What It’s Like the First Time You Go to New York Tech Meetup

By Emily Miethner | Published: October 14, 2011

RecordSetter was given a free ticket to New York Tech Meetup for being a part of the Made in New York list and I went to represent; proudly donning my Go Set World Records sticker.

I was late, so the first pitch I heard was Artsicle, who I’d heard of. Very cool that my first demo was art related. Irony.

The next surprise guest speaker was Mayor Bloomberg. It was the first time I heard him speak, and I definitely enjoyed it.

Topics/Thoughts Covered

Let’s be better than Silicon Valley
We have double the fashion houses as Paris.
We’re the intellectual capital of the world (ie we’re smarter than you)
Let’s help immigrants work for us
NYC is developing / has all sorts of business incubators from the tech to food industry.

Folks shares news about Big Apps 3.0, a competition to get hackers making use of government data. Love it. RecordSetter is participating. NYU is hosting the NYU Entrepreneur Festival. It looks great and something NY Creative Interns can aspire to.

On to more demos

Goodsie – Create a custom store front

Layer vault – For sharing .psd versions and such for designers working in teams

Amicus – Nonprofit peer to peer fundraising via volunteers

Frame socket – Build your own custom video player to drive traffic to your site

Gust – Network for startups and entrepreneurs to navigate the fundraising/investment scene.

My Thoughts:

I was late, so I don’t know if they do this. But it wouldn’t hurt to incorporate a 5 minute ice breaker like ‘talk to someone by you who you don’t know.’ [edit: I was told they do normally do this]
Watching live coding is like watching a play. Sort of. Majorly nerve-wracking. Very cool though.
Send your funny person to demo. The light-hearted demos were the best.
Consider pre-screening questions. Some were obnoxious and a waste.
They ended the evening with a Catch 22 song. Rock.

Conclusion: For those who don’t find it easy to introduce themselves to folks at events, definitely bring a friend. But definitely go, because the space at NYU is awesome, and it’s great to see what the latest and greatest tech companies are up to.

Watch the full video of the event below:

NY Tech Meetup October 2011 from NY Tech Meetup on Vimeo.

Posted in Events, learning, networking | Tagged new york tech meetup, nyc big apps, nytm, RecordSetter | Leave a comment

“Business Idea” Google Doc: What the Beginning of an Idea Looks Like

By Emily Miethner | Published: October 2, 2011

I was cleaning out my Google Docs (oh, what a fun Sunday) and found one that had been edited 398 days ago (google docs is annoying like that, why can’t it say the actual date?). The date was around the end of August, last year. I had no idea what it was going to be before I opened it. Here it is:

Posted in Career, Goals, learning, NY Creative Interns | Tagged inspiration, interns, Making Ideas Happen, making it in NYC | Leave a comment

Event Planning 101: A Check List for the Day of Your Meetup, Panel, or Networking Event

By Emily Miethner | Published: October 1, 2011

Organizing real life events is an extremely time consuming but hugely rewarding experience. There’s nothing more powerful than connecting people in real life through fun and thought-provoking gatherings. I’ve been an unofficial event planner since high school, was a little more official in college, and I’m now organizing events all over the place with NY Creative Interns. Below is our current “day of” check list we use to stream-line the process to make the “run of show” as stress free as possible.

NY Creative Interns Panel Event Planning

Photo by Jehangir Irani // www.jiniproductions.com

A smooth event makes a happy panel and a happy audience

These tips are based off our panel style events; but can certainly be applied to any type of event. Check back for more posts on the event planning process. I hope that sharing these tips will inspire people to start throwing events, throw events more awesomely, and leave comments on what I’m missing. Because who doesn’t love an awesome event?

The photos you see are from our last big NY Creative Interns event, “Start Something: Why Every Creative Needs to Be an Entrepreneur” with Lauren Leto, Co-Founder of Texts from Last Night, Leigh Ann Tucker, Co-Founder of The Way We See the World, Laurel Touby, Founder of Mediabistro, and Audacia Ray, Founder of The Red Umbrella Project.

Posted in Events, learning, networking, NY Creative Interns, tips | Tagged event planning, event planning 101, how to start a meetup, how to throw a good event, networking events, nyc events, panel events, planning a meetup | 1 Comment

Hustle 101: Get More Clients & Close More Deals with @HeyLaurynBee: A @Skillshare Class Recap

By Emily Miethner | Published: September 26, 2011

Tonight we hosted a Skillshare class at RecordSetter: Hustle 101: Get More Clients & Close More Deals with Lauryn Ballesteros. Lauryn is a sales, marketing and entrepreneurial ninja and currently the VP of Sales at Seth Godin’s Squidoo.

In summary, this class was about taking the negative connotations out of selling. If you’re selling a solution and solving problems, why should you feel bad about that?

Takeaways:

You have to be ok with walking away from money if it’s not the right fit. Have enough confidence to tell people what they don’t want to hear; even if that results in the lost of a “sale.”
Another big selling fear? Failing. Don’t take rejection personally.
You have to be confident.
If you can have a conversation and ask the right questions, you can do sales.
Picking the right people to approach saves you a lot of trouble.

