Plugs..Links..Shout Outs..OH MY!! There is no avoiding it, let me just be upfront and honest. This are straight out shameless plugs and such. So let me skip the witty banter and get right into it. I will do it in list form as people like lists!!

-Tomorrow June 24, 2009 I will be having the Peninsula Twitter & Facebook Meetup For June 2009 at the Silicon Valley Four Seasons Hotel starting at 7:00 pm poolside. Please join the 150+ people, LSF Interactive and myself for this free event!

-On July 8, 2009 I will be speaking at the International Association of Administrative Professionals in San Jose, California.

-On August 13, 2009 I will be speaking at Marketing In The Oilfield Conference in Houston, Texas.

-Some of you have asked if we  can connect on Facebook, Linkedin, etc. So since this is shameless links here are some places we can network

Posted under Blog, Off Subject, Peninsula Twitter and Facebook Meet-Up, Shameless Plugs

(Note: This post is pretty much off my usual subject of Social Media)

First, I know I am not cool. So, let us take those jokes off the table right away. I know I am a geek. I get it. I can live with it. It works for me.

A little background information on my family and let me  answer the common questions I get, when I tell people I have 5 kids:

-Yes, I said 5

-Yes, with the same woman

-Nope, we did not plan it that way

-… no medicine or help was involved

-3 boys, 2 girls.. last set is boy/girl twins

- Let me see, they are 10, 8, 7, 3, 3 going on 16

-Yep, it is a lot of work, my wife is a rockstar

Okay, now moving forward.

The oldest kids are now easily embarrassed by the things I say and do. Especially when they are with their friends.  On different occasions, I have threatened to stand up in their class and dance or sing. They do not like that idea at all. It works great to get them to make their bed.

So, the other day I was in the car with them and one of them asked: “How was work today Dad?”

After the shock of being asked this simple question wore off, I explained I had been speaking at the Netroots Nation: Bay Area New Media Summit.

After the shock of hearing people actually wanted their father to stand up and speak on a subject, I was asked: “What did you talk about?”

After the shock of the kids being interested in something other than, what was for dinner, when we are going to see then Wolverine movie, or if their friends can sleep over, I replied stunned: ” How to Socialize Your Video”.

I then quickly continued before they could lose interest or notice the billboard ad for Cold Stone Creamery, ” I was on a panel with Hooman from the local radio. As well as a person from YouTube.”

“Youtube!!! No way! Can we go to YouTube? Can we make a video to put on YouTube? That is so…COOL!” (okay so they did not say I was cool, but its the best I can get, Ill take it) Then one of  them said ” I cant wait to tell Susie you know someone at YouTube. ”

Trying to keep this open line of communication going on, I tried to think of what they would consider “cool companies” I added “Yep, I also know people  at Club Penguin and Google too!” They were still in awe. They looked at me with, well… Pride! Not like an ATM like they normally do.

This is the point where I should of quit, while I was ahead.  I stupidly said,” Lets see, I know people who work at Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter…” the look of pride quickly changed to a look of “What is the fat old guy talking about? Why is he not giving us McDonald’s?”

The oldest quickly said, “That is great Dad. My birthday is coming up in July, I want to discuss what plans you are putting together… ”

So, thank you social media for allowing me this moment of feeling..cool. Now back to being the geek I am.

Just an observation to add to this. I am shocked somewhat  that companies are becoming “cool”.  I recently went to SXSW and brought the kids back a ton of swag. They weren’t interested in the shirts, the Frisbee, the squeeze balls or even the candy. They all wanted the items with the logo.. Google.

Times are changing.

Posted under Blog, Off Subject

The quilt..it weighs heavy on my shoulders.  I did not put up a blog post last week. I suck. I know. So maybe I am the only one who cares. Most people probably could care less about what I blog about. So, to that one person who cares…fine…..to my Mom.. I’m sorry.

So, on that high note, this is not going to be much of a post, but a bunch of links and information about things that are going on or up and coming. I thought it would be a good idea to share several things with you. Yes, some of it is me doing shameless plugs. I am, sorry in advance. I will share this information with you in list form, as people like lists:

-This Friday, April 17th I will be speaking at the Bay Area New Media Summit at Bently Reserve. I will be on the panel “How to Socialize Your Video”.

-On April 23rd there is a “Peninsula Twitter & Facebook Meet-Up” at the Dutch Goose in Menlo Park, California. This is my first time organizing such an event, so I hope don’t mess it up. Please pass this information on, all our welcome to attened this 7:00 pm event.

-The Project 100 is a project I was flattered to be part of. It is  100 Marketers who are allowed 400 words each to write a collaborative book on “Project 100: Marketing in the Social Media Era“. All profits go to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. You can get a preview of the book here.

-The Community 2.0 Conference is May 11-13, 2009 ath the Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Myself,  Connie Bensen and Kellie Parker will be leading an all day workshop called “Getting Started with Community” on May 11.

-I was very humbled to be excepted as on of the first members of the Social Media Club Editorial Board. Each week the board is given a question to examine, dissect and respond to. This weekly event is all recorded on a podcast and lead by Chris Heuer.  Learn more about the Social Media Club Question of The Week and the podcast/blog here.

Alright, that is all for now. I will get a “real” post up here shortly.

Thanks!

Posted under Blog, New Media, Peninsula Twitter and Facebook Meet-Up, Shameless Plugs, Speaking Engagements

Thought I would try something different and share what I have been reading, researching, working on, or just excited about.  Since I have been lagging with my Facebook and Twitter posts.  Of course I will do this in list form because people like lists!

-The Social Media Expert Question How do I become a Social Media Expert? I get the question a lot Here is CC Chapman’s response to the term. I thought he nailed it very well

-Do Brands Belong on Twitter? Here is a very different take on the question.  I don’t agree with all his points, especially banning them altogether.  The author makes some great points though.

-10 Tips For Getting New Twitter Followers His tips are excellent and right to the point. Its worth a read.

-General Mills’ Pssst…is a Weak Stab at Branded Community GM gets a gold star for trying, but its a swing and a miss. Trying to build an online community is not as easy as it seems. Check out Paul’s review.

-BlogWorld & New Media Expo Now One Super Huge Event! About time! This is a great move for both! This makes me fired up to go. Some of you may remember my review of New Media Expo , on my other blog. It got some interesting feedback.

-SXSW is coming. Its one of the biggest and the best. Are you going?

-Community 2.0 is a great conference coming up in May 2009 you may want to check out. I am thrilled to be part of it.

Let me know if you like this Week In Review format. If so, I will do my best to keep doing it. It is always good to try something new!

Have  a Great Weekend!

Posted under Blog