A selection of general topics for those working in the business events industry in Australia and abroad
7/14/2010 2:59:31 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Thanks Sonya! I would be honoured if you passed this along. I just wish I had the opportunity for more frequent updates. Having recently just come out of a 'post event comedown' combined with a pretty ferocious head cold, I probably have a bit of fodder incoming.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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7/14/2010 2:54:19 PM
Sonya Petkovska
Posts: 7
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David...I'll see you at ABEE/RSVP. 
Melanietk. I love your BLOG. So good to see someone so passionate about what they do! Keep it up. Hope you dont mind but I'm going to pass it onto a few of my industry friends.
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7/14/2010 10:25:20 AM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Downside to Facebook because someone is trolling you? What an interestingly narrow view. (I almost typed in 'downside to the Internet' - Freudian slip?)
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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7/14/2010 10:12:36 AM
Sonya Petkovska
Posts: 7
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Makes you think...is it all worth it? Do we really need to give people too much information about ourselves?
Toruk Makto is this your 'company' facebook account or your 'personal' facebook account.
Maybe its time to stop posting negative things about other magicians and concentrate on what you do best. Seems to me that you are competant enough as I've seen your tradeshow video...
Even though our industry is small there's room for everyone to do what they do without the negativity.
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6/2/2010 2:14:36 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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There were 40 + posts from their official account on just the two show days alone. Sadly a #hashtag search has limited results, but if you incorporate #RSVPMelb and #RSVP, not to mention any related tweets that didn't use a hashtag at all, I would say it was a rather good attempt at utilizsng that particular medium. I don't know what RSVP's pre-show social media education was - whether they informed their exhibitors to use a specific tag to promote their presence at the show to the clients and followers, whether RSVP Melbourne actively suggested to their registrants to follow @RSVPMelb or use the hashtag when talking about the event, what type of follow base the speakers have, etc etc.... It's a fairly wide net to cast on something that is still in the teething stage.
We're not just 'talking about it' - I mean, have you ever seen the twitter stream - or rather, torrent - that is associated with any TEDx event? Each event has to not only plan such a strategy as part of their larger marketing plan, but dedicate resources to creating and implementing it as well.
Did RSVP have a LinkedIn or Facebook page for their event? Did they set up means by which attendees and exhibitors could connect prior, during or after the show - both online or offline? Perhaps their pre-show research on attendees found that they were not using those types of connections in their day to day business. Remember the part about how everyone is still learning, analysing, and assessing the viability and practice of these platforms? The @RSVPMelb account has under 200 followers. Whats to say that next year that wont be 2000? I applaud them for being there, and active, in the first place.
It's still early days my friend. Such an example is not indicative of the outcome or future of the 'social media revolution'.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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4/8/2010 10:08:51 AM
Sonya Petkovska
Posts: 7
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Thanks to everyone for replying. I'm a bit closer to understanding (I think). I did (a while ago) read something about young people abandoning Facebook (guess they dont want their parents to know what they are really doing...) and it was poised to become a social networking platform for the over 50's (finding school friends...sharing photo's of grandkids etc)...So again I ask myself...what's the point? I will however endeavour to set up a 'business' Facebook account (using this name so I hope you all become my 'friends') when I get a chance.
TD - glad I'm not the only one here. I've no doubt that there are alot of us out there who are trying to find their way around 'social networking'. I was watching the morning news and it seems like all the Polititians are Twittering (makes you wonder if they are really listening to what being said in Parliment).
AB99 - I hope that when I set up my 'business' facebook account I'll use it just as much as my personal one.
MelanieTK - thanks...always enjoy reading your comments. You are fast becoming a Social Networking queen (or Princess depending on your age) to me. Thanks also for participating in our last Top 5 feature..."Tips on Utilising Social Media" - February issue of mice.net page 22-23...
http://micenet.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?cdn=0&xml=micenet.xml&iid=32941
FEOToolB - Sorry you lost me. Too much mixed information...guess you didnt consider the KISS rule in this instance.
