As B2B marketers, we're always looking to adapt and modify existing strategies and tactics to better position ourselves in the market and provide us a competitive edge. Now is certainly no different.
As we close out a tumultuous 2009 and begin a new and hopefully, prosperous 2010, the time is perfect to reflect on the past year, evaluate what worked, what didn't and develop recommendations to help us take the new year by storm.
To help us with those assessments, it only seems fitting to covert our thoughts and ideas into a set of 2010 New Year's Resolutions. However, much unlike the unfortunate trend that accompanies this widely-practiced tradition, we fully intend to see these resolutions through.
Entries for the B2B Twitterer of the Year Awards are in full swing. Now in its second year, the awards were established to recognize innovative and outstanding use of the social media sensation by B2B companies.
The emergence of the popular micro-blogging social platform has given B2B companies an easier way to connect with customers and prospects. The collective B2B community has leveraged Twitter to bolster a slew of different initiatives - ranging from campaign communications, event marketing, engagement strategies and more.
"It's not just about how many followers someone has, or how many times a person tweets in a given time. It's about creating a community and the value a B2B entity brings to it," says Joe Zuccaro, who oversees the operations of the B2B Twitterer of the Year Awards Program.
The last day to submit nominations is this Friday, December 18, 2009. Winners will be announced via Twitter in February 2010. For more information, visit http://www.b2boty.com/ or follow @B2BTOTY on Twitter.
Last week, a sizable contingent of excited young professionals filled the room at Front Page News in Atlanta for the inaugural YPCity Tweet Up. Serving as a co-host of the event along with Katie Wall, I was simply overwhelmed by the turnout, at times having to squeeze through flocks of people engaged in deep conversation.
Marking my first foray into the world of Tweet Ups, I was very impressed - although not surprised - by the energy and enthusiasm that exuded from the room. YPCity was conceived as an chance for Atlanta's Young Professionals to network and mingle amongst a like-minded demographic. Based on the collective feedback from a number of folks I've talked to, it seems the event lived up to its expectation.
The subsequent YPCity coverage was - at least for me - a surreal experience. A blog post from
Amani Channel provided a primer on the popular Poken, social media networking devices that were given away to
three lucky YPCity attendees, compliments of
PokenGirl. The post also featured an earlier video of
Peter Shankman sharing his affinity for the innovative device. Additionally, video of the festivities taken by
Steve Burns found its way on
CNN iReport, much to my astonishment.
I'd like to take this opportunity - while I have you all here - to once again thank everyone again for their attendance, support and kind words. Based on the success of YPCity, an encore is certainly within the realm of possibility. Stay tuned...
Transcending Perceptions
Shedding light on the strategy, design and thinking behind the contents and layout of the Center for Civil and Human Rights -- planned for construction in Atlanta in 2012 -- the panel provided insight into the larger communication issues involved with informing the public about the mission and purpose of the Center.
Leveraging a comprehensive communications approach that comprised of traditional media relations, new media outreach and innovative tactics, the Center's communications team attempted to change preconceived notions about the Center and properly educate the community.
Seeking to expand the Center's influence, presence and reach beyond its physical parameters in Atlanta, executives emulated the approach of the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. and aimed at establishing an international presence.
Additionally, Shipman spoke about the social media strategy employed by the Center to drive awareness and create a forum to encourage ongoing communication and input from the community. Using only one social media channel,
Facebook, the Center sought to unify the conversation and solicit feedback from the community.
At the conclusion of the luncheon, outgoing PRSA GA President Mike Neumeier passed the proverbial torch (or in this case, gavel) to incoming President Tim Hussey, director of marketing and communications at
Emory Law. Tim graciously thanked Mike for his dedication service to the chapter and for his continuing committment to helping advance the Chapter.
The 