By Lindsay Bell
When the cat’s away, the mice will play!
Our fearless leader is speaking today so I’ll be filling in at today’s Livefyre Q&A with social business expert and author Michael Brito. And I am STOKED!!
I met Michael Brito when I was a Twitter newbie. I can’t even recall how we connected, but to say I was more than a little excited when a ‘bigwig’ like him followed me is an understatement.
I don’t use the term ‘bigwig’ lightly either. I certainly don’t use it dismissively. Michael Brito is the real deal.
He’s the senior vice president of social business strategy at Edelman Digital, an acclaimed industry speaker, teaches at a couple of universities (does he even sleep??), NewsCred just named him one of 50 Most Influential Content Marketers, and he wrote the first book on social business.
His latest, Your Brand: The Next Media Company, is what he’ll be talking about at today’s Q&A.
As a former TV producer, I’m really excited to chat with him today about building a media company around your brand. Remember the whole ‘Oreo owning the SuperBowl blackout‘ thing? That’s what he’s talking about.
Think only big brands with huge budgets can function at that level? Ask him about that! Concerned it will be too much work for too little return? Lob that one his way. Think the whole ‘content/media’ thing is an overrated fad…? Bring your contrary views to the table my friend, and see if he can change your opinions.
The Real Deal
Michael is the real deal in the world of social business, but that’s not all he is.
He’s also a dad, a Lakers fan, and if his Twitter account is anything to go by, slightly addicted to Vine.
But the thing that geeked me out the most about Michael was when I found out he was a former U.S. Marine. I have the utmost respect for anyone who serves their country. My uncle went to West Point, and was a career U.S. military man, retiring in 1977 as a Lt. Colonel. I have friends who serve here in Canada. I know I’ll definitely be asking about that period in Michael’s life.
Be sure and connect with Michael. You can find him on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and on his social business blog.
Today’s Livefyre Q&A
At noon ET (that’s 11:00 CT, 10:00 MT, and 9:00 PT for those of you who can’t do time zones), Michael is going to be hanging out in the comments.
In order to participate, all you have to do is:
- Make sure you have a Livefyre account or be ready to sign in with one of your social networks.
- Set a reminder for noon ET today.
- Order the book so you can help Michael out, but also get your learn on.
- Create a list of questions.
- Come back here, scroll to the bottom, and write a comment in the form of a question. As soon as you hit “post comment,” Michael will see it and reply to you. You can even join the conversation around questions others are asking, if you like.
We’ll be here for an hour so you can join us the entire time or step in and out during the hour. It’s entirely up to you; just make sure you’re here before 12:59.
Win a Copy
Those of you who participate in today’s Livefyre Q&A (even if you’re late to the party, but not if you’re an Arment Dietrich employee) will be entered in a random drawing for a free copy of the book.
We bought two copies and will give them away, but you have to actually leave a comment, ask a question, or participate in the chat to be entered in the drawing. Otherwise we won’t know you were here.
Get ready with your questions and join the conversation. And don’t fear! If you missed the live portion of this, we’ll keep the drawing open until midnight PT so you still have time to get in your questions.
Former Guests and Who’s Next
For former guests, check out Margie Clayman, Sarah Robinson, Mark Story, Beth Hayden, Sarah Evans, Stanford Smith, Chris Brogan, C.C. Chapman, Mitch Joel, Danny Brown, and Chuck Hemann.
And following is the lineup through the end of the year so mark your calendars!
Same bat time, same bat channel.
- September 18 – DJ Waldow
- October 23 – Tom Martin
- November 13 – TBD
- December 18 – Jay Baer
See you today at noon!
P.S. And speaking of Jay Baer…he is doing a webinar about his new book, YOUTILITY, on August 29th! Register for free here.