what is social media? (american institute of architects presentation)

About me.

• Project Lead/Consultant at Digital Evolution Group• Blogger, Video Blogger, Former Lifecaster on

Justin.TV• _• www.kcsweaterparty.com

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Where I work.

• 9 year old e-business consultancy• Voted one of the best web development firms in the

region (Ingram’s)• National and regional awards for thought leadership and

results• Exceptional team with in-house strategy, information

architecture, programming, testing, e-marketing and animation skills.

Quick Survey

• What tools are you already using?

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

What is Social Media?

• Tools for sharing and discussing information.• SM vs. Social Networking?

= communities w/like interests to connect

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Social Media isn’t replacing anything.

• SM is in the spectrum of communication.

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

The new influencers.

• Expansion from traditional media.• The rise of the individual.• Trust 2.0, peers not institutions.

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Proliferation of influencer channels.

• We trust a stranger over any paid-for communications or advertising.

• Blogs are a form of trusted opinion, over magazines and newspapers.

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Demand for transparency.

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Social media, more than just a fad.

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

…more than just a marketing tool.

• sales/lead acquisitions• internal knowledge development• customer service• operations• executive leadership & visibility• branding• product development

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

…more than just a marketing tool.

• “Chatter Factor”– online vs. offline translation

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

Your website isn’t good enough.

• = 1 component of a larger web strategy– Channels/Gateways to homebase

• Trust factor and credibility• SEO positioning• SM starts conversations & relationships

email@ramseymohsen.com@ramseym

What should you do next?

• Do 15 minutes of Social Media research a day.• Share 1 thing a day.• Find people to follow that interest you.• Be ready to…– Learn, learn, learn.– Let go to gain more.– Risk the unknown, plan to be flexible.