Bswarms values the spirit of a civil community discourse. We think that a lively, on-topic public conversation is one of the best reasons to write and host a Facebook page and a blog, and that without comments, they’re not fulfilling that purpose.

However, we also have a responsibility to maintain this space for the benefit of all our visitors. The comments made on this blog and our Facebook page will have the power add to or detract from the their general vibe, and it is our responsibility to see to it that they serve to enhance the experience of our visitors, rather than chasing them away.

That means that we expect commenters to identify themselves in their posts, and conduct themselves as they would as guests at a party, where spirited conversation is welcome, but unruly and rude behavior is not. It also means that our moderators can and will remove posts that they believe run counter to the spirit of civil discourse.

This page is our attempt to give you some idea of what we mean by “civil discourse” on the Bswarms Blog and our Facebook page.

Registration/Anonymous Comments

Anonymous comments are not permitted here. Our contributors will identify themselves when we write the Bswarms Blog; in turn, we want to know who you are and that there’s a real person behind the words you post. We’ve seen what can happen in spaces that make it easy for “hit and run” comments: things can go completely septic, fast.

Comment Censorship (There, We Said The C Word)

Trust us: we will not censor comments because your point of view is different from ours. We will, however, censor comments that we believe run counter to the spirit of civil discourse. We also may choose at times to turn off the comments feature on a specific post (before it’s posted), due to a variety of factors including subject matter, web traffic patterns and timing, or the author lacking the ability to engage in the dialogue at the time of the posting. We may turn comments on that entry later so feel free to trackback and post your thoughts wherever you like. We also think it’s bad practice to turn comments off mid-conversation, and will avoid doing so if we can. Comments may also be turned off on posts two weeks or older so that we can focus our moderator efforts on fresh conversations, not on nuking the piles of spam that usually plaque stale conversations.

When We’ll Moderate

If you’re aware of expected behaviors in this forum and make an effort to be polite, you’ll never find one of your comments removed. The spirit of civil discourse, however, is different to everyone. Below is a partial list of what we consider to be violations of that spirit (and possible causes for a post’s removal). The list includes, but is not limited to:

• Overtly off-topic posts.
• Intentionally disrespectful or disruptive behavior.
• Spamming: our linking policy can be found below. Posts containing more than one URL, or any URL not relevant to the conversation, will be considered spam.
• Snide, rude, threatening personal comments about or directed at any person, be they other users, the moderators, Larry Harvey, other Bswarms staff or volunteers, your own mother…we don’t care if you have a low opinion of someone — that’s your business. But this isn’t the place to get personal about it.
• The above applies to the Bswarms Blog authors too. If you’re going to critique an entry, please talk about the entry. Don’t attack the author.
• Impersonation of a member of the Bswarms staff. It’s one thing to produce satire – we get that – but another to falsely impersonate another person with the intent to mislead people who trust our website for information from us. Impersonation posts will be removed at the discretion of the moderators.
• Posts that contain vulgar or abusive language targeted at any group, be it ethnic, racial, religious, class-related, etc. We hope this goes without saying.
• Conversation killers. A comment that doesn’t add to the conversation because it changes the subject, wanders off onto a tangent, or attempts to bait readers into an off topic discussion may be removed.
• Content that knowingly violates the copyright, trademark, or trade secret of any individual or entity.

Note: repeat offenders and known trolls may find their IP addresses banned.

Appeal/Reposting

All edits, post removals, and user actions are at the sole discretion of Bswarms and its moderators, and are subject to appeal only if you can somehow establish your remorse AND if we are feeling particularly magnanimous. Otherwise, post-removal decisions are final.

Usually if you find yourself moderated, you’ll also find that if you go back and attempt to say the same thing using more appropriate language that very same opinion will be entirely welcomed.

“Hey, I was just ‘expressing myself’! What about Free Speech??”

Bswarms supports the right to free speech. We firmly believe you have the right to host what you want on your own website (so long, of course, as it doesn’t violate anyone else’s legal rights) – and we have that right too. So if one of the things we don’t want on our site is your comment, we reserve the right to simply remove it. Our aim is to be as hands-off as possible and facilitate a spirited dialogue, but we retain the right and the responsibility to maintain this space in the manner consistent with the atmosphere we hope to create for our visitors.

