It’s very obvious to me that I’m getting old. The annual trek to Austin is something that I’m beginning to have a love/hate relationship with.
Great people and great info make the time there really worth attending and it would seem that each year the brands are getting smarter and smarter to court the influence of the tastemakers by bringing out the big guns.
This year went above and beyond. CNN, Pepsi, AOL and Samsung all went to the wall with big offerings. Overall the actual panels and speaking was great – however I thought the panels this year were lacking. During the conference I asked around to see if it was just me or a greater problem. Turns out it wasn’t me, I asked around and we all had the same feeling – many panel speakers seemed unprepared or out of sync with each other, like there was zero prep time.
Highlights and Tips:
Apps, Apps, Apps
I don’t know what the square footage of the Austin Convention Center Exhibition area was but 90% of the booths were hocking an app. It makes sense because Apple has paid out over $2 Billion to developers but none of them really stood out to me. App Developers – How are you standing out?? The secret is not by offering a drawing for an iPad2 (everyone’s doing it!)
Print is not dead
The irony that the largest techie conference uses as much paper as they do is disturbing. Big kudos to the crew at Square Space for their brilliant food truck and use of GREAT print. It was effective and drew me in. Loved it!
Print is still white noise
Making a flyer about your website, new app or product is just silly. Mediocre print is sadly not going anywhere but covered any square inch of space available around the convention center. Interestingly the only people I saw paying attention to the massive flyer covered areas were the people covering them.
Ze Frank blew my doors off!
It’s great find out that the word is bigger than I thought and I’ve got a long way to go. I find it challenging and exciting. Ze walked through several recent projects including Young Me, Now Me and The Chillout Story. I was entranced by his humanity crossed with technology storytelling. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of Ze since “The Show” but to hear how these emotion laden one-offs are impacting masses and showing true connection are exquisitely beautiful.
The Mentoring Sessions in Film should be adopted by Interactive
It was invaluable to bounce ideas off of leading filmmakers and executives. I wish this was also done by the interactive side of things. Please SXSW make that happen for next year!
Ditch the Parties and hang out at the lobby bar.
This is the best piece of advice I can give you and I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one thinking it. Most nights I was trying to catch up with a fair amount of people and it was great to just hang out in one place and not have to yell over the thumping bass. The bonus was one night finding Guy Kawasaki and Pam Slim at the next table – I knew it was a good idea!
Talking to 3 different continents during Beth Kanters’ session!
A packed house for Beth’s session on engaging free agents and the best part was talking in real time with new friends in Lebanon and Egypt at the same time. It’s so important for free agents and nonprofits to team up and Beth does an amazing job of making that point. Don’t be a fortress nonprofit and get her book!
Experience SXSW as a team!
I was very fortunate to be with 3 great guys from Out:think Group. I work with these guys everyday and it was great to spend some time with these extremely talented guys without due dates hanging over our heads.
Get some Coulhaus!
I can’t talk enough about this food truck! Just ask Tiffany, we talk about them at least once a week. They’ve got the BEST ice cream sandwiches and Firefox showed how smart they were by bringing them to launch their Firefox Mobile Party. Thanks Firefox!!
Breakfast Tacos and Thunderbird Coffee
Part of my annual trip of SXSW is to see my friend Carrie Graham and hear about all the cool work she’s doing with Mosaic church. This year she took me out for some breakfast tacos and Thunderbird Coffee. The next time you’re in Austin check them out – thank me later.
That’s SXSW for 2011 for me! See you next year!
Packing up gear and heading to Austin, TX for a weekend of tech, film and general brilliance.
I’m really excited to hear from leading pros around the web about what’s coming up, what’s working, how engagement is happening and general stories of connectedness. Last year was definitely an adventure and this year will be no different. It’s a time where I get to join up with super smart guys like Tim Grahl, Joseph Hinson and Brian Morykon of Out:Think Group. Plus I get to attend great sessions like this one from Josh Kaufman.
Mashable came out with a great list of can’t miss pieces (I will probably miss some of these, however, it’s so much.)
I’m also thrilled to be part of the Twitter peanut gallery at Beth Kanters session on the networked nonprofit. See more about it here. Best part, you can take part while it’s happening just use the hashtag #netnon
Also in the same vein for Nonprofits is a special area hosted by Beaconfire consulting – this is home base for many nonprofit attendees. I’m looking forward to hanging with Eve Simon and Michael Cervino. Check out the lounge here!
