We don’t always know when a disaster will strike. Last week the DFW area was plagued with 16-18 tornados. Thousands of homes were hit, destroying and damaging homes and businesses, which left people without necessities and greatly in need of help.

This is when a community pulls together to support those in need.

Images of families suffering, and in need kept flashing across my mind as I drove to work. I needed to do something. I was almost at the office when I texted my boss and requested we spend the day doing anything we could to give back.

Lucky for me, he completely understood. Chris had been out the day before chopping up fallen trees and cleaning up where he could. His supplies were already packed in his vehicle.

I texted everyone to be prepared and dressed for hard work when they arrived. Of course the girls (including myself) whereas not dressed for disaster clean up. We all changed into More Cabbage t-shirts we had at the office.

After making a quick Walmart trip to get the remaining supplies (including sweet sparkly tennis shoes for us girls), we were off – a Tornado Disaster Clean Up Crew.

The five of us didn’t make a huge impact, but we gave it our best. We were able to reach a few houses where we gladly helped clean up debris, saw down fallen trees, and even helped save this little guy, now named T-Bone.

Honestly, after everything that happened in DFW, we are thankful to have the opportunity to give back when we are needed.

It started as a pretty normal Tuesday for this California girl. It’s a moderate 70 degrees outside, which fits my weather requirement. I even wore a dress today, and that’s a big deal.

Things were going well. My hair is doing what it was told today, and I’m getting paid to Pinterest. Plus, there’s no shortage of coffee at the More Cabbage offices.

Then, almost in an instant, my great hair day just got complicated. Real complicated. Cris Davis sweetly turned to me and asked, “Did you hear that?”

Did I hear what?

“The sirens. The tornado sirens.”

Two words that don’t register in the brain of a Californian: Tornado Sirens.

And just like that, a tornado watch has been issued for Dallas, Ellis, Johnson and Tarrant County. 

A TORNADO WARNING. On my good hair day.

Toto, we are not in California anymore.

Luckily, Chris Conant was on his mark and ready to capture this shot of me hearing the news:

Just when I think it can’t get worse, Cris shows me pictures of a semi-truck flying through the air. In DALLAS. My loose curls and tiny Toyota Corolla are in big trouble.

If you need me, I’ll be over here Googling “What To Do In A Tornado” and “Wizard of Orange County Oz.”

If you’ve ever tweeted something like, “Don’t forget to sign up for X, your last day to register is next Friday!” or ” Did you hear Really Big Performer will be playing at X? You don’t want to miss it!” then you’re probably an event marketer.

If you’re an event marketer, you probably also know that once you’ve updated your Facebook status with 27 different variations of that same content, you realize you’re not doing anything besides begging people to come to your event. Nobody likes a beggar. Equally as negative, nobody likes to beg!

Wouldn’t you love to stop knocking on doors and have your attendees knocking down doors to get a ticket?

Here’s the secret:

Crowdsourcing.

You’ve probably heard of outsourcing, but crowdsourcing? Same idea–you’re putting your audience (crowd) to work. Make your audience market for you! The more involved they are, the better. Here are three ways to use crowdsourcing.

1. Get feedback, and actually care about it.

Use social to engage your audience and find out what they want to get out of your event, why they want to attend, and what they think you could do better.

For example, post the question on your Facebook or Twitter, “If you’ve ever been to X, would you come again? Why or why not?” When someone responds, not only do you have great feedback from your audience, but you also have content for future marketing use.

Replies are visible to all–people will see people responding, buzz is created naturally. You only had to ask for feedback, not for a sale.

The trick here is to really, truly care what your followers are saying. If someone replies, “Loved the event, but the food really sucked” be sure to follow up. Figure out how you’re going to change the food, and let them know. Respond directly to them saying, “Hey, thanks for letting us know! This year we decided to bring in 20 different local food trucks so you’ll have plenty of options.” Your response will make a fan out of that guy, plus it will peak the interest of anyone else who reads it.

2. Let your audience be the content curators.

You’ve heard that real estate is all about location, location, location. In the same way, events are all about content, content, content. Even if you get people to show up for your event, you won’t get a true fan unless you make it worth their buck. You can use crowdsourcing to get top notch content.