You’ll never find one of your posts removed if you remain true to the policies and guidelines posted here. You won’t ever be censored just because we disagree with your opinion.

Linking Policies

Bswarms Blog has a limit of one (1) relevant URL per post. Posts containing links with irrelevant, off-topic, vulgar, or immaterially commercial material will be removed.

Deleting Old Comments

If you feel you have a valid reason for asking to have a previous comment removed, you can contact the moderators and make your case; however, the default answer is no.

This is a living document and may be updated over time. We welcome your help in upholding these policies. Please report unacceptable content by emailing info@bswarms.com or contacting one of the moderators directly.

Why are people so afraid to be different?

Being different has always been something for the extremely confident individual or the individual who can’t help but “stick out” or be “weird”.

But being different is really just about being true to who you are. Lets face it, if you are being yourself and don’t seem to be any different than anyone else, something must be wrong.

Being different can provide so many unexpected benefits if you can muster up the courage and let go.

Here at Bswarms we embrace differences and encourage them. We feel that being different contributes to the success of our business and provides an outlet for creative thinking.

Absolute confidence and supreme customer service is the attitude Bswarms has inherited from our parent company Corner6Labs.

Bswarms has an attitude that says, “I’m good at what I do and I know it, so I don’t really care who you are”. Now this may come across as cocky to some but once you meet the Bswarms team you realize that this is not the case whatsoever. Our attitude is simply based on a true feeling of accomplishment and self worth as a company. Bswarms believes what we do is important and can make a difference.  More importantly, Bswarms believes we can do it better than anyone else.

Can being different benefit Bswarms in the outcome of the events we put on?

We certainly would like to think so! Because Bswarms encourages being different, we believe it is reflected in our events and demonstrated by our friendly staff. We’re organized, we’re fun, we participate and we do things right.

Many of the Bswarms staff members like to participate in the events we put on and do so regularly. Our staff is very active and always ready for the next race or business event to plan and participate in. We think that because we share the same enthusiasm as our participants that our feelings of excitement are displayed through our leadership and helpfulness on the day of the event.

When enable a culture which we feel helps us embrace and be the brand! Think about what your brand says to others and then decide if you are “Freakishly Awesome” or just freakish.

Color Runs, Mud Runs? What are these? They are innovative ways to get families, friends and runners involved in unique sporting events.

What does innovation mean? Innovation is coming up with new ideas, methods, or designs, similar to thinking “outside the box”. Without innovation, we would not have computers, I-Phones, or New Races! Life would certainly be boring.

Luckily, for the Sunday walker or avid runner, new races are evolving that offer exciting objectives, themes and incentives. Color Runs and Mud Runs are the latest buzz among sports enthusiasts.

Color Runs are designed for people looking to have a great time with family and friends. These runs are less about winning the race and more about having a good time. The cheering crowd “colors” or throws “paint dust” on the runners as they pass by in their white T-shirts. People of all ages, sizes, and experience are joining in on the fun. Everyone is encouraged to stay afterwards to enjoy music, food, and camaraderie.

Mud Runs are much more intense having military type obstacles throughout the race. Some of the Mud Runs incorporate fire and electrical shocks for those seeking an additional thrill. Mud Runs, just as Color Runs, invite anyone and everyone to participate and get dirty! Experienced runners as well as those taking the occasional walk or jog are joining in. Many participants will often grab a beer at the conclusion of the race and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts. Check out this Mud run if you live in Dallas! The run on on July 14th!

Some other races chatted about are those that are incorporating costumes, themes, food and other unusual tasks. These races are a great excuse to get out and do something different and might even spark someone to take up running regularly.

