The competition between social networking sites never ceases to slow. As fast as these sites can change and develop features, other social medias are not far behind. Remember Bulletin Board System (BBS) or Friendster before Myspace and Facebook? And Facebook before Twitter?

While our different networking sites do have their aesthetic as well as functional differences, they do seem to be converging.

Facebook has developed an entire new interface to step up the competition…

This simpler, no-extras alternative is aimed at users around the world that are new to social networking as well as to those users with low bandwidth. It also may appeal to users tired of all the distractions and unused non-essentials on the regular interface.

Not to mention, Facebook also added Twitter-like features to its established version. Users can now “tag” friends or companies that they mention in status updates with the same “@” tag. Tagging on Twitter allows us to interconnect and expand our networks quickly and easily. It provides a real-time index of our contacts and Facebook was
smart to adopt the same capabilities.

The question remains, is it a partnership or a competition that drives the two together? Last fall Facebook made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire Twitter. Facebook spokeswoman Meredith Chin played down the appearance of competition saying the changes are simply in response to the “evolution of how people are communicating online”. Still, others argue that the two social networks are threats to each other and they are in direct competition. Twitter founder, Biz Stone says: “Our services are complimentary to mobile networks, social networks, search engines, software platforms, television networks and maybe a few more we haven’t thought of yet.”

Check out this NY Times Article titled, “Facebook is Going for Some Twitter Sensibility.”

In an effort to acquire those who prefer the simplicity or real-time aspect of Twitter, Facebook has got us thinking… will there ever be a “one-stop” social networking site?

Check out the new version and let me know what you think.

Alright, I know what you’re thinking? How many more times are you going to post your stupid events to Facebook and Twitter? Then blog about it? Then post to your Facebook and Twitter telling us that you’ve blogged about your event? Then Facebook and Twitter about what people said in your blog?? Wash, rinse, repeat!

I am admittedly super annoyed when I get multiple requests to parties. I actually had to shut off my Facebook inbox from forwarding to my regular email because I can’t control how much party spam I get. Is it diluting your brand if you over invite? What’s really good if there’s always someone sending you an invite to the best party? I wanted to write to clarify my social media strategy. Maybe it needs some
improvement, so I welcome the critiques.

When I have an event to promote, I post messages from my primary Amanda Cey account, and then I post to my ABCey Events Company Fan page, and then I may even invite you to my event. Some of you are on Facebook ALL day, so you may see some of my posts once or twice, or even three times.

Others aren’t on Facebook all day or have a larger network of friends, so they may only see my posts once or even not at all. It’s also true that the larger the networks you have, the less frequent you will receive messages. Basically, I want you to know what I’m doing…I have a business and I want to expand my online networks and visibility, especially when I am being compensated by corporations to do so.

It could be perceived as annoying to some who do witness my pre-event, during event, and post-event posts, but in my defense, I am harnessing the strength of social media. ABCey Events has been hired recently to promote private events and companies via social media, so it’s been very exciting to do something that I would have naturally
already done. Although, maybe now I’m doing it just a little bit more!

I would also like to apologize for those who have received multiple requests to my group or fan page. We’ve got a good system down now and I assure you that if you’ve been invited once, and you decline…you won’t be asked again to join.

Thank you to all that have contributed in the past and given feedback. I hope I can continue to provide interesting topics for conversation and debate. I learn from many of your posts as well and love how much I’ve learned this year from my online community…

Till’ next time!

This past week was a crazy one. ABCey Events received a call on Sunday night from BestEvents LA asking us to screen Michael Moore’s new film on Alcatraz?? It may not have been an issue, but the event was set for Thursday, September 17th! While we weren’t able to work that kind of magic, we were able to put together an event at Justin Herman Plaza where he spoke to almost 1000 people about his film and his assessment of American economic policy in his latest offering, Capitalism: A Love Story.

We were hired for our event planning and management services including Audio and Equipment, Rentals, Catering, Social Media,and Street Team Promotions.

We also just learned that Specialty’s on Spear St. had their biggest one day sale EVER! Thanks to Michael Moore and feeding San Francisco. While the purpose was supposed to be a “Bankers Lunch” there were over 300 people who lucked out on the boxed lunches.

The film was also screened throughout the eve at the Metreon Theatre, the Commonwealth Club and at the Clay Theatre on Fillmore. Mr. Moore also squeezed in quite a few interviews in between.

No stranger to controversy—on the contrary, he courts it with the passion of a man possessed— Michael Moore has never minced words in his rabblerousing tirades against on-screen targets including the NRA, America’s private health-care providers and the Bush administration. So it should come as no surprise that the Michigan-born documentarian, 55, is equally blunt in his latest offering.

