This week is the first ever Nā Hōkū Festival, a celebration of the arts and culture of Hawaiʻi. I am fortunate to be a guest speaker at their conference event, which features three days of educational and inspirational sessions covering every aspect of being a Hawaiian musician. Other events include concerts around Oʻahu, and the kick off event, the annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Awards happening tonight. (You can watch the ceremony live in HD via local TV station Hawaii News Now. Scroll down and look for the player in the left column if you don’t see it featured.)

Really, though, this post is about Kenneth Makuakāne. He is an independent Hawaiian musician, earning a comfortable living for himself, his lovely wife and their small child. So yes, it can be done, and I want to share with you some of how Kenneth does it. Here is an excerpt of a phone interview I did with him just in time for Nā Hōkū Festival!

Rox: How long have you been using social media?
Kenneth: About 4 years ago I joined Myspace. I attracted about 4000 fans. Over time though, I noticed Myspace was not about friends really but about signing up a lot of people. It was not really faciliting my needs other than serving as a free artist site. Then Facebook came along, and after 3 people asked me to connect with them there, I did. I find it a much better format for me because it is much more interactive. Podcamp was a real experience for me too. I started using WordPress for my blog after than and going to the Social Media Club meetings to learn more.

Rox: How are you using Facebook? I know you have a fan page for your music.
Kenneth: Well, I leave it on all day when I am at my computer. I get the notification sound and can respond whenever someone interacts with me. There is more interactivity and ease of use; it is easy to create events. It has a chat capability – fans see you are online and want to talk! I had to finally turn it off though, as I get too much – I only use it when I have time. The good thing is people can message and I can respond when I have time. A lot of Japanese fans now, sending me photos, etc.

Rox: What is your larger strategy in using social media?
Kenneth: I’ve changed my branding to being a solo artist. First I was a “lei and white pants musician” at the hotels, then musician for musicians and record producer, now back into the performance end. Had to rebrand myself and find another avenue. Social media has done that for me – it creates opportunities for younger and older people to connect – they feel like they can talk to you now! Greatest part – you don’t have to have live chat – you can respond in your own time. However I always answer my fans; that is very important.

Rox: What other tools do you use to connect with and support your fans?
Kenneth: Well, I learned I had to build a fan base. One by one. So they trust me and know me and call me a friend and know that Im a real person. They know I will answer. I do my Google Alerts to find out who is talking about me in other places. I go to those places and start commenting to people and then it drives them back to my site.

It takes time, but is well worth it. I have gained loyal fans, they are buying my albums, reading my stories, telling their friends about me.

Rox: Do have a specific example of how social media directly is supporting your business?
Kenneth: Yes! last year and this year I held a CD release party at the Ala Moana Hotel. We only used social media to get the word out, and both events were standing room only! That was the only marketing we did.

Rox: You also sent me some links showing you were ranked in the top 10 on both the folk artist (where you are #3 today right behind Makana!) and the world/reggae.
Kenneth: Yes. Just like when my music was used on your Beachwallks.tv, my fans use their own Google alerts and find me there and that helps build my connection to them, and your fans come to my web site too. All these links from other people help me on the ReverbNation charts.

Please visit Kenneth’s website here.
Please visit Kenneth’s blog here.
Please visit Kenneth’s Facebook page here.

Thank you Kenneth!
Aloha,

This presentation was for the Hawaii Court Reporters and Captioners Association. These are the fine folks who work in the courtroom transcribing the proceedings, in lawyer offices taking depositions, and providing captioning for the hearing-impaired. Where would be without them?!

Here is a transcript of the slides I used, which was followed by real time web surfing looking at real life examples and Q&A. I will update with links after the presentation. You can download the PDF of my slides here. View and share the slides on SlideShare.net.

