Social media strategies are being fostered in executive boardrooms and entrepreneurial garages each week, quite often without the complete knowledge or skillsets required for successful campaigns. There are many people who promise to deliver and then there are those who have actually been living, breathing, and producing results using the different social media tools.
Next Level Hawaii will be bringing some of the national leaders of the social media industry to the Hawaii Convention Center from April 29 – May 1, 2010. I have spoken with and learned a lot of my knowledge from most of the speakers lined up for this conference.
Team Guy Kawasaki
Jesse Stay is like family to me, allow me to trace the genealogy. My business advisor, mentor, and dear friend Guy Kawasaki is an advisor for many different startups including Jesse’s Twitter and Facebook management tool, SocialToo. I’ve been a paid subscriber of SocialToo to manage my gratefully growing @NEENZ Twitter account since it launched and recommend everyone doing so too. More than Twitter, Jesse is also the author of two essential books for using Facebook: FBML Essentials and I’m on Facebook–Now What???.
Founder of the Gnomedex conference, held annually in Seattle, WA since 2001, Chris Pirillo is probably one of the most visible persons in social media recording an average of 1,000 videos per year and livestreaming as often as he’s allowed. (As I type this he has a little less than 300 viewers on his Ustream channel and he’s not even at his desk!). I’ve left conversations with Chris inspired and recharged, he has that much energy, but mostly encouraged to continue to pursue my goals.
Last year I attended, SOBCon: Biz School for Bloggers in Chicago, IL. Talk about an A-to-Z of social media, networking and tools. For three days I was listening and learning from good people doing great things. They were Chris Brogan and Julien Smith, co-authors of Trust Agents; Lewis Howes co-author of LinkedWorking the best how-to book for business networking site, LinkedIn; and the best tablemates I could ever ask for! One person that stood out to me because of his genuine grace was Geoff Livingston. He had just shared with the group his knowledge about mixing in traditional media and marketing practices with social media. We all had learned about his work with the United Way of Amercia, Save Darfur, and Live Earth. And yet, when we met in the hallway he carried himself with such grace and humility I couldn’t help but feel completely comfortable. Geoff is currently working with his new startup aimed at serving nonprofits and socially conscious companies, Zoetica, co-founded with nonprofit expert Beth Kanter and Kami Watson Huyse.
Rounding out the speakers are Roxanne Darling, Aaron Brazell, and Micah Baldwin. The agenda has not been published, but the conference is being produced by real estate consultant, Kelly Mitchell and I can only guess that there will be valuable information for the Hawaii real estate industry as well as nonprofits and entrepreneurs. Follow @nextlevelhawaii on Twitter for more updates.
The rates are reasonable as compared to other national conferences, including one that I helped organize, so consider registering as there are only a few weeks left.
Pono Media has partnered once again with CommPac and their client, McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii for the launch of the new Mocha and Caramel Frappés and Mac Snack Wraps.
TWEETUP
McDonald’s of Keeaumoku
910 Keeaumoku St. Honolulu, HI 96814
Thursday, January 14, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Like the #hiangus tweetup, we’ll all get together to sample the new Frappé blended ice drinks and Mac Snack Wraps till our stomachs are full. In addition to food and drinks, we’ll have a games and prizes so make sure you bring your laptops and smartphones! Games begin TODAY, so read below for details and see you on Thursday!
Check into McDonald’s of Keeaumoku on Foursquare and tag with #HIMCD using the ’shout’ option. (Tag #HIMCD is required).
Email photos of your meal and receipt to post@himcd.posterous.com (Photo of receipt and meal is required).
On January 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time we will confirm via Foursquare the Mayor of McDonald’s Keeaumoku and corresponding photos and receipts on the #HIMCD community blog. PRIZE: A $25 McDonald’s Gift Card will be awarded to the Mayor of McDonald’s of Keeaumoku.
I’M LOVIN’ IT! in Hawaii
Email photos of you, your family and friends enjoying a Frappé or Mac Snack Wrap at ANY McDonald’s in Hawaii (any and all islands welcome to participate) to post@himcd.posterous.com
On January 14, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard time we will count the number of posts per user. PRIZES: Up to (4) prizes will be awarded on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island to the person(s) with the most posts.
