Office hours – August 2009
I’m trying out a new way to meet people and help them out. Starting this month, I’ll have office hours at coffee shops around town.
This month’s schedule (all Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m.):
- Aug. 5: Safari Cup, downtown
- Aug. 12: O’Henry’s, Homewood
- Aug. 19: Urban Standard, downtown
- Aug. 26: Starbucks, Five Points South
If you want to guarantee an appointment time, sign up on the schedule (in Google Docs). Otherwise, it’s first come, first served.
(And no, I won’t sign you up via e-mail or comments.)
I’m looking forward to seeing you, whether you’re an old friend or a new face. Let’s chat over coffee.
If your coffee shop or restaurant is interested in sponsoring September office hours, please contact me.
If you’re looking for a job, congratulations! Or condolences. Either way, it’s a challenge, given the down economy and the sheer number of other applicants out there.
But you can stand out, simply by using free social networking tools. Remember: You need to have a strategy; otherwise, you may feel like you’re moving in too many directions at once.
Five easy ways to get started:
1. Treat your LinkedIn profile like your resume. But not just any resume: Flesh it out. You’re not limited to one to two pages, like a paper resume. Brag on yourself a little, and be clear about how you helped bring in revenue, make project deadlines or other ways you helped your boss, your company, your team and yes, yourself. [See my LinkedIn profile for a sample.]
2. Clean up your Facebook page. As a former hiring manager, I was thorough in checking applicant’s backgrounds. I didn’t just call references and order college transcripts; I looked at your online presence, too. So, please, please, clean up your Facebook page. Or change your Privacy Settings (under Settings in the upper right). Look at your profile page and ask yourself: “Would I hire this person?”
3. Tell a story with your blog. If you’ve started a blog to market who you are as a professional for hire, tell me a story. What drives you and makes you better than the thousands of others out there who do what you do? How have you handled sticky situations in the past? How would you make Company A outperform Company B? Here’s an opportunity to go beyond the typical resume and cover letter to give a fuller picture of your talents, your creativity and your experience. Make the most of it.
4. E-mail three people in your Rolodex a day. The old rule is call three people in your Rolodex each day, which, by the way, is still a good rule, even if you love your current job. But sometimes e-mail is easier if you’re not a “phone person.” Ask how they’re doing, and what they’re up to. (And yes, e-mail can also be social networking, too!)
5. Don’t forget offline networking. Twitter and blog and e-mail all you want, but real connections happen in the real world. When possible, go have coffee with a stranger and discuss ideas and your industry. And write thank you notes for informational interviews and referrals (or at least, e-mail them). People are more likely to help out someone they’ve met and gotten to know better than a faceless entity on a computer screen.
How are you using social networking to advance your career goals? Let us know in the comments.
Want to learn more? Check out our class on
“Finding Your Dream Job Using Social Networking” …
Speaking at BlogWorld 2009!
This has been a crazy year. First, I started this academy for fun and experimentation and maybe profit. Then, I found out I’d be going to BlogWorld 2009 for free, thanks to a prize drawing.
And now, I’m pleased to announce …
I’m speaking at BlogWorld 2009!
Yes, this humble Alabama boy and journalism vet will give an hourlong presentation at one of the world’s finest social media conferences, taking place in Las Vegas in October.
What’s my topic? I haven’t found out yet. I submitted three(!) speaker proposals, so it’s one of the following …
- Instant Startup: Your Very Own School for Blogging (meta!)
- The Funniest Blogger You Know: You (which I submitted in 2008)
- Writing Killer Blog Posts (a BBA intermediate course)
I can’t wait! I had a great time last September and learned so much in sessions and in the hallways.
Why don’t you come with me?
I’d love to see a big group from Birmingham and Alabama represent the New South and new media. I talked about it at BarCamp Birmingham in a short session called “Blog Your Way to Vegas … for Free.”
You can see that video and get in on the action on a new Posterous site I’ve created:
Birmingham to BlogWorld
bham2blogworld.posterous.com
I hope you can join us, because we’ll have a great time in October.
Want a preview? Take a class this month …
July 2009 media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2009
Wade Kwon
mail[at]birminghamblogging.com
JULY BLOGGING ACADEMY COURSES FOCUS ON
MARKET RESEARCH, JOB HUNTING
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Award-winning blogger and Birmingham native Wade Kwon will teach intermediate classes in partnership between the BIRMINGHAM BLOGGING ACADEMY and SHIFT LEARNING, a series of courses offered by Shift Workspace, a new downtown coworking center.
