A Life Untold & Uninteresting

Why I Live Here

I turned on the TV today and, quite by accident, turned the channel to TVO’s Agenda Camp from London Ontario. When I first heard about the event I was quite upset that I was going to miss it due to a vacation, so I’m glad I was able to catch some of the “debate” from London.  I did want to share a bit of my thoughts though.

What do I love about London and why did I choose to stay here?

Unlike other students at UWO, I grew up in the area (northwest of the city), and so I didn’t have “somewhere” else to return to when I finished my degree. Thats really reason number one.

Every since I became in involved in PodCamp London I realized the tremendous potential that their exists within this city. A few people have the ability to effect massive change and to make the whole city better. PodCamp was really just the beginning. The more I interacted with people and started to work together, I began to truly realize the potential this city had.

So, I love London and decided to make it my permanent home because of what it could be, not what it is now. I’m not going to sit back and wait for someone else do decide what it should be; I’m going to be an active participant in the process.

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Trust Agents

I just finished (I literally just put the book down) Trust Agents. My initial thoughts are that I’m going to recommend this book to everyone who expresses any interest in social media, or the web in general.

I also think I need to read it again just to pick up all the thing I missed the first time through.

Popularity: 1% [?]

In Which You Find Out I Hate Writing Titles

… and for that matter, sometimes even writing the content of posts.

Sometimes its a struggle for me to get my thoughts expressed in a blog post. I’m not fully sure why either, I’ve got plently of ideas and opinions. It could be a laziness thing though.

Thats what this post is for. Kinda a wake up call to myself to get my butt in gear and put more content here.

Consider it an early new years resolution.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Real World Still Exists

This is a follow up to my previous post;

A variety of new Twitter features have made it even easier to find people in your neighborhood, city or region.  Twitter lists allows you to create a group of  people in a similar niche, or geographical area. Now with geotagged tweets that process is automated.

The release of Foursquare to a bunch of new cities takes interacting on online spaces and connects it with offline.

Social networks are realizing that online tools serve one purpose – to make connecting offline easier.

We  are starting to really see Jeff Jarvis’ ideas of hyper-local come to fruition (he focuses on the news industry, but I think there are ramifications beyond that).

But still a lot of people are just realizing that you can no longer hide behind the Internet.

The word ’social’ is in social media for a reason.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Succinct

Social Media is just a tool to get your audience motivated to do something in the real world.

I’ve  known and practiced this philosophy for a while, so its not a new concept. I  just finally figured out how to express it.

What do you think?

Popularity: 11% [?]

Conversation or Broadcast?

A number of  companies in London Ontario have started talking about social media and subsequently offering their services in the field.

While I’m glad to see a broader understanding of what social media is and how it’s useful for business and marketing, I’m also disappointed by some of the thoughts and attitudes coming from these companies.

First and foremost; social media is about creating a relationship with your customers. Bottom line. You can use it to sell them something, or find out what they think about your product, but that’s all a result of having a dialogue with them and earning their trust.

Instead of  focusing on the message, or the tools, or the audience; focus on engagement, reputation building and an ongoing rapport. When you do that you’ll have a successful social media agency.

Popularity: 18% [?]

Cartoon Explanation

This drawing by Hugh Macleod has done the best job of explaining the whole reason for the internet:

Popularity: 18% [?]

Social Media Training – Free Guidance Courses

In my first few weeks at rtraction I have already given several presentations on social media at various events.

On Tuesday November 10th I will be providing a free introduction to social media for businesses. This will be a elementary session that will attempt to answer the what, the why and the how. No prior experience is expected, but all knowledge levels are invited to attend.

The course is going to be offered from 9 to 10:30 AM in the boardroom at the base of the Talbot Towers (148 Fullarton St London)

For more information and to attend please register here

Popularity: 17% [?]

Employment Announcement

I’m pleased to announce that starting today I have joined the team at rtraction as a Social Media Strategist!

This is a great opportunity for both myself, rtraction, and businesses in Southwestern Ontario. There is now a full fledged social media agency that can take care of all your new media needs. My job description is still being finalized, but I will be primarily helping clients to understand and apply themselves to social media platforms.  We also have some training courses planned for later in the year.

As many of you know, this is a space that I have been heavily engaged in for many years. I don’t want to blow my own horn too much (I’ll leave that for the guys at rtraction), but my involvement in Podcamp London, LOLA and the upcoming SMarts Conference, illustrates how much I “get it”.

If you have been wondering how your company or brand should take advantage of this new space, but have been holding back, be sure to drop me a line

Popularity: 24% [?]

Working From Anywhere

Since I’ve started to work more on my own, due to my unfortunate termination, I’ve realized the benefits of being able to work anywhere.

While I have an office set up at home, it is nice to be able to leave for somewhere else. That way I’m not distracted by the many things there are to do around my house. So instead I grab my MacBook, notebook and phone and head out, usually to a local coffee house.

In my opinion, the best thing that any entrepreneur or freelance consultant can do is learn to work anywhere, at any time. I’m sure this is nothing new to most people, but it has made the world of difference to me.

Popularity: 44% [?]