Much of this can be done through step 1–simply asking for feedback (i.e. Who would you most like to see perform/speak at X?). But let’s take it another step further and get more creative. Run contests where attendees can vote between 2 popular bands, speakers, or other forms of entertainment. Maybe have a video submission contest and allow attendees to vote on videos–the winner gets to perform at your event. Or get really daring and let your audience decide your food, your color choices, your locations, etc.

If someone helped create an event, surely they’ll pay to see it live!

3. Don’t let the online engagement end when the show starts.

Keep fans and followers on their toes and talking about the event the whole time. Give incentives like sweet giveaways for tweeting during the event, or for checking in on Foursquare. Have a stream of photos or videos on the screens that people are sending in live from the event–and be sure to post that stream on your website/Twitter/Facebook for everyone to see, even if they aren’t at the event. Constantly innovate ways to make the live experience mesh with the digital one.

Turn your next event into a huge success, and before your event is on the radar, with a  Social PR Strategy in mind, start building that fan and follower base as large as possible!

So this is my first time to visit SXSWi. I know, a total newb to the conference! I’ve been stressing as to which sessions to attend, scheduling parties, rsvping to karaoke, and finding out what my friends will be attending.

It’s like planning your freshman year in college without deciding your major.

Now that it’s down to the wire for SXSWi 2012, it’s time to start packing. Outside of clothes (which I am still a little stressed about), I’ve started making a list of what I think will be essentials. Following this list on Pinterest has helped spark a few ideas.

So what are my essentials? Here is my SXSWi 2012 Newbie Packing Guide:

• iPhone with charger
• Macbook with charger
• Backpack
• Notepad
• Pens
• Business Cards
• Water bottle
• Sunglasses
• Tylenol
• Umbrella – forecast predicts rain the whole time!
• Day to Night Outfits (packing less clothes this way!)
• Flats (miles of walking is in my future)
• Camera with extra batteries and strap
• Extra ponytail and bobby pins (this one is for the girls)
• Extra Bag for goodies, tshirts, and more
• All apps updated and logged in (follow me on Instagram for plenty of SXSWi pics!)

In my planning, scheduling, and list making I have happened across a few other tips for the general conference and Austin area. These tips I’ve received from some SXSWi veterans:

• Talk to lots of people that you don’t know
• Ask for book recommendations
• Ask how to win free stuff to the booths
• Eat at The Salt Lick
• Eat at Homeslice and ask for a free shirt

This list should get me through the days I will be there. What must haves are you packing or putting on your to-do list for the upcoming SXSWi? Be sure to check back for more SXSWi updates from the newb perspective and follow me on Twitter for live tweeting of the convention!

Vegas is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited!
For four days we will all meet, engage, learn and take home more information
and new relationships than we know what to do with! Chris Conant and Adam
Dewar will be on site to talk about Social PR and how to develop strategies to
manage your brand, drive traffic and build relationships online. Chris will be talking about the “Modernization of Breast Center Marketing” on Sunday from 4:30-5:00pm
and we will be hosting a workshop on Tuesday from 12:10-12:40 to discuss
Social Media Strategies for your center. We invite you to get in touch with the Vendors before hand!

For all of you whom are already socially engaged, the official hashtag for the event
on Twitter is; #NCOBC You can use this to communicate with others you meet, vendors, questions about the conference and especially questions about Social PR! More Cabbage will be staffing and monitoring the tag before, during and after the conference.

To get started, copy this message into a new tweet and we will tweet you back from
More Cabbage! “@morecabbage We can’t wait to see everyone at #NCOBC! Thanks
@NCBC_Breastcare”

To learn more about who we are, help yourself to take a look around our site. If you
want to connect with us, click on the social icons at the bottom of the page. For the
Welcome video and follow-up information, videos and/or pictures from the event,
visit this Facebook link.

On Monday March 12th, More Cabbage will be available to talk about Social PR
strategies for your center to maximize your online presence and branding. If you are
interested in a private strategy discussion with a More Cabbage team member, sign
up here http://morecabbage.com/schedule-a-social-pr-presentation and we will get
in touch with you!

