Brandon Mendelson
Last week, the social media world was talking about ‘Community Versus Collabortion,’ thanks to an excellent post (with ample discussion ensuing) on the Life Without Pants blog, by Matt Cheuvront. It’s a topic that we’ll be discussing more here at the Engine Room, because it’s an important one: the business world is changing, old models of capitalism are being challenged, and the world is getting smaller. Technology and social media are evolving corporate communications, and with whom we build community.
One of the leaders in the field of social publishing is an unlikely candidate, named Brandon Mendelson. Hardly dressed in a suit and tie (although we’re sure he cleans up well), and wielding a cache of social media tools (everything from Facebook to YouTube) including a successful blog, Soap Box Included, Brandon has led the charge in employing collaboration and connectivity in business. Going from an unknown to becoming the most-followed non-celebrity on Twitter is a big leap. We wanted to know how he did it.
So Bryna decided to ask him, and Brandon was cool enough to respond (graciously, we might add).
The great thing about social media is that it allows us to collaborate with people around the world doing amazing things. Not only is Brandon using his SM prowess to build his own career, through his non-profit organization–A Million High Fives–he’s raising money and awareness for homelessness. He’s also writing for the Huffington Post, Mashable, and he’s been featured on CNN. Not too shabby.
On top of it all, he agreed to talk to our reader’s about social media, small business, and big idea books. This is collaboration at it’s best, and we thank Brandon for taking the time to participate in our community.
Tags: bloggers, books, guest contribution, interview, mentors, social media
Thanks for posting this informative bit by Brandon. I’m always looking for material that exercises the synapses.
One big idea book you might want to add is “Socialnomics” by Eric Qualman.
Erik Qualman is the Global Vice President of Online Marketing for EF Education, headquartered in Lucerne, Switzerland. With more than 26,000 employees in 53 countries, EF Education is the world’s largest private educator.
In Socialnomics, Erik Qualman offers a fascinating look at the impact of social media on business to reveal what the future holds and how businesses can best take advantage of it. He explores how social media is changing the way businesses produce, market, and sell products; how it eliminates inefficient marketing tactics and middlemen; and how businesses are connecting directly with their customers through popular social media platforms.
[...] Click here to see the video and read the full post [...]
Hi Gerry! That book sounds fantastic. I’ll definitely have to pick it up. My personal additions to the list would be:
‘The Element,’ by Sir Ken Robinson
‘Thinkertoys,’ by Michael Mihalko
‘Trust Agents,’ by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith
‘All Marketers Are Liars,’ by Seth Godin.
A friend on Twitter, @ryanstephens mentioned: Cialdini’s “Influence,” the Heath Bros “Made to Stick,” @keithferrazzi’s “Never Eat Alone,” & @gapingvoid’s “Ignore Everybody”
Lots of great books to dive into! Now to find the time…
Thanks for you comment, Gerry.
Cool video. These are the same topics I talk about on my blog, so it was very useful to watch. Thanks again!
That was a good listen. Thanks.
Re: Malcolm Gladwell – this guy is taking over the world. Check out the Top 10 non-fiction in Canada from 2 weeks ago: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hBN44GRAVYRsUrIpvQ1wSVQ0qRGg
4 books in the top 10?!?