This post is an “entry” in a contest by Chris Garrett to win tickets to the Social Media Success Summit 2009. If I win the Grand Prize (2 tickets+more), I’ll be giving away the other ticket here.
Why do I want we need to attend the Social Media Success Summit 2009 (SMSS09)?
Here’s why:
Our businesses can’t grow without social media.
A blog is a business that requires two components to succeed: content and marketing. If we focus on one and not the other, we’ll amount to nothing more than: a) content slave, or b) wannabe social media expert (both options really suck, by the way).
For example, I’ve been laboring on this blog for 8 months now. I’ve gone from scared, skeptical newbie to committed, confident blogger, and I’m proud of my progress. Every morning at 4:30 I roll out of bed and start another day of writing killer flagship content, and I love it.
But writing is not enough. Despite my content efforts, my blog barely makes a blip on the blogosphere radar. Why is this? Because I don’t have a social media strategy! [And I need one, Chris.]
Most of us aren’t leveraging social media.
If you’re like me, you probably tweet a lot. Conversations and connections are quick and enjoyable and the people are nice. But do you have a viable Twitter strategy? [Hey Chris–I don’t have a Twitter strategy yet, but I’ll sure have one after you send me to SMSS09.]
Perhaps you also have a Facebook page and a LinkedIn account. Maybe even some other social networking accounts like FriendFeed, Tumblr, likaholix and chi.mp. Did you just open those accounts with good intentions but never followed through on utilizing them (like me)?
I’ll be the first to admit I’m a social media newbie. I enjoy using Twitter to talk to cool people, but that’s about it.
Most of us know social media is a great tool, but the truth is we don’t really know how to use it. So what not a better opportunity to learn than the Social Media Success Summit 2009? [Isn’t that right, Chris?]
There will be real social media experts on hand.
Just let the names speak for themselves: Darren Rowse, Brian Clark, Chris Garrett and Gary Vaynerchuk, among others. Need I say more?
Timing is everything.
There’s no better time to start leveraging social media than right now. We’re on the eve of a great Internet Gold Rush, and we all should be poised with the right tools and mindset to prosper.
And with social media being a huge part of that prosperity, doesn’t attending SMSS09 seem like a no-brainer?
One of the big benefits of social media to bloggers is the convenience of it all. There’s nothing to buy and nothing to wait for: we can start self-marketing immediately and still have time to produce high-quality content.
However, what’s holding many of us back from really diving into social media is the lack of organized and credible resources to learn how to use it. We don’t have the time or energy to spend gathering all the free advice and testing out which works best: we want the experts to show us how, right now.
[So Chris, it only makes sense you award me the Grand Prize right now so me and a friend can start learning right away!]
We’re ready to lead.
I know I’m ready to lead. Are you?
I’m ready to stick myself out there and rally people around my ideas. Get them excited and inspired to learn and engage and move forward. And make good friends along the way.
If it weren’t for social media, quasi-hermits (like me) would still be hunched over the keyboard in desolation. Write, edit, post, wait for comments. Write, edit, post wait for comments. Repeat, all day, every day, until I give up. That’s no way to blog.
Like you, dear reader, I’ve set high expectations for my blog. I wanna take it to the top. But there’s no way that’s going to happen if someone doesn’t give me a hand with my social media strategy. And that’s where SMSS09 and Chris Garrett come in, at least I hope…
Congratulations on the win!
Now who are you taking, and would you consider taking another new blogger in a different niche? Never hurts to ask!
Well done Charles! Great post and congrats on the win! What do we poor folk who didn’t win need to do to be in with a shot of getting the second ticket 😉
Charles;
Congrats! You are the grand prize winner of the Social Media Success Summit 2009 contest.
See here for the results:
http://www.chrisg.com/summit-winners/
Mike
Congrats Charles! So how will you be giving away your extra ticket? Contest? Spill the beans! 🙂
Congratulations on winning tickets to the Social Media Success Summit! I’m sure you’ll have a social media strategy by the end of the Summit!
Blog on!
@DeniseWakeman
Hi Charles! Congratulations 🙂 I’m commenting for two reasons. One is because I would really, really, really like to participate in the Social Media Summit, and two is because I wanted to congratulate you on winning the tickets! Yay! I’m new to the scene, starting my own research business and online marketing business (focus is small business) because I needed a venue for my writing and my need to know things 🙂 I also am dealing with a chronic illness that prevents me from working in offices and on the road in a consistent manner. Nice way of saying that sometimes I simply cannot show up for work because of the illness – but I can still do the work, and now that I’m in my home office it is wonderful! Anyway, I know that social media is the key to my success and hope you will consider me for that spare ticket!
Again, congratulations to you and to whomever you decide to share that ticket with.
Aloha, everyone — well it’s just after 4:30am here in Hawaii and I’ve woken up to some great news! Thanks for all your kind comments. Most of all — thanks to Chris Garrett for this golden opportunity. I promise to make the best of it.
Now, I’m sure you’re all waiting to hear about the extra ticket. Later today I will post my idea here on this blog and via Twitter (@Wordful). I’ve gotten many pleas for the ticket and would like to give everyone out there a fair chance, just like I had with Chris.
Here’s to the Social Media Success Summit 2009! Yee haw!!
One last thing — I am humbled and honored to have been chosen and look forward to working that much harder on this blog.
Charles – Just added you to the summit. Check your email for access instructions. Please email me so we can schedule your consultation. Congrats! Mike
Congrats Charles! I’ve checked out your blog and you do have great content writing skills. You’ll definitely get the attention you deserve after attending the summit and learning the strategies. Once again, congrats Charles!
From Charles 🙂
Thanks, Charles. I believe I very recently read a guest post you did somewhere, but I can’t remember where…good stuff!
Congratulations, Charles! I think it is so generous of you to offer to give the second ticket away. I’ll follow your tweets and blog to see how to enter! 🙂
Big congratulations to you! I was in the running with a shout-out from Chris, but reading your entry I’ve got a big smile- it’s a well deserved win and clear that it will be put to good use.
I really appreciate your transparency about your struggles to make a blip and develop a social media strategy- I feel your pain. It’s nice to see you had the cajones to spell it right out on your blog. Rock on!
Brooke
Thanks, Brooke, for your kind comment. And Sherry, too.
For anyone reading this before 6pm PST on May 26, I’m giving away my second ticket for free here: http://wordful.com/win-a-free-ticket-to-social-media-success-summit-2009
Good luck!
Congratulations Charles! That was an awesome post about social media that definitely makes you a winner!!
I am so impressed with your dedication and commitment and I could stand to learn a lot from you. To make it out of bed each morning at 4am to start your writing is commendable and amazing. You’ve made me realize that if I really want to be a successful blogger (or success at any one thing) I have to make that commitment to give it my all and decide that I will do whatever it takes.
Congratulations again! I’ll be checking back in on you often…starting with going to your contest!! 🙂
I was of course not happy when I didn’t win..but you did have a great post, and you are a wonderful writer…so best of luck and I look forward to following your success..and just maybe you can post about some things you learn and share…I would love to hear all about it…oh and if you happen to find an extra ticket along they way…hum..I might be able to help you with that too…hee hee..congrats and great post…I think your going places…
Beth