CK's Blog

Dear Microsoft: Please stay dorky. It's who you are...and it works.

My oh my this Microsoft video (below) has been getting tons of feedback across the marketing community (mainly via Twitter) as well as the overall Web. An internal video for their sales force, it wasn't supposed to "get out" but it did.

And the reaction has overwhelmingly been negative.

Sorry, I fail to see it.

In fact, I think it's terrific--both the video, as well as that it got to the overall public.

(Yes, I pretty much seem to stand alone in my dorky assessment.)

Folks, this video is obviously intended as a sales-team motivator on their latest enterprise version of Vista. As I understand, the commercial audience's reaction to Vista was pretty tepid. And the consumer reviews of Vista that I caught were downright negative. (I can't voice opinion on that front as I don't use the Vista software.)

So, Microsoft used a video in efforts to energize a sales team that had faced some challenges on making quota and is working to rally the troops around an improved product. And instead of a bo-ring (!) PowerPoint slideshow with pie charts and bar graphs galore (yawn), they're extolling the product's key benefits through a catchy jingle that spoofs Bruce Springsteen's famous "Dancing In The Dark" video. Very smart.

And geez, dontcha think the poor sales team has suffered enough pie charts?

The video itself? High production values. And highly dorky. But it's supposed to be silly and dorky (um, there's a security superhero in it along with silly characters jumping for joy over software).

Folks, Microsoft will never be cool. Nor should they ever strive to be. Steve Jobs they're not--nor should they try to emulate or aspire to Apple's hipness factor. As they'll fail miserably. And it's simply not true to their brand.

But silly, dorky videos? Ah, that's much more in-line with a brand that will always be associated with America's #1 Geek Bill Gates.

My BIG hope? That Microsoft corporate will NOT take the negative feedback--now that the "internal" video got out and is facing a negative backlash--and go back to ho-hum, no-risk, corporate pie-chart presentations. Because that would be a crime...mainly to their sales team who will now have to sit through endless pie charts and bar graphs again. Sigh.

Please, Microsoft, stay dorky and don't fear being silly. It's who you are. Embrace and delight in that this video was released to the public. And maybe be more silly with your consumer commercials, too. While the video gives me several giggles, it was supposed to do just that...and it certainly is memorable. What's more? Because it's bravely silly, it increases my respect for you.

But pie charts and bar graphs will not.

And worry not, I've been a MAJOR dork. Lots of times. It's part of who I am, too. (And my readers deserve many giggles at my expense ;-)

Here is the dorky video--RSS and email subscribers please click through to the blog to view it.

David goes to lots of events. David blogs a lot, too. So David innovated a sponsorship that adds value to his readers, not just him. And that makes CK very happy.

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by the three (marketing) musketeers known as the brave, fighting-for-good forces of: transparency, authenticity and value.

David Berkowitz and I have been going back and forth regarding his brand spankin' new "media sponsorship policy" that he initiated on April 18th (our interactions have been over email). The policy focuses on his blog--and of course him--sponsoring certain marketing events.

And I have to say that I'm very pleased with it.

NOTE: To long-time readers who know how sensitive I am on social media sponsorships and the like, I want to assure you that indeed the world is still spinning even though I actually just wrote that I'm pleased with a sponsorship deal.

Why am I pleased? Because of:

• How David is looking to add value to his blog (clever!) while bringing value to his readers.
• How his new sponsorship is rooted in an authentic passion of his--seriously, that dude gets around a lot, and speaks at and attends conferences left, right and center.
• How upfront and respectful his policy is of his blog's audience.
• How responsive he has been to all my questions and recommendations.

Contribute or Contaminate? You choose (please choose the first)
With how focused I am on doing right by customers and protecting the integrity of the community, many would think that I'm altogether against sponsorships and Blogger Outreach Programs. Nope. What I am, is a supporter of having them done right.

Why do I care so much?

Because we are afforded the astonishing privilege of living in precedent-setting times. And as a result of this groovy disruption, we have an opportunity to make things better. How? By contributing to this space, and caring greatly for the growth of its bloggers and readers.

Moreover, I see these precedent-setting times as a responsibility not to contaminate. Because, let's face it, marketers have so far contaminated every other medium.

Just look at the amount of bogus direct mail that INVADES your home....thank goodness TiVo lets us skip ads that SHOUT at us...we actually have a federally regulated Do Not Call list in this country because people were feeling STALKED by telemarketers while they were trying to enjoy dinner with their kids....and we have entire services dedicated to BLOCKING the pop-up ads that disrupt our online experience--in desperate attempts for us to "click here".

