Conferences & Education

Hybrid Events Mastery: Blending In-Person and Virtual Experiences

September 27, 2021 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

When live and digital come together, reach expands, engagement deepens, and opportunities multiply. Hybrid events are transforming how brands connect, offering the best of both worlds for audiences who want the flexibility to choose their experience.

Defining Hybrid Events

A hybrid event combines a physical gathering with a virtual component, allowing participants to attend in person or online. This model extends the audience reach beyond geographical limits while maintaining the human connection of face-to-face interaction. Why it matters: hybrid formats provide resilience in times of uncertainty, expand audience access, and deliver richer data for post-event analysis.

B2B vs. B2C Perspectives

In B2B, hybrid events are being used for industry conferences, product demos, and training sessions — ensuring clients and prospects can participate regardless of travel restrictions. In B2C, they power product launches, fan experiences, and community-building events, giving brands more touchpoints to interact with audiences before, during, and after the event.

COVID-19 and the Hybrid Shift

Health considerations and travel limitations have pushed event planners to rethink traditional formats. Hybrid events offer a safety net — allowing attendance even when in-person participation is reduced — while also increasing accessibility for global audiences.

Factics

What the data says:

EventMB (2020) found that 71% of event organizers plan to maintain a virtual component post-pandemic.
Bizzabo (2019) reports that 97% of event marketers believe hybrid events will become more prominent.
Markletic (2020) shows that hybrid events can increase attendance by up to 23% compared to in-person-only formats.
Cvent (2019) states that hybrid formats improve event ROI through extended content access.
Statista (2020) notes a surge in the use of event apps and engagement platforms during virtual and hybrid experiences.

How we can apply it:

Design experiences for both audiences from the start rather than retrofitting one into the other.
Use interactive tools like polls, Q&A, and live chat to bridge the gap between in-person and remote participants.
Leverage data from virtual attendees to create personalized follow-up campaigns.
Offer on-demand access to recorded sessions for extended engagement.
Incorporate sponsorship opportunities in both digital and physical environments.

Platform Playbook

Zoom Events: Host fully integrated hybrid sessions with breakout rooms for networking.
Hopin: Create multi-stage hybrid experiences with sponsor booths and engagement features.
LinkedIn Live: Stream keynote sessions to reach professional audiences and spark discussion.
YouTube Live: Broadcast public sessions for maximum reach while using live chat for interaction.
Event Apps: Deliver agendas, networking tools, and push notifications to all attendees regardless of location.

Best Practice Spotlight

Salesforce’s Dreamforce integrated virtual streaming with its in-person conference, offering global audiences access to keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. By combining live interaction with digital accessibility, it maintained its status as a must-attend event for the industry.

Strategic Insight

What’s your story? You’re the brand that brings people together, no matter where they are.

What do you solve? The challenge of limited access due to geography, cost, or health concerns.

How do you do it? By designing events that integrate both in-person and online experiences seamlessly.

Why do they care? Because hybrid events provide flexibility, inclusivity, and more opportunities to connect.

Hybrid event strategies complement earlier discussions on personalization, conversational engagement, predictive content, first-party data, transparency, data ethics, social commerce, and audio-first engagement — all of which enhance connection and conversion.

Hypotheticals Imagined

These scenarios outline how brands can implement hybrid events effectively, combining creativity, technology, and audience engagement.

**Scenario 1: Global Tech Summit Using a Hybrid Model**

Background: A software company wants to ensure its annual summit reaches clients worldwide.
Execution Steps:
1. Host the in-person component at a central location with limited capacity for health safety.
2. Stream all keynotes and workshops via a dedicated hybrid platform like Hopin.
3. Offer networking lounges for both live and virtual attendees.
4. Capture attendee data for personalized follow-up.
Expected Outcome: Expanded reach and stronger post-event engagement.
Potential Pitfalls: Failing to engage virtual participants equally with in-person attendees.

**Scenario 2: Fashion Brand Hybrid Runway Show**

Background: A fashion retailer wants to showcase its new line to a global audience.
Execution Steps:
1. Host a limited-capacity in-person runway show in compliance with health guidelines.
2. Stream the show live on YouTube and Instagram with interactive shopping links.
3. Provide behind-the-scenes content exclusively to virtual ticket holders.
4. Offer post-show virtual styling sessions.
Expected Outcome: Increased product sales and broader media coverage.
Potential Pitfalls: Technical streaming issues could impact viewer experience.

