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To tweet or not to tweet? That is the question meeting planners, facilitators, speakers and attendees are asking when it comes to meetings.  Well, they may not REALLY be asking about twitter specifically but they are asking, What is the role of social media in meetings?

Today, I was asked to share my opinion on how social media should be used for a facilitation session of up to 25 people.

Here’s what I said:

The most important role of social media (in my opinion) is post-meeting to keep the discussion going among those who attended and extending the discussions to other key people who didn’t attend.

To set the stage for a successful online conversation later, I recommend taking time at the in-person meeting to answer the following questions and make sure everyone understands the plan:

1. Where will the ongoing discussion will take place? Facebook (group or page), LinkedIn Group, Google Group
2. What are the objectives for the continuing conversation?
3. Who will be included (public, private, by invitation)? Can attendees invite people who didn’t attend the live meeting?
5. Who will moderate/motivate/manage online discussions & handle group access issues if any?
6. Who (what team of people) will get the initial content out on the group or page to frame the initial conversations?

In regard to day of meeting social media activity, a few positive tweets or status updates by those who love to post in the moment will spread goodwill about your organization and likely won’t disrupt the group process. However, I typically recommend protecting the in person face time from distractions of structured social media. With a group of 25 or so, everyone should be able to have a voice (in person). Using tools such as Twitter to poll or facilitate result in an added burden to the facilitator (even if the feedback is all positive) and it would likely disrupt the flow of live discussions.

What do you think? Have you used successfully used social media in large or small meetings? If so, what did you do and how did it work? Be sure and describe the group size and setting also.

From retailers and restaurants to law firms and local churches, the typically not so attractive QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are everywhere.

But, why are they being used?

If you’ve ever typed in a search term, a new contact or a URL on a smart phone, you will appreciate the benefit of QR Codes. QR Codes enable smart phone users to replace typing with scanning.  How do you scan? EASY! Once you install a QR Code Reader app (there are many to choose from) , you simply open the app and point your phone’s camera at the code and off you go to perform the QR Code’s instructions.

QR Codes can take you EASILY to all kinds of virtual destinations on your smart phone: websites, PDF docs or contact info to be added to your contact list.

Let me give you some examples:

Retailer:  A Nursery can place QR Codes on the plastic plant tabs with a link to a website with info on what is required to care for that plant.

Restaurant: A restaurant can place a QR Code on the table signage with a question like “What do you want for dessert?” The QR code links to a video or image gallery of dessert choices. Want to make it social? Ask them to LIKE or SHARE on your Facebook page which dessert looks best to them.

Law Firm: A law firm can make it easy for attorneys to share contact info on business cards by adding a QR Code that stores contact data in the VCard file format.

Religious Institutions: Churches can make it easy for people to take the message home by using a QR Code on the Sunday bulletins or worship folders. The QR Code links to a PDF of sermon notes or a website that archives videos of sermons.

QR Codes help smart phone users access information with ease. Ready to create one of your own? That’s EASY too.  Check out these QR Code Creation tools: QR Stuff (VERY Easy)  Raco Industries (Advanced.)

As you explore the use of QR Codes for your business, think first about the kind of information people are looking for in a mobile setting when they are engaging with your business.  One of the primary ways to make QR Codes helpful is to use them to link mobile users to info they want and need without having type on their mobile phones.

Are you using QR Codes in your business? I’d love to hear how. Share your ideas here!

Are you stuck when it comes to writing status updates,  publishing blog posts or shooting videos for youtube?

Creating good content (useful, valuable content) for social media (blogs, Facebook, twitter, Linked, Youtube) can be a daunting task.

A great exercise to get your content flowing is to identify the common questions that prospects ask about your industry, expertise, products or services.

January’s Webinar is past. February is around the corner. Register now! https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/655428234

Happy New Year!

Are you happy about using social media for business? 
Happy or not, I hope you will join me today for the
The Daily Expansion Show,
a monthly webinar to equip people for social business.

Today, we are talking about how to create a REASONABLE social media plan—one you can REALLY fit into your schedule. We’ll talk about what’s new, what’s working and what isn’t. The core goal is to help you strengthen your relationship with clients and prospects in 2012. Do you need to do that?

If you haven’t registered yet, do it now.

Today’s the day to expand your business online.
The webinar begins at Noon CT.

Social media can be a challenge just like a good physical work out. It is like taking that daily walk or run to get and stay fit. The Daily Expansion Show will keep your business moving. You can walk, run or pick your own pace with your prospects and clients every day all year long on the social web. Will you join me?

Register Now: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/726788522

Start your new year off right by completing this 10 minute exercise:

1. Write down the names of 3 people who helped you develop yourself or your business in 2011. Then, show your gratitude by sending them a thank you card, email or message on a social network.

2. Write down 3 ways you added professional value to others in 2011. Then, congratulate yourself out loud.

You may be thinking, What does this have to do with social media?
It has everything to do with the effective use of social media for business. Read on.

3. To build solid business relationships on the social web, it is essential to add professional value to others and show appreciation for those who add professional value to you. The final step in this exercise is to copy, write down or save the sentence above in your Personal Social Media Guidelines file. Don’t have one? Start one now.

Happy New Year!
And, if you haven’t registered for the January 4th, Noon CT premiere of The Daily Expansion Show-a free webinar, do it now: Register NOW!