This year I’m also attending film events which is going to be intense. As the web landscape continues to provide many distribution tools for indie filmmakers. This is like the OK Corral to the general internet’s Wild West.
I’ll be posting the most interesting tidbits from both types of sessions in the next several days.
Be Safe,
Portnoy Media Group uses the influence of social networks to expand your organization's voice and tell your story. We connect people with your mission and enable your brand to be shared, discovered, and connected. Work with us as we empower your organization to dramatically extend your online presence and increase donations.
In part one, I talked about how Mark Horvath uses new/social media for engagement. We got a lot of questions during our session so I’d like to address them.
How do I get my organization engaged in Social Media?
So glad you asked….
First Steps: Jumping into social media is a great idea! But before we tweet our hearts out lets figure out some strategy.
Can you tell me what your organization does in a sentence?
Don’t be surprised if you can’t, I’ve met with many great organizations that don’t have this figured out. This is a great time to get your team together and get to the crux of why your organization exists. Be concise and make every word beg to be in that sentence.
The issue of WHY is so much more important than the issue of WHAT or HOW. Simon Sinek, author of “Start With Why“ talks about this very topic in his Puget Sound TED talk – watch the video here.
Crucial “Why’s” to answer:
- Why is there an issue? (Cause)
- Why do you and your organization find this scenario terrible? (Mission)
After you’ve figured out your message and why you do it, the next thing to figure out is your tone. How will your organization be portrayed on the web?? Who will it target? Will your organization function as a peer, informational, educational, friendly, totalitarian, or guilt driven and constantly blasting information to the world? That last part I put in because many orgs say they are interested in sharing and conversing with their audience but all their interested in is the same type of marketing that has happened previously. Â To make it it a little easier, Â think about your organization making the movie from Radio to TV – there would be obvious adjustments that would have to be made. Â TV is about showing, radio is about telling. The medium changed but the principles didn’t. Your organization needs to get the word out and there’s a path of communication that gets your constituents connected to specific programs, volunteer services
You’d be surprised at how many organizations have not considered how their message will be received. This is a crucial change for many organizations. Print as a medium is flatter/less dynamic than online communication, which means the engagement is possible but there are limitations on what your audience can/will do with your message. A bad appeal in print means the money doesn’t come in but a bad appeal in online fundraising could mean that you could be openly chastised or ridiculed by your audience or a new one.
These are the types of fears that go through many development offices and corporate suites around the country. Truth is, if your tone matches your organization communication style there’s no way you can go wrong. This is why authenticity in media is so crucial because without it you will be found out. Small town rules apply. See Gary Vaynerchuk talk about the small town rules here. Your audience will understand much of where your coming from as present new information, recent studies, etc.
In the same way that the best Superbowl ads resonated because of their truth , you’ve got to define the truth of your organization? These truths are easy ways to build campaigns around your organization. How can you show the truth of clean water, the reality of human trafficking or the cultivation of life change? These are at the top of my favorite conversations to have with clients.
Organizations that are the best communicators online are not agenda driven by development/fundraising staff but their websites become a mirror of their entire organization. (more truth!) Â What is it about your organization that gives a wow factor?
The Internet has made the world flat and only spreads awesome information, videos, etc. – it’s that simple. (See Scott Stratten’s Unmarketing) So your nonprofit is competing for time against your favorite TV show, beverage ad of choice and anything else you can think of. Past thinking and approaches will not bring the results you’ve had in the past. It’s go time and you can do it!
One last thing: Massive thanks to the crew at The National Alliance to End Homelessness, for inviting me to their conference! It was great to meet so many that are actively changing the lives of so many people in poverty and experiencing homelessness.
A great video supercut with people talking about the internet and the possibilities from the late 80′s got posted just recently and it’s a hoot.
The easy takeaway is that everyone’s got an opinion and the so called experts get a lot wrong when we look at this with the perspective of today.
If you’re a nonprofit today asking questions about how your organization can effectively communicating online to raise money, increase your donor base and continue to tell your story – then you’re asking the right questions.
The best part is that even 20+ years later, a similar report now would be longer and feature answers to how businesses and organizations are using to connect but we’re no where close to the limits of innovation.
If you’re new to twitter – here’s a secret: you’re going to screw up.
It’s best to own up to it as fast as possible and I’ve found the Twittering set to be most forgiving. Social media managers are watching multiple accounts and it’s not uncommon to have multiple accounts on a mobile device. – screwing up is bound to happen.
It’s inevitable. And it’s ok.
