Looks good so far! : Hey, folks it’s Geoff. We’re ready for your questions.
David Libby : What conference is this?
Cary Snowden : Has the conference started?
identitysafari : good morning geoff.
wolle : fsdf
Kamichat : Seminar will start in about 30 minutes (1 pm ET), this is the preview
Rafa Díaz : How can I do cuestions to the lecturer?
Kamichat : Just ask your question, not all of the presenters are available live, we will let you know as people are available and I will provide the Twitter handles of speakers – most have them, but not all
Rafa Díaz : ok, thanks
Looks good so far! : If you want to ask a Question, just enter it and we’ll get to it (Geoff here).
mmayernick : I’m really interested in one particular idea that came up in the intro video – the distinction between people just knowing who you are when they see you at an event, and getting really excited about seeing you. Any thoughts on how to cultivate the latter?
mmayernick : Mari Smith was the one who mentioned it.
Geoffliving : We’ll get going soon. 5 minutes!
dgaines : where are the videos?
dgaines : got it!
dalellarson : I don’t see any video yet. Should I? (I’m on a mac, trying in both Firefox and Safari)
Daddy0 : This November 4th – ShashiB for President!
CreativeSage : Hi there, this is Cathryn Hrudicka @CreativeSage. Just want to let you know I’m watching intermittently while working! Will the videos all be available on an archive?
JeanieJ : Should I be seeing any video yet?
JamesWBF : Same here – just a black ooVoo window
Daddy0 : This November 4th – vote ShashiB for President!
Blitbot : Is the event running yet?
rshochdorf : Has the video conference started?
vanhoosear : Is this thing on?
Via-Her : Hello. I do not see anything yet. Is it normal?
JeanieJ : Help! I can’t see the video!
kitty McCoy : we haven’t started yet – right. black square screen with oovoo in upper right hand corner – right?
Christopher Drinkut : Starting five or so minutes late….
Jean : Will this be a live video? No telephone?
rowland : it’s working on my mac w/safari
dgaines : Are you guys having difficulty?
Rick : Geoff?
gkesten@optonline.net : my question as well, though I’m on a pc and using IE
Jean : cant seem to get my questions posted
TimJohnston : try refreshing your browser
Christopher Drinkut : Woot
Rick : Hi Ms. Gaines… Rick Here
Geoffliving : Session One
Geoffliving : Hit refresh if you are not seeing video, please refresh!
wjamzman : Has this started yet? Just getting preview video.
tbrogna : Where are the live streams? All i see are edited videos??
Janise Medina : Where are the videos?
Scott Schablow : Is there no video for Firefox Mac?
wjamzman : hast this started yet
Janise Medina : Videos anyone?
vanhoosear : Is this thing on?
rowland : is there a program or schedule for this event?
Margie Basaraba Paycation Specialist : video is very choppy – have tried to reload a couple of times any suggestions
Geoffliving : We are working on chat now.
rowland : is there a program or schedule for this event?
Jean : are we just waiting for video
Geoffliving : Video is up. Hit refresh.
Klessblog (Larry Kless) : Has the videoconference started? Just looking at video now.
iGoByDoc : Will this reload automatically?
Peter Himler : refresh browser
CathyWebSavvyPR : Try refreshing your browser!
carofowler : videos are really choppy. I refreshed to see if it got better, but it didnt. and now i only have 2 videos on the latest videos list. any suggestions?
CreativeSage : I understand chat is stuck, but you’re working on it. Just want to confirm I’m here!
Justin Levy : My videos is doing well, a little choppy using Firefox but otherwise good
PhilipLipp : my video is very choppy too
scottclark : It’s
JeanieJ : I saw the intro video, but I’m not getting anything else. Should I be?
rs : Is this a live video conference? All I am seeing is a short canned video and nothing more.
mikestanczyk : the choppyness was temporary in my FF
Peter Himler : the video is running pretty smooth for me. 2nd clip is up on social media and small business
shashib : jeanieJ you should see a menu on the right for the videos
RFaircloth : Ok, so I watched the first video…what’s next?
paul@paulhyland.com : i only see the first one. need to reload again?
Scott Schablow : So I assume if we ask a question about content, it’s to others in chat, not speakers? Are they going to be in chat?
digitalsista : there are two up there but I am not getting gd signal
Peter Himler : refresh brings up replay of second vid
Cowboy Jack : Still only one video up?
CreativeSage : Getting choppy audio in FF, but maybe it’s my browser or laptop. Looks really good, good content.
Geoffliving : Listening video #solutionsstars session 3 ready to rock. We’re just waiting on people to catch up.
CathyWebSavvyPR : my video on my pc laptop firefox is great, yesterday MAC firefox was choppy
Geoffliving : Refresh if you only have one video up.
H-man : I had a list of videos, then it went away, and now I can only see the two short vids. I tried on Vista and on Mac. Same prob.
jpower@pbp.com : Hi everyone. Where do I find the live stuff?
CathyWebSavvyPR : How do we access the video? when I click on the social opportunity, I get 1st intro video?
Jean : Cowboy Jack… ha do you have horses?
dandennis@gmail.com : I like this interface concept. Is this all generated through ooVoo, or is ooVoo just the video host?
Peter Himler : 3rd video is up
CreativeSage : Just wanted you to know I invited my client team at @SutterEdenMed (on Twitter) to join this Webinar, but they may need to look at archive later. Thanks for archiving these!
Ted B. : What’s with the video? It’s so choppy I’m having problems just following what they’re saying….. I’m so disappointed.
Cowboy Jack : I have watched the first video twice – is that it?
jadelman : Jon Adelman shot and edited the video as well as did the opening and other graphics. Oovo is the host.
dandennis@gmail.com : Did ooVoo create the actual web interface for this? I love the integrated chat, share, twitter, and questions model.
Geoffliving : Cowboy refresh. You should see the videos.
Geoffliving : @dandennis, Yes ooVoo partnered with us on this.
digitalsista : Geoff some of the browsers don’t work well with this. I am now on Firefox
help : how do you register to log in?