With both humor and outrage, Michael Moore’s Capitalism: A Love Story explores a taboo question:

What is the price that America pays for its love of capitalism? Years ago, that love seemed so innocent. Today, however, the American dream is looking more like a nightmare as families pay the price with their jobs, their homes and their savings. Moore takes us into the homes of ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down; and he goes looking for explanations in Washington, DC and elsewhere. What he finds are the all-too-familiar symptoms of a love affair gone astray: lies, abuse, betrayal… and 14,000 jobs being lost every day.

IN THEATRES EVERYWHERE
ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2!
WWW.CAPITALISMALOVESTORY.COM

Click here to see the full picture galley on the ABCey Events Website.

I recently moderated my first Twitter Chat for #Eventprofs. For those who don’t know or have not participated yet, it is a thriving community of progressive event professionals, connecting via Twitter to share ideas, debate topics and collaborate for industry growth.

This group was started by Lara McCulloch who has served as President of ISES in Toronto and also is the Director of Marketing at Regal Tent Productions. She’s got a really cool event blog too!

I had the opportunity to chat with a variety of Event Industry vets with varying perspectives on the topic for the eve. I went ahead and just summarized the chat so that it would be readable, so you all may see your comments kind of mixed throughout!

Creative Proposals: Should we as event planners submit full creative proposals to a new client before signing a contract? Is it possible to just give them a little while keeping the rest of the cards in your back pocket? They must be comprehensive but consensus says you don’t need to give it all away.

The issue: We’re asked to spend days or even possibly weeks on crafting these time consuming creative ideas for an event, all the while there are other contenders, sometimes many. This is fine and I encourage clients to do their due dillengence. However, if a client likes your ideas but has someone willing to do it cheaper, they can take your ideas and have the lower priced competitor execute. We have no regulations and we don’t charge to write a proposal as done in other industries, so we’re prone to be taken advantage of.

Proprietary Clauses and Charging: Can we put a proprietary clause in? And can we charge a fee and then have it go towards our management fee? Why can’t we add an intellectual property clause in stating there’s a fee if used without permission and actually bill a client for it. Lawyers cost & ideas travel fast, wouldn’t it be hard to press charges?

If every company charges a design fee, how does the client justify paying multiple bidders including those who don’t win? I personally think the client should refund the losers and have the winning bidder take it out of the management fee. I mentioned that recently I had to actually pay a $50 fee to submit an RFP…what kind of craziness is that??

The Event Planning Industry: Are we that unstructured that we can’t make change? Do we have no rules and will we ever be a legit industry. Has it just grown without standards and will it take MASSIVE efforts to change?

The Idea or the Relationship?: We are in the relationship business. Ideas are huge, but will you win the bid if they don’t like you? I’d have to say it’s definetly a mix of both. You have to have good ideas and you have to do everything in your power to make them happy. Successful proposals are based on value. Events are commoditized. What do you offer that is unique and compelling? Isn’t that the very problem…a succesful proposal will be unique and compelling; then they take your idea!!

Our group consisted of:

@Mizcity- Native NYC Psychologist -Event Planner, enjoys good times with good people.

@GreenA_V- Owner and Chief AVGirl of Pulse Staging, (green) AV Production for meetings & events. Happy Tweets come from Happy Tweeps

@CiaraDaykin- Rockstar Wedding Planner and Event Planner. Wedding planning and planner of live speaking events for entrepreneurs. Coach to wedding planners.

@PinkDeb- CEO and Creative Director of Pink Inc. We design & build Tension Fabric Structures for events, exhibits, interiors, for agencies, architects, designers

@Ready2Spark- brand strategist turned event professional, industry advocate, founder of Eventprofs + social media lover . blog author . speaker . and sky diver

@Train2Meet- Meetings & Events Industry Trainer/Speaker/Facilitator, Consultant, International Planner, and all around lover of all things meetings/events related

@dwheeler11- Sci-fi/80s alt music geek, working for Sybase managing events and social media marketing.

@AprilBroussard- # Bio Consultant, Speaker, Social Media Addict, Writer, Lover of Sweet Tea and Ballroom Dancing, Christian

@AKthe5th- No bio on your Twitter page AK? http://www.5thelementevents.com/

@MichaelMcCurry- Creative thinker by nature,Event Mgr by trade,Harley Rider Musician/Songwriter & blogger — Social Media advocate that loves gadgets,bears football & the Cubs!

@Laurie360- No bio on Twitter page? C’mon Laurie;)

@JimPelley- Funny Speaker【ツ】 / Humor Expert / Event Coach / Love Folsom Bike Trails / working to be more green / Culinary Cowboy

@JaredGoldberg- Community Manager for @5ElementEvents. My passions are music (trained vocalist), events and graphic design. I don’t like perfume or brown socks.

@iandavmcg- # Bio Executive Director, Strategy – GPJ Experience Marketing, Event / Experiential / Entertainment / Digital Marketer, AMA VP, ENTJ, Sailor, Geek, Scorpio, Dad

Thanks everyone for participating!

You’re invited to join the #Eventprofs chat on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. EST / 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PST and Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. PST for our Event Professionals virtual tweetchat.
ce