Today marks another year for me. This birthday had me thinking more than others in the past. Will this be the year of reflection? Will I finally begin to goal-set as so many of my rockstar friends do? How'd the last year go...what do I hope for my 27th? As I type, I'm laying in a dark hotel room in Minneapolis. Here for a work conference, I committed to attending 2ish months ago. When seeing the date, I thought, "ah well. work's more important anyway." So here I am. Conferencing with 2,000 others in chilly, snowy Minneapolis. Here for another 36 hours. My first truly 'low key', 'quiet' birthday. I couldn't help but think about the concept of celebration and honoring certain days in life. New Years and birthdays. Two days we all celebrate annually -- but why? What's the significance of another 365.242 days lived? What did we do worth celebrating?
The truth is: living is easy. It's all the stuff in between we should be celebrating.
While attempting to fall asleep (then frantically typing my thoughts into those post), I've finally set my #1 goal for this year - to celebrate more when it really matters.
Another year with the man I love? Let's do it up right. Relationships require patience, collaboration, maturity, and respect. We need to rejoice and celebrate each other.
A professional milestone, project, successful event - open that bottle of champagne. Splurge a bit on a great dinner out. A precious weekend spent with close friends whose lives don't intersect as often as in the past - stay up for another drink and enjoy that time together.
People, goals, accomplishments - that's what I want to celebrate this year.
So, I'm searching the web for some reference articles for a blog I'm working on related to mobile giving. Browse, browse, browse...then see something unusual. Check out this first screen shot. Within the description tag of the result, there's a link. I've never seen this before. So naturally, I click on it. The link takes me to Hootsuite - of all places - and searches Twitter for "#1". See screenshot. So, I log out of Hootsuite. Reclick the link. And again, go to Hootsuite. This time, however, I'm directed to log in.
The actual website result (http://www.igivings.com/mobile_trends) seems to have no relation to Hootsuite.
Does anyone know how a link got in that meta tag? Is this a common thing? Thanks SEO-ers!
 Earlier today while browsing local news articles, I ran across this article in the Pittsburgh Magazine titled: The Perks of Being a Pittsburgher. Of course, the article was great but it was the title that stuck with me. Since then, I've been thinking about my version of a list of the Perks of Being a Pittsburger. There are many, but I'll (try) to limit to 10. - Turner's Iced Tea.
- The people. Yinz guys are just so nice.
- The nonprofit scene.
- Fries. Fries on everything.
- The view at PNC Park.
- The most genuine, down to earth folks.
- A history to be proud of.
- Steeler fans are everywhere. There's a bar for you in any city you visit.
- The tech scene. Alpha Lab, CMU, Project Olympus, Pittsburgh Technology Council. Plus, a government that embrasses it.
- Restaurants that are trend setting and innovative while being friendly and homey.
I could keep going of course...a killer Twitter community, beautiful state parks close by, located within driving distance of some of the best cities (Chicago, NYC, DC), affordable cost of living, bridges galore, our adorable neighborhoods, Kennywood, and people with hearts bigger than houses. I love you, Pittsburgh. And all the people, quirks, and challenges that come with you.
"Just Show Up", "Just Go", "Just Do It" -- these are mantras I repeat to myself daily, if not hourly.
Half of [my] battle is just going.
The Scenario: 5pm hits. I'm tired, but the calendar has a one or two professional events on it. However, the couch and the latest episode of The Voice seem so much better. So, I head home and send an "I'm sorry I missed your event" tweet or message the next day.
Why?
We have a routine. All of us. We get into a groove of whatever you do: work, gym, shopping, restaurants, cooking, etc. Mine?: Work, home, cook, couch, DVR, bed. Mix in some reading and Facebooking, and that'll cover my typical day. But I'm fighting it.
How?
Within the past year, I've added freelancing and some stellar professional orgs to my calendar. However, with the added duties, I still haven't appropriately adjusted my calendar. I fight with myself to get to meetings, attend networking events, spend an extra 3 hours on my laptop after my work day officially ends.
I have begun to establish a new routine (that reflects my new to-do's) by switching up my environment. We freshened up the home office so it now feels like my space. I reworked my scheduling to maximize work days vs relaxing days. I retrained my mantras to remind myself to just do it and just go - despite how sleepy or uncomfortable I feel.
Effects -
It's working. It's interesting: despite how ready for the couch I am at 5pm, at 8pm, after a few hours of meetings, conversations, and introductions, I feel more energized than ever. Then, watching the latest episode of The Voice seems deserved.