One race called “Wife Carrying” involves just what it says. A man and a woman must partner up and the woman must be carried on the man’s shoulders throughout the race. The conclusion of the race offers a cash prize that is 5 times the female’s weight, including her weight in beer! Drink up and have fun! Wife Carrying Champoinships on 10/6/2012

For those runners who have a big appetite the “Fat Ass” race might just be perfect for you. Along the sidelines of the race food stations are stocked with corn dogs, ice cream, donuts and beer. The “Fat Ass” race even provides a “Fat Ass Detour” for those wanting to skip the run and head straight for the pub. Don’t even feel like running in the race at all but want to eat, drink, and cheer others on? Sign up and be a “Fat Ass Friend” and experience all the excitement without having to run. Want to run? Here are two we found Fat Ass 5k & The Fat Ass Trail Run

With zombie’s showing up all over the place in movies, TV commercials, and books many races have begun creating zombie themed races. These races are occurring all over the place and are inviting participants to smear on the fake blood and face paint and join in on the fun with other enthusiasts as they run through the streets and scare all. Some of these zombie races even have a zombie/human aspect where the participants can pick one of the two to dress up as. The “humans” are given a head start and it is the zombie’s job to run them down.

Another run posing an excuse to dress up is the annual “Keep Austin Weird 5k and Festival”. The Austinites dress to impress (or stun) in all sorts of wacky costumes. Participants can even get some of Amy’s Ice Cream en route, one of Austin’s favorites. An added bonus to participants is free admission into the “Keep Austin Weird Festival” where live music, local food and wacky vendors gather to celebrate in the weirdness together.

With all of these events trying to think out of the box to make everything fresh and exciting, what are you doing to separate your event from the run of the mill event? Do you have an odd event you want to tell us about? Contact us today and let us know!

By: Travis Blythe

We swarmed Austin, Texas for the annual South by Southwest Interactive festival. In keeping with the Austin tradition of keeping Austin weird, we sent our crack team of oddballs to Austin to count the bats. We found out a lot about ourselves this year at SXSW. Although none of us melted in the rain, some of us do not float, our hair gets frizzy and rain boots are once again popular (we made our own custom Bswarms branded boots, don’t be jealous, we can show you how too!)

Brands that made us turn our heads and be deemed BUZZworthy:

Guide Hop – Not only are they just a cool bunch of guys, but Darren Woodson is part owner! Yes that does mean they are from Dallas and if you are not sure who DW is, he is #28 in your program and #1 in our hearts as the best safety to play for our beloved Dallas Cowboys!  Meeting them at the Guide Hop party the first night was Freakishly Awesome!  You want to find some cool things to do no matter where you are? Here is your guide!

@guidehop     facebook.com/guidehop

Clik – We found these guys on our way in to the conference expo center. Probably because it rained so much we missed them, but the product they offer is actually really cool.  Imagine you were hosting a conference, trade-show, or an outdoor event.  Now imagine a huge jumbo-tron playing videos for all of your attendees or registrants to watch.  With several options from using as a video sounding board to having your attendees upload their own videos, this could be a great way to promote, educate and generate Dangerous BUZZ around your event. Plus we made it in their promo video!

@clik     facebook.com/Clik-Interactive-Inc

Locai – Our good friends at Locai were at it again.  Launching version 3.0 right in time for SXSW, brilliant idea! More than just a check-in based app, this one is about the conversation you have after the check in.  They have features to post polls, direct message your friends and get rewards from local businesses.  While you do not get any badges or points for checking in, the most fun is uploading pictures of where you are and asking thought provoking questions, getting votes or just chatting about what just happened! Another feature that we LOVE is the survey section.  If you are an event or location and want some feedback, just post a survey monkey on there and let them answer it once they check-in!

@Locaii       facebook.com/locai

Groups we thought were Freakishly Awesome to be around!

While encountering the masses at SXSW, we came across some interesting folks. We thought we would give a shout out to our new friends!

It is not everyday you come across a group of people and they let you into the “Trusted Circle” especially when the group is comprised of an industry specific type of job.  The TNL group, a group of HR Recruiters, while that sounds like they would be a dry bunch, they are some of the most interesting people I have ever met.  Even though they span many different countries and many different states in the USA, they all have the same focus, to bring the companies they work for the best talent available.  They have several conferences every year, look at a city near you and find out how you can get in the click!