**Scenario 3: Fundraising Gala with In-Person and Virtual Attendance**

Background: A nonprofit wants to maintain its annual gala tradition while allowing supporters to join from anywhere.
Execution Steps:
1. Host a small in-person dinner with live streaming of the program to virtual attendees.
2. Integrate live donation tools for both audiences.
3. Create interactive breakout rooms for donors to network online.
4. Send physical thank-you packages to both in-person and virtual attendees.
Expected Outcome: Increased participation and donations across multiple geographies.
Potential Pitfalls: Time zone differences may limit live virtual attendance.

References

EventMB. (2020). The Virtual Event Tech Guide. https://www.eventmanagerblog.com

Bizzabo. (2019). Event Marketing 2019 Benchmarks and Trends. https://www.bizzabo.com

Markletic. (2020). Hybrid Event Statistics. https://www.markletic.com

Cvent. (2019). Hybrid Events ROI Insights. https://www.cvent.com

Statista. (2020). Event App Usage Trends. https://www.statista.com

The Immersive Event Funnel: How Hybrid Experiences Drive Engagement and Conversions

February 24, 2020 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

Events are no longer bound by walls or geography. The most impactful strategies today merge physical experiences with digital touchpoints to create an immersive event funnel — one that builds anticipation, maximizes participation, and extends the value long after the doors close. Brands aren’t just hosting events; they’re engineering a connected experience from the first invitation to the final follow-up.

B2B vs. B2C Application
For B2B marketers, hybrid events provide extended networking and education opportunities. Livestreamed keynotes, interactive Q&A sessions, and downloadable resources keep decision-makers engaged beyond the expo floor. Conversion often happens after the event, so digital replays and gated resources become essential.
For B2C brands, hybrid formats create buzz and accessibility. Consumers can interact with product launches or brand experiences in real time through Instagram Live, AR filters, or gamified apps — without being in the same city. The conversion path is shorter, often linked to immediate purchases, social shares, or app downloads.

Factics — What the Data Says and How to Apply It
Data from Event Marketer (2020) shows that 71% of marketers believe hybrid events outperform physical-only formats in reach. Bizzabo (2020) reports that events incorporating digital engagement see a 20% increase in lead capture. This proves that hybrid strategy is not just a contingency plan — it’s a growth driver.
To apply this:

Front-load engagement — Tease content via social media, email, and targeted ads before the event.
Bridge the experience — Use live polls, chat, and gamification during the event to connect in-person and online audiences.
Extend the funnel — Publish highlight reels, gated session recordings, and downloadable materials to keep leads warm post-event.

Platform Playbook

LinkedIn: Stream B2B sessions, share thought leadership clips, and use native document uploads for gated resources.
Instagram: Leverage Stories and AR filters for consumer product reveals or behind-the-scenes moments.
YouTube: Archive keynote speeches and how-to demos for on-demand replay.
Facebook: Create event hubs with integrated live video, discussion threads, and reminders.
Twitter: Drive real-time engagement with branded hashtags, polls, and quick updates.

Best Practice Spotlight
At CES 2020, Samsung executed a hybrid launch for its Galaxy Z Flip. While the physical launch took place in Las Vegas, Samsung livestreamed the keynote globally on YouTube and embedded interactive features on its event page. Viewers could sign up for notifications, interact on social media via a branded hashtag (#SamsungEvent), and access product spec sheets instantly. The campaign integrated influencer reaction videos within hours of the reveal, extending the conversation across Instagram and Twitter. By combining live, on-demand, and social layers, Samsung drove both immediate pre-orders and long-tail content engagement, setting a model for hybrid event funnels in action.

References
Bizzabo. (2020). 2020 Event Marketing Report. https://www.bizzabo.com/blog/event-marketing-statistics
Event Marketer. (2020). 2020 Experiential Marketing Report. https://www.eventmarketer.com/article/experiential-marketing-report-2020
Samsung Newsroom. (2020, Feb 11). Samsung unveils Galaxy Z Flip. https://news.samsung.com/global/galaxy-z-flip-unpacked-2020
YouTube Official Blog. (2020). Live streaming tips for brands. https://blog.youtube/inside-youtube/live-streaming-best-practices/
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. (2020). Driving engagement through live video. https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/blog/linkedin-news/2020/live-video-strategy
Eventbrite. (2020). How to integrate virtual and live event elements. https://www.eventbrite.com/blog/hybrid-event-strategy

Experience Design for Events: How Digital and Physical Interactions Shape Modern Brand Perception

August 26, 2019 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

Events are no longer standalone touchpoints — they’re integrated brand experiences. From the moment someone sees an RSVP button to the second they receive a thank-you follow-up, every detail contributes to how people perceive your brand. In this experience economy, the most effective event strategies blend physical interaction with digital immersion to drive long-term loyalty.

