We have our annual company holiday party today, with “Secret Santa” being the highlight of the event. For the record, I’ve never been a big Secret Santa fan. For me, it’s more fun – and easier – to do a Yankee Swap – you don’t have to know anything about the person who gets your gift. You don’t have to think about it, you just have to get a gift, wrap it (or if you are like me, stick it in one of those gift bags) and Voila! Done!

To me, social media can be like a Yankee Swap. You don’t have to have a relationship with someone you call a friend on Facebook or follow on Twitter. You can just write what you want, post it out there and Voila! You’re doing social media!

Of course, that’s not the way it is meant to be…social media is supposed to be more like a Secret Santa. While you may never meet a person, you are supposed to know enough about them to be able to give them meaningful dialog. And vice versa. But that’s the trick. How many people take the time, for example, to look at who is following them on Twitter to see if it makes sense that you are connected? Too often, it becomes a Yankee Swap scenario…no real interest in a relationship, just as long as what I say gets out.

So while I still like a good Yankee Swap – nothing like the general hilarity and mayhem that ensues over that one sought-after gift, or the desire to get rid of that scented bath soap – I see the social media side to Secret Santa…and I like it.

Happy Holidays!

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Technorati Tags: Blogging, PR, public relations, Social Media, Topaz Partners

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I was recently at the Performance Racing Industry’s 22nd Annual Show in Orlando with Evans Cooling (client). At the show, all manners of technological advances were showcased as they related to the racing industry.

At the show, Evans showcased their waterless engine coolant. This is a unique engine coolant that overcomes the drawbacks of water-based coolant. Essentially, with Evans product, a vehicle can get better performance, better gas mileage, reduced maintenance, a lifetime coolant that never needs to be replaced providing a reduced the impact on the environment.

While Evans solutions have an application in high performance (race cars, motorcycles, ATVs, etc.) engines, it is also a viable option for virtually any internal combustion engine that has a radiator.

The benefit of Evans that was most interesting to the editors we talked to at the show – with all the talk on climate, the environment and being “green” – was the fact the Evans coolant is currently in testing to be declared non-toxic. With 88% of regular coolant ending up in landfills, this is a tremendous benefit.

Evans is available worldwide, but few folks know about them. Take a minute to visit their website and check out their coolant…www.evanscooling.com. I think you’ll find it interesting.

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Technorati Tags: Events, Marketing, PR, technology, Topaz Partners

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From February 21st through the 25th, at the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif., the Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition – APEC 2010 – will focus on the practical and applied aspects of the power electronics business. Not just a designer’s conference, APEC has something of interest for anyone involved in power electronics.

Not only is this an ideal venue for exhibitors to learn the latest information in the power electronics business, it is also a great opportunity for companies to leverage their tradeshow investment by building a package of communications activities to support being at the show.

Some ideas to leverage your investment at APEC 2010:

- Use your company blog to highlight your tradeshow message. This can help drive traffic to your booth, and the web.

- Leverage other social media channels, like Twitter or your company Facebook page, to expand your reach.

- Have your agency or internal PR team arrange editorial and analyst meetings at the show. This expands your reach after the show, extending the benefits from your investment.

- If budget permits, consider taking advantage of show offered sponsorships, especially pre-show mailings to bring people into the booth.

With only a few months left before the show, now is the time to take the steps to leverage your investment and maximize your ROI from APEC 2010.

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Technorati Tags: Communications, Events, Marketing, PR, Tech

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