First off, I was blown away by Scott Stratten's keynote this morning. Damn, that guy can deliver the goods! He's a great one to emulate as a professional speaker--he's funny, passionate and authentic.
His core message: Your business doesn't have to be fully immersed in social media, but you at least need to have a broad understanding of why it is important and how it is being used (along with other new technologies like QR codes, etc.).
Here are a few tweets from Scott's (@Unmarketing) keynote:
Customers come to social media for help. Be there to answer. Be the expert. #ANLAClinic @unmarketing
— Katie (@KatieGMG) January 27, 2012
#ANLAclinic Every time you use a QR code incorrectly ,a kitten dies. @unmarketing Think through the use of QR codes before using them!
— Ellen Wells (@GPBuzz) January 27, 2012
As expected, @unmarketing killed it at #ANLAClinic. Funny, insightful, inspiring. More speakers should be like him.
— Jason Falls (@JasonFalls) January 27, 2012
"Social media just amplifies...people buy from who they know, like & trust." - @unmarketing #ANLAclinic
— Jonathan (@gardenmarketing) January 27, 2012
Check out Scott's book: Unmarketing
Jason Falls was in the house
Jason Falls is a big name in the social media space. He consults with numerous big brands. He spoke a few different times at The Clinic and I was able to catch up with him for a quick interview.
(Yes, I realize the video quality stinks. I blame HTC and Android.)
Buy Jason's book, No Bullshit Social Media, on Amazon here.
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Mobile payment processing
One of the things Jason Falls talked about at The Clinic was a relatively new mobile payment processor called Square.
How would you like to collect a deposit or final payment on-site using your iPad or iPhone? And only pay 2.75%? And get a next-day pay out?
Mobile payment processing is the future, folks.
And how about the minimalist design of the card-swiper-thingy? Beautiful...
Other randomness...
My friend, Katie Ketelsen, and her husband, Jay, brought their one month old, Landry, with them to The Clinic. How diehard is that? And how cute is this kid? Not quite as cute as my Charlie but still pretty damn cute.
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Speaking of cute, how about the mother/daughter tandem of Suzi McCoy and Katie Dubow of Garden Media Group? Aside from Joanne Kostecky (if you know Joanne, you know what I'm talking about), these two definitely win the "style" award. I might have to hire them to make me over (My wardrobe is pretty scary.)
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And on a final note, kudos to all the ANLA staff for bringing in some top notch people like Scott Stratten and Jason Falls as well as working your asses off to make this a great experience for everybody.
I'm out for now. If I have anything to add I'll update this post. Garden Idol is still to come this evening.
And, by the way, do you know what Chris Heiler and the iPad have in common? A birthday! TODAY! (Yes, Mother, I'll stay away from the bourbon tonight.)