Danny Brown

podcaster - author - creator

#followfriday

From Twitter to Blog – #FollowFriday Vol. 1

Last week, I wrote about why I was moving my #FollowFriday recommendations from Twitter to my blog.

I suggested why it should be more than just a name and a link on Twitter. So, here are my recommendations for this week. I hope you check them out – they’re more than worth getting to know.

  1. Community. Calvin Lee (@mayhemstudios). I once wrote a post about why the word “community” is a combination of “communication” and “unity”. If that is the case, then Calvin is the perfect example of community. He shares a wealth of information, and it’s always more about others than it is him. One of Twitter’s leading lights and one of the nicest offline as well.
  2. Ladies of Twitter. Jen Wright (@MissIve). I know, I know – Jen would probably be the first to tell me she’s no lady. But that’s by the by. If you’re looking for someone that’s clever, witty, sarcastic, hard-working, energetic and full of ideas, Jen’s your girl. She has more irons in the fire than anyone I know – and that’s saying something. Fun with a capital F.
  3. Gentlemen of Twitter. Scott Stratten (@unmarketing). There are many categories Scott could fall into, but this one really fits him well. He’s one of the most prolific and helpful Twitterers I know, with a heart of gold and the chops to back it up. I’ll never forget what he did for 12for12k and if I only had one beer left to share, it’d be with Scott. That’s how cool he is.
  4. Non-Profits. Stacey Monk (@StaceyMonk). What can I say about Stacey? She founded Tweetsgiving and led the way for non-profit ways to use Twitter. She runs Epic Change – an immense idea if ever there was one. In fact, such an immense idea she walked away from corporate business to start it. A true visionary and someone I can only hope to emulate.
  5. Marketing. Kneale Mann (@knealemann). Did you know Kneale played a key part in the early days of the EdgeFest event? Or that he’s launched two radio stations and co-produced the CASBY Music Awards? And now he runs various marketing boot camps? I’ve met Kneale and speak with him regularly. You want a top-notch marketer? Speak to Kneale, today.
  6. Public Relations. Rachel Kay (@rachelakay). One of the hardest working PR people I know, Rachel is to PR what Irn Bru is to Scottish people. She lives and breathes it. She’s an amazing networker offline. She is so cool at what she does that Vogue and Oprah are just another normal day for Rachel. Connect, learn, enjoy – she might even invite you to Club Rachel.
  7. Social Media. Marc Meyer (@Marc_Meyer). If you’ve ever participated in one of Marc’s #socialmedia chats on Twitter, you’ll know he doesn’t take prisoners when it comes to saying the same old stuff. Great mind, leader in taking social media away from the norm, and he’s also a dab hand at taking interesting photographs.
  8. The “Everyone Should Know” Wildcard Entry. Roger Hjulstrom (@booksbelow). As his username might suggest, Roger loves books. Reading them, selling them, maybe even hoarding them. He also runs a site that helps celebrities “keep it real on Twitter”. Roger gets the wildcard entry for making me stop and ask, “Say what?” regularly. Which is a good thing.

Cheers, guys, for being who you are every day of the week.

Because #FollowFriday Isn’t Just for Twitter

love like you've never been hurt, #142 in explore !A few months ago, #FollowFriday was introduced to Twitter. It was a great concept – recommend people you’re connected with to others. It led to new discoveries, new friends, and quickly made #FollowFriday a Twitter mainstay.

Lately, though, #FollowFriday seems to have just become an endless amount of names and no more. While the idea of recommending people to others is still worthy, personally I feel it would be more so if there was a reason for your recommendations.

Some people are doing this, which is great. Others are just listing the names and then the #FollowFriday hashtag, which is still okay.

Personally, though,? I prefer the former. If you’re recommending a #FollowFriday on Twitter it should be more meaningful than just a name. It should be about why that person inspires you, and why they would inspire others too.

It should be more than just a name and a link on Twitter – it should be about that person and why they’re great every day of the week. So here’s my deal.

Every week, I will post my recommendations. I will recommend seven people in seven categories, one for every day of the week. I’ll write a little bit about them and why they inspire me. And why they might inspire you.

It’s not saying that #FollowFriday has lost its way. It’s simply saying it could really light up the way that little bit more. I hope you enjoy the first seven.

  1. Community – Richard Marti (@ramartijr). Anyone that reads this blog regularly will know one of my key mantras is community spirit, and Richard personifies all of that and more to me. He inspires me when I’m down with his endless enthusiasm and he has a genuine love for everyone around him. Simply put, he’s awesome.
  2. Ladies of Twitter – Henie Reisinger (@HennArtOnline). Sometimes I think Henie is Richard’s twin. She never seems down; she’s infectiously optimistic; she is an amazingly creative person; and she wears sunglasses like they should be. One of the coolest ladies on Twitter.
  3. Gentlemen of Twitter – Aronado Sanchez Placencia (@Aronado). What can I say about Aronado? If I need to laugh until my ribs hurt, he’s my man. If I need someone to joust with, he’s my man. If I need someone to make my cap look good, he’s my man. He’s also an incredibly nice guy to boot. Everyone should know Aronado.
  4. Non-Profits – Nicole D’Alonzo (@nikisnotes). Here is a girl that has really got it going on. Podcaster. Journalist. Entrepreneur. Socially conscious. Change agent. Founder of Socolite.com to combine social media for good with businesses and bring society together. And she’s still just the tender age of 27. Nicole is a bona-fide star.
  5. Marketing – Frank Reed (@FrankReed). Frank is an understated gem on Twitter. He’s unassuming; he’s inquisitive; he’s helpful; and he’s knowledgeable. He’s also one damn fine marketer – something that is apparent via his own blog and his spots on Andy Beal’s Marketing Pilgrim website. I learn a lot from Frank every day.
  6. Public Relations – David Mullen (@dmullen). There is an insane amount of talented PR people on Twitter that this list could probably go on forever. One that stands out for me though is David Mullen. Sharp; insightful; questioning; never afraid to put the boot in on the industry he obviously loves. You like being made to think? David is your guy.
  7. Social Media – Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan). Predictable choice? Nothing new there choice? Perhaps. But as far as social media goes, Chris is up there among a very few who walk the talk and share the words with everyone else. The guy is social media and should be a no-brainer for anyone remotely interested in the medium.
  8. The “Everyone Should Know” Wildcard Entry. Christina Kingston (@CTK1). Although Christina is the first “wild card” entry, she is anything but. One of the funniest and most vocal people I’ve met on Twitter. She’s never afraid to speak her mind and usually has some witty retort for most things.

So there you go – my first #FollowFriday who I’d want to know both on and off Twitter. I hope you check them out and get to know them – you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers, guys, for being who you are every day of the week.

Creative Commons License photo credit: ashley rose,