Would love to hear from others who are using Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and get your perspective...is it working for you? Or should we all just go back to picking up the phone (calling a friend, client etc), networking (face to face my favorite) at industry events...long lunches (takes me back to the 80's and 90's). Are we really that busy that the only time we have is spent in front of the computer?
This forum is your opportunity to write to your hearts content and BRAD FOSTER has made a promise that if he see's something that he thinks our readers will enjoy he'll publish it in micenet magazine.
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4/4/2010 11:39:55 AM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Hence my (multiple) suggestion of creating a 'Fan Page' for your professional (whether personal or business) profile, and these things can't happen - you have full moderating rights, and I would like to assume you would be smart enough not to post 'personal pics from Aunty Jenny's wild 50's birthday party night club hopping adventure' on said profile.
You personal Facebook account remains completely separate and as always, you have many options for protecting your privacy of that profile. Just be smart about who you 'friend' and make sure you keep both worlds at a distance. Problem solved.
Fair point about creating a page for the business that you work for and being responsible for their brand - but as I've also said numerous times, that should be part of your business's marketing plan and thus carefully considered (ie: who will create and maintain it, what information is shared, what discussions or notifications are announced, who moderates and updates.. etc etc). I can't imagine too many people going out to create a Business Fan Page without either a) being the person in charge who has that authority or b) seek permission from the person who does have that authority. Why would you do it without the support of your fellow business associates anyway?
Create a mock page or test it out with a personal fan page first so you get to see all the bells and whistles. but really this is an easy concept and process and isn't as scary or complicated as some people would make you believe. As with anything on the Internet you need to carefully consider what information gets out there but by now that should be common knowledge - or one of the first things you self educate, or teach your staff.
This is a brave new world - experiment, road test, do market research, plan with your staff of associates, assess your progress - just like any new concept or marketing strategy implementation. I think you'll find yourselves pleasantly surprised how effective it can be if done properly, but like anything to do with Social Media, EVERYONE is new to this so we can all learn from each other.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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4/3/2010 1:09:39 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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some good point and suggestions.
Again, even if your Fan Page is a business, you can still add some personality to it. I've seen some great examples of businesses engaging with their 'fans' and getting some great promotion out of their efforts, but I don't have the first clue as to the name of the person running the business - and I don't care! I have loyalty to their brand. If I wanted to find out I'm sure I could, but what they provide is sufficient for me for now.
So Business + personality can still = WIN, while for personal branding purposes (or an inability to be the official representative for your business/company), a Fan Page under your personal name could be something fun to experiment with. Just make sure your Info Tab contains the relevant information about contacting you or your business.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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4/2/2010 5:10:55 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Sonya, TD... I recently faced this little conundrum of Facebook mixing work/pleasure myself. I originally lamented the fact that my work responsibilities extended to Facebook, and felt that it was too 'weird' and crossed lines I didn't particularly want to cross in terms of business/personal life.
But since then, I have made some interesting discoveries. "Fan Pages" are a great tool for participating in discussions and receiving updates in your news feed (and with the clever use of filters, you can keep them separate from your family and friend updates) without any of your personal information being shared with anyone at all.
Creating your own "Fan Page" (for yourself, or your business - a lot of fan pages are now actual people, rather than a subject or concept) means you can link the pages you come across that are industry specific to that page only, rather than to your personal profile. Because most 'industry' people do the same thing - use fan pages instead of their personal profile, it becomes a nice 'arms length' situation.
Trying to explain it here is a little complicated, but suffice to say I am finding ways to conduct business while still keeping my private life relatively private.
