January’s program combined two dynamic elements: networking and Social Media Bingo!
At SMB’s first event of 2020 at DreamBank, attendees drank coffee, sampled a few treats from Metcalfe’s, and expanded their networks.
Armed with their SMBMad bingo card, participants shared information ranging from someday goals to the length of their career in social media. Newbies and veterans mingled and swapped stories and business cards.
With the help of their bingo card, participants found out fun details such as who runs a podcast, works for a nonprofit and posts to Instagram daily.
Josh Klemons, SMB board president, encouraged quality over quantity. Instead of rushing from person to person, attendees slowed and got to know each other a bit more.
A few folks shared their views about SMB and why they’re willing to get up early and mingle.
Discovering SMB
Jennifer Phillips attended for the first time. She’s the director of the Wisconsin ESL Institute.
“I wanted to meet people in the Madison area,” she said. “It seems like a great way to get involved.”
“Social media is always changing and never the same,” commented Megan Lund, a DreamBank curator and first-time attendee.
While taking a digital marketing course at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Megan learned about the SMB community.
Mary Jane Connor of MJC MKTG described SMB folks as “an awesome group of people with high energy and diverse ages and experience.”
“I’m looking forward to expanding my repertoire of knowledge around social media, “said Ramona Field, Inspired Language Solutions. She’s planning on attending future SMB programs.
What Brings Them Back
Long-time attendee Rhiannon Gurley, Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance, said she always learns something and makes new contacts. “It’s rejuvenating to be around people in my field,” she said.
Gail Sumi, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, said she meets new colleagues in local government. “It’s nice to talk with people who have done it before and learn from them, “she said.
Through SMB, Gail learned some best practices regarding accessibility. Now she knows that capitalizing words in hashtags and using alt tags with photos improves content for visually impaired individuals. (See Making Content Accessible & Inclusive.)
Eagan Heath of Get Found Madison meets potential clients and digital marketing employees at Social Media Breakfast events. Last year he hired four individuals. He’s interested in topics related to direct response and measured marketing.
“I love the enthusiasm of a group of people all trying to achieve similar goals before 8 a.m.,” said Spencer X Smith, AmpliPhi Social Media Strategies. He described attendees as a group of practitioners who share what’s working with others.
Smith revealed that “one of my first big gigs was at Social Media Breakfast.” He’s presented alone and as part of a panel.
D.P. Knudten, Collaborator Creative, agreed that Social Media Breakfast begins at “an unholy hour.” He said the effort is worth it for the “learning, sharing and connecting.”
James Kademan, Draw In Customers Business Coaching, enjoys networking at SMB. “I learn about things I didn’t even know existed,” he said. “It helps me understand that I’m not alone in trying to figure out the social media landscape.”
Support Through Sponsorship
Harland Guy frequently attends SMB. He represents Powderkeg, a sponsor.
“Social media has a close connection with digital markets,” he said. Harland likes to keep up with advancements in social media so he can help others be more effective in the digital marketing space.
As a SMB volunteer, Abbey Alfredson, runs its Instagram account. She likes the opportunity to practice her social media skills. Abbey works as a dream curator for DreamBank, a SMB sponsor.
Don’t Miss SMBMad in February: Navigating The Intersection of Digital Marketing and Social Justice
Josh Klemons thanked all for attending the event in person and online. He also recognized volunteers and sponsors.
SMB featured Community Conservation as its nonprofit for the month. The group encourages the formation of community-based organizations that empower local people to manage their own projects and lands with minimal outside influence.
At the Feb. 19 SMB session, an expert panel will discuss “Navigating The Intersection of Digital Marketing and Social Justice.” Panelists will be Zon Moua, Youth Organizing at Freedom; Baltazar De Anda-Santana, Orgullo Latinx LGBT+; and Brian Juchems, GSAFE Wisconsin.
Leslie Blaize wrote this post on behalf of Winbound, a manufacturing marketing firm. Winbound provides an all-in-one content marketing and conversion optimization package specifically designed for small manufacturing and industrial marketing departments.