On July 20, he will teach “Using Twitter for Dynamic Market Research,” which shows students how to turn Twitter from a buzzword into a practical business tool with real-time data.
On July 21, he will teach “Finding Your Dream Job Using Social Networking,” which shows how to compete in a crowded job market with free social networking tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
The classes, $75 each, take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Shift Workspace, 2308 Second Ave. N. Students must register online at birminghamblogging.com ahead of time.
(In October, Kwon will be a featured speaker at the 2009 BlogWorld and New Media Expo in Las Vegas.)
Kwon started his blog, WadeonBirmingham.com, in 2005 after his employer, the Birmingham Post-Herald, folded. That site led to a new job at Southern Living magazine and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
For more information on classes, visit birminghamblogging.com.
Wade Kwon is available for interviews to discuss easy ways for people to use social networking in their job hunt. Contact him at mail[at]birminghamblogging.com.
– 30 –
July, hot month, hot classes
Two lunchtime intermediate classes are on the schedule in July, both part of the new Shift Learning series …
Using Twitter for Dynamic Market Research
- Description: You’ve started a Twitter account, but now what? How do you find the thousands of people talking about your brand, your products, your competitors and your industry? It’s easy. We can show you how to conduct real-time research, start the conversation with potential customers, form focus groups and gain loyal followers. Make the most of your Twitter account and outpace the competition.
Our students loved this class when we debuted it in May.
Find Your Dream Job Using Social Networking
- Description: Stuck in a dead-end job? Having trouble getting interviews during the hiring process? You need an edge. If you’re networking, you already understand the importance of making connections with people in your industry and in your community. These are the people who can help you find jobs faster and get you hired quicker.
- But with so many people looking for work in this troubled economy, you need to do more. Go beyond networking and use social networking. Use free tools like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to build relationships, gain access, develop your reputation and get that dream job, all while helping others along the way. Instructor Wade Kwon knows the ins and outs of power networking. If you’re in the hunt for a new job, a new company or a new career, this class is for you.
This is a new class, and one you should check out if you’re between jobs or just thinking about a job/career change.
You can find out more about each class and register. Note: Class size for each intermediate class is only 20 students. Register today to save your spot.
Students’ recommendations – beginning blogging
On June 27, we had another round of beginning blogging classes, this time at Shift Workspace. Here’s what our students had to say …
A testimonial, originally on my LinkedIn profile …
“If you are the least bit interested in learning how to blog, please consider attending Wade’s blogging class. I attended his one day workshop & I am ecstatic with what I learned. Everyone who attended couldn’t get to their computers fast enough to get started.”
June 28, 2009Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Good Value
David Sher
Whooyouknow.com
@David_Sher
• • •
“I HIGHLY rec’d taking @WadeOnTweets classes http://bit.ly/18CL9Y @shiftworkspace bc theyre insightful & fun!”
— June 28 [link to tweet]
• • •
“Well worth the time and money for both sessions.”
— June 27, 2009
K.
Freelance writer
• • •
“I thought everyone was competent and articulate on their subject matter.”
— June 27, 2009
J.
Small business owner
• • •
Don’t wait … sign up for classes today!
Announcing the gift certificate winner!
The winner of a $50 Birmingham Blogging Academy gift certificate is …
Jessica Bush!
Congratulations, and thanks to everyone who entered.
How did she win? She subscribed to our free e-newsletter and filled out a survey for a chance at our prize giveaway. Our BBA newsletter has tips, class schedules, surveys, discounts, prizes and event notices. It’s worth your 10 minutes a month, really.
How can you win? Sign up for our e-newsletter today!
A testimonial, originally on my LinkedIn profile …
June 17, 2009
“The Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce invited Wade to participate in an event for members that focused on social media. Wade offered an overview session that educated attendees on the most popular social media tools available right now and the pros and cons of using each one. Wade’s presentation was extremely helpful to Chamber members and received very positive reviews. Wade is one of Birmingham’s social media experts, and we’re lucky to have him here.”
Brannon Stewart Dawkins
Director of Communications
Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
Five urgently needed blog topics for Birmingham
I had a nice conversation with Birmingham magazine’s associate editor Carla Jean Whitley about blogging in Birmingham. During our talk, we brainstormed five blogs that could be successful right now in Birmingham:
- history;
- transportation;
- barbecue;
- classical music and opera;
- hip hop.
