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smalbany

smalbany, social media

A pastor learns from Google at smAlbany

Albany-20120717-00314A minister, an IT consultant, and a small business owner walk into an auditorium…

No, no. It’s not the start of a joke, but what really what happened at the 6th annual smAlbany expo for Capital Area Small businesses. Every year hundreds of business minded folks gather to hear speakers, pick up tips, check out vendors, and connect with new businesses. So you might be wondering, does a pastor have any business being a business expo?

The answer is a resounding, yes!

This year the key-note speaker was Google’s Joe DeMike. Joe is a great presenter and has a really interesting background as a West Point grad and tech guy with Google. I have always known of Google’s importance since it’s inception in 1998, but yesterday I really saw the impact that Google has on business. If you want to move your product, business, or idea forward you need to be using Google. The tools, tricks, SEO, social media and apps really do rule the way we search for things. Check out the Times Union social media panel reflection on Twitter.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting and eating lunch at Chicago O’Hare Airport, when a very polite gentlemen asked if he could sit next to me. I said, “Sure.” and we starting talking. I discovered he worked for Google, in some sort of sales. I started to tell him my woes of my church‘s Google search engine results and mapping. He quickly helped me correct a few problems.

Google’s motto is “Don’t be evil.” It makes sense. Since Google is so powerful, they don’t want to end up as a big-bad tech company. Their employees live by that motto and it shows. Google wants to help you.

According to DeMike, 97% of people search online for a product or service online before buying it. And, most use Google to find what they are looking for. Hearing all the facts about how Google is used in business made me a believer in how much churches and faith communities are missing out on the power of Google.

Here’s what I learned from Google’s presentation that churches need to implement now: Continue Reading…

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Going to #smAlbany

Today I’m attending smAlbany, which is Albany small business, social media, tech, and (fill in the blank trendy industry). This year the gathering is sponsored by Google. I hope to pick up on some trends for social media, tips, and info for promoting churches on social media. Look for updates on twitter: .

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Shout-outs from Bloggers

Thanks for the shout outs from bloggers who attended smAlbany on Tuesday.  (Read the last post for my review) A few bloggers who attended the panel talk I was a part of had some great things to say:

The World Through My Lens wrote,

Mike Huber led a panel called Local Social Media and Your Customers.  He asked about blogging and tweeting – why would you want to do it, and why would people care?… My favorite panelist was Rev. Al Rudnick.  I am not huge on religion, but he explained how people are using Twitter and Facebook during church and how they encourage it.  They even project it on a large screen so people can see it and participate.  I think I will try this on Sunday.  I bet the people in our church wont be as accepting…

VIP Guest Blogger, dozenroses13 wrote,

“What degree do ethics play in a community?” Rev. Alan Rudnick spoke about people who “hide behind the veil” AKA – Anonymous bloggers.  “Be a follower OR have a following.”  Your choice. They spoke about the recent “Ding Dong Ditch” incident that happened locally last week.  Why did it become such a firestorm?  It was a story that contained emotion.  It could happen to any home owner.    Social Media helped that story spread like wild-fire.  So much so that CNN picked up the story.

Albany

A Pastor Goes to smAlbany…

No, it is not the start to a lame joke, but I served as a panelist at smAlbany.  smAlbany is a yearly small business gathering put on by Liberteks.com.  This year was the 5th Annual smAlbany Small Business Expo.  smAlbany focuses on the technology aspect of networking, business, and career development.  I quickly discovered that smAlbany is a pejorative term for Albany, NY – “small-bany”  The urban dictionary even has an entry for it.

So how did a pastor end up on a panel for a business expo?  Good question.  In addition to my blog here, I also blog for the Times Union Newspaper as their protestant religion blogger.  Michael Huber, the online content manger, thought it would be a great idea to have me as a panelist on the subject of, “Local Social Media and Your Customers.”  In addition to myself, the panel consisted of

As you can see, it is a very eclectic mix of people and professions.  I would say the seminar was well attended and provided people loads of information on social media. Alright, enough with the background.  You are probably thinking, “What did they talk about?”

Continue Reading…

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