Little Red's Big Ideas

Twitter - Who to follow?

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by Twitter, you're not alone.  There are so many people jumping on the Twandwagon that it's hard to tell if you, too, should get involved.  Whether you think Twitter is silly or savvy -- I encourage everyone to spend some dedicated time exploring the Twittersphere.  It only take about 60 seconds to create an account allowing you access. (Remember, Facebook users, Twitter is similar to your status updates AND you can set up your Facebook page to be fed status updates directly from Twitter allowing you to get two-for-one updates.)

I tweet semi-regularly (5 - 10 times/week) and try to post information, links and articles that will help my target audience.  (Please follow me @ParksMarketing ) 

I must admit, however, that sometimes I get confused about who, what and why I should follow.  I try to follow everyone who tweets about Parks and Recreation, Summer Camps and Community Events.  I often follow people who follow me unless I see absolutely no connection or point of interest.  But, once all those "tweets" populate my page it's hard to filter out what's important and what should stay in the background.  I'm starting to direct tweeta bit more (it's actually like sending an email to a specific person) which helps prioritize important conversations.  I'm also continuing to learn about twittering more effectively by reading the Twitter Blog (a wealth of information.)

If you want to learn more about how others are using Twitter, sign up for my FREE WEBINAR: Social Networking - The Least You Need by clcking here.

Mashable.comis also a priceless, credible time-saver in terms of culling the best of the best Twitterers (and other web-based resources) into nice compact lists.  Here are three examples:

"75+ Environmentalists to Follow on Twitter." - From Al Gore to Greenpeace this list of both people and organizations is a perfect place to find others committed to protecting the environment.  (I couldn't help but notice the lack of national or regional park and recreation agencies on the list.  Come on, readers!  Let's get tweeting!)

70+ Non-fiction Authors - This list is separated into authors that write about Careers, Business/Marketing, Creative Nonfiction/Memoirs, History, Social Media, Science and More.   

100 Great Resources for Creative Inspiration -- How many times have you been stuck for an idea to add some energy to a brochure, add, event or program?  This list is one of my favorites!  Open your mind and enjoy these sometimes bizarre, always unique design ideas.

Remember my social networking rule: Dedicate 2 hours/week to guilt-free social networking/Internet research and marketing.  Go to a library, leave work early or come in late to avoid firewalls surrounding your office computer. 

If you want my readers to follow you on twitter, feel free to post a comment below.

The Wisdom of Webinars

I'm doing a live webinar demo in front of a whole group of people behind the tight security of convention center firewalls and I'm a bit nervous.  The plan is to go live and online with my webinar host, iLinc , during the 2009 CPRS (California Park and Recreation Society) Conference in San Jose.  I'm praying to the technology gods and hope all goes well.  I love iLinc and love introducing others to their secret weapon (you'll have to attend a FREE demo to find out what it is!  But it's worth it.)

Just in case, I've prepared a nice set of PowerPoint Slides for attendees to view.  And, as promised here is my list of specific Ways to Use Webinars.  Add your ideas to the end of the list.

How to use webinars? – Small Group Brainstorm

1)     Staff and Volunteer

a)     Recruitment

b)     Interviews

c)     Orientation

d)     Training        

e)     Awards

f)       Announcements

g)     Feedback

2)     Publicity

a)     On-line press conferences

b)     Presentations to remote groups

3)     Citizen/Customer Input

a)     Citizen Advisory Boards

b)     Immediate Feedback to proposed ideas

4)     Vendor Relations

a)     Bid instructions

b)     Contract Negotiations

c)     Review contract details

d)     Conflict resolutions

5)     New product/program/facility positioning or usage

a)     Hours

b)     Staffing

c)     Locations

d)     Operation changes

6)     Program Supervisors

a)     Roll out new programs

b)     Train employees

c)     Train volunteers

d)     Get immediate feedback about program improvement

7)     Deliver required education/training

a)     Legal

b)     Safety

c)     Security

8)     Grow sales/sponsorship leads

a)     Shorten sales cycles

b)     Presenting to prospective customers

c)     Negotiate

d)     Follow-up

9)     Community/Special Event Planning

a)     Volunteer training

b)     Holding brainstorming sessions
Collaborate with team members

c)     Coordinate activities

d)     Schedule

i)        Venues

ii)      staff

10) Assist Private Event Planners (Weddings, Picnics, Meetings)

a)     Site visits

b)     Logistics

11) Project Management

a)     Review a project

b)     Assess progress

c)     Address concerns, needs and challenges

12) Assess needs and capture results

a)     Focus Groups

b)     Surveys

13) YOUR IDEAS?

FREE Webinars Ready for December Launch - Secure Your Spot NOW

After two years of planning and research I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my brand new Webinar Workshops featuring the same high energy and cutting-edge content you’ve come to expect from my live seminars and events. 

Introductory webinars will be based on my very popular, dynamic workshop: 101 FREE(and Practically FREE) Marketing Ideas to Promote Your Parks and Recreation Programs. 

What? FREE(and Practically Marketing) Ideas for the New Economy – How to Achieve Big Marketing Results on a Teeny, Tiny Budget

Where? At the comfort and convenience of your home or office.  No commuting, no traffic, no kidding!

Who? YOU and anyone interested in increasing parks, recreation and camp participation, enrollment and support.

When? Webinars will take place LIVE throughout the month at various times throughout the day meeting the needs of those in each and every time zone.  The first webinars will take place during the week of December 8.

