turns, and obstacles along the way—just as a river flows.

Water is a great teacher that shows us how to move through the world with grace, ease, determination, and humility. When a river breaks at a waterfall, it gains energy and moves on. As we encounter our own waterfalls, we may fall hard, but we always keep going. Water can inspire us not to become rigid with fear or hold fast to what is familiar. Water is brave and does not waste time clinging to its past but flows onward without looking back. At the same time, when there is a hole to be filled, water does not flee from it, fearful of the dark; instead, it humbly and bravely fills the empty space. In the same way, we can face the dark moments of our life rather than running away from them.

Eventually, a river will empty into the sea. Water does not hold back from joining with a larger body, nor does it fear a loss of identity or control. It gracefully and humbly tumbles into the vastness by contributing its energy and merging without resistance. Each time we move beyond our individual egos to become part of something bigger, we can try our best to follow the lead of the river.

Zany: Resume or Release?

Hat tip to friend, Michael Allison, for pointing out this zany story of a scam artist who conned almost $65M from investors by claiming he was developing a diamond mine in Canada. Michael asks if it is the magic of pr or lack of common sense by investors that allowed this scam to occur? I second Michael, perhaps I should start sending out releases versus resumes. I still have student loans to pay...

"Still Waiting"

"Still Waiting" Song Lyrics

So am I still waiting,
For this world to stop hating?
Can't find a good reason.
Can't find hope to believe in.

Drop dead a bullet to my head.
Your words are like a gun in hand,
You can't change the state of the nation,
We just need some motivation.

These eyes have seen no conviction.
Just lies and more contradiction,
So tell me what would you say?
I'd say it's time
too late

So am I still waiting,
For this world to stop hating?
Can't find a good reason.
Can't find hope to believe in.

Ignorance and understanding,
We're the first ones to jump in line.
Out of step for what we believe in,
But who's left to stop the bleeding?

How far will we take this?
It's not hard to see through the fakeness
So tell me what would you say?
I'd say it's time
too late

So am I still waiting,
For this world to stop hating?
Can't find a good reason.
Can't find hope to believe.

This can't last forever.
Time won't make things better.
I feel so alone,
Can't help myself,
And no one knows,
If this is worthless,
Tell me [Echo x3]
SO!

What have we done?
with a war that can't be won!
This can't be real!
I don't know what to feel!

So am I still waiting,
For this world to stop hating?
Can't find a good reason.
Can't find hope to believe!

So am I still waiting,
For this world to stop hating?
Can't find a good reason,
For this world to BELIEVE!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Tradition Four: Each local chapter should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or communications as a whole.

What are you doing to nourish your industry affiliations? Just as the earth needs water and sun to grow in abundance, your community needs nourishment to grow strong communicators. Identify your community. Do not limit your community to friends and immediate coworkers only. Build relationships and seek out kindred spirits in your village. Branch out with virtual and face-to-face interaction!

Instead of complaining or bashing affiliations, get involved and spur a difference. Carry the torch. If you are familiar with this blog, you know I have done my fair share of criticizing PRSA.  I have done a bit of growing up and realize this attitude gets you nowhere. Yes, it's frustrating not all of my peers "get it" - this is why I adore the Social Media Club logo/slogan, "If you get it, share it." There is so much room to grow while teaching. There is so much more I have yet to learn...

Social Media Club: Dallas Relaunch!

WhooHoo! I hope you are as excited as me...because Social Media Club: Dallas is back!

"The round-table will dig into what Social Media really is, review some of the activities at the other Clubs, discuss goals for 2008, in addition to covering other topics suggested by the Dallas participants."

Join us at the Blue Mesa Grill in Addison on 24 April. For more details and to RSVP, visit Eventbrite.

Zany: Mimobot Mania

As a single mom juggling numerous work and life events, I am always on the go. Lugging around my laptop is not always convenient, but I do tote several USB Flash Drives. At SXSWi I was introduced to mimobot Designer USB Flash Drives. Too cute and irresistible! Originally, I was going to purchase Princess Leia from the STAR WARS mimobot series 1 and 2, but then I spotted Pirate Nero! What mimobot reflects your style and personality?