Have they spent money on something similar in the past? Does someone oversee what you’re selling (sponsorships, marketing, etc)?
Understand what people value so you can write great emails.
Would you sell a BMW to a Hipster? Nope. You’d sell them a bike.

Always write your emails knowing they’ll be forwarded.
Giving people dignity is huge; relate to the people you’re selling to.

When trying to get sponsorships:

Find 5 instances of the company participating in a similar sponsorship and what they provided.

Follow Lauryn on Twitter @heylaurynbee and read her blog.

Do you have any sales tips? Leave them below in the comments.

PS: Follow me and NY Creative Interns on Skillshare.

Posted in Career, Events | Tagged Confidence tips, Lauryn Ballesteros, Sales tips, Skillshare | Leave a comment

TechiesGiveBack Says Thank You to the NYC Tech Community — In Fun Video Form

By Emily Miethner | Published: September 15, 2011

TechiesGiveBack, a non-profit that mobilizes the tech community to do good, recently called upon the community to ask for help. We needed to raise money to cover the legal costs of becoming a 501-3c. We’re happy to announce that we did it! Below is a thank you video to all who helped made by Co-Founder Simon Kirk. Enjoy.

TechiesGiveBack Says Thanks from Simon Kirk on Vimeo.

Want to get involved in TechiesGiveBack? We’re running a charity clothing drive … we will come to YOUR apartment to pick up your old clothes and give them to charity. Seriously, how easy is that. Sign up here.

Techies Give Back

Posted in inspiration | Tagged nyc tech, Techies Give Back, TechiesGiveBack | Leave a comment

Start Something: Why Every Creative Needs to Be an Entrepreneur, Wed. Sept 21 at The New School

By Emily Miethner | Published: September 9, 2011

We are thrilled to announce the final line up for our next big NY Creative Interns event. Read below for all the details. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions for the panelists you’d like us to ask, please share in the comments.

Sometimes the first step is the hardest one, especially for creatives. How do you make an idea really come to life? It’s time to start thinking like an entrepreneur and make your ideas happen.

Our panel of experts will show you how to follow your passion and begin a movement by starting something from nothing.

September is the perfect time to begin the most productive year of your life and this event will provide enough inspiration and motivation to guide you through the start of something amazing.

Panelists:

Audacia Ray Leigh Ann Tucker

Lauren Leto, Co-Founder of Texts from Last Night
Laurel Touby, Founder of Mediabistro
Audacia Ray, Founder of The Red Umbrella Project
Leigh Ann Tucker, Co-Founder of The Way We See the World

Tweeting about the event? Use the hashtag #nycinternz.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

SPONSORED BY:

Is your company interested in sponsoring this event? Read our sponsorship information and email nycreativeinterns at gmail dot com to learn more.

Event registration for Start Something: Why Every Creative Needs To Be An Entrepreneur powered by Eventbrite

(originally posted on NY Creative Interns)

Posted in Events, inspiration, internships, networking, NY Creative Interns | Tagged Audacia Ray, Co-Founder of Texts from Last NightX, Co-Founder of The Way We See the World, entrepreneur, Founder of Mediabistro, Founder of The Red Umbrella Project, inspirationX interns, internships, Laurel Touby, Lauren Leto, Leigh Ann Tucker, Parsons event, The New School | Leave a comment

In Life You Have Two Choices, Fat or Fart: What I Learned from “Sugar: The Bitter Truth”

By Emily Miethner | Published: September 3, 2011

A co-worker of mine recently read and was telling us about “Why We Get Fat and What We Can Do About It.” It seemed interesting and while looking it up I found this video that covers much of the same material. I know this sort of thing isn’t what I usually post…but I think health is obviously very important and a big adjustment when you graduate. You have to make way more decisions concerning food on your own (no more meal plan!) than you did in college. Plus, finding a job and working your first job is stressful, which can lead to bad eating, lack of exercise…you know the drill.

A lot of this video includes things you’ve heard before; soda is bad for you, exercise is important, how over eating happens…but the difference is he tells us why, and the answers aren’t ones you’ve likely heard before. He also explains how your body deals with glucose versus fructose in biological terms. I haven’t digested this much science since tenth grade biology…but it was surprisingly engaging.

nyc gov anti soda campaign

I highly recommend watching “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” it it’s entirety (and really watching, not watching and surfing the web and checking email). I put some of my big takeaways below for those lacking attention spans.

Posted in Goals, inspiration, tips | Tagged diet myths, diet tips, fructose, glucose, health, health tips, life hack, obesity, why soda is bad for you | Leave a comment

Content Marketing Based SXSW Panel Proposals: Please Vote for Your Local N00b

By Emily Miethner | Published: August 21, 2011

A few months ago I was super excited to get an email from Amy Vernon, suggesting we work together to put together a SXSW panel proposal. The topic we chose was a combination of the two panels I organized for Columbia’s Social Media Weekend.