Just do it ;-)
I was really inspired by this video that Facebook just released on their page. It is titled: "The Things that Connect Us." I'm from a generation that has always been connected. I had an AIM account at 13. A cell phone at 14. Email by 15. And, Facebook at 17 (2004). I've grown up with a mentality that it's ok to be unique - but even better to share your uniqueness with the world. After all, that's what makes living so fun. So, what do you share? I share...- My interest in social media
- My love for Pittsburgh
- A complete obsession with craft beer and unique wine
- My trials and successes as I push myself to run longer and faster
- Great news
What I don't share:- Unhappy news
- Complaints/Problems
- Politics & Religion
- Excessive info about one topic
The bottom line: there are both positives and negatives to our digital social life. Our world is changing, our communication has evolved, and our consumption of information is like never before. The connections I have been fortunate to make via Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin are incredible. When used correctly, these tools are extremely powerful. No doubt in my mind: digital communication is not only the now, but the future.
I've spent 10 years confused with my mix of skills related to customer service, interpersonal communication, computers, online media, and genuine work ethic. I've recently finished reading a book by Gary Vaynerchuk, social media and wine genius, called The Thank You Network. While the book has it's criticisms - it is 100% spot on regarding social media: it's not a sprint or a method to quickly push a sale or brand. Social media is a tool to build relationships with customers, meet potential customer needs, and to build a true message of your brand. In a huge way, we've gone back to the business philosophies of the fifties and sixties when you knew your meat, grocery, and clothing suppliers by name. They knew you, and your family, and your upcoming needs. That's what we're trying to replicate in 2011 - just on a much broader scale.
One truth we cannot deny: online marketing is moving so quickly, it hard to say what the next essential marketing platform will be. But my favorite takeaway from the book - it doesn't matter if the future is unknown in marketing. Just dive in and adapt to the change.
As I start a brand new job tomorrow, I feel the first day of school jitters. Gary's book provided a perfect message to help me refocus and gain some confidence that I
While I have a immense amount of respect for the food and beverage industry, I am 100% ready to be back with the Interweb and computers. After some searching, I landed a great gig with a little software company as a Marketing Specialist. New energy is flowing through me!
Also, a little birthday celebration, new iPad 2 in the mail, and plans for the summer. Ahhhh spring is bringing good things :)
My mother - a huge influence and role model in my life - is the Marketing Director (we have quite a few things in common) for a lovely retirement home in Pittsburgh. While she may be a Baby Boomer and in a hum ho industry, this lady thinks ahead of the curve. She got a website for the company before it was cool (or now essential) to have a website. She started a blog on senior care and aging before the word 'blog' was even a word. Then, unsurprisingly, she asked me a few months ago about Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter and how it could relate to her business. Last week, I spent a day with her and the entire marketing staff going over the power of social media. Not only did they learn about the incredible ways of connecting their business to both individuals and other businesses, but I re-learned a valuable lesson. See, as a 20-something who is exposed to social media 18 hours a day, I forget some of the simple values and rewards of our tech world. It's easy to get caught up in new trends. But, while I'm sitting there trying to figure out how the heck to market a retirement community, I remembered the fundamental rule of marketing: focus. Stay focused on your brand, values, and quality. Don't diverge into quick gimmicks. Know what you do better than anyone else and promote it like crazy. Between the strong brand recognition you'll gain, buzz about your product, and (assumably) superb customer service, success is inevitable.
Sometimes business sounds just too easy.
Am I getting older and experiencing better beer (and wine and vodka and bourbon and scotch) or is the beer industry just getting better? Maybe it's a combination. Regardless, I am so stoked for the energy infiltrating the brew scene right now. I met with the creator of a new Pittsburgh craft beer publication. Actually, the first. Craft Pittsburgh will be launching the city's only craft beer publication this fall. Better yet, it's free. It'll be a great way to stay updated on beer releases, tastings, and promotions throughout all Pittsburgh neighborhoods. I'm stoked at the idea of getting our restaurants involved!
I'm amazed that I've been able to find a job which incorporates my home life, personal life, and professional life. That's not everyone's goal, but it definitely was mine.
Liz and I moved into our new apartment about a month ago. We knew it'd be great, but we never expected THIS great. Last night, I had to run home real quick right in the middle of the dinner rush. Of course, I was home in less than 3 minutes (see Google maps below). But the best part was running into three friends just in that one block walk.
We love this place. We're never moving out. We will grow old and grey together…living on the corner of Alder & Maryland in Shadyside. Feel free to send house warming gifts/engagement gifts/wedding shower gifts/baby shower gifts…etc. We'll always be here.
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