So I came across these ladies while I was standing under the heater on Friday night. Yes that is right, standing outside huddled under a tent as it is pouring rain in 40* temperatures (which is cold in Texas). So the #SX3B ladies get a mention because A. they were funny and B. anyone who drives from Toronto, Canada to Austin, Texas is okay in my book! Not to mention they convinced Ford to give them a Focus to drive, all they had to do was keep blogging and talking about the Ford Focus. I would totally sound like a NASCAR driver in every post, driving my Ford Focus!

Other fun stuff we were able to experience:

While in Austin, other than attending the sessions, we did some other pretty cool stuff, we got to see Third Eye Blind play, played Foursquare with the creators and developers of foursquare (BTW we also claimed the Superswarm (250), Super Duper Swarm (500) and Rodeo Swarm (1000) badges while at SXSW), got interviewed by Jugnoo at the #ProductTank session and met a ton of fun people. We can’t wait until next year to show the world the power of the swarm!

Until next time, keep CREATING – PROMOTING – BUZZING!

A dilemma many event organizers face is finding cost effective ways to promote their events. Whether you tackle that initiative on or off-line, finding creative ways to extend the budget can be challenging.  We spoke with some our top notch buddies and decided to give you a small sample of ways to effectively get out your message for close to nothing other than investing in time.

1. LinkedIn – Not just for finding jobs anymore.  Complete your profile 100% then utilize the powerful features of Groups, Events, and the Business profile page.
2. Facebook – Facebook is more than just a way to keep in touch with Aunt Bee.  Create your fan page and utilize it to engage with your fan base.
3. Twitter – is not just for celebrity potty breaks and self-deprecating bathroom mirror photos. Twitter is actually a powerful tool to use in conjunction with other social media outlets. Amongst other things, talk about your event to the people who attend.
4. Youtube – While we all want to “go viral” the object here is to just promote.  Create your own video, infomercial or basic commericial and utilize the “big 3” social media outlets above to promote and create awareness.
5. Location Based Apps – Let’s face it, the world has gone mobile. Social Media is no longer a fad and you can’t ignore the amount of smart phones and tablets taking over our everyday working needs. Tap into the power of the people and use them to help spread the love about you and tell their inner circles where they are. Apps like FourSquare and Locai are ideal for this.
6. Slideshare Presentations – Create a presentation about your event, one idea is a sponsorship proposal presentation to show potential sponsors.  Include links and lots of information.
7. Email Marketing – Email Marketing is more than bombarding your carefully cultivated list with newsletters and “buy me” ads.  Use targeted marketing strategies for certain demographics and locations.
8. Email Signatures – While Email marketing is important, so is your normal everyday email signature. While the basics are important (name, title, phone) you should also include a logo, website link, and social media links.
9. Online Registration – Using a company like Bswarms, you can increase your attendance and keep the event organized.
10. Industry Website Listings – every industry seems to have a “niche” in which you can find specific related websites where people congregate outside the world of normal social media.  Find these websites, blogs or forums and contribute you knowledge about the industry and also post about your event. If your industry has specific calendars you can post the dates and information on for free, then add to them all!

As a bonus we added another nugget of information for you to think about.  Don’t forget your website!

1. Website presence – Having a website which gives information on your event is a must. We don’t recommend spending your whole budget, but first impressions are important when it is you versus your competitor and your audience has one event to choose from. Having a registration page with very large “Register Now” buttons are very important!

So there you have it, 10 +1 small tidbits on how you can market your event for free. The event doesn’t matter, sports to business to fundraising, it can all apply.

From time to time we are asked, “What sets you apart from your competitors?”  We can give you the dog and pony show with a list of our features and benefits, but the reality is, there are just too many to mention.  Truth be told, we sit around and argue anyway over which feature is the best.  So, we rounded up the best minds within BSWARMS and asked them their thoughts on what is truly “Freakishly Awesome!” Here is what they had to say:

Mike The Account Manager

 

The most innovative feature we offer is the addition of our iPhone app. The new age of smart phone technology calls for a more advanced registration system, and the App answers that request. The new App allows for electronic check-in which dramatically speeds up the line. It also reduces the stress of keeping up with last minute registrants. Forgot to print out the updated attendance sheet? Problem solved! No more paper cuts, highlighter stains, or lost names.

