RamblingDyna

Last month’s BizTechDay (BTD) 2009 came and went but the dream team behind the business-technology entrepreneurial conference is not sitting on its laurels taking a breather. They’re already ramping up for next year’s event – a great idea while it’s still fresh in everyone’s mind. I attended the entire two days but felt like I had only scratched the service of their offerings. “Offerings” sounds like what someone is passes out like free samples or goodies. But that’s what it felt like. For two days they offered a chock full of accessible workshops and forums and I wanted to attend 90% of them but couldn’t. Well, I was kind of tied to the Inquirer.net booth, the online publishing company that I freelance my writing and project marketing services to. I had a full plate of four objectives which make it quite a challenge to keep track of the days’ events: Set up the booth and pitch Inquirer’s services, interview people for Inquirer.net story and for this blog, shoot video and photographs, ...

Professional Networking and Workshops This Week in San Francisco Bay Area. Bring those business cards, questions and ideas. RSVP through the links below. Check back for updates! SESSIONS MIXER . This is a pure social mashup event = geek + business+pixel. No lecturing. I’ve never heard of this type of event! Sounds like a playground for entrepreneurs with no rules as long as you can play well with others. http://mixer10-linkedin.eventbrite.com/ Why: Tables and booths for demos, business pitches and giveaways = heaven When: Tuesday, 7/28. 530pm-10pm Where: Financial District, San Francisco Mula: $15 BRINGING AUTHENTICITY BACK . Lecture by best-selling author and renowned marketing expert, Rohit Bhargava – different approach to marketing. http://www.svama.org/ Why: “Learn why authenticity is the new secret to effective marketing and how you can make your business...

You're a start up company writing your business plan (you should if you haven't), ramping your product development or services, developing your website but don't have the budget for public relations or an ad agency. How do you get your message across on the boob tube? Last night's Meet Up event answered those questions. I attended the "How To Get Media Attention to Your Business" at the Metreon Theater in San Francisco last night. It was a very useful presentation for startups vying for free and accessible publicity in this information overloaded society of online social networks, You Tube, radio and television. Television News Reporter Sue Kwon was the guest speaker for the three hour presentation. Panelists included media expert and entrepreneur Dr. Brenda Wade, Comcast Marketing Manager Tracey Awad and BizTech Day Founder, Edith Yeung. Kudos to an all women panelist presentation! I know I’m partial, but hey, how often do you see women headline this type ...

I’m not a small business owner but I do feel for the little guys scrounging around to make ends meet in this tough economy. With San Francisco office rentals still too high to afford, one can only work at home and have business meetings at restaurants and cafes for only so long. Plus, getting out of the house (and pajamas) by noon and connecting with people the old fashioned way (versus online) is good for your soul and psyche. It’s not a good sign if you end up talking to yourself more than to people face to face! There are two office space rentals that I fell upon that cater to start ups, freelancers and small businesses. But more than just space, they offer a sense of community with various support systems for those brave enough to jump off the cliff and just do it. Each one offers affordable rates and various plans. Daly City Business Center is right off Highway 280 near Serramonte Mall in Daly City, a 10 minute drive south west of San Francisco. http://www.dalycity.or...

It's been a couple of years since I've been to any career networking events but the past seven days sure have been busy and they all happened by accident. I just signed up for a journalism group that meets periodically in San Francisco; missed their first meeting and didn't expect to see their next invitation for a couple of weeks. But the group organizer emailed the members about a fundraising event for two local non-profit, online news startups: The Public Press and Newsdesk. The last time I was in the same room with a group of reporters was when I was covering a murder trial in New England years ago. As many national and local newspapers and other commercial media groups are shutting down shops and slashing hundreds of editorial staff, the life and livelihood of true news reporters and the journalism field is being threatened. These two online media groups like a few others nationwide are working hard to not let true hardnosed journalism succumb and wither away to ...