Social Media for Marketing Locally

by Amanda Vega on June 23, 2009

social-media-marketing-locallyExcerpt from guest blogger Gelie Akhenblit, NetworkingPhoenix.com – When we think social media, we think HUGE! It’s a global phenomenon that has no boundaries. For the most part, it’s so vast that we can’t even wrap our minds around it.

Now the question becomes, is there a way to ‘dumb’ it down? Is there a way to simplify social media, yet still have an end result that makes sense and can become a tool that we leverage in order to bring results?

In my opinion: YES! I’d like to take you through a journey that starts on October 31st, 2008. That’s about eight months ago if you’re counting.

It was about that time that I decided I wanted to re-launch my company under a new name, NetworkingPhoenix.com, and make the networking events calendar on my site the main attraction. The site itself has somewhat of a social media platform. Users are able to create free profiles and connect with other members. I had about 350 members at this time and decided to send out my first email blast promoting a very specific event benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The donation to get into the door was $40 and I, of course, was going to be in attendance as well.

I had no idea what to expect. I was supporting my friend in her efforts to raise money and I was hoping that at least one other person besides me would show up! To make the long story short, I encountered about 15 people that night that showed up from my email blast. WOW!!! I floated home that evening on cloud nine in extreme shock and disbelief that I was able to get that many people to attend an event with a price tag attached to it.

Read the rest of the story…

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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Charlotte Risch June 23, 2009 at 8:45 am

Gelie has become one of the most popular networkers in town. She is innovative, smart and open to ideas. I can only imagine how much her business will grow in the next year. Check out one of her events. They are impressive. She gets the people in!

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