TWEET, TWEET, TWEET
Post your Frappé or Mac Snack Wrap photos, texts, and tweets to Twitter and tag them with #HIMCD.
On January 14, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard time we will count the number of tweets from 1/05/2010 at 6:00 p.m. to 1/14/2010 at 8:00 p.m. PRIZE: A $25 McDonald’s Gift Card will be awarded to the person with the most tweets tagged with #HIMCD.
There will be more games and prizes at the Tweetup, so make sure you arrive early and look for us in the outdoor seating area.
Disclosure: Pono Media, CommPac, and/or McDonald’s Hawaii reserves the rights to change the rules of the games without notice. In case of a tie or dispute, Pono Media, CommPac, and/or McDonald’s Hawaii shall make the final decision. Pono Media is a paid client of CommPac.
Today I was fortunate enough to speak to the members of PRSA Hawaii about using photos and videos in social media. My focus was on (2) different uses of video as a marketing tool.
Use video to explain your product or service
One of the assumptions that companies often overlook is that their targeted audience or potential audience understands their product or service upon initial inquiry or contact. When launching your product or service, keep in mind the 3-types of learners: visual, audio, and hands-on. With visual learners, do not make additional assumptions that text or pictures are enough.
As the Chief Evangelist of Alltop, my opinion may be subjective, but take a look at the MyAlltop tutorial video below it has all of the elements of the different types of learners, including hands-on because it simulates the actual action readers will perform to build their customized MyAlltop page.
Put the camera in your customers hands
In October, I was fortunate enough to have dinner with Scott Monty, Ford Motor Company’s Head of Social Media. It was then that I first learned about Ford’s social media campaign, Fiesta Movement. In a coconut shell, 100 “agents” were given the keys to a Ford Fiesta, sent on selected missions over a 6-month period and asked to document their experience via social media.
I received an email from Scott last night with the following numbers from the agents’ published content:
More than 6 million views on YouTube
740,000 views on Flickr
3.7 million impressions on Twitter
Additionally, Ford has been able too:
Attract 80,000 people whom have asked to learn more about the Fiesta
Of the 80K, 97% are currently not Ford owners
Awareness of the vehicle is at 58%
Ford sold 1K vehicles in the first week of reservations
It’s important to note that the vehicle being marketed will not be available at dealerships until another 6-months.
Bruce Fisher, Ed Morita, L.P. Neenz Faleafine
If you’re still not convinced to use video to either help your potential customers understand your services or product or as a promotional marketing tool; fellow speaker, Bruce Fisher of Hawaii Aloha Travel demonstrated that a search for specific hotels in Hawaii on YouTube return his videos in the top results. Fortunately for the hotels, his videos enhance their brand, however not every company is that lucky.
It’s been two weeks since the official So Much More Hawaii tour ended, and everyone — bloggers, public relations representatives, marketers, writers, taxpayers, opinion formers — are all asking, what’s next?
The entire process was a complete learning experience for me. I am truly grateful for the lessons learned, even the tough ones. As I previously mentioned, my goal was to bridge the local social media and blogging community with the So Much More Hawaii team. The pairing process, while seemingly simple, was actually enduring. It was more than just coordinating schedules and niches; but also handling rejection gracefully and being able to adjust to personality differences.
One of the key elements that I had before making this commitment was knowing many of the individuals that make up my community. For many, a person’s passions are clear in their online content, however the traits that make them unique individuals can only be discovered through real life or more intimate conversations. Over the years, I’ve invested a lot of time offline at different events or online through frequent instant messaging, VoIP and even telephone calls fostering relationships. These sincere investments, I believe, provided the edge needed in building a solid bridge.
Another goal that was also met, and this perhaps was much more favorable for social media marketers, content creators, and long-time users and enthusiast of social networking; was that the Hawaii Tourism Authority gave consideration to social media tools through this tour. This ground-breaking decision led by Vice President of Tourism Marketing, David Uchiyama garnered the attention of local traditional media outlets: Pacific Business News, Honolulu Star Bulletin, and KHON2 news; and of course the blogging community.
