The List is one of the often overlooked Twitter features, especially for those starting out on Twitter.  The List feature allows you to group Twitter users into your own lists and then check out the activity on that list.  For instance, if you want to focus on what recruiters are saying, you can put people who identify themselves as recruiters on a list, open it up and then read their tweets exclusively.  Twitter allows you to put up to 500 users on one list.    

Avid Twitter users generally like it when they get added to someone’s list (unless it’s a negative list, which I haven’t seen very often).  Adding  people to your list tells them that you took the time to investigate them a bit.  You will often see such lists as “Top Followed” or “Awesome Tweeps” or geographic lists such as “Chicago”.  I will often thank someone for “listing” me.  Listing adds to the social aspect of Twitter and allows you to focus on certain people without getting bogged down by your message stream. 

I just stumbled across a cool little application called ConversationList (http://www.conversationlist.com ).  ConversationList allows you to easily see who you’ve been interacting with on a daily basis.  According to the ConversationList website, “a ‘conversationlist’ is a Twitter list of the people that you talk to (and about) on Twitter. The list is automatically updated daily, so that it always reflects the people that you are paying attention to right now. If you @reply (or @mention) someone, they’re added to your list. If you stop talking to that person, they drop off your list.”  The ConversationList is a time-saver for me because it helps me quickly focus on my interactions for the day.

-Michele Rempel

Mandatek

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 Golfers can participate in foursomes, twosomes or as individuals. Companies and individuals can also help by being primary sponsors of holes, golf carts, refreshments, or lunch for the event. Items for the silent auction and raffle can be donated as well. Non-playing individuals can attend the Open Networking and Barbeque, which begins at 6 p.m.

This year’s event is sponsored by Mandatek, and such businesses as Hinckley Springs, Ballydoyle, Chicagoland Signs, Morris Graduate School of Management,  Chicago Blower  and Citibank have already contributed generously to this event..

For tee time registration go to http://taking2links4habitat.eventbrite.com.  For BBQ only sign-up, http://bbq4habitat.eventbrite.com. Sponsorship information, contact Patty Neuswanger at patty@mandatek.com.  General questions, email:  habitatlinks@mandatek.com

The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois (Habitat Illinois) is to work in partnership with Habitat affiliates, developing communities by building houses with people in need. Habitat is dedicated to eradicating poverty housing. Life in poverty housing crushes dreams. But decent homes transform lives! Renewed hope is built into each new Habitat home.

Linked Local Network provides area LinkedIn members with greatly enhanced opportunities to build their connections, network with a more regional focus, and improve results in all aspects of their lives. Membership on www.linkedin.com is the cornerstone of any serious networking effort with its huge database and ease of use. The most important network that determines your success both professionally and personally is your local network. We welcome all LinkedIn members who are committed to active participation and therefore superior results from their networking efforts.

If you’d like more information on upcoming events presented by Linked Local Network go to www.linkedlocalnetwork.com or contact Michele Rempel at mrempel@mandatek.com ph # 630-888-8571.

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One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they jump into using social media to promote their businesses is having the expectation of, “If I say it, they will come.”  They think that social media is the holy grail of marketing and that people should be clamoring to buy from them if they send out a few messages.  But social media is all about being… social.  Just as in real life, people feel most comfortable buying from someone they know and trust.  As a business owner, you have to earn that trust on social media as well. 

How do you earn trust on social media?  By acting as if you were standing in front of your potential customer.  Listening and interaction are key.  When you enter the social media space, just as you enter into a networking event, take time to listen to people.  Find out about who they are and what makes them tick.  Make positive comments about what people say, ask good questions, give pats on the back and always keep in mind that creating your own advocates in social media takes time, effort, and a lot of positive energy.   

-Michele Rempel, Mandatek

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Join the Linked Local Network as we support the Habitat for Humanity of Illinois.  This is the first charity golf outing supported by the members of the Linked Local Network.  While started as a digital community, the Linked Local Network strives to help its members develop relationships and partnerships in the real world.  Come out and support our efforts to help our community and build a better world. 

