Will you be my … brand?

Posted by Chris in Guest Blog Posts,My Blog & Guest Posts,general on May 11, 2010

Social media is about bringing people and communities together, whether it be companies and their prospective market or simply people to people. One of those people that I came across, and now engage with on a regular basis is Marta Majewska. We immediately clicked and have forged a strong working and personal relationship. I consider her someone I can talk to professionally and a friend.

Nothing pleases me more than to have her a a guest blogger. Here’s her post.

Will You be my….brand?

Before I start, I just want to say that I am a BIG fan of Chris and adore his blog so I couldn’t have been more honoured when he asked me to write a guest blog post here.

During my recent trip to California, I went shopping in San Diego (before you start wondering why I would talk to you about my shopping, don’t worry, I do realize that nor Chris nor his readers want to hear all about my new dresses and shoes but I promise this is going somewhere One of the shops I visited was Read more…

An American’s perspective on Likeminds & other UK conferences from Trey Pennington

Posted by Chris in Guest Blog Posts,Top Class Interviews,general,innovators and leaders on April 7, 2010

I’ve met up with Trey Pennington on a number of occasions and he’s someone I’m now lucky enough to call a friend.  Our last meeting was at the Likeminds conference in Exeter about 5 weeks ago. One of our conversations was based around the differences between the UK & the US in how they treat social media events .

Here follows his thoughts.

An American perspective on LikeMinds 2010

Chris Hall is a community-builder. I’m thankful he’s included me in his community and asked for my thoughts on the differences between conferences in the United States and the United Kingdom.

For me, the conferences in the United Kingdom are quite rewarding. Only in the UK do y’all appreciate my distinctive Southern accent. In the US, no one notices.

It seems British audiences are more vocal about expectations and the thwarting of them. Y’all are quick to voice critique. I had thought Americans were demanding and vocal—the criticism of Jeff Pulver’s 140 conferences in the US was downright brutal, for instance. (Then again, I’ve also thought American politicians wouldn’t last very long under the scrutiny of Questions to the Prime Minister.)

American criticism seems to focus more on things (the attacks on Pulver’s 140 focused on lack of Wi-Fi, being in a basement without access to cellular signal, and lack of power outlets, for instance). British critique seems to focus more on content and people.  Criticism of specific speakers or specific content doesn’t seem so pronounced in the US.

One might make a case that Americans think first of comfort and convenience while Brits consider content. I can’t say one way or the other. What I can say is, it seems the critique proffered by my British friends would serve to increase the speed of evolution for things that matter.

Scott Gould with Trey Pennington on the London Bridge after the 2009 LikeMinds Conference in Exeter.

I can also say the British have received and treated me exceptionally well. I’ve been amazed at the hospitality showered on me by Scott Gould, his extended family, and the whole community of friends associated with LikeMinds. Y’all have enriched my life considerably and I’m immensely thankful for you.

What are your thoughts on UK/US conferences and their approach?

reBlog from Princess Misia: STUDY: Does Social Media Drive Sales?

Posted by Chris in Advice,Guest Blog Posts,My Blog & Guest Posts on March 19, 2010

I found this fascinating quote today:

A recent study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies confirms that both Twitter and Facebook are effective marketing tools. The data collected from over 1,500 customers in United States shows that people are more likely to purchase products and services from brands that they follow on Facebook (51%) and Twitter (67%). Also, 60% of Facebook fans and 79% of Twitter followers are more likely to recommend those brands since becoming a fan or follower.Princess Misia, I <3 SOCIAL MEDIA » Blog Archive » STUDY: Does Social Media Drive Sales?

You should read the whole article.

Guest Post from @brandguardian (Jo Porritt): Attending LikeMinds – A Virtual Perspective

Posted by Chris in Guest Blog Posts,My Blog & Guest Posts,general,opinion on March 1, 2010

Here follows the first of my guest posts this week. The first is from Jo Porritt (@brandguardian) who gives her perspective on Likeminds as a virtual event. Later this week I’ll also be posting another guest article from Trey Pennington (@treypennington), looking at Trey’s views on the comparisons between social media in the UK & US [post-Likeminds].
Here’s Jo’s perspective.

So I was set. I had my ticket.

LikeMinds! A people-to-people gathering in Exeter, Devon – an event bringing together world class experts, innovators and serious social media players. The brainchild of Scott Gould and Drew Ellis, supported by a host of other inspirational speakers and panelists. Like Charlie Bucket, finding one of the coveted Golden Tickets to Mr Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, I was excited and thrilled at the prospect of meeting and mingling with some of the Read more…