Social Media Club Tries To Find Out What Lies Ahead In 2010 With Social Media

On Tuesday night, dozens of Silicon Valley’s tech professionals and social media “discoverers” were in attendance at the Altimeter Group’s offices to bear witness to five of the industry’s more recognized commentators talk about the future of social media in 2010.

Through the generosity of the Social Media Club, the panel consisted of the Altimeter Group’s Jeremiah Owyang, Zoetica’s CEO and non-profit thought leader Beth Kanter, FutureWorks PR and author Brian Solis, security & privacy thought leader Jennifer Leggio & CNET editor of business technology Rafe Needleman. While most of the answers centered around privacy online and how social media may have “jumped the shark” along with some other insights, it was refreshing to hear from a variety of perspectives – an analysts, non-profit/NGO, PR expert, privacy/business blogger, and a journalist.

Following the panel conversation, the focus shifted to a be a bit more intimate with Solis interviewing Needleman on his new book Pro PR Tips: Public Relations Advice from a Jaded Journalist. Instead of being about social media, the crowd was treated to getting insights on pretty much how you can pitch a journalist without sounding like a douchebag. In his 128-page book, Needleman has listed tips on public relations insights he has accrued from his experience as a member of the press. Some of the tips include (paraphrased below):

• Search First: Before you pitch me, take time to find out if I’ve written about your company before.
• Tweet Me: Twitter pitches may be okay, but direct only & provide a link and reply email in the tweet.
• Follow Up: If you talk to me on the phone & I ask you to follow up by email, do it ASAP while call is still fresh in my mind.
• Free Ads? No product placement allowed. No stickers will be placed on my laptop. Try Scoble.
• Presumptive NDA: If sent an unsolicited email with an embargoed press release, it’s considered fair game to cover immediately. Agree to NDA first before sending press release.

Many more tips are in Pro PR Tips and it’s probably a good complement to Solis’s latest book Putting The Public Back In Public Relations - both of which were featured at this event & available for purchase & signing.

Here are some photos of the event:

Jennifer Leggio, Rafe Needleman & Jennifer Lindsay

Jeremiah Owyang

Beth Kanter

Brian Solis

A packed room for the night’s Social Media Club event

Brian Solis interviews Rafe Needleman

Just what happens when Brian Solis & Rafe Needleman read each other’s book.

More photos from the event can be found by clicking here.