South by Southwest Panel/Session Submissions

SxSWIt may seem like March, 2010 is a long time from now, but not for those of us hoping to speak at next year’s South by Southwest (SxSW) conference. Panel and session submissions were due last month, and the interactive 2010 SxSW Panel Picker went online today so people can vote on which of the 2,219 panel submissions should be selected.

Online voting amounts for 30% of the decision making process, with the advisory board having 40% and staff picks having 30%. Since online voting counts for so much of the decision, I’m asking everyone to take a look at these panel and session submissions and please vote “thumbs-up!”

Note: Even though my name isn’t on the Panel Picker website for each of these, I am a speaker on each of the panels below.

Marketing By Design: Practical Advice For Better Conversions

Great design is about getting visitors to take a desired action, whether that’s placing an order or clicking on an ad. Learn how to use proven marketing principles to increase conversions and ROI. I’ll discuss how to improve usability, navigation, calls to action, home page layout, error pages, & headlines.

How to Pitch Social Media to Your Clients

Odds are your clients have already asked about Social Media. They’ve heard about Blogging, Twitter, and Facebook and want to know how they can effectively use social media in their marketing strategies. We’ll discuss what questions to ask, how to charge, and how to pitch social media to your clients.

Other Panelists: Jason Falls, Principal at Social Media Explorer; Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs and Co-Author of “Trust Agents.”

Marketing and Online Communities: Oil and Water?

Online communities represent captive audiences, having conversations that you want your company to be a part of. But, communities are built upon trust and respect that is earned and are rightfully protective of their space. So, how do you connect with them? That’s what we’ll discuss.

Other Panelists: Patrick O’Keefe, Owner of iFroggy Network and Author of “Managing Online Forums”; Darren Rowse, Founder and Editor of ProBlogger, Digital Photography School and TwiTip and Co-Author of “ProBlogger: the Book”Shayne Tilley, Marketing Manager at SitePoint and Co-Author of “Online Marketing Inside Out.”

Shameless Self Promotion Without Looking Like an @#$%^&!

Too often, individuals and businesses take advantage of someone else’s turf and excuse it as “shameless self promotion.” It’s not acceptable and it can lead to you being labeled a spammer or worse. In this panel, we’ll tell you how to promote yourself without turning others off.

Other Panelists: Patrick O’Keefe, Owner of iFroggy Network and Author of “Managing Online Forums“; Twanna A. Hines, Founder of Funky Brown Chick Corporation, freelance writer and blogger and Owner, FunkyBrownChick.comDarren Rowse, Founder and Editor of ProBlogger, Digital Photography School and TwiTip and Co-Author of “ProBlogger: the Book”.

When Does the Conversation End and the Selling Begin?

Social media is now critical in the modern marketing mix. However the emergence of a social media corporate etiquette is creating real barriers between a conversation and direct sale. So how do you effectively transfer your conversations to a sale without risking your online reputation? That’s what will be answered.

Other Panelists: Patrick O’Keefe, Owner of iFroggy Network and Author of “Managing Online Forums”; Darren Rowse, Founder and Editor of ProBlogger, Digital Photography School and TwiTip and Co-Author of “ProBlogger: the Book”Shayne Tilley, Marketing Manager at SitePoint and Co-Author of “Online Marketing Inside Out.”

Capitalizing on the Mobile Web

Last Thursday I spoke to the Montgomery, Alabama AdFed (American Advertising Federation) chapter on mobile web design and marketing. The presentation, Capitalizing on the Mobile Web, is embedded below for your viewing pleasure.

Below is a video presentation with audio:

Capitalizing on the Mobile Web from Brandon Eley on Vimeo.

Marketing by Design

On Thursday, July 30 I’ll be giving a presentation to the Atlanta Web Design Group about “Marketing by Design.” I’ll talk about how to:

  • Remove Distractions
  • Optimize Your Navigation
  • Effectively Place Calls to Action
  • Omit Needless Words
  • Focus Your Audience

I’ll also cover 5 more points that will help you get most out of your Website.

Not selling something, eh? Sure you are. Even if your site is just a personal portfolio or ‘business card’ site, you’re selling yourself or your ideas. I’ll give you some simple advice about how to do a better job of it.

If you make stuff for the Web, the info you get from this event will help you do it better.

Get more info and RSVP here

Update: Below is the SlideShare presentation for download