AZIMA http://www.joinazima.org/blog Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 31 Aug 2010 23:39:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Getting Political with Social Media http://www.joinazima.org/blog/getting-political-with-social-media/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/getting-political-with-social-media/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:00:15 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=160 Social media is used as a marketing strategy by businesses across the world.  Everyone is on Twitter and Facebook these days, and if you’re not, you’re surely missing out on making connections and developing relationships with millions of people.  Personally, I use social media to connect with others in my industry, keep up popular brands, get breaking news and track the setlists of my favorite bands. And recently, I have noticed an influx of political figures using social media.

Jeremy Vaught

Social media is used in all sorts of promotions, so why not political campaigns?  Sites like Twitter and Facebook are used constantly throughout the day by millions of people who are open to connecting with others.  People often get breaking news via social media.  In fact, CNN has more than a million followers on Twitter.  It makes sense that political figures would be represented on social media sites, though I assume the tactics used in a political campaign may be different than a brands promotion of a new product.  With politics, there are reputations to protect, and very high profile reputations at that.

Kevin Spidel

Luckily, AZIMA has given me a chance to learn about social media use in political campaigns this September.  On Tuesday, September 14, two local experts will share their experiences with social media in politics.  Republican Jeremy Vaught is the Web Strategist for John McCain’s 2010 campaign and Democrat Kevin Spidel has worked in a variety of political campaigns and international advocacy organizations.  Join me at the event and learn more about social media.  Register today!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/getting-political-with-social-media/feed/ 1 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members: Part 6 http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-6/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-6/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:00:21 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=155 The sixth edition of Mission to Meet AZIMA Members video series features Cory Howell of MorePro Marketing.  Howell, interested in local search sites, said he was looking forward to meeting other Phoenix professionals and looking forward to the presentation.

What do you think of the video series? Is it helpful to put names to faces in our industry? Personally, I am having a great time talking to and getting to know AZIMA members. See you September 14th!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-6/feed/ 0 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members: Part 5 http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-5/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-5/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:00:08 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=149 I know you’re all dying to meet this week’s featured AZIMA member, but I’m sure most of you already know him! At the August 10th social event, I had the pleasure of interviewing Matt Siltala before he spoke about local search sites to the group.   Siltala is one of the founders of Dream Systems Media and has been involved in the Internet marketing world for many years.  He knows a ton about SEO and is a Yelp-lover too!

In addition to being an SEO fanatic, Siltala is a big Arizona Cardinals fan, so we decided to ask him about his predictions for this season as well ;)

Also, for the record, my friend and co-worker Michael Schwartz has volunteered to help me with the Mission to Meet AZIMA Members video series.  We look forward to meeting some of you next month on September 14th to discuss social media and politics.

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-5/feed/ 0 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members: Part 4 http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-4/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-4/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:07 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=129 This week’s featured AZIMA member is Jessica Dimino from Orange Slyce, the “eHarmony of student employment.” I had the pleasure of meeting a few Orange Slyce employees and found out what they are all about. Dimino said she learns a lot from AZIMA events, which is what keeps bringing her back each month.

Now the fourth week of the Mission to Meet AZIMA Members is complete! And don’t worry, I got a new batch of videos at the event last Tuesday. Also, don’t forget to check out this month’s AZIMA webinar, which is today at 11:30 AM PDT!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-4/feed/ 0 Social Media AZ: Will You Be There? http://www.joinazima.org/blog/social-media-az-will-you-be-there/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/social-media-az-will-you-be-there/#comments Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:55:27 +0000 Redlincook http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=138

Guest Post By: Kaila Strong, Social Media Architect, Vertical Measures

You’ve probably already heard the buzz: there’s another Social Media AZ event coming up in September. Woo hoo! Here are some details about what you’ll learn at the event:

  • How successful social media strategies have worked for other businesses and/or their clients.
  • A chance to attend the Online Marketing Institutes Social Media Workshop (SMAZ attendees will save 30% using code OMISMAZ30 at checkout)
  • Learn all about social media from experts like Greg Chapman of Sitewire, Matt O’Brien of Mint Social, Arnie Kuenn of Vertical Measures, Mike Corak of Tallwave, Bret Giles of AgencySide, and many others.
  • Focus on real world examples of how to apply the knowledge we’ve learned at prior SMAZ conferences.

Sounds like a great time right? See the buzz: Check out all the peeps already tweeting about the event (you might even find a coupon code or two!). #SMAZ

Hope to see you there!

Register for tickets: Full Access All Day Tickets available, special pricing for students or previous attendees (buy one get 2nd 50% off!). Register here.

Be there: MadCap Theater – 730 S. Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281 on September 9th, 2010 (view map here).

Parking: There will be free and discounted parking available. Once you register you’ll get more details.

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/social-media-az-will-you-be-there/feed/ 1 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members: Part 3 http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-3/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-3/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:00:35 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=125 The third installment of the “Mission to Meet AZIMA Members” series features Amy Linert from McMurry. Linert said she likes to attend AZIMA events to share case studies and information with other experts in the industry. She also said McMurry actively recruits at AZIMA events. Check it out for yourself in this short video!