So, um, marketers' track record of not contaminating is not so good. (It's not only our planet that we've polluted, folks.)

It's Deja Vu All Over Again...
Wait...what's that...what's that you say? You say that the above seems to align with what I wrote about here only a year ago? It certainly does. (Yippee)

Long-time readers will remember when I was outspoken on the Nikon program. I also hope you remember that I not only detailed my issues with it, but also provided recommendations on such programs. Because just as I have a responsibility to contribute (not contaminate); when I'm outspoken I have a responsibility to offer solutions (not just rant).

Here again, is the 3-Point Paradigm:

• Transparency: Transparency is crucial, credible and ethical. But it doesn't add value, it ensures honesty.
• Authenticity: The reason that we're the "new influencers" is not because we have it in our power to blog about something and effect the world--it's because we organically decide what products, services, practices and people deserve praise or poor marks and that's pretty empowering. We base it on the virtue of the product's superiority, availability and price--the novelty, too. So the benchmark is: would you organically and authentically blog on this product with no other incentive besides it's just that great, or just that bad?
• Value: The program, product, whatnot, should add value to the community (the entire community) as well as to the company.

Let's assess: Through his policy and blog posts, David has been uber-transparent. He authentically enjoys going to and covering marketing conferences. And the coverage and post-event lessons learned that he shares add value to all, as they are freely available at his blog.  Oh, if you're wondering, he doesn't take money for the sponsorship, he instead gets promotion for his blog--which engages new readers for which he can provide value.

And his sponsorship deal does not affect what he writes about his event experiences: good, bad or indifferent. I should also add a note here that since these conferences cover marketing, search, disruptive technologies and social media, they are very relevant to his blog's marketing audience. So I need to add "relevancy" to that paradigm.

Which would make it a 4-Point Paradigm. (so noted going forward)

And I thank Jonathan Trenn and Alan/Toad who gave me the 'relevancy/targeting' feedback a year ago. Because like David, I, too, am still finding my way in this brave new medium and very much need feedback.

David's media sponsorship policy is here. And his first sponsorship is right here. He really appreciates wants your input.

One can use social media to learn new stuff, get new customers, join a community--or all of these choices. Or, like 99.9% of the population, choose none of them.

This is one of those start-at-the-beginning posts (a very fine place to start). While a lot of my readers already know what I cover in the course of this post, many others--around 99.9% of the population--don't just yet. Remember, new media is new...and social media even newer.

To that end, with social media comes CHOICE.

There are many social media tools to choose from (e.g. blogs like this one, microblogs like Twitter, social networks like Ning, podcasts, videos, Wikis and plenty more). There are also many formats from which readers can choose to consume the information that is created by using social media tools. They can read the information at the actual blog...subscribe to receive the information through an RSS reader...or even sign-up to receive posts in their inbox.

But people can ALSO choose what they want to use social media for; and there are many choices, to wit:

#1: Increase one's knowledge or explore one's passions. One can read blogs to increase their knowledge on a certain subject or profession, explore their passions, or learn about most anything (there's over a million blogs out there and they truly run the gamut of subjects).

#2: Listen to one's markets so as to improve current offerings or innovate altogether new ones. One can monitor conversations by their target markets across a variety of social media platforms--and then can turn the information into actionable intelligence. To date, social media provides the richest sea of unbiased, wide-ranging information on market preferences and patterns just waiting to be heard and acted upon by the savviest of marketers. Net net: It's amazing what your customers will teach you, if you let them. (A PDF on the value of listening and what to listen for is located right here.)

#3: Market one's business. This might be through a blog that communicates a consultant's smarts or promotes a company's really-cool sneakers, a 'co-creation' endeavor that polls consumers for ideas on new or improved offerings, or by facilitating an idea exchange in an online forum where customers are free to communicate their likes, dislikes, wants and needs.

But how a company uses social media to increase their business, is a case-by-case strategy for every single organization: it always depends on each company's goals, audiences, offerings, competition, comfort levels (the legal department needs to define parameters) and the professional resources (internal or retained) that each company can post against the initiative. It takes forethought, ongoing care and optimization.

#4: Participate in active communities. This is at once exciting and perplexing. And for good reason. Many of my clients, colleagues and friends don't readily understand WHY people would "trust people they meet online" or HOW anyone would feel comfortable in "so publicly sharing information about themselves."

These are extremely logical concerns.

And it's not like everyone has the time, or wishes to make the time, to become active in a community.

