digital life

No, I don’t mean the fashion statement - I mean the company! (har har, I know, bad keif)

The thing is - they did a tour, “Plaid Nation 2008″ and trekked across state lines from Washington to Nevada,  and for little over a week, they twittered, they blogged, they filmed (they had a live van feed!). An ecstasy of social media and tech geek-ness. This is the first modern road trip I’ve heard of doing this approach, a kind of modern day Ken Kesey and The Merry Pranksters albeit perhaps minus the psychdelics. It just reeked of an awesome, modern day traveling social media party. Geeks on wheels. Nerds on boad. The kind of thing that makes me constantly ask “why haven’t I moved to the west coast yet?”

Ken Kesey and The Merry Prankster

In their venture, they managed to interview Robert Scoble (you know who he is, right?), Cathy Brooks from Seesmic and Biz Stone (of his many involvements -  Twitter, Xanga, Blogger, Odeo, and Obvious) - a little wet dream of the kind of people that brand makers and shakers would love to be involved with (or pick their brain for a moment - which Plaid did, and shared).

Is this the first event of its kind? Well, not exactly. We’ve had these kind of “live road shows” (*cough*merrypranksters*cough*) but also a lot of faux reality shows try to mimic this kind of unscripted approach to topics and interviews, but this is a pure, online approach that I really want to catch from the beginning next year (they have a countdown timer on the home page! Keep your eye on next year’s tour).

One thing I definitely dig - they have online freebies - wallpapers, buddy icons and even the 2008 theme song up for download! It’s this little cool features that most campaigns miss out on (I don’t know why, maybe because they’re simple, quick and easy?).

So do yourself a favor - grab a cup of coffee and scan through the video interviews for a slew of cool ideas and information - and keep your eye open for Plaid Nation ‘09 - maybe I’ll be lucky enough to head out to the coast and catch one of the tweetups!

Over the next few weeks (or less, or more) I plan on doing some research into Social Media. Now the irony here, is that traditional research would require book research, texts, etc. to get the information.

Social Media - it’s the new Internets!

Since Social Media is an online phenomenon, I’ll be doing most of my research here - the various sites, clouds, tubes, et. al. to get a “definitive” answer on Social Media. I’ve all ready stumbled on some early marketing materials, and a couple educational publications doting on Social Media’s rich history (since 1996!)

This will be the first in a small series, and it’ll continue for as long as I can dig up the short lived history of social media.

Social Media Quick Facts:

1. The first social media site is generaly considered to be “SixDegrees.com”
   • Please note - I’m talking about Social Media sites. I may delve into the history a little further, but that may be overkill and bore us all to tears.
2. The Six Degrees site was based off of the idea of “small world phenomenon” most frequently cited as “any person is no more than six degrees away from knowing everyone,” which also became attributed to Kevin Bacon being the center of the Hollywood Universe (which, itself is constantly shifting).
3. Kevin Bacon set up http://www.sixdegrees.org as a charity, and has parodied his “game” numerous times.

Next up - a little more into the history of Social Media and its backstory!

I’ve got to be honest - I’ve been really hard on anyone that introduces themselves as a “Social Media Expert.” I’m a little prejudiced, because I’m very familiar with Social Media and the social networking movement - I signed up for sixdegrees.com back in the day, I sought out the old school “party-lines” thanks to a phreak I knew.

That, to me, was the beginning of social networking. BBS were the original message boards. Hackers and computer nerds pioneered these ideas of getting people together across the country (and even the world) for the pursuit of knowledge.

Today we have Social Media Experts.

What are Social Media Experts?

Why, they’re experts in social media! To me, I always related Social Media as a skillset - they are part of a bigger role - much like how we don’t have HTML experts - they are part of a bigger role. They have the knowledge of the tool sets. They have a proven track record of showing how they apply their knowledge to various business functions, which creates value.

To be an expert - you must have experience, a track record! Now take a minute and visit that link. Read through The Personal Branding Blog - and if you have twitter I suggest you add @danschawbel as well (and add me too!). You can start to see his understanding the Social Media Experts of today will not exist in the short future.

What Social Media Is

Social Media is an extension of Public Relations, communications, customer service, business development… it’s a tool to be used, to be taught. You use your expertise to assist your clients - not to milk them for eyars, but to show them how to be capable themselves. You need to be an expert so you can teach them your skill set (and if you’re truly indispensable, they know you’ve got an eye for “the next big thing” so I’m sure you can inherit a new Web 3.0 title when those start coming around).

What Social Media Isn’t

Social Media isn’t all about networking - but it is one aspect. It’s about OPENness. It’s about communication. It’s not about hording information, or acting like you hold some secret. You don’t - and the more you horde your information, try and make yourself “indispensable” by creating vague propositions hiding behind a mask of “social media.” You’ll be out of a job if you don’t start expanding your knowledge and understanding, and become a teacher.

The secret is OUT!

Social Media Experts are all ready on their way out - we know it’s a matter of time as the “skill set” propagates out - but the true value you have to add right now - appying your knowledge and experience with social toolsets and networking - proving that you have more to add than just one area of “expertise” - that will show your true colors - your mixing of your expertise in multiple aspects will outshine this “web 2.0 title” and propogate to show that you’re on top of what’s buzzing in Web 2.0 and you’ll be buzzing when Web 3.0 rolls around.

So - all you Social Media Experts - shine on and show the world your not just a buzz word!

First, let me say, I do not watch project runway. However, after perusing some of Columbus’ many blogs (like the270.com) I found out one of Columbus’ one is on the show!

From Bravo!’s description of Kelli:

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Kelli turned to retail at the age of 15 as a form of escapism and to create a unique look all her own. She fought her way through adversity receiving a full scholarship from Bob Mackie at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles. Once there, she was accepted into the Advanced Design Program where she was able to design and show a small collection in 2006. Kelly went on to design a guitar for Kevan Hall during Los Angeles Fashion Week and just recently started her own empire, Black Market — a cutting edge boutique in her hometown.

Freaking awesome! I wish Kelli the best of luck, and be sure to check out Black Market in Clintonville!