Cool News (to me) « Caffeinated Marketing

My Move To D&B Supply March 24, 2011

Filed under: Cool News (to me),social media,Unemployed — jenharris @ 12:13 am
Tags: Citadel, D&Bsupply

On Wednesday the 23rd of March, I accepted a new position at D&B Supply as their new Internet Content Specialist!
Great job with a great local company. Funny how things happen…I started pursuing this job in this company almost 16 months ago.
I was unemployed and couldn’t get an interview anywhere in Boise. “In this current economic state” if you were in marketing, you were screwed…especially if you carved out a niche for yourself in this crazy new intranets type of marketing. Ahem.
I had to do something to get the needle to move so I put myself out there and said “I’ll give ‘it’ away for free- if you buy me coffee and my twins chicken nuggets”. I finally had some interest! Most ping backs were from out of town and I helped some via email but the best free coffee talk came from right here in Boise.
My daughters friends dad, whom I spoke with frequently at birthday parties and school functions, was “the IT guy” at D&B and “got it”. He was working to move the company forward in business through the website and new media. When I put out the call for free coffee and nuggets, Joe made a meeting happen -with him, the CEO and the head store manager. Wha? Crazy!?!
I talked their ears off for two hours, drank too much coffee and knew I wanted to work them someday. Down to earth people – aka: normal! I was asked if a job would ever come available at D&B in this capacity, would I be interested? Absolutely!
Fast forward 16 months, two jobs and lots of resumes later, they called. Actually, I got a tweet. Then email, then interview #1…#2…and then the offer. Wow.
I will be creating content, managing existing content and help gain momentum for bigger things.
I can’t sleep right now I am so excited- and I haven’t had any coffee since 10:15AM! Wish me luck and look out, things are just getting good.

*enter cliche “lets do it” type music here* whooohoooo!

Comments (3)

Jen’s New Marketing Plan December 14, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),Free Ideas — jenharris @ 10:59 am
Tags: Free Social Media, New Marketing Plan

Dear Santa:
All I want for Christmas (in my chosen *crazy* profession of course) is a job. Maybe start out part-time, 2 or 3 days a week (M-W-F or T-Th is best for the twins, so that they can be enrolled at Challenger…you know, to start their brilliance) and do for a company “that social media thing”. Strategy, implementation and education is what I am good at and I know if I could just get my foot in the door, I can and will make a difference.
All My Love,
-jen
@jenharris09

This wish got me thinking…why can’t I be the Santa that grants wishes? And here is where Jen’s New Marketing Plan could be filled with pixie dust or flat-out brilliance.

I am giving it away.

I have no desire at this point in my life to run my own business. I have no desire to stress over the tax man. I do have the desire to help others – so I am just going to do that & believe that Karma will take care of things. No need to buy the cow, the milk is now free.

Here is how it will work:
You need to know how this “social media stuff” works beyond how to get on FaceBook and Twitter. An actual social media strategy with goals & objectives that go beyond getting tons of people to be your friend – I can help you.
You want to start a blog (or have the capability to do so) but have writers block – I can help you.
You need to know WHY you should be creating content over buying ads & offering coupons (or why/how to integrate that into a…..STRATEGY!) – I can help you.
You need to know where all these customers are “at” and how to get them engaged with your company – I can help you.
You just need the basics of how to work the tools – I can help you.

How I get P-A-I-D
Buy me coffee, lunch for myself and the twins and possible admission to Rafiki. Another good location is The Merc at Hidden Springs. Since I am turning over my knowledge to you for caffeine and chicken nuggets, I am guessing an occasional interruption from a 3-year-old will be worth it. Let’s plan on 2-3 hours.

What’s in it for Jen?
Karma my friend. That and a good recommendation or two or three or ten. My goal is to get that job with-in a marketing department of a larger company that understands a social media marketing person is just as important as the media buyer.
I am enjoying being a mom-at-home with the kids, but I miss “it”- I miss being in the thick of things. If this Karma job doesn’t come around for a year, so be it…but if I can help people in the meantime (and get me some free coffee) I will be satisfied and I will quit having marketing dreams about your business.

