Kiki’s Korner

My girl Sally Strebel tagged me in a little project started by Mitch Joel to state what we think are some of the best practices for Social Media Marketing.

Heuer and I were just talking about this topic as we reviewed a chapter he is writing for his upcoming book The Social Media Playbook [note to self, we need to get Wiley to design a new cover - stat] and I could list several practices I think are key to any Marketing campaign (Be Open, Be Transparent, Be Responsive, Be Aware…etc), but there is one practice that stands above all others:

BE HUMAN

What does ‘being human‘ really mean? For me, it is exposing enough of yourself so people know who they are speaking/dealing with, and can feel confident in the communications they receive from you. It is showing compassion to those around you and talking to them as human beings – not as customer #8609 or member #10,356.

Humans by nature crave personal contact and companies who allow their employees to ‘be human’ will build tighter relationships with their customers, which I believe, will lead to a stronger brand overall (look at Dell, Zappos and Comcast who realized this and are seeing the benefits from it now). Don’t send me to an automated call center where pushing ‘0′ keeps me in an infinite technical loop. Give me the option to push ‘0′ and speak to someone live. Give me a name, some background, some reason to bond with your company. Odds are good I will be/become a happy customer because you did.

I believe I am so successful in roles I fill is because I live by this philosophy. My clients know me. They know what my role in the company is and what I stand for. They know when I tell them something, they can believe it. It doesn’t matter who I work for – they can trust me because they know me. Granted, I live my life a little more openly than some, but also tend to have stronger relationships with people because of it. This is a powerful thing (when used for good of course). Companies who allow me to ‘be human’ in my interactions will reap the benefits because your customers will know there is someone willing to put her reputation on the line to make sure your customer walks away from the transaction – happy. I do this because you trust me to be me, and I respect you for that. Therefore, I am going the extra mile to ensure your customer respects you too. Everyone wins here.

I would love to hear thoughts you all as well as those from Heuer, Jackie, Jake, Todd and Shel (keeping with the meme to tag five people).

To be honest, I was not looking forward to hearing either Clinton speak at the convention. I have had issues with Hillary from the start, and Bill…well, he just seems like an egomaniac who will do anything to remain in the spotlight.

And while I don’t ever expect him or Hillary to ever change, tonight I saw both Clinton’s egos put aside for the overall benefit of the Democractic party. That got them both a brownie point each from me.

A couple of key take aways from Bills’ speech:

* “People over the world have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”

* “16 years ago, you gave me the profound honor to lead our party to victory and to lead our nation to a new era of peace and broadly shared prosperity. Together we prevailed in a campaign in which the Republicans said I was too young and too inexperienced to be commander-in-chief. Sound familiar? It didn’t work in 1992, because we were on the right side of history. And it won’t work in 2008, because Barack Obama is on the right side of history.”

* “The job of the next president is to rebuild the American dream and restore leadership in the world. Barack is the man for this job”

Good job Bill. Thank you. Thank you for sucking up your pride and helping to bring the party together.

I am far from a fashion maven. In fact, I am probably the next candidate to be getting a visit from Stacy and Clinton, but come on, some things are a given. Leg warmers on anyone but a dancer is dumb. Tube tops on girls over 20 are a bad idea. Pants that cup your boobs are simply re.dunk.dic.u.lous.

I might have to pack the Rebel in my bag and go back for better photos of these Coogi ‘creations’. There is detail work that should not be missed. Oy.

The future first lady gave a moving speech. There were parts that felt a little theatrical, but there is no mistaking the passion she has for her husband, her family, our country. I was glued to the tube.

What resonated with me the most from Michelle’s speech was the statement: ‘All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won’t do – that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be‘. Working towards a better tomorrow based on hope, not fear. As a die hard optimist, that hits me at my core.

Barack Obama for president.

The week after Heuer and I got married, I went into Michaels craft store and dropped over $300 on scrap booking supplies. Now, mind you…I am not a scrap booker…but, I thought with my newly married status this DIYer should try something ‘domestically based’ that did not involve a Makita drill (my favorite toy of all time).

Fast forward to one year and almost two months later…the three bags of supplies are still tucked nicely away in the closet (untouched).

Needless to say, this project fell by the wayside.

So the other night I found myself flipping channels late at night trying to find something of interest on TV. Lo and behold, I came across craft TV and they were demoing the Cricut, a handy dandy do everything you ever need to do scrap booking wonder tool. The girl in me was glued to the screen. The next thing I knew, I was on the phone ready to hand over $50 so I could finally connect with my inner paper layer outer.

As I was reading the last four digits of my credit card to the operator, I was struck with the realization that the odds were high this Cricut wonder tool would join the untouched bags of paper in the closet, only to be sold in a garage sale in three years after I finally admit I am just not ‘one of those girlie scrap booking girls’.

So after an apology for ‘wasting their time’ I hung up the phone, and turned off the TV.

I did keep their number though. I figure if I still want the darn thing in three months, then I should spend the money and hopefully I will use it. If not, then the next thing to do is getting rid of all the paper supplies collecting dust in the closet.

This is actually pretty darn funny, the script of the video that is – Paris’ delivery is horrible.

It was done in response to McCain’s original ‘celebrity’ ad where he compares Barack Obama with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

McCain had my respect for his integrity and plain speaking before the presidential election started. Shoot, back on January 30th I event tweeted ‘I want to bridge the red & the blue. I want something radical to happen in politics. I want an Obama/McCain ticket‘. Looking back I realize how wrong I was. He does not seem to be the man I thought he was. I now feel he would rather lose his reputation than lose an election. That saddens me greatly.

Obama for president.

It should come as no surprise that I am a social girl.

I run in a very social circle.

