Internet Geek Girl

Ok, ok…I know I haven’t posted in awhile. And I truly feel bad about that. It’s been a whirlwind of a few weeks – jetting from NJ to SF, Silicon Valley, Santa Barbara and back. Stay tuned though, because there are changes in the air for InternetGeekGirl. I got some very good advice from a leading editor in the tech industry, and a re-launch will be happening on my 1 year anniversary – March 9! As a side note, (and I’m happy to have deep philosophical conversations about this), I have been Twittering the whole time.

NB: See all the cool pics and reviews of “InternetGeekGirl and her bub.blicio.us friends Meet in Palo Alto to Fill the GapingVoid and Have a Conversation!” (here and here).

In other news…it’s time for Affiliate Summit! I’ll be arriving in Vegas this Saturday, and excited about the Social Media Panel, which I will be on with the following Twitterati: Sam Harrelson (moderator), Deborah Schultz, Chris Brogan, Tris Hussey, and iJustine. Don’t forget to follow @AffiliateSummit and @asw08 (group account) on Twitter.

We will be giving away t-shirts from cool, web2.0 start ups during our panel – so if you’d like to send yours along to the Rio Hotel – feel free. Here’s the address (make sure it arrives no later than 2/24 and goes to my attention):

Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino

3700 W. Flamingo Road

Las Vegas, NV 89103

1-800-Play-Rio
ATTN: STEPHANIE AGRESTA (AFFILIATE SUMMIT – ARRIVAL DATE 2/23)
Cell: 646-408-3318

InternetGeekGirl will also be the hostess with the most-ess in the blog lounge, so we’ll pass them out there as well.Refreshments provided by B5 Media.

BTW – don’t miss Andrew Wee’s Affiliate Summit Las Vegas Survival Guide!

See y’all in Vegas!

And what a year it has been. I am grateful for all my awesome friends and colleagues. Hope you enjoy these shots from the many industry conferences and networking events I attended this year. Thank you all for your support. Have an awesome holiday and successful 2008.

I look forward to seeing you next year!

By Jay Levan (www.JayLevan.com). Left to Right: Jim Kukral, George Nemeth (holding the sign Jim made) and Thomas Mulready. Not pictured: Eric Olsen of BlogCritics.org

I am at the convention center here in Vegas, listening to the insightful Shel Israel and Mike Prosceno. It is fascinating to think about how SAP has incorporated social media into “the conversation.” Their company has seen the power of blogging and social media. It may be early in the game, but I can tell you this – it will make all the difference in the marketing mix!

Lots more to come this week. Just wanted to let you know that I too will blog for attention!!

Twitter me @stephagresta if you are here.

I am sitting here at BlogWorld Expo with Chris Brogan, Liz Strauss and Chris Heuer. We’re goin’ over our “friending” policies. These guys are so cool and all great examples of my theory: Friend and Let Friend! Let me ‘splain…

First off – I believe in friends. I like friends, I am a social person. Always have been (my third grade teacher said: “Stephanie is a Social Butterfly!) Online social networking is a natural fit for me. Much has been written about what is appropriate behavior on Facebook and other social networks with regards to friending. The bottom line is – this is one area of social media that YOU CONTROL.

Everyone has a right to define their own level of comfort with regard to friend lists. Do not assume that everyone operates under the same rules. And don’t assume that the rules apply equally to every social network (my Facebook “policies” are quite different than my Flickr rules).

For me, my Facebook list is a marketing list. I seek to keep it very business / cool person focused. I review work history, and mutual connections. I must say, lately, perhaps a few others have gotten in. I will do a purge if necessary, and especially will purge anyone I think is acting inappropriately (meaning not cool). You need to create your own criteria for what works for you.

Someone recently contacted me and said that someone that was my friend, asked to friend her (she accepted) and then he friended her sister. OK – for me, that’s weird. But for others it may not be. I will tell you that I respond to any inquiries regarding inappropriate behavior. I take it seriously, and I will take action! In general – here’s what matters most to me:

#1 You must include your picture and your work history. It is very unlikely I will friend you without this, unless you are my sister. Also – If you made it through without either of these, I will be purging soon.

#2 I care about who we have in common. The more the merrier.

#3 If I reach out to you, it’s because I am seeking business synergy or general good karma. If I am reaching out to you for “friendship” – It is because we have someone in common and I think there is a BUSINESS reason for us to be on each other’s networks. Or I want you on my network so I can invite you to events and cool things that you will want to be invited to. If you don’t use Facebook that way – no problem. My intentions are always focused on value.

But what’s right for me is not necessarily right for you. Live and let live.. friend and let friend! You are in control!

Every week Lisa Picarille, the Editor-in Chief of Revenue Magazine and Shawn Collins, the Co-founder of Affiliate Summit host the leading affiliate industry podcast, Affiliate Thing . Last Wednesday, while Shawn was at Affiliate Summit London, I served as substitute co-host. Our guest was Heather Paulson, long-time affiliate marketing veteran, who recently launched her own company, Paulson Management Group. The Affiliate Thing Ladies Show was a blast to do. Please click here for a listen.

BTW – when deciding to pay homage to my favorite childhood show, Charlie’s Angels, I specifically went old-school. (A dedcication to my cute little twin sisters who spent years running around the house with me, dressed up in our mom’s cloths, with water guns in our little black purses. Yes, I ALWAYS had to be Sabrina). FREEZE!