Category Archives: Social Media

05/29/2012

FTJ Live – “Inside Orlando’s Tech Boom” 6/12/2012

By Aric Vinacke

Florida Technology Journal (FTJ) is Florida’s leading source for technology news, venture deals and events.   The site boasts one of the largest tech subscriber bases in the Southeast and strives to inform and connect Florida’s digital community.   On June 12th, FTJ is bringing their digital content offline and into one of Orlando’s emerging tech start-ups, Envy Labs.  The event is called “FTJ Live” and with 2 weeks to go has already seen over 300 registered attendees in what is shaping up to be one of the best events of the year.

ftj_live_marquee_article

Downtown Orlando’s thriving tech district is a global hub for high-tech and creative industries including; gaming, simulation, e-learning, app development, software, digital media and creative agencies.   This year’s FTJ Live digital leaders will discuss talent, culture, capital investment, entrepreneurship, and the impact of the Creative Village development in Downtown Orlando.

Panelists:

  • Daryl Holt, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, EA Sports
  • Ben Noel, Exec. Director, Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
  • Carlos Carbonell, Co-Founder & CEO, Echo Interaction Group
  • Pete McAlindon, Co-Founder, Gazelle Lab Orlando
  • Craig Ustler, Real Estate Developer, Creative Village Downtown Orlando
  • Gregg Pollack, Co-Founder, Envy Labs and Code School

Moderated By: Kyle Christian Steele, Co-Founder & CEO, Doccaster

Join technology professionals, entrepreneurs and investors from across Florida at the new Envy Labs headquarters in Downtown Orlando’s high-tech district. Networking opportunities, cash bar and light appetizers served.

When: Tuesday, June 12, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Where: Envy Labs, 189 S. Orange Avenue, 20th Floor, Orlando, 32801, View Map

Registration Fee: Free with Online Registration

Sponsors:

trinet_logo_its2011           modis_logo_ftj_live

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in Florida Technology Journal, LinkedIn, Orlando, Social Media, Tech, TriNet

11/20/2011

Build Your Social Empire…

By Aric Vinacke

Empire Avenue is a virtual simulation stock market game that allows you to buy and sell people and websites.  Simply put, you manage your portfolio in a virtual economy and buy into people and brands that influence others.

The site is designed to drive social networking and your share price is effected by the conversations and activity that you create, as well as how many people “buy into” you as an influencer.  The more buyers, the higher the stock price.

Currently, activity is ranked based on activity from Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Foursquare, Instagram, WordPress,

Flickr, and Google+.

It’s fun to interact with people all over the world and add a gaming element to social activity on the web.  If you sign up, be sure to find me…my ticker is: (e)ARIC.

Leave a comment | posted in Empire Avenue, Social Media

07/16/2011

Google+… you had me at “Hello”

By Aric Vinacke

As I explained to one of my friends that still can’t grasp Google’s new social media platform… Google+ is everything Facebook “IS” and “IS NOT.”

There are many opinions about whether Google+ will or will not make it, but I truly believe that both businesses and individuals want the best of their work and personal lives shared on a social platform without risking the two bleeding together.  We all have heard the stories about people who have been Facebook “tagged” in photos that they never intended for their work friends to see.  Or, feeling pressured to accept a Facebook “friend request” to not annoy the other person, etc.   Google+ circles allow you the comfort of filtering the content to whom you want and don’t want seeing it, and in a way that isn’t rude or riddled with guilt.

It is still early, and admittedly I am only 1 week into my G+ era.  However, at the rate that the Android units are moving off the shelves and the convenience of Gmail and other applications, we may see a major change in the way that we communicate socially.

Change is good…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Business, Social Media

07/04/2010

LinkedIn — Get Involved: Have an Opinion

By Aric Vinacke

Yes, of course LinkedIn is a great way to build your network of connections in business. However, do you participate in the discussions?  Do you take advantage of the Group(s) you are associated with? 

Truth is, you probably spend much less time on LinkedIn, and way too much time on other social media sites.  This is not to suggest that the other sites are not important. (because they are) LinkedIn provides you with a platform to get involved and have a voice.  Your participation shows confidence, expertise, and if worked correctly…can open doors for you with key individuals and companies. 

Participating in Group discussions allows your comments to be seen by all group members.  Discussions can be started by Group Managers for all to answer, and they can also be started by members within the Group.  Typically, these members are business owners, employees, clients, your competition, and prospects in your market.  Yes…PROSPECTS!   Does this mean that you answer a discussion topic with, “My company can provide you with “x”, when can we meet?”  Absolutely not!  By steering clear of the temptation of self-promotion, you will be working towards a trusted advisor relationship with the members of the group.   The opportunities to set a business meeting will come from being a provider of great content.

So, you now have two windows open on your computer and you are looking at which discussion to participate in right? (lol)  Take the easy route; create a topic for discussion that you feel confident you can participate in.  For a brief moment, you can be the expert.  Get involved,  have an opinion!

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in Advisory Board Members, Business, Lead Generation, LinkedIn, Social Media

07/01/2010

Mobile Email Compatibility : HTML vs. Text?

By Aric Vinacke

I would recommend to companies that are sending out packed emails (HTML, graphics, etc.) that they test the compatibility with different devices and operating systems.  Most phones do have the ability to see the images, but depending on the image settings of the phone and the orientation (landscape/portrait) can determine whether you see the detail on the screen without scrolling back and forth.

In my opinion, with all the daily distractions in a business…to ask the recipient to “allow images” and ” download more” on their mobile phone is taking a risk that your email will not get read.


I’d like to think that all the time spent on the cool color scheme, the perfect pics and fancy logo is what made someone read my emails, but in reality…the body text is usually what spikes interest. Surely, we won’t have to worry about this in the near future with the technological advances that are being made. But, right now…it still remains an issue that needs to be considered.

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , | posted in Advisory Board Members, Business, Lead Generation, Social Media

06/16/2010

Leveraging Social Networks to Find Top Talent and Quality Leads

By Aric Vinacke
Clara Shih

In case you missed the webinar, I have provided a quick recap and a link below that will take you to a recording of the session.

Last week, Clara Shih – author of The Facebook Era, teamed up with Burton Goldfield – CEO of TriNet Group, Inc., to share strategies on how to leverage social media networks to attract top talent and effectively generate leads.

Burton Goldfield

In a time where companies are trying to figure out whether to embrace social media, or run from it, Goldfield explains to the audience how TriNet leverages social networks to stay competitive in their market as well as how he personally uses Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.

Shih provides an in-depth look at each of the social media sites and shows examples of the effective strategies companies are using to integrate these practices into their business.  Throughout the presentation, there are questions from the audience and you can find the answers and the entire webinar here:  http://bit.ly/TriNetWebinarTalent

Talk soon…

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , , , , , | posted in Business, LinkedIn, Social Media

06/14/2010

I.T. Summit 2010 (6/22 – 6/23) in Orlando, FL

By Aric Vinacke

Okay, so I just signed up for the upcoming Internet Technology Summit 2010 that is coming to Orlando June 22-23, 2010.  This event is going to ROCK! 


This two-day, power-packed event will delve into the latest strategies and tools in mobile, social and rich media technologies including: search, mobile applications, mobile computing, cloud computing, internet security, crowd sourcing, workflow, lead generation, SAAS, online advertising, virtualization, augmented reality and managed services. (Source: http://bit.ly/ITsummit2010)

Agenda: http://bit.ly/ITSagenda

Speakers: http://bit.ly/ITSspeakers

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , , | posted in Business, Internet Technology Summit, Lead Generation, Social Media

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