Tweet of the Day: So last night, someone at helm of the American Red Cross’s Twitter feed accidentally (drunkenly? Red Cross says no) tweeted this.
It’s since been deleted, natch, but the best part? It resulted in a veritable flood of blood donations. Dogfish Head Brewery made a meme out of the hashtag #gettngslizzerd, asking people to donate. And donate they did: “After I drop off a pint of blood to the @RedCross, I’m replacing it with a pint of @dogfishbeer #gettngslizzerd,â€
Bravo to the crew at Dogfish Brewery for being quick witted and incorporating blood donation with their good humor! Creativity wins another one!
Update: And a bigger Bravo to The Red Cross for laughing at themselves here – Way to go!!
In a few hours I’m sharing the stage with Mark Horvath (@Hardlynormal) to talk with homeless service agencies in attendance about how new/social media tools are at their disposal for greater connectivity, greater awareness and greater fundraising.
Mark has had HUGE success in rallying support to his cause of InvisiblePeople.tv It’s raw, real and unedited. His mode of using social media with shock and awe is well suited to his personality and you can’t argue the results he gets with over 50,000 views a month on his YouTube channel.
As Mark and I started talking about what to share with our group this morning it was interesting to hear him talk about entry points into social media for these agencies. Because Mark understands the principles of communication in this new mode, he knows that how he uses the medium and interacts with so many on a daily basis won’t work with the same kind of success for a 100 year old shelter in Kansas City, MO.
For Example: One of my favorite videos from Mark
This video is as raw as it gets. Barry talks frankly about what he’s living in, what his life is about and his hope for the future. His life hits me like a truck. Living in tunnels under Las Vegas, Barry’s struggles are so much more urgent than anything I have happening in my life.
This video is a small part in the narrative that InvisiblePeople.tv and Mark are telling. Mark’s a crusader and gives glimpses into the vast spectrum of lives that are intersecting with homelessness. Families in cheap hotels, women couch surfing, a man living in Central Park. Their stories make up the multiple faces of homelessness and Mark is campaigning for change. His tactics blitzkreig our lives, slap us around and ask if we’re going to let it continue. The drum that he’s been banging has attracted the attention of Google, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times and dozens of news outlets.
He’s had success but if you did the exact same thing, there would be some ripples and in the end you’d be referred to as, “Oh, you’re doing things just like InvisiblePeople.tv!”
What can we learn?
- Mark’s style fits his organization and personality – find yours and tell your story.
- There was a need and Mark got started helping – he “shipped it“. There have been adjustments and refinements along the way to make sure that he’s connecting. Even to the point of starting WeAreVisible.com because his tribe told him that was needed.
- This didn’t exist 3 years ago – a new market/community around an idea.
- A great example of acquisition – he can go to this community for help/resources. The housing of @LostAwareness by @Skip1 is a great move from the community – Check out the video
In the next post (Part II) I’ll sum up what we talked about in our session at The National Alliance to End Family Homelessness Conference and profile an organization that’s in the digital space that uses the same principles but it looks different. Here’s a hint.
Ryan Portnoy is a great photographer. He also happens to be my brother. When he’s not having his work in Architectural Digest or GQ, he’s 50% of the Kellan Studios team with his wife Kelly (that’s my sister-in-law). They’ve been featured on more wedding websites than I can name. Needless to say, he’s fierce with a camera and as part of the on going series “5 Questions with…” Ryan gives insight on how he approaches story and photography.
What’s your favorite part of photography?
If you had asked me this even just a few years ago, I would have said it was playing with all the gear. Now that I’m older (and I think having kids has added to this), I love being able to give people something beautiful that will last them for a long time to come.
How do you use photos to tell a story?
Well, in order to tell a story, you need to know the story. Kelly and I try to learn as much about the client/product as we can in order for that story to resonate in the images we create.
What campaign have you seen recently that you loved? (include any links)
Apparently I love insurance commercials. The latest from Nationwide (The World’s Greatest Spokesman in the World kills me), The Allstate “mayhem” commercials get better with each new one. Those are better as a grouping. To see only one, you don’t get the whole picture. Perhaps the greatest thing I’ve seen all year is Google’s commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. Advertising perfection in my opinion.
In really thinking about this, you need to make me laugh or make me cry to get me to genuinely connect to or enjoy your advertising.
What advice would you give to a non profit on photography?
