So, what's in the purse of a social media chick that always needs to be prepared? 

Here's the list of gadgetry I consider essential:

Motorola Droid - phone, camera, navigation system and web good enough for basic connectivity

Dell Mini - tiny notebook able to tackle creation of spreadsheets, presentations, and more advanced computing needs...almost as good as my laptop

 Amazon Kindle - for reading books and blogs when I don't want the interruptions of the web.  Much better than lugging around even one book and easier on the eyes than the computer.

Cannon Elph Camera - great for larger, hi-res photos and even a little video. 

 FlipHD Video Camera - HD video on the go - who could ask for more? 

Accessories - wall plug and car charger both with USB adapters (almost all of the devices can be plugged in with this), mini tripod for video and photo (same one fits both), 2 USB cords, 2-3 flash drives (just in case)

This little group of goodies plus some lip gloss, my wallet and a few hair ties is just about all I need to get by on a daily basis to be engaging with anyone from anywhere and on any network.  While it doesn't all fit in a clutch, a nice medium sized purse works perfect.

 How about you?  What's in your social media bag of tricks? 

As social media becomes a part of the marketing mix for more and more companies, we saw exciting executions at shows like the Consumer Electronics Show which just concluded in Las Vegas.  Join us on this Wednesday to discuss some of the creative ways social media was used and what you can learn from some smart social brands.

What:  FREE Webinar:  Social Media Case Studies from CES 2010

When:  Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 1 p.m. PST

To Register:  Click here.  (Yes, it's FREE!)

As we're gearing up to attend our first CES (well, Rebecca's first anyway), we're preparing to accomplish several things while were there playing with all the new gadgets.  Our goal, in addition to meeting new people and businesses we might be able to help, is to look at who's using social media well and create some new case studies to share with all of you. 

Last week we been following the conversation on Twitter with the official hashtag #CES and began seeing people using twitter to promote various contests and giveaways.  Promotions are a great, fun use of Twitter - particularly when tied in with in-person events.  So, we thought we'd try to capture all of these for you CES attendees and fans so you can get some cool free stuff (oh, and maybe get some creative contest ideas of your own).

We'll update this list as the week progresses, but here's what we've found so far.  If we've missed something, leave it in the comments. 

Company: Ergotron

Giveaway:  15 Neo-Flex® LCD Stand or a Neo-Flex All-In-One Stand each day

 Tweet win: Tweet a photo of you at the booth (#21253) and add hashtags #CES #Ergotron

Full rules and details 

Company:  Absolute Software (LoJack for Laptop)

Giveaway:  Free t-shirts for all!

To win:  Visit their booth (#8953) and mention their twitter handle @LoJackforLaptop

Company:  Google

Giveaway:  Free WiFi for all!

To win:  Just log on when you get to the show! 

Company:  Konnet

Giveaway:  Mystery prizes

To win:  According to them:  KonnetTech: #CES starts this week. North Hall Booth 4214 for all that Konnet has to offer. Swing by and maybe you'll win a prize! http://bit.ly/4zdWbU

We'll check this one out on the floor and update it when we know more.

Company: Wire World Audio

Giveaway:  Free Starlight USB Audio Cable (limited to first 200) AND entry to Platinum Dream Sweepstakes:  $6,000 worth of platinum reference cables

To win:  Print, fill out and present the entry form at Wireworld's CES exhibit, Venetian Bassano 2601.  Entry is here.

Company:  TechRadar.com

Giveaway:  Enter to win Hi-def TV and Sound Package valued at around $3500

To Win:  Enter here. 

Company:  Core-apps

Giveaway:  10 codes for the CES iPhone App

To Win:  Follow @coreapps and tweet this: RT @coreapps Want a free copy of the #CES iPhone app? Follow Us and retweet to get a chance to win 1 of 10 free codes for the app!

Company:  Seagate

Giveaway:  To be announced.

To Win:  Follow @seagate on Twitter and they'll be updating with more info to win free stuff. 

Company:  PhoneHalo

Giveaway: Chance to win free Phone Halo

To Win: Follow @phonehalo on Twitter and  tweet about #phonehalo or phonehalo.com.  Also visit their booth (#35117).

Company:  Intelius

Giveaway:  Dating Game - Dream Date with Hot Model and $150 worth of Vegas Show Tickets

To Win:  Sign up here and nine lucky single guys will be chosen to participate in the game which promotes their new mobile app - Date Check. 

Company:  Good Coffee NV

Giveaway:  Trade CES swag for coffee

To Win: Follow @GoodCoffeeNV on Twitter and:  "Trade your #CES swag for Free Coffee!! Now that's a #DEAL; The better the swag, the more free coffee! Stop by to learn more."