Promote Yourself with Social Media

• People Talk. Help them! Your identity. Your locations. Your messages. Your time.
• A Picture Is Worth…
• The Person – The Biz: Be clear about your identity: Keep it consistent across the internet. It’s not just your name and your avatar! Actions speak louder than words.
• Free eBook on howto manage your online identity: www.KnowHowCafe.com
• Your website is your prime real estate.
• Online Networking You’re invited! Culture matters. Find friends. Schedule smartly.
• Marketing The Good News: Other people can spread your message for you. You are no long limited by small staffs. You can benefit by creating “assets” that serve others as much as they serve you.
• Your New Media Voice Text Blog Podcast Internet Talk Show Photo Blog Live Video Stream Internet TV
• Tech IQ: Smart Phone Mobility RSS Efficiency Etiquette Literacy
• Best Practices: Ask. Respond. Share. Centralize strategy and Deputize across the organization. Personalize your goals and measure accordingly. Incorporate into normal j-o-b activities. Make it easy for others to talk about you.
• Online Self Promotion! Open 24-7!
• See you online!

Here are the links we visited

Note: All links open in a new window!

Aloha,

I interviewed Charlene Kauhane (of Kauhane Inc.) and Keliʻi Brown of the Maui Visitors Bureau over at the Ulupalakua Ranch on Maui. I had been hired to create, staff, and execute a Social Media Campaign for the Bureau, all in the span of less than six weeks. There are many discussion points in here:

• How speed is affecting business and marketing
• The power of collaboration between new media and old media
• Using trust and gut instincts to choose the right partners
• Know how to choose the right mix of skills & reach for media team
• Giving your partners free reign to do what you hired them to do
• Social media has a lot of requirements behind the scene to be successful
• Add training for destination partners as part of the marketing plan

Download iPod Version | Duration: 6:55

Mahalo to our new media team:

Please stay tuned for a followup post where I will share some data with you and the four-pronged approach that helped make this campaign so successful!

Aloha,

Here is the next installment in my web cam conversations with you. I am experimenting with the new uStream Producer “desktop application.” It allows me to record and live stream at the same time, while mixing in graphics, etc. You’ll see a small attempt at that at the end. Over time you will see many different forms and iterations of these web cam chats as I am using them to explore both my interactions with you, the visitor, but also the technology available to us. I am not seeing my voice in sync with my lips – do you see that glitch too?

More links and questions…
The big question for you: How much lead time does it take for you to be comfortable planning a business trip to Hawaii? Please leave me a comment. We’d love to host more conferences here and it’s vital we know what it takes on your side of the pond to get here!

Links Mentioned:
Aliza Sherman – “Social Media Talent Exchange” (I love that idea!)
Connie Reece
Hawai Convention Center
Kelly Mitchell
NextLevel Hawaii
Facebook Chat not so private – It’s ugly but these problems are not going away any time soon. (IMO)

Aloha,

Let’s discuss the data, technology, and humanity trends that make online video so powerful for business. This presentation was given at the Next Level Social Media Hawaii Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 30, 2010. View the entire presentation here.

Here are the other speakers: Organized by Kelly Mitchell, aka @HawaiiRealty on Twitter and featuring Chris Pirillo, Geoff Livingston, Andrew Hyde, Aaron Brazell, and Jesse Stay.

I will be updating this post as I add more links and get the actual slide deck posted.

Companies who use social media are making more money.

Why Choose Video?

Many Choices for Online Video

Roles that Online Video Can Play

View the entire presentation here.

Here are the videos I included in the presentation:
Kanoe Miller Dancing Hula at Sunset at Halekulani Hotel.

Kanoe MIller Dancing Hula at Halekulani Hotel.

David Jones v Microchip

Watch the original video from David Jones.
Watch the original video from Microchip.

Johnson & Johnson Shares Even the Bad News

Watch the original video.

Gary Vaynerchuk Says Stop Waiting

Watch the original video.

The US Navy’s Social Media Policy

Watch the original video.

