Archive for October, 2011

Posted on October 20, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

infographic – The Growth of Social Media via Search Engine Journal (SEJ)

Source: The Growth of Social Media: An Infographic

Posted on October 19, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

‘Here’s to the Crazy Ones’ – I want to change the world.

Random thoughts, rants, goals and dreams!

Confession:
I want to change the world. I don’t want to occupy the world but change it.
When I change the world it’s not going to be how others think I should change the world or who I change the world with but my plans are to change the world.
To change the world, I have to change myself first and a lot of other things.
I have a few ideas about how I plan to change the world but they’re just ideas to change the world.
I do know that I’m not going to change the world by running for a political office or marching or rioting.
My ideas to change the world may reflect a small percent of the world and how people view a certain demographic of the world or people or view point but when I reach my goal, I will change the world.
I’m not going to change the world by myself.
I don’t know who’s going to change the world with me.
It’s not going to be easy to change the world, it never is, never have been or will be but I rather try to change the world than do nothing.
I want to change the world not for my personal gain but for those yet to live, grow up or who knows the world needs changing.
I’m not going to change the world how I am today, a lot has to change, but I’m up for the challenge to change the world.
When I do change it may happen in my life time or not but when you look back I hope you can at least say I tried to change the world.
I want to change the world for a better place for you and me… (insert “we are the world music”) I wish more people would want to change the world too.
What changing the world means to me may not mean the same to you but in my goals by you reading this means I’m already starting to change the world.
I have a lot to learn now, before and during trying to change the world but I’m up for the challenge.
Some of you are not going to like me while I’m trying to change the world.
While I’m changing the world I’ll look at how it impacts individual minds, our society, and our culture.
I don’t want to change the world just my way or your way but hopefully in a better way.
I don’t see changing the world as having a start or finish but an ongoing journey of goals, life lessons, conversations impacting individuals to become better and reach their goals even if that means one person at a time to help them change the world too.
Thank you to the people who have changed my world who have enabled me to help change the world.
I hope you change the world too.

To be continued…

Quote: Steve Jobs
“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith”

“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. ”

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”

“Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

“Stay hungry and stay foolish”

Posted on October 5, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

RIP Steve Jobs – 1955-2011

Posted on October 5, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Why writing and blogging are so important

flickr photo By futurowoman

If you heard me speak at a conference or panel before a common line I will often say about why people should blog is that if you don’t tell your story then who will? Then I usually follow up with some ways to create blog topics and justify blogging and the whole social media building relationships, you can’t rely on news media etc. You get the picture.

But what is Blogging? Blogging is telling a story, blogging is sharing your opinion, blogging is reporting news and more. But at the core, blogging is writing! While being one of the speakers at BrandCamp Detroit last year, I got a chance to hear my friend Peter Shankman talk as well. He said, writing is one of the most important things you can do online or something like that. Then Peter went on to tell a few stories about some bad written letters he received. Since then I’ve been thinking more and more about how to improve my writing skills and constantly telling others to start or continue to write. Regardless let’s take a look at a few examples of how just being a good writer, blogger, journalist or just being able to tell good stories have paid off for a few people.

Recently it was announced that MG Siegler who is a tech journalist/blogger for TechCrunch will now become a partner at CrunchFund with Michael Arrington. This is a special case because of the nature of the deal being in Silicon Valley, TechCrunch, AOL, Arrington, etc but at the end of the day MG did a few things well and mainly he was a good writer and he used his writing skills to build relationships and the rest is history. The same can be said for Pete Cashmore. I remember when Pete started Mashable and now Mashable is not only one of the top tech blogs but it’s one of the top websites in the world. Those are rare cases but I have friends who have received book deals just from their blog that’s not even a three years old. Also look at Groupon, it was reported that Groupon has 70 writers on staff to help with marketing which has lead Groupon to be the fastest growing business ever. It was also reported recently that Cnet was trying to hire Nick Bilton, the NY Times lead technology writer and offered him a significant pay increase, which became news itself especially since he turned it down. Even myself, some of the opportunities I’ve had and clients I’ve been able to work with has come from me blogging, writing telling stories, my experiences online, mainly here on SoicalWayne.com.

As more digital content is being created today from videos, podcast, photo sharing apps, infographics, status updates, tweets, and more at the core of everything is writing. So, why is why writing and blogging are important? Writing can build relationships, tell stories, create opportunities and help educated others. Make time to write, get better at writing and just do it.

Posted on October 3, 2011 - by Wayne Sutton

Why the Blacks in Tech community doesn’t need a Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks we just need to start working together

flickr photo By Dunechaser

Since coming back from CA and co-launching the NewMe Accelerator, I’ve received tons of emails and phone calls from various entrepreneurs across the country looking to either launch a startup, launch their own accelerator or minority tech conference. You get the picture. Like I said in one of my previous post, the topic of lack of diversity in tech is hot this year and the conversation around the lack of blacks startup founders or trying to be one is even hotter.

One of the many reasons we launched NewMe Accelerator was with the hope of being examples for other like minded entrepreneurs who wanted to pursue their dream of launching their own startup. The experience was life changing. A popular question I get asked is what was some of the things I learned while in Silicon Valley. I learned a lot but one thing I learned in particular about the Silicon Valley community is that majority of the entrepreneurs, investors, Venture Capitalist for the most part are willing to work with each and help other entrepreneurs succeed. I left with the feeling that they understand the ech system, how it works and knows that if they help and support one another, communicate and provide introductions and referrals then it not only helps them but it helps makes Silicon Valley what Silicon Valley is, the leading place in the world to launch a web/tech startup. You have your few individuals who are cut throat and only care abut themselves or their startup etc but we have those everywhere.

There are programs and communities across the world trying to duplicate the Valley success. Now apply that to the African-American tech community and our culture. We’re spread out, disconnected and known via our “culture” not to work together well with others.(please prove me wrong). Going back to problem and conversation of why so few blacks in tech or black founders and the whole diversity problem. I don’t believe we “Blacks in Tech” needs a modern day Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks, we just need to start working together and those who are working together do even more. Myself included. There are tons of resources, various niche communities from Facebook groups in California, to Meetup Groups in NY and State of Black Tech panels in DC and if we really want to help close the digital divide, create jobs, launch startups and be examples to the community and for the next generation, they’re won’t be one or two or three people doing it or leading the charge. It will be a dynamic change in the African-American culture/communities how we work together and educate each others about technology.

Part 1…