How To Celebrate Social Media Day #SMDay

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Prosecco. That’s now the official Social Media Day adult beverage.

You see, in the U.S. at least, we enjoy celebrating holidays and cultural events with the appropriate adult beverage. Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo. Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day. Budweiser for, well, many others.

So Social Media Day needs a drink that we can all imbibe and toast to together, across all of the celebrating venues. And that’s now Prosecco.

With that understood, perhaps it’s time to talk about what Social Media Day is, exactly, and why we’re raising a glass.

Back in 2010, the digital publisher Mashable decided that it would nice to recognize the impact that social media has had on how we communicate. Through the various social platforms, we’re able to connect with friends, make new friends, facilitate business, and grow our networks on a global scale.

Social media has revolutionized how we talk to each other around the world. That seems deserving of a day of recognition, doesn’t it?

June 30, 2018 is the ninth celebration of Social Media Day. Which sounds nice, but what does one actually do (besides drink Prosecco) to mark the occasion?

Celebrating Social Media Day

After you’ve poured yourself a glass (and mind you, Prosecco is not to be confused with Asti or Cava or Champagne… those are all quite different), it’s time to explore your additional celebratory options.

First and foremost, because Social Media Day is for social media, it’s definitely a day for being, well, social! Many agencies and influencers will post Happy Social Media Day graphics and messages as they would any other holiday. You should feel free to do likewise.

Just be sure to use your own graphics or copyright free photographs. We want to set a good example, don’t we?

I would also encourage you to go a step further with your activities. What are some of your favorite social media activities (besides lurking)? You might:

Join in some Group conversations.
Participate in a Tweet Chat.
Host or Guest on a Facebook / Instagram / YouTube Live Video.
Share some quotes or content from your favorite social media educators.
Be sure to use the hashtag #SMDay or one specific to your event.

Spending a little extra time on Social Media Day engaging with other people, particularly social media professionals, will be both fun and fulfilling.

Ironically, the best way to celebrate social media is to partake in a particular kind of offline event that isn’t on social media at all.

Social Media Day Events

Throughout the land, organizers have taken the time to create offline, real-time events where social media professionals of every ilk can gather and (drink Prosecco) celebrate the medium that has fueled their passion and business.

Whether it’s dubbed Social Media Day or Social Media Week, whether it takes place on or near June 30th, these events are opportunities to create and strengthen relationships, and nothing speaks more to heart of what social media does for the world than that.

This year I have the immense pleasure of being able to participate in two such events.

Social Media Week Lima

Taking place June 20th and 21st in Lima, Ohio, Social Media Week Lima is focused this year on the “Human Experience” and has a lineup of topics and speakers to support that.

As a two-day conference, the first day is devoted to presentations, while the second day consists of hands-on workshops, with some of the industry’s best and brightest taking part. Along with plenty of time for fun and networking.

This year’s speakers include: Angus Nelson, Tiffany Lanier, Brian Fanzo, Bryan & Courtney Kramer, Carlos Gil, Cathy Hackl, Christian Betlyon, Demian Ross, Jeff Dehaven, Jessika Phillips, Kate Volman, Marc Bowker, Mia Voss, Mike Gingerich, Ross Brand, Ashley Thompson, Theresa Schnipke, and myself, Mike Allton! I will be presenting, “How To Create 10X Content 10X Faster!“

I’m certainly looking forward to sharing the stage with these wonderful speakers.

Social Media Day San Diego

One of the largest and oldest social media day events, Social Media Day San Diego is an incredible venue for celebrating the impact of the medium.

Featuring premier speakers year after year, and set in sunny San Diego at the Bahia Resort, a fun & productive time is ensured.

This year’s speakers include: Chelsea Krost, Roberto Blake, Sean Cannell, Jessika Phillips, Billy Gene Shaw, Stephanie Liu, Tyler Anderson, Logan Mayville, Mitch Jackson, Mariana Cimino and Bill Vieux.

Spend the day learning the latest strategies and tactics for Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Influencer Marketing and more, on June 29th, 2018 from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, with a networking reception on the beach!

Social Media Day Denver

Social Media Day Denver is an internationally recognized day to celebrate the ways in which social media has changed our lives for the better on Friday, June 29th. They have put together an amazing lineup of both local & nationally recognized leaders in the social media industry. Learn ways to improve your social media strategies, increase engagement, strengthen your brand, find customers, and be social.

What’s Included? LUNCH – along with Snack & Beverages throughout the day! Headshots – T-shirt – Swag Bags – Prizes – Giveaways. Including, a lively, networking after-party with DJ!

Learn strategies to improve your social media, increase engagement, strengthen your brand, & be social! Join local & nationally recognized leaders in social media sharing best practices for LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Live Streaming, Video, Chatbots & More!

Join keynote speaker, John Lee Dumas, Entrepreneurs on Fire, top business podcasts on iTunes, Kim Garst, renowned marketing strategist, Joel Comm, event emcee and NYT best-selling author, Viveka von Rosen, LinkedIn expert, Brian Fanzo, Chris Strub, Brian G. Johnson, Laura Pence Atencio, Erin Cell, Carrie Gottschalk and marketing experts from Buffer App, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Scott Media Group and Booyah Advertising.

Where Else Can You Attend Social Media Day Events?

All over! Virtually any town or city that has a social media club or marketing organization is scheduling at least a meet up, if not a full-blown conference. Here are just a few that I found:

If you’re within driving distance (or an inexpensive flight), by all means consider one of these amazing events. There’s no better way to celebrate Social Media Day than among your peers and colleagues. (Did I miss your event? Leave the info in the comments below!)

If you’re looking for something a bit closer to home, Google your town or closest city. They may already be doing something!

Failing that, why not kick off a celebratory event of your own! Create your own Facebook Event or Meet-up and invite the social media pros in your area to connect for a drink. And if there really aren’t other folks near that you know, hop on a Facebook Live with your best remote mate and raise a glass together.

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