Sure, there are bound to be some "bad apples" out there. But those cases are rare as communities have a way of looking out for themselves. I can only give you my experience. In two years of choosing to use social media to participate in a community, I have gained:

• New expertise added, but better at my core one. Not only have I been able to add an expertise in social media to my portfolio, I have become better at my "base" craft of marketing strategy and program development. Astonishing the gems that experts share, and for free.
• Informed and current. I am never concerned that I'll miss out on a marketing development, new tool or newfound methodology. In this sense, I have many scouts all over the world who "feed" information to me, and for free.
• Increased exposure. I've been able to increase the footprint of my message to other outlets because they have stumbled upon my blog and like what I have to say, and how I say it. (At least I think that's why).
• Debate development. I've learned how to better craft an argument and have participated in ultra-productive debates that were active, but not at all nasty. As I work primarily in BtoB I have to "argue" a lot, per se--because thought leadership always argues a new or better way of doing something. So honing my debate skills is a necessity for my work.
• Larger pool of professional resources. I have retained several professionals in my community to do work for me and will continue to do so in the future. And many have generously given me great ideas when I've been in a jam or faced a block (and the advice has made me look smart).
• Breaking out of the bubble. I have learned about places and countries that seemed far to me 24 months ago. But now not so much. When it comes to public policy, it sure helps to understand how other lands run their systems and how effective certain laws or freedoms have been. Because otherwise, as much as I love the land of the free and home of the brave, it can become one big bubble.
• Online moves off-line. I have made more off-line relationships because of meetups or events that I've either created or attended--and when I'm traveling and have any free time I also get to meet people while in their city...as they do the same when they're in mine.
• True-blue friends. I've had people help me out, even to the point of taking-off work, when I had to suddenly fly far from my home, plan a funeral and pack-up a house. Many more have provided solace.
• Teachers from all over and of all ages. I can honestly say that I've learned as many lessons from twenty year-old kids who live in the Middle East as I have from seasoned NYC professionals in their 50s.
• New business prospects. I have increased my rate of "inbound leads" from these new colleagues referring work my way or introducing me to business prospects that have a need for my talents.
• The opportunity to create and experiment. I have a core passion to create and the community I participate in is very supportive when I try new ideas.
• The reward of pushing others to higher places. I very much enjoy giving ideas, making connections and introductions to others in efforts to further their business or cause. After all, they do so much for me.
• More confidence. I've definitely become more comfortable, somewhat more articulate and more confident since I started blogging and sharing ideas with others. And I'm no longer afraid to be wrong in voicing my opinions "publicly" because hey, I learn--and anyone that shows me a new way, or even points out a flaw in my reasoning is doing me a huge favor. Again, when professionals have different takes the discussion can be passionate but it needs never be nasty.
• Joy. I truly enjoy the connection, idea exchange, support and even silly times that come with connecting with such unique people from all over the world.

That said, had anyone told me I'd be active in a online marketing community two years ago, I would have thought them absolutely bonkers...so I can understand why my friends and colleagues might think the same of me ;-).

The lesson, again, is choice: choice in which social media tools one uses and what they choose to use them for--be it personal and/or professional gain.

And that choice is up to every person and company.

Now ain't choice grand?

PS: If you're new to social media, there are plenty of goodies for you archived right here.

Revolutions are messy

I've just come off of watching HBO's very insightful, very watch-worthy miniseries' John Adams. According to HBO, "John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.

Set against the backdrop of a nation's stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all, at a time when the nation is increasingly polarized politically, this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built."

That description is on the money. It's an epic that delivers on many fronts, and through many layers.

But the reason that this viewer most enjoyed it was that--while the outcomes of a nation being founded were glorious--it didn't glorify the deep struggles of a nation finding its way.

Sure, it showed the vision and the tenacity of our forefathers. But it also showed their faults. (And their egos.)

Back in the day--I'm talking the days when I was a kid in history class--The American Revolution was so magnificent. It was the birth of a nation, after all. And we were focused on celebrating the baby.

But this miniseries honored the hard birthing process.

As they rightly deserve, I place our forefathers on a pedestal. But what John Adams did for me was to make them human. Humans who did extraordinary things in very hard times.

And for that my respect for them grows greater, and far deeper.

I often debate whether it's the achievements or the struggles that really makes the man (or woman). Even looking back at the life of my own mother--while I'm impressed with her hard-won successes...one even landing her a much-coveted invitation to the 1980 Presidential Inauguration...I'm far, far more awed by how she handled strife.