If you found this helpful and want to learn more about the value of and strategies to
be social at a conference – “Why Social at a Convention Works!”

First, business communication is moving to more authenticity and transparency. I don’t know when it started. Maybe Enron? But we are moving from “cards close to the chest” to trying to let our personality and processes out of the house to play outside more. We are educating our prospects and earning trust. It also means more “personalities” behind the company need to go on video (yikes, now I need braces!).

Second, people do business with people who they know, like, trust and connect with. This is why your competitors can’t gain an advantage, unless they have better relationships than you. That statement is certainly true whether relationships are online or off line. And social media is just another way to build natural, authentic relationships…it’s just that we use technology to manage them. OK. Granted, the Social PR know-how also makes us more savvy at managing more relationships inside of better-targeted communities. I can build arguments all day long that social media offers not, in its widest context, artificial relationships. They are real. And the most unlikely employee has your future client in their friend’s social network.

Third, those who think competition will gain a competitive advantage because you’re “out there” are wrong–to an extent. Are you putting your step-by-step proprietary processes or ingredients on-line? I doubt it. Instead, find ways to educate without giving away the farm. Remember, most people are busy and want to know that they can trust your company to supply the product or do the service right. I also believe that there are few experts in social media, only those that learn and apply social branding principles and common sense the fastest will win.

Fourth, I think as a whole, that our sensitivity to negative comments will become first, accepting, and then, finely tuned. I appreciate a perfect company with a stellar brand reputation, but I have come to accept negative comments as part of my buying decision process. I have learned to weed out the “wack-o comments.” I have come to appreciate and trust companies that make reasonable efforts to satisfy or remedy negative comments.

Fifth, the value shifts from products to customers are blowing my mind. Are you still talking about “adding value.” I’m not. (unless my prospect is, I’ll gently listen!). In social media, the benefits of added value are shifting away from the product or service because of new consumer buying habits, costs being driven down, and middlemen losing market share to name a few. An excellent corporate social media strategist will recognize that value is shifting to the person, the “friend”, the follower and his/her social network. I will predict here that the best marketing of the next decade will be found in the value and quality of one’s social network—keeping them near you and engaged. “Liking” you. Sound inconceivable for a major corporation? More Cabbage is offering training these days to 1000+ person organizations on how to do this. It starts by flipping what you know on its head and looking at it from a new perspective.

For a couple years I’ve been discussing new technologies coming out that allow for social media integration. The latest to add to this growing list, (besides the browser on your refrigerator), is the 2013 Lexus GS dash infotainment.

It’s giant 12.3 inch screen is controlled by a joystick that maneuvers the climate controls sharing screen real estate with the infotainment system called Enform.

With the launch of the GS, Enform will gain two new apps to the suite: Facebook and Yelp. Users can set their statuses and check into locations from their car. They can also find reviews on local businesses and even make reservations over the Open Table app.

Checking into locations will also reveal the location of others at that location who are checked in, as well as the location of friends that are nearby.

Now more than ever, we’re seeing the syndication power of social media, when brands and companies and individuals can leverage social awareness to develop exposure on other devices and networks.

These are the deals that are done in the backroom, when an in-dash technology agrees to allow an interface with Facebook, or a GPS manufacturer agrees to share data with Foursquare.

Companies who are scarcely present or just dabbling in social media are seriously missing out on opportunities to see their brand and their location promoted through syndicated relationship marketing channels. Do not let another day go by without getting your company rooted deep into social media. If you need help, we offer some strategic ideas.

OSCARS RED CARPET LIVE:

7 PM EST (Eastern) on ABC

6PM CST (Central) on ABC

5PM MST (Mountain) on ABC

4 PM PST (Pacific) on ABC

THE 84th ACADEMY AWARDS®

8:30PM EST (Eastern) on ABC

7:30PM CST (Central) on ABC

6:30PM MST (Mountain) on ABC

5:30 PM PST (Pacific) on ABC

Billy Crystal returns for his ninth time as host of “The 84th Academy Awards,” celebrating the outstanding film achievements of 2011 televised live by the ABC Television Network and in more than 225 countries worldwide. Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Emma Stone and the cast of “Bridesmaids” are among the presenters.