I think this question speaks to the second question as well. If you are a non-profit looking to have photography done, you need to find someone who loves what it is that you are trying to accomplish. In order for your story to be told and told well, you should be working with someone who has an intimate knowledge of the issue you are trying to solve. With this knowledge, the photographer is in a much better place to reate images that are powerful and matter in the long run.
What’s your favorite non profit?
This is really tough since there are so many great causes out there. But I’d have to sayI really love what the people at The Aquamanzi Water Project are doing. They are the makers of the Q-Drum. Just ingenious stuff, and coming from a design background, it’s just fantastic.
You can check out more of Ryan’s work at Moore & Giles and at Kellan Studios
- Take away: So much of involving donors and engaging site visitors happens through quality photography – spend the money, you and your donors will be glad you did!
- Make ‘em laugh or make ‘em cry – emotional response is a huge plus but don’t make them feel bad through guilt.
The Superbowl is the biggest spectacle of commercial marketing on the planet. Â The biggest products and films of the year partner with the best and brightest agencies in a battle royale for prominence in capturing our attention and swaying our buying patterns.
Here’s about as many as I could find.
The New Breed
LivingSocial – “It’ll Change your life”
Not sure if I was supposed to move down the road to cross dressing or subscribe to the service.
Bridgestone – Reply All
A hilarious depiction from the cubicle farm.
Motorola Zoom Tablet – 1984 revisited
I wasn’t as big a fan of it. the commercial is fine but the growing trend of commercials stealing from other commercials (T-Mobile’s current campaign – “I’m a T-Mobile”) doesn’t excite me at all.
Career Builder – Monkeys Driving a Car
Continuing on the same campaign of the past few years, it’s not bad but might be treading the same ground, besides it’s no “punching a koala”
The Daily – What a Wonderful World
ETrade.com – The Tailor
Meh
Best Buy – Buy Back
Anytime there’s a blending of Beiber and Ozzy I’m in! Th best is the last shot featuring a balding Beiber saying he “Looks like a girl” ALL ABOARD!!
HomeAway.com – Test baby, Ministry of Detourism
Test baby?!?!?! It’s a funny premise, but flinging a baby at a window??? In truth, I nearly spit out my food in an effort to not die from choking because I started laughing.
Groupon – Tibet and Tmothy Hutton
The backlash has ALREADY started about this campaign which means it may have done it’s job to be memorable. Racism and branding is never a good mix but I thought it was more the juxtaposition of care of culture to care of wallet.
Teleflora.com- “Write what’s in your heart”
Further proof in the argument that “Guys are just not that deep” – Great Commercial! “So you sent that..” Faith Hill was dang funny in it. for only having 2 lines.
The Cars
Chevy Cruze – Retirement Home
…..
AUDI – Escape Traditional Luxury “Hit ‘em with Kenny G”
This was a winner on so many levels. Several set ups, “Release the hounds” “Hit ‘em with the Kenny G” and then to find out it’s an AUDI commercial – well done!
Chevy – Tommy
Cute but not compelling.
KIA Optima – Epic Ride
BMW – Expansion in recession
BMW – Diesel Ch-ch-changes
Chevy Cruze – Facebook
I’m not interested in a car that can read my facebook updates – This commercial shows technology but I don’t really get the connection to how it’s a great reason to intersect with my life.
Chevy Camaro – Miss Evelyn
VW – The Force
This is by far the winner of the entire Superbowl. This commercial leaked earlier this week to a ravenous 13 MILLION VIEWS!!! And then for those who hadn’t seen it already , it was the belle of the ball!
Carmax – I Feel Like
Hilarious!
Mini – Cram it in the Boot!
This commercial made me feel weird.
Camax – Customer Service
2out of 5 stars
Chrysler – Detroits Luxury
I used to live in Detroit and I didn’t enjoy it but this commercial did a great job of drawing on nationalistic emotions from the time when of Detroit was building our country after World War II. I think it was great and then Eminem came in – help a brother out???
Cars.com – Online reviews
Bridgestone – Carma
Cute
VW – 21st Century Beetle
I’m hooked, I won’t be purchasing but a great use of The Mystery Box.
Mercedes Benz – 125 Years in the Making
Hyundai – Anachronistic City
Hyundai – Deprogramming
The Films
Kung-fu Panda 2
Fast Five
Battle Los Angeles
Thor
Captain America: The First Avenger
Cowboys Versus Aliens
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Super 8
Great trailer because it didn’t give away the entire movie, a trend that seems to be going away.
