Moments of Clarity

The Power of Face...to Facebook Communication

In the last 48 hours I was:

1. Found organically by an organization looking to do some video work in a specific niche here in Des Moines.  The firm is NOT anywhere near Des Moines and they found me.
2. Re-contacted by someone who heard me speak at an event that led to another event where they heard me again...and now they're at another firm and are "finished with their agency contract and looking for new ideas and options to grow their organic findability.

Never discount the power of being findable online...nor the power of speaking to groups in person passionately.  That's connecting Face...to Facebook.

Biz Tactical inaugural show streaming LIVE! from ABI convention

A while back I had this crazy idea about creating an Extreme Makeover show for Iowa Businesses.  So I sat down and created Biz Tactical.  Biz Tactical is modeled after the show called "We Mean Business" on A&E.

Video about the show below.

We will take submissions from businesses that want HELP!  We'll assemble a panel of experts and descend upon this business bringing tangible resources, connections, and solutions that rapidly accelerate success.
We're building our team of panelists and the show's anchor hosts are myself and Adam Steen.  I'm proud to announce that we'll be doing our first show from the upcoming Iowa Association of Business and Industry convention at Lake Okoboji on June 10 at 530PM.  The show will be produced as a live radio broadcast with commercials and special sponsored segments.

If YOU are going to the ABI convention, please stop by the social media suite upstairs where you'll find the createWOWmedia team coaching, connecting, and capturing the excellence of the ABI membership.

Disturbance in the Force

I've been sensing a positive disturbance in the force.  Larger companies are calling me and saying, "We're ready to learn" albeit at "Big Co." pace.  Interesting this one.  Wise are they.  Being made progress is.

--Yoda Mitchell 

Thought Dump

1. Took my boy to McDonalds on Mills Civic, the one in the Kum N Go.  Never again ever in a million years.  No one, including "management" knew what was going on.  Unapologetic and apathetic mediocrity.  Not that I should expect more...or should I expect some level of accuracy and care from one of the best "systems" in the world?
2. Bought bread at Gateway Market.  Been very impressed with everything there (maybe with the exception of the help).  Not bad mind you...just average.  I always find it "that much tougher" to pay x % more for items there (the normal items I find elsewhere for less) when there's no service premium.  I think I'm mostly describing the cashier/checkout folks.  The cheese people seem to have the service thing nailed.  I guess Cheese just inspires!  (Now they just need a bacon department)
3. Been totally immersed in the launch of Operation Red State.  The tagline is that ORS provides remarkably affordable technology and new media training for conservative candidates and campaigns.  Launch event is Tax Day and we've already had 4 Iowa House Members confirm attendance. We're expecting Conservative leaders and politicos from all over to herald the arrival of a most powerful weapon in the grassroots conservative arsenal. 
4. My speaking engagement at Entrefest in Coralville Iowa early this March has resulted in 4 additional speaking opportunities around the state.  I need to invest in that Cisco Holographic Video Conferencing technology so when I get asked to speak in Boston or LA I can do it remotely.  You can keep flying for yourselves. 
5. I've been humbled by the feedback on the Managing The Edge weekly Internet Business Podcast.  I believe that quite a few people are benefiting from this weekly dive into becoming findable and engaging on the web.   
6. We have a VERY special takeaway/parting gift for our Operation Red State launch.  I cannot claim the idea...but it's good.  Very good.  Talk about memorable.

More to come.  Operating at 175% of capacity. 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Bits: Cisco Preens on TelePresence (bits.blogs.nytimes.com)
• Entrefest Conference Live Stream (createwowmedia.com)

The Google Quotient: 100% over 6 months

Everywhere I speak, I do a bit of market research to open my talk.  Here's how it goes:

"Hello I'm Doug Mitchell, on the count of 3 please shout out the first place you look for a person, place, product, or service? One...two...three...GOOGLE! Anyone disagree?  NO." (100% of hands go up and no one disagrees)

Now, How many of you have any real money allocated in your marketing budgets to become findable where 100% of you just said everyone is looking FIRST? (1 or 2 hands go up).  Interesting!  Does that make ANY SENSE? NOOOOO!