Enjoy! And please leave us a comment if this information was helpful.

Everyday I’m blown away by the tools that are at our fingertips to engage with consumers and offer better customer service with social media.  When I have an issue with a bill or service, I expect that the company that I am paying will handle the situation and make things right.  It doesn’t always end up that way.  Some companies still lack the tools and man power to engage with their customers and make their experience great online.

Social media is infiltrating more businesses everyday, it should be discussed internally on how to use these services to enhance the customer experience and get them real time results.  If your customer has a bad experience with you, they’ll likely turn to their friends and vent on social networks.  Businesses have the ability to connect with the customer and fix their problems faster than ever through social PR.  Here are a few of ways to do that:

Twitter:

Businesses should be monitoring Twitter conversations for anyone talking about their brand, positive or negative, so that they can respond.  The customer service department should have people dedicated to this on a daily basis.  Using Advanced Twitter search will give you ways to search for keywords associated with your business and find those conversations.

Facebook:

If people come to your Facebook page and complain about something, don’t delete the comment, ask them to email you so that you can get the problem solved and take the conversation offline.  After the issue has been handled, ask the person if they wouldn’t mind going back on Facebook and either removing the comment or updating the page that the situation was handled.

Google Alerts:

Facebook and Twitter are not the only places where people write negative comments.  Forums and complaint websites are other areas of the Internet that your business should be monitoring.  One way to do this is through Google Alerts.  Go to google.com/alerts and set an alert for your company name, misspellings of your company name and other names that people use to describe your company.  This way, you can be alerted when anyone publishes content about your business and can respond to it quickly.

There are a lot of other tools out there that you can pay for that will help you with responding to customer service issues online, the advice above will allow you to get started. Make sure to tell your customers that you use social media to resolve issues so that they know where to go to get the best customer experience.  If they know you are listening online, they’ll likely to go to your social networks and vent rather than other sites, which gives you more control of how it is handled.

If your company does not have a large team in place to handle your online presence, you need to consider outsourcing.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment at the bottom.

It’s inevitable, every time we go to a conference, convention or seminar there are hundreds if not thousands of people to meet. Just like the Internet has provided information overload, attending a conference can lead to relationship overload. The difficulty is finding a way to maintain those relationships over time.

Fortunately, the onset of technology and social media platforms can be of value in managing the countless potential relationships that derive from the conferences. In this blog, I’ll take you through some tactics for maintaining your sanity and maximizing your time networking while still effectively building long-term relationships.

First of all, completely fill out your LinkedIn profile. Make sure that if someone takes a look after meeting you, they have a solid understanding of your competencies and position.

Whenever you exchange a card with someone, take note of his or her position and company. Don’t be afraid to look away from them for 5 seconds and study their card. Carry a pen with you and make notes on the back of their card if room. Find something interesting about the connection with them; may it be a potential partner, collaborator, referrer, or most valuably someone you want to connect them with. Make a reminder of that on the card and store it away safely.

Download a card reader on your smart phone if you have one. I prefer CardMunch because it works seamlessly with LinkedIn. After scanning and the processing of the card you can quickly; add them on LinkedIn, follow up with an email and add them to your phone book. Depending on your CRM program, you may even be able to export when connecting to computer. Check here for more on LinkedIn strategies.

Use a recent and clear profile photo on your social platforms. Look into signing up for Gravatar if you haven’t. This helps others recognize you if trying to connect. Also, check your privacy settings to make sure you can be found by search!

Find out if there is a Twitter hashtag (#) for the event! If there is, this is an amazing way to connect and engage with others at your event. Imagine for example that someone posts into the hashtag stream that sparks a question during a seminar. You could look at their recent posts, check out their personal or company website and then instantly respond back to them with your question for everyone at the seminar to see. Who knows where that relationship could lead! I’ve built valuable relationships that led to clients and referral partners through Twitter conversations without ever meeting the other party!

If you have any other ideas, don’t hesitate to offer them! Above are some ideas and strategies that I’ve used in the past; the opportunities are endless so find what works for you.