I have been fortunate to arrange for 7 talks during the first 45 days of 2010 on the topic of social media for small business and brand building via video.  I know, this can be a very broad topic so I've worked diligently to create a Powerpoint presentation that can be delivered in 20 minutes or less.  I'm grateful to the Rotary clubs around our area for giving me the opportunity to come and speak and spread the love for all things social media.




My first talk of the year was the Rotary Club in Shelbyville, KY.  Everyone was very nice and friendly.  I got there extra early to get set up and was greeted by one of their "retired" members.  We had a little small talk, until I told him my topic.  He looked at me like I was from another planet.  About five minutes after I told him my topic (Social Media for Small Business) the second time one of the ladies in the kitchen asked him what the topic would be for the days meeting, he said something with social work.  I smiled to myself and thought I had my work cut out for me.  As more and more members came into the meeting I had the chance to meet a lot of their members.  They were interested in hearing about my talk.  After the formalities of Pledge Allegiance, invocation, lunch and my introduction from Mark Smith I gave my talk.  20 minutes later I finished and welcomed comments, questions and suggestions.  I had the pleasure of visiting with the District Governor along with a Psychiatrist from Shelbyville by the name of Paul Schmidt.  I left the meeting with a few more friends in Shelbyville, KY and the hope that maybe my passion for social media sparked a little bit of curiosity.

My second talk this year took place today in Bardstown, KY.  I was running late to get there and get set up prior to the beginning of the meeting.  I made it to the meeting place, Spalding Hall right in the heart of Bardstown.  The building and meeting space was very cool and eclectic with a lot of history on the Catholic church origins in Nelson County and articles of interest about the other religion in Bardstown, Bourbon.  I was greeted by Ben Wathen who is the program chair for the Bardstown club.  My computer did a few malfunctions but for the most part behaved.  My goal in all of these speaking endeavors is to create enough additional money to invest in a new tablet pc and projector that isn't 4 years old and has a mind of its own.  I walked around the room while people were eating lunch and listened to their various conversations about politics, Tiger Woods, health care and the state of our economy.  I've learned over the years that more can be learned by listening than speaking, this rang true once again for me today.  I gave my talk and hopefully drove home the point of the importance of social media for small business in small town America.  Honestly, I wasn't sure if I did until the very end of my talk.  I shared a story about the power of word of mouth and quite a few people were smiling and shaking their heads in agreement as I drove home my point, made me feel like my time invested today was worth it.  At the conclusion of the meeting I was approached by Jim Hagan who is a State Farm Insurance Agent in Bardstown.  He expressed to me that he knows social media is important and is changing the way business is done on a daily basis but not sure how to take advantage of it.  I'm confident that he's curious enough and my talk help start the wheel of thought in his mind. 

Five more talks over the next 30 days, I hope to blog more about my experiences from each one.  I have a lot to learn but am excited that 2010 is starting off on such a high note.