Thursday April 2nd #amestweetup

I talked with several people last week about what all is going on in Ames. I had several requests to get another #amestweetup in the works, so I did. I hope everyone who asked will come up to our neighborhood.

We are looking to all get together for an #amestweetup this Thursday at 6pm, April 2nd at Olde Main downtown Ames. You can watch their updates and get more info by following me on twitter, @mrdallasjmoore and Olde Main, @oldemain. If you have never been to Ames or Olde Main before, you should come. You can check the map here to get directions to the #amestweetup and the good times. If you want to get some of the famous Olde Main Brewed Beer 6pm-2am $2.00 wells also $5.00 growler refills. We also are trying to get a brewery tour set up too. Nothing set in stone yet, so cross your fingers too!

If you have any questions you can catch me above or contact Jill.

I hope to see you all there this Thursday!

New with me, what’s new with you?

I know I talked about being let go from my job at the end of February. I wanted to tell everyone that I appreciate all that you have done since then and kind words you have shared. I have made it my goal these past four weeks to read, watch and listen to as much as possible. To do research to grow and better myself. I have devoted my time to educating myself and sharing some of what I’ve learned. I have also wanted to reach out to help and teach others. I’ve been working towards helping others build their base to reach their dreams and goals. I spoke with Nathan T. Wright (@nathantwright) of Lava Row a couple weeks ago. I wanted some feedback on a few ideas I had to help brand social media and social networking on another level and myself. He had some great feedback and answered some of the harder questions I had.

Podcasting is something that Nathan brought up while we were talking. He mentioned that podcasting is not something that isn’t done as much in the area. Nathan thought with my energy that it might be a lot of fun and add to my skill sets. I took his advice and put together a fifteen minute show on Blog Talk Radio, which is a free website where you can set up a podcast via cell phone. I have done four shows since I started. My first show entitled “Getting Down to Business” focused on setting some goals for yourself, both in your career and in your life. I also talked about a great book I just finished, The Answer. The book was written by John Assaraf who was featured in The Secret (the movie) and Murry Smith. The second show was entitled “Branding Yourself for Success” that focused on ways to set yourself apart from the competition (jobs, companies, etc.) and how to visualize your success and inventory list.

The third show was in response from question I received. Its important to me with the podcast that I’m talking about things people want to hear about. I encourage questions/feedback from those listening. I received a direct message on twitter from Iowa Lottery, (@ialottery). They had a great question from a business stand point. They wanted to know how to choose a channel to interact and engage your customers/clients utilizing social media/social networking. I think many companies feel that way right now and many more will be asking that same question soon. I entitled the show “Choose A Channel”. I talked about how its about knowing who your customer/client is. I believe that the demographic of your target market or ideal customer is very important, but you also need to know their psycho-demographic too. I also referenced a few topics and case studies from a book that I just finished, groundswell by Charlene Li and Josh Bernoff.

My fourth show, which I did yesterday was called “Reach Out to Help, Open Up to Talk”. I got the idea from a fellow member of twitter, Steph Adamo (@stephadamo) She posted about how she wanted to be able to engage others and help. Steph mentioned how she was not sure how to go about doing so or what direction to start. It also made me think of the #dmtweetup and other events that go on throughout the year. Some people like to talk to as many people as possible and others are not comfortable doing that. In my show I talked about ways you can get started, some things to think about and how reaching out to others who would rather centrally locate, or stay in one place and wait for someone to come to them. I felt that others are time watch the conversation and never say much, which is fine. If you want to engage, teach, learn or any of the above you should. Breaking out of a comfort zone can be hard at times and in big groups it can be very intimidating. This show was focused on helping make things easier, things to try and how to reach those goals for yourself.

Feel free to take a listen to my show here. I will hit on branding, marketing, social media, books that opened my eyes, campaigns and projects I read about or am involved with and other topics as they come up. Please send me a direct message or @ reply with any questions or feedback on the show. As I said above, if your going to listen I might as well talk about what you want to hear.

Thanks for reading and thanks for listening.

So, what’s new with you?

My Passion and Career Direction, can you help?

Its funny to think about all the jobs, connections and experiences you have had over your life. Many can lead you to a job you love more than anything, and others to a job you cant wait to escape. I have seen both sides of the fence and the grass is green on both sides. You just have to stand at the right angle and see it with a certain perception.

I, like many people in high school and college, had plans on going places, doing great things and to be someone special. In the eyes of my wife, my friends and family, I am that person. The person who went there, who did that, who became what they wanted. I am the type of person who has many professional and personal goals. Something I strive for every day, its what gets me up in the morning: “I have work to do.” In the last 6 months I have really narrowed down what I’m good at and what I want to do for a career, not just a job.

I’ve always been good with people. I have never had any problems engaging in conversation or networking. I have always had an out of the box way of looking at things from presentations and projects to marketing, branding and advertising. I like to create more than interest in a product and/or service. I want to create a passion, a loyalty and a relationship. I want to be able to learn and teach others, companies or individuals. I want to work for someone, a company and/or an individual who will allow me to focus on what I love and what I’m good at. I would like that person or company to also take me out of my comfort zone, teach me things and invest their time in me. By doing the following, they will brand themselves in my eyes as someone who sees value in me, and someone who I can be loyal to.

I’m not posting this blog to get a job offer, but more to tell others what my passions are, the direction I wish to go and to empower others to do the same. If you’re not where you want to be, write down where you want to go and how you’re going to get there. My problem is, I know where I want to go, but am not sure how to get there. I have some ideas that will aid in my career development and experience. I will continue to research, read, grow, network and do anything I can to help build and grow the social media community.

To those who are lost with their dreams, goals and passions, I hope you find yourself. I hope that your opportunity arrives so that you can move forward toward in your career development and adventure.

M. Ward “Hold Time” My Review

M. Ward’s Hold Time is the best way to spend time. With his soft, smooth and crisp vocals, melodies and riffs, its like riding a spring breeze. Being a noticeable figure in the indie scene, M. Ward will solidify himself not only as a musical visionary, but as a musical generous.

With flawless mouthwatering production, feel good stories and magnificent music, Hold Time is sure to be one of top ten best albums of 2009. When listening to this album, its hard not to hear bits and pieces of other great musical styles from the past. With songs like “To Save Me,” I think of the good times and no worries sound of The Beach Boys. Theres also the haunting and beautiful “One Hundred Million Years,” which reminds me of the gone, but never forgotten, late great Robert Johnson. Also taking country and alt country styles on “Fisher of Men,” I hear the grit and poise of the legendary Johnny Cash.

The recording of the album, more than its creative quality, is what struck a cord with me. The acoustic and electric guitars were recorded so well I felt like M. Ward is in the other room playing. I’ve had to get up and look too, just to make sure. With guest vocals featuring Zooey Deschanel (She and Him including M. Ward) on ” Never Had Nobody Like You” and Lucinda Williams on “Oh Lonesome Me,” this album is taken in yet another explosive and creative direction.

One of my two favorite tracks would have to be “Epistemology,” blending a wonderful and powerful electric guitar into then into the smooth acoustic guitar mixed with a moving drum beat. The lyrics make me feel that even when I get down, I can get back up again. I also love “Outro (I’m a Fool to Want You),” because it also blends electric and acoustic guitars, but the electric guitar is so muddy and distorted. This track is all instrumental and has the feeling of a long road come to an end. I see a hero or an outcast either driving in a fast car, or riding a horse into the sunset for a new beginning and a better tomorrow.

If you are already an M. Ward fan, I’m sure you already knew the above was true. If you’re looking for something great, new and different, check it out. Let me know what you think. I love talking music.