Be my Santa…give me a call, leave a message here, send smoke signals…just get a hold of me – I can help you.
xoxo
-jen

Comments (35)

BlueLine Marketing Update July 29, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),People that are smarter than me — jenharris @ 10:52 pm
Tags: Ben Whitaker, Blueline Marketing, Brain Packer, Brian Critchfield, Erik Warila, Flat Planet, John Hardesty, Justin Foster, Kristine Asin, Mike Boss, Rachel Wilson, Sam Swenson, Tac Anderson

People are constantly asking me: What ever happened to everyone at BlueLine Marketing? (and that is usually followed by “what happened TO BlueLine?” and “wow, you guys were WAY ahead of the curve“)

For those that don’t know: BlueLine Marketing was a word-of-mouth marketing company based in Boise, Idaho. We were preaching, teaching & selling what is now Social Media to companies that “got it”…there were not many. Things happened and doors closed in December 2007.

The Founders: (in alphabetical order)
Brian Critchfield: Director of Marketing at Boon, Inc. LinkedIn:

Justin Foster: Founder/Managing Partner at Tricycle Brand Development. LinkedIn:

John Hardesty: CEO & Co-Founder of Tricycle Brand Development. LinkedIn:

Brian Packer: Director VP of Marketing at ZAGG Inc. LinkedIn:

Soon thereafter: (in the order that I remember)
Erik Warila: Marketing & Communications at Micron. LinkedIn:

Tac Anderson: Social Media Director at Waggener Edstrom. LinkedIn:

Jen Harris: My bio here. Looking to solve people’s social media woes, whether it be as an independent contractor or inside a really brilliant company that understands they need someone “on the inside” to move their social media needle. LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenharris

Mike Boss: At Mike’s request: “It would be great if you would leave out the stuff about my time in rehab, although my two years as a soldier of fortune is OK.” No worries Mike, your secret is safe with me my friend.
Mike lost his job back in November as MPC Computer’s PR Manager, is currently taking the inspiration and tools he gained from his BlueLine days and applying is BYOM (Be Your Own Media) model to the creation of a social media association for independently owned culinary businesses (www.behindthemenu.org). He remains determined that the business model for this endeavor should be as innovative as the tools and techniques that make it possible to begin with. In the meantime, as a self-acknowledged unemployed bum, he believes you should feel free to buy him lunch whenever possible and at least feign interest in his goofy ideas. His mother will bless you for those small acts of kindness.

Kristine Asin: Marketing & Events Owner at StinaLu Studios. LinkedIn:

Krissa Wrigley: VP Research & Evaluation for Idaho TechConnect

Rachel Wilson: Corporate Education Liaison at University of Phoenix. LinkedIn:

FlatPlanet People (web development company that was aquired by BL in 2006)
Sam Swenson: Founder of Socialplasam. LinkedIn:
Ben Whitaker:

So there you have it!
Did I miss anyone…is your job not accurate or detailed enough? (Mike is our writer, he is allowed).
I love everyone here, no matter what the past was. It was the experience of a lifetime that has allowed me to change the lives of others. xoxo, always.

Comments (5)

Twitter Has A New Look June 30, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),Twitter — jenharris @ 4:47 pm
Tags: Twitter

This is the new look of my followers list as of 4:40-ish Mountain Time today. At first glance, I like the fact that you can see a list view or a expanded view where you can see a potential follower’s latest tweet.

I also like the “one line has all info” feature.

Off to go get the kiddos, so I will explore more tonight. What do you think?

My New Gig With LifeFoods May 4, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me) — jenharris @ 10:58 pm
Tags: Franchising, Jerome Eberharter, LifeFoods

blog_logo No, I am not leaving Consilio. Don’t want to tease two days in a row…but a girl has to get attention, doesn’t she?

The Meeting
About six weeks ago Jerome Eberharter contacted me through LinkedIn saying we should get together and chat about what social media can do for a business. This was my with-in my first 10 days of being hired on by Rochelle DeLong at Consilio, so of course I am eager to chat with anyone that wants to chat social media for a business!

I arrived at the coffee roaster’s office (free coffee….you know that makes me a happy girl!) and met Jerome. You know when you meet someone & you just know that you KNOW them? It was like that. I would have said “how high” if he asked me to jump…and this was with-in minutes of meeting him – great things to come!

What Does He Want Me To Do?
After a few meetings with Jerome & his General Manager, Lori Minniear, (who has a great southern Louisana accent) Consilio agreed to seek out individuals & couples through social media wanting to become Fundraising Marketing Director’s for LifeFoods. I will be using social media to educate and excite others about the benefits of owning a territory where the Fundraising Marketing Director will be the point person for athletic teams, churches, bands, day cares & any other group that wants to raise money for their organization.