 

 

Erica The Graphic Genius

 

The dashboard has continued to evolve. By simplifying the appearance and highlighting points of interest, we have allowed the user to focus on what really matters. At a glance, organizers can quickly monitor the success of their swarm. With the addition of the “Checklist,” organizers have a quick visual reference as they plan their swarm. It’s brightly colored green check marks help the user determine what is left in the swarm planning process.

 

 

Our Guest blogger!

 

As an event organizer, the feature that I like the best is the “show form responses” page.  This allows for quick access of important information that is ever changing.  With one click, I have all the information I need.  As an event nears, the information we gather from attendees is vital to the success of our event.  With other registration systems this is a multi step process, which requires downloads and manipulation of data.  Not with Bswarms!  It’s all right there in one location and pre-sorted for you…It’s the little things that make the life of an event planner easier!

 

Travis The Hive Director

 

The feature I think is the best is actually one of the simplest and least glamorous of them all.  I actually dig the email notification the organizers receive when they have activity on the swarm.  Not only do I get a ton of compliments on how great it is, it actually saves the Event organizer time during the busy and hectic days leading up to an event.  I mean seriously all the important information you need is right there when you wake up and check your email.  You get the financials, the number of people registered and a quick notification on the countdown to your event.  The best part is, this is still our beta model, the more robust version is yet to come.  I can’t wait to see the look on the faces of the Bswarms faithful when they get that email!

Dwamian The Candlestick Maker

 

Being the wizard behind the curtain, asking me to pick a favorite feature is like asking me to choose a favorite child.  I think every feature we have is “Awesome” if you must know.  However, one of my favorite organizational tools has to be the “Checklist”.  After you enter your main dashboard, whether for the first time or continually throughout the various stages of your event, the checklist reminds you exactly what you have done and what you have not.  We tried to keep it as simple as possible without over bearing you with all of the items you need to do in order to have a successful event.

 

 

Swarmmy Says!

 

We choose to make the lives of our clients just a little easier than before.  One way is with the brand new email and text messaging system which was just released in version 2.0.  We are not trying to replace your email marketing machine; however we are trying to save you precious time by making it easy to contact people associated with your event in just a few simple steps. Future ad-ons to this feature include voice messages and the ability to upload lists.  So send messages the morning of your event in a text message if you want to, after all, who doesn’t like a morning text saying welcome?!

Want to argue with us and give your two cents? Head on over to the Hive, create your account and see which feature you think is Freakishly Awesome! We know there are more, and we want to hear from you!

Since we were kids we have always had the urge to collect, use and put stickers all over the place. We would get stickers as rewards for being good students (never got a gold star!) to committing awesome plays in football.  I remember having everything from the stickers that came in my football cards to Garbage Pail kids.  I put stickers on everything, including my bicycle and my trapper keeper not to mention the photo album I had to collect them.

Now you can relive some of the old days too.  For a limited time only, register your event on BSWARMS, publish it live and you will receive 1000 FREE stickers.  From December 20 through January 20, any event you list with us and “make it live” by accepting registrations, you will be eligible for this offer.

You can utilize these stickers to promote your event, your brand or whatever you want! Just click on the button below to get started!

stick me

Thanksgiving is all about celebrating what you are thankful for. Spending time with family and having a large meal shows that you appreciate the people in your life and the food you have available to eat.

For many of us here in the HIVE, we celebrate a little different, but that doesn’t mean we necessarily are worlds apart.  Our unique differences are make us work so well together. We come from other countries, other states and have various differences in everything from the food we eat to the music we listen to.  Those differences are what makes us the awesome group that we are.

One thing we all agree on is our love of sports and the Dallas Cowboys! So while we all indulge in our guilty pleasures and are miles apart from each other, we all know, we are thankful for each other.  Without a doubt we will be texting, facebooking, tweeting and wishing each other a glorious day with our respective families. (GO COWBOYS!)

Here are Bswarms we are thankful for our wonderful, hardworking and loyal employees who have made our company what it is today.  We are also thankful for all of our clients who have utilized our services, provided us with your feedback and help us achieve our goals in this industry. We are also thankful for our families, with the love and support of them none of this would be possible.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy this weekend with your family and friends as we will be also. We are taking some time off for the holidays to charge our bee batteries. Have a Safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Travis Blythe is a co-founder and Director of Business Development at Bswarms.