Events must now reflect what audiences expect from modern brands: personalization, purpose, and seamless design. Whether it’s a B2B summit or a B2C product launch, experience design is the differentiator that makes people remember, share, and act.

B2B vs. B2C Considerations

In B2B, events are strategic and data-driven. Attendees look for actionable insights, networking, and credibility. Experience design focuses on clarity, flow, and digital access — from agenda customization to live polling and follow-up content libraries.

In B2C, events are emotional and immersive. Attendees want energy, story, and moments worth sharing. Design centers on ambiance, interactivity, and personal engagement. Technology, like AR filters or branded mobile apps, often enhances the entertainment layer.

Factics
What the data says:

84% of event attendees say they value personalized experiences over generic ones (Bizzabo, 2019).
91% of B2B marketers say they consider event marketing critical to their overall strategy (Event Marketing Institute, 2019).
Brands using event technology (like apps or badge scanning) report a 20–30% boost in post-event engagement (Freeman, 2019).
77% of marketers say experiential marketing creates more authentic interactions with audiences (EventTrack, 2019).
Digital-first interactions at events, like social media integration and live Q&A, increase perceived brand innovation (Harvard Business Review, 2019).
Companies that align physical event flow with digital content strategy see 35% higher ROI (HubSpot, 2019).

How we can apply it:

Pre-event experience: Use targeted emails, registration logic, and pre-event surveys to set expectations and build anticipation.
In-event flow: Design breakout sessions and networking with UX principles — avoid dead space, overbooking, or confusion. Use digital tools like apps or interactive signage to guide attendees.
Digital integration: Livestreaming, event hashtags, and AR experiences help scale participation and engagement.
Post-event strategy: Deliver personalized recaps, gated content, or thank-you videos to continue the narrative.
Measure what matters: Track more than attendance — analyze dwell time, app usage, session engagement, and survey sentiment to refine future experiences.

Applied Example
Daniel runs marketing for a mid-sized SaaS company preparing for its first major industry conference. Instead of a standard booth, his team builds a branded lounge with guided product demos, live polling via tablets, and a giveaway tied to social shares. Before the event, invite-only VIP sessions are promoted via personalized email flows. Afterward, attendees receive a customized recap with links to session replays and a trial offer.

The result? Higher booth traffic, more meaningful sales conversations, and an email list segmented by interaction type. Experience design isn’t just design — it’s growth.

References

Bizzabo. (2019). Event Marketing 2019: Benchmarks and Trends. https://www.bizzabo.com/blog/event-marketing-2019-report
Event Marketing Institute. (2019). EventTrack: The State of Event Marketing. https://www.eventmarketer.com/eventtrack
Freeman. (2019). The Data Mine: How Event Technology Enhances Experiences. https://www.freeman.com/resources/the-data-mine
EventTrack. (2019). Experiential Marketing Trends Report. https://www.eventmarketer.com/eventtrack-2019
Harvard Business Review. (2019). Designing Experiences for Modern Consumers. https://hbr.org/2019/04/designing-experiences
HubSpot. (2019). How to Run a Successful Event Marketing Campaign. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/event-marketing-guide

Event Marketing in the Digital Era: Turning Moments into Movements

August 27, 2018 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

Events are no longer standalone moments. Whether it’s a conference, product launch, or panel discussion, every event now exists in two parallel spaces: the physical venue and the digital ecosystem. To thrive in today’s attention economy, marketers must design experiences that live well beyond the room.

What was once limited to ticket sales and press mentions now includes livestreams, Instagram Story takeovers, Twitter threads, Facebook event engagement, and long-tail content marketing. Digital strategy isn’t optional — it’s the scaffolding that holds the event’s value before, during, and after.

This new reality demands a rethink of event planning. It’s not just about logistics anymore. It’s about creating moments people want to share — and giving them the tools to do it.