Don’t forget about AZIMA’s August event tomorrow, August 10 at 6 p.m. at the Scottsdale Hilton. The discussion led by Chuck Reynolds and Mat Siltala will be about local search and review sites. Hope to see you there! And hope to catch some of you with my Flip cam.

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-3/feed/ 0 Upcoming Event on Local Search & Review Sites http://www.joinazima.org/blog/upcoming-event-on-local-search-review-sites/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/upcoming-event-on-local-search-review-sites/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:16:42 +0000 Redlincook http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=132 Guest Post: Rita Rabinna

Do you want to learn strategies to boost your local internet presence, meet cool Internet marketing enthusiasts, and escape the unbearable August heat? Then join AZIMA on August 10 for its Local Search & Review sites event featuring Chuck Reyolds and Matt Siltala. We can’t imagine that you’d want to be out and about enjoying the potentially illegally hot temperatures!

Learn all you wanted to know and more from two of our favorite Valley Internet marketing extraordinaires. Chuck Reynolds comes to AZIMA with professional web strategy, search engine optimization, and local SEO services experience for individuals and businesses alike. He stays busy putting together and helping with local organizations including Phoenix WordCamp, PodCampAz, Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference and Ignite Phoenix.

Matt Siltala runs his Internet Marketing firm, Dream Systems Media where he specializes in link building strategies, link baiting, social media marketing and optimization, and reputation management. He is also an avid blogger and SEO Consultant and is ready to assist you and your SEO efforts!

Come to the August event prepared to learn more than you ever thought possible about local business listings. Don’t miss this opportunity to ensure that your company (or yourself!) is the first thing that local Googlers and searchers-alike see when searching for products and services online

Time: 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m.

Event Location: Scottsdale Hilton

(6333 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250) A light dinner, and one drink is included.

Get your tickets now!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/upcoming-event-on-local-search-review-sites/feed/ 2 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members: Part 2 http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-2/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-2/#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:00:03 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=118 If you missed my last post, I have made a pledge to myself to meet a few different people at each AZIMA event.  In the process, I hope to someday be connected with each member and find out what drew them to joining AZIMA or attending that specific event.

This week’s featured AZIMA member is Adam Ayers from Arkayne.

See you all August 10th at the Scottsdale Hilton!  Before we discuss local search with Chuck Reynolds (@chuckreynolds) and Mat Siltala (@Mat_Siltala), look for me with my Flip camera and say hello!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members-part-2/feed/ 0 Mission to Meet AZIMA Members http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:09:17 +0000 Abby Gilmore http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=112 Every month at AZIMA I make it a point to meet a few new people in the interactive marketing industry. Each time, I find myself asking them what brought them to AZIMA in the first place! So I’ve decided to video interview these people about why they joined the group and I’d like to share my findings with the rest of you. Every week we will feature a new short video interview so we can get to know others in the association and why they attend the monthly meet-ups.

This week, I’d like you all to meet Sean Coleman, CEO and founder of Orange Slyce, a job board exclusively for Phoenix small businesses and college students.

Keep an eye out for me, and tell your AZIMA story at the next AZIMA monthly social event “Local Search & Review Sites“: featuring Chuck Reynolds & Mat Siltala on August 10th, 2010!

]]> http://www.joinazima.org/blog/mission-to-meet-azima-members/feed/ 1 New Website for AZIMA Announced at Monthly Social Event http://www.joinazima.org/blog/new-website-for-azima-announced-at-monthly-social-event/ http://www.joinazima.org/blog/new-website-for-azima-announced-at-monthly-social-event/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:53:48 +0000 Redlincook http://www.joinazima.org/blog/?p=106 Guest Post By: Andrea Spahn-McGraw

Members and attendees of AZIMA gathered for the first monthly event at our new home, the Hilton Scottsdale Resort.  However, that wasn’t the only first of the evening.  Arnie Kuenn, Board President of AZIMA, announced to everyone that it was also AZIMA’s first anniversary!  The Interactive Marketing Association also formally launched their new and improved website designed as a donation from Gate6. The new site offers many benefits! AZIMA has come a long way in one year, with over 90 members and becoming one of the leading authorities in the Valley on interactive marketing, networking and resources. Happy Birthday!  We look forward to many more anniversaries to come.

The July event incorporated a new format, comprised of a panel of interactive marketing experts that provided evaluation, critique, and analysis for local small business websites.  The lucky two winners (who were chosen from many online submissions) were: GiftIdeas.com and  Wingstofly.com.  Not only did the panelists provide their expert evaluations during the event, they also had their suggestions and advice in a written document for the website owners to take home and reference later.  It was a great resource, and an impactful way to help grow local businesses.  Thank you to all that applied!

Join AZIMA in August, when Chuck Reynolds and Mat Siltala help us grow our businesses using local search and review sites.  See you then!

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