Livingston

Nov
03
2007

Hustle 2.0

Last Thursday’s New, New Internet Conference  was quite interesting on several levels. The marketing panel offered some valuable discussion about business culture versus social media communities.  There was also an interesting dichotomy between Tim Ferriss’s Four Hour Work Week and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Hustle 2.0 approaches to the current new media environment.

Marketing Panel

First off, the marketing panel featuring Rohit Bhargava as moderator and fellow panelists Frank Gruber and Gary Vaynerchuk was absolutely incredible.  To me, sitting next to these three well-known players must have been close to what I imagine an MLB player would feel in their first All-Star game when he looks down the bench at A-Rod, Curt Schilling and Magglio Ordonez.

It was humbling. Plus, they were all wearing jeans and I had a Hugo Boss suit on, but hey, that’s how I roll ;)

tnni

Photo credit: Somewhat Frank on Flickr. From left to right, Rohit, myself, Gary and Frank. 

From the initial reports, we delivered the best panel of the day. Here were the highlights:

  • Right off the bat we discussed how fear is the biggest barrier to corporate social media success.
  • Companies that are engaging now are the market leaders and will build a competitive advantage.  Those that get in later may never catch-up.
  • Anytime traditional marketing, web 1.0, or controlling the message came up, Gary Vaynerchuk vehemently told the audience, “It’s over.” Absolutely hilarious.
  • Frank Gruber wore a Justin cam to highlight that it’s not about looking good, it’s about being real.  This was a major point throughout the panel.  Companies need to be real, not canned in their social media outreach. See Frank’s thoughts and video here.
  • Social media success happens when engaging readers/viewers is the focus.
  • Gary Vaynerchuk is a riot, and a really savvy business man. He deserves every bit of success he is getting. More on Hustle 2.0 coming.
  • Frank Gruber’s discussion of MyAOL’s grassroots efforts before and during the panel has me rethinking my preconceived notions of AOL.
  • Rohit did a great job managing an explosive panel. Congratulations on the new born, too ;)

Hustle 2.0 versus Four-Hour Work Week

I got to meet Tim Ferriss at the event.  Great guy, very savvy and down to earth.  And like most of the very successful web 2.0 guys, someone you can imagine hanging out with at a ball game.

His speech on the Four Work Week was great for the Washington marketplace, a town full of workaholics.  What it really seemed to me was an intelligent system for prioritizing your tasks.  Time is viewed as your most valuable asset.

Gary Vaynerchuk gave a completely opposite view of social media success. “It’s all about Hustle 2.0.”  Gary attributes Wine Library’s success to his always available, hands-on approach to the community. 

The two styles were very contrasting.  While my tired soul wishes for the Four Hour Work Week, I must admit almost all of my successes to date are due to a hard-line “hustle” approach and work ethic. I found the dichotomy between the two philosophies to be fascinating. 

Additional Highlights

  • Got to meet and spend time with podcaster extraordinaire and fellow author Greg Cangialosi.  Very savvy guy. We shot a video on Now Is Gone at the conference.  Check out his book.
  • Debbie Weil got back from her three week trip to China.  She says their Internet culture and social media usage surpasses ours.
  • Om Malik says the long term strategy for GigaOM is to build a bonafide media company.
  • Some women were not happy with the roster of speakers.  57 of the 60 speakers were men.
  • In spite of the topic, DC is still the last bastion of the suit for both men and women.  It was mostly dark suits, with many of the male business dress wearers still toting ties. 
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by Geoff Livingston | Blogging, Internet Marketing, Social Networks |

12 Responses to “Hustle 2.0”

  • Kami Huyse Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 12:43 am

    Hustle 2.0. I think that a 4-day workweek is an interesting fantasy, but it won’t get you anywhere. Then again, if you can be so efficient to do everything that needs to get done in four days, all the better. What I know for sure is that if you are a blogger, it is completely impossible, too many worthy distractions out there.

  • Somewhat Frank Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 9:45 am

    A Social Media Discussion Lifestreamed…

    How can you engage your client community via blogs and social media? Last Thursday, I spoke on a panel at The New New Internet Conference to discuss this very question. The panel consisted of Gary Vaynerchuk video blogger at Wine Library TV and Directo…

  • Greg Cangialosi Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 11:04 am

    Geoff - Great hanging at the event! I look out for our video discussion going live very soon! thanks for the links.

    - G

  • Geoff Livingston Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 12:22 pm

    Kami: It does pose a dream for bloggers, doesn’t it? But do we blog as work, or do we just absolutely love it? I think the latter.

    Greg: Great meeting you. Glad we did the Tweet up. See you on Wednesday!

  • Shama Hyder Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 6:45 pm

    Wish I could have been there Geoff! I appreciate you giving a little synopsis on the event. I am looking forward to attending the BlogWorld Expo. Any chance you will be there?

  • Geoff Livingston Says:

    November 4th, 2007 at 7:20 pm

    Thanks for coming by, Shama. No, I’m going to be in Austin the first half of the week. There’s only so much business travel you can do.

  • Now Is Gone » Never Rest on Your Laurels Says:

    November 5th, 2007 at 2:45 am

    [...] of the more interesting highlights of last Thursday’s New, New Internet Conference (covered in full on The Buzz Bin and on Somewhat Frank) was Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Hustle 2.0 approach” to social media. [...]

  • Chris Brogan... Says:

    November 5th, 2007 at 5:41 pm

    Ahhhhhh, the VayyyyyyNerrrrrrChuck. I’ve not had the pleasure of spending time with him in person, but I can’t wait. He’s really got an insight that’s hard to beat.

    Hugo Boss in a sea of jeans is still great branding, Geoffrey, as was you taking time to record a video with “Let’s do it twice” Cangialosi.

    Can’t wait for my turn.

  • StumbleUpon » Your page is now on StumbleUpon! Says:

    November 6th, 2007 at 12:20 am

    Kramer auto Pingback[...] Your page is on StumbleUpon [...]

  • My Best of The New New Internet Conference Says:

    November 7th, 2007 at 12:34 am

    [...] the pleasure of helping to organize.  Ken wrote a good recap on the Viget blog, as did others like Geoff, Brad, and Frank.  As an organizer and judge in the app competition, I had a unique perspective [...]

  • Opening Identity » The Buzz Bin Says:

    November 19th, 2007 at 8:19 am

    [...] Livingston verifies his identity with honestyonline at the TNNI conference earlier [...]

  • Nathan Ketsdever Says:

    December 24th, 2007 at 2:11 am

    Great overview of the conference. As someone who lived in DC for two years, perhaps the ultimate answer lies somewhere between Gary and Tim Ferris.

    Its all about the smart and strategic hustle!

    Have a great holiday. Looking forward to reading your book just after the holidays!

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