Danny Brown - Press Release PR

There are many people that use Twitter for many different reasons, getting to know others, education, sharing information. How do you get the most out of Twitter and what do you hope to accomplish?

I’d say it’s most definitely the connections, and the thought processes that you come across every day. While I don’t see every single tweet made by my connections, just catching the odd one that has an immense depth that blows me away is what makes each connection count. As far as accomplishing goals, basically continue to learn from the people around me, and improve myself because of it.

Tell us where you are from and what you do for a living?

I’m originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, but I now live in Canada just outside Toronto. I own my own boutique PR agency, which combines traditional PR and marketing with social media. This includes business consultancy as well as individual projects.

Do you know others who use Social Media tools like Twitter in your area? What would you say about the knowledge of people in your area about Social Media in general?

If by my immediate area, there are a few, although I’d probably say that Facebook is still a more popular application than Twitter. You’ve got incredibly smart guys like @davefleet and @unmarketing who are both local to me and in my field, so it’s an ideal mix. :) It’s definitely growing, though, and I think 2009 will see Twitter go much more mainstream.

What gets you really motivated and excited?

Knowing that each day is different. I’m lucky to work in an industry I love (despite the best efforts of unethical PR pros giving it a bad name) and that I am my own boss. The charity challenge I’ve put together for 2009 is really motivating me, and seeing all the support for it is always exciting. And learning from great people online every day, who want to encourage others in all that they do? That never fails to amaze me.

Give us one crazy fact about yourself you haven’t already shared.

Hmm… when I was at primary school (I’m guessing grade 6 or 7 across here), I played the Fairy Godmother in the school production of Cinderella. Definitely a crowning moment, and scary how “okay” I looked in a dress… ;-)

Any other tidbits you would like to offer?

Never take no for an answer, and no matter what people might tell you, everyone has greatness inside of them. Don’t be afraid to show yours and encourage others to be great too. :)

Cheryl Harrison

I’ve benefited tremendously from Twitter by making my online relationships offline relationships when possible, and to more beneficial online relationships when not. I try to post entertaining and informative Tweets everyday and interact with a wide variety of people, but prominently those in Central Ohio, as we have such a vast and diverse Twitter population right here in my backyard.

I’ve already been able to build an inconceivably strong network in such a short time, both personally and professionally. I’ve made friends and business contacts with people I otherwise would never have had access to. I hope to continue to build and foster these relationships, who knows where they could take me! The connections in just the few months I’ve been Tweeting have already gotten me my current job, sent to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration on behalf of a local TV station, a couple of speaking gigs for myself, speakers and entertainment for conferences and events I’ve planned, connection with a potential business partner, my website designed for free, free tickets to Plays and Conferences, you get the picture. Tweet on, friends!

Tell us where you are from and what you do for a living?

I am from Martins Ferry, Ohio, a small Appalachian town across the Ohio River from Wheeling, West Virginia and about 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. I moved to Columbus, OH to attend Capital University and don’t plan on leaving for a while. Columbus is very underrated for how fabulous it is. I work for People To My Site an interactive/traditional marketing agency. I work in the marketing department so my job ranges from developing social media tactics to launching public relations capabilities! I’m also @peopletomysite on Twitter, but shhh, that’s top secret! ;-)

Do you know others who use Social Media tools like Twitter in your area? What would you say about the knowledge of people in your area about Social Media in general?

Columbus is an extremely technological region. There are about 1,500 people on Twitter in the area, to my knowledge and more everyday. One of our local television stations has almost all of their anchors and reporters on Twitter, who Tweet while on the air, and they poll Twitter everyday during broadcasts and show the Tweets on the air, which is fueling the expansion of Twitter and making the news fun and interactive. We have at least two major Tweetups a month here, with an upcoming event almost booked to capacity (80 Tweeple.)

What gets you really motivated and excited?

I love to be overly involved and stressed out, no matter how much I complain about it. If I don’t have work, school, five freelance projects, two organizational commitments, four coffee meetings, two lunches and three networking events in a given week, I get bored and lazy.

Give us one crazy fact about yourself you haven’t already shared.

I am distantly related to Presidents Benjamin and William Henry Harrison. The latter died from talking too long during his inaugural address and caught pneumonia – I’ve always assumed I’d follow in his political and long-winded footsteps.

Any other tidbits you would like to offer?

I would love to share some Twitter advice that I’ve recently realized a lot of people aren’t familiar with:

Note from Craig : If you like my interviews, I would like to invite you to read my columns as well, please check out my article on “Educating your customer – Why do it?” Thanks for your visit, please post if you have a thought! It does make a difference!