As for how much time I spend on social networking... As an independent business owner, I have the flexibility to do a lot of it in my 'spare time' so on occasion, I've done some serious 5 hours sessions of catching up on twitter and participating in industry chats, reading LinkedIn Discussions, blogs, magazine articles, etc... But at the moment, with a significant event in less than a week, I've narrowed that down to about half an hour per day at most - I post event updates on twitter and Facebook, check on the status and statistics of various sites associated with the event, and then I get back to work. Deadlines are a great motivator
While I sometimes feel guilty over the time I (usually) spend on social media platforms, I know that it is also productive and educational, as well as social and networking and most times see it as time well spent.
edited by melanietk on 2/04/2010
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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4/1/2010 4:14:23 PM
AB99
Posts: 9
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I have both a personal and a business twitter account, which I keep very separate. I have a personal facebook account and am planning to open a business one soon.
To me, both serve as easy, quick ways to see "what's going on" without having to open, read, write individual (or mergemail) emails - so much faster and "right there at a glance". SAVES time, rather than wasting it! I probably spend all of 5 minutes a day on Twitter, and have made a few deals and new connections through it. Same with Linkedin, and so I am hoping my business Facebook will be similar. (I spend a lot more time per day on my personal Facebook - probably 30 minutes - but that's just because I so enjoy reading my friends and family's posts, looking at their photos, commenting and updating and so on. It's still much easier than doing individual emails - not that I don't still write those as appropriate of course!)
I see them as serving your own personal news update pages, where you can both post your news and read others, all in one glance.
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4/1/2010 3:25:06 PM
TD
Posts: 3
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I think much the same as you Sonya with regards to this. I have a facebook account, but it's not really suitable for a business environment. As far as I can see, nearly everyone has a facebook fan page or group and can't help thinking I'm missing something as I can't really see any benefit. Is it for branding purposes or are these pages designed to find new members or users or their services?
I've never attempted a linkedin account as I don't personally think I'd gain anything from that, I think twitter would be worth doing but once again I've never tried that either.
At the moment, creating a duplicate facebook account for business purposes might be worth doing... but I'm open to ideas.
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4/1/2010 1:58:17 PM
Sonya Petkovska
Posts: 7
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Need some advice or comment on Facebook from you gurus.
Here is my dilemma. I’m on FACEBOOK but only use it to correspond/network with friends/family oversees. I have things such as photo’s of my kids and family, conversations with relatives and friends that don’t work within my industry (or if they do they are very good friends that don’t really want to discuss work issues). I’m also registered under my married name (I use my maiden name for work purposes). I find that I get a lot of invitations to;
- Become a friend of MCVB
- Be a fan of the Royal Easter Show
- Become a fan of Weddings at Swiss Grand
The list goes on and I’ve no doubt that I’ll continue to get these invites. Now I’m keen to support my industry but I find myself in a situation whereby I dont want to give my personal details (and I’m well aware that I can take out what I dont want people to see).
What do you suggest I do? Set up a Facebook account for only industry (nothing private/personal....just me)? What’s the point of doing that? Do I not bother because why would I become a fan/friend? What’s the purpose when I can read what they are doing in their e-newsletters/press releases. What would the value be to ‘me’ to participate? Is everyone just doing this for the sake of being involved? Do people think that if they dont follow the pack they get lost? Is it necessary? And who has time to do this? I’ve just spent 30 minutes typing this instead of doing my work (sorry Helen Batt-Rawden). Are we wasting time on Social Networking? Is our work suffering? Is this a topic that we need to seriously cover in mice.net? Melanietk you recently participated in our Top 5 feature and I must say that I enjoy reading your comments. How much of your day gets spent on Social Networking?
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3/17/2010 10:13:33 AM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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hahah yeah, my normal profile pic wasn't of good enough quality.
You know what? After all that, I have no website. I find that what counts to me, right now, in terms of personal branding, are those things associated with melanietk, be it blog, linkedin profile, twitter account etc, as they are the means by which I engage with people. I'm not a 'trading business, or tracking down/enticing new clients or jobs at this point in time, and those other mediums allow me to get across any message that a website would do for me, so while it would be nice to have something like that all in one place, it's a 'future project'. Then again I'm so small fry why add another website to the mix of those already out there?
