Let's talk numbers: what metrics really matter when it comes to quantifying online activity?

What do you measure, how do you measure it and why even bother?

Social media has, at times, had a bum steer over the past 24 months – and one argument for its bad rep is that it’s hard to quantify and demonstrate the business case for investment in this area.

Our panellists are here to argue that you can prove exactly how many social media angels can dance on the head of a pin, and how it’s done.

From defining realistic business objectives and setting goals, to the metrics you use, through to creating KPI’s and targets, we’ll be discussing whether web analytics can help to quantify the unquantifiable.

Are there digital activities that can’t be measured, how much should you take on faith and is your Social Media Guru feeding you snake-oil on the subject of engagement metrics? 

Our panellists will include Mitch Malone, @mitchmalone, Community Manager at BuzzNumbers, Marie-Claire Jenkins @missmcj, Senior Strategist at McCann Sydney and Andrew Hughes,@y0z2a,  Senior SEO and SMO Consultant for Reprise Media.

Mitch works in sales for BuzzNumbers and is also responsible for community management. Mitch is a digital native and his professional online experience extends back to 2004 in working as a community manager for deviantART - the largest art community in the world. At BuzzNumbers he is responsible for client acquisition and consulting on social media and online analytics, providing a variety of monitoring solutions to clients.

Andrew Hughes (@yo2za) has over ten years of digital marketing experience in the UK, and now works as Senior Consultant for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and SMO (Social Media Optimisation)for Reprise Media – a specialist search agency with clients throughout Australia.  He’s worked as an online marketing manager and SEO consultant for a range companies including a large multi-national pharmaceutical company and worldwide ERP Software vendor as well as numerous SME’s.  He is also an avid motorsport enthusiast; racing cars in the UK under the www.YozzaSport.co.uk team flag.

Marie-Claire Jenkins @missmcj is the Senior Strategist at McCann Sydney.  She has 7 years experience and almost (!) has a PhD in Natural Language Processing and Artificial Intelligence. She is an expert in the semantic web and SEO and is passionate about effective measurement.

When she is not in front of her laptop you are likely to find her in the surf or on a yoga mat.

All you need to know about MCJ can be found at www.scienceforseo.com and www.slideshare.net/mcjenkins

We are anticipating another evening of vigorous yet respectful debate and look forward to seeing you there!

We're asking for a door donation to cover costs - an itemised breakdown can be found on our website - and the remainder will go to charity.