(Note: The article says “golf,” but my notes say hip hop. Sheesh, just how white do you want this list of ideas??)
“Successful” could mean passionate readers, good discussion and coverage of a topic deserving of a bigger showcase.
Why these five?
History is a strong unshakable part of Birmingham. We’ve built the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute around it, but we need more. Someone with a deep background in history could make this blog compelling and timely. We need not fear our past; we must embrace it and tell the story on our terms.
Transportation should be a no-brainer. Ginny MacDonald writes the popular Driver’s Side column for the Birmingham News, but it clearly focuses on drivers only. Birmingham has great need for better transportation planning and execution, from bike lanes to mass transit to carpooling to city planning. So far, Bike Skirt and Bicicoop have talked about the needs and advantages of cyclists, but that leaves a great chasm of needed discussion on how to solve the region’s transportation woes.
I could argue about barbecue all day (chopped pork, not sliced, regular red sauce). So could most folks in Birmingham, which has a messy melange of styles and sauces and techniques. Heck, I just judged a charity barbecue competition last week, and we saw so many approaches to chicken, ribs and sauce … some good, some not so good. A Birmingham barbecue blog would not only draw a big following, but big potential advertisers, too.
We came up with two music blog ideas, because Carla Jean and I love concerts and bands and CDs and music talk. (Carla Jean writes the popular Birmingham magazine music blog, Birmingham Box Set.) Many local music blogs focus on popular music, usually toward the rock/pop/indie side.
Except for Michael Huebner’s column in the News, we have very little coverage of the classical music and opera scene in Birmingham. And with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Opera, chamber groups, choral groups and terrific shows at the Alys Stephens Center, a wide opportunity exists for someone — a fan, an expert, a professor, a journalist — to cover this side of the arts to a devoted fan base.
And what about hip hop? Come on! Birmingham’s local music scene isn’t just about rock bands like Wild Sweet Orange and Within Reason. What about ShoNuff and Birmingham J, both winners of the Birmingham Area Music Awards? Or R-Tist or Red Light District? Hip hop deserves better coverage, and the right blogger could give artists and concerts the best spotlight.
My thanks to Carla Jean and the good folks at Birmingham magazine. Read more from the article, or better yet, run (don’t walk) to the newsstand and pick up your copy today.
• • •
What blog ideas could succeed in Birmingham today? Tell us in the comments!
• • •
Want to get started on a blog idea listed above? Sign up for our beginner’s class in June …
June 2009 media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2009
Wade Kwon
mail[at]birminghamblogging.com
BLOGGING ACADEMY COURSE KICKS OFF NEW SHIFT LEARNING
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Award-winning blogger and Birmingham native Wade Kwon will teach beginners’ classes in partnership between the BIRMINGHAM BLOGGING ACADEMY and SHIFT LEARNING. The June 27 sessions will show students how to get started in setting goals, creating sites, brainstorming content, and building audiences.
“Partnering with Shift Learning is a great opportunity,” Kwon says. “Students will have a chance to learn in this great coworking space downtown.” Shift Learning is a series of courses offered by Shift Workspace, a new downtown coworking center.
The classes, starting at $99, take place from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. in Shift Workspace, 2308 Second Ave. N. Students must register online at birminghamblogging.com ahead of time.
(In July, Kwon will teach “Using Twitter for Dynamic Market Research” and “Job Hunting with Social Media.” Dates to be announced.)
Blogs provide an easier way for individuals and organizations to start and maintain a Web site, keeping connected with others in a timely fashion. With the turbulent economy, blogging can provide ways to be creative, to escape, or to develop a career Plan B.
Kwon started his blog, WadeonBirmingham.com, in 2005 after his employer, the Birmingham Post-Herald, folded. That site led to a new job at Southern Living magazine and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists.
For more information on classes, visit birminghamblogging.com.
Wade Kwon is available for interviews to discuss easy ways for people to use social media to make the right connections. Contact him at mail[at]birminghamblogging.com.
– 30 –
June is made for bloggers
We’re excited about kicking off the brand new Shift Learning program at downtown’s Shift Workspace this month! The organizers are bringing together instructors, students and a wide variety of topics for your learning pleasure.
As part of the kickoff, we’ll have our beginner classes there all day on Saturday, June 27. You can take part 1 from 9 till noon or part 2 from 1 to 4. Or take both, and join us for a free lunch!
