Trying something new

We’ve heard from our members that they would like to see a video option available, and we’re going to give it a try and see how it works out.

Our plan is to record presentation meetings, such as the HootSuite and Evernote presentations, upload them to a video sharing site, then embed them on here. Our discussion meetings will stay as they are now. Those will not be recorded and open to all to ask questions and share their mind without having to worry about a camera being pointed at you.

We’d love to have your feedback. What do you think?

How and when to reach out, making new connections

Wayne Larson, recruitment coordinator at the KU School of Journalism, joined Social Media Club of Lawrence to share his social media networking insights.

As the journalism school’s recruiter, he uses Twitter to connect with high school students. The high achieving prospective students he communicates with online are engaged and passionate in the journalism field (editors of their school publications, influencers in their online communities).

He explained his recruitment strategy in four steps: reach out, connect, sell and celebrate.

  • Identify high-potential recruits through shared interests, extracurricular activities using hashtags and keyword searches.
  • Connect with prospective students who have already shown an interest in attending the journalism school.
  • Sell the benefits of the program
  • Celebrate their decision to attend.

Larson approaches Twitter as a one-on-one sales opportunity for high-potential students. He maintains a Twitter list of “future Jayhawk Journalists” to build a community of prospective journalism majors.

He recommends keeping dialogue personal and authentic, and to differentiate networking with a personal Twitter account as opposed to an organizational handle (@KU_Journalism).

Social Media Club of Lawrence greatly appreciates his insights into social media networking and making new connections.

You can follow him @larsonwayne, or @KU_Journalism.

Evernote demo and discussion

Many of our members have successfully used Evernote to organize their writing. We have talked about Evernote occasionally in our meetings, and on Wednesday, April 4th, we will actually be demonstrate it. Whether you currently use Evernote or just want to learn more about it, join us for a demonstration and discussion.

Thanks to Julia Goodfox and Haskell University for hosting this meeting. We will be meeting at one of the tech classrooms at Parker Hall on April 4th at 7:30AM. Same time as usual, just a different location. Go to the north side of Parker Hall, and we will have someone direct you to the classroom. Visit http://i44.tinypic.com/6rm26h.png for printable directions.

Event Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/335203696537276/

Personal and business blogging

A number of our members use blogging to share their thoughts on various subjects and for business.

This week we will be discuss blogging routines, post ideas, ways to promote and some examples of success. If you currently blog or are looking to get started please join us to learn and share your experiences. This meeting will be at Signs of Life on March 21th at 7:30 AM.

Signs of Life is at 722 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. They are located on the east side of Massachusetts street in the middle of the 700 block.

https://www.facebook.com/events/208604059240900/

Promoting events via social media

More and more a solid social media strategy is paramount to planning a successful event. As people adopt platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, persuading them to attend your event begins by leveraging your online communities.

Social Media Club of Lawrence (SMCLK) brainstormed key ideas to successfully promoting an event through social media at last week’s meeting. Here are a few highlights.

Don’t neglect the value of email. With the advent of social media platforms, people often forget the basics of event promotion. Email is still king, and your promotion strategy should reflect that. Don’t forget to use email to send event invitations, reminders and updates. Make your event easy to share, even in an email.

For Twitter, SMCLK members suggest targeting influential people (users with large followings, a high Klout rating) to help promote your event. Engage the influencers in conversation, but remember to be authentic. Do not spam them.

Even if you’re coordinating an event in a community other than your own, engaging influential Twitter users allows you to become a part of that community online. By targeting people’s interests and being authentic, users will engage you and help share your event with their networks.

Create an event hashtag and encourage attendees to join the dialogue.  A simple, memorable hashtag gives people an opportunity to build excitement prior an event, and later spread event highlights to those who couldn’t attend.

SMCLK reiterates the importance of making your event easy to share online. Give people the tools to share your event with little hassle.

The brainstorm session concluded with one major takeaway: The key to successfully promoting an event online is built up over time. You must invest real effort in building your online community before you can leverage it to promote an event.

Put Your Money Where Your Vote Is

Social Media Club members might be interested in this event taking place on Wednesday, Mar. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Dole Institute of Politics at the KU campus. The event is open to the public.

“Put Your Money Where Your Vote Is” with Dole Fellows Elizabeth Conatser and Lisa Spies.

The most important part of campaigning is raising money, and with today’s social networking it has gotten even easier. Lisa Spies will be joined by guest, Michael Beach, to discuss the role social media plays in contemporary fundraising.

Michael Beach co-founded Targeted Victory in February, 2009.  Since its inception, Targeted Victory has quickly grown to become the premier Republican digital strategic consulting firm, serving over 40 clients including Mitt Romney’s Presidential Campaign, Marco Rubio for Senate (FL), American Crossroads, and Susana Martinez for Governor (NM). This experience includes the strategy, development, and placement of more than $14 million in online advertising campaigns.