darrelld@arcet.com : Where is the live video conference???
jtnt : @digitalsista – FF works fine for me. (Mac)
digitalsista : there are still some errors when I try to send in question
Peter Himler : refresh your browser, the last vid (#3) should play out
jtnt : @digitalsista – ah, me too. I just found out.
Liz : It’s taken me 40 minutes to get this running. It didn’t load on IE and is really jerky on Flock & Firefox. I hope I can look at this later.
Geoffliving : @digitalsista Yes, IE6 users are a casualty of video war.
digitalsista : you have to choose the video to play. The first one starts automatically
digitalsista : I have IE7 Geoff
dandennis@gmail.com : @Geoffliving – I’d love to get in touch with someone at ooVoo who knows more about this interface style. Looking to adopt similar where I work.
LizScherer : How do you get to the second video? I’m on Firefox. I’ve refreshed but no go
iGoByDoc : Firefox working here. Had it working in Chrome as well.
digitalsista : just click on the box number 2 below social opportunity
Peter Himler : liz, only last vid (#3 listening) pops with refresh
Liz : Even with Flock, it is hiccuping and hesitating every other word. Too many viewers on system? Can I come back later and watch it? It is very very frustrating.
Geoffliving : OK, waiting on #solutionsstars session 4 noew. Strategy Drives Outreach. Are you ready?
digitalsista : I really think it depends on the browser
Peter Himler : ahhh thanks @digitalsista
LizScherer : Thanks DigitalSista – Peter Himler, long time…
mikestanczyk : hit the switch!
Becky@BeckyBoomsma.com : Is this being taped for replay? I can’t stay for the entire timeframe and would like to come back to view.
Peter Himler : #4 up with refresh
Peter Himler : I know liz!
Liz : I’m just going to come back and try to view this all later. I hope it will still be available. This has been a frustrating waste of time.
Geoffliving : OK, we are troubleshooting IE6 now.
carofowler : this is way too choppy for me. very difficult to keep up with. will have to come back later. in understand they will be archived, right?
Geoffliving : Liz, it will still available.
Janise Medina : I’m with you Liz. It seems like the only people enjoying this are the speakers from the video themselves who are all in the chat.
lkthrock : I only have three video options showing now – is it just me?
mmayernick : reload for the 4th
jillfoster : Hit refrest Ikthrock
lkthrock : thanks
CathyWebSavvyPR : to see next video #4 strategy hit refresh on your browser, then the newest video
CreativeSage : I’m reminding everyone to refresh your screen to get additional videos on screen. Click below as new titles pop up.
WilliamRock : will this be available for download later to share with a CEO that is not in this session
H-man : It’s great information, but packaged very poorly into pithy micro-chunks that are impossible to absorb.
WilliamRock : will this be available for download later to share with a CEO that is not in this session
Geoffliving : You Need Social Networks, session 5 #solutionstars is my favorite session. On now.
CreativeSage : Any tips for making audio less choppy in FF? Maybe too many tabs open?
Rick : Is there a number 6?
Geoffliving : Session 6 is live!
Geoffliving : @creativesage Cathryn, it’s your connectivity. Not much we can do.
Janise Medina : So why couldn’t all of this have just been done by posting this videos to YouTube? Because this “conference” seems pretty worthless.
sonnygill : @creativesage – I’d recommend restarting firefox.
dgaines : Do you agree with the recent Wired magazine discussing blogs are dead except for professional blogs?
WoodysWorldTV : I don’t necessarily think it’s your connectivity. I’ve got a t1 basically to myself today and I’m getting choppy vid too at times
AaronMSB : @Janies Medina. I’m using it to connect to people. Like the videos say I should…
jadelman : no video problems with Safari and Firefox. Possible issues with IE.
WoodysWorldTV : @jadelman agreed, I switched to Firefox from IE and vid is much better. I think there was something with the chat script that was bogging down the vid…just sayin
Geoffliving : @jadelman @woodysworldtv Lots of the issues are dealing with IE6 OR bandwidth/lack of flash plug-ins.
Geoffliving : IE6 is up on #solutionsstars. Sorry about the issue.
identitysafari : is there live event here?
CreativeSage : @KellyeCrane Great comment that the best blogs are those where the author(s) realize they will learn as much from the community as well as writing about their own expertise (I’m paraphrasing).
Chris Brogan : Hey monkeys! That’s my question.
Rick : #7?
KellyeCrane : Thanks @CreativeSage! Hello Chris!
BacklotOPS : Afternoon. Is a separate registration required to participate ion the chat room?
CreativeSage : How many videos are there in total?
shashib : Hey Chris , Don of Twitterville, muchos gracias for all the SMB advice
shashib : Creativesage 9 videos
shashib : backlotops no registration just choose a nickname
CreativeSage : @ChrisBrogan I can hardly wait to read your book! I’m writing several, too, so I empathize totally.
Amy Derby : Hey all. I finished watching one and nothing else happens. Did I break it?
Rick : Hey Shashi!j
CreativeSage : If it hasn’t been mentioned here yet, the book, “The Age of Conversation 2
Michael Copeland : I think that the Social Media Landscape is gerg.eggf.s …g ………..
CreativeSage : Shashi
shashib : Wow CreativeSage can you send me some links for the book thats coming out today
Klessblog (Larry Kless) : Just coming back in. Can someone clue me in on the format? Live chat with prerecorded video? Correct?
Klessblog (Larry Kless) : I think I get it. Thanks!
CreativeSage : @Shashib The Age of Conversation 2 sales site is
CreativeSage : @geofflving @shashib and everyone on the team%u2014great job! Keep us posted about any future plans for Webinar series. Thanks for archiving, good resource.
newmediajim : watching the fine video work of Jon Adleman!
chicagohope01 : is this going to run again or can we watch on demand? I missed most of it…
chicagohope01 : is this going to run again or can we watch on demand? I missed most of it…
shashib : you can wacth on demand
webwart : where is the video
welebrity : too late for the video?

