Space is filling up fast!

Register today at https://www.isovera.com/social-media-040711

Description:

Geared toward organizations looking to build community, foster donations, and recruit volunteers, this full-day workshop will teach you how to create a roadmap for managing your social media program. In this engaging, small-group course, you will learn about:

• Best practices for getting the best return for your social media investment.
• Techniques for building purposeful Twitter followers and Facebook fans (“likes”)
• The latest research and statistics on social media trends including discussion on the new “nonprofit Facebook”- Jumo.
• Free tools and websites that can help make your program more engaging and effective.
• From analytics to adding zing to your content, you will develop a process for measuring and increasing the success of your social media efforts that will help build the foundation for your overall social media strategy.

When:

Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Where:

Isovera, Inc.
460 Totten Pond Road, Suite 200
Waltham, MA 02451

Registration:

$350 (10% discount if you register before 3/18). Refreshments and lunch provided.

Questions?

Email Stephen Sanzo at ssanzo@isovera.com.  This course can also be provided privately, on-site. Please contact Stephen Sanzo if you are interested in on-site training.

by  Robert Scarth

I’ve been following the #hcod debate with fascination and frustration. I love seeing so many people contributing to the conversation, but I am disheartened to hear people say things like, “we need a seat at the table”. We can sit at the table any time that we choose. We do not need an invitation.

If you’re having a conversation or expressing your opinion about #hcod, whether electronically or in person, then you have taken your place at the table. Please use it wisely. Comments that consist of nothing but contempt or vitriol make us look like we have terrible table manners (Sorry, but I couldn’t resist!).

If we can agree that we have a seat at the table then we don’t need to create or utilize a cooperative, consortia, or organization to speak on our behalf. If we want change, then we need to change. The old models of getting things done won’t work for our vendors, nor will they work for us.

In order to move forward in the discussion and present our case for whatever solution we choose  (as a group or as individual libraries) we need more information. Let’s start by obtaining the exact wording of the proposed changes. Without this it is nearly impossible to negotiate.

We also need as many facts and statistics about what is true for our libraries when it comes to eBooks, especially in regards to cost and circulation.

Furthermore, what do we know about the eBook and eReader markets as a whole? Is your community different than what the national surveys suggest?

We are librarians. Let’s get the information that we need to negotiate on behalf of our communities and the foundation upon which the institution itself was built.

Please, take a seat.

An excerpt of an exchange between the two characters in the video:

“Don’t you care what your fans think?”

“Yes. I will send them Facebook messages telling them what to do and I will make videos of me that they can watch.”

A  goofy video with a powerful message about what it means to be a friend in the world of social media. Watch it and let us know what you think in the comments.

Do you find this to be true of many of the people and organizations that you fan or follow? Do you like brands/people that interact, or do you simply enjoy receiving the updates?

Quick update to let you know that three of my social media workshops are now available for registration on the AMIGOS website. Registration is open to members and non-members. These workshops are also available as On-Request training.

Twitter Basics

Advanced Twitter

FLEA Marketing

Feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you online!

Happy New Year!  A couple of quick announcements about where you can find me in 2011.

I am thrilled to announce that I will be an adjunct instructor for AMIGOS.  We are still working out all of the details, but I am excited to be teaching several online classes related to social media and libraries.  I will also be available through AMIGOS for any member libraries who would like me to teach a workshop solely for their staff.  I will let you know when my classes are available for registration.  I hope to “see” you online in a workshop soon!

Equally wonderful is my new position at Findaway World as the Playaway Library Field Coordinator for New England.  This is a fabulous opportunity for me to work with an entrepreneurial company, as well as to get out and visit both libraries and patrons.  I am available to do a Playaway Day at your library, or Playaway staff training, or a combination of both.  Please get in touch with me if you have any questions, or are ready to schedule an event.

Of course, I am also available for workshops or consulting for your library, regardless of location.  I look forward to working with you in 2011!