Strategic Insight

What’s your story?
You’re not just hosting an event — you’re building a brand narrative in real time. Every speaker, slide, hashtag, and breakout session tells your audience who you are and what you care about. But if that story isn’t being amplified digitally, it disappears with the applause.

What do you solve?
You solve visibility challenges, conversion delays, and audience fragmentation. A digital-first event strategy turns in-person energy into long-term brand equity and funnel momentum. It bridges the gap between live impact and measurable digital outcomes.

How do you do it?

Pre-Event Digital Build-Up
- Create content pillars: blog posts, teaser videos, and speaker spotlights
- Optimize your event page for SEO with schema markup (Moz, 2018)
- Use Facebook Events, Eventbrite, or LinkedIn Events to collect RSVPs and retarget audiences
During the Event
- Assign a real-time content team to publish Stories, live tweets, and backstage content
- Encourage UGC with event hashtags, selfie walls, and interactive polls
- Livestream key moments using platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, or Periscope
Post-Event Amplification
- Publish recap videos and highlight reels
- Share quotes and insights from sessions across channels
- Repurpose panels into podcast episodes or blog summaries
- Upload presentation decks to SlideShare or embed them on your site

Why do they care?
Because attention doesn’t just arrive — it must be earned and extended. A physical event may last two days, but with the right digital content strategy, its value can last two quarters. Attendees become amplifiers. Speakers become thought leaders. And one event becomes a marketing engine for months to come.

Fictional Ideas

Asha is planning her agency’s first-ever small business summit. She knows the venue and schedule are solid — but she needs reach.

Before the event, she launches a speaker interview series on LinkedIn and collects email signups via Facebook Events. On the day of the event, her team uses Instagram Stories to show behind-the-scenes moments and quotes from live panels. They project the event hashtag in every room and display attendee content on monitors.

After the summit, Asha uploads panel recordings to YouTube, turns each session into a blog post, and publishes a downloadable highlight report.

The result? In-person attendees double the digital reach. Web traffic spikes. One of the speakers gets a podcast invite. And Asha now has a content funnel built around the event — not just a photo album.

References

Moz. (2018). SEO Best Practices for Event Pages.
https://moz.com/blog/seo-best-practices-for-event-pages
Eventbrite. (2018). How to Drive Ticket Sales Using Social Media.
https://www.eventbrite.com/blog/social-media-promotion-ds00/
Social Media Examiner. (2018). How to Use Instagram Stories at Live Events.
https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-use-instagram-stories-at-live-events/
HubSpot. (2018). The Ultimate Guide to Event Marketing.
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/event-marketing-guide
Sprout Social. (2018). How to Create a Social Media Strategy for Events.
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-for-events/
Buffer. (2018). Live Tweeting: A Guide for Event Amplification.
https://buffer.com/resources/live-tweeting-guide/
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions. (2018). Engaging Professionals Through Event Content.
https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/blog/events
Content Marketing Institute. (2018). Repurposing Event Content for Ongoing Impact.
https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2018/02/repurpose-content-events/

SxSW 2013, @BasilPuglisi debut as BOD Social Media Club International

March 17, 2017 by Basil Puglisi 1 Comment

SXSW 2013 is an expansive, vibrant festival and conference taking place in Austin, Texas, from March 8 to 17. It is an overwhelming yet exhilarating event where thousands of artists, filmmakers, tech innovators, and industry professionals converge. With about 2,500 bands performing on over 100 stages across the city, the music offerings alone range broadly—from rising independent acts to renowned headliners like Prince and Green Day. The festival’s venues spill into bars, rooftops, and streets, filled with a lively mix of attendees from all walks of life.

The atmosphere is electric yet chaotic, with attendees juggling multiple events, food trucks, pop-up installations, and networking opportunities all at once. Despite the sheer volume of choices making it difficult to keep up, SXSW is praised for its ability to deliver discoveries and connections that attendees cherish. The event blends music, film, and interactive media, creating a dynamic cultural moment that is as much about the people and energy as the performances and showcases.

The spirit of SXSW 2013 is especially about exploration and community—fest-goers soak in everything from local Austin artists to international performers, while the city streets buzz with spontaneous conversations, tastings, and creative encounters. The festival’s blend of big names and new talent, alongside technology and media showcases, makes it a unique convergence of art, innovation, and social energy.

