Network Solutions® is pleased to announce Jill Foster of DC Media Makers, Terri Holley of Creative Blog Solutions, Brent Leary of  CRM Essentials, Danilo Bogdanovic of Loudoun Scene and Joanna Pineda of Matrix Group will address this topic as the panelists for the Integrating Traditional Marketing with Social Media session at the GrowSmartBiz Conference.

Attendees will learn what social media is and gain a better understanding of social media tools. Learn how blogs can help showcase your expertise, how to harness brand advocates through social networks such as FaceBook© and Twitter, and where customer service fits into the social media world. Additionally, attendees will be able to determine whether or not social media can help market their business and, if so, what steps they need to take to develop and integrate a social media strategy that aligns with their current marketing efforts.

In addition this topic and to Wired Editor-in-Chief and author Chris Anderson’s keynote, the conference also will focus on the following topics:
•    Driving Small Business Performance with Marketing & Innovation
•    Raising Capital with Effective Finance Strategies
•    Stay Ahead in the Current Economy

The GrowSmartBiz Conference will be held on September 29, 2009, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. The event was created to highlight the findings from the Small Business Success Index (SBSI) – an ongoing measurement of the overall health of small businesses commissioned by the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and Network Solutions, and to provide small businesses with tips, information and network opportunities that will help small businesses thrive in the current economy. The conference will focus on key areas of business that small businesses view as critical to their success according to the 1,500 small businesses that were interviewed for the Small Business Success Index.

For more information or to register for the event, visit the GrowSmartBiz Conference site. Don’t forget to turn in your small business success story for the chance to have it posted on the GrowSmartBusiness Blog and to receive FREE admission to the GrowSmartBiz Conference. For more details visit: http://growsmartbsuiness.com.

Social Networking is quickly becoming a “must do” for business success in this climate.  Small and large companies are now embracing multiple social tools for networking, communication, and business development. Network Solutions CEO, Roy Dunbar, suggests that businesses that use online and social networking tools perform 16% better than businesses that do not.

That is why E-Factor has put together the event: Live. Work. Play. Building Your Business, Life & Beyond on Social Networks.

It is happening on May 28^th, 2009.  Atlanta, GA from 6-10pm at the One Ninety One Club and our very own Shashi Bellamkonda will be the keynote speaker for the event. Here is the agenda and it looks to be awesome:

The Experience
:: Live (6:00 – 7:30PM) is an networking reception featuring open bar, hors d’oeuvres, light background music and book signings by Brent Leary and David Bullock, Co-Authors of Barack 2.0:  Social Media Lessons for Small Business.

:: Work (7:30 PM – 9:30 PM) will feature a keynote speaker, interactive moderated panel discussion (live twittinar and skypinar) and Q/A. 

Keynote Speaker:
Shashi Bellamkonda, Social Media “Swami,” Network Solutions
Shashi Bellamkonda works at the heart of Web hosting company, Network Solutions, as their first-ever ‘Social Media Swami’. In this leadership role he has helped Network Solutions aggressively move into the online space to actively listen to and interact with its customers. This push paid off when Network Solutions won the 2008 SNCR Excellence in New Communications Award for Online Reputation Management and the 2009 a Gold Quill Award of Excellence in Social Media from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Moderator:
Toby Bloomberg, CEO Bloomberg Marketing and Diva Marketing Blog
Toby has been called the Blogging Diva, The Marketing Diva, A Blog Evangelist and an industry expert when it comes to helping companies understand how social media can help grown their brands. Her blog Diva Marketing is (usually) ranked in the top twenty-five marketing blogs in the world by Ad Age’s Power 150.

It is also (usually) the number 2 women written marketing blog in the world. She recently launched an internet radio show, Diva Marketing Talks. 30 minutes. 2 guests – ensure it’s a conversation. 1 social media topic.  Toby Bloomberg, president of Atlanta-based Bloomberg Marketing,

Panelists:
Brent Leary, Co-Author, Barack 2.0:  Social Media Lessons for Small Business, www.barack20.com
David Bullock, Co-Author, Barack 2.0: Social Media Lessons for Small Business, www.barack20.com

Angela Benton, CEO, Black Web 2.0, www.blackweb20.com

Garrett Mullins, Vice President, Channel Sales and Business Development, www.compete.com

:: Play (9:30PM-12:00AM)

The keynote speaker, moderator and panelists will simultaneously use EFactor.com, Twitter, Skype and UStream.TV to engage listeners throughout the planet during this phase of the event.   The event will also be simulcast live via the web from EFactor.com.

FEES:
Live in person:  $40
Live via Internet:  $25 (REGISTER HERE)

Brent Leary is a CRM guru and a speaker at leading Small Business conferences. Shashi said that he was honored to be on his Business Technology Radio talk show, he usually has several luminaries and celebrities on his show.

You can find the interview here:

However, Brent is not just about Barack20.com, he is someone at the forefront if a concept called Social CRM. I will let him do a better job of describing it, but it is about leveraging social media with customer relationship management (CRM). His firm, CRM Essentials, is focused on this effort and I was able to sit down and chat with him about all his ventures. Here is the transcript of that interview:

Steve: So what is the focus of CRM Essentials?
Brent: We focus on helping businesses formulate their strategies for finding, captivating and keeping good customers through the proper use of the latest technologies. Additionally we work with the technology vendor community on ways to better serve the small business community.

Steve: What products and services do you provide?
Brent: We offer CRM industry analysis, strategic consulting, thought leadership products, and other services related to integrating social media into customer relationship management processes

Steve: What is Social CRM exactly?
Brent: Social CRM focuses on creating compelling, while leveraging social tools and sites, to create opportunities to attract and engage prospects in meaningful conversations leading to real business relationships.

