My buddy Bryan Allain has created a killer (see how I did that) conference in Nashville, Tennessee, March 31. If you can swing it (I can’t but I sure wish I could), you should go and learn from Bryan and Jeff, Jon, Alli, Brewster, Carlos and the gang. (You want to know how to know if these folks are legit? I’ll tell you. When you search their names in the almighty Google, their blogs are the first thing to pop up.)

The Killer Tribes Conference is a 1-day experience designed specifically for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, & small business owners to learn what it takes to build a killer tribe. From inspirational stories to practical how-to’s to successful case studies, you’ll walk away equipped and encouraged to extend your reach, find your fans, & build your tribe.

Derek Webb - musician, creator of NoiseTrade.com | Alli Worthington - Co-Founder of the Blissdom Conference | Mark Hughes - author of BuzzMarketing and Sons of Grace | Daddy-O - Hip-Hop historian & record producer | Steve Kamb - Founder of NerdFitness.com | Jeff Goins - author of upcoming book, Wrecked | Carlos Whittaker - Blogger, Musician on Integrity Music | Sarah Mae - Founder of the Allume Conference, author of 31 Days to Clean | Dave Delaney - Nashville’s Premier Social Media Consultant | Tamara Lunardo - Blogger, Author of What a Woman is Worth | Bryan Allain - Conference Host, author of 31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo | Tripp & Tyler - Conference Emcees, Viral Video sensations | Stephen Brewster - Creative Director, Crosspoint | Jon Acuff (via video) – Author of Quitter

Registration is $99 – be sure to the not-so-secret-anymore code FOKT (Friend of Killer Tribes) to get $10 off. Registration includes ticket to Friday Night Meetup the night before at CREMA Coffeehouse in Nashville from 7:30-9:30p. To Register: Register for Killer Tribes.

Last week I posed a question on here about boys and girls, men and women, friends forever or a recipe for disaster. The comments were fascinating. People told stories and shared opinions. A beautiful dialogue was created. So today I want to pose another series of questions on something that has been nagging at me lately and let you guys impart your wisdom once again. (You obviously know a lot more than I do.)

First let me say, I am a huge advocate of social media. Social media allows us to build community, stay in touch, and connect like-minded people around the world.

Do you think social media has blurred our definition of intimacy?

Do you find yourself or others confusing online transparency with vulnerability?

Do you ever wonder who is a virtual stranger, and who is a virtual best friend?

I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Last week I had the pleasure of hearing Paula Berg, Manager of Emerging Media for Southwest Airlines, speak at a Nashville Chamber Small Business Breakfast as part of the Informed and Inspired series. Paula was terrific. She was engaging, honest, and approachable. But most importantly she was informed. I loved learning what she had to say about Southwest’s “wild ride” in the blogosphere.

Here are just a few things that she shared that surprised me: (more…)

Last Thursday morning, I had the privilege of hearing Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan), the New York Times bestselling author of Trust Agents, speak at an event was hosted by JTMarCom and Stage Post Productions which benefited Social Media Club Nashville. I soaked up a vast array of knowledge from Chris Brogan (literally I took six pages of typed notes).

If you are not familiar with Brogan here’s what I can tell you about him, his blog is a must-read and his twitter feed is quirky, informative, and engaging. He is a master of social media, partly because he acknowledges that the game is constantly changing and that the only rules is that there are no rules.

Here are a couple of things that Chris Brogan reminded me that have stuck with me (like super glue):

1. Social Media is work. (more…)

I have decided to start a new series on my blog, “Why I Love Social Media.” This series is for all the folks that are resisting blogging, Twitter, Facebook, etc. because they are convinced that the internet is full of creepy strangers. This series is hopefully will give them a taste of what they are missing out on. So without further ado, “Why I Love Social Media, Part 1.”

You get random but completely uplifting birthday notes from practical strangers.

Lindsey,
I saw on your blog about the “blah’s” and your birthday…not that I think your birthday causes the blah’s, but sometimes the two “B” words do coincide.  I had your email address from a few weeks ago when I won a copy of Don Miller’s latest book (which I read the day I got it and it had a huge impact on me), so I decided to email you.

Just wanted to say, I have been there.  Last December, I turned 33.  On a normal year, birthdays aren’t that big in my family, but last year was a doozy.  Having been in similar circumstances, I wanted to do a little something for you to make your day special.

Why turning 33 is great!

• It’s your birthday, so you can eat cake.
• You only have to remember one number to write your age – 3.
• Thirty-three is old enough to sound mature when you want, but young enough to still act silly at times.
• Thirty-three is the largest positive integer that can not be expressed as a sum of different triangular numbers <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangular_numbers> .  (Ok, had to go to Wikipedia for this one – I don’t exactly understand it, but it means that there is significance in the number 33.)
• You can run for president in 2 more years, which is enough time to plan your campaign.
• You are younger than 5 in dog years.
• People give you presents.
• Random internet people send you “why turning 33 is great” emails.
• And again, can I say CAKE!

So I hope the blah’s just were in for a quick weekend trip and not an extended stay.  Here’s to a great birthday.
Kate

Thanks Kate. This, along with several other sweet notes and calls, made my day!

Last Thursday, Thomas Nelson hosted LifeWork 2.0, a Social Media tutorial created by Spence Smith and Randy Elrod. All in all, there were about 30 attendees from Thomas Nelson and 20 folks from all around the United States. I love Randy and Spence’s energy. Their passion about this stuff is contagious! And I have caught the bug.

It was really fun. And informative. Here were my top 5 takeaways: (more…)