Good Example Of Getting Yourself Known
I spent the better part of this week in Seattle for SMX Advanced 2010 and got to see a lot of my old friends, and meet new awesome ones. Conferences are always awesome, but SMX Advanced is even more special to me because of relationships made at a past one I attended (hat tip Cameron). I feel it brings huge opportunity for those who attend & speak – if, and I say IF …. they are smart and think outside of the box. There was one such individual that did think outside the box this year and impressed me. His name is Thomas Ballantyne he owns Blog Pest Control & he made me a shirt! Its been done before you say? Maybe, but never like this before – HIS TWIST? He really enjoyed something I had said on Twitter, and ended up making me a shirt with that specific “tweet” (see below)
So thinking outside the box is going to get Thomas known, get him links (from posts like this) and do a great job at establishing his name in our industry. Again, I thought it was brilliant and wanted to give him some props. I know that he made shirts for a few others too, and also gave out some regular ones, but again – hat tip Thomas! (and thanks again for the shirt) I would love to have Thomas (if he sees this, which I am sure he will) share some more and how he made out after doing all this? Even cooler? I found out he lives a few miles away from me in the Phoenix area. Lunch?
So think outside the box like Thomas, and do something that will make people talk about you and remember you! SMX Advanced 2010 was a blast and I am so glad I had the opportunity to speak, enjoy old friends and make new ones!
Matt, I totally agree! Thomas showed pure genius at SMX Advanced with his having taken the time to choose quotes from a number of us and turning them into shirts that he presented in person at the conference. Not only was I flattered, I was in near shock that someone would take the time to do that. Combined with his genuine positive attitude and easy to befriend nature, the memory that left me was one I’ll carry for a long time.
@Alan Bleiweiss
Yea, I loved that he was just a cool guy, and not over the top. It was refreshing and I will be telling his story forever now!!!
We live in Washington and after reading today’s post I wish we had gone to SMX. We went back and forth on it, but chose not to go.
Nice shirt, and great idea!
@Colleen Next year if you only went to ONE conference … SMX Advanced would be the one. Plan it now
and I will see you there!!!
@Mat Siltala
Hmm, even over PubCon? We did go to Las Vegas last year and really enjoyed it and learned a lot. PubCon is a hard one to ignore.
Matt,
…sorry for the late reply.. I just got back from a Scout Camp… totally unplugged for a week.
Thanks for the post. My rule of thumb, have fun! People enjoy being around upbeat happy individuals. It’s like laughing at my own jokes… Hey I thought it was funny, so that’s why I said it. Doesn’t bother me if no one else laughs along. Of course its funnier when others do laugh along.
Both you and Alan were a lot of fun. I can’t wait to do it again. I look forward to having lunch with you…. just give me a day or two to catch up on the “real” work. =)
@Alan Bleiweiss
It was great meeting you. I love your creativity as well.
Very informative topic, thanks for sharing.
Robert