I was one of the lucky ones that was able to score a ticket to the Social Capital Conference that took place at Ottawa University this past weekend. The first event of it’s kind in Ottawa, the conference brought together people from all levels of experience within the social media community.
Topics/seminars were broken down into 3 streams – fundamental, advanced, and business – and you could take your pick depending on what you were after. I attended a session on the art of writing a blog (with Brie McManus of Capital Mom fame and Christine LaRocque who writes Coffee & Commutes), another on how to choose the right social media tools for your business (with Dani Donders, the hilarious, speed-talker behind Postcards from the Mothership, Vivian Cheng, co-founder of Blend Creations, and Lara Wellman, the mastermind behind the conference and do-er of oh so many other things!), and a final one on social media metrics (with Scott Lake, CEO of SWIX and communications specialist/blogger Ben Myers). I found all the sessions chock-a-block with good information and tips, and the presenters were eager spread their wealth of knowledge.
And although I came away with some really powerful new information, what I got a kick out of the most is coming face to face with so many of the people that I have followed or “met” online but never really met in person.
And it really cemented my belief that you can connect all you like online..but it sure doesn’t replace a handshake and a warm smile.
I say this so much I’m starting to feel like a broken record but when social media has the biggest payoff for me is in what it brings to my “real world” life. I’ve made friends, found clients, and have more events to attend than i can manage and I love it. It’s why I do in person social media workshops too, because as great as online is… Face to face is really important too.
Too true! Still interested in doing something together this fall? If so, we should get together soon to discuss.