Aloha,

Polly Kauahi, Development Director of the Hawaii Food Bank, has been a regular at our free Social Media Club Hawaii meetings for the past several months. She has taken social media by the horns! Polly created a community fundraising event that all of us can support with very little effort while generating a high return – in fact less than two (2!) minutes of your time. Go to www.pfpchallenge.com and pledge your weight loss goals. For every pound you pledge, General Mills and other partners will donate 14¢. I love this idea – lose weight while helping to feed others; there is a perfect balance in this equation.

I am posting Pollyʻs entire email to me, as she has generously provided several ways you can share this information with your social networks. Iʻve already pledged – will you? – Rox

About Hunger in Hawaii
The Hawaii Portion of Hunger in America was released last month. There has been a 39% increase in the number of people needing help to feed themselves and their families, right here in the islands.

Although analysts tell us the worst has happened, we know that’s not true in the islands. Just this week, every staffer at The Honolulu Advertiser received their pink slips. Most family budgets cannot survive the loss of a paycheck for very long. It was only a matter of weeks before we saw some former donors to Hawaii Foodbank standing in food lines when Aloha Airlines closed their doors.

The Pound for Pound Challenge lets anyone help feed Hawaii’s hungry. It only takes an online pledge and less than two minutes of your time.

We are competing to get into one of the top 10 spots and get a bonus $10,000! Currently we are in 80th place with 724 Pledges and 19,000 pounds pledged. The leading ten cities have between 2200 and 4100 pledges.

I know we can do this in the same manner Hawaii got the 50,000 books last year and Social Media is the way to get it done.

Below and the first attachment are templates with draft copy for tweets, blogs and facebook. I hope Foodbank supporters will use the copy or customize the copy to encourage others to pledge at pfpchallenge.com.

I appreciate your help and support!

First, we’d like you to know we’re not asking you for a donation. But right now, in the next 10 minutes, there is an easy and quick way you can help Hawaii Foodbank, a member of the Feeding America network, assist individuals, families and children struggling with hunger right here in the islands.

We are joining Feeding America’s Pound for Pound Challenge – a proven, effective program supported by NBC’s The Biggest Loser, General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Walgreens – in its second year of helping America “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally.” The program helps people gain support in their effort to lose weight as they, in turn, help local food banks like ours raise funds to provide food assistance to those in need.

All weʻre asking is that you visit www.pfpchallenge.com and join us in the Challenge. Your online pledge is all it takes to help feed island families in need.

How do I sign up to take the Challenge?
It’s easy. And the more people who sign up or pledge in our area, the more we can help fight hunger in our community. Now through June 30, 2010, simply sign up and pledge your weight loss goals. For every pound you pledge, General Mills and other partners will donate 14 cents to Feeding America with much of that donation coming directly to NIFB!!

Visit www.pfpchallenge.com.
Click on “Pledge Now”.
Enter your birth date.
Enter your zip code (choose Food Bank if more than one serves your community).
Enter your weight loss pledge.
Enter your registration information (name & email).

It’s that easy! We hope you’ll join us in show America that Hawaii is up to the Challenge!

Please email, tweet and Facebook everyone you know. By helping us get in the top 10 Food Banks, you are helping us get an extra $10,000!

Thank you and good luck with your personal goals!

I am joining Hawaii Foodbank, a member of the Feeding America network, and the Pound for Pound Challenge, in partnership with NBC’s The Biggest Loser and General Mills, to “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally”. The program helps people gain support in their effort to shed pounds as they, in turn, help local food banks like ours raise funds to assist individuals, families, and children struggling with hunger in our area. All I’m asking is that you visit www.pfpchallenge.com and team with me by signing up and becoming a Challenge participant.

Go to www.pfpchallenge.compledge your pounds in the Pound for Pound Challenge! For every pound you pledge to lose, General Mills will donate 14¢ to the Hawaii Foodbank!

Hawaii Foodbank Is Stepping Up To The Challenge!

Like every food bank across the country, Hawaii Foodbank, a member of the Feeding America network, is working harder every day to assist individuals and their families right here in the islands in these tough economic times. It’s a daily challenge, and we are always looking for new ways to meet it head on.

