This is a weekly series that I’m hoping to help add some more relevance to the #FollowFriday (what’s this?) Twitter activity originally started through Lijit’s own Micah Baldwin to help connect Twitterers.
I was recently asked who taught me my leadership skills and that started my thinking about who I follow that inspires me in some way, shape or form. So this week is all about those who inspire.
Joann Peach
I’ve been impressed by what I saw when I first met Joann during a Social Media Club event at the Zannel offices earlier this year. Originally I thought she worked there as an employee but to my astonishment, she’s a freelancer and has done well for herself. What inspires me is her persistence, dedication to her clients, and her never-ending ability to help her friends and others. I can tell that she’s a great person to have on your team if you want to know someone hardcore in PR and need them to understand how the game is played both online AND offline.
Mary Fastenau
Mary Fastenau is someone who I greatly admire. She’s not a regular person on Twitter, but she is someone who inspires me and taught me a lot about the marketing and web business. You see…Mary was the one who got me started in it all. She was my first boss when I graduated from college and began my career at StarrTech Interactive.
When I was working on a market research project for one of my courses, it involved interviewing Mary, which I originally thought would last an hour. After TWO hours of talking, I got way more information than I needed. Perhaps more than anything, that one conversation helped shape me into the man that I am today. Mary has taught me much about how to deal and work with clients, handle various team structures, and work with pressure. No matter what the situation, Mary always has a smile on her face & is willing to offer advice and wisdom on overcoming any challenge or even her help when asked. I’ve come to admire and respect Mary and am truly grateful that we’re friends.
Chris Brogan
Who doesn’t know who Chris Brogan is? Perhaps one of the busiest marketers that I know, he is insightful and knowledgeable in what he does. Not only does he run his own new media agency, he’s the one responsible for one of the top marketing blogs out there PLUS is the organizer behind the Inbound Marketing Summit series.
Oh, and did I forget that he’s the author of the upcoming book “Trust Agent?” One of my long-standing goals is to become a Subject Matter Expert in the field of interactive/new media marketing and just trying to keep up with what Brogan does & his thoughts makes it somewhat difficult. However, it’s this challenge that inspires me to always be at the top of my game & that’s helping me get closer to my goal.
Travis Lum
One of my oldest friends, Travis Lum isn’t a marketer or someone in PR. He’s a graphic designer…and a damn good one. He’s won awards back in Hawaii and also some others. Travis has worked for several agencies and clients and produced great work and is always trying to brush up on the latest design technology out there. I only joke with him that he’s always showing off, but whenever I see his designs and finished works, I’m truly in awe over what he’s done. Whether it’s creating simple banners, email layouts, print pieces or even websites, they’re practically works of art! For typography, design inspiration or if you want an aesthetically pleasing web presence, go check out Travis Lum.
Gary Vaynerchuk
I don’t know Gary personally well like most of the others here on this #FollowFriday post, but I find him to be very inspiring. The first time I heard Gary Vaynerchuk speak was during his panel at South by Southwest where he gave the same impassioned speech he’s always given. I had seen the videos he posts on his website with tidbits on how to succeed with your brand online & found them to have great takeaways. I’m inspired by them every time I hear him speak. Okay, before you say I’m enamored with Gary, you’re wrong. His insights into using new media, the social web, and harnessing the power of marketing strikes a chord with me. I’m not obsessed with his theme of “crushing it” like others, but you can tell that he has a real drive to succeed & that’s what appeals to me. I like his thinking!
Liza Sperling
I first met Liza Sperling at a tweetup celebrating Twitter’s 3rd birthday and found her to be a really interesting person. We’ve kept in touch since then and I’m impressed by her friendship, interest in learning about people, and great business sense. If you didn’t know, she’s also putting together a blog about meeting interesting people and I’ve found it to be an interesting read so far. So be on the lookout folks! Liza is on a mission to meet people with a story to tell.
Chris Pirillo
Perhaps what has interested me the most about Chris Pirillo aside from the fact that he’s got a lot of things going on with him — in addition to a massive following, is his great understanding of community. I learned this first-hand while at WordCamp SF last month when I heard him speak. His presentation was captivating and I thought it was one of the best talks of the day. The fact that he understands how to work with his customers and find where they are and knows that communities aren’t formed artificially but organically is a credit to the talent of Chris Pirillo.
Do you want to know more about #FollowFriday and who other people are recommending? Then check out this great site created by Micah Baldwin.
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