Ethos3 had the recent opportunity to chat with Dave Delaney
Dave’s Bio: Dave Delaney is a Social Media Strategist, New Media Specialist and Traditional Marketing Professional based in Nashville, TN. He is an accomplished podcaster, blogger and marketer. His successes range from producing and co-hosting one of the first (2005) parenting podcasts, Two Boobs and a Baby +; organizing and founding Nashville, Tennessee’s first BarCamp and PodCamp “unconferences”; and working in traditional Marketing for such companies as Mirvish Productions, Toronto Star and Global Television. He hosts the blogs DaveMadeThat and New Media Nashville. He organizes the monthly Nashville Geek Breakfasts. Dave combines traditional Marketing and Promotions know-how with his extensive knowledge of all things web-related in the world of New Media Marketing and Social Media.
1. Beyond your passion for social media, what gets you up in the morning?
My two screaming little ones.
2. People often talk about the dark side of social media. What is one thing you would change?
They do? Who’s talking about the dark side? Does the dark side refer to evil, or a popular Pink Floyd album? I would change the punishment for spammers. Spammers are evil and I’d like to send them all to the dark side of the moon.
3. If you could offer one piece of advice for someone who is just getting started with social networking what would it be?
Be transparent, be honest and be nice. Okay, that’s three.
4. You are obviously an expert with social media and social networking tools. How important is the role of story in the social media environment?
I’m not an expert, anyone who says they are are lying. It’s impossible to be an expert in something that changes daily, even hourly. Having said that I am certainly an enthusiast who lives and breaths this stuff. The role of story is important, it’s very important. We are all story tellers, social media allows us to easily communicate those stories to our friends, family and followers. Whether it’s a true personal story or a fictitious tale, it’s all about the story. I refer to fiction as in being creative, not being callous. Social media is a soap box for anyone, it’s a virtual Speaker’s Corner.
5. Is there a story that has changed your life?
Yes, it’s a long one. The short version goes like this: – Boy is bored of Toronto and moves to Ireland
– Boy meets girl from Tennessee in Ireland
– Boy and girl fall in love and become best friends
– Boy and girl move back to Toronto for a few years, and they get married in Memphis
– Girl and boy (she does all of the work) have two beautiful babies (Irish twins! Ironic?) a boy and a girl
– Boy, girl and babies move to Nashville to begin new life
6. You have given your fair share of presentations. How important is story as it relates to the world of presentations?
The story is the bun. The content is the meat (or vegetarian patty if you prefer). The bun holds it all together, it makes it enjoyable. Without the bun you have a mess in your lap. Have you tried eating a burger without a bun, it’s very messy, I don’t recommend it.
7. You have been a busy man these past few months. What’s next for you?
I hope to have a full time position with a company that recognizes a need to engage in social media. I’m excited because I live in a world where I can now use all of my traditional marketing and promotions experiences and combine them with online initiatives. I have some speaking engagements lined up in the next couple of months, plus some intimate round tables. My calendar and contact details can be found on my site: www.davemadethat.com.
