Great news: My SXSW 2011 talk has been approved! They really kept me waiting right until the very end, and I thought I hadn’t made the cut… but I did. Wahoo!

This will be the third year in a row I’ll have the opportunity to speak and converse with a room full of creative, crafty, entrepreneurial new friends, and I’m really excited. This time – staying in line with the core-convos from years past entitled, “Snappy Strategies for selling Art & Craft online” – I’ll be speaking more about looking ahead to the future, and how to start preparing now on how best to market your business when the technology is moving fast. Here’s the full description:

Social Shopping: The Future of Selling Stuff Online

Markets are conversations. As the web continues its neverending voyage toward Social, indie merchants must learn to engage and interact with their existing and future customers in new ways. The era of Social Shopping has begun, so get the info you need to stay ahead of the curve. Learn how to take advantage of the social web to help your indie business make more sales, connect with your community, and build devoted followers around the world. Perfect for small business owners, artists, crafters, musicians, authors and anyone else with something to sell.

  1. What online tools make it easiest for your fans/customers to share your products throughout the web?
  2. What is the Social Graph, and what does it mean for my independent business?
  3. How can sellers use their online presence to reach a global audience?
  4. How to create a network of support – both through your online social media networks, and with friends in your own city.
  5. Beyond Twitter and Facebook, what online communities can add value to your brand?

I’m really excited to share all the knowledge I’ve gained from my experience and research over the last year, but I always learn SO much from the attendees, so I hope to see you all there!