JESS3 / The State of The Internet from Jesse Thomas on Vimeo.

This strategy is useful across all social media platforms, not just blogs. The Air Force themselves have put this stratagem into play on their blog, twitter account, Youtube page and Widgets and Podcasts.

Want to learn more about how Capt. Faggard and the Emerging Technology Division of the Air Force Public Affairs Agency are using social media? Read this terrific post by Web Ink Now: The US Air Force Armed with Social Media.

Check out all of the SXSW specific treats here at the Gowalla SXSW Page

In addition – they’ve teamed up with Chevy to offer a one of kind experience. I was one of the lucky winners of a ride from the airport to my hotel just by checking in to Gowalla from the airport!

It was a great and surprising experience – you can read all about it here : Mommy Drives

Wondering what Gowalla is up to at SXSW? Watch this video with CoFounder Josh Williams.

Looking at the free tools my favorite application that monitors all streams of social content is Social Mention, which is like Google Alerts, but for social media.

Of those that are platform specific, in this case Twitter – my current favorite is Twazzup. I was monitoring the #apple #ipad announcement in real time today on this tool and the coverage was quick and comprehensive.

What tools do you find most useful?

What I thought was most interesting – was how much I learned. Both about Tequila and Mexican Cuisine!
For example – did you know that the agave, from which tequila is made is from the lilly family? If you’d have asked me last week I’d have been convinced it was some type of cacti. Also, like fine french wines there are specific regions in which tequila comes from. Who knew? I think the best thing I learned was how versatile it is. Previously I’d thought of tequila as a 1 trick pony – fantastic in margaritas, but little else. Chef Marcela was able to show how to incorporate both gold and silver tequilas into fabulous cocktails and delectable Mexican cuisine.

Here’s a little video about things you never knew about tequila but should…

Sauza Tequila – Tequila 101 from Jackie Cuyvers on Vimeo.

While Chef Marcela, did share some amazing tequila cocktails with us- my favorite part was how she incorporated the tequila into her fresh authentic Mexican cuisine – in particular her Thanksgiving turkey. She infused the turkey with butter and tequila and marinated it with apricot jam and California chile.

How Tequila Turkey from Jackie Cuyvers on Vimeo.

To read more about Chef Marcela and Sauza Teuqila’s Ladies Night in, visit What’s Cooking Chicago’s fabulous blog post.

Would this video make you feel more favorable about attending BlogWorld or a conference in general or do you prefer a more fact based informative video?

Join myself and other women entrepreneurs online very Wednesday evening. Just do the following:

1. RSVP by Tuesday here. RSVP NOW
2. Right before the event, check back where you RSVPed and “follow” all of the tweeters listed on the RSVP.
3. Go to Twitter and follow @hashtags.
4. Go to http://search.twitter.com and enter #wechat in the search field. This will bring up a page that allows you to keep track of just the conversations from those participating in wechat (Women Entrepreneur’s Chat).
5. Start tweeting at 6 p.m. (pacific), 7 p.m. (mountain), 8 p.m. (central), and 9 p.m. (eastern).
6. Enter #wechat in all of your tweets.

Each week will have a topic or theme – for Wed Sept 9 – it will be the ever elusive holy grail of “Work Life Balance.”

If you don’t yet have a twitter account, please register for your free account here: http://www.twitter.com