A proven fundraising program has partnered with NBCʻs The Biggest Loser, General Mills, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness and Walgreens to encourage people to “Lose Nationally, Feed Locally”. And the Foodbank needs your support to make our involvement a success!

Participating is easy and your impact can be huge.

Simply sign up and pledge your weight loss goals at www.pfpchallenge.com. For every pound you pledge, the Pound for Pound Challenge will donate 14 cents to Hawaii Foodbank. In addition, if you Tweet, Facebook and Blog this to everyone you know, you can propel the Hawaii Foodbank to one of the top 10 Food Banks that will get a $10,000 bonus. That’s 25,000 meals and you can make this happen. Sign-up at pfpchallenge.com and then pass it on, PLEASE!

It’s a great opportunity for our friends to do something good for themselves and do something good for our community.

To learn more about the Pound For Pound Challenge, you can visit the national website at pfpchallenge.com or e-mail megan@hawaiifoodbank.org.

How do you explain the calm and cooperation that was everywhere in evidence during the wind up to the Hawaii tsunami alert? Social media has earned a spot alongside our government planners and traditional news media. The user-generated messages supported both of those organizations on a second by second basis.

If you think about the mechanics of panic, it largely stems from a lack of information and and abundance of misinformation. When we leave things to people’s imaginations, it tends to bring unfettered “awfulizing” and a survival-based focus on worst case scenarios. Here are several use cases from the past 12 hours here in Hawaii where the free flow of information both locally and globally served to keep both panic and perhaps a tsunami at bay.

Distributed Reporting:

Extended Family:

Across Time Zones:

Instant Publishing:

Hashtag Aggregation:

Truth in Reporting:

Shared Warnings:

Uplift and Closure:

UPDATE:

Aloha,

I participated in a panel on social media for nonprofits today, hosted by the Hawaii Community Foundation. It was held at the beautiful Hawaii Convention Center, and I was joined by colleagues Christine Lu, Chris Noble, and Olin Lagon. Local newscaster Dan Cooke was our social media-savvy moderator.

We made a last minute decision to live-stream the presentations, which were held in the morning and afternoon sessions. This may sound crazy, but I can feel a palpable energy boost in the room when I am live-streaming. The attention of the extended audience “out there” on the internet, does come into the room! We had close to 50 people, from as far away as Detroit, Michigan, and many from the neighbor islands, including @EastHawaiiArts who could not make it in person.

I was really impressed with the quality of questions and the passion that lit up in so many people’s eyes! In the brief conversations I had with folks afterwards, the ideas they had already generated were amazing! We talked about organizing some training to help people set up their accounts and learn how to start telling their powerful stories. If you are interested, please join the mailing list at our training site, KnowHow Cafe, so you will receive notifications about upcoming events! (Use coupon “rox” so we know how you found us please! And everyone who signs up receives a Free eBook on creating your online identity.)

I am using yet another social network, SlideShare, to post the slides from my overview segment, and added the audio sound track – as captured by the live video stream!

View the slides and audio on SlideShare. (13:26)
Watch the entire sessions recorded from the live stream at uStream.tv.

UPDATE: Here is some coverage of this event.
Wayne Yohioka of Hawaii Public Radio with highlights of our session.
Olin posted his video and blog at KanuHawaii.org. While there, please join and add your actions of support to the community.

Mahalos to Kaimana Pine and Neenz Faleafine who helped keep the conversation alive in the live stream chat room yesterday.

I was invited to speak last week at the Sales and Marketing Executives meeting here in Honolulu, which featured Governor Linda Lingle as the keynote speaker. The topic was “Using Social Media to Differentiate.” I have posted my presentation file at Slideshare and also uploaded the five video episode snips I created to represent a few of the many case studies in the talk.

You can view the slide show here.
You can download a PDF of the slides here.

David Jones v Microchip

Watch the original video from David Jones.
Watch the original video from Microchip.

Blendtec Listens to & Surprises Customers

Watch the original video.

