Retro Blogging March 16th-May 16th

Two months to the day, March 16, 2007...
Using Google, I searched for 'Online Marketing'. I found an article about Mitch Joel of Twist Image at iMedia Connection-connecting the marketing community-describing him and the Shop.org Marketing Workshop. He was the Keynote Speaker. A link to Shop.org-a network for retailers online-described the Online Marketing Workshop to be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL.

At this point my interest is peaked!
I need to understand the scope of online marketing for Pastor Paul's Mission. I created the web presence. I do not understand code. I read Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003 book by Jim Buyens . Web presence would bring awareness to Pastor Paul's Mission and it's free food distribution to the poor. With that in mind I read the book and followed it's direction. I do not have graphic arts training. Using a simple plan, 60's colors, historic pictures, and daily prayers, I was determined the create the presence.

Pastor Paul's Mission web presence is up...
The cassette tapes of Pastor Paul's recorded analog messages need to be moved to the computer and encoded into formats; Windows Media, Real Player, MP3, and QuickTime. They are to be streaming on demand. Passion begins to take over because I love Pastor Paul's Messages!

Streaming Messages work now E-commerce is next...
E-commerce instead of fundraising will raise revenues because everyone loves to shop-except me. MonsterCommerce shopping cart software, it's perfect, and it is easy to use. Doba product sourcing simplified is the answer for product merchandising. Pastor Paul's Club is the online store where 'Purchases Support Programs'-it's coming together.

No one is shopping-Why?
Online Marketing is the next step. That brings me back to Mitch Joel at Twist Image. I put him in my favorites but did not keep the workshop link. I remembered the workshop is at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Florida.

I Make the Call:
Me: "Hello, I am looking for the Online Marketing Workshop to be held at the hotel on April 18-20th. I misplaced the information and do not know the name of the workshop sponsor, could you help me?"

Receptionist: "No I can't give out that information."

Me: "Why? I plan to stay at the hotel two nights, eat at the restaurants, buy gifts in the hotel store, and continually visit the Constant Grind Coffee stand. As your motto states, I plan to have 'a Rockin Time' ".

Receptionist: 'It's our policy, I can't give that information out, I'm sorry.'

I have an internal conversation.
Our policy, that does not make sense. I was going to book a room and spend money in the hotel. Later, much later, it dawned on me. The Hotel has many guest celebrities many of which are 'Rock Stars'. Marketing Magazine called Mick Joel, I mean Mitch Joel, 'Canada's Rock Star of Digital Marketing'. Could it be that the receptionist was just following policy because she thought I was a crazed groupie looking for Mitch? Yes...

A few weeks later suffering from internal nagging...
'You need to attend that workshop...you cannot learn online marketing from a book, it could take too long...just call again.' The date is Friday April 13th and I am feelin' lucky. It is less than one week from the date of the conference, by this time the cost is thru the roof.

I Make the Call:
Me: "Hello I am calling about a workshop that will be held at the hotel on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week. I need to attend it and I must register and I misplaced the information, could you find the name of the organization please?"

Receptionist: "Sure let me look...(a long pause, too long) I cannot find that information."

Me: "Can you ask someone else who may know, it is important for me to attend this workshop."

Receptionist: "Sure, can I put you on hold?...(longer pause) The organization is Shop.org."

Me: "Thank you so much!!! Oh, I almost forgot, I need to reserve a room."

Receptionist: "We are all booked. I think it's because Ray Ramono (Everyone Loves Raymond) is here."

Me: "Thank you so much for your help. I will check with the Holiday Inn-I'll rent a car."