Why Attend? Because it's FREE and your job, programs and future success depend upon your ability to engage your customers with innovate marketing – in both terrific and tough economic times.

How Much? During my launch, workshops are absolutely, positively, totally FREE. No strings attached!  We need people like you to help us build buzz and evolve the product.

How long do Webinars last? Webinars will be quick and easy – ranging from 30 to 50 minutes.

Do I need special equipment to attend?   Nope. All you need is a computer with speakers for audio.  If you’ve never attended a webinar before (especially if using your super-secure, firewall-protected work computer) we highly recommend that you attend a FREE live demo ith the most patient tech support folks in the business.  (If they can get me through it, they can get anyone through it.  I’m not the most tech-savvy person in the world, you know.)

Demos take place three times each and every day and only take about 30 minutes of your time.  Here’s a link to register http://www.ilinc.com/dailydemo/?campaign_id=70170000000Hynn for the day/time that works with your schedule.  I promise – the demo is so cool! You’ll be blown away by the ease of the format and you’ll insure your system is ready to roll.

What if I can’t attend this time?  Don’t worry!  I’ll be offering more webinars throughout 2009.  But those who secure interest now will secure a “seat” for future webinars, too.  Plus, webinars will be archived for on-demand viewing 24/7.  

What about CEUs?  Continuing Education Units are available through a variety of agencies and associations.  We’ll hook you up!

So, your're interested, right?    What do you do now?  Simple. Just send an email to jodi@advisorsmarketing.com with the Subject line: Webinar Invitation Wanted and we’ll send you instructions to secure your spot in an upcoming webinar of your choice.

Why I chose iLinc? And why you should attend a FREE demo

As a self-proclaimed, Webinarista I'm often asked which webinar company is the best.  Like most things in life, there is no one good answer or solution for every need.  However, I shopped and researched webinar companies for almost a year -- attending dozens of demos and over 100 webinars in the hope of finding a perfect service.  I found most of the services such as WebEx, GotoWebinar, Adobe work fine for basic needs (showing and narrating Powerpoint Slides, text based chat, etc.) but was looking for a bit more on a very limited budget. (Sound familiar?)

My webinars will be very interactive allowing brainstorming, real-time consultation, polling, desktop sharing and more.   Along the way I fell in love with a service called iLinc and really encourage you to check them out by attending a FREE DEMO.  Demos take only 30 minutes of your time and will save you hours and hours down the road.  During the demo you will learn first what webinars can do for your staff, your associations and your customers.  I like other webinar services, too, but iLinc has one thing that no one else can touch... 

It's called a GREEN METER and is a no-brainer for park, recreation and other "GREEN" agencies -- especially those committed to the environment.  The award-winning Green Meter —the only tool of its kind—is an automatic calculator inside iLinc web conferencing software that tracks CO2, cost and travel reductions accrued by meeting online rather than traveling. All iLinc meetings have this built in feature for no additional charge allowing users to measure important metrics that you, the press and your taxpayers care about -- especially savings to the environment AND your budget. 

CASE HISTORY -The State of Arizona, as a result of using ILinc's web conferencing services for meetings and other events has a documented savings of $1.7 million in the first half of 2008 and reduced more than 761,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That's huge!  Those are numbers I care about as a taxpayer even though I don't live in Arizona.  When I saw this article I sent a copy up to Governor Schwarzennegger but I haven't gotten a rely yet.  You can read the whole State of Arizona Case Study here.

If you aren't already convinced, here's the bottom-line reason why you should attend an iLinc demo:  It's good for your professional development and career.  Even if you don't end up subscribing to a webinar service now or in the future. By attending a demo you increase your knowledge for FREE and you can let you're board, boss, commission and other decision-makers know you are keeping up on new ways to save money and the environment.

Here are six steps to help you choose the webinar service that's right for you. 

Step 1

Determine the needs you have for the Webinar service. Some of the questions are the following: Will this be an ongoing monthly meeting? Will there be the same number attending each time? Will this be just occasional use? These are just some examples.

Step 23

Call the Webinar service and ask questions. Ask if it has an online moderator or does it have 24/7 service if something goes wrong.

Step 34

Find out what additional service are offered such as chat built into the Webinar, the ability to do PowerPoint presentations or the sharing of files with the attendees. Live Meeting, for instance, doesn't require a reservation for those meetings that come up without notice.

Step 45

Consider security as well. If there's a firewallbuilt in, you need to know how to surpass it and if your attendees can have the resources necessary. Also, inquire into system requirements so you can send these to your attendees when you invite them to the Webinar.

Step 5

Compare prices of the different Webinar service companies. Choose based on per seat or per usage, according to your needs.  Make sure there aren't any hidden costs. Price alone should never drive your decision -- choose carefully based on price, features and your own needs.

 

Try before you buy - Whether you ask for a free trail or attend free demos -- test services before you buy.  Webex provides free trials but has limited capabilities. Test it thoroughly before buying.

 

iLinc offers a FREE, live  demo three times every day.  These demos are hosted by some of the smartest, nicest webinar techs in the world.  They are small gatherings where you can ask all the questions you want and really particpate (not just listen).  Plus, iLinc offers so many interactive features it really is (almost) better than a live meeting! Click here to learn more or to register for a demo.  There's one tomorrow!  What are you waiting for?  Sign up for a DEMO.  I'm telling you -- it will blow your mind.