Time 15:21

Social media is at a defining moment, a point where there are ample technologies to effectively participate in the medium, but also significant issues being debated within organizations about using the medium. The Business Smart Tools conference on May 5 in Stamford, CT will feature discussions about both the use of the technologies and the debates within organizations.

I will join Scott Monty of Ford Motor Company, John C. Havens of Blog Talk Radio, among others at this one day conference sponsored by Creative Concepts. Valorie Luther, CEO of Creative Concepts and I highlight some of these issues in this Marketing Edge podcast. It some cases, midsize companies have captured the essence of social media to gain significant exposure while larger more regulated, or bureaucratic companies have struggled with being social.

The Business Smart tools conference will have workshops on using Twitter for business, and the ROI of social media. There is also a discount for Marketing Edge listeners, register for Business Smart Tools conference and in the promo code field use the word Blog for a 20 percent discount

5 Steps to Expert Contest

Marketing Edge book contest is 5 Steps to Expert by Paul Schempp – email me at marketingedge AT providentpartners DOT net with the word Expert in the subject line. The comment line is 206-600-6887 leave a comment, topic to discuss, or question, we love the conversation.

The undercurrent at BlogWorld is churned by the sudden absence of noted bloggers and a lack of blogging on the part of some CEOs whose companies depend on bloggers.

OK, no worries, sports fans, because there are plenty more of us here and out there. Now, that’s the power of social media. This post is not to recount the reasons why these new media, this new industry — whatever you’d like to call it — needs to be more mature. Jeremiah Owyang and Chris Brogan, among others, have done a good job of that.

This slant is to underscore what Leo Laporte said in the keynote: Paraphrasing, the medium is about everyone, not limited by format, money, subscribers, nothing. A new blog hero can rise to fill the shoes of someone that has lost interest. Mark Cuban’s, a replacement keynoter, a pretty good hero to have. Go Mavs.

What corporate types should watch for from this conference speed bump is how quickly the community dialogues, supports and gives voice to those who might be in the shadows today and the spotlight tomorrow. Yes, dialogues. And this same reaction can happen to any brand, product, and issue, at any time, even our own. Perhaps the next one will be yours.

What’s your take? Is this blogging world really information anarchy or the somewhat unpredictable result of when people of various opinions disagree?

Video on the Internet is seen by 78 percent of male Web users and 66 percent of female Web users, according the research firm eMarketer. In this podcast, we’ll hear from the senior analyst on video on the ‘Net for eMarketer, David Hallerman, about how is video being used in both the B2C and B2B environments.

It’s not just about pre-roll advertising or viral funnies passed around on by the YouTube crowd. Video is being used as yet another information tool for all kinds of communication. Video case studies, equipment demonstrations, emotional story telling and more.

A B2B video example is below. This is a video case study for an enterprise software company, SoftBrands, whose technology helps run the operations at Tedia, a chemical manufacturer. While SoftBrands is an international player in the enterprise software industry and a key partner of software giant SAP, their story is best told through the experiences of their customers. You can show screenshots all day long and have the best software engineers to walk you through the product, but video used in this context provides a powerful connection to the real-life benefits of the product.

Also in this podcast, we are holding two giveaways. Here they are:

“The Dip” by Seth Godin

We are giving away another copy of Seth Godin’s latest book, called “The Dip.” It’s about successful business people who knew when to quit walking down dead-end paths and start taking the road to fulfilled dreams. Just e-mail us at marketingedge@providentpartners.net with the words “The Dip” in the subject line. If you’re the first, you win. If not, we’ll make a donation to a local food shelter on your behalf.

Business Smart Tools Conference

I’m speaking at the Business Smart Tools conference on May 15 in Stamford, Connecticut. This is a great day of sessions with wonderful panels of speakers, including new media executives from General Motors, Digitas and Xerox.

We are giving away three passes to this conference, one to each of the first three e-mails we get. Only one free registration per company, so don’t try to pile on. Just e-mail marketingedge@providentpartners.net with the words “Business Smart Tools” in the subject line. Hurry –- we’re only taking the first three, and of course, we’ll donate one food item per e-mail we receive regardless of who wins the giveaway.

Any questions? Contact me, Albert Maruggi, at amaruggi@providentpartners.net or call 651-695-0174. We’re on Skype, too: screen name providentpartners.

Podcast length: 9:17