Plus, you’ll get to see this new coworking space in action. We think you’ll want to sign up for a membership to try it out or more classes at Shift Learning.
In class, we’ll cover the basics of getting started, setting goals, marketing and writing. And we always have fun learning and sharing.
Check out the class syllabus and register today! Only 20 spots for this round.
Samford forum: open discussion
This morning, I moderated a panel on using social media and social networking to market your business. Thanks for joining us at Samford.
You can find more info:
- Panelist Libby Sexton of Big Communications shares her initial thoughts on her Big blog post, “Social Media vs. Networking.”
- The Twitter conversation using #brockforum.
If you had additional questions for the panel, leave a comment below. The conversation continues here …
I’m moderating a panel early Thursday morning at Samford University with some social media heavyweights. If you want a free networking and learning opportunity with 200 attendees and three experts, don’t miss this one!
“Social Media: So Who Needs it Anyway?”
Using online social networking and media to market your business.
Panelists:
- Kara Kennedy, director of external affairs, Brock School of Business, Samford University (@karakennedy)
- Ike Pigott, Positive Position Media Consulting (@ikepigott)
- Libby Sexton, PR account executive, Big Communications (@libbysexton)
Details:
- Samford Business Network Birmingham Source Meeting
- When: Thursday (June 4), 7-8:30 a.m.
- Where: Brock Forum, Dwight Beeson Hall, Samford University [map: to Samford | Bldg. No. 34 on campus]
- Tickets: free, but reservations required
- For more info: E-mail business@samford.edu or call (205) 726-2364
Register today!
If you have questions for the panel, please leave a comment below or use this contact form.
And follow the discussion on Twitter with the hashtag #brockforum.
CBS 42 reports on texting and teens
The New York Times did what big media does best: stir up a lot of hoohah over teens and something trendy. Though texting ain’t exactly trendy anymore.
In “Texting May Be Taking a Toll,” the reporter talks with various experts (doctors, therapists, professors) about just how much teens text, and how it may affect them negatively.
Which leads to today’s report on CBS 42.
Bless reporter Rick Jackson, who came by before class today to do a quick interview. Actually, the report is unintentionally hilarious. (You can click through to read the story and click on the video in the upper right.)
“They can overdose on television, they can overdose on being online, they can overdose on texting, and personally, I don’t think it’s healthy,” Kwon says.
Boo! (Scared?)
I’m not sure we’re quite at panic mode yet, but if I helped contribute to the panic, you’re welcome.
More students’ recommendations
Our latest testimonials …
We had two lunchtime intermediate classes this week. Today’s class was “Using Twitter for Dynamic Market Research.”
“@WadeOnTweets Really enjoyed class today! Thanks for your time and expertise. We sincerely appreciate it!”
— May 27, 2009 [link to tweet]
Amy Dabbs
Web writer/marketer
@amydabbs
• • •
And from an evaluation form:
“Great info, easy-to-understand presentation.”
— May 27, 2009
K.
Media relations coordinator
• • •
Tuesday’s class was “Writing Killer Blog Posts.”
“Headin back to work! Just learned about how to write killer blog posts! Thanks @wadeontweets”
— May 26, 2009 [link to tweet]
Josh Grenon
Senior IT analyst, El Paso Corporation
@joshgrenon
JoshGrenon.net
• • •
“learned a whole lot from @wadeontweets at the Birmingham Blogging Academy”
— May 26, 2009 [link to tweet]
“Wade does an excellent job in framing his class and helping you get out of it what you desire.”
— blog post: How Can We Improve The Progressive Electorate?
Martin Weinberg
Attorney/owner, Martin Weinberg P.C.
@ProgressiveElec
The Progressive Electorate
• • •
“@WadeOnTweets Excellent class today. Thanks! I’ve already started using what I learned.”
— May 26, 2009 [link to tweet]
Kevin Washburn
Clerestory Learning
@kdwashburn
WBHM’s ‘Tapestry’ talks blogging
One of my favorite Birmingham shows is “Tapestry,” a weekly half-hour arts and culture roundup on our public radio station, WBHM (90.3 FM). Lucky for me, news producer Tanya Ott interviewed me for a segment on local bloggers.
Also interviewed:
- André Natta: The Terminal | Urban Conversations | Dre’s Ramblings
- Ashley Umbaugh (a k a Anne Glamore): Tales from My Tiny Kingdom
[I talked about the behind-the-scenes experience earlier: “Blogging, shilled the radio star.”]