Johnson & Johnson Shares Even the Bad News

Watch the original video.

Gary Vaynerchuk Says Stop Waiting

Watch the original video.

The US Navy’s Social Media Policy

Watch the original video.

I am speaking tomorrow on The Tools of Change Panel at Envision Hawaii 2009. It has me thinking about what changes are happening right before our very eyes and how we can proactively embrace them to move this party forward with more intention.

Barriers and Gate-Keepers Are Being Removed
One of the most exciting accomplishments for me professionally occurred 5 years ago when one of my clients had her blog added to Tom Peter’s blogroll. Mary Schmidt was a marketing consultant who had a common name in a crowded profession, along with the usual limited budget of a solo-preneur. She was also a risk-taker though and pursued the blog strategy we created for her with religious fervor! (Update: I forgot to mention this. Search for “Mary Schmidt” on Google – and see the results of all-organic SEO.)

She found the thought leader in her profession: Tom Peters – a well-respected, highly paid speaker and consultant who already had a blog himself. (That’s part of being a thought leader in this decade.) Due to the simplicity of being able to comment on his blog, she was able to have a barrier-free conversation with Tom.

That would have been impossible in the old days of “find his office, call in, encounter one or more levels of personal assistants whose job is to screen out callers, get frustrated, and probably fail” unless you were wanting to book him or quote him.

To me, this is a profound shift in the spiritual balance of power among humans. When she told me she had earned a place of respect due to her contributions to the conversation on Tom Peters’ blog, I literally felt the rumble of thousands of years of hierarchy crumbling. The gate-keepers are no longer essential and the ability to connect with each other across virtually every barrier – geographic, economic, social status, etc – is now unlimited. The White House has a blog and a Flickr account – we can comment directly.

Everyone Is a Publisher and a Therapist
The invention of the printing press changed the power structures of the time dramatically. We are seeing another round of that, as information continues to provide access to power. Yet as I realized in a talk I gave earlier this week to the Hawaii Insurance Advisory Board, information is also a tonic. People who share, literally are saving lives via chat rooms and Twitter, as well as providing a steady stream of inspiration.

This seemingly built-in desire to share how-to videos on YouTube and share links of useful information on Twitter and share honestly via Facebook when someone is having a bad day is changing how we think about ourselves and about each other. It is changing how we value things – and pricing becoming a smaller part of the equation in many instances.

It is also confusing us temporarily, as our financial systems are so out-dated. What is that tip you shared really worth to me? I could count hours of time it saved me, or pleasure that I reaped, or even products I created and then resold. Of course each metric will produce a different price. Then I must decide to decide, what it is worth, for me, for now.

Is Psychology Starting to Catch Up with Technology?
I have thought for a long time that we as a species seem to advance much more quickly in virtually every arena except human behavior. The most modern artists and programmers still fall prey to school room urges and antics of competition, of malicious behavior, or under-handed practices in personal and business relationships.

Yet on the social web, these behaviors are more transparent. And they are certainly more commented on! We are each faced with a choice every day: do I follow a herd and jump on the bandwagon of criticism or do I seek out alternate points of view? Do I cut someone some slack as I would have them do unto me or do I cast them aside permanently? Do I move my consciousness forward and not sweat the small stuff or do I pour gas on the flames?

I see people reaching across the aisle daily. I see people being willing to respect different points of view. I see people who seek out their opposites because mechanically speaking, that makes for a stronger platform. I see bloggers talking about art, I see spiritual teachers using tech, I see everyone creating in their own ways opportunities to each beyond our known worlds. Leaving aspects of our families or tribes to explore new frontiers.

To me, this is the real value of social media today: it is letting us share our worlds with each other that we may each become not just smarter, but also kinder and more collaborative when that is what is required. I think of myself these days as consciousness coach as much as anything else. Now that we can all be connected, what really is the point of our connectedness and conversation? That’s the juice that interests me! What interests you and how does the social web support you in that?

Aloha,