David Mathison, Jaci Clement & Guest

On Friday, July 15 the Fair Media Council held their first ever Summer Social Media Bootcamp at Briarcliff college on Long Island. Guests began arriving at 7:30am donning shorts and flip flops – a dress code requirement stated on the event’s registration form. “It’s summer, it’s Friday, and I want to be comfortable,” said FMC’s Executive Director, Jaci Clement.

Jaci kicked off the event by explaining how media consolidation and the news media has made it harder to get the message out. This is why we have to Get Media Savvy, she said, dropping FMC’s well-known tag line. Without delay, Jaci introduced the event’s Keynote Speaker, David Mathison, an internationally recognized media consultant, author, talk show host, hi-tech entrepreneur, and event producer who is recognized for his award-winning book BE THE MEDIA.

BE THE MEDIA was featured in the NY Times after Mathison sold over 5,000 copies in just 11 days via his website, Twitter, and Facebook. Mathison is also the founder and Executive Producer of Home Aid, an annual campaign and event to benefit the homeless. Mathison began his Keynote by asking the audience what they wanted to learn about; social media and Google+ won by a dominating show of hands.

“Find a goal and work backwards,” said Mathison. “You shouldn’t waste time on social media; you can spend time looking at pictures, but to be effective you need to focus on your goals.”

Mathison also noted the importance of using LinkedIn to make connections, adding that he doesn’t add the person down the street, but rather, finds targeted LinkedIn contacts such as Ken Kragen of “We Are The World.” Mathison went on to speak about Google+, stating that it’s “+1″ button is now on more sites than Twitter’s “Tweet” button. Google+ offers deep engagement, allowing users to create separate circles of connections they make. “I can follow Google CEO Larry Page on Google+,” Mathison said. “I can’t friend Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook.”