Ball State University’s Center for Advancement of Digital Marketing and Analytics hosted the first Digital Marketing Summit on February 1, 2018. Around 100 attendees from campus, Muncie, and Indianapolis sat in a dining-room style setting ready to learn and be inspired. I was lucky enough to be a part of the planning committee, a speaker, and an attendee.
Celebrating Digital Marketers and Innovators
Conferences and events like this one can help you find new and creative ways to extend your tool set as a digital marketer.
I walked away from the event feeling inspired. Vincent Young’s presentation on innovation challenged you to think beyond the data and to be “in the game.” Lorraine Ball’s topic of user-generated content and how to leverage it as a business reminded you that it’s social media. Derek Laliberte’s take on social selling via LinkedIn vs. cold calling also reminded you that you can be you on a professional social network.
Speaking on Analytics
Speaking on a topic you know to share with others is a rewarding experience – even if it doesn’t go completely according to plan.
This was my fourth full presentation on Google Analytics but first on Google Tag Manager. Each time I speak I learn a little more about the art, and the lessons gained are invaluable to my growth in thought leadership and speaking. The crowd was receptive, and the one-on-one conversations that followed were exceptional. While many are still new to using Google Analytics as a tool to initiate change or “what’s next” in an organization, they are interested and there’s a hunger for it.
Looking Ahead
This was the first event of its kind in Muncie and Ball State, and I hope for many more. We held a great post-event meeting. All of us learned a lot about the process of putting on an event like this.
Digital Marketing is something we’re all passionate about. Connecting to our audiences on a personal level in an increasingly busy medium is challenging. Events like the Digital Marketing Summit allows us to step back and learn from others. On behalf of the planning committee, we hope to see you again next year.