We plan to cover this and blog from the event in addition to capturing some interviews with the top minds in the areas of Web 2.0 and social media.

This fast paced, highly interactive and incredibly informative seminar will be held September 10, 2008. Registration is now open for this interactive event to be held at Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus in Rockville from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon.

They’ve got some of the best speakers from throughout the Mid-Atlantic who will teach you how to:

* Find new business leads through social media
* Connect better with current customers
* Gain press coverage
* Add social media to your existing communications, business development and public relations departments

One speaker in particular is our very own Social Media Swami, Shashi Bellamkonda, who will be on the panel “How To Add New Media To Your Existing Media and Communications Department”

At the event you will learn how to get started or improve your marketing with FREE social media online tools. You will understand how to unlock the promise of Web 2.0 and social media. You will also get to meet, see and learn from an all-star group of A-list speakers on the social media front who will help you maximize your company’s potential and business on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites.

This is a must attend event for executives who care about growing their business and marketing professionals who want to better position their organizations.

Sponsored by Vocus, the cost to attend Growing Your Business Through Social Media is $49 for TCM MemberPlus; $60 for TCM members and $129 for everyone else. Go here to register.

Rohit Bhargava is rising star in the PR and Social Media world. Rohit is a founding member of the pioneering 360 Digital Influence Group at Ogilvy – a leading group in helping clients around the world navigate the social media universe. He publishes the award winning Influential Marketing blog which listed as one of the top 50 marketing blogs in the world by AdAge magazine. Rohit is frequently featured in media worldwide including The Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, Fast Company, Marketing China (China) and AdWeek (Australia).

The last event with Rohit that was hosted by Network Solutions was very well attended despite the massive storms. Tonight looks like it is going to be a scene from Monsoon Wedding as well. Rohit must be someone who can “bring the rain” instead of “bring the pain”, but I digress. There was some great coverage from two previous posts. The first post covered all the different blogs and interviews from attendees and the second post was of Johnny Goldstein’s podcast “Johnny’s Par-tay”.