Why Did We Sign On?
Fundraising is huge. We have all purchased cookes, pop-corn, coupons, candy-bars and cookie dough from the neighbor kid & this is an opportunity that goes beyond those 2-3 weeks of fundraising for those groups. There is a huge advantage of having an ON GOING revenue stream through an online store. Your purchases continues to benefit the group, team, church, band etc…with-out the knock on the door! Of course, every time they knock, I will buy!

My biggest personal experience with fundraising was for my Club Volleyball team in high school & a church group before that. How great would it have been if when those neighbors, aunts, grandparents, teachers & friends ran out of a product & were just able to re-order on the spot, rather than wait for the next kid to knock on the door?

What Will You Do?
Communicate with people with out selling them the expensive claims that are out there.
Teach them about the opportunity that is available.
Educate on what options they have as a franchise/affiliate.
Offer healthy choices to consumers that they use every day…not just high calorie treats.
Surprise them with the ongoing support & sales through a website (I lOVE this part!).

You can find out more info at www.LifeFoods.info
Looking forward to it!
-jen

PS: I can’t believe I didn’t mention this!….the product! THE PRODUCT IS COFFEE!!!!!! You know it was meant to be! And better yet, you can get your personalized label! Did I mention….COFFEE!!!!

Comments (1)

Twitter Follow Friday for 4.24.09 April 24, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),Twitter — jenharris @ 10:37 am
Tags: Chris Blanchard, Rochelle Delong, Tac Anderson, Tina Fey

I am going to keep this short (but not Twitter short) and sweet today of who I think you should add to your follow list on Twitter.

@RochelleDelong Yes, she is my boss here at Consilio…but she is just an amazing woman! She is creating a space for working moms to do it all & be damn good at it! Why can’t we have it all? Why can’t we be the mom that wipes noses one day & the next be consulting with CEO’s? Move over bacon, we just brought home dinner!

@BoiseHole This is run by one of my other favorite people @LGM1 (aka: Chris Blanchard), but this term & campaign started about 3 1/2 years ago by Tac Anderson & other crue’ members (of the now non-existing, in name only) BlueLine Marketing. There was a blog, stickers and some buzz…so-so-so-so-so sad that this is still a hole. I say make it a cute little native grass & plant park for all downtowners to enjoy year round.

@30RockNews Just because I think that Tina Fey is one of the funniest people out there! And someone told me I looked like her one time – so you know she is just a hot Mama!

Twitter & WordPress are in LOVE! March 26, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),Tip of the Day,Twitter — jenharris @ 12:50 pm
Tags: Twitter, widget, wordpress

Tweet!

It’s about time!

WordPress FINALLY has a Twitter widget that you don’t have to re-code someone elses tool & give up your 2nd child to do!

Whoo HOOO!

Love you WordPress, but this should have happened at least a year ago and should not have been so combursome for us non-uber geeks…but, thank you! FYI: can you make it prettier? I bit 1.0 if you ask me…but I don’t want to look a gift bird in the mouth – again, thanks…but keep working on it. ;)

Comments (1)

A Hands-On Twitter Workshop March 16, 2009

Filed under: Cool News (to me),Twitter — jenharris @ 3:39 pm
Tags: Consilio, Twitter, workshop

Tweet!

I am thrilled to announc our first Hands-On Twitter Workshop here at Consilio (my new stomping grounds)!

This will be a class for those that say “I know I should be on Twitter, but I just don’t get how to use it” or “I want to use it better.”

WHO IS THIS? – SHOULD THIS BE YOU?
I met a guy Friday night at Red Sky PR’s one year anniversary party (Congrats Jess & Crue’ by the way!) who said he had 600+ followers & he doesn’t know what to do with them or how to communicate with them – this class is for you!

There are also a ton of people in Boise that I have started following lately that have less than 10 tweets out & very few followers…don’t be scared – once you get the how to’s & why’s down, you will see the light…aka: have that Ah Ha moment that I love so much! – this class is for you!

WHO THE HECK ARE YOU, JEN HARRIS, AND WHAT QUALIFIES YOU TO TEACH TWITTER?
Great question, thanks for asking!

On Twitter for two years now
Twitter Correspondent on Election night 2008 for Fox12
One of the first write ups on TwitterViews by Michael G Cohen
Landed Two local jobs because of my relationships on Twitter
Write up in ReadWriteWeb
Contributed to Idaho Statesman write-up
Lead for Don’t Tax My Beer Social Media Campaign (and it worked!)
I get and have actually done it…”it” being used Twitter for business purposes

Really hope to see you Wednesday or if that fills up another one in the coming weeks!
Facebook Invite: You can see the details here & link to the online sign up on EventBrite from here.

See you soon!
-jen

Comments (9)

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