 Where: Klein Creek Golf Club, 1 N 333 Pleasant Hill Rd, Winfield, IL

When: August 11, 2010

Reservations: Golf per person with cart, light snack and evening BBQ- $115.00

Schedule:

10:30am- Light Snack and Check-in

11:45am- Tee Off

6:00pm- BBQ in the air-condition pavilion with all your favorite summer foods.  Includes networking, awards and speaking by Deborah Ford, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Illinois. 

Sponsorship Opportunities:  Email patty@mandatek.com

General inquiries: Email habitatlinks@mandatek.com

Thanks to our ever growing list of Sponsors:

Ballydoyles

Specialty Premium Group

Hinckley Springs 

Weiss Insurance

John Hancock Financial

The Irving Press

Mandatek LLC

Morris Graduate School of Management

True Image & Marketing

 The Habitat for Humanity of Illinois partners with the 52 Habitat affiliates in Illinois, building homes with limited-income families who currently live in sub-standard housing and need safe, decent, affordable housing.

Approximately 100 Habitat houses are built annually in Illinois.  After investing 500 sweat equity hours working side-by-side with volunteers, a Habitat family buys the house with a 0% interest Habitat loan, becoming a homeowner, often for the first time.

Habitat for Humanity of Illinois is comitted to eradicating poverty housing, improving people’s lives, and strengthening Illinois communities.

Your support will amplify the efforts of thousands of dedicated Habitat volunteeers who are chiseling away at inferior housing, fortifying communities, and giving families a hand up, not a hand out. 

The Linked Local Network is working to provide its members with greatly enhanced opportunities to build their connections and networks and improve their businesses. We welcome all  members who are committed to participation and therefore superior results from their networking efforts.  The Linked Local Network has groups and members in 4 states so far.  Check out http://www.linkedlocalnetwork.com for more information on groups and future events.

The Linked Local Network is co-founded by Mike Boehler and Fred McMurray of Mandatek. 

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Our conversation opened my eyes to the power of reviews and recommendations, especially among people in Sarah’s age group (and younger).  Even though I am constantly online throughout the day, my first inclination in choosing a bridal shop would not have been to go to the review sites.  I would have done a Google search for nearby shops and then checked out their websites.  After that, I might have thought about checking reviews, but it wouldn’t have been my first inclination.  And it certainly wouldn’t have been my first thought when looking for a doctor, but that’s exactly how Sarah chose hers.   Apparently I’m a bit stuck in the Information Age, while Sarah is at home in the Recommendation Age. 

Business owners take note: If you aren’t paying attention to your digital presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, and so on, someone like Sarah is.  Or not.   We have entered the Recommendation Age where it’s not who you know, but who knows YOU and is willing to recommend your brand, product or service. 

-Michele Rempel, Mandatek

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The Schaumburg Flyers are generously providing a tent on the 3rd base side for us to meet and network, so come and join us for the ultimate summertime networking event!

Details:
June 22nd, 2010 at Alexian Field

Gates open at 5:40pm, game starts at 7:00pm.
Tickets are available online for $7.00 at http://www.flyersbaseball.com or by phone at 847-891-2255. Use Promotion Code LLS10 to receive $3.00 off the normal $10.00 price. 
Purchase tickets on the 3rd base side in the Brown sections (if looking at the ticket map online). 

Our tent will be in the picnic area on the 3rd base side. 

A cash bar will be located by our tent.  The drink special that night will be $2.00 Miller beverages.  Wear orange!

A big thank you to Jim Idstein, CFO of Kayhan International, for his time and efforts spent on organizing this event!

See you all at the ballgame on June 22nd!