Pirates of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Rango
Limitless
Food, Beer and Drinks
Bud Light – Kitchen Makeover
Bud Light – Product Placement
Budweiser – Old West Tiny Dancer
Brisk – Eminem Claymation
Coke – Fireworks
Coke – The Border/Diplomacy
Stella Artois – She is a thing of beauty
Snickers – Logger/Comedian Divas
What was your favorite commercial?? And if you can tell me why – how did it connect with you or intersect your life?
Here’s the latest story from Union Rescue Mission
YouTube annotation features have been around for a while but I’ve yet to see a nonprofit use them as a form of engagement. Starting at 3:38 URM gives 2 options for activity, watch more videos or make a donation. The part I love the most about their short films is that they look to connect emotionally but without the use of guilt.
They’ve been creating these vids for over 2 years and every time I watch I know I’m going to see a story from someone in their own words. It’s going to be messy, with rough edges but it’s reality – and I appreciate that and based on the numbers, so does their audience.
If you’re creating YouTube Videos and not thinking through the activity you’d like your viewers to make next – then you’re not thinking through a full story arc. Â Especially when you’re videos or short films are incredible! (I think URM’s definitely fit under that moniker)
The launch in using the annotations happened in mid September with URM’s Chef David video from the Stories from Skid Row series. Since the launch the channel views are trending 30% higher than a standard month with each released video having several hundred more views than prior to the annotations.
Are the videos better than they were before?I think they get better every month but I’d say it’s negligible
Has the audience grown? Yes, steady growth but nothing to match the 30% increase.
How do you get it? Sign up your nonprofit with Google and take advantage of a lot of the products and services they have to offer.
So why did the views go up? URM has focused on greater video integration across social media and with the use of annotations allowing for easy viewing of more than one video in a row.
Quality content + Ease of use = greater connectivity, satisfaction and warm and fuzzies around your brand.
Update: After several month of monitoring the process, working with Chronicle Project, we edited the final frames for annotations to encompass even more options. Adding xtra pieces like email sign up and easy sharing on twitter and facebook as well as watching more videos and making a donation.
This March I’m joining up with a phenomenal bunch of nonprofit leaders, CEO and supporters for The Ideation Conference. Â The Ideation Conference is the next step for Idea Campers, the attitude of sharing and improvement is the same but the conference itself steps it up a bit.
This years lineup features a gathering of leaders making a difference in their organization, community and their world.
From the site:
This conference could be called bootcamp, or a shine and polish but bring your team to see the man (or woman) behind the curtain and learn what motivates them, what they’re thinking and what’s on the horizon.
I’m thrilled to be joining this group of movers and shakers and every time I get to see this bunch it’s a great time of joy and lots of laughs – and then I learn something!
Also on the docket for this years lineup:
Aaron Young – Executive Driector of Boys and Girls Club in Santa Monica
Ben Keesey - CEO of Invisible Children
Ben Morrison – Founder of Laugh-Aid, Former Co-Host of Punk’d
Chad Mayer – Executive Director of ShareFest
Charles Lee - CEO of Ideation Consultancy
Chris Heuertz – International Executive Director of Word Made Flesh
Craig Watson – Executive Director of Arts Council for Long Beach
Esther Havens – Humanitarian Photographer
Jeff Shinabarger - Founder of Plywood People
Joel John Roberts – CEO of PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
JR Kerr – Lead Architect for Aitreni Group
Keith Kall – Executive Director of National Foundation Corporation Development for World Vision
Lee Fox – Founder of KooDooZ
Mark Horvath – Founder of InvisiblePeople.tv
Mike Foster – Co-Founder of Plain Joe Studios
Nikole Lim – Founder of Freely in Hope
Randy Paynter - Founder of Care2.com
Rob Morris – Founder of Love146
Rod Arnold – COO of charity: water
Sam Oh – IT Director for Fresh & Easy
Scott Belsky - CEO of Behance
Sean Carasso – Founder of Falling Whistles
Tyler Marrick - Founder of Project7
For more info on the speakers – Click here
This year Ideation has added a day after the conference for a special session with Scott Belsky, CEO of Behance and author of Making Ideas Happen. I’ve already signed up to attend because The 99% conference was SOLD OUT and I want the inside track to the latest info.. And I think you should know about it too.
In the coming weeks I’ll share a bit more about my workshop. Join me for the Ideation Conference and then stick around for i2i – See you then!
UPDATE: Just got the inside scoop for a 10% discount code. Use IDEA10 when you register and save  some cash!
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