I was recently asked to speak on the topic of digital marketing and social media strategy at the third annual Walsh College Small Business Conference.  Walsh has always been known as one of the region’s top business schools, and their continued commitment to providing local companies with the tools and counsel for growth is definitely commendable.

This year’s conference focused on “The Big 3″ for small business: marketing, management and money.  Numerous breakout sessions where available that shed light on a variety of topics including cash flow management, tax strategies, H.R. regulations, business succession planning, electronic payments and marketing communications.

While floating among the conversations and seminars, I noticed that social media was a hot topic of discussion.  Even Jim Hiller, the conference’s keynote speaker and founder of the uber-successful Hiller’s Markets, regularly referenced the use of free social technologies as a way for small businesses to cope with the “post-advertising marketplace.”

However, with all this talk of social media this and social networking that, small businesses often get caught up in the technology before developing their strategy.  Companies need to create a plan that aligns with core business objectives instead of trying to repackage their goals so they can fit them into a certain network or community.  It just looks messy… and not in a good way.

As digital technologies evolve and continue to gain more traction, will we see more companies stating “we have Facebook” instead of “we have a strategy?” Are we already at that point?  What do you think?

The inaugural Module Midwest Digital Conference represented a great moment for Detroit’s social media community. Many of our local rock stars took to the stage with recognizable leaders in the digital industry and shared their knowledge of all things social media with attendees who were eager to learn.

With Module being hailed as a winner and a successful Startup Weekend in the bag, I think it’s pretty clear that fantastic things are really starting to happen in Detroit.

So, what comes next? How do we carry this momentum forward? How do we become more than just a blip on the radar?

To find some answers, I asked Jeremy Tanner, Ken Burbary, Adrian Pittman, Damian Rintelmann, Scott Monty, Shannon Paul and Chris Brogan how they think Detroit can take things to the next level.

I’m really taking their advice to heart.  But now I’m looking to you.

What would be your advice to Detroit or another up-and-coming social media community looking to create a name for itself?

A lot of people out there (well, at least like 60,000) think Chris Brogan is pretty cool dude.  So, when it was announced that there would be a Tweetup in his honor at the Royal Oak Brewery, Detroit’s Twitter community came out in force… and with only 24 hours notice.

A surprise bonus was that social media firecracker Amber Naslund (pictured below with everyone’s favorite redhead – @damnredhead) was also present.  After introducing myself, I just had to thank her.  Why?  Because Radian6 is pretty awesome.

Be sure to check out everyone’s tweets from the event – #robtu

Here were some of my favorite moments:

• Getting the chance to finally meet @cbarger.  Heck of a nice guy.  Make sure you follow him.
• Loudly promoting Friday’s Module 09 conference.  It is going to be awesome.  Seriously. Buy a ticket.
• Being referred to as “Trouble” by @ambercadabra.  Obviously, my reputation proceeds me.
• Discussing a possible Tweetup collaboration with my new friend, the delightful @lish.
• Seeing many new faces.  This Tweetup drew people from all over Michigan, including @natalie_joy, @kaseyincharge, @andrea_ness and @ssiewert (a fellow Erma’s Frozen Custard fan).
• Reconnecting with @drintelmann. Our paths had not crossed in some time…. and it started getting annoying.
• Talking about the happenings here in Detroit with @chrisbrogan.
• Sharing my love of Band of Brothers with @kenburbary and @essohhbee.  CURRAHEE!
• Bumping into @bw313. I actually introduced her to Twitter back in February at another event.  This was her first Tweetup and she brought a not-yet-on-Twitter friend… who is now on Twitter as @ElaineMBrady.

Thanks to everyone for making it a great night and for playing a part in Detroit’s growing social media community.  You all rock.

Check out the list of attendees after the jump.

Special thanks to @wendyrclark for holding down the list for this Tweetup and posting it on the Facebook page!

As always, if you don’t see your name, give me a shout.

(NOTE: Those of you who attended TweetTea may have arrived after the list left for the night.)

LAST UPDATED: 4/11/2009

@chrisbrogan
@cbarger
@nuriabaldello
@lesleyhettinger
@philcolley
@detnews
@dougwernert
@nate_lapt
@detroitvoice
@jminni
@joem32
@ericjvogel (@socialmediamstr)
@ambercadabra
@davezilla
@davebenjamin
@coreyperlman (@ebootcamp)
@kaylook
@khalidh
@ayat
@chuckgosh
@kirstenross (@flexworkpro)
@newmediaphoto
@denniselliott
@hajjflemings
@bukoff
@natalie_joy
@stanleyyork
@dschelberg
@swarheit
@mutinyware
@jacquelynpierce
@bchesnutt
@ericrasche
@damnredhead
@andrea_ness
@kaseyincharge
@ssiewert
@bw313
@elainembrady
@michaelstuertz
@kewlrats
@essohhbee
@justinsthompson
@joebarron3
@jennimurr
@davemurr
@tomshea
@janakmehta (@preasy)
@urvimehta (@socialmediami)
@jrodcc2007
@primesuspect
@tayzenberg
@rmercader
@amurphy
@klavaute (@quickenloans)
@corab (@feedbackcentral)
@heatherhall3
@lish
@bethanylouise
@turboclaw
@kevinbiznet
@drintelmann
@wendyrclark
@hubertGAM
@kenburbary
@joem32

If you want to hear about the Twitter happenings going on around Metro Detroit, be sure to join the Detroit Tweetups Facebook Group.  We are almost 400 strong!