WELCOME TO SMPS ALABAMA!
Welcome to the Alabama Chapter of Society for Marketing Professional Services. Organized in 1986, we are a community of marketing and business development professionals. Our goal is to offer our members valuable programs, resources, and information, all geared toward securing profitable business for their respective companies in the built environment.    

Coming in January
1/24/2012
11:30am to 1pm

Content Marketing: If You Publish It, They Will Come
presented by Michelle Calcote King

The internet has fundamentally changed the way people find, discover, share, shop, and connect. Buyers are now in control--instead of relying on information companies provide, they are now actively searching on line for guidance and information before making a purchase decision. This is particularly true for B2B buyers whose purchase decisions involve more money and have greater impact than consumer purchases.

That's why more and more marketers are turning to a strategy called content marketing. Simply put, content marketing is the development of content that informs and educates your prospects, without any obvious marketing message or motive, in order to win their attention, trust, respect, and, ultimately, their business. In contrast to traditional marketing techniques, where companies push their messages at prospects through advertising and promotion, content marketing relies on earning people's interest and trust, instead of buying it.

While newsletters, articles, speeches, white papers, blogs, webinars, and other forms of content aren't new, what is new is an increased understanding of how to use them effectively and in a coordinated fashion. This presentation will provide A/E/C marketers with

An overview of content marketing fundamentals
A clear understanding of the characteristics of effective content
The information and ammunition they need to convince management of the need to invest in quality content
Case studies of companies doing content marketing right

Speaker

Michelle Calcote King
With more than a decade of PR, marketing and communcations experience at consulting firms around the world, including London, Australia, North Carolina, Florida, and Alabama, Michelle offers seasoned expertise garnered from managing the reputations of some of the world's largest corporations, including Mitsubishi and Viacom.

 Michelle is principal of Reputation Capital, a public relations and communications firm that helps companies and professional services firms establish reputations as trusted, credible, and industry-leading experts in their respective fields, as well as enhance and safeguard already-established reputations.

Michelle's industry recognition includes a 2011 PR News Legal PR Award for her work raising the profile of a Washington, D.C., litigation firm. In 2008 she was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the city's top up-and-coming professionals under the age of 40. And in 2006, she wrote a winning entry for the International Association of Business Communicator's Gold Quill Merit Award in business communications.

She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master's degree in international communications from the University of Florida. She is Chair of the Birmingham City Group of the Legal Marketing Association and a board member of the American Marketing Association Birmingham Chapter.

Luncheon Sponsor

 
Location: Brasfield & Gorrie Conference Center
3005 7th Ave. S. (corner of 7th Ave. and 30th St. S.)
ample parking at Brasfield & Gorrie and LBYD, plus on-street and at public lot on 29th St.

Tickets (note new, lower prices):
Members $20, Non-members $30, Students $10

Register Here

For questions, contact Susan Bruner, (205) 323-2373, susanb@crsegr.com

SMPS Alabama has a 48-hr cancellation policy.

Also Coming in January

Marketing Mixer

Sponsored by AMA, SPMS Alabma, AAF, & AIGA

Thursday, January 26, 5:30 to 7:30
Vino in English Village

$10 in advance, $15 at the door
Appetizers and two drink tickets

Register Here