In any case, while the outcomes are grand, revolutions are messy. It's an important lesson to learn, and remember. They require relentless dedication and unwavering passion from those who commit to making their visions a reality.

And at mighty great costs.

For those that don't have HBO, they've made a smart move and are already selling the series--and the magnificent score--right here.

PS: Oh, here's a post that was inspired by a movie about Queen Elizabeth. It wasn't a revolution per se, but a sea change in leadership style that was thrust upon Britain's monarchy. It, too, was a great "human" account of a change in climate--and in showing the otherwise stoic Queen's struggles in modernizing. It gave me more respect for her and the messy times she endured.

Heading West to 'Camp'

I'll be in San Francisco on May 4th - May 5th for Startup Camp, a dynamic event that I'm honored to have been asked to play a part in. I will be speaking on a panel created and moderated by S. Neil Vineberg with fellow panel members Jyri Engeström, F. Mark Modzelewski and Matt Dickman.

The topic, "Notes from Mission Control: Rules for a Successful Media Launch" absolutely delights me as we plan on covering the strategic imperatives and actionable tactics that are necessary when launching any brand...but we plan on staying especially mindful of the unique challenges to startup ventures.

(And there's sure to be some fun war stories that many in the audience will relate to all too well ;-).

Specifically, I've been asked to speak to the importance of finely tuned positioning and messaging--and and the creation of new brand categories when seeking leadership. All told, we'll be discussing areas that I'm very comfortable with (and crazy about!). But what I most enjoy about panel discussions is the balance of education + entertainment that you share with your audience, and fellow panelists.

Sure, there's always preparation beforehand, but when you get passionate people together to dish on what they pour their heart and soul into everyday, there are always those surprise "in the moment" revelations.

And those are the most memorable.

Due to work commitments I won't be in San Francisco long--it's a quick two-day turnaround between two coasts for me--but if you're planning on attending, please drop a comment or email me. Here is more about StartupCamp.

What do you get when you throw a room full of marketers, managers and lawyers at a brand? Not much.

I don't give a lot of book reviews but sometimes one comes along at just the right time. Like, right when I'm (passionately) prodding several of my clients and colleagues to let more of their brand's personality shine--and right when they (understandably) retort, "Give me several firm success stories as to why I should."

So it was uber nice of Rohit Bhargava to spend scores of hours writing *Personality Not Included (with tons of brand examples) to help me prove my point.

(Thanks Rohit, I do appreciate when others put in the hard yards for me.)

Here are my thoughts on varying fronts:

• Flow: I found the read conversational, packed with examples and easy-to-understand guidelines.
• Balanced: it strikes a nice balance of why personality matters even more in a social media era...but didn't harp too heavily on Web 2.0.
• Music to my ears: it was very centered on building trust--which may seem intangible but is very real when it comes to customer relationships and, yes, revenues.
• Let's get it straight from the get-go: Rohit very clearly states in the first few pages that personality is NOT a substitute for a crappy product. The goal is a great product and a personality that differentiates it. Gotta have both. Yup, both.
• True to its title: And I want to remark on the design of the book and the website. Very catchy, fun and full of personality. Bravo.

I'm interested in feedback from marketers at larger companies that are fighting to put not just a "face" but a real soul on their brands...because, let's face it, in a boardroom full of marketing strategists, marcomm execs, marketing research analysts, mangers and (cough) lawyers, it's very easy to come out with a very diluted, very dull brand.

And diluted and dull just don't reside in the same city, county or country as personality.

Lastly, I'd like to offer up some promotional suggestions for Rohit (hope they're helpful):

• Promo tactic for the book: if you're not already, you might consider giving away those cute little mohawk chick thingies (what are they called?) featured on the front cover as part of your promotional tactics.
• Ongoing promotional platform: I also recommend making a cute trophy out of your chicks--if designed well, they'd make for a darling little desktop ornament--and award them to the "Top Personality Performers." Could make for an annual contest of distinction to run at your blog with many weighing-in and voting. You might even market the awards "In recognition of the daring brands who've steered clear of the doldrums, and risen high above the din of me-too myopia." I think it could net some press coverage, be a platform for follow-up articles and be a lot of fun for readers, to boot.

Update (4/21): Valeria Maltoni provides her excellent take on the book (and views on brand personality) right here.