This sets the stage for a very interesting conversation and really gets people thinking.  Yes there are other search engines...but the point remains.

Have you heard the new Internet Business Podcast called Managing the Edge?

For the last 6 weeks, I've been engaged in a project that brings me great joy.  The project is an Internet Business Podcast called Managing the Edge.  The tag line of the show is that we help you "Become more findable and engaging on the web."

The show is produced by me (Doug Mitchell of Create WOW Media) and by Andy Brudtkuhl of 48 Web Consulting each week at our shiny studio at Impromptu Studio in Des Moines.

What I like most is that the show retains a targeted look at WHY we deploy technology in business.  We're constantly bringing things back from the "tech nerd" approach to the "practical small business approach" and I think our listeners like that.

The show streams LIVE on ustream.tv each week where we take questions in real time, and the recorded video and audio are available at anytime beginning the following Monday after our Friday taping. 

If you are looking to increase your Internet Findability Factor, please tune in or perhaps subscribe in iTunes and listen to all of our episodes in order on your next business trip. 

My Interview with another Doug Mitchell

I've begun tracking down the other Doug Mitchell's on the first page of the Google rankings.  I've always been fascinated to see how we jockey back and forth through the first page (darn you Singer Songwriter Doug Mitchell......you're NEXT!!!)

Well, one of the top ranking Doug's just happened to be an NPR Producer and leader of a project called "Next Generation Radio" where he trained youth in responsible journalism and new media tools...among many other topics.

Doug's position was recently and dare I say..."not-smartly" eliminated so I reached out to him via LinkedIn and got the introduction. Two cheers for social and business networking tools.

My interview with Doug Mitchell is posted here.  He is a fascinating guy and I'm so glad I had the chance to chat with him. 

I will continue the process of interviewing the other Doug Mitchell's of the world to see what drives us, what we all do, and how much we have in common.

I'm off to a good start!

Central Iowa Angels Update

Man oh man.   How time flies.  Our team has been cranking away and I can't believe we're already "nearing the end of January."  I plan on attacking this closer to Mid Feb with a March launch for meeting number one.  We have just moved into Impromptu Studio and now have an amazing facility from which to execute, host, and build out the Central Iowa Angels model of "Open Source Angel Investing". 

Putting the Central Iowa Angels network together is even more relevant now that thousands more are losing their jobs...and injecting their creativity into the self-employed/entrepreneurial space.  Contact me with questions or thoughts.

DM

Guest Post on Kelly Moore's PR Blog: This Ain't No Spin Class

I wrote a guest post that just went live on Kelly Moore's This Ain't No Spin Class PR/Marketing blog.  It's called, "Your Web Strategy? Do it Yesterday".

Here's a sample:

Where will your firm spend its marketing dollars in 2009? If your company fits the trend, it seeks higher returns on marketing investment, reduced upfront costs, high impact and measurability (psssst we've just described Web marketing). 

Please visit the post on her site and let us know what you think.

Thanks again Kelly for letting me emote on your site!

Marketing Explosion Seminar chat on AM 830

I did another quick spot on AM 830 out in Southern CA talking about an upcoming seminar I'm doing with my good friends at Solomon Financial (www.fredsolomon.net).  This time, Fred's wife Lisa and rock star Kerri Kasem will be leading the charge and I'll be delivering the "Become Findable on the Web" content.  Very exciting times around here.

If you're reading this blog in Des Moines, perhaps you will wait until we bring the seminar here...but if you're one of my soCal readers, please consider visiting the registration link and join us.

Download Dougonam830

Related articles by Zemanta

• Solomon Financial & I Short Sale Seminar Commercial Video