On Tuesday afternoon, I had the pleasure of doing the first ever AdMaverick’s twitterview with Big Omaha founder, Jeff Slobotski. Big Omaha is billed as “The culmination of the amazing entrepreneurial energy taking place within the Midwest” and is Silicon Prairie News’ (SPN) premier event.
[tweetmeme source="admavericks"]
In 2009, the inaugural event brought together 400-plus entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives to hear almost a dozen nationally-recognized speakers of the like. The goal of the event was to inspire attendees to follow their passions, build the
businesses they love and strengthen their creative communities.
So what’s a twitterview? An interview that takes place on Twitter.
So why is an ad agency in Des Moines doing a twitterview of some event in Omaha? When social media marketing meets new business we tend to pay attention. Behold this case study about Big Omaha’s use of Social Media and the success the medium helped them achieve in 2009. Props to new friend Wendy Townley of soon to be Nerdy Thirty fame for putting this together.
Check out BigOmaha and if you can find a way to get a ticket to this sold out event make it a priority. As it is on Twitter, I have left the hashtags (those # signs followed by words) and the abbreviations of words (we have to make it fit in 140 characters). Many thanks to Jeff Slobotski and the folks at Silicon Prairie News for setting this up. Without further adieu, here is the “twanscript” – sorry, that was a reach.
AdMavericks: The twitterview with @slobotski is starting now. Jeff, are you ready to tweet like a mad man for the next 30 minutes? RE: #bigomaha
Slobotski: let’s roll! #BigOmaha
AdMavericks: #bigomaha is put together by you and the folks @SiliconPrairie – can you tell us how you got involved?
Slobotski: The event was created in response to the amazing amount of entrepre. & creative energy which is here w/in the Midwest #BigOmaha
AdMavericks: That entrepre. spirit is contagious here in #desmoines as well! What kind of Des Moines attendance are you expecting #bigomaha
Slobotski: Yes! Completely agree…although the name is #BigOmaha, it’s more than just one city! We’ll have a great contingent from DSM
AdMavericks: I understand #socialmedia was used almost exclusively to promote #BigOmaha – can you expand on why it’s been so successful?
Slobotski: the role of #socialmedia was huge in getting the word out to the audience who would find #BigOmaha interesting…That being said, in Year 2, and beyond, we can’t rely solely on #socialmedia to assure that the right folks knw about #BigOmaha
AdMavericks: speaker list for #bigomaha is impressive – @dens @zappos @garyvee @jasonfried many others! – How did you pull that off? #jealous.
Slobotski: I think it’s a testament to the community we have hear who is eager to hear & learn from entrepreneurs you mentioned #BigOmaha…@GaryVee was an amazing help when he signed on board for @BigOmaha 2009…
AdMavericks: You’ve been quoted as saying that Twitter is “Guerrilla marketing in a nice way.” – can you expand on that? #bigomaha
Slobotski: Twitter is “Guerrilla marketing in a nice way” b/c individuals have the ability to spread messages farther & quicker #BigOmaha … The junk will fall to the bottom, and those businesses & individuals who use it effectively, and to help will rise to the top
AdMavericks: I have to know – who did the creative on your Web site – and can we hire them? http://ow.ly/1GUem #bigomaha
Slobotski: The design was frm @oxidedesign & yes, you can indeed hire them! I’m sure @DrewOxide would enjoy the opportunity! #BigOmaha
AdMavericks: Many of us in #desmoines were bummed to hear #bigomaha was sold out. Can you make me a local folk hero by releasing more tickets?
Slobotski: I recommend registering on the waiting list, as we might have the opp. to release a small number of tickets soon…#BigOmaha …The waitlist for @BigOmaha is located at: http://bigomaha.eventbrite.com/ – we’ll do our best to make you a local legend.
AdMavericks: #BigOmaha and speaker @scottharrison with @charitywater are working to raise money for charity – how can non-attendees help?
Slobotski: You bet–re: @charitywater & @scottharrison, people can give to the @BigOmaha campaign: http://mycharitywater.org/bigomaha2010
AdMavericks: We’re running long and Twitter is running slower than my grandma on Facebook – thanks for doing this! #bigomaha
Slobotski: You bet! Happy to do it and look forward to connecting with you soon! Keep on truckin’ in Des Moines! #BigOmaha
Author: Josh Fleming
www.lessingflynn.com
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