Sketchnotes from Social Media Marketing World #smmw18

Social Media Marketing World is the ONE conference I do not miss every year. It is the best way I know how to keep up on the constant change of social media.

The constant theme: video.

Michael Stelzner addressed this in his opening keynote. Maybe we've been focused on numbers too long. But live video is what is still breaks through the algorithm.

Live video in ads.

I was drawn to Dennis Yu and Logan Young of Blizmetric's session on Facebook Ads for a $1 a day. The secret: One minute videos pushing content you already have. Here's the framework for those 1-minute videos:

• Tell a story that illustrates a problem, no intros or bumper
• Address a problem
• Offer your solution
• Call to action

Sexy content that moves the needle.

(Attention grabbing session name of Marcus Sheridan's session on content that leads to sales. VIdeo makes emotional connections with your customers. (And your competition probably isn't using video.) His seven recommendations on how to incorporate video onto your site:

• Video in your email signature
• Specific product video
• Case studies
• Team video
• What you're not video (we're  a good match if _____ )
• Answers to top questions

Talk to one person.

Ann Handley's sessions at Social Media Marketing World are always a breath of fresh air with her emphasis on slowing down to be a good writer. And yes, in this age of video, writing counts more than ever, because writing makes you think and trains you to be articulate. Write to one person translates into talk to one person. Make it personable.

#SXXW18_handley from Anne McColl on Vimeo.

And be sure to check out all the sketchnotes from #smmw18.

All the graphic recording images from Social Media Marketing World 2119 (#smmw18)

#SMMW18 Social Media Marketing World 2018 Sketchnotes from Anne McColl

Anne McColl is the Chief Infodoodler at LiquidSketchStudio.com, a Southern California graphic recording boutique that provides digital and analog graphic recording + sketchnote services for events and meetings.

For drops of inspiration on visual thinking for buisness, subscribe to her newsletter!

The best explanation on the value of design I've ever heard and other takeaways from DesignForward San Diego 2017.

Design Forward San Diego just wrapped up its second annual event at Liberty Station. Design Forward brought together entrepreneurs, technologists, product managers, designers, business and civic leaders to inspire conversation about how design can improve the local economy, civic infrastructure, and San Diego’s quality of life. I had the pleasure of attending this event and of course sketchnoted the sessions. (To be clear, I was an attendee, not hired to cover the event.)

The best explanation on the value of design. Ever.

Phil Gilbert, General Manager of Design, IBM, was full of wit & wisdom. My biggest takeaway of the day: You could ask designers to create a vase. Or you could ask them to create the best way to enjoy flowers at home. That’s design. The right questions can define the innovation of a project.

Don Norman is rad.

This was the first time I saw Don Norman, founder of UCSD’s Design Lab in person. It’s no wonder he’s inspired designers since his days at Apple. Instead of fail fast, how about we learn fast.  

Two pizzas won't do.

Another piece of wisdom from Phil. Never have a team that two pizzas can't feed. 

Unsilo design.

I really appreciated how non-designers were included in the audience as well as professionals across the design spectrum. Mark Cafferty spoke about the power of design in creating spaces that will help San Diego recruit the needed tech and design talent needed for a growing economy.

It's all about yes.

Kara DeFrias urged people to take chances by saying yes to opportunities. This one: “Never take a no from a person who is not qualified to give you a yes.”

The power of research.

I was fascinated with Jennifer Luce of Luce Studios talked about the deep research they did for every client and how that inspired nuggets of joy in every project.

Lessons Learned

Matt Cole

Meriah Garrett

Mizah Rahman

P.S. You can get tickets for next year at a big fat discount right now.

How to Live Tweet an Event: Featured in Social Media Examiner

My sketchnotes for Social Media Marketing World were featured in an article for Social Media Examiner about how to live Tweet and event to drive traffic to your website.

Read the article here.

It pretty much sums up the benefits:

• Drive targeted traffic to your site
• Showcase your services
• Generate product buzz
• Capture the attention of journalists
• Connect with influencers

Infographic Featured on QuickSprout

One of my visuals was featured as the masthead visual for a lengthy article by Neil Patel of QuickSprout entitled: "How To Make Custom Images For Your Blog Posts Without Hiring A Designer."

Neil's article is a great example of the value of lengthy, useful content. This post ran well over 2,000 words and featured design software like Canva to show where to source low-cost stock images.

Sketchnotes Featured in Social Media Examiner as a Smart Way to Use SlideShare

My sketchnotes from Social Media Marketing World were featured in Social Media Examiner as a creative way to use Slideshare. (It's true, I love Slideshare.)

Read it here.

National Retail Federation Graphic Recording Featured on Sketchnote Army.

My sketchnotes that I created last summer for the National Retail Federation's Digital Merchandising Workshop were featured in Sketchnote Army, a web-based showcase of sketchotes from around the world.

The Digital Merchandising Workshop is always an interesting assignment. The sessions get pretty heavy with information but there are always big themes to draw out of each session.

See it here.