Kristin Colier

Archive for the ‘Technology Troubadour’ Category

Happy Valentine’s Day.

I don’t have much to add. To me this video is a beautiful reminder of how the world can come together through technology for a greater common purpose.

Peace and Love,
Kristin

I just came back from a local Meetup and felt like I needed to take a shower afterward.

The topic was Social Media Marketing in Georgia. Up my alley, right?

I’m not trying to be a snob here, but the presenter vaguely broached the subject of whom to “friend” on Facebook and why, then opened the floor up to audience members who ranged in age from 25 – 75, and there was a lot of “who the heck cares if I’m eating a turkey sandwich?” and “why would my prospects want to see pictures of me in third grade?” There was no comparison of different Social Networks (LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace) or what level of intimacy was appropriate on any. There is clearly resistance in adopting this (and most) technology and skepticism of this new way of interacting.

I suddenly felt I was not in a seminar, or even a networking group but in a large group therapy session which ended with the therapist (presenter) saying, “you’ve been great today everybody, I think we’ve made real progress… buy my book and you’ll really be on your way.”

Which leads to unconscious SoMed users like these in How To Suck At Facebook. (What a timely link I received today. Thanks @urbanreporter)

But, that’s not even the part that made me feel dirty. Many of the people I met there’s sole purpose for being there was to use social media to make money. I don’t have any problem with people wanting to make money. I don’t have any problem with people leveraging social media tools to propel their businesses. That’s what I do. That’s what I help others do. But the majority (ok, most vocal) of participants seemed to be adopting a technology against their instincts which inevitably leads to abuse.

The difference: I help small businesses take their products, their ideas and their passions online so they can genuinely connect with the people that want them.

The internet (and the recession) has opened new doors for individuals to connect with people who share their interests and even make a business around it.
It has also created a slew of people that see dollar signs when they look at the potential of the internet and exploit every aspect of it in order to make easy money.

It reminds me of the old “Make Money While Working from Home” scams. You send $15 to them and they tell you how to mail out thousands of “Make Money while Working at Home” letters. No substance. No Authenticity. Just cluttering it up for the rest of us while we attempt to sincerely bridge societies through common interests, they are forging false pathways for personal gain. I met someone who dynamically creates blogs, aggregates content from other blogs and then automatically pushes and auto-promotes them. He thought it was genius, I thought it was a little… auto-erotic for lack of a better term. I guess this is just another lesson in learning to separate the players from the good guys.

So I may be an idealist. OK, I am an idealist. But please understand the difference between an internet opportunity and an internet opportunist and know into which camp you or your mentors fall.

This presentation may help drive my point home.
One of the key phrases: Social Media is NOT just a New Messaging Channel.

So – headed off to SoCon this weekend where I hope/expect to find the more enlightened and curious Social Networkers rather than the “I smell money” crowd. This is my third year attending and my, how things (me mostly) have changed. After SoCon08 I joined Facebook. After SoCon09 I started using Twitter. I can’t wait to see what new social technology will change my life next.

Namasté
-Kristin

There’s no question that Facebook has changed my life. I have reconnected with old friends and stayed in touch with people I probably never would have seen again. Plus, I’ve made lots of new friends.

Here’s a story I just have to share with you. If you are from Atlanta, or a fan of Top Chef (or both) you know Richard Blais – a finalist in Top Chef Season 4 and local Atlanta Celebrity. So – I “friended” Richard on Facebook. And he was kind enough to accept. He recently opened a new restaurant here in Atlanta called FLIP! Burger Boutique.

A couple weeks ago – my husband and I planned to meet some friends in town for dinner – and I suggested we go to FLIP! I sent a message to Richard telling him we were going on Saturday – would he be there? I would love to get a picture with him.

We get there on Saturday, after 9pm and there was still a 2+ hour wait for the table. As our party of six and stood in the parking lot contemplating (me wanting to wait, them wanting to eat sooner) out walked Richard Blais through the back door on his way home.

OMG! Yes, I was star struck – no one can use liquid Nitrogen like Chef Blais… So anyway – I said “Hi Richard – I sent you a message..” – he said “Hi, yes I remember from Facebook” – he asked if we were eating at FLIP! tonight and my friend Paul said the wait was too long. Then Richard said “Let me see what I can do…” He went back in and pushed us up the wait list. Told us to talk to Mike the Chef and so on…

What a great experience. Of course, Richard was extremely nice too… Which illustrates another good point about Social Media Networking: A small group of loyal followers will bring you closer to success than shotgun marketing to the marginally-interested.
Cheers! -Kristin

Hi all -  As the economy “does it’s thing”  (no need to get into that now), I keep hearing it’s a freelancers market out there.   There are definitely pros and cons to the corporate life, but having been there, done that, and thrown out the leftover business cards – I’ve opted for the flexibility and variety that freelancing offers.   So, if you’ve made that decision too, but not sure what to do next, this list is for you.

1. Establish your Personal Brand.
List your talents and attributes and things that make you unique.  Are you a writer? Or are you a sports writer, humorist, community fly-on-wall?  It’s worth taking a little while to get it right, because you then want to incorporate your personal brand onto your website, your business cards and your message.  Consider a personal logo or color scheme.
David Cohen is a colleague and expert on the subject of branding.

2. Get Online
Even if you are an organic soybean farmer, in today’s market – you must have a relevant internet presence.
A simple blog, can be established for free in 10 minutes. www.wordpress.com.  With a little more time and effort you can add a unique look and feel and all sorts of functionality.

3. Follow the Leader
I don’t mean steal someone’s business idea, just learn from the best.  Do research.  Is there someone in your field you admire?  Buy their book, read their blog, take their advice.  Most successful entrepreneurs are happy to mentor and help you learn from their mistakes.  See what works, then differentiate into your own niche.  You soon will have followers of your own.

4. Network.
Join groups on Facebook and LinkedIn, but also get out in person to local Meetups, conferences, business associations and so on.  When I was helping a friend with his gourmet butter business, I discovered there was an official Association for Dressings and Sauces.  There is something for every niche.  If there isn’t, start one.

Let people know what you do, and foster genuine relationships with people.

When I was in Nashville at a songwriting conference I learned a rule about Open Mike etiquette which applies here as well.  In Nashville, there are Open Mike Nights all over the city, and some of the more impatient up-and-comers, sign up for several different shows a night, wait their turn, play their song and leave for the next one.  They don’t stay and listen to the other artists up on stage hoping to get their big break, they don’t mingle in the bar with the audience and other aspiring musicians and songwriters.  This will get you noticed, but not in a good way.

Everyone thinks their own song (story, business plan, idea) is the best.  But the best music that comes out of Nashville usually comes from collaborative talent, established relationships and artists “getting out there.”

When you network, be sure to listen as well as sing.

5. Get Down to Business
This is my least favorite part, which makes it all that much more important to have on the to-do list.
Figure out the billing, invoicing, taxes, cost overhead required and how to stay organized.  Find tools for project management, customer management, payment processing, etc.  Here’s a starting point: 85+ Freelancer Tools

Best of Luck!
-Kristin