Newsday Staff. (2013, March 22). Basil Puglisi appointed to Social Media Club board of directors. Newsday. Retrieved from https://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs

A Place in the SEO Industry for Creative Majors!

January 18, 2013 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

Having been a career counselor for several years to students pursuing their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, many of them were completely indifferent to how their creative major could lead to a successful career, even those who were as close as 2 semesters away from graduation. These students who have pursued degrees in the arts or creative field will need to make very careful decisions in the several months before graduation as they will need to decide to continue their education, find work in the competitive programs in art studios or teaching positions, or look for work in the business world and use their talents to enhance a company’s profile and marketing strategies.
While designing and creative positions are few and far between in most companies and usually require years of experience before you’ll even get a phone interview, Search Engine Optimization industry is exploding and SEO companies are terrific places for recent college graduates to bust into the world of business, marketing, design, and public relations. Many current students are wondering how their more artistic degree can be an equal competition to the more standard business degrees after putting on the cap and gown and diving head first into the workforce.
The great thing about SEO services from Toronto, New York, California and all across the US is that they normally cater to recent college graduates, or those nearly finished with their degree. These entry-level positions offered are in exciting and fun fields that are perfect for those with an education in the liberal arts, creative writing or design.
Some of these creative positions include:
Web and Software Designer
These designer are the true creative geniuses, they understand a little bit of HTLM and CSS coding, but they’re much more creative, innovative and ready to enhance the look of a company in mere hours or days through their work in Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Illustrator. These positions can pay a great starting wage, as the expertise and artistic skills needed are something that take time to hone and perfect for the business world.
Web/Software Coder
Coders speak a language that is unintelligible to most of us, and work with the designers to bring their conceptions to life on websites and in the company’s software. The complicated HTLM and CSS coding languages require more extensive training than a designer would get in regular art courses, and will provide you with a terrific paycheck just out of college.
Content Writer
This is where your humanities classes and your love of the home decorating and discovery channels will come in handy! Content writing for websites and blogs to enhance the link backs to a client’s site is a terrific position for the creative writing, literature, and even art history majors. You’ll write about everything from shoe polish to construction techniques, to SEO itself and research dozens of topics each day to provide quality content for the SEO company’s clients.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment specialists are definitely a package deal and are a great way to use nearly all of the capacities in one position. While other positions are rushing to get their work done for the clients, you will be busy double checking their work, enhancing the quality of the content, and making sure that all the promises and contracts are fulfilled.
Social Media Specialist
This is perfect for those who spent more time on twitter while in their university’s library than they did on actual assignments. Social media is a terrific tool for marketing and promoting that most SEO companies have taken advantage of in recent years. As a Social Media Specialist you’ll understand the importance of linking items to other websites, and spreading the word through Facebook, Linkedin, Google+, and of course, Twitter.
Get the use you want out of your creative degree and look into the thriving SEO industry after your graduation in 2013!

Lucy Markham worked as a career and academic counselor for several years and the University of Florida and is currently pursuing her degree in Education from the University of Utah.

The 5 Best Annual Technology Conventions

October 14, 2012 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

From the creation of cars, to ergonomic couches, to prosthetic joints, technological advancements lay down the path for a brighter future. As everyone at Box and Dice knows all too well, it’s essential that we foster our excitement for technological development and learn as much as we can about its possibilities. Here are some top class technology conventions to keep you informed and enthused… and they couldn’t be in better locations!
International Consumer Electronics Show – Las Vegas, USA
The international ICA is one of the largest consumer technology conventions in the world, so a pilgrimage to Las Vegas is a must for all die-hard techies. Occurring in early January each year, the event showcases revolutionary gadgets from high-tech headphones to automotive electronics, and never fails to gain the support of high-profile technology stakeholders. Between the concerts, competitions and celebrity appearances, it promises to be an eventful four days.

CeBIT – Hannover, Germany
CeBIT is a showcase of digital IT and telecommunications technologies for both work and play. Over the 5 days, Hannover swarms with It enthusiasts who are passionate about the future of the industry. The convention most specifically targets sectors such as retail, finance, government, science and hobby groups. Go along to compare notes with fellow tech heads or simply take in the spectacle.

iWorld – San Francisco, USA
If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of this one before, it may be because it was previously known as MacWorld. The convention constructs a Mac world where almost everything is virtual and interactive. If that doesn’t do it for you, I’m sure a sneak peak at new apps and devices will!