Disclaimer: I received the book as part of the goodie bags we gave to attendees at Blogger Social where Rohit literally lugged 90 very heavy, hot-off-the-press books in a BIG suitcase from Washington D.C. to the Big Apple. Then he had to stuff them in the goodie bags mere minutes before everyone arrived at Saturday's formal dinner. So of course I'm writing emails to Rohit saying "Thank you so much for your book donation...but, um, do be careful when you stuff the books in our carefully prepared goodie bags as we want them to stay pretty for our attendees." And he was so patient with bossy me (a zillion thanks, Rohit...your book is a tour-de-force ;-).

When a person finds value in a brand they are inspired to tell others. And because that brand buzz is authentic (not profit-driven), others trust their opinion--and might just buy the brand, too. That is how WOM works. And how it's always worked.

While that headline might seem tongue-and-cheeky (or just plain cheesy), you'd be amazed how many times I need to explain this very basic, altogether core notion of WOM to prospects, clients, colleagues and friends.

Or, you might not be amazed. You, too, might have explained it zillions of times over.

I did not learn this WOM logic in business school. Or in the blogosphere. I learned it in life. Because I, too, express authentic recommendations (WOM) all the time. Sometimes I do it to a person's face (just did it on the subway an hour ago regarding a restaurant), sometimes I do so when I'm addressing an audience (be it on a panel at a conference, or to a classroom of students). And other times I've done it here on the blog...through comments on other blogs...or on Twitter.

Oh, I do it over email a lot. And assuredly, I've done so over the phone quite a bit, too.

The same rule also applies if a person does not find delight--but disgust--in a brand (be that brand a product, service,  place,  person, experience, or idea). They also tell others; it's just that their message is "don't try it!" vs. "definitely buy it!"

I've done that too across the aforementioned communications channels.

Ergo, it is the job of marketers to (1) develop and maintain unique brands that are high in value (so as to delight and encourage positive WOM) + (2) devise clever ways to spread awareness/interest/desire about those brands (so that more people can learn, try and recommend those products to others) + (3) listen to the feedback on their brands and the brands that compete with them for market share so as to improve their current brands, or create entirely new ones. Or both.

And this has always been their jobs. It's just that we now have a new medium (or set of social media) that makes WOM easier and increases it to a global footprint. This new medium also enables us to listen to authentic feedback. So we no longer have to rely just on surveys, industry reports and focus groups.

That's it. I just needed a post I could point people to from now on as I'm sounding like a broken record...and this marketer needs to streamline ;-).

PS: One more thing--when brand marketers try to trick the system with less than authentic buzz they are usually outed. And that gets oh so messy and spreads negative WOM. It's also a surefire way to ditch trust (and while not 'tangible,' trust is absolutely an asset). They should instead focus on creating brands that are worthy of buzz in the first place. OK, that's really it.

'Twas the time that marketing became human again

"Age is irrelevant. Location doesn't matter. What does matter is how authentic and genuine you are, and how much passion you share."

I read this and I am sincerely touched. (But of course I would be.) It's C.B.'s experience and learnings from Blogger Social.

Except it's really not.

It's her experience of being part of a vibrant community. Moreover, it's her experience of being alive in a time when we've come full-circle--vis-a-vis enhanced technologies--to being, well, human again.

Because markets were communities before they were markets.

They just got really big. And marketers made them sorta bland.

"This program is best suited for a male demographic ages 12-17!"

(yeah, really bland)

And then when age didn't matter...and locale didn't matter...the core stuff mattered again. Like what people care about (interests) and what people really care about (passions). And the all-too-human fact that people have a core need to share their interests and passions with one another (communities).

Communities share a strong bond of like passions and interests, but their strength lies in how unique each participant is. (Otherwise they, too, would be bland.)

But the kicker? We find that the core stuff (like whom we trust) and the important stuff (like what we value) and the really slick stuff (like just being your genuine self and encouraging others to do the same) was all we humans ever cared about anyhow.

Go figure.

I do hope that more will come to understand the sheer humanity in these technologies. Otherwise they're missing out on a very core lesson.

I don't care if you promote me, I care that you promote the right message.

I recently spoke with a very nice, very under-the-gun reporter. Let's call him Guy (because he's a Guy).  Guy needed to know about how these 2.0 tools can make businesses money.

A fine question indeed.

But Guy--like most guys and gals--was brand spankin' new to social media. New as in I needed to explain what these tools do and that it's best he nestle all these tools and technologies under the term "social media."

I was happy to help Guy and even prepared a nifty list of examples for him, making sure to segment it into BtoC and BtoB uses of the tools. Examples, after all, are very helpful in making the ethereal more tangible and it's important to explain that social media is not just for consumer audiences and teens (an all-too-common misconception). In fact I penned a piece on the startling opportunities for BtoB right here.

