Social media is a hot topic. No doubt. If you're in the wine industry, and not fully leveraging this space to connect with consumers, you're probably feeling some pressure...Pressure from your boss to "tackle this social thing"; pressure from the industry to "keep up with the Joneses"; pressure from the social media mavens to "get on board or get lost!". So what's a marketing manager to do? Seek out the many, many resources that exist online and in the social sphere to get up to speed. Here's are a few places to get you started...

Resources

1. Mari Smith on Facebook: Seek this lady out if you want to connect with someone "in the know" on Facebook. A resource for everything hot and happening with changes on Facebook, she's quick to respond with questions from her many fans.You can also follow her at @MariSmith.
   
2. Loads of articles, helping everyone from the newbie to the experienced social media marketer can be found at the Social Media Examiner. Follow them at @SMexaminer. 
3. Did you read Wired in the 90's? Still reading it? Then you're no doubt already familiar with TechCrunch.Follow them at @TechCrunch.
   
4. Looking for a source on the latest web news and trends? Stay on top with Mashable. Find them at @Mashable.
   

A few articles we've found of interest this week...

1. In PR? Don't be stupid with Social Media. Read this article.
2. Before you dive in... create a plan and know what you're getting yourself into. Seven Questions to Answer Before Diving into Social Media.
3. Looking to monitor your social media presence or competitor's share of voice? Check out these Top 10 FREE social media monitoring resources. 
4. Stuck? Need some ideas on keeping your Facebook content interesting & engaging? Read this article with case studies from top brands on how they're leveraging the social media space. 

Ready to learn more? There are a few social media workshops on the horizon (and in your neighborhood!):

1. Attend the Future Marketer's Social Media Workshop, put on by Rick Bakas (formerly of St. Supéry Winery and social media extraordinaire). Coming soon - April 12th!
2. Need a full day immersion to get the social media ball rolling? WISE Academy is holding a One-Day Social Media Workshop this Summer. Watch their calendar for more information. 
3. Like your learning online? Register for the Social Media Success Summit and expect a LOT of great information to come your way from many of the social media-sphere's greats, including Brian Solis, Guy Kawasaki, Jeremiah Owyang and many more...

While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, it's a place to get started. Any resources or articles you're enjoying these days? Share them here!