Make $25CAD... the easy way!!

Want to win $25 in cold hard, Canadian cash? If so, check out coreytyhurst.com on Facebook and let me know what you think of my new website mockup! In collaboration with kaitsouch.com, I am launching the official coreytyhurst.com website in a few weeks, and I want my loyal fans (all 8 of you!) to give feedback and help make the site as good as it can be!

Kaitlyn Souch is a fledgling web designer and she has done a great job in preparing a site that really reflects my personal brand. I would recommend her work to anyone, so I thought I would share her expertise with the world by asking for input into the design of coreytyhurst.com.

Leave your comments... when the site launches Kait and I will pick the best fan feedback and I will send then $25CAD in cold, hard cash. It's easy, give constructive feedback, make sure it's better than everyone else', and you win $$$
(Note, this contest is for individuals only; no companies or 3rd party advertisers are permitted to win)

Here's the initial design (don't mind the spelling and language stuff... its just a draft!):

This puppy is going to be linked to my Blog, LinkedIn, Twitter, and the coreytyhurst.com Facebook page, and many of my other social networking sites. If you like it, become a fan of coreytyhurst.com on Facebook!

About coreytyhurst.com:
This is a personal website where I will be sharing my latest endeavors in technology, media, video games, politics, economics, and anything else that I find interesting about how people interact in the crazy world we live in. I'm not out to make money, simply share my experiences with the world.

About kaitsouch.com:
Kaitlyn Souch is a web design student at Sir Sanford Fleming College. She has produced many multimedia projects, including websites, print, and photographic works. Her passion for design and her bubbly personality ensure that your project is done on time and without hassle.

You Can Skip Everything Online, Except LinkedIn

 I am the youngest person at my job. This often defaults me to being the "expert" on computers, the internet, and all things geek. Personally, I love taking this role because it affords me the opportunity to show people who I respect in the workplace all of the great tools that are available to them to boost their competitive edge.

I believe that LinkedIn is one of these core tools. I've said it before, and I will say it again, as an individual, you can  afford to skip Twitter, skip Facebook, and skip a bunch of the other social networks (I don't recommend it, but not everyone wants to live their life in front of a screen as much as I do). However, if professionals do nothing else online, they should be on LinkedIn. Period.

I've put together a presentation on Slide Share that explains some of the benefits in general, but this post is really to tackle those professionals who have had a successful career, do not plan on moving companies anytime soon, and just can't figure out why a "job searching" website would be of any value to them. It's a completely valid question, as most how-to guides for LinkedIn focus on how to use it to find a job. The reality is, that it's a networking tool... a superb one.

Common Barriers:

1- I am not looking for a job, I don't see how this site can help me

 In today's competitive business world, you need every edge you can get. Even if you plan on staying in your job and company for many more years, having up to date, current information on companies, the job market, and potential candidates for your team helps you keep one step ahead in your professional game.

2- I am busy managing my work and my employees, I don't have time for this.

Even if you are not into the internet and building a personal brand online, it's very likely that your employees are. As a manager of other people, one of your core roles is to help build your employees skills and career through your guidance and expertise. If you participate in helping your employees build their brand, they are far more likely to be loyal to you, and your company. 15 minutes a week of reading about updates in your network and providing testimonials to your employees work publicly can do a world of help for employee motivation.

3- I have a strong network in the "real world", I really don't feel the need to put myself out in the world publicly

This is a fair barrier. Some people do not want to make their work and academic history available for all of the world to see. If that is the case, then LinkedIn probably isn't for you. However, if you have a Facebook profile, then this argument is bunk!

I'm sure I could talk in length about some of the other benefits such as LinkedIn answers and Recruiting, but I'll give you the meat!


How do I get Started?