-Mike Boehler and Fred McMurray, Linked Local Network

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Presenters and Panelists:

• Mike O’Neil, LinkedIn Rock Star and co-author of Rock the World with your Online Presence, partner at Integrated Alliances in Denver, CO
• Lori Ruff, LinkedIn Diva and co-author of Rock the World with your Online Presence, partner at Integrated Alliances in Denver, CO
• JD Gershbein, LinkedIn Profile Writer, Trainer, Speaker, Strategist, Business Cartoonist and owner of Owlish Communications
• Scott Bishop, Social Media Strategist, Author of Real-Time Marketing Blog
• Jason Jacobsohn, Co-Producer at Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza, Networking Speaker and Author, Jacobsohn.com, Director of Venture Development at AEGIS Professional Services
• Michele Rempel, Social Media Strategies Advisor at Mandatek, LLC

Sponsors:

• Country Financial
• Morris Graduate School of Management
• Mandatek, LLC
• Sinnott Productions
• Linked Local West Suburban Chicago
• Linked Local Schaumburg

Event Schedule:

2:00-2:15 Keynote speaker

2:15-3:00 Presentations with JD Gershbein and Michele Rempel

3:00-3:45 Social Media Panel Discussion

4:00-4:45 Presentations with Mike O’Neil/Lori Ruff and Scott Bishop

After this event, please join us at the Cyber to Real World III event at the Alumni Club Schaumburg.  http://cyber2realworld3.eventbrite.com

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The Alumni Club will be offering $1.00 drink specials and 1/2 price appetizers to our attendees. 

Please visit http://cyber2realworld3.eventbrite.com for more information and to reserve your ticket. 

Check out our YouTube videos from the last event: http://www.youtube.com/westburbschi

Bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to network!

Questions should be directed to info2009@mandatek.com. 

For information on marketing stations, contact the email above. 

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Groups are important to your business development because they allow you to express your opinions, show off your knowledge of a particular subject, and most importantly, develop RELATIONSHIPS (that can lead to more connections and new business). They are also important because you have an opportunity to learn from others in your area of expertise or interest. You can ask questions, answer questions, read news articles and blogs, and find out about events, seminars and webinars. Many groups, such as the Linked Local Schaumburg group (in suburban Chicago), hold their own real-life networking events so that its members can strengthen the relationships built in cyberspace.

Thinking strategically about the groups you join is smart. If you like Jeeps, there is a Jeep group (or two) for you. Groups don’t have to be business-oriented. In fact, an accountant who is passionate about Jeeps can probably do more business and relationship-building with other Jeep enthusiasts than in a group of mostly accountants. If you’re the only Jeep-loving accountant, you’ll stand out more. Putting some thought into the groups you join can make all the difference in your business development activities.

At this point, LinkedIn allows you to join up to 50 groups. I always encourage people to join at least 20 and make sure that they contribute to several on a regular basis. If you aren’t taking advantage of the power of LinkedIn groups, start now. With over 550,000 of them, I am sure you’ll find at least a couple that meet your needs.

-Michele Rempel, Mandatek

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I understand this line of thinking, and in a way I agree.  Most people don’t make money on Twitter.  I’ll probably get some arguments from this, since there are ALWAYS exceptions, but most of the people who are making money on Twitter are the same ones who are making money selling products or services in all those emails you delete.  You get my drift. 

But Twitter isn’t pointless, even if you aren’t probably going to make money directly from it.  The way to give Twitter value in business development is to interact with your followers, or even people who aren’t following you.  You can’t really expect to send out 10 tweets per day and think that someone is going to buy your service or product.  It happens, but it happens rarely.  It’s like going to a networking event.  You can hand out your business card all day long, but you’re probably not going to make a sale until you follow up with the people who took your business cards and start building relationships by offering to help them or finding out more about who they are, etc. 

The beauty of Twitter for business development is that you can tap a ton of people with your brand and personality.  And the way you show people your personality is to interact with them.  Retweet their clever quotes, ask others to follow them, get into the culture of Twitter.  It takes time, and you might want to consider hiring someone to do it for you.  But if you do it right, your brand will get attention.  And increasing your visibility is the name of the game.

-Michele Rempel, Mandatek

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