Member of the Following Social Media Communities

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bio for the TABJ's Social Media Panel

After attending last years Holiday Social, co-hosted by the Triangle Association of Black Journalists (TABJ) and the Triangle Association of Asian Journalists (TAAJ), I have been invited to speak this Saturday, April 18th on a Social Media Panel. The topic of this SM Panel is "The Role of Social Media for Today's Journalists."

I was asked to provide a short bio to be used in collateral for the conference, and I decided that instead of providing a typically stiff and boring professional bio, that I would write a more comical bio:

"James Wong is not your typical Boston, MA transplant. He is a dynamic figure on many online communities. At age 12 he was a System Operator of two local Bulletin Board System (BBS).

Often, you will find him scaling verses with tactical karaoke precision at your local pub. Attended NCCU and NCSU to learn the skills necessary to write code for the military application of Tactical Digi-Pet keychains.

A few years ago, he discovered the meaning of life but forgot to blog about it. He has spoken at various conferences to MBAs, CEOs, and Industry Experts; while secretly wanting to be them.

He has successfully developed Social Media strategies and initiatives that have positioned his clients as recognized Social Media Leaders. Most importantly, both Miss America and Miss Universe proudly display "I [HEART] WONG" posters in their dressing rooms."


Of course, there's a second version which I wrote, but did not submit to the TABJ. This bio I have reserved for more personal uses, such as my Facebook profile and such...


"I am a dynamic figure in American society. Often, you will find me scaling verses with tactical karaoke precision. Disc Golf isn't just a passion, it's a key to the secret of life itself.

Years ago, I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to blog about it. The CIA is afraid of my Asian Persuasion. The FBI has a poster of the 'WONGINATOR' on their wall. I have spoken at Conferences to MBAs, CEOs, and Industry Experts. I want to be them. I hack Twitter and Facebook walls, and redecorate them. Both Miss America and Miss Universe have 'I [HEART] WONG' posters in their dressing rooms.

I live life cautiously, yet risk everything for that which drives me. I regret nothing, yet often look back at lessons learned and opportunities untaken. I once rode a mechanical bull until it retired from service from a bad hip.

I woo women with dance moves that would make Steve Urkel seem like a champ in Dancing with the Stars. Sometimes the words just flow out of me like Paris Hilton's skirt in the wind.

My friends and family are my strength, passion, and soul. Ever since I saw "It," clowns scare me. Relationships come and go like feathers upon the wind, yet true lifelong friends will weather through the worst of storms like mountains.

I can change a tire in seven minutes flat. I once defended my friends from a wild bucket of Yuengling; the threat was consumed within minutes. I was awarded the key to the city, but lost it in a full contact bingo game. Liquor? I hardly even know her!

Some call me the 'Oriental Cowboy' ('The O.C.'), yet I'd rather be a light fixture than a rug. I was born vertically challenged and with 'slanted eye syndrome,' but I'm a Expert Pistol Marksman.

Life is a seemingly endless Sea of the Mundane... I am the lighthouse that brings to light the joys of your youth, the fun you've been missing, and the crazy times you never had in your life... "

A Moonlit Myrtle Beach, SC

Location:
Myrtle Beach,SC
Client:
N/A
Camera Platform:
Sony DSC-T100

A quick moonlit photo taken on the beach in front of the Crown Reef Resort at Myrtle Beach, SC.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nauticalurge/3441907506/


Monday, April 13, 2009

Stephen Colbert interviews Biz Stone


The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Biz Stone
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorNASA Name Contest


Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, one of America's preeminent Twits, discusses the company's popularity and business model.


http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/223487/april-02-2009/biz-stone

Thursday, April 2, 2009

The Fruits of Bojangles' Brand Evangelism...


A Bojangles' T-Shirt & a $10 Gift Card, overnighted via FedEx


First of all, I want to preface this blog post by saying that I am in no way an official representative nor promoter of Bojangles', though many of my friends may say otherwise. I am merely an individual that believes in evangelizing brands in which I believe in, and that I actually use in real life (both online and offline).

Bojangles is one of those brands that I fully evangelize whenever I can, because I truly love the way that they manage and promote their brand. If you're not aware of what Bojangles' is, I am proud to say that they are a North Carolina original. Bojangles' is a restaurant which is famous for their Cajun Fried Chicken, mouth-watering seasoned fries, "dirty" rice, and award-winning sweet tea (among a menu full of other tasty entrees).

So why would I bother myself with evangelizing a fried chicken restaurant? Well why not? Isn't that the point of Social Media and Marketing? As a consumer, I truly enjoy not only the food at Bojangles', but the level of service and professional courtesy that they give my friends and I each and every time we visit one of their restaurants. I frequent Bojangles' in Raleigh, Apex, and Durham weekly, and have always been given exceptional service (with a smile too!).

Bojangles' is one of the few "fast food" restaurants that actively tells you that "sure, it's okay to leave your tray on the table, we'll clean that right up for you..." Of course, being that I have worked fast food in my "younger" teen years, I never leave my tray at the table. Instead, I gladly clean up after myself and take my tray up to the trash receptacles, where an attendant almost always greets me with a "Oh, you didn't have to do that. I was going to get it for you."

Most importantly to my line of work, Bojangles' is a true pioneer in the Social Media realm of advertising, marketing, and promotions. Not only has Bojangles' invested resources into their website, but they have invested enormous time and effort into building large groups of fans on various websites.

Bojangles' has "home grown" a fan base of over 27,000 fans on Facebook, which is an amazing feet for a Fried Chicken restaurant. They have User Generated Content (UGC) like photos on Flickr, and videos on YouTube which loyal Bojangles' fans have created to show their appreciation for a brand that is important to them. They have even amassed over 300 followers on Twitter, where they engage directly with their followers.

Bojangles' has successfully engaged and incorporated their customer's opinions into their recent launch of their Fish Fillet sandwich in select markets, by posting questions and listening to their fans.

Bojangles' has even tapped into their fan-base by utilizing small but effective contests on their Facebook and Twitter channels. Just yesterday, Bojangles' posted the following post on their Bojangles' Fan Page:
"OK, we hope everyone is ready! First, thank you for loving Bojangles' so much. We couldn't have any better fans than you guys:) So with that...... The first 20 fans that tell us why they love Bojangles' will get a Bojangles' T-shirt and $10 Bojangles' gift card. Thanks again for being the best fans ever!!"

There were over 150 comments made under that Facebook post! Of course, as a loyal Bojangles' Fan, I had to comment on that Facebook post with "It's all about the Yellow Box! :)" ...and sure enough, along came Mr. FedEx this morning with a package from that company with the delicious yellow boxes, Bojangles'! Enclosed, as promised, was my free T-Shirt and a $10 Gift Card, courtesy of my friends over there at the Boj'! LOL! Thanks! :)

So, what is the lesson to be learned here?

Regardless of whether or not you are a Fortune 500 Corporation, or a small "mom and pop" shop, or even a Cajun Fried Chicken restaurant; if you're not utilizing Social Media channels to grow Brand Reputation, promote Brand Ambassadors/Evangelists, expand your Online Properties, create and manage Conversations about your Brand, or to simply reach out and LISTEN to your customers (and potential customers), you need to take a look at Bojangles' and see what you could be missing out on.

In today's economy, social media is opening the eyes of large and small companies alike. Businesses are no longer telling their customers who they are anymore... Businesses are what their customers SAY THEY ARE.

In my opinion, Captain D. Michael Abrashoff says it best:

"Since, by definition, new ideas don't have metrics, the result is that great ideas tend to be stillborn in major companies today... Stasis is death to any organization. Evolve or die: It's the law of life..."