GSMA Mobile World Congress – Barcelona, Spain
Mobile World Capital Barcelona hosts the world’s largest convention on mobile technology. Take a moment to listen to the range of keynote speakers and discussion panels conversing about the future of mobile devices or play around with the hot new products on the market. Just as you think that mobile innovation has just about reached saturation point, check out some of the concept designs and realise that there is a whole new level of creativity that is yet to be tapped in to. A good excuse to book a flight to Spain!

LeWeb – Paris, France
Industry leaders from around the world gather in Paris every year to discuss the opportunity that presents itself in the form of the World Wide Web. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a major corporation or an interested individual, you are likely to walk out of this convention with new insight into the future of business practices in the age of digital convergence. Word on the street is that the December 2012’s guest speakers will be unmissable, given that 2011’s speakers included Karl Lagerfeld and Google Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Guest Blogger: Sarah Paige is a freelance writer who loves any and all kinds of tech conventions because of all the random things she learns from watching plastic moulding demonstrations, to hearing speeches on the future of the internet. Follow Sarah on Twitter @sarahpaige or connect to her on Google+ here.

Why LinkedIn? [Internship]

September 17, 2012 by Basil Puglisi 2 Comments

                In today’s economy, students and young professionals share a common fear. Their fear is whether or not they will find a job. With the presidential debate currently going on, the candidates for president are constantly promising to make new jobs. This does nothing but make the current students worry that there are no jobs now and may not be any in the future. Fortunately, there are online tools that can help graduates and undergraduates worry a bit less. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking site. It is said to be the best investment you will ever make in your career. It is used by individuals and businesses for networking, job searching, hiring, and much more.
                Recently, I have started an internship with the company Digital Ethos. They have asked me if I was signed up with the website LinkedIn and were shocked when I said I was not. Immediately I signed up after receiving their reaction. I could see how important LinkedIn was right away. LinkedIn is a great way to establish your identity on the web. With 175 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is clearly a striving network that helps individuals and small businesses to large corporations. With LinkedIn, you can exchange ideas, knowledge, and opportunities with a broad network of professionals. Your LinkedIn account is the first impression someone gets when they google you, this can be a huge benefit if your LinkedIn account is up to date and well put together. Your LinkedIn page can either make you or break you.
                Signing up for LinkedIn is easy. You simply put in your full name and your email address. From then on, LinkedIn gives you step by step instructions on how to get your account up and running. This includes indicating where you are currently employed and what type of job. Another cool feature of LinkedIn lets you indicate what field you are in. It also asks you where you have been employed in the past and for how long. This can give your future employer a general knowledge of where you worked and what your skill-sets could be. Your education also holds a section on your LinkedIn profile, which can include when you were in high school and in college. If you haven’t graduated from one or the other, it lets you select your anticipated graduation year. LinkedIn has a section called “Summary” which lets other users quickly learn about your background and interests. There is a different area for your skills and expertise which helps potential employers find you when they are searching for a specific knowledge-base. Recommendations on your page can carry a lot of weight. It lets your colleagues, clients, or suppliers speak on your record. Recommendations are just like reference part of your resume. You’re “snapshot” is like your web based business card. It includes your name, location, education, recommendations, education, past positions, and links to your website. Use this space efficiently and you’ll be sure to catch someone’s eye.
                These days, it is so crucial for not only graduates, but undergraduates, to get their foot in the door of the career world right away. It is very important for young professionals to use LinkedIn for many reasons. Young professionals don’t have a lot of experience, so LinkedIn helps them by providing an answers section. This allows a wide variety of professionals to answer any question you might have about your field or any type of field you may be interested in. Asking and answering questions also helps you build your online visibility. This is essential to making your way to the top. This generation of young adults is said to be the “Digital Native” generation since most, if not all, of their life was spent in front of a screen. LinkedIn lets them continue this sort of lifestyle and it makes it a lot more comfortable to be more productive on the network. Young professionals have little to no experience in the work force. LinkedIn gives them a realistic outlook on their field of interest. You should never let one job define your field. With over 175 million members worldwide, it is easy to network and see all kinds of different sides of your field. You can also check out your fields leading players. You can see how they got to where they are by seeing where they went to school, what they studied, what skills they developed, what groups they belong too, and to whom with they are connected. This will help you obtain a better grasp on your anticipated field you want to join.
                The people who are part of your network are called your connections. A connection can indicate that you know the person well or that they are a trusted business contact. In order to become a connection, you need to be invited and accepted. LinkedIn doesn’t support people in adding somebody that they don’t know. When you want to send someone a connections request, LinkedIn asks how you know this person. The options include colleague, classmate, friend, business partner, and I don’t know said person. If you chose “I don’t know said person”, LinkedIn will not allow you to add them. If you chose any of the other, it will ask for the persons email address.
                LinkedIn narrows down your connections into three different categories. They are first degree, second degree, and third degree connections. First degree connections are the people that you have directly connected with because you or the person sent an invitation that has been accepted. Second degree connections are the people who are connected with your first degree connections. You can contact them through something called an introduction. You may ask your first degree connection to introduce you to your second degree connection. Since you probably don’t know your second degree connection, an introduction from your first degree connection would be the only way to connect with them. Finally, your third degree connections are the people who are connected to your second degree connections. If you want to become their first connection, you have to ask for an introduction. An introduction usually sounds like, “Dear Mr. Smith, Let me introduce you to Mr. John from Company X.” LinkedIn shows you which connection a person is by placing an icon which says either “1^st”, “2^nd”, or “3^rd” connection.
                LinkedIn offers a feature called “groups”. Being a member of a group lets you engage in one on one networking between group members. An advantage is that you can send lnmail for no fee. As a member of a group, you can discover the most popular discussions in your professional group. LinkedIn groups also allow you to follow the most influential people in your groups by looking at the Top Influencers board to see all their group activity.
                Looking for a job on LinkedIn is said to be a whole lot easier than going door to door hoping they are hiring. If you know what company you are interested in joining, simply search for them on LinkedIn’s search bar. The company will have their employers listed and you can network with them and see what they did to be able to work with the company. Eventually, you will be able to establish them as a connection. On the other hand, if you have no idea what company you want to work for, you can search a keyword, job title, or location. Even though the search is much broader, you will still get a general knowledge of what you are looking into.
                It is clear to see that there is a lot more to LinkedIn than just looking for a job in a newspaper. Connecting with people and getting your name out there can also contribute to your success on LinkedIn. If you use your LinkedIn profile correctly, it will become a huge benefit for you in the job marketing world.
Sources:

