SoMoLo Platform Chats with WiW

Company: BestBuzz
Founder: Carrie Layne
Locations: Dallas and New York


1. What is your “elevator pitch”?
BestBuzz is a social amplification platform that uses mobile engagement points, like image recognition, to bridge print and digital communication channels. Partners use the platform to deliver exclusive content and rewards to customers for generating word-of-mouth buzz with social media. By “adding a layer of buzz” to traditional paid and owned media, brands create a direct line of communication to customers, greatly increasing earned media value. They also gain a wealth of knowledge and consumer insights (time/geo-location analytics, social data, mobile device usage, etc.)

Why Women Need to Be At Tech Conferences

I have to admit I was a little shocked after initially reading this article titled “Why Women Shouldn’t Go to Tech Conferences” (can you blame me?) featured on Forbes Woman.

The article followed Susannah Breslin who was asked to speak on a women-panel about how to make a living blogging as a career. She was annoyed at the fact that the panelists discussed how they got brands to sponsor their blogs…

“They allude to getting paid what I assume everyone imagines are large sums to work with these companies, and I start to wonder if this is what social media and blogging have become. Ways to make money.”

You know, the same way you are annoyed when you are at a fitness convention and the panelists start talking about different kinds of elliptical machines. It’s a panel about blogging for heaven’s sake, yes you will find “young, cute chicks” discussing how they turned their love for fitness, shopping, or music into a money making website. Is that the only topic women have to offer on a tech panel? After reading this quote I really start to wonder if this is Ms. Breslin’s first tech conference…

"I wonder what all the men in the other rooms of this conference are doing. I imagine they are talking about apps they have created, and companies they have founded, and complicated technology things that they want other people to buy. I wonder if anywhere at this conference men are talking about whether or not they have feelings."

I imagine women at other conferences talk about the apps they have created, companies they have founded and very “complicated technology” that yes, women can understand too. See: Marissa Mayer, Caterina Fake, Elizabeth Crawford, Sara Chipps, Hilary Mason (the list is a long one, I assure you). It is unfair to make assumptions about the credibility of women in tech based on one genre of the tech industry. It’s the panels titled “A Woman’s Touch” or topics like “what its like to be a women in tech” are definitely part of the problem. Women as a whole shouldn’t be singled out or labelled, a smart idea is a smart idea regardless of the gender or the source that it originated from.

Susannah, if you’re reading this, I get it. The post was about how we should use blogging not only to advance our own careers but to help others as well. Point well made. But the way you first started with a controversial title and then twisted the article to paint a picture of women contributing nothing but a superficial agenda and ‘feelings’ is a bit absurd. I feel many people who read this article may have missed your point and left feeling justified that women do not have a place in tech.

I’ll admit, there may be female panelists at conferences that bring nothing to the table, but to be honest, there are men who don’t as well. To single out all women and label them the way articles like this just did is what groups like Women in Wireless, Women 2.0 & Girls in Tech works to turn around. Rachel Sklar (@rachelsklar #changetheratio) is considered a ‘women in tech watchdog’, calling out men-dominated panels and working to get the voices of female leaders heard in the tech industry. Our goal is to break down the artificial structures that create environment where there is only, as Susannah mentioned “the one fleeting moment” where it makes sense or is beneficial for a woman to be at a tech conference. There are many smart women in tech that have useful insights and stories that should be heard, which is why we are working on changing the ratio of both attendees and speakers.

Women in Wireless panels work to feature women in tech who are not only bloggers but mobile marketing executives, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of their own successful companies. If you are a women in tech and would like to speak, fill out our Speaker Application Form found on our website.

Because you really should be at tech conferences.

*I was initially tempted to title this article “Why Susannah Breslin Shouldn’t Go to Tech Conferences” to return the initial shock and offense back at her, but after some deliberation (and some of the WiW women physically holding me back from the computer) I decided not to go that route.

5 Ways to Build Your Digital Brand

by: Melissa Fudor

Its really rude to ramble on and on about yourself - and when promoting your startup or personal brand, it can’t be more true.  Think of marketing your brand as a friend to friend recommendation instead of a flyer being passed out on the corner of 41st & 6th that I throw away at 42nd & 6th (seriously, do I really look like I’m in need of a lap dance?). Here are the top five:

1. Twitter
Welcome to Obvious-ville. Yes, Twitter may be the easiest tool to reach the masses, but there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. The most annoying thing to see on twitter is someone telling me to “Check this out” fifty different ways. Avoid a one-way conversation, engage your following by providing useful information about your industry so you stay ‘top of mind’ whenever they are looking for the tools you offer. Provide great content, add personality, and most of all - be authentic.  Here’s some really great examples of social media mistakes.

2. Blogging
Retweeting content is great - but being a thought leader and creating content that people will retweet is even better.  Blogs don’t have to take up too much time - with practice your posts can take all of 10 minutes a day to update.  Saw a great article on TechCrunch or ReadWriteWeb?  Provide a link onto your blog with comments on what you likes (or disliked) about the article and build from there. Share your top five articles of the week to help keep track of inspiring content - it will also have a permanent home that you can reference in the future.

Not a writer?  Try video-blogging.  Not only does it give your fingers a much needed vacation, but its excellent public speaking practice. Whatever route you want to go with your blog, just remember to keep at it!  Schedule in an update at least twice a week to provide consistency.

3. Commenting on Tech News
Ever come across comments on news articles that provide more useful information than the content itself?  TechCrunch and Mashable often have highly influential players commenting on breaking news (see Brandee Barker of Facebook’s comments on this TechCrunch article). Its a great way to get your name out there and your thoughts expressed, and for a subtle plug, include your title and company name at the end of your comment.

4. Speaking at Panels
When you’re not sharing content on twitter, your blog, or tech news sites, offer your expertise at a conference that cater to your industry niche.  It may be daunting at first (most of us haven’t gotten over our fear of public speaking since grade school) but it truly is one of the best ways to get your name (and your company’s name) out there. You won’t be speaking at SXSW right off the bat, but start off at smaller, local conferences and work your way up.

5. Getting others to blog for you
Watch out for blogs that host a “10 Startups to Watch” series like this one. The easiest way to get your name out there is to let others do it for you!