Have you ever had the opportunity to learn from a high level expert? I have been doing just that for the last 3 months. In May I began a 6 month mentoring program with Mari Smith. In April of 2008, an article in Fast Company dubbed Mari, “the Pied-Piper of the online world.” Mari is co-author of the book, Facebook Marketing: An Hour A Day, published in May 2010. One of the first to use the phrase “relationship marketing,” she contributed to a collection of articles on social media strategy called The Relationship Age, released in November 2010. Her newest book, The New Relationship Marketing: How to Build a Large, Loyal, Profitable Network Using the Social Web is due out in November, but can be pre-ordered on Amazon.
Program Set-up
Our set up for the program has been quite rigorous. Even before the classes started she had several documents for us to read and use as a personal audit of our business goals and vision. Another assignment required us to identify our unique selling position (USP), goals and our target markets. Since I had just completed a thorough and extensive rewrite of the Slice, Inc business plan, I found to be very helpful. Weekly 90 minute webinars cover various topics and a monthly 30 minute one-on-one Skype call with Mari allows us to ask questions or seek direction. We have a private Facebook page where Mari shares additional process docs she is developing; but we also use the page as a discussion platform for our VIP group.
Course Content
Some of the topics we have covered so far include an overview of social media, how to run a social media audit, how to develop a social media strategy, necessary add-ons and widgets for social network set ups, how to and what tools to use for monitoring, how to use twitter successfully. Since Google+ launched in the middle of the course, we have been discussing and learning together about Google+. Topics we will be covering in the next 3 months include: blogging, mastering Facebook marketing, integrating LinkedIn, video marketing, corporate social media, the future of social media and an introduction to mobile marketing.
Team Projects
Four weeks previous to our VIP Mastermind Retreat, Mari divided our group of 15 into three teams and assigned each team a real client for us to develop a social media marketing strategy. The members of each team worked collaboratively on the process, drawing on individual strengths and teaching one another. Each team gave their presentation to the entire group during the Mastermind weekend.
Social Media Mastermind Retreat
The highlight of our mentoring so far was the Social Media Mastermind Retreat. For three days last week, Mari graciously opened her home to us and shared more personally about her experience, wisdom and vision of social media as a relationship-building tool. She invited several guest speakers to address us and enlarge our vision to the possibilities that social media offers. Mike Stelzner of Social Media Examiner shared with us how to develop a publishing platform using social media. Ashley Mahaffey, a fitness strategy expert, spoke to us about strategies for developing “A Champion Mindset” and Esperanza Universal, Co-creator of The Soul Institute led us in meditation to open our hearts to a bigger vision of life’s purpose.
All Play and Some Work
Keeping with the theme of “social” media, the weekend was full of events that allowed us the relax and be ourselves in the context of building relationships. Our first gathering on Thursday night took us to the Cordiano Winery outside of San Diego. On Saturday afternoon, Mari treated us to a photo shoot in her garden. Portrait photographer CeCe Canton mingled among us, taking candid groups shots and arranged portraits of each of us to use for business and/or pleasure. The weekend ended with a 30 minute stretch limo ride to The Beach House in Cardiff by the Sea. A memorable experience of fine-dining and camaraderie with a very special group of peeps.
The best word I can find to describe the weekend together is “incubator.” Participation in the Facebook group gave us an opportunity to get to know one another on a business level. Sharing meals, socializing, workshops and presentations birthed a collaborative spirit whose seed was sown in the Facebook group and project preparation. The experience was truly more than I imagined or hoped for. Thank-you, Mari.