Smart phones are getting smarter every day. We just made yours even smarter! Bswarms is proud to announce the launch of its first Mobile App for the iPhone. Now you no longer have to worry about how you are going to check registered attendees or participants into your events.  Use your phone to do it.  Our first release of the App is very simple to use and has some awesome features.

Hive Sync: When you check in an attendee it will sync automatically with your swarm.  When an Internet connection is available, check ins are immediately synced with our servers and to any other devices you’re using at the event.  Whether you are utilizing several phones, iPads or a laptop, they are all instantly synced.

PDF Ticketing: When your event attendees print check-in passes (event tickets) after they sign up for your event, each ticket will have a QR code that uniquely identifies them and allows for easy check-ins at your event.

Multiple Attendee Check-in Options: Our App allows two ways for you to check in your attendees, you can manually find their name in the list of attendees (just like your contact list on your phone), or use the QR code scanner built into the app.  Yes it really is that simple.

Hands-free scanning: No buttons to push, just point and shoot like your favorite camera!

Stop carrying around that bulky clipboard of your event attendee Lists. We have an app for that! This App is just the beginning of the mobile revolution lead by Bswarms.  Stay tuned for the Android version coming in the near future.

Want to join the HIVE? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and join the conversation!

The whole reason Bswarms exists it to address the pains and frustrations expressed to us by many of our clients about the experience they’ve had with other online registration service. Our primary mission is to encapsulate power and flexibility, in an easy to use service. Our first version was a big hit and got rave reviews. Not too shabby for a newbie on the scene right? Well, excuse us for not being satisfied.

In our continued effort to provide the level of service we think organizers deserve, we have launched version 2.0 of the system, affectionately named Honeycomb.

Here is a run-down of a few new and improved features.

PDF Ticketing

Your event attendees can now instantly print check-in passes (event tickets) after they sign up for your event. Each ticket has a QR code that uniquely identifies them and allows easy check-ins at your event.

Attendee Check-in

Our system now handles onsite check-ins of your attendees using either the web interface or our cool new iPhone application to scan tickets. All aspects of the check-in process is synced with the database of your attendees within Bswarms.

Event Check-in iPhone App

Stop carrying around that bulky clipboard of your event attendees. We have an app for that!

Private Event Sessions

Running a special on a daily deal site? Organizers can now designate private event sessions which will be hidden from general public view. Public sessions can also be hidden when viewing a private session to streamline the promotion of that session.

Contextual Export

Our fancy title for a feature built to make your life simpler. Contextual Export automatically updates the export function to export just the data-set returned by any search you do within the system. No complicated check boxes. No Hassle.

Detailed Transaction Reporting

See the full details of all transactions and which attendee each transaction is associated with. Organizers can also do detailed searching and contextual exports of transactions by date range and keywords.

Advanced Attendee Search & Save

Bswarms performs powerful searches against your attendee data with an easy to use search interface. Use natural language to get the right data. Organizers can also save the search for later use.

Advanced User Permission

Control what each user can manage within your Bswarms account.

Scheduled Email and SMS communications

Send scheduled email or sms communication to your event attendees.  This new feature can also send to just the attendees of a saved search.

Custom CSS

Wanna get a little more creative with your event page? Know a little CSS? Have at it. Organizers can now enhance the look of their event page with powerful custom CSS code.

… and over 50 other enhancements.

We are a little obsessive about Bswarms, so stay tuned as we continue to roll out features that are sure to rock your world. BTW, we didn’t mention a pretty exciting feature we currently have beta testing called D.A.D.E. D.A.D.E is sure sure to change your expectations of other event registration system, enhance your event organizer productivity and increase your event attendee. If you would like to join the beta program for this feature please send an email to ai.dade@bswarms.com

Peace.

- Dwamian Mcleish is a Co-Founder and Director of Technology at Bswarms. “I won’t stop until we can create web applications that taps into every physical and meta-physical sense we have”, says Dwamian. Let’s cheer him on.