Our SXSW Panel: Branded Content: We’re All Publishers Now.

I’m also really excited to be on proposal as a speaker for a panel organized by Megan Murphy: Let’s Get Ready to Tumblr: Publishers & Community.

Below are the details. I would be majorly honored if you’d vote for these panels. I’m a n00b and all support is greatly appreciated. I really believe in the ideas behind these topics and both panels are filled with super smart, accomplished, and talented creatives. If you’re not going to SXSW, vote to support your network and good ideas.

Branded Content: We’re All Publishers Now

The Internet has made everyone a publisher. Even brands are now doing what used to solely be the domain of media companies: creating compelling content. Great content is being used to gain fans, inform customers and increase exposure on the Internet. This panel will discuss the principles of successful viral content – whether articles, infographics or videos and how companies can apply these to branded content. And we’re talking about more than just slapping your logo on a pie chart. We’ll discuss how to get started, measure results and set goals, as well as the importance of a consistent strategy. You’ve heard the phrase “content is king” over and over again; this panel will show how and why.

Emily Miethner – RecordSetter.com (Moderator)
Shane Snow – Contently
Amy Vernon – Hasai, Inc
Leslie Bradshaw – JESS3
Jon Steinberg – BuzzFeed

Let’s Get Ready to Tumblr

Millions of people are sharing the things they do, love, create, think, and discover more than ever on Tumblr. In June of 2011 it was announced that Tumblr hosts even more blogs than WordPress—and it’s still growing! This success is a direct reflection of the new ways in which people are engaging with content, and the top companies in entertainment, news, and fashion are setting up shop and creating strong, loyal communities here. Though publishing has undergone massive changes, many traditional media outlets are still turning a blind eye to the digital age. This panel will be an opportunity to hear from several publishing brands, from those that started from scratch to established online and traditional content providers. These companies are not only recognizing but also embracing Tumblr as a serious method for gathering and sharing information with their communities and so should you. The time of cultural curation has arrived and it’s all happening on Tumblr.

Mark Coatney – Tumblr (Moderator)
Amy Vernon – Hasai, INC
Russ Marshalek – Flavorpill
Jared Keller – The Atlantic
Emily Miethner – RecordSetter.com

Are you organizing or excited for any particular panel idea? Share in the comments.

Posted in social media | Tagged Amy Vernon, buzzfeed, Contently, Flavorpill, Hasai, Jared Keller, JESS3, Jon Steinberg, Leslie Bradshaw, Mark Coatney, RecordSetter, Russ Marshalek, Shane Snow, sxsw, SXSW Interactive, sxsw panel picker, The Atlantic, Tumblr | 1 Comment

Girl Crush Zine Launch Party: Classy Content and Celebration

By Emily Miethner | Published: August 13, 2011

Girl Crush Zine is the brain child of Jenna Wortham and Thessaly La Force. Contributors include Starlee Kine, Emma Straub, Jennifer Egan, and Maris Kreizman. The Girl Crush Zine is a collection of writing and illustrations that are an ode to the strong admirations we have for the most amazing women in our lives (or women we watch from afar, wishing for a way for them to become part of our lives).

But it’s also that she’s inspiring. That she’s doing something cool and with style, that she has found a voice that’s totally hers and also totally relatable. That, in some weird way, she makes you realize that it wouldn’t be hard to do what you’ve always dreamed of doing.

I’ve been looking forward to this publication since I saw the call for submissions a few months ago.

The launch party was a great time with lots of amazing folks there to celebrate the release of the Girl Crush. I was able to meet some of the contributors and ran into other fantastic folks like Jacob Krupnick, Youngna Park, and Anne Marsen of Girl Walk All Day and most of the Skillshare team.

NY Creative Interns has been a great vehicle for myself and the team to reach out to our girl crushes. We’ve had tons of amazing female professionals get involved and are proud that all our panels but one have been majority female.

In September we have a panel at The New School, “Start Something: Why Every Creative Needs to Be an Entrepreneur.” Our speakers so far include Lauren Leto, Co-Founder of Texts from Last Night, Laurel Touby, Founder of Mediabistro, and Audacia Ray, Founder of The Red Umbrella Project. Girl Crush mecca!

I think it’s really important to support these types of events and projects and surround yourself with talented and inspirational folks, male and female. It helps you to dream big and find the motivation to make things happen.

Buy a copy of Girl Crush for yourself (and your girl crush) here.

PS: I also have girl crushes on the entire NY Creative Interns team.

Posted in Events, inspiration | Tagged Girl Crush Zine, Girl Walk All Day, Jenna Wortham, Thessaly La Force, Thom Bar | Leave a comment

9 Super Interesting Boing Boing Articles – from Flash Mobs to LED Mushrooms

By Emily Miethner | Published: August 10, 2011

I had all these articles saved in a draft email from a time I didn’t have time to read them. Thought I’d compile them here for your benefit…cause they are all frikken awesome.