Steve: How does it differ from traditional CRM?
Brent: Traditional CRM is focused more on operational effectiveness, centralizing customer data and internal processes. Social CRM is focused on turning content into conversations, conversations into meaningful experiences, and meaningful experiences into valuable long lasting relationships.

Steve: Why should a business implement a Social CRM strategy?
Brent: Traditional definitions of CRM were fleshed out before the web took over our lives. Customers have more power over who they do business with, how they do it, and who they do it with. And the web is totally entrenched in their buying process. So if you don’t show up on the web in ways to capture their attention, you won’t be able to compete.

Steve: What if they have already implemented a CRM system with certain processes. Can they adapt or integrate this into their business?
Brent: Social CRM is not a substitute for traditional CRM, it’s a new dimension. It is more successful if you have a strong traditional foundation including a central database, lead management, opportunity management, automated workflow, etc.

Steve: Let’s talk about Barack20.com for a minute. What was the motivation to launch the site and how do you think the campaign’s use of social media will be viewed in the years to come?
Brent: The Obama campaign is one of the best examples of Social CRM. They’ve utilized Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social tools and sites in conjunction with their own web properties to reach an amazing number of people, raise hundreds of millions of dollars, and to invite people to join their cause – and help shape it. That’s Social CRM personified, and a great source of inspiration for businesses trying to figure out how to “win friends and influence people” on the web.

Steve: According to Gartner, “Web 2.0” is in the “Trough of Disillusionment” where is projects over the next 12-18 months that since the hype has worn off that these technologies will be folded into mainstream software development and adoption. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Brent: I tend to believe social media is more successful in the hands of the business people as opposed to IT. But I do think the disillusionment surrounding social media comes from unrealistic expectations based on the hype surrounding the space. But the 2008 Cone Business in Social Media study recently found 60% percent of Americans use social media, and 85% those users believe a company should not only be present but also interact with its consumers via social media. This seems to reinforce findings from a recent study conducted by Coleman Parkes Research that found 84% of companies headquartered in North America feel they need to find new ways to communicate with customers; with 80% feeling social media will add real value to customer interactions. That tells me that companies will continue to explore how social media can help them get closer to their customers.

Steve: To close our interview I would like to get a “Top 5” from both of you. Since we are facing some tough economic times ahead for possibly the next 12-18 months, what are the Top 5 CRM related things you would recommend new entrepreneurs running a business should do to weather the storm?
Brent:
1. Be as responsive and attentive to your current customers as you possibly can. It’s easier to keep them than to find new ones
2. Leverage the web to automate routine tasks and activities involved in lead generation and qualification processes.
3. Become a valued member of the online networks frequented by your current customers in order to strengthen relationships, and also to find more customers like them
4. Create attractive, compelling content that will capture the attention of those looking for the products and services you provide
5. Create a strategy to transfer online conversations into offline business opportunities

Steve: If someone wants to learn more about SocialCRM or check out Barack 2.0, where should they go and how can they contact you?
Brent:
BrentLeary.com OR   Barack20.com
Upcoming webinar on October 21st: “Social CRM: Going Beyond the Boundaries of Traditional CRM”. Information at www.sagecrmsolutions.com/socialcrm

People are finding that there are wide variety of hosted & free social solutions that are incredibly helpful to small businesses. They literally level the playing field and allow your business to effectively compete online against larger & better-known companies.

Network Solutions is sponsoring an event in Atlanta, Georgia on Oct 21, 2008 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. It is free, but you need to register here.

Network Stars Atlanta Seminar: Learn How Your Small Business Can Effectively Compete Against the Big Players

It will be a panel of successful small business and marketing leaders. These experts will share innovative and practical insights about how they have successfully used the power of social networking to increase their online presence.

The following panelists will conduct an informative and dynamic discussion on October 21 about best practices in traditional and social web marketing for small businesses.

Christina Warren Download Squad Writer

As a freelance writer, Christina blogs for TUAEW, Download Squad, Styledash, and co-hosts the videocast Squadcast. Christina was on the “Coaches” panel for USA Today’s American Idol Coverage.

Toby Bloomberg Diva Marketing blogger

A 15-year traditional strategic marketing veteran with over 4 years experience with social media, Toby is a national speaker and facilitator of Social Media Marketing and traditional marketing topics for organizations. Her blog is one of the highest ranked marketing blogs in the world according to the Ad Age Power 150. Toby serves on the boards of the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association, International Blogger and New Media Association, as well as, the social media communities Savvy Auntie and Divine Caroline.
Brent Leary Technology for Business $ake Host

Brent is the Cofounder and Partner of CRM Essentials LLC, a CRM consulting/advisory firm focused on small and mid-size enterprises. He has over 15 years of IT and management consulting experience, and writes a business solutions column for publications such as the Atlanta Tribune.

Geoff Livingston Now Is Gone Author and Buzz Bin Blog Creator

Founder and CEO of Livingston Communications, one of Washington DC’s top social-media oriented public relations firm, Geoff has worked as a marketing strategist for over 14 years. He creates marketing strategy, media relations, branding and Internet marketing campaigns for public and private organizations. Geoff’s Buzz Bin blog is nationally recognized as one of the leading marketing blogs in the world.

Join us for this free seminar for the Atlanta small business community, which will be held at LITKitchen in the trendy new Atlantic Station part of town.

If you’d like to attend, please register here. We hope to see you there!

About Network Solutions

With nearly 30 years of experience, Network Solutions is the premier provider of affordable online solutions for small businesses, helping them market their services on the Web. To learn more, please visit http://about.networksolutions.com/