The content in this article is part of Digital Ethos’s Digital Media Education in the Higher Education Internship Program, the content was created by @KaylaMarzo, a Student at Suffolk County Community college, intern at Digital Ethos.

Digital Media Education Internship Program

September 3, 2012 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

Digital Ethos introduces the Digital Media Education Internship Program We believe that we have developed a program that might be of some interest to you and/or your students.
The internship program with Digital Ethos is designed for students that wish to learn how to write for digital publications, develop hands on learning in digital media and marketing. Interns learn through the “Read, Write & Share” philosophy in areas of Digital Media, Social Media, Content Development, Brand Marketing and more.
The basic program requires six publications by the intern spread out over three months. During this time the intern is required to conduct research in an area of interest under the supervision of a Digital Ethos contributing author. The Program is administered by the Executive Director to maintain the highest quality standards.
Interns not only learn about conducting research in digital media, but how to shape that content and use sources to reinforce their position. Then we work with them to teach them how to use Social Media and PR to create visibility and develop followers.
Learning Outcomes:

Learn How to conduct research in a digital setting,
Learn how to develop their personal brand and online reputation,
Learn how to format content to develop a reader’s attention and the search engines,
Learn how to develop a multi directional social media campaign to drive readership,

Those that complete an Internships:

Are invited to Contribute to Digital Ethos as a Author,
Receive a certificate of completion and a portfolio page,
Have a multiplatform personal social media presence the rest of their career,
Are eligible for development funding to a conference of their choice.

Advanced hands on Internships are also available in the Long Island NY Region.
These Advanced Programs are based on the 120 hours of service during an academic symester and include onsite learning both with the organization and in some cases working on a project with an Agency.
These programs where developed from our trial periods with Vanessa Canner, Adelphia University (2011) and Kayla Marzo, Suffolk County Community College (2012).

What Digital & Social Media Marketers Can Learn from Business Consultants [Opinion]

June 15, 2012 by Basil Puglisi Leave a Comment

In the last five years I have heard some wild claims about who makes the best marketer – those claims have ranged from PR professionals, who ‘should be the only people to do it’, to Social Media, to ‘it takes a Sales Professional to provide the best internet marketing.’