So through this debate, I'm noticing a pattern emerge. Big companies or high profile event businesses could utilise social media platforms for their events (in the myriad of ways already described), but would not necessarily be effective for self promotion. On the flip side, venues, smaller businesses or independent service providers would gain great benefit from social media in terms of being noticed and promoting products or specials, but may have little impact using them at events themselves (at least not for mass distribution).
Therefore, any 'impact' made is through understanding what works best for them and using it to their best advantage, but there's not a 'one size fits all' strategy for everyone.
Oooohh I can't wait to do an analysis on our social media strategy for our 2010 series of event vs the complete lack of one in 2009. Already we've noticed some amazing changes and opportunities, but details of that will come later (and probably blogged, when the NDS is lifted).
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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3/12/2010 2:30:43 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Certainly some cautionary tales. That Westfield Facebook thing was infuriating! Makes a good point of having to have a pretty thorough understanding of the theory and application of social media as part of a marketing strategy, rather than throwing random products against the wall and see if they stick... and not catch fire in the process.
In a pleasant reversal, a small alternative clothing company in Australia recently ran a Facebook promotion by offering a relatively small gift voucher for their 4000th fan and the person that recommended them. It was a non invasive but simple promotion, and certainly gained them the support of people who might not have otherwise known about their business or products. What was appealing was that this business constantly engaged with its audience/fans, not only updating on their business but asking opinions, responding to feedback and promoting other peoples events (in much the same way most successful Twitter accounts function). When it came time for them to promote their product, it felt like a friend asking a favour than a business asking for free advertising.
I mention this in relation to business events, because as part of their engagement with their fans in such a manner, they actually went on to become a retail exhibitor at one of my upcoming events. I can't wait to meet them personally and browse their products for myself.
I had the honour of having some of my social media research published in the latest MICEnet magazine, and even now, after continuing to see methodologies, theories and practice evolve daily, I'm confident I got the basics right (so too did the other contributors - a great well rounded Top 5 feature). I've attended seminars and lectures on social media (and met some great Brisbane event professionals along the way!) and am attending another on personal branding in a fortnight, about which I'm very excited.
When someone I've never met comes up to me and says 'hey! You're melanietk! How's your event going?' I know I'm doing something right.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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1/25/2010 11:40:25 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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No it really doesn't, because this is not the place for such tutorials. What I, and others, can do is to offer resources where people like yourself can make your own decisions about how they would be implimented.
It is no good giving answers if people don't understand the question. I had to do my own research and experience the platforms and technology for myself, before the 'how-to' guides made sense. You yourself said that it isn't the technology that detracts from the value that can be gained, but rather not understanding how it should be used effectively.
As I said many times before, I will continue to offer links to articles and research that I found, or am finding useful in further understanding the impact of social media, and how to use it to enhance the delivery of events.
Direct link to a 60page eBook (pdf) that explains the concept and execution of 'backchannel' resources in very easy to understand terminology, and perfect for beginners in the medium.
Another eBook that really gets to the bottom of how social media is changing the face of the event industry in 2010, compiled by 7 Event experts from around the world.
A collection of articles by Jeff Hurt on Twittering at events, another giving a great analogy in the hopes of relating just what social media is and how it can be translated in to the virtual world, and finally a list of different ways attendees can connect and network prior and during your events.
Mike McCurry's entire site is dedicated to hybrid and virtual events, understanding technology, and how it relates to event professionals and attendees. He is a 30 year veteran of the events industry and respected speaker and author.
When I have more time to dedicate to tracking down information I will add links regarding the topics of LinkedIn, Facebook, and other SM tools, but for now, I have a meeting with the QLD Governor at the Australia Day Ceremony to prepare for.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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1/25/2010 10:29:32 AM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Your debate was that technology negates the human connection, to which I disagreed and responded. The comment regarding the speaker + participants is discussed often, and answered a hundred times already elsewhere on the web, so I shan't go in to detailed explanation here.