Here is the play-by-play of the event…

Tonight we are at the Network Solutions HQ here in wild and exciting Herndon, VA. There are about 75 people here and the room is standing room only. We started the evening with an intro by Frank Gruber, Product Manager of Social Platforms for AOL. Frank is a very prolific blogger and social media junkie. His blog, SomewhatFrank.com is about all the bright and shiny technology things that he comes across. He and Rohit were talking about their first time meeting where Frank had a camera attached to his head.

The idea of this book is about setting yourself apart as a company through the personality of your brand. One of his first ideas was to create a “choose your own adventure” marketing book but that was revealed to be a VERY BAD idea. He wanted to make the book so that it was relevant to how you operate in business every day. He spent time putting in real stories because that is what people really connect and relate to instead of a marketing “expert” telling them how to operate their business.

The other key is the advice section that makes the book useful all the time. He provides some very useful lists…

One powerful thing in companies are the “accidental spokesperson” who become the impromptu go-to person for all things related to “your company”. Frank goes on to ask about big versus small companies – does size matter? It is a myth that all big companies are faceless and all small companies are quirky and hip. In a big company there are more challenging because of “slios” – web dept, marketing dept, product dept. etc. They are a located in different places, lead by different people and paid differently with different missions.

Karmic Marketing is Powerful, but fuzzy. Look at Zappos, their customer service team is empowered to make the decisions (like send a client flowers) and really affect brand loyalty for the positive.

Frank takes the devil’s advocate position as a product person and asks about what happens when you have a great product.
- Twitter is a great example. Twitter is failing alot lately and user experience is suffering greatly. So what do you do when it comes to personality? It is alot like being in an abusive relationship, but who is the enabler – twitter or us?

Rohit brings up the first generation iPhone and when they dropped the price so quickly. Apple is a great case study in good brand marketing, however, they don’t let their employees blog, talk, or communicate with the press unless they tightly control it.

Frank decides to move away from technology companies and ask about how this approach works in other industries. Rohit talks about the time he went to a restaurant called “WD50” which uses a technique called molecular gastronomy to create food. Then, there is a restaurant called “mini-bar” which is inside of Cafe Atlantico in Washington, DC. – which is also one that focuses on serving six, that’s right SIX (6) people per dinner every evening in two hour blocks and twice a night. This creates an experience that is UAT (Unique, Authentic and Talkable.

Lastly, you need to take on the approach that is what he calls “Curiosity Marketing” that is really described as more of a viral marketing strategy, but could definitely relate to social media as well. One of the things that intrigues people is when you give them a secret to hold.

Now we go to the audience:

Q: Does this apply to Non-profits
Rohit: Definitely. This really fits the “passionate enthusasts” model. We used Kiva as a great example in the book.

Q: Does social media allow us to share our stories and more of our personality?
Rohit: Absolutely. I didn’t want to write another “Blog book” and I wanted to go broad enough but it is where something like social media these days, versus five years ago, you have to have incorporated into their strategy.

There are some more great questions and Rohit answers them for the audience. Check out the video below for the full presentation and Q&A.

Rohit’s talk covered a wide range of issues from stories out of his book to fun facts he learned while he put together his book. Throughout the evening the in-person and online audience was super engaging and peppered Rohit with questions dealing with a variety of topics including the need today for not only large businesses and non-profits but also small businesses to create an engaging brand while also having a unique personality.

During the presentation, Rohit covered examples of companies that have effectively engaged the online community and ways for marketing and differentiating yourself as a small business.

In response to one question from the audience, Rohit provided a roadmap for small businesses that are just starting out on how to begin the process of building a brand, a unique personality and most importantly a relationship with the community.

Missed the evening for some reason ? Watch it here. http://blip.tv/file/965449/

Also do not worry, Network Solutions is planning more of these events so please say tuned. Add your name here to be notified of future events http://solutionsarepower.com/event-registration/. We want to see you at the next event.

Photos credit : Nahum Gershon

Special thanks to Jonny Goldstein for being a great moderator on Wednesday evening, Scott Stead for doing a fantastic job for coordinating the live stream on the web, Jill Foster for her super hard work pulling together all of the details of the event and finally Busboys and Poets for the wonderful set-up and food.

For those of you out there who have never been to Busboys and Poets, check it out. It is really a great place in the U Street corridor. Also thanks to all of the attendees. We know you could have easily gone home and skipped this event and stayed out of the pouring rain.
Thanks for making the event a success. Last of all, please feel free to send us any suggestions about this event or suggestions for future events.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Blogs and buzz about the event.