<b> Bold Interactive Inc.

Today, I attend my first luncheon hosted by the Triangle Interactive Marketing Association. Peter Shankman, Sam Harrelson, and Angela Connor were the panelists, and the lunch was sponsored by MySpace. The focus today is Social Media.

Here’s what they had to say:

1. Being good at social networking requires being good at networking in general. Technology is the tool, just like the luncheon is a tool for networking.
2. Twitter’s tracking feature is cool. Good way to meet people and expand your network. (follow wrtrgrl if you want to, and you know you do)
3. Permission-based marketing is essential for successful social media campaigns. Asking a blogger their permission to send a product is more empowering to them than just sending them your product without asking.
4. Don’t force social media. Only Tweet, blog, etc. when you have something to say that’s worthwhile.
5. Carry breath mints in case the food has onions.
6. Don’t attempt to have separate personal and professional lives on the internet. Integrate them. Blend your personal and professional brands. It’s ok to not publish that picture of you with a bong.
7. Speaking of bongs, Peter Shankman does a lot worse things than smoking bongs because he lives in NYC, cuz that’s how they roll.
8. Explore niche sites to find your community.
9. Build relationships with people. Don’t just go into a forum and start selling. This takes some time.
10. B2B social media is difficult and time-consuming, but it can be done.
11. Privacy is a commodity.

If you went, tell us what you learned by leaving a comment!