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Gini Dietrich

#FollowFriday: Joey Strawn

By: Gini Dietrich | January 7, 2011 | 
49

It’s funny how this World Wide Web works (thanks Al Gore!). You meet people out here in various locations and they all begin to blur and you don’t remember a) how you met your new BFF or b) how you haven’t know them  your entire life.

That’s how it is with Joey Strawn. I’m pretty sure we first “met” on Danny Brown’s blog through the comments. But now a day doesn’t go by without our talking…and while I’m about to give you several reasons why, they don’t touch the tip of the iceberg. But you’ll find out for yourself, once you begin to get to know him.Joey has a company called Empty Jar Marketing (clever story!) and he has a blog named after himself. But don’t let that fool you. He is one of the smartest, yet most humble people I’ve ever met. I mean, check out the self-deprecating photos on his blog. My favorite is the one I’ve used for this post. It cracks me up every time I see it!

He is a contributor to For Bloggers, By Bloggers, a fairly new initiative by Bonsai Interactive. And, while I don’t know it for gospel, I’m pretty sure the reason my favorite Scottish man living in Canada asked Joey to be part of that initiative is because he has incredible storytelling skills that I’ve had the pleasure of watching evolve in the past year.

Take, for instance, his recent post about the chameleon and the coalmine. He tells a story of how a chameleon stops changing colors and frets he’s lost his value to the town where he lives and then transfers that story to how we need to learn to be comfortable with ourselves and show our own unique colors. From where I sit, it’s one of his most powerful storytelling blog posts to date.

But the one that really got me was this week…A Prayer for MeMe. He claims up front the post isn’t for everyone; he’s written it as a tribute to his grandmother who just passed away. I’m sorry, Joey. I disagree. This post IS written for everyone and it made me cry (like real tears) because it’s so moving, gentle, and kind.

So check him out. Follow him on Twitter. Subscribe to his blog. Get to know him. You won’t regret one second of it.

About Gini Dietrich


Gini Dietrich is the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communications firm. She is the lead blogger here at Spin Sucks and is the founder of Spin Sucks Pro. She is the co-author of Marketing in the Round and co-host of Inside PR. Her second book, Spin Sucks, is due out in November 2013

23 comments
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Griddy
Griddy like.author.displayName 1 Like

Finally I made it here YAY! Took me a week of trying and a using a new PC but hey! :)

Gin Gin I couldn't agree with you more on this #FF :). Awesome write-up!

Joey is an all - round fantastic individual who I've gotten to know a little bit (virtually) over the last couple of months. Not only is he a tremendously talented writer (with his particular story-telling style) but he is indeed humble, courteous, witty, intelligent and more...(and not just because we both graduated from BU Com lol).

I love reading every one of his posts. They're loaded with great advice and somehow captivate you from start till finish - leaving you wanting more. Bravo and hats off Joey!

As for his recent tribute to his MeMe - I teared (A LOT) like a little girl. I actually announced that on Twitter as well - but Pffff...who's listening there eh? LOL.

Once again Joey, my most sincere condolences to you and your family. May your beloved MeMe rest in peace. I'm sure she was very proud of you.

I also agree with Gini on this one - that post was for everyone. Everyone who has a grandmother that they loved dearly and lost.

It's awesome of you to have written this Gini. It's definitely well deserved. And Joey - keep doing what you're doing cause we're gonna' keep coming back to read you every time you press publish my friend. Wishing you lots of success in 2011 with your personal life and blog, For Bloggers By Bloggers and Empty Jar Marketing.

I have no doubt you will achieve a hell of a lot and then some!
Cheers

joey_strawn
joey_strawn

@Griddy Thanks Ingrid! I've been waiting in anticipation for your comment ever since you told me it was coming and it certainly lived up to my hopes. : )

It has been a true pleasure getting to know you (virtually) over the past few months and I look forward to writing and working with you in 2011 and beyond. I wish you the best year possible and hope to get to know you better as time goes on.

Cheers!

Danny Brown
Danny Brown like.author.displayName 1 Like

Actually, I invited Joey to be part of FBBB because he promised to pay me three camels, a bread maker and 17 yellow Skittles. Bugger still hasn't coughed up...

Couldn't agree more, Gini - Joey's a definite gem in the crud that can be the blogosphere, and his blog is one of my must-reads (though I really should start commenting more there). We're lucky to have him on FBBB.

Cheers!

ginidietrich
ginidietrich moderator

@joey_strawn @Danny Brown I knew there was a reason I liked you...it sure took a long time to figure it out! We can share Skittles - I'll take the red ones and you can have the yellow ones. Woo hoo!

joey_strawn
joey_strawn

@Danny Brown Danny, it's not my fault that I used FedEx Crate to deliver your blog dowry and the camels stepped on the bread maker and then ate the yellow skittles (who knew they liked them as much as you?)

I'm glad you kept me on board even after my transgression, it's been a blast working with you and I'm looking forward to a great 2011!

Howie Goldfarb
Howie Goldfarb

8)

This is a well deserved #followfriday Joey is an incredible cartoonist with amazing wit. On twitter a very nice and kind and funny guy. I don't get to his blog enough becuase I am paid by Gini to boost traffic here, but when I do the posts are always well written, insightful, and I agree Joey is a great story teller. The chameleon story I did read and enjoyed immensely! It reminded me of one of my favorite movies I saw in 2010 the Fantastic Mr. Fox's son Ash who was upset he was viewed as small until his smallness saves the day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2igjYFojUo

BTW that is a great picture of REAL dinosaurs gawking at the Wax Joey Strong in Madame Tussauds in NY. During the economic crisis tickets were Dinsosaurs 3 for the price of 1. Joey's statue was a big draw of course.

joey_strawn
joey_strawn

@HowieG Of course. : ) BTW, The Fatastic Mr. Fox was one is one of my favorite stop-motion movies ever. It's fantastic from start to finish. I actually have a post about it. And what do you know, I happen to have a link right here to it: http://goo.gl/QSVWo

Howie Goldfarb
Howie Goldfarb

ARGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!! Lost my well written incredibly crafted comment and now I must start again!

Here it goes:

Great Post!

faybiz
faybiz

HERE HERE!
J is one of the first folks I look for most days to see what gold nuggets he is going to give us.
Terrific highlight of an awesome dude

ginidietrich
ginidietrich moderator

@faybiz And don't you think his writing gets even better every day?!

joey_strawn
joey_strawn like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 4 Like

Gini, I wanted to be the first to comment and personally thank you for this. From the first time you guys asked me to guest post on Spin Sucks up until now I've gotten to know you guys and respect you for the work that you do. More than that, you have become a close friend (even though we've never met in person) and I'm honored and humbled that your #FF post today is about me.

The selfish side of me wants to print this off and mail a copy to everyone who was mean to me in high school, but the rest of me just wants to thank you and commend you for the work you and Daniel are doing here. I hope your 2011 is amazing and I'm looking forward to this Jack Bauer Project you have coming out. : )

ginidietrich
ginidietrich moderator

@joey_strawn Tell you what...you give me addresses and I'll send it! I can serve as your representative.

Trackbacks

  1. Where You Can Find Me in 2011 | Joey Strawn says:
    January 10, 2011 at 9:29 am

    [...] Jar Marketing – As Gini Dietrich mentioned in her #FF post about me, I run a social media/digital marketing consulting firm in Nashville, TN.  When I’m not [...]