One of Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology to Present in Oklahoma City April 16

OKLAHOMA CITY--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Imagine a community where money isn’t the capital of choice, it’s “Whuffie.” It’s not science fiction, according to Tara Hunt, “Whuffie” is the social capital of online communities and is what will drive sales in the future.

“In the Web 2.0 world, market capital flows from having high social capital”

In March 2010, Twitter reported a total of 75 million users and Facebook reported 400 million. That is more than the total number of people living in the United States.

“As online communities become a stronger and stronger source of consumer information, your sales will be driven by how well you are received in those communities,” said Hunt, author of The Whuffie Factor and CEO of Rogue Strategies of Montreal. “Everyone knows about blogs and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, and they’ve heard about someone who has used them to grow a huge customer base. Everyone wants to be hands-on, grassroots and interactive. But what does this mean? And more to the point, how do you do it?”

Known online as “missrogue,” Hunt, named “One of the Most Influential Women in Technology” by Fast Company, will be teaching business leaders throughout the region how to make the most of their online brands at the 2010 Public Relations Society of America’s Southwest District Conference, April 15-17 at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City.

Hunt will offer practical ways to build social capital to help organizations find the communities that matter to their business, connect with their audiences and spend time building their trust.

“In the Web 2.0 world, market capital flows from having high social capital,” said Hunt. “Without Whuffie, you lose your connections and any recommendation you make will be seen as spam, met with negative reactions and a loss of social capital.”

Hunt says she’s found online success comes from building a community and being part of it – not by pushing a product or service.

“I don’t believe in pushing messages or creating strong brands, only in the power of building relationships,” said Hunt. “If you want to learn the secret sauce behind Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, you have to use them until you love them.”

Hunt will be one of four keynote speakers at the PRSA Southwest District Conference. Other keynotes include: Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett who will discuss his efforts to transform Oklahoma City’s reputation from the “Fattest City in the US” with the help of his innovative program, This City is Going on A Diet; Ari B. Adler, communications administrator of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, will walk conference goers through the art of networking in today’s society and among today’s technologies; and 20-year public relations industry veteran and newspaper journalist, Margo Mateas, who will discuss how to develop relationships with the media to generate ongoing press coverage.

Experts from across the country will present on topics including social media, crisis communication, personal branding and diversity. With a wide range of expert speakers, including John Deveney, CEO of Deveney Communications in New Orleans; Ed Schipul, CEO of Schipul, the Web Marketing Company in Houston and Kristie Aylett, principal of KARD Group in Ocean Springs, Miss.; this conference is a must-attend for communicators at all levels.

For a full listing of conference events or to register for the PRSA Southwest District Conference, visit www.prsaswconf.org.