What I will agree with is that it needs to be used correctly and as I have said from the beginning education, training and trial-by-error are the only ways for Social Media to make a positive impact and successful integration in to the business events industry. That goes with anything new, technology or no.
As for listing all the ways and means - You're kidding, right? You may as well ask all the ways in which a computer can be used in day to day business. The options are endless and in most cases, as with anything new, still being discovered, and there are people much more knowledgeable than I who are already talking about and teaching on the subject.
As I mentioned I would be happy to link to resources I consider useful in this respect, but ultimately it is up to the individual as to what they want to know, learn, discover and evaluate as being useful from their perspective as a supplier or event organiser.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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1/24/2010 12:52:21 PM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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I'll see your Naisbit and raise you a link to MPI magazines recent post on this very topic (evolution of technology). If I could link directly to paper books, I would.
I disagree about 'technology' (which is only a tool) and social media (a way to use those tools) dehumanising events. Again and again the international business event sector is proving that the use of technology and social media platforms for and at events are creating communities, connecting people, and pulling us away from the 'talking head', limited engagement seminar or lecture.
How can a room of 500 people staring at a stage be a 'human connection' when real-time backchannel conversations are allowing those 500 people to interact with not only the speaker, but with the people sitting 5 rows ahead of them, or with those who aren't in the room (or even the event itself), but want to know the seminar content anyway?
Trackers are the best thing sliced bread. How much time would you (or someone you're paying minimum wage to) have wasted on manually entering the names and details (which are often times limited) on the 500 business cards you've collected (if registered visitors have them at all), that have not given you a sense of what level of interest the lead had in the first place?
It's not laziness - it's embracing innovation, utilising time saving tools so you can focus on what really matters - connecting with quality leads, colleagues, associates and other professionals. There will never be anything as good as F2F and I will always support the human factor, but you need to attract people in order to make that first engagement. Whether that is through a well constructed visual presentation on a plasma screen that really showcases the work and delivery of your services (anyone can talk up anything, but people want examples), or using twitter, Facebook or some other medium to announce something amazing happening at your booth.
I agree that 'Live' vs 'Televised' is a no brainer, but if you could announce to the 500 people on the tradeshow floor that you will be conducting a live, free, magic show at your booth in half an hour, you'll be attracting an audience that is made up of more people than those who just happened to be passing at the right time. And don't forget, you're talking as an individual supplier. Event organisers have hundred of exhibitors and dozens of sessions they need to 'announce' and encourage people to attend or engage with. Short of using the (droning and often distracting) PA system (Why don't you just use a megaphone?), or hoping that people are reading their conference programs with religious fervour, you have to use the tools your attendees are using.
It may be in the early stages right now, and thus the impact of utilising them in this manner may be limited, but the times are changing and conference/event organisers need to go to where the people are - and the people are on social media. Eventually, they'll rely on what they read on twitter or have had their friends or network connections recommend rather than what they are being force fed through advertising, glossy images or sponsor branding. Already you and some others have proven a distrust of a sponsor and their involvement in an event and thus viability as a stand alone service/product/brand. What about letting that sponsor prove themselves to you (royal you, not you specifically)?
The first booth I would visit at a trade show? Someone who has taken the time to engage with me prior to the show, given me hints at what I will see, maybe offered an early or 'mates rate' deal, and has encourage me to visit so we can 'meet in person', rather than being faced with someone I don't know, and a product I have to learn from scratch from a few brochures and wall posters. They know who I am, what I want, and what I'm hoping to learn before the exhibition has even opened. The exact same mentality would apply to a speaker. In fact, I would go so far as it would apply to the entire event or conference itself.
That isn't laziness, that is someone reaching out to me and making an effort to meet 'my' needs.
I highly recommend everyone watches this short YouTube video: "Is social media a fad? This will blow you away" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8and while as with anything statistics are questionable or probably biased or location specific (its not even event specific), it will still make you sit back and think.
