Name: Jenn Pedde
Twitter name: @JPedde
Website/Blog link: thesocialchameleons.blogspot.com
Area of Expertise: Social Media/Job Searching/Gen Y
Favorite Cartoon Character: Garfield
First, tell me a little bit about yourself.
I graduated from Syracuse University in 2004, and lived in NYC as a talent agent’s assistant working with big name rap stars like Jay-Z for 3 years before I gave it up to go live and work abroad in Seoul South Korea. Hong Kong is the best place in the world.
When did you first become interested in social media? And, what’s the first social media site you joined?
It’s been in my blood since I was 15 and fell in love with AOL Chat Rooms in 1997 with my first computer. I’ve jumped on all the trends – Bebo.com, Friendster, Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, livejournal, you name it.
How do you manage all your social media accounts (a.k.a. avoid social media overload)?
Excellent question – not entirely sure? I have a Macbook and an iPhone, and keep all of the same programs on both which helps to keep things synced up and moving along smoothly. I like to take some weekends and completely unplug but I usually have to go somewhere where I can’t get a WiFi signal.
Describe your biggest social media-related success story?
Wow, okay I have two. One – I met a friend via AOL when I was a teenager, and that person became one of my dearest friends, who helped me decide which school I would go to for college and that changed my life in the best ways. The Second – most recently I was unemployed since December, jumped onto Twitter wholeheartedly in January, and found a job through a friend’s RT. I applied, did all of the scheduling through DM’s and will now be starting as a Social Media Community Manager in the middle of May – all because of Twitter.
Do you think social media is a lifestyle?
Yes, Yes, a thousand times yes. Very few people are social enough to truly get social media. I get made fun of SO SO much by friends who just refuse to partake in it. I spent a weekend with four friends recently who thought Foursquare was the dumbest thing they’d ever heard of. There’s no changing their minds.
If you can give one piece of advice to someone who is just now beginning to incorporate social media, what would it be?
The beginning is fun! Stick with it, engage with anyone that’s tweeting about any topic that interests you and start a blog to go along with your life. Think about who you are, and find a niche. It’s all about the continuous networking and relationship building!
Links:
Social Media Rock Stars: Interview with Rich DeMatteo