But Guy was trying to get just enough information to get the article set--yet the questions he had weren't easy "yes" or "no" answers and required some setup, a working framework if you will. So I finally said, "Guy, you are asking me to meet you on the 12th floor and in order to get there, I first need to walk you through the lobby. This is a very complex and compelling landscape and if I don't explain the basics--and tie Web 2.0 back to marketing 101--we'll confuse your audience."

If there's one thing that easy to do folks, it's to start in the middle, not at the beginning. And starting in the middle is dangerous as it confuses and irritates our audiences. Instead of opening up, they'll tune out. I know that I have to be ever mindful of where I start my conversations with newbies and the metaphors I use.

He then raced to get my corporate information and that's when I said, "Guy, I don't care if you promote me in the article, I care that you promote the right message. Otherwise I'm not doing right by my markets." (And I just can't be doing that.)

Yes, he found this odd. I am a marketer after all, and we're in the business of promotion. But that's not what mattered to me--because I'm first and foremost in the business of providing value, and serving my audiences.

I explained that, being he is so very new to the social media scene, I'd be happy to be a resource for him and will connect him and his colleagues with a wealth of professionals (not just me) that can discuss the topic from myriad angles--be it advertising, research, PR, user experience and so on.

You see, by focusing on his needs and those of his readers--not my need for promotion--is how I best provide value to him and his readers. Consequently, it's also the best way to form a long-term relationship with him. Kind of like...just exactly like...companies can do with their customers through the use of social media. So long as they listen to what they have to say and what they need--not only what they need from them.

The rewards? Plenty. A rich information exchange, a world of new opportunities, newfound relationships--and, yes, revenues ;-).

I hope Guy got it.

It's an important message.

Praise for My Safe & Sexy City (thank you!)

Dear NYC Dept. of Health:

I made a promise to myself to follow-up after our "social event" to thank you, and to praise you. You see, as part of the favors for event-goers on Friday night we wanted to feature special "NYC Survival Kits" given that a whopping 75% of attendees traveled from outside the NYC metro area to attend.

The NYC bags were all sorts of fun and featured (1) the infamous "I heart NY" t-shirts (thank you to the man on the street for $2-a-pop bulk pricing!), (2) special edition NYC moleskine notebooks (graciously given by ClikitySplit), (3) hefty NYC guidebooks (given by NYC Convention & Visitors Bureau) and NYC-branded condoms.

You see, I was so proud of my city for devising this free condom program early last year that I promoted it through a post over at MarketingProfs. I even asked readers to weigh in with great taglines for the condoms (hey, we're marketers, devising nifty taglines get us, um, excited).

The message this move communicated to me was and still is this: free condoms do not promote more sex...they promote more safe sex. And I am so proud of my city for taking this step and practicing socially responsible marketing.

What's more? I was amazed that when I asked you via email for hundreds of free condoms, not only did you not judge my excessive request, you got back to me within 4 hours (wowsa!) and asked me to simply call for an appointment to pick them up.

(Maybe you could work on the DMV's attitude while you're at it?)

It has long been known that NYC is the safest large city (insofar as crime rates), but I'm happy to say that, due to your efforts, it might just be the safest large city for sex, too. And while I won't cite the woman's name that helped me here (she might not like that), I will be calling her supervisor to sing her praises. Moreover, it needs to be known that while people rag on city agencies for being slow and apathetic, she was expeditious, kind and even excited that people from so many states and countries might get an official New York City condom.

You make me proud to be a citizen of this safe city. For real. And should you ever need a tagline for your campaign...free ideas are located here and here.

Respectfully,
- CK

PS: Yes, that it what 500 NYC-branded condoms looked like on my apartment floor before I stuffed them into the goodie bags. (OK, so I only stuffed 480 into the goodie bags. I figured I might as well save some, a girl's gotta be safe ;-)

Smaller World: All the Better for Acting Like It

I'm going to close my Blogger Social coverage with the words that I used to open Saturday night's festivities. Thanks to the many Socialites who came to this tremendous event. And thanks to readers who have been tremendously patient with me while I turned my blog into an all-out Blogger Social vehicle for the last two weeks.

Here is my speech from the event...and my message that marches forward from it:

Over 80 marketing bloggers spanning many countries and many, many states here in this room tonight. For an event that was 100% conceived, created, promoted and funded by the 80+ marketing bloggers here in this room tonight.

