Social media and life lessons at Disney Social Media Moms

Trying to digest the information that you learn at conferences can be challenging.  Once you’re home, the tide of housework and clients can overwhelm the lessons that you were supposed to incorporate into your lifestyle.  I’m used to writing in 140 characters, but here are some of the major points I took away from Disney Social Media Moms. 

18 Summers

All of the bloggers at the event work in social media or interact often with Disney online.  Most of them have children, so the presentation by Amy Foster at Disney Parks Insight was one of the highlights.

Ms. Foster told us the story of how Walt Disney World tells a story with each guest.  It’s their experience at WDW, how they bond as a family and the fun that they share.  She went on to state that a family only has 18 summers to play, bond and really create memories that will last a lifetime.

That was a moment that stopped the crowd, 18 summers.  If you’re an optimist then it’s 18 summers.  Factor in the teenage years and those when the children are too young to engage in activities and you subtract a couple more.

18 summers is not a long time and it brought home the short amount of time that parents have to teach, share and bond with their children.

Ridley Pearson- Author

One of the breakout sessions was overseen by Ridley Pearson.  He’s a New York Times Best Selling author who spoke to us about how to motivate children about reading.  Most of his takeaway points for me were simple questions that can help you think through things more than you normally would.

“What if? Why not?”    Simple and true, what if you asked one of those questions every time you hesitated?  You’re the only one holding yourself back from more success.

“Date an idea, don’t marry it”  The original name for this blog was Daddy Dearest.  It stuck with me immediately, but then I thought about what Daddy Dearest reminded me of.  I’m glad I dated that idea and didn’t marry it.

Amy Jo Martin

Amy Jo Martin and Digital Royalty live in social media.  Her presentation was all about optimism, focus and “finding your why.”  That can be a tough thing to quantify and figure out.  Why do you do what you do and what are you trying to accomplish?   People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. I’ve always been a firm believer in that it doesn’t matter what you do, rather it’s your attitude that will dictate your success.

Amy also did social media for Shaq and shared their formula, 70% make em laugh, 20% inspire, 10% sell.  The rationale is that by the time you get to the 10% selling you’ve earned the right to put forth the sell, as opposed to just pitching wildly.

Ramon DeLeon

Ramon does the marketing for six Domino’s Pizza stores in Chicago.  He also one of the better speakers you will ever see.  If he’s scheduled to speak at an event that you’re attending do not miss him.  His passion is infectious and will teach you countless lessons about how to treat your customers.

Peter Shankman

Peter Shankman is the guy who founded HARO, if you don’t receive those emails then you need to.  Shankman is a manic, entertaining speaker who tells stories so quickly you need to pay attention or you may think that they blend together.

His main takeaway for me was to be a weed.  The weed is tough, always exists and does its own thing.  Your critics (weed killer) will troll your site, the traffic (clouds) may make things not grow as quickly as you like, but in the end the weed will grow.

He also spoke the truth in this very succinct quote, “Nothing exciting ever happens in your comfort zone.”   That quote stuck in my head, yeah, but….and it always goes back to it.  In your gut you know when you should do something.  In some of those cases you wait, stall and then it gets to be too late so you don’t do it.  Leave the comfort zone and work from your gut.

Ask questions, work from your gut, respect your audience , be passionate and do your thing.  Now go write and be social.

As an attendee of Disney Social Media Moms I paid my own way, but aspects of the trip were discounted and complimentary items were given.  There was no requirement to post about the trip and all thoughts are my own.