Events

Online advertising spending is set to overtake print advertising in 2012. What does that mean for media organizations? Join Hacks/Hackers Chicago for a special look at the technologies, tools, and trends driving the future of advertising on Feb. 22, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. As news organizations struggle to find new revenue streams to support their work, a thorough understanding of tomorrow's advertising revenue opportunities is key. For this session, Brad Flora will briefly present on new developments atNowSpots, which will provide interactive ads and real-time media buying for dozens of newspapers across the country, and is aiming for a public launch this spring. NowSpots was a 2010 Knight News Challenge winner. Also joining us is Christopher Skinner, VP of Strategic Intelligence atCentro. Christopher will discuss what digital data tomorrow's media buyers will be looking for in terms of user info, analytics, and more. We'll also discuss how news organizations can build better strategies around ad sales. There will be plenty of room for networking and conversation. Looking forward to seeing you! Please note that Matilda has an age limit of 23 which they will waive for Hacks/Hackers Chicago, so long as we provide a list of our younger attendees. If you are under 23 and interested in attending this event, please leave a comment below and we'll make sure you're on the list.

WordPress is a very easy content management system [CMS] to use — once you've learned the basics and what is possible. I will take you through: WP basics, the dashboard, how it all works; How to run a clean WP site; How to install plugins [and some favorites and not-so-favorites]; Security; Where you can take your site from here! I have been building WordPress custom & template sites since 2008 and can take you through everything from what to do if you're hacked, on to content management techniques. Bring your questions! You will leave with a WordPress manual and discounts toward future Gizmo events or design services. Light snacks and soda and water will be served. If you'd like to do both this and the February 8 Social Media for Small Business workshop, grab the combo ticket for $10 off!

The Social Media Summit will be a one-day seminar for businesses wanting to know how to make social media work for them. The Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting the summit on Feb. 23 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago/Alsip. Topics that will be covered include how to effectively use web optimization, blogs, mobile applications, LinkedIn and Facebook ad campaigns. Jeff Molander, CEO of Molander & Associates, will give the morning keynote on generating leads and sales using social media efficiently. For the lunch keynote, J.D. Gershbein, CEO of Owlish Communications, will present the keynote on optimizing and monetizing your LinkedIn Profile. There will be several break-out sessions on leveraging social media through a variety of social media platforms. Jed Stockton, of Fair Oaks Farms in Fair Oaks, Ind., will talk about how social media interaction has driven business to his destination. Steve Robinson, of Constant Contact, will discuss strategies and best practices to get the most of your social media and how to measure the return of your activities. The cost to attend this summit is $95 before Feb. 1, or $110 after. Register at [source material & copy attributed to http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/illinois/lansing/chicago-southland-cvb-to-host-social-media-summit/article_dc1792af-0fec-5518-a44f-867c1a0335a5.html#ixzz1kJafTXcl]

Prep for Knead to Rise or just brush up on your business acumen with our series of one-hour lunchtime courses. Knead to Rise Winter Intensives Freshly Baked Communications presents the Knead to Rise Winter Intensives to: assist growing and startup businesses owners prepare their companies for future growth with expert tips in financial management, marketing communication and lead generation showcase products and services available from local businesses that specialize in helping small business owners provide a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with other successful entrepreneurs Who should attend? These presentations are structured to give small business owners a sample of the information that will be covered in the six-week training course. After taking the course, you will be invited to sign up for admission to the next session of Knead to Rise, which begins in March 2012. Feel free to forward this invite along to your colleagues who could use this information! Register today! Class sizes are capped to allow for personalized attention. If you have any questions about this event, contact our Freshly Baked Communications at 815-893-6342 or send us an email at socialmedia@FBC-Chicago.com. Connect with Freshly Baked Communications!

Explore Web Apps to help your run your business or non profit. Use low cost and no cost tools, you can use over the web to help run and promote your business This class will survey popular applications, used for busines Cloud What is the "cloud" and why does it matter to your organization ? Contrast to Client Server Model Pros, portablility, anywhere access, subscription model, easy mantenance, easy interface with other cloud appsn Cons; Privacy, Security, United States and foreigh legalissues, broadband connection Typical Cloud implementations, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services Applications Google Analytics See who is looking at your web sites Evernote Work collaborativle, keep notes Constant Contact eMail Marketing made easy Eventbrite Schedule events, and take registrations Real Simple Systems CRM Manage all you contacts using Customer Relationship Management Survey Monkey Design online surveys Microsoft Office Live Use Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote over the web, work and share with others Google Docs The free alternative to Microsoft Office Getting Started Contract Review Data Migration Acceptance Testing Backup strategies

“S&M Weekend” “Welcome to the World of Mouth” How to Create a Social Media Platform using the TOP 6 Sites How to Create Your Message (USP) for Your Business How to Create a 1 Year Marketing Plan for Your Business How to get Customers to Chase You How to use Social Media to Establish Yourself as an Expert 10 Strategies to create customers and sales using Social Media Have your message reach 1,000’s of people in seconds (no friends required) How to Become a Video Expert without the $10,000 studio cost How to Start Filling rooms with people coming to buy your products/service How Create a Selling Website not an Internet brochure How to Generate Leads on Auto-Pilot using what all Internet Guru’s Use