Over 80 people who went to the time, the trouble, the travel and the expense for one very simple, yet altogether powerful reason--the chance to spend some social time together.

To be sure, the outside world just won't understand.

But what the outside world needs to start understanding is this:

The lesson that social media has taught me? Now that we're all connected and empowered to easily share our views and viewpoints, the world isn't getting flatter...it's getting smaller. And the lesson that this community has taught me? The outside world needs to start acting like it.

Because we act like it every single day.

We inform, inspire, educate, empower, mentor, challenge, debate, and, yes, support one another. What's more? We've actually come to rely upon one another.

Be it for the latest marketing news, a hot tip on a new social media tool, the best way to handle a challenging project, or challenging client, or just for a little lift in an otherwise routine day. And yet those people we've come to rely upon for so many of these things are only just "meeting" for the first time this weekend.

I find that nothing short of remarkable.

So I ask you to join me in recognizing the world of talented, tremendous individuals in this room tonight. Folks, I'll be listing the countries and states that we're all from and I ask you when your country or state is called to please stand up--and please remain standing until the end.

• Alabama
• Australia
• Belgium
• California
• Canada
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Mexico
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oman
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• The United Kingdom
• Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Look who is standing to your left, your right, in front of you and behind. Indeed, indeed the world is getting smaller and we're all the better for acting like it. Now please give yourselves a big 'ol round of applause, and please DO MAKE IT LOUD...after all, it's Social!

Our "Time Capsule" is ready for viewing...

Just an FYI to those who attended Blogger Social this past weekend--and to anyone who wants to see the  goodness (and the madness!) we Socialites were up to--our photo group on Flickr is brimming with over 1,200 photos...or "moments in time."

We've loaded all the shots taken from our hired photographer (thanks Robert!) and many attendees are still adding their pictures. So it's best to keep checking back over the next week.

While my favorite shot is here...I do so love the one on the above left of Miss Magno getting ready for Saturday night's festivities.

And of course I love this one of all of us from Friday night. So if you have any pictures to add, please do so here.

And yes, I view our photolog as a "Time Capsule." Because that's exactly what it is ;-).

Letting go of "perfect" in exchange for unkempt magnificence

Silly, silly me.

I was so hoping to get the perfect Blogger Social picture in my "pretty girl" dress and gloves (with tons of hairspray to make sure my curls would stay, well, curly). Especially since it's not a three-hundred dollar look but a silly three-dollar Lady Liberty hat that people most enjoy. Go figure.

So here I am on the left trying my best to smile and pose perfectly for the camera. I'm trying so hard to look like I have it all together. And I distinctly remember saying to the photographer "Please hurry, I don't know how much longer I can keep this plastic smile on my face!"

And then as the photos are slowly being uploaded to our Flickr Photolog (be patient folks, there are hundreds of them to upload!), I find out the most peculiar thing.

My favorite photo doesn't have me looking anywhere near perfect. Nope. In fact I look in total disarray.

My favorite photo is one where my hair is a freakin' mess, I have camera redeye and I'm just bursting with emotion somewhere between laughter and tears.

And all of a sudden, perfectly posed pictures don't matter.

What matters is not how I looked but how I felt when I literally (!) flew to embrace Arun Rajagopal.

The back story on Arun is that he had to rally to get a visa from Oman to the United States  -- he had to go to the embassy with an official "Blogger Social" letter with a popping champagne cork for the letterhead! -- to make it halfway 'round the world to Social. And he did all this after having lost his mum just a few weeks ago. And yet he brought a chain to adorn my momma tree that he's been carrying for darn near a year.

What matters is that I am beyond grateful to have this moment in time forever captured. What matters is that it truly reflects not the "look" but the "feeling" of the moment...and the magic of the entire event.

And what really matters is that I had the opportunity to impress upon people not with the perfect outfit or glittery eye makeup but with getting to actually impress upon them with a hug...and even with a kiss.

Here's me kissing Connie Reece, who just happened to be--according to the excellent opinion that is me--the most beautiful woman in the room.

To hell with perfect poses.

Especially when I'm lifted by such perfectly beautiful people. Other lessons learned right here.

PS: Here is me hugging my good, good buddy David Reich while aboard the USS Blogger Social. David used to think blogging was a waste of time...but instead became a generous and important voice in this community.

What's more? His kindness.

He even turned his personal house into a veritable hotel to host not one, not two, but FOUR marketers so they could be at Social with us--none of which he'd actually 'met' before. And had a BLAST as a result.