1- Create a free profile at www.linkedin.com
2- Add http://ca.linkedin.com/in/coreytyhurst
3- Join your companies group. If it doesn't exist, make it!
4- Start networking (only add people to your network who you are willing to be associated with)

Keys To Success:

1- Spend 15 minutes each week browsing profiles and reading about companies in your industry. You'll be surprised at what you can learn
2- Keep your profile up to date
3- Join and participate in some select groups that are relevant to your career. The key here it to pick a couple relevant groups and participate in the conversation... or start one! You'll be surprised at how strangers will be willing to talk about common interest related to their area of expertise.

If you liked this post, please let me know. If you have other barriers or issues you'd like me to address, please let me know!!

**UPDATE- May 26**
Here's a really cool infographic on LinkedIn and some of its more fun stats from around the world.

Improving Your Local Community

Think Globally, Act Locally- It's quite the cliche at this point... but I guess that cliche's exist because a lot of people are on board with the idea.

I truly believe that people are what make the difference , both online and off. This is one of the reasons I love social media so much; it's not about the information that you are discussing per se, its the people behind that information and the debate that their opinions spark that interests me.

This may seem a bit Utopian, but I truly believe that participating in Web 2.0 will make the world a better place. This isn't a new concept for me, more of an extension of my offline life. Before the "new web" even existed I was participating in Beavers, Wolf Cubs, and 4-H. All of these organizations have a goal of inspiring youth to make the world a better place in their own special way.

The reason I am writing about this today is that I am participating (for a 3rd time) in the Junior Achievement program "Economics For Success". It's a program that helps Gr. 8 students understand what living on their own is like, and how investing in their education can help them achieve their individual goals, whatever they may be.

I participate through my company along with other employees, but JA is open to anyone who is interested in offering their time to school age children. In JA, I've learned 3 things specifically:

-Gr. 8 kids are a hell of a lot smarter than you think. I don't know if I just forget what it was like at that time in my life, or if our kids are just leapfrogging us in intellect, but I am always hopeful for the future when I hear the thoughtful responses from the future leaders of society.

-Teachers don't get enough credit. I work long, hard days in a knowledge based industry dealing with some of the smartest folks in the world. However, after a day of intense interactive learning with a group of Gr. 8's, I am whooped. It's humbling to play the role of a teacher and think about the importance of their job to our future.

-Learning is supposed to be fun. I think as adults sometimes we look upon learning as "getting in the way" of the things we need to do. Kids have the uncanny ability to make even the most mundane task fun, to the disdain of their teachers of course!

Here's my shameless plug for JA... The video isn't the flashiest thing around, but remember, this is a not for profit run mostly by volunteers. :)


Anyone can work hard, get a sweet job, and make some good coin... but are YOU doing enough to give back to your local community?

Application Overload

I'm addicted to the internet. There, I said it. I have plenty of friends who are addicted to coffee, smoking, sleeping, etc. In my mind, I could have far worse hobbies.

Part of my addiction to the internet is wanting to try out the latest and greatest applications on the web. In marketing they call people like me the "bleeding edge"... those early adopters who are out seeking new products just so they can be the first ones to have it. One of the most important points in the definition of bleeding edge is that there is no consensus on how things should be done!

This is becoming very obvious to me as I am really starting to get more ingrained into this world that we call social media. As an example, when I first got Twitter I started using Seesmic web on my home computer, but hated how they sent me emails all of the time about their tweets, so then I switched to Tweetdeck, which was working perfectly fine. However, I've been doing some more research and decided to check out HootSuite, as it had the web component of Seesmic, and seemed to have some good features (including being able to link to ping.fm). I'm sure that by next month, there will be some other great new program or application out there to rival HootSuite, but I guess thats just how it goes in this crazy new space.


My willingness to try new things will ultimately get me to a better place I think, but the passion I have makes me wade through a lot of crap, including signing up for new services (and then deleting them) when I realize they aren't what I'm looking for.
Random thought: (Here's a great website that helps you delete profiles on most major social sites)

I'm really considering making a full flow chart for how my social media is all connected, as I think it could help me organize things... but that sounds like a project for another weekend when I'm not busy checking out new web apps!

What about you? Do you ever get bogged down with all of the choice out there? Or do you just stick to the big popular platforms?