You can hear Tanya’s on-air piece, as she talks with all three of us (5 min.) …
And you can hear her extended interview with me, including career options, the influence of Twitter and Facebook, and more (9 min.) …
And you can see and hear more from the other bloggers on the “Tapestry” show page.
Thanks to Tanya and the entire “Tapestry” crew. My first radio interview ever, and on my favorite favorite program!
“Tapestry” airs at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and repeats at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays on 90.3 FM in Birmingham.
Also:
Seven steps to get your company blogging
Florence, Ala., social media consultant Mack Collier has peered into his crystal ball and pulled up an astonishing stat via eMarketer:
Monthly blog readership will hit 58 percent of the U.S. internet population by 2013, and 17 percent of the U.S. internet population by 2013 will blog monthly.
So more Americans will be getting (and sharing) information via blogs.
If your company plans to use blogging as a tool, Mack has developed a simple seven-step plan:
- Start monitoring what bloggers are saying.
- Decide if you have the resources to commit to blogging.
- Work with other areas of your company to make sure your blogging strategy meshes with your company’s larger communication strategy.
- Develop a comment/community policy.
- Determine the focus of your blog.
- Create customer-centric content.
- Be patient.
He has more excellent advice in his post, “It’s time for companies to get serious about blogging,” and on his blog, The Viral Garden.
- Also see: “When a blog isn’t right for you”
Has your company considered blogging? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks for your business?
As recommended by students
Our latest testimonial …
“Attended B’ham Blog Acad. yesterday, taught by @wadeontweets @jenbarnett & @acnatta. Learned a TON! Highly recommended: http://tr.im/lBWj”
May 17, 2009 [link to tweet]
Kevin Washburn
Clerestory Learning
@kdwashburn
BarCampBirmingham wrapup, part 1
The big list of learning from our third unconference
BarCampBirmingham3 left me speechless. More than 100 attendees, including those from Memphis, Nashville, Montgomery and Atlanta came to downtown Birmingham for one of the best conferences around.
Although not everyone could come by Innovation Depot (or stay for the whole day), our presenters have done an excellent job of sharing their information.
(My three presentations — “Blog Your Way to Vegas … for Free!”, “Market the Right Way with Facebook and Twitter” and “Why Women Will Want Your Blog” — can be found in this earlier post.)
You’re not done learning yet.
The official site:
- BarCampBirmingham (and its RSS feed)
The presentations:
The blog posts:
- Arcane Code: “My presentation today is titled “Make yourself more marketable as an IT Pro”. It will cover five techniques you can use to become more valuable in todays competitive marketplace.”
- Brandon Eley: “Barcamp Birmingham was awesome. I met a ton of great people and really enjoyed the sessions. I also really enjoyed presenting… it’s always good to get practice and with several speaking engagements coming up I needed it!”
- Chris Collins: “BarCampBirmingham is … by all accounts is hitting its stride. I estimate there were over one hundred attendees and more than twenty sponsors. … I got into an unexpectedly spirited discussion on ‘Does Agile work,’ chaired by Brian Rabon of Braintrust Software, for which I did my bit to fuel the debate and had a great chat with Brian afterward.”
- Inspirageek: A video with a rundown of the sessions attended by the Inspirageeks.
- Nashville SEO: “Here is my ethical SEO presentation … I did for the informal unconference section of Barcamp Birmingham 2009. Its not pretty, but pretty information rich (aka useful) for the introductory or intermediate SEO.”
- Scott Kitchens: “The day was packed. The sponsors this year were extremely generous and we were all very thankful. The event was free and provided lunch and t-shirts.”
- StudioNashVegas: “The Birmingham tech community is strong, and not just with coders. There are some great designers, developers, and entrepreneurs in Birmingham.”
- Tammy Hart: “The networking that was going on in the hallways were just as beneficial as the presentations. Business cards and ideas were flying everywhere you turned, and everyone was just having a great time in general.”
- Zero/Love: “One of the best parts was not from the scheduled sessions. It was the sessions in the halls that I found the most interesting. How several very opinionated individuals can get together and discuss everything from the type of music someone listens to, to local Birmingham Politics.”
The group photo:
- From Matt Sheets
What did you learn? And did I forget to add your post or presentation?
[In part 2, I’ll share ideas on how to improve BarCampBirmingham for the next event.]
And please sign up for our free Birmingham Blogging Academy newsletter.
Birmingham Blogging Academy 