What Exactly Do You *Do*?

Random Instagram Photos. Yes, I love social media!

I get that question alot. I'm new at this business thing, and I've blogged recently about how I finally made the decision to branch out on my own. Still, I haven't done a whole lot of advertising. I cross-post things occasionally on my personal Facebook page, but for the most part I don't want to turn people off by talking about my business all the time. I even feel weird blogging about it now, though I absolutely love it. I've always been a connector, and social media is all about connecting with others. It just fit to help small businesses do the same.

So, as my business Facebook page says, "Content Creation and Management." What the heck is that? It's exactly what it says. I create content in the form of posts, tweets, updates, photos, memes, podcasts and video for use on social media. I've been volunteering my time for many years now with KWSS radio and TechPhx, and running their social media. I've learned so much, and am fascinated with the way social media works, and how people respond to it.

It's also interesting to see how small businesses use it, which is another thing that prompted me to start this business. Number one thing I see? Businesses don't put enough into their social media. This is not their fault however. As one of those small business owners, I get it. Time is hard to come by. When you are out there working on the other 5,000 parts of your business, you can't exactly stay connected 100% of the time on social media. You've got things to do!

This is why I made my business social media. I make the posts, I check the comments. I interact with other people and businesses for you. I find information to share that is relevant to your brand, so that you become a valuable source of information for anyone who follows you. My philosophy is if people get to know you and what you are about, they will want to know more about your business. After all, we started our businesses because we have something worthy to share, right? That's what you want people to see, and I help make that happen. I help you be seen.

I can also help you be heard. With years of audio and podcasting experience, I know the value of using a podcast to further your reach with current and potential clients. People love to listen to stories and learn more about who they are seeing in their social media feeds. Podcasting is the perfect compliment to social media promotions.

So that's really it. That's my business. My business is helping small businesses be seen and heard. I help them make it more personal and engaging. There's alot of content out there, and my goal is to make a small business stand out from all of the other content out there, so their name is what comes to a person's mind when they are looking for something specific.

Not only do I do this to help businesses be successful, I want to get to know you too! Social media works for me because I'm so social! Find me over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

The Tech Phx Planning Season Is On!

I am so excited to announce that a new season of conferencing has arrived! When last we spoke, the conference known as PodcampAZ was laid to rest, and a new name emerged... TechPhx! Which, well, is the only thing to change. It's still going to cover all the awesome topics, and have all the awesome panels it did before, but the name will now be more... fitting (and awesome*).

Well, there was one small change. Tyler has stepped back from leading the charge this year. Apparently he's getting married or something, and wants to focus on that right now. Our Tyler, growing up so fast! So, after what was probably too much deliberation (on my part), I'm going to be taking his place as leader this year! I am super-excited, because I don't look at it as if I'm in charge. I am still looking at this conference as a group effort, and we want to get as much community involvement as possible. We just need someone to call meetings to order, right? RIGHT?

Although the types of sessions themselves are not changing, and we're keeping with our unconference theme, we do have some new ideas we'd like to incorporate into this years' conference. I don't want to reveal it all now- but what it involves is a way to spotlight all the great things the valley has to offer. And there are a ton of great groups, gatherings, and conferences in the valley.

However, we need your help to do it. Mark those calendars for Saturday, February 11th. 10:00 am, Room 203, at the University of Advancing Technology (where last year's conference was held).  We are especially making an appeal to those who run other conferences, camps, and clubs during the year in the valley. You know, Ignite, Social Media Club, WordCamp, EPublish Unum...  etc. All we need are one or two representatives to come out and hear what our big idea is. We think you'll like it. Of course beyond that, anyone and everyone is invited to get involved with this year's TechPhx. Something you loved last year? Help us make it better. Something you didn't love so much? Help us make it better.

RSVP Here!

I've said it before- I was blown away with what a group of 8 or 9 of us did last year with Podcamp. With 20 people, or 30... well I can't even imagine the degree of awesome and amazing TechPhx can reach.

Actually I can. So see you on February 11th!



*I've been watching a LOT of "How I Met Your Mother" lately. 

The time is now. The place? PodcampAZ.

A little something else I love to give my time to- helping organize PodcampAZ!

I use my voice a lot between the radio and podcasting. So, why has it taken me five years to gather up the nerve to speak at PodcampAZ?

I didn't think I had anything worthy to tell you. Sure, I blather on about politics and issues that concern me, hoping that through my reasoning they can concern you too. But what can I possibly teach anyone? Well, I've always been about different perspectives, and getting people to think about things from a different point of view. so that's what I'm speaking about- how you can talk about your extreme beliefs and still have people listen to you. It certainly doesn't have to be politics, this could be about anything that others might find a little bit crazy. My hope is sharing my strategies will start a discussion and get others engaged. Who knows, maybe the only thing keeping you from doing that podcast or writing that blog post is figuring out how best to present it.

See? I have an entire talk lined up and all I'm doing is taking my experiences and sharing them with you. I'm willing to bet you have something to share too, and we want you to share it with us this November at PodcampAZ. Click RIGHT HERE and register to speak. Or, register someone else you think should be sharing their experiences in this crazy, ever-changing tech world. Guaranteed you will be around people the entire weekend who want to know more. Don't be a chicken like me and wait five years- we want to know NOW. We are all worthy of speaking, and we all have something relevant to say.

Your community is calling, and we need you!

http://podcampaz.org/speakers/