The ultimate and foremost goal was to inspire action, specifically having people book and pay for airline tickets, hotel rooms, car rentals, and activities to experience a vacation in Hawaii. Time will tell if the ultimate goal was met, and the analytics of the tour is still being compiled. But, the question still remains — what’s next?
Here is what I have been doing and will continue to do next:
The So Much More Hawaii website officially launched early this morning signifying the much anticipated, first ever social media tour sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. There has already been a lot of buzz in the local blogosphere and on Twitter. Some are skeptical, many are anxious, but one thing I know for sure — the Hawaii Tourism Authority is poised to becoming a leader in the social media world.
Organized by Cilantro Media, its founding partner Christine Lu has a proven, successful track record in the social media sphere. She was named “20 Most Influential Individuals in Los Angeles” by NowPublic based on her influence and “publicness” in online visibility, presence on user generated content and social networking sites, interactivity and accessibility, and presence on microblogging platforms. She shared the impressive list with the CEO of Mahalo, Jason Calacanis; notorious gossiper Perez Hilton, and the Queen of Spain Erin Kotecki Vest to name a few.
In November 2008 she co-organized the China 2.0 tour, similar to the So Much More Hawaii, but on a much larger scale. And, even larger than the China 2.0 tour, Christine’s company, Cilantro Media is a partner in the upcoming Geeks on A Plane.
Over the next week, I will be blogging about my role in the So Much More Hawaii Tour; the role of Alltop and Pono Media; and of course highlighting so much more about Hawaii.
It seems ironic that an internet marketing startup, using social media to build communities would take nearly 90-days since establishment to officially launch their website. But, like most founders of startups, we build our passions and dreams in our spare time.
I am proud to officially announce my startup, social media marketing company: Pono Media. The entrepreneurial embers have been burning within me for decades, but it wasn’t until I began working for Guy Kawasaki that I found the right waters of life to paddle my entrepreneurial canoe. The ride has been complete with high tides and low tides; with smooth sailing and stormy weathers; yet through all of this learning experience my passion for marketing, social media, and building communities only burned even stronger. And, startups cannot survive on passion alone; lessons turned into learning and growing and through application of my newly found knowledge have I gained insight and wisdom. But, my personal philosophy is to always be learning, never cease to grow, and acknowledge my network, my community.
Web Properties
Consistent in being an unconventional startup, I launched (2) web properties before officially launching Pono Media. The first was launched at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2009 to coincide with the start of the new year and Hawaii’s celebration of 50 years of Statehood.
Hawaii Tech 5.0 is a history of research, science, and technology development in Hawaii’s emerging innovative industries.
Hawaii’s culture has evolved into a medley of traditions and values of migrant cultures. Pono Media’s second web property was launched on February 14, 2009 to honor Hawaii’s past, report on the present, and reach out to bridge those practicing the culture globally.
I am currently working on other web properties for the Pono Media portfolio, so be sure to subscribe to our blog to learn of the official launch.
Building Communities through Social Media
Social media is a mashup of traditional print, television, radio and film; with word-of-mouth, water cooler fodder, stoop chatter, coconut wireless, and tin cans on a string that can be delivered in a heartbeat using innovative technology. In a coconut shell, social media is communication. And, we’ve learned that effective communication involves keen listening, and keen listening will create action.
Your listeners, your action takers are your communities. Pono Media builds communities through social media.
Past, Present, Future
I have lived a fortunate life. The value is in the people that I’ve met throughout the years that cared enough to provide me with the tools and skill set to be successful both personally and professionally.
I am proud to serve as the Chief Evangelist for Alltop. The success of Alltop is of high priority, however my committment and relationship with Guy, Will, and Kathryn is priceless.
Pono Media is looking forward to working with other individuals and organizations wanting to participate in the conversation. Remember, the conversation about you and your passions are already happening – don’t hesitate, contact us today, and join the conversation!
tough ones. As I previously mentioned, my goal was to 