Using social media to promote your event.

A number of our members have experience organizing events or are looking to start events for their organizations. On March 14th at 7:30 AM, join us at Signs of Life as we discuss how to use social media to raise awareness about events and actually get people to attend. Your questions and experiences can helps us all better user social media for event planning.

Special Note: As mentioned, our next meeting will be at Signs of Life. Their address is 722 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence, KS 66044. They are located on the east side of Massachusetts street in the middle of the 700 block.

Facebook events page if you would like to RSVP or invite others.


Facebook unveils Timeline for brand pages

Facebook Timeline profiles have been available since Sept. 2011, but with the recent addition of brand pages to Timeline – which is considered the biggest redesign by Facebook in more than a year – page admins now have until March 30 to transition to the new format before brand pages will automatically convert to Timeline. 

Given the upcoming deadline to transition and major redesigns to the platform, Social Media Club of Lawrence recently discussed Timeline for brand pages and its biggest changes. 

Here are some brief highlights:

  • Cover photo – Admins will now be able to select cover photo art with Timeline for brand pages. While the aesthetic appeal of a cover photo is engaging, Facebook has placed significant restrictions on cover photos for brands. Admins are not allowed to include calls to action, price and purchase information or contact information. Facebook brand pages will have to avoid using cover photos as an advertising platform, but will be able to convey a brand message.
  • Timeline – Pages will now allow milestones (like Timeline profiles), admins can also hide individual posts and pin important posts to the top of the page, which will stay pinned for up to seven days.
  • Admin panel – Page admins have a new management tool at the top of their pages. Anyone will admin rights will be able to see page notifications, insights, new likes, account activity and a message inbox – a new feature in which users can directly message Facebook brand pages. Pages will not be allowed to initiate communication via direct message, but customer service issues can now be addressed directly between the user and page admin. The admin panel also allows pages to request a name change through its help center.

For further reading on the transition to Timeline for brand pages, check out recent articles by TheNextWeb.com, Inside Facebook, Mashable and Social Fresh.

Facebook Timeline for Pages


Facebook announced a number of changes in the past week. In particular, Timelines are being introduced for business pages. Join us as we discuss the new changes and what it measn from both the personal user and business perspective.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Java-Break/120566541294157

Online video discussion this Wednesday

This week we will be discussing online video. We will discuss our own usage (YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc) as well as the first steps to actually producing video.

We are looking forwarded to hearing your thoughts on the topic.

Join us at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 29 at The Java Break:

https://www.facebook.com/events/265199846887962/

Let’s talk about bookmarking

There is so much information being shared on the Internet. This week, we’ll talk about ways to bookmark and organize the information you find online. Share ideas about what services you use, and learn what others are using to organize the content they find.

Join us at 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22 at The Java Break

https://www.facebook.com/events/367541679931537/

Announcing the new SMC Lawrence Board

A message from SMC Lawrence founder and outgoing Chairperson, Ben Smith:

Lawrence has an incredible social media community. I first caught glimpses of that with the Lawrence Tweetup group I co-founded in early 2009, and more recently through my involvement with the Social Media Club of Lawrence.

SMC Lawrence was founded in June of 2010, as a local chapter of the national Social Media Club. I attended SMC meetings in Kansas City and was inspired by how much I learned and how many great people I was able to connect with. There was clearly a need for a similar group in Lawrence so I posted on the SMC national website looking for others who might be interested in forming a local chapter.

Soon a volunteer board was in place, and after a few initial changes the current board evolved to consist of myself as Chairperson, together with Debbi Johanning, Katie Bradshaw, Katy Ibsen, Andy Bracciano, and Dave Greenbaum.

Since its launch the group has met on a regular weekly basis – every Wednesday morning at 7:30. Meetings have ranged from as few as 10 to as many as 50 attendees.  I’ve been proud of the way the group has grown, not simply in terms of numbers but in educating our members and reaching out to impact the local community.  Meetings have ranged from more informal discussions, to formal presentations with guest presenters or panels. Maybe most importantly, we’ve helped many local non-profit groups and small businesses though what we call “solution meetings.”  Some of these efforts were recently highlighted by the national Social Media Club in their post “SMC Chapters Share Knowledge with Local Charities.”

After nearly two years of regular weekly meetings, it was time for a change. As my own business Social: IRL had grown, I’ve been less able to devote time to SMC Lawrence duties, and the same has been true for several of my fellow board members.  At the same time we shared the view that it was simply time for a change in leadership – a chance for fresh perspectives and new ideas to help take the group to the next level.  We held a nominations process, and I’m pleased to announce the new board that will lead SMC Lawrence with immediate effect:

  • Debbi Johanning - Chairperson
  • Eric J. Gruber - Promotions Chair
  • Patrick Conroy - Community/Education Chair
  • Lisa Ramler - Membership Chair
  • Josh Davis - Program Chair
  • Austin Falley - Board Member at Large
  • ExOfficio - Ben Smith

I am grateful to Debbi Johanning for remaining on the Board, now serving as Chairperson. Congratulations to Debbi and each of the new Board members. I will be pleased to support them in an ExOfficio capacity.