There are events and parties going on almost every single day of the week here in the Bay Area. This atmosphere absolutely feeds our need to have face:face contact with our peers and loved ones. This atmosphere also creates an environment where people will go out, even when sick, as there is a sense that we don’t wish to miss *anything*.

Heuer has written about this several times, and as I sit here on my couch, wrapped up in a sweatshirt and sucking down Zicam every three hours, I wish to bring it up…again.

Please folks…if you are not feeling well…do your friends, your family members and your co-workers a favor. Stay home. Get healthy. THEN come out.

I know it is hard, but it is your duty as a good citizen to make these sacrifices.

I joked about some of the folks battling colds right now that I came into contact with at our party on Friday night, but in all seriousness…please keep your community in mind and do what is right when you are sick. Stay home.

And now, because someone did not stay home – I have snot oozing out of my head, heaviness in my chest and have had to bag off two industry events and a meeting this week, and look to be missing two parties, one of them a birthday, in two days unless I get this through my system.

I know it sucks missing out on things, but it is not fair that you come out when there is a possibility you are contagious.

I am always glad to see you, spend time with you, share with you. Just keep your germs to yourself. Please.

When the time came for Heuer and I to plan our wedding – we were a bit conflicted. We really loved the idea of a small, intimate beach wedding, but both thought the reception should RAWK. We decided to split the events by having a laid back destination wedding in Mexico on July 7th, 2007 and then celebrate the official wedding reception one year, one month and one day AFTER in San Francisco on August 8th, 2008.

Ok, to be completely honest…we had wanted to throw the San Francisco reception immediately upon our return from Mexico, but half way through the wedding planning, we realized our financial situation was not going to allow the party we wanted. Not in 2007 at least. I was just coming off a nine (9) month sabbatical, and we decided to spend a lot more on the wedding than originally planned. Our wedding day turned out perfectly so I wouldn’t change a thing. It just meant putting our plans on hold for a bit…ok…we put our plans on hold for a year. Well really one year, one month and one day.

When the topic of our one year anniversary came up, we both agreed we had to throw a party. A big party. And when we started looking at the calendar, we realized quickly when one gets married on 07/07/07, it only makes sense one has a party on 08/08/08. From lucky number 7s to lucky number 8s (three times the prosperity).

Much like our wedding day, the reception/anniversary party was a blur. 100+ people in our house. Stocked bar. Great food. Good times for sure.

And special thanks to Tom Conrad of Pandora who provided the audio equipment so we can have groovy music played inside and out during the party. That was super swell. Thank you!

It has been an incredible first year of marriage. There have been many ups (travel, work, personal successes, etc.) and many downs (health, work, personal failures, etc.). I think sometimes you need those random kicks in the ass to make you truly appreciate the good times. And boy oh boy…do I appreciate them now.

And now, our focus turns to the planning for the 09/09/09 anniversary party…

Photo credit: Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

I know, I know. When do I NOT make a fool of myself, right?

How about voting for one (or all four) of the panels I could present on next year at SXSW (March 13-17, 2009) to test the theory I won’t be able to get through a public speaking gig without saying something silly:

(1) Beyond Social Media: Introducing Social Communications
Who really “owns” social media? Is it PR, Marketing, Branding? This panel will demonstrate that it’s all of the above and more. Thus the new category “Social Communications,” which we can think of as a hybrid of PR, marketing, branding, WOM, customer service, product development and more.

Co-presenters: Jackie Peters, Connie Reece, Chuck Hester, Todd Van Hoosear

(2) Climbing the Corporate Ladder in a Mini Skirt (or pant suit?)
Powerful tech women share their secrets regarding kicking ass, moving up the ladder, dealing with jerks, and helping other girls reach the top.

Co-presenters: Mel Kirk, Sally Strebel, Bronwyn Jones, Aubrey Sabalas

(3) Walking the tech runway in stilettos
Being a girl in a boys world. And succeeding. Similar to the panel above. But different. It’s a fun and lighthearted discussion that prepares females for greater success by helping them get comfortable in their own shoes. 5 panelists share the lessons learned on their journey toward success.

Co-presenters: Mel Kirk, Sally Strebel, Bronwyn Jones, Aubrey Sabalas or Tara Hunt (I think)

(4) 5 Common Misperceptions of Technological Creativity
Drinking the creation koolaid can sometimes be deceiving. It’s like trying to acclimate your taste buds to dog crap. 5 successful panelists share with you the ways to tell the difference between koolaid (the purple stuff) and Sunny D. to get results rather than reaching into a risky over populated grab bag.

Co-presenters: Sally Strebel, Mel Kirk, iJustine, Laura Fitton

Added bonus, my Heuer also submitted a panel idea:

Against All Odds-A Media Literate World

Presenters: Chris Heuer, Howard Greenstein, Alex De Carvalho, Brian Solis (with possibly Howard Reingold too)

You can vote for one or all of them at the SXSW website up through Friday, August 29th. Winning panels will be announced early October. Vote now and please don’t forget to use the ’stars’ option too!

Another month, another rotation on my Twitter stream. It continues to be an interesting experiment for me, one I will continue for a while longer as it is exposing me to new people, thoughts and ideas…and I kind of like it outside the echo chamber.

The only negative, per se, is that I have found the amount of conversations I have within Twitter has slowed drastically as the number of people I follow grows (added 250 since April 29th). And while 250 may not seem like a lot to some folks (I have friends who follow 1000’s of people), it is a huge number to me (remember, I am a Dunbar number kind of girl and I like to know a lot about the folks I follow, aka: my personal ‘network’), so I end up spending more time just reading about them and what they are writing than responding or contributing to their conversation. Maybe I lose out on some things, but I think I am becoming richer (personally) for the experiences.

So it will continue…as long as my sanity allows it.