Here at BatchBlue, we love to party. Invite us to an event and we’re there. Ask us to throw an event? No problem, we’re on it. (We rocked SXSW last year with an amazing party for The Small Business Web.)
What we don’t always love? Event management. Sending out invites, tracking RSVP’s, updating attendees on last minute changes, getting the word out, etc. You’re trying to use email, spreadsheets, Twitter, PayPal and Facebook to organize and track your event and the next thing you know it’s a jumbled mess. You need some software to make all this stuff seamless.
That’s why we’re super excited to announce our most recent integration partner: Eventbrite! Eventbrite helps you “manage all the hard stuff—such as registrations and selling tickets—and they set you up with the tools to help your event spread virally through social networks.” I’ve used them for years and they’re awesome. Eventbrite takes all of the headaches out of planning, managing and promoting your event.
The integration process is simple. You set up an Eventbrite account ($20 in credits if you don’t already have one – Thanks Eventbrite!), build a list in BatchBook, push the Send to Eventbrite button and let Eventbrite work their event management magic. Then you get to spend your time kicking back at your event instead of worrying about managing the guest list. Check out the screencast below to see just how easy it is to use BatchBook and Eventbrite together:
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Tags: batchbook, eventbrite, integration, partnerships
We’re back and finally somewhat recovered from the madness that is SXSW. This year, Michelle, Pam and Matt attended (Michelle’s usual partner in social media crime, Adam, was out having a baby – congrads, Adam!)
Like last year, the event was blur of meet-ups, panels, interviews, intense hallway conversations and non-stop activity. Sadly, the BatchBlue team didn’t get to attend too many panels, but as a networking event, it was great. And a lot of cool stuff came out of it.
In the days (okay, more like hours) leading up to SXSW, we put the finishing touches on the beta of BatchBook sync, which was hugely exciting for us as it brings us one step closer to the idea of true data portability. Our plan was to soft launch BatchBook sync at SXSW, then return home to do some tweaking and de-bugging before really getting the word out. But like many well-intentioned plans (especially as they pertain to SXSW), this got tossed out the window and instead we found ourselves buckling our virtual seatbelts for a wild web app ride. Lots of new traffic and an ill-fated server move resulted in some growing pains for BatchBook, but thanks largely to the superhuman, nocturnal efforts of Sean and Matt, we’ve made it through and are better than ever. We also give a huge thanks to our customers both old and new for bearing with us through that rocky week.
T-Shirts and a Texas-sized small business brunch
Since we knew how much people depend on Twitter in Austin to help them plan, we brought a bunch of “BatchBook Social CRM” t-shirts with us that had a space for people’s Twitter handles on the front. The t-shirts were a big hit: we literally had people chasing us down to get one! Thanks to our friend and unofficial BatchBlue mascot TJ Sondermann for the concept.
On Sunday, we planned on hosting a Small Business Brunch with our friend Shashi Bellamkonda of Network Solutions. We expected maybe twenty or so folks to come by the delicious Moonshine Cafe to meet up, network and talk small business. We were pleasantly surprised when more than double that number showed up, thanks in large part ot Shashi’s mad Twitter skills. The restaurant was extremely accommodating and graciously set up extra tables so everyone could enjoy their delicious Sunday brunch. We hung out with social media man Jeff Pulver, Lisa Rodwell from Moo cards, Saul Colt from Freshbooks, Becky McCray from Small Biz Survival, and many many others. Perhaps the most important connection made that morning was when Matt learned chicken-fried steak is best eaten with gravy.
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Tags: freshbooks, outright, partnerships, shoeboxed, small business web, SXSW, SXSW09, sync
Here at BatchBlue, we love to party. Invite us to an event and we’re there. Ask us to throw an event? No problem, we’re on it. (We rocked SXSW last year with an amazing party for The Small Business Web.)