I’d like you to think of Digital Assets in the form of a building:

The windows are Social Media – transparency of course
The walls are the advertising efforts – the place to display and show
The doors are the PR – as media attention helps get people to walk through the door
The shelves, displays and racks are the event planners – presentation and onsite execution
The Roof is the website – it covers everything else

However, the missing element is the foundation or the business itself. The digital and social media industry has gotten a lot of bad heat on not being effective and I would argue that has happened because the keystone has been missing, the Business Consultant.

I warn almost everyone that I interact with to look for the red flags when meeting a PR, Web, SEO, Social Media, Event Professional, etc. The best way to know if that have any clue what they are talking about will come with the first interaction. Do they start talking to you about their business and products, or do they ask you about yours?

The world is filled with overnight talent and businesses that offer these services and I say talent because most are very good at their niche, unfortunately it seems to end there. Think of it like a great marksman sent off to war to be a sniper without any military training. The ability to hit a target does not translate to being an effect solider, especially in terms of the bigger picture.

The transformed business consultants that are working as project managers and on the rare occasion can provide Web Development, SEO, Social Media and more are carrying with them the greatest lesson the marketing industry can learn, success goes beyond the view, comment and call!

Traditional marketing and advertising was all about visibility and the connection point, the advertising was a success when the consumer connected with your name, product or service.( i.e. someone visited the website, opened the email, opened the text message or called your phone, that is marketing success in the traditional context). The ability to convert that experience into a sale was the business owners problem. This is the reason businesses fail continuously and why corporate leadership is completely in the dark with the digital environment.

How Can We do Better or Demand Better?

Take the Business Consultant approach, inquire about the business model, the products or services, why the target market is the target market. Take the campaign backwards, go from the conversion or sale to the campaigns and tools to reach consumers. Build the model on the business and remember the best in any industry become the best from exploring. Sometimes it’s easier to create new then fix broken.

Why “NO” is so important to the Profession of Digital & Social Media Marketing [Opinion]

The overnight rush of Web developers lead to overnight SEO providers and then the flood of Social Media Marketers. Which in turn lead to every PR, advertising and marketing agency claiming to offer services they knew nothing about to save their revenue streams. The industry changed so fast that quantity quickly overtook quality.

“NO” is crucial to not just the digital and social industry but the recovery of our economy! I was sitting in a session at BlogWorld, it was about monetization, each of the three presenters had the same story the “advertisers found us” and “I spent nothing on advertising”.

I had to go to the mic, this is such a common carless comment that I had an ethical obligation to set straight.

The question: “You said that advertisers found you and that you spent nothing on advertising, but I want you to think of what the cost was… you might not have purchased advertising but clearly you spent time and money to build your…”

All three faces quickly had a look that you couldn’t quite place, perhaps it was horror? Then Lou Mongello of Walt Disney World Radio jumped to answer, “Oh it was so expensive, it cost me time, I had to sell my house and I spent money on all sorts of things”.

Lou Mongello then went on to explain that part of his success came from having his families support and the understanding of sacrifice to accomplish the long term goal.

Don’t Go In Unprepared

Here is the crucial point of this article, because so many enter into digital and social media services unprepared with misrepresentation of their own business model, they are ill equipped to help their clients with the same problem. In the need to create profits they become like AOL, they leap into every adventure without any thought of their clients business model or worse their own long term business model.

Learning to say “NO” allows you to take on clients that will be successful with your talent or service, it garnishes long term revenue for your business and a reputation for growth. It’s not easy being picky in the beginning, or when times are tough, but it is successful! Even more importantly, it keeps others from wasting their life savings on an idea or business that they are underfunded, underequipped or worse ignorant about from losing their time and money. It also prevents the overwhelming false, false from becoming the digital and social media industry. The Social Media Marketer did not intentionally fail you, the web developer did not build a crappy website or fail to generate valuable SEO, the business was flawed and directed to fail from the beginning and the digital and social industry should not take the blame for that.

Pick your clients carefully, for the benefit of them, yourself and our industry.

Author:

@BasilPuglisi is the Executive Director and Publisher for Digital Brand Marketing Education (dbmei.com). Basil C. Puglisi is also the President of Puglisi Consulting Group, Inc. A Digital Brand Marketing Consultancy that manages professional and personal branding for Fortune 500 CEOs, Hedge Fund Managers and Small Business Owners.

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