Shocking to see my name in print… why?


I spent the first part of my career in the newspaper and magazine publishing industry.  But now I hardly ever pick up a print publication.

I do receive the print edition of The South Florida Business Journal, and time allowing I will thumb through the pages.

This week I opened up the SFBJ and was shocked to see my smiling face in print.

Its not that I didn’t know the the event I was doing for the Journal wasn’t going to be advertised.  Its just that these days I am so digitally oriented I actually forgot print was even an option for advertising an event…. especially a digital event about social media marketing.

It gave me pause.  Something to think about at the very least and will provide my thoughts here in another column.

That said, I will be presenting for SFBJ for the first time at their “Social Media Crash Course” along with fellow presenters D. B. Weinke and Alex de Carvalho.  I have heard Alex and D.B. speak multiple times (I had them as speakers for the FDMA), so this will be a very powerful event as the Crash name implies.  See you there (March 10th in Fort Lauderdale.  Click here for more info.

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Jim Gilbert Presenting The 9 Immutable Laws of Social Media Marketing

Jim Gilbert’s Next Speaking Gig: WordCamp Miami 2016


It gives us great pleasure to announce that our CEO, Jim Gilbert will be speaking for the 3rd time at WordCamp Miami.  Look for Jim’s updated presentation, “The Immutable Law of Social Media  #REALationships” to again provide an overabundance of social media engagement tips and ideas that all companies can take away immediately.

About WordCamp Miami:

WordCamp Miami has been an annual event in South Florida for the past 8 years. It’s grown from a 150 person event from it’s first year to over 770 attendees in 2015. The scope of the event has also grown in that time to not only include talks specifically on WordPress but also blogging, content creation, SEO, designing, marketing, and developer related topics. It’s been on of the longest running non-profit tech conferences in South Florida.

The 8th annual WordCamp Miami is happening next month – February 19-21 – at Florida International University. It has a full schedule lined up for everyone from those wanting to learn WordPress for the first time to those who are already skilled at developing with it. Here are some of the highlights:

– If you’ve never used WordPress and want to learn, a full-day workshop is available on Friday February 19th. The class is limited to 100 individuals so that the instructors can take you step by step from learning hosting basics to being able to customize a basic WordPress site of your own.
– If you are a freelancer (whether you use WordPress or not) there’s a full-day freelancer’s workshop on Friday February 19th.
– Saturday and Sunday (February 20th and 21st) are full of talks ranging from how to improve your website’s SEO, security, and how to build an commerce site with WordPress. Sunday has a full track dedicated to business owners and agencies, along with a brand new “Learn JavaScript deeply” for developers.
– The conference is especially family-friendly this year with a Kid’s Workshop Sunday morning (where parents and kids ages 8-13 can learn to create their first blog), an arts/crafts/STEM class in the afternoon, and then a kid’s panel to end the day (in which the invite is still open if you want to nominate your child who blogs to come and speak). Kids are welcome to attend both days on the weekend, and are free to attend.

Outside of the knowledge provided by over 70 speakers from across South Florida and the rest of the world, WordCamp Miami has many knowledge sponsors on hand if you want to talk to anyone face to face about website hosting and security. There is a “Happiness Bar” staffed over the weekend by knowledgable WordPress users if you have a question about your WordPress site or need advice about your next website.

What’s probably the most interesting about the event is the ticket prices. Because this is a non-profit event, ticket prices are a low $35 for the weekend (plus money if you want to attend a workshop on Friday). Discounts for students and teachers available. The event usually sells out so you might want to pick up your tickets as soon as possible. Weekend tickets include food, swag, t-shirts, and access to the after-party:

2016.miami.wordcamp.org/tickets

Deerfield Beach, FL 3/19: Linkedin Ninja Master Class. Power Network in Half the Time


Join the Florida Direct Marketing Association on March 19th in Deerfield Beach, FL for: Linkedin Ninja Master Class: Power Network in Half the Time…

Are you an expert at marketing yourself and your business on Linkedin? 

Your LinkedIn profile isn’t your bio. It’s your career summary with viral visibility. Don’t neglect one of the most powerful (and free) social tools available. Come learn how to optimize your profile and earn referrals by staying top of mind — improve your bottom line.

For More info or to Register

Why come to this event? Three key Takeaways… 

Takeaway #1 LinkedIn is NOT a rolodex! You’ll learn how to maximize your profile for higher visibility.

Takeaway #2 Learn how to ‘clone’ your best clients and build a prospecting list delivered to your inbox weekly.

Takeaway #3 Get actionable tips to stay top of mind and relevant by sharing your expertise with “small goods” as described by co-founder Reid Hoffman

Earn Referrals. Be Found. Get ROI. If you network in-person, you can network online in half the time.

Click here For More info or to Register

About the speaker: 

D. B. Wienke’s mission is to teach everyone she comes into contact how to be a Linkedin Power networker.

A former CMO and Fortune 500 Executive, D. B. is an expert who advocates social media to engage, delight and excite a response. Social Media uses your own voice when speaking to your target customers. Learn advanced Linkedin skills from an upbeat, passionate leader who has your solution ready.

We hope to see you there. 

Sincerely,
Jim Gilbert, President
jim@gilbertdirectmarketing.com
http://www.fdma.org

PS. Join FDMA for only $99 and come to this and 8 other regular events for free. Too many benefits to list. Learn more here: http://www.fdma.org/register/

Win at Social: Wrap Yourself Around An Issue and become a Social Media Marketing Thought Leader


Wrap yourself around an issue and become a social media marketing guru.

You don’t have to be a great writer to get social media attention. Just “own” another issue and you can make some hay for yourself. Its simple to do:

Step 1: Find an issue or topic you believe in, or are well versed in, and have an opinion you would like to share about the topic.

Step 2: Seek out articles about that topic.  Find them on Facebook, Linkedin, Google+, etc.  Twitter is the perfect channel for this!

Step 3: Share the article, with your comments.  Simple right?

More: There are two ways to share on your topic, “for” or “against”.  Sometimes disagreeing with the article can get you even more notoriety.  I don’t shy away from being controversial.  For example, when the U.S. Post Office starts in with their annual postage rates increases, my rants railing against the stupidity of the USPS get lots of attention.  As a marketing consultant who goes against the grain and uses direct mail often for clients (Note: Direct mail is NOT dead!  Its still as viable as ever if practiced correctly), being known as champion of direct mail marketers against the post office, shows people a lot about how I could help them if hired for a direct mail campaign.

Give it a try and let me know how you did.  Post a comment below.

Want a free marketing evaluation?  Gilbert Direct Marketing’s chief expertise is finding you new marketing revenue streams you can take to the bank.  Don’t leave revenue unrealized.  Let GDM help you take that revenue off the table!

The 9 Immutable Laws of Social Media Marketing – Presentation from #DMA2011


On October 5th I presented The 9 Immutable Laws of Social Media Marketing to a packed house at the Direct Marketing Association Annual Conference and Exhibition.  Here is the deck from that presentation.  I have some video and pictures I will clean up and post next.  Feel free to pass this presentation on.

Social Media for Non-Profit and other Marketers presentation for the Florida Direct Marketing Association


On Thursday 8/18/2011, I spoke at the Florida Direct Marketing Association’s annual Non-Profit Summit.  The subject, “Social Media for fun and Profit”.  Here is a the presentation for your review

These two presentations on Social Media made it to the homepage of slideshare.net.


I love it when a plan comes together.  On Friday and today my presentations made it up to the top of slideshare.net’s home page.  Check them out: