EVALUATE

Buzz: Speaking Creatively

Upcoming Presentations:

Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT @ Three Rivers Community College

Friday, November 18, 2011 • 7:45AM - 9:00AM

Business Breakfast : .........LMNOPQRST....The QR Alphabet
From applications to zillow.com, 26 ways to use quick response technology to engage target markets. In one month alone, 14 milliion US mobile phone users scanned QR (quick response) codes. While modestly just over 6% of all mobile phone users, this market skews affluent, with the majority having household income of $100K or greater. (Source:ComScore.com). While national brands such as GNC and Sears have fully adopted these codes, they are just as accesible and effective for small enterprises as well.

Introduction to QR codes (types/options/readers)
26 clever and inspirational applications
QR code generators and measurement options
Measurement options for QR codes and other forms of social media
What comes after QR codes? RFID (radio frequency identification) of course!

Past Presentations:

Rotary District 7890 FB 101 @ Holiday Inn - Enfield, CT

Saturday, October 22, 2011 8:30AM - 10:00AM

Right when you thought you knew everything there was to know about Facebook. With more than 500 million users, Facebook is a communication and marketing tool that businesses/creative enterprises can't afford to ignore. Designed for Facebook users with novice experience (101) or strong familiarity (201), these two, 75-minute presentations review the ever-changing resources on this leading social media and how to use them to market effectively.

FB101: For users with less than a year's experience, or a page with less than 100 fans.

An overview of social media and Facebook's position of the market
Comparison of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selecting the right option
Best practices for privacy, security and postings
Username/Page Titles, how to achieve them
Uploading photos/videos
Making use of notes/events and other standard tools
Introduction to Facebook advertising
Other topics/questions as time allows

Rotary District 7890 FB 201 @ Holiday Inn - Enfield, CT

Saturday, October 22, 2011 10:30AM - 12:00noon

The Business Edition
FB 201: For users with an active page, and a year+ experience

Fan development/engagement/recruitment
Advance tab applications for contests/content
Developing custom applications for contests/content
Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality
Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads and defining whats best for you
Creative ad development with Facebook's limited options.
What's on the horizon and case studies as time allow

CT Film Festival FB 101 • @ Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center • 6/25/11 9AM - 10:15AM

FB101: For users with less than a year's experience, or a page with less than 100 fans.

An overview of social media and Facebook's position of the market
Comparison of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selecting the right option
Best practices for privacy, security and postings
Username/Page Titles, how to achieve them
Uploading photos/videos
Making use of notes/events and other standard tools
Introduction to Facebook advertising
Other topics/questions as time allows

CT Film Festival FB 201 • @ Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center • 6/25/11 10:30AM - 11:45AM

The Business Edition
FB 201: For users with an active page, and a year+ experience

Recent developments from Facebook and their impact on your pages.
Fan recruitment, development and ongoing engagement.
Making the most of non-fan landing pages and other custom tabs.
Integrating custom applications (Constant Contact) and their marketing uses.
Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality
Facebook Advertising: Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads
what's best for you?
Creative ad development with Facebook's limited options.
Audience monitoring platforms (AMP) and how to use them to efficiently share/monitor ALL social media (twitter, blogging, etc).
Suggested reading
Other topics/questions as time allows

Tuesday, June 28, 2011 • "Beyond the E-Myth: How to Make Your Business Work for You."
8 to 9am • Three Rivers Community College
574 New London Turnpike, Norwich, CT

Check back for more info

Thursday, July 14, 2011 • Social Media
8:15 - 9:15am • Blackstone Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT

Should you tweet, post or blog? Should you have friends, fans or followers? Is social media worth an investment of time/resources? What other questions do you have?

The Not-for-Profit Council of the Chamber will welcome Social Media Advocate and Advisor, Maria Miranda of Miranda Creative for a morning presentation. To provide Council (and Chamber) members the most effective morning possible, Maria has offered to develop a Social Media Presentation specifically around the questions and needs of the Council.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 • 2011 NY Social Media Summit
SMS and Text Messaging 201
8 - 9:15am • University Settlement at the Houston Street Center
273 Bowery, New York, NY

2010 will go down as the year nonprofits began to understand the potential of mobile giving. From the Haiti earthquake to the Gulf oil spill to relief efforts in Pakistan and Chile, social change organizations have begun to discover the power of text messaging for a wide array of campaigns. Although the use of text messages has a long trajectory ahead of it, 2011 is definitely the year to reap the benefits of early adoption.

In this session we will cover:
•       The do’s and don’ts of a mobile marketing campaign
•       Text to email campaigns
•       Subscription text alerts
•       Voting/polling
•       Mobile fan clubs

Attendees will walk away from this advanced session understanding the characteristics of a successful text messaging campaign. This session is intended for Executives, Senior Staff and Marketing/PR Managers.

About the presenters:
Maria Miranda, Creative Director - Miranda Creative
Since 2009, Maria has helped more than 150 businesses/non profits effectively launch their social media programs. A 25-year veteran of marketing, in her current position, Maria is responsible for guiding clients through the appropriate use of SMS technology — from selecting a qualified vendor, to new market engagement. Maria currently serves as an advocate for many regional and national small business organizations including local Chambers and most recently was appointed to serve on the CT Small Business Advisory Council. She earned bachelor's in graphic design/marketing from University of Connecticut and has completed post-graduate studies in new media and copyright law from Rhode Island School of Design and University of New Haven. She is a member of Rotary International, as well as a number of community-based organizations that advocate for arts, education and diversity.

Jay Geneske, Director of Online Communications - Echoing Green
Jay has been involved in digital communications and technology for 7 years. He currently serves as Director of Online Communications for Echoing Green, an organization that unleashes next generation talent in social innovation. Jay's experience with mobile technology began at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, where his SMS/texting strategy was recognized by The New York Times, AdAge, and Crain's. He has also worked for other nonprofits like Carnegie Hall and Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and serves as a consultant to YouthMuse. This June, Echoing Green will host a week-long online global summit with mobile technology leaders to discuss the current and future position of mobile in social innovation.

To register: http://www.cfnps.org/NYSU6.aspx

Thursday, June 9, 2011 • Facebook 101 – The Silver Edition
2 – 4pm • Chester Village West (Music Room)
317 West Main Street, Chester, CT

With 70% of the internet users in the United States on Facebook, more and more families are sharing photos, stories and daily life via this social media. Why should the most precious of family members — grandparents/great-grandparents — be left out of these online relationships? In FB101 – The Silver Edition, internet users 55+ will be introduced to Facebook via easy-to-follow tutorial. Topics addressed during this 90 minute presentation will include:

• A basic overview of Facebook
• Setting up an account with appropriate privacy settings
• Requesting/accepting friendships, why it’s wise to be cautious
• Sharing updates, photos, comments and other basic relationship tools
• Exploring beyond friendships — there’s so much to “like.”
• Avoiding scams, spam and viruses

About the presenter: Maria Miranda, Creative Director of Miranda Creative, Inc., is a nationally recognized social media coach and thought leader who has helped more than 150 small businesses/non-profit organizations utilize Facebook and other new media resource, for effective marketing. Since her first presentation in 2009, Maria has shared her philosophy of education and empowerment with more than 3,000 social media users of all profiles. Following the arrival of her own 85-year-old mother on Facebook, Maria created this special “Silver Edition” to help other seniors experience the joy increase connectedness with family near and far.

To register: Call Erica or Marian at 860-526-6800 or email: bairstow@lcsnet.com or azarigianerica@lcsnet.com

Tuesday May 24, 2011 • Facebook 101: Becoming an Alpha User
Berlin Chamber of Commerce & Berlin Peck Memorial Library
6pm • Berlin Peck Memorial Library, 234 Kensington Road
Kensington, CT

FACEBOOK 101 is for novice users, featuring:
• An overview of social media and Facebook’s position of the market
• Definitions of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selected the right option
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Uploading photos/videos
• Making use of notes and other standard tools
• Basic tab customization, ad placement and additional topics as time allows

Wednesday May 2, 2011 • 120th Connecticut LIbrary Assoc. Conference
Visual Merchandising on a Shoestring.
11am - 12noon • Hilton, 1 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT

From dumpster diving at the local mall, to adopting retired mannequins from Liz Claiborne, Maria Miranda of Miranda Creative, has done whatever it takes to help clients create attractive displays with limited resources. Known in the library communities for her work on websites and social media, Maria will be sharing her favorite low-tech tips for repurposing, recycling and reimaging materials to create eye-catching and engaging displays. Bring your challenges, dimensions and pictures, to this hands-on presentation. 40 minutes later, walk away with countless ideas on how to go from drab to dynamic...without spending loads of dollars.

Wednesday April 13, 2011 • Leading Women: CT Lessons in Leadership
All That and a Bag of Chips
8:30 - 10am • Mystic Hilton, 20 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT

No doubt about it, Everyone SELLS. No matter what you’re selling, whether it be products, ideas or yourself, for the next big project or promotion, understanding the role of relationships, attitude and positioning is as critical to your career success as it is to growing business. Join us and discover the inner salesman in you. Learn to leverage the principals shared by a humble and record setting chip salesman through his youngest daughter, Maria Miranda.

HJ Miranda, the father of Maria Miranda, sold Frito Lay brand products throughout New England for nearly 40 years. In this presentation, Maria shares HJ stories and his valuable life lessons told over the dinner table each evening. Enjoy this motivating and energizing presentation, designed to engage the seller in each of us.

Saturday April 9, 2011 • CT Film Festival
Facebook Business Editions: 101 at 2pm and 201 at 3:30pm
Women's Center, 2 West Street, Danbury, CT

Right when you thought you knew everything there was to know about Facebook. With more than 500 million users, Facebook is a communication and marketing tool that businesses/creative enterprises can't afford to ignore. Designed for Facebook users with novice experience (101) or strong familiarity (201), these two, 75-minute presentations review the ever-changing resources on this leading social media and how to use them to market effectively.

FB101: For users with less than a year’s experience, or a page with less than 100 fans.
• An overview of social media and Facebook’s position of the market
• Comparison of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selecting the right option
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Username/Page Titles, how to achieve them
• Uploading photos/videos
• Making use of notes/events
and other standard tools
• Introduction to Facebook advertising
• Other topics/questions as time allows Maria Miranda, Creative Director of Miranda Creative, Inc.

FB 201: For users with an active page, and a year+ experience
• Recent developments from Facebook and their impact on your pages.
• Fan recruitment, development and ongoing engagement.
• Making the most of non-fan landing pages and other custom tabs.
• Integrating custom applications (Constant Contact) and their marketing uses.
• Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality.
• Facebook Advertising: Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads — what's best for you? Creative ad development with Facebook’s limited options.
• Audience monitoring platforms (AMP) and how to use them to efficiently share/monitor ALL social media (twitter, blogging, etc).
• Suggested reading Other topics/questions as time allows

Wednesday, March 16, 2011 • Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York

March 7 - 9, 2011 • Facebook 201 - Business Edition
Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center

Get answers to these questions... and more at this fun and engaging presentation with Maria Miranda, of Miranda Creative. Maria and her team has helped businesses across the US establish Facebook pages and in this session you will gain hands-on knowledge to make the most of this leading social media, now boasting more than 500 million users.

This 90-minute session will review:
• Recent developments from Facebook and their impact on your pages.
• Fan recruitment, development and ongoing engagement.
• Making the most of FBML for non-fan landing pages and other custom tabs.
• Integrating custom applications (Constant Contact) and their marketing uses.
• Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality.
• Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads — what's best for you?
• Creative ad development with Facebook’s limited options.
• Audience monitoring platforms (AMP) and how to use them to efficiently share/monitor ALL social media (twitter, blogging, etc).
• Suggested reading
• Question/Answers and case studies as time allows.

Facebook 201 - Business Edition

Was at the Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas. Download a PDF of the Presentation

Thursday, February 24, 2011 • EWN (Entrepreneurial Woman's Network)
at Norwalk Inn & Conference Center, East Avenue, Norwalk
12noon - 2pm

ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS -- HJ Miranda, the father of agency principal, Maria Miranda, sold Frito Lay brand products throughout New England for nearly 40 years, In this touching and inspirational presentation, Maria shares the stories HJ told over the dinner table each evening. A memorable and energizing presentation, designed to engage any team involved in sales or outreach efforts.

Thursday February 3, 2011 • Facebook 201: Business Edition
from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Courtyard Marriott/Norwich

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 • Southeastern Connecticut Women's Network
At Groton Inn & Suites, Groton
11:30am - 1pm

Tuesday, 11/9/10 • Website Critiques & PR Tune-up
at the Middletown Library Service Center, Middletown, CT Coffee and Registration 1:30 pm • Program runs 2 to 4pm

Want to make your flyers and newsletters pop? Need some advice on your website? Let our panel of designers tell you how to make your publicity materials eye-catching and effective.

The workshop will include individual critique sessions with the following designers:

Maria Miranda and Sarah Bagwell from Miranda Creative
Nancy Ruzow from Ruzow Graphics
Alaina Driscoll from Aldris Design
Carolyn Bligh from Bligh Graphics
Brent Robertson from Fathom

Bring a sample of your work – either print or electronic (please let us know). For electronic materials, please bring a charged laptop. A general Q & A session will follow the critique session. Register early - space is limited.

Friday, 11/12/10 8:30am - 10:30am • Social Media Boot Camp
at the Ridgefield Library, Dayton Room, Ridgefield, CT

Facebook, Twitter, Yelp, Blogs...which are the best tools for small and local businesses? Our panel of experts will help you sort through the myriad of online options and help you put the "me" in New Media.

Friday, 11/19/10 8-9:30am • Foursquare or Be Square: Understanding Geo-location marketing
at Mystic Chamber Conference Room, 14 Holmes Street Mystic

30% of all searches are now being done on mobile devices and the results are being filtered by the GPS coordinates of that Blackberry, iPhone or Droid
(among others). In addition, Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp, and countless other smart phone applications, are allowing consumers to check in, voice opinions and influence the decisions of others. This presentation reviews how businesses should literally “position” their enterprises to make the most of new trends of search/select by mobile consumers.

Friday, 10/29/10 7:45am - 9am • Smart Phone>>>Smart Marketing — how mobile devices are changing the way businesses reach consumers.
at the Holiday Inn, 10 Laura Boulevard, Norwich, CT

Pew Research Center recently reported that 83% of the millennial generation (those 18 – 29 years of age) sleep with their cell phone. While the use of a phone as an alarm clock may justify some of this obsessive behavior, anyone who has tried to borrow a Droid or iPhone from a friend, understands just how connected consumers are to their smart phones. For anyone involved in marketing/communications another type of alarm should be going off — one that indicates new market opportunity.

Join Maria Miranda, social media/new media adviser from Miranda Creative, at our upcoming Business Breakfast for a brief overview of mobile marketing and the leading options businesses can engage to take advantage of this shift in marketing methods.

Presentation highlights:
• Mobile websites (.mobi vs m.url)
• Geo-location searches
• Texting campaigns
• Mobile advertising
• Digital coupons
• Geo-social campaigns (foursquare, gowalla)
• Mobile social sharing
• QR codes/tags
• Applications

Friday, 10/15/10 • 8 to 9am • Google/Search Engine Marketing Mini Workshop
At CT Works, 113 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT

Getting daily emails that promise “Top placement on Google!” or “Tips and tricks to master Google!”? While there are techniques that can improve search results on Google it can be challenging to sort the sincere...from the sinful.