Thank you all who have attended, hosted, or presented at SMC Lawrence meetings to date. And thanks to our neighbors at SMC Kansas City and to Kristie Wells, Chris Heuer, and Jessica Murray at SMC national for all their help and support.  I’m looking forward to seeing where SMC Lawrence heads under this new leadership.

Thanks @JoshD with @Free for today’s #smclk presentation on audience development

Thanks @JoshD with @Free for today’s #smclk presentation on audience development

#SMCLK Board Nominations Now Open

The Lawrence chapter of Social Media Club has been active for about a year and a half now, and we’re very proud of everything our group has accomplished and how it’s grown!

The current board has been planning for officer transition for several months now, and we’re finally ready. If you’re interested in serving on the #smclk board, now’s your chance!

There are five positions available on the board. You can read a description of the positions here: www.smclawrence.com/board.

We will be accepting applications for the five positions through January 15. The application is available at www.bit.ly/smclknominate. We are also asking that applicants email a photo to socialmediaclublawrence@gmail.com that we can include on the slate of candidates.

The application form includes the following requirements:

Requirements for Nominees:

  • Attended at least 50% of meetings since you first began attending SMCLK meetings regularly.
  • Been a member for at least 3 months.
  • Demonstrated dedication and commitment to the group (speak up in meetings, voice ideas for future meetings, suggestions, presenting, etc.)

Suggested Commitment:

  • Have a strong interest in social media (You do NOT have to be an expert. You DO have to want to learn, all the time.)
  • Attend 75% of weekly meetings. (Please note: weekly meetings are at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday mornings.)
  • Perform duties associated with your position. (See http://smclawrence.com/board)
  • Attend quarterly board meetings.

If you’re interested, be sure to complete the nomination form and submit a photo. Nominations will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2012. After this date, we’ll present the slate of candidates and voting will open.

If you have any questions, please email socialmediaclublawrence@gmail.com, tweet us at @smclawrence, leave a comment on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/socialmediaclublawrence) or leave a comment here.

Social Media Fundraising Campaign

Thanks to everyone who attended the tweetup at Pachamama’s last week! We had a great turnout of people from the Lawrence Tweetup group, Social Media Club of Lawrence and the Lawrence community.

A big thanks to the tweetup sponsors: Pachamama’s (@pachamamas), the Lawrence Public Library Foundation (@lawrencelibrary), Lawrence Modern (@lawrencemodern) and Philsquare (philsquarehq).

Along with the opportunity to network with fellow social media users, the tweetup featured a short program about the Lawrence Public Library’s current capital campaign. Susan Brown, marketing director, explained that the library’s New Stories campaign includes a commitment to raise $1 million in private funds for the new building, in addition to the $18 million referendum that was passed by Lawrence voters on Nov. 2, 2010.

This project marks the first major upgrade to the library in almost 40 years, and the facility will feature a larger children’s room, additional computers, reading and study rooms, meeting spaces and additional parking, as well as an outdoor community space.

The campaign is very close to reaching the $1 million mark already, and the social media community is invited to participate in a social media fundraising campaign to help reach this goal.

Tom Harper of Lawrence Modern announced a matching pledge to support these efforts. He will match all dollars raised by the social media community, up to $1000.  

Phil Martinez of Philsquare kicked off the fundraising by announcing a $50 donation.

The rest is up to us!

What can you do?

Make a donation

  • Visit the Lawrence Public Library Foundation’s website to make an online donation. Under the program designation box, select the New Stories- Tweetup option so we can track all dollars received through the social media campaign.
  • Donations can also be made by phone (785.843.3833 x 131) or by mail (Lawrence Public Library Foundation, PO Box 973, Lawrence, KS 66044). Be sure to indicate that your donation is part of the Tweetup campaign.

Tweet about it

  • Share this post with your followers and encourage them to retweet to their followers
  • Use the hashtag #newstories in your tweets

Facebook   

  • Share this post with your friends and encourage them to share it with their friends

Blog about it   

  • Have a blog? Share your library story- write about your childhood library or share memories of your school library or the Lawrence library with your readers.
  • Share a link to your blog on your Facebook or Twitter accounts; post it on the Lawrence Public Library’s Facebook page; tag it with the #newstories hashtag.

These are just a few ways you can use social media to help spread the word about the New Stories campaign. Use your creativity to help share this information!

Let’s show the Lawrence community the power of social media and help our local library reach their fundraising goal. And remember, if we raise $1000 through social media channels, Lawrence Modern will make a matching donation of $1000!

This campaign will run through Thanksgiving.