Events

You've heard the term "social media marketing" a million times. You (and your business) probably already have a Twitter and Facebook account. That's great! But how do you really use these sites - as well as other outlets - to their full potential? How do you reach your target audience to eventually create deep, meaningful, lasting relationships? This advanced, high level one-day workshop will explore the ins-and-outs of social media marketing and how it can help your business. We'll cover the latest and most important trends that are taking the social web by storm. We'll deep dive into increasing brand awareness, enhancing customer engagement, and boosting revenue - Social Media like all marketing and sales efforts should deliver an ROI. Additionally, we will cover the importance of weaving 'social' into the fabric of your product, not simply layering it on top of your current offerings. The workshop is open to anyone, but the content will be catered to individuals running small to medium businesses wanting to better understand simple ways to implement, delegate, and track social content into their brand. You will leave the workshop with practical knowledge and skills which can be immediately applied to your business. THERE ARE ONLY 15 TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THIS INTIMATE WORKSHOP. REGISTER NOW! Agenda Morning session 10:30am-noon We will kick off the workshop with an overview of current social media trends and the state of the web in 2012. We'll use real-world examples to show how small businesses have effectively utilized channels like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc to increase their customer base and spur sales growth. We'll focus on applying Social Media marketing efforts which are measurable and translate into business growth. In the afternoon, we'll discuss the importance of creating compelling, unique content and how to maximize it's exposure on the web. This includes tips on content marketing best practices and strategies, how content impacts SEO, and how incentivizing fans with contests and promotions can create buzz, excitement and virality. Lunch from noon - 1pm Time to mingle! SocialKaty, Inc will provide lunch for you to enjoy with the whole group. (If you have specific dietary needs, contact Katy Lynch at katy@socialkaty.com.) Afternoon session 1pm - 4pm We will take the concepts and tactics explained in the morning session and explain how they fit into the bigger picture of marketing (how social media ties into other marketing efforts and why integration of social is important.) We will also look at tools and services which support your online marketing efforts, this includes both Google and Facebook's ad platform, SEO tools and Social CRM's such as HootSuite and SproutSocial.

In this advanced workshop hosted by JVS Chicago, LaShon Anthony of visuals4u will present information on share buttons, hashtags, branding, event marketing, pay-per-click & classified ads, coupons, check-Ins, deals, and bookmarking & sharing sites. Learn about various free tools to enhance your pages and how to post across multiple platforms. Implement the technology that's available today and make money while you sleep! So bring your laptops or tablets and let's get busy! Pre-registration is required.

The Paley Center for Media and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation present The Next Big Thing in Digital News Innovation, a series of forums in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles showcasing news and information startups for an audience of high-level media executives and investors. Tuesday, May 22, 2012 10:00 am to 1:00 pm This event will be held in Chicago on May 22 at the Sax Hotel.

• 10:00am Welcome
• 10:30 – 12:00pm Program
• 12:00 – 1:00pm Lunch

To attend, please RSVP. Presented in partnership with

Are you looking for a chance to connect with other women who are passionate about growing their business or career? Look no further! We are a womens' only networking and social club that specializes in making connections while enjoying fabulous events. Mixins is for you if you are building your own business, looking for a new career, or just want to deepen your connections in an informal yet professional environment.

Join us at Dolce Casa Café for an evening of mixing, mingling, and learning how to use Social Media to your advantage!

'Social media' is a term frequently bandied about today. But what does social media actually mean and, more importantly, what does it mean for your business? Caitlin Watkins, a social media marketing consultant, will define social media and discuss how and why it is an incredible tool for growing your business. Along the way, she will cover some do's and don'ts so you can more confidently reach your customers online.

Join us for a night of casual networking amongst the movers and shakers of the Chicago interactive industry, as we partner with NV Penthouse Lounge to host our CISC SPRING EVENT. (You must register to attend the event.) The Chicago Interactive Social Club is a group of interactive professionals focused on networking & socializing in Chicago. To that end, we're hosting quarterly get-togethers and inviting you to come mingle with agency masterminds, fellow creatives, code gods and interactive marketers all within the friendly confines of some of Chicago's choicest watering holes. Because at Chicago Interactive Social Club (CISC), we understand that you can make a lot more connections with a kind word and a drink than you can with just a kind word. Who are the events for, you ask? CISC is a networking arena for all different aspects of the interactive space: Agency, Sales, Tech and Design. And through the graciousness of our sponsors, there will never be a cover charge, dues or membership fees. It's just a good way to meet others within the interactive community, and not worry about who's picking up the tab.

Topics we'll discuss include:

• Overview of the leading social networks (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube and Yelp)
• The ROI: How social media can grow your business
• Case Studies: How two local companies excel in social media
• Designing and executing a social media strategy that is integrated across your company

The 2-hour seminar will be a mix of short presentations and simple tutorials, with plenty of time for questions. All attendees will receive a printed handout and a PDF of the complete presentation.

The seminar will be taught by Tracy Samantha Schmidt, director of training and strategy at Crain's Social Media Group. Crain's Social, a new division of Crain Communication’s BtoB Marketing Services, provides training and consulting to businesses nationwide. To learn more, please visit www.CrainsSocial.com.

Registration for this event closes at Noon on May 29, 2012 space eprmitting. Registration requires pre-payment and is non-refundable. No-shows will not receive a refund. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made by May 23, 2012.