Linked-In: “I’d like to add you to my professional network”

by on 06/24/2011 | 0

Again. My “expertise” in social media only comes from the fact that I use it every day, and I think I have pretty good grasp on it. I went to graduate school at Marquette, and wrote half-a-dozen 20-page papers on Facebook and such, and read a whole lot about LinkedIn. I hadn’t quite gotten on the Twitter bandwagon, so I haven’t done “official research”, but again – I think I have a pretty firm grasp on it.

Here’s my “social media tip” of the day: if you invite me (or anyone) to connect on Linked-In – DON’T USE THE DEFAULT INVITE.  I don’t want to sound super egotistical, but I know a lot of people. I’m in sales – I meet a dozen people every day. I go out. I’ve worked at 5 different Milwaukee restaurants. I belong to Newaukee. I have nearly 1600 followers on Twitter.  High school was 10 years ago.  The point being send me a personal message telling me how you know me. “Hey Brian! It’s me ‘Ted’ Theodore Logan, we worked together at the Circle K”. OR EVEN – “Brian, long time no see. Don’t know if you remember me, I’m the kid that beat the hell out of you junior year of high school. I’ve cleaned up my act (literally) because now I’m the janitor at our old high school. Just thought we should connect on Linked-In” (really, I’m not bitter and I dont hold grudges. I swear).

Linked-In is a little different from Facebook, people keep their Linked-In network a little more professional, and are likely a little more hesitant to just “add” anyone to their “professional network” (this is based completely on my experiences, there is no quantitative or qualitative data to support these claims).

My rule is to not accept an invite from people I don’t know or recognize. PLUS I think it’s just rude to send the default message. Take the time to personalize your invites on Linked-In. Because, well, at least I appreciate it.

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My take on Twitter

by on 06/22/2011 | 1

So I (somewhat) sarcastically call myself a “social media expert” on my Twitter profile. Can anybody TRULY be an expert? Not sure. What I do know – I spend an awful lot of time tweeting. I’ve been on Twitter for 2 years.

My first Tweet was on June 19 2009, and I’ve come a long way since then. I’ve made some really great friends on Twitter, made some phenomenal “professional contacts”, and learned a WHOLE LOT about Milwaukee.

I’ve read a few books about how a “professional” should use Twitter, and I read blogs/ 0n-line articles daily. Some people say “Tweet one or two #value tweets a day”. I disagree.

This my “social media expert” take on Twitter. Feel free to weigh in:

Twitter is about making connections. Whether you are connecting with colleagues, business prospects, celebrities (John Stamos once tweeted at me!), friends, or making new friends – Twitter is about INTERACTION.

Being on Twitter is a waste of time if you aren’t interacting with your followers.  Twitter isn’t worth your time if you aren’t following people back. Twitter isn’t worth your time if no one is following you – if no one is following you, you’re talking to an empty room!

Connect with people. Use hashtags to find people with common interests. Go to a “tweet-up”. You might be surprised who you meet and what you learn.

RIP Q101

by on 06/21/2011 | 0

It was reported earlier this morning that Q101 (WKQX-Chicago) and The Loop (WLUM-Chicago) were sold to Randy Michaels, former Tribune Company CEO. This is fact. The rumor floating around Twitter and “the blogosphere” (yeah, I just used that word) is that Q101 will SWITCH FORMATS to “Talk/News”. My mind is blown. My heart is broken.

Q101 is the station I grew up listening to. I vividly remember listening to Q101 in the early 90s and saying, “One day, I’m going to work there”. Well (some of you may not know this) this dream ALMOST came true. In 2005 right after I graduated from college and moved back home, I moved back in with my parents. While sending out “serious” resumes, I sent one out to Q101. I ended up interning at the station for over a year.

yeah. I worked for FREE for over year…

I was lucky enough to be the intern for Fook the afternoon jock at the time. My radio name was “Chicken Fingers” (that story another day).I got to be “on-air” and learned a lot about the business. I also learned how volatile and unpredictable the industry can be – Fook was fired, seemingly out of nowhere on (I think) a Wednesday afternoon.

For like three weeks I got to work as a “board operator” – but that gig ended quickly as apparently they didnt “need” board-ops at the time.

“Losing” that “job” led me to graduate school at Marquette, and it also ultimately helped me land my current gig at FM102/1 in Milwaukee.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the format doesn’t flip, but from what I’ve read and heard it doesn’t look good for the station that helped break bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Fall Out Boy, brought us Mancow (love him or hate him), and created so many memories and gave me my passion for the alternative format.

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Post #2.

by on 06/20/2011 | 0

While I am learning to tool around with this website/blog, I thought I should take a moment (it’s the first, but certainly not the last) to promote FM102/1.  The COOLEST thing happening at the station right now is the “Listener Rewards Program” .  The sales pitch?

Listener Rewards puts the listener in control of the prizes they want to win. Think of it as an ON DEMAND on-air contest and a loyalty points program rolled into one.

FM 102/1 now has a proprietary loyalty points module. It’s the first of its kind in broadcast radio. People who listen to FM 102/1 at work can now earn points. They trade in those points for the prizes and merchandise they want in our digital mall. Would you like a storefront?

Whether it is American Express, Miller-Coors, or Coca- Cola;  people love their loyalty points. Now FM 102/1 is bringing the concept local and teaming with local businesses to tap into this phenomenon in the Milwaukee market!

Why is it cool? HERES WHY: This program helps RE-ENFORCE on-air advertising in a UNIQUE way. Instead of giving away product on-air and risking having a “prize pig” (somebody who calls in to win a prize, just for the sake of winning a prize) win it and never redeem it.

“Listener Rewards” allows “loyal listeners”  to win the prizes that they want.

Its a cool idea.

Commercials

by on 06/20/2011 | 0

okay – I’m gonna give this a whirl.  I’d like to be able to post some of my favorite commercials I’ve done.

This seems like a work in progress – thank God I’m meeting with Phil this week to learn a little more about keeping this thing #awesome.