Once you've seen that, read this exhibitor feedback report by respected Tradeshow & Conference Creative Director Erik Lukazewski of Echelon Design.
My posts in the beginning of this thread showed my own reluctance and fears about understanding social media and its impact on events. Since then I made the conscious effort to research and engage with worldwide industry professionals and let me tell you, I am a convert. I encourage others to do a little research themselves, if they have the time... I would even be happy to save everyone the hassle of finding the 'good stuff' and post educational and opinion links here, if it helps.
For anyone in the events industry who is on, or wants to try Twitter, search for the hashtag #eventprofs and you will be amazed at the quality and quantity of content out there, and the vibrant international community of event professionals who are engaging, informing, sharing and educating.
edited by melanietk on 24/01/2010
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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12/22/2009 10:33:21 AM
melanietk
Posts: 54
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Here is another interesting recount of a discussion held about back + frontchannel conversations at events (mainly through Twitter, although other mediums could be used. Interestingly, the 'panel discussion' on the topic was conducted over Google Wave, which I think is indicative of the changing nature of collaboration on events, and event topics..)
http://www.ready2spark.com/2009/12/bringing-twitters-back-channel-to-the-front.html
As well as discussing the practical application and virtues of the new avenues recent SM technology allows, they also cover what they perceive as certain personality types who are, and will probably continue to be opposed to such evolutions in presentation styles. I'm sure most here could name a few people that fit in to this category?
There may be a heavy bias in this collaboration, or it may really indicate a change in the times in how SM is not only frequently used at business events, but is now making up the fabric of overall delivery and becoming almost an essential part of its success.
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8pod Internet Business Centre || MTK Promotions || A bit of everything (blog)
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12/19/2009 8:48:23 AM
NZEVENTS
Posts: 4
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Bravo Batman - I too appreciate SM's posts - in fact the more off the wall a post is the more I enjoy being in the writers space - trying to see the point of view that he/she has taken the time to write - and appreciating a new approach. After all, are we not 'creative' by virtue of our professions so who are we to cast stones on a different/honest point of view? Our clients pay us to be different and to present a new approach so I am astounded that some of us are so unaccepting of this concept. Not to decry anyones opinions, afterall they are like bums, everybodys got one only some are more engaging than others. So Sydney Magician, stick around!
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12/19/2009 7:50:49 AM
gone
Posts: 15
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Because people are not very nice to me.
I like to stay as much as possible on topic, but when people start off topic posts about me, especially annon users, then this peeves me, Questions about me should be PM'ed
and warnings should be private, just like in an office- you would never sit someone down in the middle of the room to give someone a verbal warning or a written one and the forum is the same- you shut people down privately
like when I am on stage and I get a heckler, there are ways of shutting themdown without making them feel less than who they are,
But thank you for your comments Batman,
I know and feel that I think a little differently- I can't really control this, as I get older I feel even more separated, and sure.... I give myself a little plug here and there- I am proud of my achievements (and no one else is going to give me a plug (I don't work through the agencies or speaker agengies because I don't want to fork out a grand for bioview) you do know what this is don't you) - Although I will say this which is off topic, because many people here do not understand magicians or what they go through-
My Brother is a charted Accountant (at some lawyer firm in Sydney) he is still paying off his Hex debt (and also his wedding) I was going through my tax with him, and we found that over the years- I have spent more money learning magic, then he spent becoming a charted accountant, the core difference is I don't have any debt. I say this because I feel people tend to look down on magicians, sometimes I get compared to circus folk and street theatre which is an insult, especially when entertainer agencies have the magician in the same category as Stilt walker or Cartoonist, people think that you learn a few simple card tricks and thats it, and I don't have a certificate of magic, I have experience, so for those people who feel that they need to give me a snappy comment like I am bitchy or that I should have more gigs so I don't have to post so much on this forum, open up your mind, you make people feel less than who they are, and chances are this is because in your mind- putting people down makes you look cool- guess what? it doesn't.
anyway lets get back on topic, and thanks again batman
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