Bleeding for a Good Cause

Thanks to Sean DeButts of the Puget Sound Blood Center we have yet another example of how Twitter can be successfully used to create a viral campaign. On June 23, 2009 Sean organized the first ever Tweet Up Blood Drive. Sean solicited some fellow local Tweeters, myself include, whom he felt had the influence in the local Twitter community to drive traffic to the sign up page for the event.

In just the brief time I was there donating I saw a half-a-dozen fellow Tweeters and good friends. All in all there were 35 donors that made it to this first event. I know that as Sean continues his work in Social Media for the Puget Sound Blood Center these events will grow to be even more successful. I also know that I will gladly put the full force of my support behind these events.

For those of you who doubt the effectiveness of Social Media let this stands as an example of what engagement and community can do. All of the posts about the event were tagged with #psbc, so a simple search will show the viral nature of the posts.

Behind Every Good Man...

To all my readers I apologize in advance for this post as it is really just about my own sense of closure and nothing to do with the business of marketing. With that being said I open myself up to you freely and without shame.

It would appear that yet again my huge independent streak and entrepreneurial efforts have led to the collapse of yet another romantic relationship. They say that behind every great man there is a great woman, but as of yet I have been unable to find her. Now I admit that I've never been one of those men that needs to be in a relationship to consider myself whole. If someone comes along and we mesh Great! If not that's okay too.

Sometimes I fear though that my ambition and drive blind me to the good things before me. At the same time I can't help but think that were the woman truly my equal it would not be an issue. In this last case I was informed by the young lady after dinner date, which I admit to being a half hour late to due to a meeting, that she thought we should just be friends because I could not be there as much as she needed because of my many projects. Now being a quality over quantity kind of guy this doesn't make sense to me but I can understand her point of view. Does this stem from her own insecurities or my own lack of sensitivity is the question I'm wrestling with.

I have goals that I have set for myself that I will not let up until they are achieved. At the same time I don't consider my chosen occupation to be work, though I do jest about being a work-a-holic. Being idle is actually physiologically unnerving for me. Any woman that would be in a relationship with me would need to understand that. I can work 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week and not loose a beat. That is the life of a start up if it is to succeed.

To someone that has never owned or started a business I'm sure that looks just awful. Unfortunately it is the hard truth of the matter. Businesses require sacrifices if they are to thrive if not merely survive. Any woman who would enter that scenerio would need to be strong, self-reliant, and just as driven as I. Its challenging enough that my extended family doesn't get it and wishes I would just, "get a job."

That being said I do consider myself a hopeless romantic. I believe in love at first sight, I like to pamper my ladies as finances permit. Shoot I even started to learn French for my recent Ex because it was her native tounge. Without making this out to be a dating profile I think I'm a pretty good catch for the right gal. There in lies the delima finding that understanding soul that is undaunted by my long hours, occassional tardiness and unrelenting drive. I'm certain she is out there, but if not I will resign myself to the fact that perhaps some of us are not meant for such things as love.

My Interview on Seattle Social Media Profiles

Thank you Kenji for the opportunity to share with you!

Bellevue Tweet-Up After Action Report

Several weeks ago we had our second Bellevue Tweet-Up at The Tap House Grill in downtown Bellevue. Another venue had to cancel at the last minute due to a complete buy out of their facility which I completely understand from a business perspective. The Tap House Grill who follows me on Twitter saw my post that I was on the hunt for a new venue and immediately volunteered. For that I wish to extend my heart felt thanks to Paul Reder, owner of Tap House.



It was a great event with nearly three times the attendance of our first Bellevue Tweet-Up at Monsoons on Main in Bellevue. Gene at Monsoon was great, even going so far as to put together an official Tweet-Up menu for us. Both events have met with a very positive reception and we are planning our third soon. Our intent is to hold them primarily at locally owned businesses as a way of supporting the community.



Both of these events are organized by my friend Jean Luc David and I. They are promoted only via Social Media, and we saw an exponential increase in turn out from our first event to our second. I'm looking forward to seeing how our next event unfolds and will update you accordingly. If you're in the Bellevue area you can check this blog regularly for upcoming Tweet-Ups. I hope to see you soon!