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If you’re working or playing in the
Madison area, you probably find yourself thinking about things like this on a daily or hourly basis.
Well, we have the support group for you:
Madison Interactive
A new group for people who work on public websites – both for work and for play – in the
Madison area. Come hang out with us – you just might meet other people thinking about the same geeked-out things you’re thinking about.
Whether you’re uploading articles to a local media website or just tending a personal blog, we want you to join us and share your experiences.
We’ll be hosting our first free event February 15th at the High Noon Saloon, 5pm to 7pm.
Complementary appetizers will be provided. And to make it all even more interesting, we’ll also be having a brief panel discussion with some local website gurus. Details are at the bottom of this invitation.
Staff from the following local websites will be in attendance:
- madison.com
- Dane101.com
- Eating in Madison A to Z
- Contessa Says…
- Wisconsin Sports Network
If you plan on joining us – and we hope you will – please reply to this post (you don’t need to leave your real name) so we’ll have an idea of how many folks are going to show up. Also, please feel free to pass this invitation on to anyone else who you think might be interested.
Panel Discussion Details:
MadInteractive Panel No. 1
Location:
The High Noon Saloon
Event Time/Date:
5 – 7pm on Thursday, Feb 15
Panel Time:
5:30 to 6pm
Details:
We’ll have the stage and audio waiting for us. The Brass Ring will cater with appetizers.
(Panelists, please show up at 5:20 at the very latest.)
Topic: Community and commerce.
You’ve built the community. Now how do you generate revenue? Commerce isn’t inherently evil; we all need to buy stuff from time to time. The Internet can be an amazing way to connect buyers and sellers, and the community marketplace is one way to do that. What are some ideas for making commerce work for your online community?
Moderator:
Adam Powell, aka christopher_robin
Panelists:
- Todd Lekan, madison.com
- Jesse Russell, dane101.net
- Craig Bartlett, theonion.com
- Kyle Myhre aka El Guante, guante.net
- Nicholas Kartos, wissports.net
- Samarah, belladonnarecords.com
Format:
- Introduction: moderator (2 minutes)
- Opening statements: (3 minutes) 30 seconds from each panelist on the intersection of commerce and community online.
- Open discussion (20 minutes)
- Q&A from audience (5-10 minutes)
Again, if you plan on joining us, please let us know by leaving a reply to this post.
We hope to see you there!
MadInteractive
February 1, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I’ll be there.
February 1, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Count me in.
February 1, 2007 at 6:44 pm
I hope to be there as well.
February 1, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I thought perhaps the old site was hijacked by some mischievous hippie.
I hope to attend.
February 1, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Who’s paying for the complementary appetizers?
February 2, 2007 at 7:14 am
I think it’s a trick. You are. I am. We all are. They just happen to go well with the whole event.
(I think the original release meant complimentary)
February 2, 2007 at 8:55 am
Capital Newspapers is covering the costs for this initial event.
February 2, 2007 at 10:56 am
I will try to attend this. Thanks for working to set it up.
February 2, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I plan to attend.
February 2, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I’ll be there.
February 2, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Yep. Count me in.
February 2, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Why is Capital Newspapers paying for an event put on by “a new group for people who work on public websites”? Is this a charitable donation or a marketing expense?
February 2, 2007 at 9:55 pm
I hope to attend.
February 4, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Is it charity or marketing? I think it might work out as either one or both.
MadInteractive is exactly what the post above says it is: a group for people who work on public websites. I got the idea, based on something a friend of mine has been doing for several years out in California and I was able to get Capital Newspapers to see the benefit to the community and their industry in allocating a small amount of money to help me set up the first event.
I don’t see Capital Newspapers paying for any future events, though I do expect madison.com will help promote them.
February 5, 2007 at 8:37 am
I shall attend, as well.
February 5, 2007 at 9:34 am
I’ll be there. I think this is a very good idea.
February 5, 2007 at 11:25 am
I may stop by for the 1st half – have a class at 6:30
February 5, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I’d like to attend and meet some of you.
February 6, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I’d like to attend.
February 6, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I’m likely to be there
February 7, 2007 at 11:03 pm
However the event might “work out” to be, the money came from some budget line at Capital Newspapers, and my guess it’s marketing. It’s no coincidence that you are kicking off this group in conjunction — almost to the day — of your brand new publication, and not long after the launch of your revamped site.
I too think that this kind of group and discussion is a great idea. Unfortunately, given that you made no serious effort to include participation from your online competitors in the Madison market, it’s pretty clear that Capital Newspapers sees this as an opportunity to promote their new product and recruit more people to blog for them (and build ad impressions). That makes you a less than credible organizer.
This event isn’t about commerce in online communities, it’s about building commerce for a single online community, one owned by one of the largest newspaper chains in the nation.
February 8, 2007 at 12:01 am
KFK, you are on glue.
February 8, 2007 at 8:38 am
I plan to attend.
Nick Ring
Internet & Integrated Marketing Specialist
Clear Channel Online Music & Radio
2651 S. Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53711
nickring@clearchannel.com
February 8, 2007 at 9:16 am
Pending a chance at freedom from my cube, I will also attend.
February 8, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Wow Kristian, don’t you guys ever talk to each other over there? I’m sure there is still room on the panel if you’ve changed your minds.
February 8, 2007 at 5:54 pm
A representative from The Madison Area Photogs will be there.
JB
February 8, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Oh, I’m aware of those emails. That doesn’t mean I would want to participate in your promotional event, though. Thanks but no thanks.
February 8, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hey there, I am currently working on setting up a permanent office space for computer programmers, web designers, graphic designers, etc that are independent contractors and would like a shared space to work alongside others. Would it be possible for you to make a post about it here for me?
February 9, 2007 at 9:11 am
Yeesh.
February 9, 2007 at 9:13 am
KFK: I think there’s a picture of you in the dictionary. It’s right next to the word “obtuse.”
February 10, 2007 at 12:58 am
Hi Angel, this group is organized buy a bunch of different folks (see blog roll). I’m not sure I have a relevant opinion about the right answer to your question, but you should come to the event and meet some of us. I’m sure we can all figure something out together.
In any case, I like your idea. When I was an independent contractor, I tried to organize a group of us to share the same sorts of things. I was more focused on client lists and insurance, but I still think your idea is a very good one. The market is probably a lot more open to that kind of thing now.
Whatever turns out to be the case, I can assure you that posting over at some of the more prominent blogs and forums in town, like http://www.thedailypage.com/ will be a lot more effective than posting here.
February 10, 2007 at 11:40 am
Thanks tlekan. Perhaps I can make it to the event. Can you recommend any other blogs in the Madison area?
February 11, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Well, Angel, at the risk of being accused of using Madison Interactive to promote Post, there are a whole bunch of Madison-area blogs listed here: http://www.madison.com/post/blog_directory/.
February 11, 2007 at 3:39 pm
dane101’s also got a long-ass blogroll in the lefthand column of dane101.net
and some other stuff in the left-hand column on the front page of dane101.com
one of my dorkier former housemates once mentioned a semi-active local linux usergroup /messageboard that would probably be worth checking out–will post back here if i can find that info
February 13, 2007 at 8:32 am
I’ll be there.
February 13, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Ooops. Gotta work late. Count me out.
February 14, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I’ll be there. I look forward to it.
February 14, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Fantastic idea. I’ll try to wrangle a few others.
February 14, 2007 at 3:44 pm
great idea
February 14, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I’m in.
February 14, 2007 at 4:48 pm
probable
February 14, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Special to Shane Wealti (regarding your comment here: http://www.dane101.com/adventure/2007/02/13/madison_interactive_first_event_0#comment): The panel will be caught on video, probably to appear (or at least be linked to) here as soon as possible.
February 15, 2007 at 7:26 am
I’ll be there.
February 15, 2007 at 10:57 am
I do 2 nonprofit websites. I’d like to come, but can’t because of board meeting for one of the nonprofits. I’d like to be on whatever distribution list you create for future meetings.
February 15, 2007 at 2:09 pm
I am very interested in this discussion and will be attending with a co-worker.
February 15, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I love the internet… and appetizers.
February 15, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Hope to make it.
February 15, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I hope I’m not too late. I’d like to attend.
February 15, 2007 at 4:11 pm
i’ll be there
February 15, 2007 at 4:16 pm
I’ll be there.
February 15, 2007 at 7:56 pm
I was there and it was fabulous. No corporate stench at all.
February 16, 2007 at 9:17 am
Great event, impressive turnout. Enjoyed the panelists as well.