New gig for me…new case study for you: this one starts at the beginning, and it starts today. As of yesterday, I am now the Digital Marketing Director for AroundAbout Community Magazines (ACM) in Woodstock, GA. An established company, ACM provides a quality printed product to the 8 communities that currently have titles.
The leadership at ACM is very interested in expanding and improving their online presence and establishing a strong presence across social channels as well. I am honored to be a part of the team there as the person chosen to implement and oversee this objective.
Frequently, and as recently as yesterday on Social Media Edge Radio (I enter at the 30 min. mark), I am asked about starting from scratch. Many people who are interested in social media marketing for their business want to know the first steps that need to be taken and the best practices involved as they get started. For those of you who have asked and are tasked with a similar undertaking, this is where you come in. I invite you to keep an eye on us as we take the first steps. Today is square one for us; I sincerely hope to offer sound insight and guidance along the way for all who care to follow along with us on this journey.
My first steps will include a re-design of the ACM web presence. This will include the individual title sites. My goal is to present a dynamic, socially integrated, and engaging web presence to support and highlight our printed product. The overall scope of the tasks ahead of us is large and far reaching. For all intents and purposes we are starting from scratch.
Nothing will change here at all. The only difference will be that I will interject and highlight as much of this new journey as is relevant from time to time along the way. I will be closer to the Atlanta area on a daily basis, and so hope to see many of you around town more often. In fact, come join me at Social Media Breakfast Atlanta next Thursday if you’re able.
Now you know what’s going on with me. I appreciate you being here, and I wanted to keep you in the loop. I am grateful for you and humbled by your readership. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime if there’s ever something that I can help you with. Lend me your voice in the comments whenever you have the time and feel inclined; it truly helps me to shape this blog into what it needs to be.
In private I've told you how proud I am of you and to once again see how hard work pays off. In public, here in this forum, I tip my hat to you once again. It's been awesome to see where your passion has taken you and your willingness to go the second mile not only for yourself in terms of laying a hold of anything and everything about social media/digital marketing but in how you willingly lay out there for others what you have received through your efforts. You've done well and you're going to do even greater things. Your influence in and through the medium of social media will in fact go so far as to change lives…isn't that what it's about anyways. All the best to you friend!
Ben, it is truly my privilege to call you a friend. You honor me with your kind words…I am blessed by them.
I appreciate your comment today, your support means the world to me.
Congrats…and good luck with the new gig. Anxious to read about and learn about your process. Let me know if we can ever be of service…
Thank you Todd! I look forward to being able to attend more events with you soon!
Congratulations! I wholeheartedly agree that the website is usually the first place to start…especially when it is in the condition this one is. They certainly picked the right man for the job. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Thanks Mike, I'm very excited about it all! I may very well have some ideas to bounce off of your ears very soon. I appreciate the comment.
I'm so proud of you! What a great thing! Congratulations…when you're all Big Time, don't forget the little people, K? 😉
Thank you Heather. Try not to worry, I'm a habitual little people and I like it. :O)
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! :o)
Thanks so much Charity! You, of all people know my story. I'm happy for the both of us and where we have landed in life…and in our careers. Always a pleasure to hear from you!Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Sweet! Congrats James! I look forward to finding out more and seeing the site construction!
Thanks Carol! Let me know when you're in and around Woodstock…let's meet for lunch or something soon. I'd love to talk with you about the scope of my plans and hear your input!
Congratulations! Sounds like a big task but I know you will be up for it. Please let me know if I can ever be of help.
Thank you Jacqui! This is a big task, but it's very exciting and the potential is mind boggling. I'm thrilled that you will be following along…it doesn't make me nervous at all (yikes!). Seriously, I'm thrilled to have such dynamic friends and peers in the Atlanta area. Camaraderie and accountability are a necessity for me!
I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment today. You are welcome here always!
That is fantastic news James! Having the opportunity to build an engaged audience from the ground up is an exciting and challenging undertaking. I have no doubt in my mind you will exceed any and all expectations they have set for you and will quickly see they have chosen the right person for the job. As others have mentioned, we are all excited to watch this unfold over time and to see the direction you take with it. Best wishes and congrats again on this new adventure.
Thanks so much Chad. I appreciate your kind words and vote of confidence. It means a lot to me to have friends and peers like you along for the ride. I'm also looking forward to attending more Atl. events with all of you!
Awesome news, James! Clearly, I'm so 4 days behind, but I'm trying to catch up!
Sounds like an amazing adventure. Certainly, you're ready for the challenge. I'm very interested in following… I love the way you're so open and ready to share…no "trade secrets" with you. It's incredibly refreshing, and, I think, what social media is supposed to be.
Why thank you Torri! You know, I pass your neighborhood almost everyday now…let's make plans to get together and catch up. Please let me know whenever you are in or around Woodstock as well. Sounds like we both have lots to tell! I appreciate your comment today…and always!
You are the best! A true professional. It's was good to see you yesterday.