Join Lauren Miner, Account Liaison/Graphic Designer from Miranda Creative for a fun and engaging Mini-Workshop outlining Google’s own recommendations for effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of your website titles, content, file configuration and more. Attendees will walk away with a working knowledge of how Google “bots” search sites and able to engage some techniques, or better able to identify qualified vendors.

Monday, 10/25/10 Monday, 10/25 8:30am - 5pm • Marketing, Advertising & Sales
at the Water's Edge Resort & Spa, Westbrook, CT

Seven shoreline Chambers are coming together for this event, and Miranda Creative is honored to be part of the speaking lineup, along with other presenters tackling the most crucial topics in business today — marketing, advertising, sales, relationship building, management and office efficiency. Join us, and other enterprises, for this full-day program.

Tuesday, 10/05/10 6pm • Facebook 101: Business Edition
At the CEDF Offices, 965 East Main Street, Meriden, CT

With more than 500 million users, Facebook is a communication and marketing
tool that businesses /non-profits can't afford to ignore. Designed for
entrepreneurs/leaders with limited experience, this 90-minute program
reviews this ever-changing social media and how to use it effectively to
engage target markets and develop relationships. Topics addressed include:

• Social media overview and its role in a marketing plan
• Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups(defining what’s right for you)
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Effective communications with friends/fans
• Controlling basic tab functions and simple applications
• Photos, notes and other tools
• Advertising and promoting pages
• Measurement and insight tools
• Suggested reading

Tuesday, 9/28/10 8-9:30am • Facebook 201: Business Edition
At the Wilton Chamber of Commerce & Wilton Library
137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT

Tuesday, 9/21/10 8-9:30am • Facebook 201 Business Edition
At the Norwalk Public Library, 1 Belden Avenue, Norwalk, CT

Do you currently have a Facebook page but are struggling to attract fans? Are you confused about applications and how to use them effectively? Have you run Facebook ads with poor results or need help in running your first ad? You have fan insights: great, now what? Get answers to these questions... and more at this fun and engaging presentation designed for those with active Facebook pages (public profiles). In 90-minutes this hands-on session addresses:

• Recent developments from Facebook and their impact on your pages.
• Fan recruitment, development and ongoing engagement.
• Making the most of FBML for non-fan landing pages and other custom tabs.
• Integrating custom applications (Constant Contact) and their marketing uses.
• Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality.
• Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads — what's best for you?
• Creative ad development with Facebook’s limited options.
• Audience monitoring platforms (AMP) and how to use them to efficiently share/monitor ALL social media (twitter, blogging, etc).
• Suggested reading

Fee: $20 members • $35 non-members
To reserve your seat call or go online:
203-866-2521 or www.norwalkchamberofcommerce.com

All attendees will receive a one-hour consultation voucher for a free follow-up meeting to address specific needs with a social media coordinator at Miranda Creative.

6/15/10 • “Facebook 101: Becoming an Alpha User” • 8:00AM
at the Hagaman Memorial Library, 227 Main Street, East Haven.

FACEBOOK 101 is for novice users, featuring:
• An overview of social media and Facebook’s position of the market
• Definitions of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selected the right option
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Uploading photos/videos
• Making use of notes and other standard tools
• Basic tab customization, ad placement and additional topics as time allows

Fee: $10 members • $15 non-members
To reserve your seat call or email:
203-468-3890 or 203-467-4305
east.haven@sbcglobal.net or kjensen@leaplibraries.org

6/10/10 • 8am - 9:30am • Social Media for Medical Practices • James Blackstone Library, 758 Main Street, Branford, CT

An informative session on how medical practices and physicians can engage in this emerging media.
In collaboration with Guilford Savings Bank

Please RSVP 203.458.5461 or kconlon@gsbyourbank.com

3/24/10
New London Council of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Presents:
Social Media Connections • 8 to 9am • Thames Club, New London

Learn about how different types of social media have helped businesses get their message out!