Company:  Kodak

Giveaway:  Mystery prizes

To Win:  Visit their booth on the show floor according to @kodaksave110 on Twitter.  (we'll try to update this with more info when we get it)

Company:  GoGo Inflight Internet

Giveaway:  Free inflight internet for CES attendees

To win:  For everyone flying to #CES: use code 2476864844upq for free @GogoInflight Internet thru 1/7/10

Company:  Wynn Las Vegas - Terrace Pointe Cafe

Giveaway: Terrace Pointe Cafe at @WynnLasVegas has a special happy hour menu and free wi-fi 

To win:  Show up.

Company:  NTi (NewTech Infosystems)

Giveaway:  Mystery prizes (but promise free stuff all week)

To win:  Follow @NTIus on Twitter

Company:  Dolby

Giveaway:  Enter to win a PS3

To win:  All of the details are here but basically, during the show whenever you see a Dolby logo  (outside of their booth) take a photo and tweet it with the hashtag #dolby2.  Follower with the most pics at the end of CES wins.  Official rules are here. 

Company(ies):  Intel and Lenovo

Giveaway:  Chance to win "some cool prizes"

To win:  Show up at the party and find the @IntelGameOn crew - Thursday 7-11 p.m. @ Aquaknox at the Venetian.  More details here.

Company:  Pop 17

Giveaway:  To be announced, but sponsored by Ford

To win:  No details yet, but follow @pop17 on Twitter for updates.

Company:  NDrive

Giveaway:  Free innovative GPS navigation app with Real Navigation FREE in Apple Store until end of CES

To Win:  Visit the App Store before Saturday.  Follow @NDrive on Twitter for more info.

Company:  Intel

Giveaway:  Chance to win a Netbook

To Win:  Check-in with @Intel via @Foursquare while at #CES and enter to win a Netbook! Click here for more details.   

Company:  Gunman at CES

Giveaway:  Mystery prizes

To Win:  Check out who's on the @playgunman hitlist at #CES here.   Find 'em and win prizes!  There's an iPhone app for playing too!

Company:  Caesar's Palace

Giveaway: 2 for 1 drinks at Seahorse or Shadow Bar - 4 to 7 p.m.

To Win: Show your CES badge between 4-7p.m. Jan 7 - 10.  

Company: Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)

Giveaway:  Innovation Movement Sweepstakes to win a Droid and HP Mini Net Book

To win:  Go here and click the button to send a tweet (BONUS:  for every RT with your unique link you get an extra entry!)

Company:  Lenovo

Giveaway:  Stumpstakes daily prizes

To win:  Simply sign up on their site here. 

Company:  Sniplits

Giveaway:  2 free MP3 audio short story downloads per person

To win: Visit http://www.sniplits.com and use coupon code: CES2010. Expires 1/16. 

Company:  EFF

Giveaway:  Stickers for all.

To win:  Stop by their booth just inside entrance N4 in the North Hall

Company:  HP

Giveaway: Free HP Simple Save contest

To win:   First one to say "HP Rocks!!" to @GretaHP gets a FREE HP Simple Save. Stay tuned for clues by following @HP_PC on Twitter.

Company:  iPhone Life

Giveaway:  Free copies of magazine

To win:   Visit booth 4642 for free copies of the award winning magazine. 

Company:  RadTech

Giveaway:  Win a free Omnistand

To win:Follow @RadTech on Twitter and use #OmniStand in any of your tweets to win one! 

Company:  Petra

Giveaway:  Enter to win $25,000 to celebrate their 25th Anniversary

To win:  Visit their booth at #CES (North Hall GL-1) for more details.

Company:  Innovation Movement

Giveaway:  Threadless t-shirts (500)

To win:  Follow The Innovation Movement (@imovement).  Each day of the show, they'll ask you to find a member of the Innovation Movement team wearing the official Innovation Movement Threadless t-shirt on the show floor. To get your shirt, find that person on the show floor and show them you have retweeted information about the Innovation Movement. Only 500 shirts will be given out at CES, so follow your tweets carefully to make sure you get one! 

Company:  CEIVA

Giveaway:  Connected Digital Photo Frames (so cool!)

To win: Full details are here.  CES attendees simply email their photos from this year's trade show to CES@ceiva.com by midnight PT on Monday, January 11, 2010. Contest entries will be available through www.ceiva.com and continually updated and displayed on the CEIVA Facebook page throughout CES 2010. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 12 at www.ceiva.com. 

MORE TO COME...

Tool:  BubbleTweet

Social Network:  Twitter

Best for:  Short video-based tweets

While watching the social action at CES 2010 unfold, we came across a contest by Dolby which they used a short video hosted on BubbleTweet to tell consumers how the contest works.  This is the first time we've stumbled upon BubbleTweet but loved the interface and the way it popped up quickly and was much simpler than having to go to a YouTube or Facebook page to view the video. 

This tool is a great way to add a personal touch to your tweets.  If you have something that needs some explaining or a short statement to make, you can upload an existing video file or create directly from your webcam.  If you really love the format, BubbleTweet also has a sister product BubbleGuru which allows you to upload videos to add to your website directly. 

We're going to give this service a test run later this week and we'll post more on our learnings soon.  Have any of you tried this?  If so, what did you think?