PPS: Oh, wait, it occurs to me I should at least show my friend Arun's handsome face. Here is a shot of us smiling all pretty for the cameras. It's a wonderful posed picture...but nowhere near the candid above showing my overwhelming emotions.

Social Lessons Learned (smiley face here)

Thank you for the many posts, kind words, special emails, sweet calls and overall feedback on Blogger Social (and thanks to readers who have put up with this becoming a Blogger Social blog in the interim...we will get back to marketing soon!).

Folks, I am going to have a tough time responding to the many amazing posts, pictures and words regarding the event but please know it's not for lack of want...you'd just be amazed at all there is to do in post-production. You see, I've taken the last week off of work to make Social as perfect as possible and I so very much need to get back to my (very patient!) clients and (very scary!) inbox. (As while I've been "sleeping" much has been happening in the world ;-)

So I thought I'd take a post to point out why I think Blogger Social was such a success. To be sure, this is solely my take. While it was an extraordinary experience that many of us shared, the experience was also very individual...which is exactly how it should be. So, on that note, here are my social lessons learned.

• Simplicity is powerful. Social's premise was simple--the chance to spend some social time together...which is what made it such a powerful value proposition. (that said we didn't really keep it simple, we're marketers after all so elaborate is just part of our DNA ;-).
• Energy is essential. The community and the planning committee did a lot of build-up to the event but the energy was off the charts at the actual events because we had the right people and the right mix of venues spanning fun to magnificent.
  
• Egos are roadblocks (so it's best to just leave them at home). It was so wonderful to hear so many people enjoying themselves but the best compliment I received was that "It's so refreshing to be an event where there are no egos and everyone is so down to earth and happy."
• Memories are not only priceless--they increase in value over time. This truly is the ROI on Social for me. I've so many memories that I will savor for a lifetime. And then some.
• Time is precious. It matters what you do with your time, whom you spend it with and how much you enjoy what you do.
• Encouraging silliness is pivotal. When we encourage and permit silliness all pretense and nerves just wash away and we find that it's in those moments that we are most human. And most glorious.
• Trust is an asset that should never be held lightly, or taken for granted. You trusted us to deliver and we took that as seriously as any of our paid client projects. How could we not?
• The journey is rewarding. So much of the joy for me was not only "at Social, but the road to Social." I cannot give enough thanks to my partner Drew and our newfound partner Magno and the many, many people who absolutely made Social a reality.
  
• Not taking no for the right reasons is the right thing to do. There are many in this community whom had very good reasons why they couldn't make it. But there are too many that contribute too much and let's just say that I just wouldn't take "no". Whether I had to charm, implore, insist or just get clever, I am so happy that I just wouldn't take no and focused you on opportunities over obstacles. Let's make that a mantra in our daily lives too, OK?
• Purity needs to be celebrated--and fiercely protected. Folks, this event was pure. I cannot adequately convey in words how paramount it was to hold the purity of it absolutely sacred. After all, this event was for marketing bloggers, by marketing bloggers and was 100% created, promoted and funded by marketing bloggers. And that's a big part of the reason it was so very magical.
• You absolutely, positively cannot manufacture, force or bottle WOM. I've said it before (oh so many, many times) and I'll say it again: one cannot force people to buzz about their product, service or experience...one can only provide an exemplary product, service or experience that is worthy of buzz. Because when we create value--and we truly value our audience--our job is 99% done. I promise. And I'll do all I can to keep proving that promise.
• Words are important, but actions even more so. Thank you for not only making the world smaller; but for acting like it. As I said during my speech on Saturday night, "The lesson that social media taught me? The world is getting smaller. The lesson that this community has taught me? The world better start acting like it. Because this community acts like it every single day, and we are all the better for it."

With representation of over 80 tremendous and talented individuals spanning 8 countries and 20 states I thank you for acting like it. You absolutely humble and honor me with your time, generosity and kindness. My time and energy is so very, very well spent with you--I cannot thank you enough for spending time with and supporting me. (It means more to me than all the money in the mint.)

PS: We will have a post-event survey that will circulate soon, please know we're being good little marketers in getting YOUR valuable feedback. We just need to beg a little more patience. Stay tuned.

PPS: Nope, it is not at all lost on me that all the time and money I spent on getting dolled-up for Saturday's big event all but pales in comparison to me wearing that silly $3 Lady Liberty hat for my Socialites. As it should be ;-). Please do watch this photo group as literally hundreds more photos will be added over the next seven days by attendees and our professional photographer.