Fee: Free
Register online at www.chamberect.com

4/15/10
Norwalk Chamber of Commerce & Norwalk Public Library Presents:
Facebook 101 • 8 to 9:30am • Norwalk Public Library, Norwalk CT

This 90-minute session will review:
• Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups
(defining what’s right for you and your organization)
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Effective communications with friends/fans
• Controlling the tab functions and use of applications
for customization
• Photos, notes and other tools
• Fun applications to try...some to avoid
• Advertising and promoting pages
• Measurement and insight tools
• Fan this...Facebook resources
• Plus allow time for any questions

Fee: $20 members • $35 non-members
To reserve your seat call 203-866-2521 or register online at
www.norwalkchamberofcommerce.com.

All attendees will receive a one-hour consultation voucher for a free
follow-up meeting to address specific needs with a social media
coordinator at Miranda Creative.

4/16/10
Wilton Chamber of Commerce & Wilton Library Presents:

FACEBOOK 101 • 8 to 9:30am • Wilton Library, Wilton
is for novice users, featuring:
• An overview of social media and Facebook’s position of the market
• Definitions of Profiles/Pages/Causes/Groups, selected the right option
• Best practices for privacy, security and postings
• Uploading photos/videos
• Making use of notes and other standard tools
• Basic tab customization, ad placement and additional topics as time
allows

FACEBOOK 201 • 10 to 11:30am • Wilton Library, Wilton
is a continuation of 101 materials or appropriate for active users (1+ yr
experience). Topics include:
• Fan development/engagement/ recruitment
• Advance tab applications for contests/content
• Developing custom applications and their marketing uses
• Fan demographic information (fan insights) and posting quality
• Pay-per-click vs Pay-per-impression on ads and defining what's best for
you
• Creative ad development with Facebook’s limited options
• What’s on the horizon and case studies as time allows

There is NO CHARGE for this presentation, thanks to the generous support of: Wilton Library and the Wilton Chamber of Commerce

All attendees will receive a one-hour consultation voucher for a free
follow-up meeting to address specific needs with a social media
coordinator at Miranda Creative.

4/19/10 • 12noon • Websites for Libraries •119th Annual Connecticut Library Association Conference at Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, CT)
Join presenters Maria Miranda and Sarah Bagwell as Websitesforlibraries presents: "A Tale of Five Libraries", an reflective look at the website redesign process for five connecticut libraries. This presentation is only available to registered participants of the conference.

For more infomoration on the conference, visit ctlibraryassociation.org

4/29/10 • 12noon • Weller Center at Mitchell College
Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce Presents:
What Now/What’s Next? — managing media and marketing options in time of dynamic change.

Every day there are conflicting headlines regarding media – the power of
print for retention...but declining readership; the ability of broadcast to
deliver market segmentation...but the impact of view-on-demand devices; the high return-on-investment for direct mail...but with increased postage and what about environmental awareness?

If that’s not confusing enough...add social media, smart phones and
geo-locating messaging to the mix.

What’s an entrepreneur to do...now...and in the near future?

Join Maria Miranda, creative director of Miranda Creative and marketing
strategist for an informative presentation about marketing options for
today...and tomorrow.

Highlights include:
• It may be a new world...but it’s still about old school statistics.
• Why there is no magic solution...but magic in the mix.
• Why conversion is the goal...and how to achieve it.
• Where to find current information regarding media trends...and media
predictions
• What to expect one year from today...the media psychic.
• Questions/Answers

Due to the complexity of the topic, this presentation will be offered
in-person, in addition to an online webinar resource as well. This expansion of format will allow for more audience participation and a greater sharing of common questions.

Fee: Members: $35 at your computer or $20 to view in person
Non-members: $50 at your computer and $30 to view in person

5/13/10 • 10:50am-11:25am • Social Networking
2010 Annual Women's Forum, Silver Spring Country Club, Ridgefield. For more information and to register, visit ridgefieldchamber.org