The Real Power of Social Media-4

Instead of focusing on one individual today, I have three more that came to mind as I was writing this series. While there are numerous others that I am sure are also making a difference, here are 3 that I have met that are not national celebs but are using Social Media to have an impact in real life in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

These include:

Andrew Hoffman. Andrew's background in the marketing world connected him to an organization called NeighborLink. Andrew is now the executive director and has used social media to promote the faith based volunteer organization that connects local people with needs with neighbors who can help. Check out their website.

Andrew also has been using his social media experience and connections with his alma mater, Huntington University. In January 2010 and 2011, he taught a class that introduced students to the power of Social Media and the impact they can have. This fall he has expanded that to a fall semester class.

Craig Crook. Among the notable things Craig has done recently was organize a TedX event which was an out growth of being a Linchpin. This isn't any easy accomplishment but it took someone like Craig to step forward and start the ball rolling.

Heather Schoegler also comes to my mind as someone who is highly involved in using Social Media as a tool to have an impact on real life. When you visit her twitter profile and see the multitude of ways she is connecting, you'll see why she was on my short list today.

I encourage you to connect with these folks yourself.

Tomorrow, an announcement of a big change.

ScLoHo is Scott Howard, a Solutions Consultant with Cirrus ABS.

You can contact him here:

The Real Power of Social Media-3

There are so many stories I could share regarding the Real Power of Social Media, and today and tomorrow I have two more.

Amber Recker is one of the ladies in Fort Wayne that uses Social Media to bring about real life changes.

When I met Amber via Twitter, I didn't realize that we already were 2nd degree connections on several levels.

1st of all, Amber's main paying gig these days is Director of Marketing & Development for Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. This organization impacted my family when my Dad had cancer.

The next connection is via the Fort Wayne Derby Girls. One of my former co-workers at ROCK 104, JJ Fabini is also involved with the Derby Girls and friends with Amber and her husband Jon.

Amber is using her connections with these two organizations for the Bust A Move event this weekend.

And Amber started a summer series which has continued into the fall that combines Social Media, Food and Fundraising. Details on the October event are here.

I could continue with other events that Amber is involved with but one that I'll leave you with just one more. This year Amber decided to organize a Girls Night Out on a regular basis. My daughter Rachael finally got to go this month and here's her reaction.

Amber is one of those people I know that is demonstrating the Real Power of Social Media.

ScLoHo is Scott Howard, a Solutions Consultant with Cirrus ABS.

You can contact him here:

The Real Power of Social Media-1

On Friday, I used Seth Godin as an example of the danger elevating individuals beyond the level of their expertise.

This week, I am going to shine the spotlight a few people that I know that are using Social Media as a tool to accomplish a greater good, other than elevating themselves.

Quite frankly there are dozens of others, but when I was contemplating this subject, 6 friends whom I have met via Twitter came to mind.

Kevin Mullett. I either first met Kevin face to face at a Social Media Breakfast in Fort Wayne or at a Tweet-Up. I was a web amateur with a few blogs and was just starting to earn some residual income from some of the pay-per-click ads that the Forbes Network placed on one of my sites.

Kevin is dynamic, knowledgeable, outspoken, gracious, and humble at the same time. He is a professional in the web world. He works for Cirrus ABS as their Director of Product Development and was the one who actively recruited me to join the Cirrus team this year. This picture of Kevin was snapped as we were having lunch in May talking about the opportunity.

One example of what Kevin does to keep social media "social" is what is going on tomorrow.

The Social Media Breakfast in Fort Wayne that I previously mentioned was launched locally by people who where not actively using social media and within a few months last year, it died due to lack of interest, lack of promotion and a lack of understanding.

Kevin was then asked to revive it and he has done so with a gusto that it really needed.
But Kevin has been careful to make it an "open event".
That means it is not sponsored by Cirrus ABS.

Tomorrow is our September Social Media Breakfast Fort Wayne. It is always the last Tuesday of the month with signups for tickets via EventBrite. We have sold out of the 70 free tickets every month for the last several months.

Kevin has lined up speakers, panels, and drawn together people in the Fort Wayne area of various levels of knowledge and this face to face interaction is one example of the Real Power of Social Media.

Friday, I'll be sharing something that Kevin has challenged me to do.



ScLoHo is Scott Howard, a Solutions Consultant with Cirrus ABS.

You can contact him here:

The Fort Wayne Social Media Scene

In 2009, former Fort Wayne native, Amy Stark put together the Indiana Social Media Smackdown.

It basically was a popularity contest and included a chance to get nominated and voted on.

Amy lives in Indianapolis and was very happy that a couple of us from Fort Wayne came to Indy for the lunch and festivities considering it was held the week between Christmas and New Year.

Fast forward to 2011 and we have numerous Social Media events going on in Fort Wayne.

There are seminars, breakfasts, lunches, tweet-ups and all kinds of Face-to-Face activities where you can meet, greet, explore, learn and even be a resource.

There's a couple coming up this month that I want to bring to your attention.

Steps to Fitting Social Media Into the Marketing Mix is the subject of a Luncheon to benefit Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, July 12th, $10 includes food. My friend and co-worker Kevin Mullett is the presenter this time but you need to get your tickets online before they are sold out. Click here.

Two days later, July 14th Tweet Up FOR Champions AT Champions. This event is free after work and right before the baseball game which I am also going to. Click here.

And mark your calendar for the last Tuesday of EVERY Month for the Fort Wayne Social Media Breakfast. It is coming up July 26th from 7:30am until 9am at the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center. Still free and details will be available on Eventbrite about a week before. Last month we had over 60 attend and learn about blogging.

What other Social Media events are going on in the Fort Wayne area? Add them with a comment.






ScLoHo is Scott Howard, a Solutions Consultant with Cirrus ABS. You can contact him here: