I am a Montreal-based marketer who loves social media and technology. With 18 years marketing experience behind me, I understand that social media is only one driver in my marketing toolbox. At the new year, Jeff Pulver posted his “Bucket List” to Facebook, an outline of things that he’d like to accomplish, more so than a New Year’s resolution. Jeff tagged Merlene Paynter, who then tagged me, along with social media powerhouses Laura Fitton (aka @Pistachio) and Jim Long (aka @newmediajim). It was then that I knew the jig was up.
Merlene didn’t know about my dreaded secret. A fact so dark and horrible in social media circles that I felt it was only a matter of time before I was discovered and shunned, amish-style, by the community.
The thing that kept me awake at night: I don’t didn’t have my own blog.
Sure, I’ve had a few attempts at a personal blog when I was home alone with a baby, but I quickly got bored with the “cheese sandwich” aspect of it. Professionally, I’ve participated in social media in many other ways:
>I contribute to the OneDegree blog and Media Bulleseye. I’ve guest blogged too.
>I comment on blog posts regularly (here, here, here, here, here and here, for starters).
>I am a heavy Twitter participant, starting discussions, contributing, offering support.
>I started the Twitter Punks Flickr group for like-minded rabble-rousers.
>I helped to start the wiki for SXSW Twitter buds and participate in other social media wikis and groups.
>I use Seesmic and Utterz.
>I share my bookmarks on del.icio.us and my photos on Flickr.
>Of course I’m on LinkedIn and answer questions. I’m on Facebook and was a group Chief Instigator.
>And I’ve lost count of how many different social media sites I’ve puttered with, because every week there are more to play with, like BrightKite and FriendFeed.
Despite all of those efforts, without a blog of my own, I felt like a social media fraud.
Thank you, Merlene, for unwittingly making me overcome one of my biggest self-imposed obstacles to success. Just like your Bucket List, I want to tap into the best part of myself too. So, before this year gets away from me and the shiny has rubbed off of good intentions, I’m coming clean and stepping up.
Welcome to my blog.
57 responses so far ↓
1 Geoff Livingston // May 4, 2008 at 11:40 pm
What an awesome opening salvo. Mazltov on your new blog, Adele!
2 Connie Reece // May 5, 2008 at 12:09 am
LOVE the Marketing Monster title and banner graphic. I will look forward to reading your blog — already enjoy being your Twitter pal. Congratulations on taking the plunge with a personal blog.
3 Steven Buehler // May 5, 2008 at 12:30 am
Don’t forget to do the rest of the 12 steps too.
4 Scott Shorter // May 5, 2008 at 7:20 am
Love the monsters!
5 Rick Wolff // May 5, 2008 at 7:25 am
Great to see! I’m subscribed. Your layout has that Wordpress-patented new-blog smell. Twitter does indeed drain off that pressure to begin to blog, as I can attest. My Twitter page sufficed as a blog for a few months, and is still maintained better (maybe I shouldn’t admit that). Anyway, all the best!
6 Laurent Blondeau (Evidences) // May 5, 2008 at 7:27 am
Well-come, if you permit the trick, to blog-social expressive way…Thx for contributing so much and congrats for the “monsters” picture. I adore it ! It’s finally like our social world, full of freaks, but so kindly people too…
Et bienvenue à la Canadienne, Montreal ne m’est pas inconnu, j’y ai de la famille et y suis déjà allé…
7 Jennifer Navarrete // May 5, 2008 at 9:03 am
I’ve always enjoyed reading your posts on Twitter. This is going to a great way for folks to get to know you in more than 140 characters. Glad you’ve taken the plunge. It can be a bit daunting when you get started. No worries. You’re among friends here.
8 Melle // May 5, 2008 at 9:07 am
Welcome to the fray! (I’ll add my two cents to the ‘love the monsters’ sentiment.)
Recently started following you on Twitter, and it’s great to add new channels for an interesting voice.
May your 1000th post bring you as much promise, trepidation, and connection as your first.
9 Dave Fleet // May 5, 2008 at 9:11 am
Welcome to the fray, Adele!
10 Ed Illig // May 5, 2008 at 9:13 am
Why I never! Have you no shame? All this time. I’m going to need 5 or 10 seconds to process this revelation…
…Okay, done.
Congrats, Adele. The little marketing monsters look nearly EDible. Nice touch.
And in keeping up with the Blondeau’s:
Tout le meilleur, Adele !
11 Merlene Paynter // May 5, 2008 at 10:01 am
Congrats Adele! The blog looks great (just subscribed) and I’m looking forward to what you’re going to bring to the bloggy table.
Now… where’s that Bucket List? (drums fingers impatiently) Really. Where’s that Bucket List?
12 Meg // May 5, 2008 at 10:04 am
Welcome to this particular section of the party, girl. You’re already MORE than rocking the rest… I’m quite certain you’ll “bring it” here, too.
13 Mack Collier // May 5, 2008 at 11:01 am
Yay! And agree with @conniereece, love the header, just hilarious!
I’m subscribed!
14 Ike // May 5, 2008 at 11:06 am
I was a blogger once… Congrats!
15 Eden Spodek // May 5, 2008 at 11:09 am
Congratulations Adele! I look forward to subscribing to your RSS feed and reading more about the Marketing Monster. Guess I should change your link on my Women who rock! blogroll too.
16 Shannon Renee // May 5, 2008 at 11:20 am
This looks good; the graphic is great.
17 Karen Swim // May 5, 2008 at 11:23 am
Congratulations and welcome to the blogosphere! Mack Collier tweeted the link and I’m so glad he enthusiastically shared. I love the look and your first post and am looking forward to being a reader.
18 shel israel // May 5, 2008 at 11:24 am
Well, it’s about timne you graduated up from coffee tweeter. You are a fine writer. Please keep them coming.
19 GeekMommy // May 5, 2008 at 11:49 am
Welcome to the world of “oh geez… I really need to post something to my blog… aargh!!”
You’ll be fabulous - just be you. We all adore you already just as you are!
Congrats on the new blog!
20 Mary // May 5, 2008 at 11:50 am
Congratulations on the new blog. I’m subscribing to your RSS feed so I don’t miss anything.
21 Helen Thompson Mosher // May 5, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Congrats! I did the same thing about six weeks ago, although in my case it was consolidating several blogs with various specific topics into one blog with many channels. So we’re both new old-timers in the blogosphere. Looking forward to seeing your posts!
22 Liz Strauss // May 5, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Fabulous Adele!
It’s time folks knew exactly how talented you are!
23 Ann Handley // May 5, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Excellent, Adele! Love it! Odd to say it, but I will: Welcome to the blogosphere!
: )
24 QueenofSpain, Erin Kotecki Vest // May 5, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Congrats and welcome!
25 Mike // May 5, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Anyone who has met you and read your Tweets knows you’re the real deal. Make it what _you_ want it to be, and it will be great.
26 Andre Blackman // May 5, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Looking forward to awesome stuff from you Adele! No pressure of course
27 C.C. Chapman // May 5, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Welcome to the nut house!
Can’t wait to read what you come up with. I’m still eager to hear the story of the monsters
28 Melanie Notkin // May 5, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Congratulations. I just started my blog last month. It’s a thrill ride! Enjoy every moment of it!
29 Chris Brogan... // May 5, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Woohoo!!! Bring it!
30 Connie Crosby // May 5, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Well, no one can say you have done anything the conventional way. First twitter, then a blog! Welcome to the other side of the blogosphere.
Cheers,
Connie
31 Chris Brown // May 5, 2008 at 2:36 pm
GREAT header graphic… love your tag line too!
I’ve got you in my feeds, so will be checking back.
Chris Brown
Branding & Marketing blog
32 Doug Haslam // May 5, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Glad you started a blog Adele! Subscribed
33 jonny goldstein // May 5, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I’ve still got those finger puppets from SXSW! You rock Adele!
34 Ryan Anderson // May 5, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Welcome (back?) to the wonderful world of blogging! Congrats, Adele… subscribed.
Ryan
35 Scott Monty // May 5, 2008 at 3:18 pm
WHAAAATTT? Next thing you know, you’re going to tell us that you don’t have an iPhone…
I’m so glad that you ‘fessed up, Adele. Now there’s no turning back. Bwaahahahahaha!
Best of luck as you continue on this amazing and rewarding journey, and keep up the great posts. Love your banner, btw!
36 Vivian Cohen - Leisorek // May 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
How long would it had taken me in Twitter to find our you were one of the founders of Digital Eve? A big Kudos from an early steering committee member, DigitalEve, Israel chapter. And Twitter pal. And thanks to this post, re-charged blogger .
Looking forward to more.
37 Dave Delaney // May 5, 2008 at 3:43 pm
I *knew* there was something about you I didn’t trust. Ha!
I believe you are officially too legit to quit Adele.
Welcome to the blogging club.
Cheers,
Dave
38 collin // May 5, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Welcome aboard!
39 Annie Boccio // May 5, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Welcome to the ’sphere!
40 Bob LeDrew // May 5, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Benvenidos! Congratulations on jumping in. Like the Atlantic Ocean in summer, it might be uncomfortable when you start, but when you grow numb to both the attention (and the apathy) of your readers, you don’t feel bad. Until you take a break and you realize you’re shivering and freezing all over, and that your flesh has turned a sort of marble gray not unlike that of Michelangelo’s David. But that you don’t look nearly as good naked. (or perhaps that’s just me. Too much information? Probably). But anyhoo, congratulations.
41 pattyhartwell // May 5, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Oh Adele,
Well if your secret has to be out, so does mine - I don’t have a blog. I started in social media on Seesmic, then moved into Twitter (though I have had a FB & LinkedIn profile for awhile) - I often feel I’ve been moving backwards into SM. So your blog will be my inspiration - and maybe one day …
42 Donald Lousley // May 5, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I’ve always needed orange in my life, so was delighted as I cruised by to see the header reinforce my intention to find the RSS thingie. My dipping-of-toe re. my personal blog experiment has been so much fun and the effects quite profound, so I’m encouraging you here to “go for it” from your inspired start. Well done!
Cheers from southernlight
43 Doctor Mare // May 5, 2008 at 5:11 pm
You were too busy to blog until now. I can relate.
I love the Monster concept and your monsters.
Congratulations! You give a cyber-virgin hope.
44 Marketing Gorilla // May 5, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I’ve added you to bloglines and I look forward to your sage wisdom.
Now, are you going to become an affiliate with this snazzy new blog and all of its wonderful traffic?
45 Alexa Clark // May 5, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I have to say, that’s an excellent first post.
Congratulations on your first blog!
46 MsInformation // May 5, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Mon amie-
Congratulations … and thanks to you, we’ll all benefit from your monstrously spot-on rationale and beautiful heart.
Bring the punk to the party, sister grrl!
47 Jill Foster // May 5, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Work it, own it, be the Monster Goddess! How exciting. Congrats on using another hip way for the rest of us to savor your creativity. Now let’s talk about me: will I get to enjoy you at BlogPotomoac?
Even if that answer is ‘no’, you still rock monster-levels with a new blogger voice.
48 RandellFever // May 6, 2008 at 4:33 am
Great looking site Adele! I like a clean layout and your writing is great.
49 Adele McAlear // May 6, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Thank you everyone for such a warm welcome! I’m really touched by the outpouring of support that you’ve shown me. I’ll work hard at keeping this blog a place that you like coming back to and I’ll try not to betray your faith in me. (The pressure is on for the second post!)
50 Trish Bischoff // May 7, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Wow. Nice look Del. Hope things work out for you and you take off with your new look! I like it. Hey, if I ever need a media guru, you’re the man!
xx chat soon!
Trish
51 Trish Bischoff // May 7, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Are the monsters pictures of your sisters? I think I recognize some of them…
52 the other A McAlear // May 8, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Tell me where you find the time so I can get some too! Looks great….what was your excuse for waiting so long again?
53 Jane in Oz // May 12, 2008 at 4:36 am
Love the monsters! Good luck with it Adele. I think sister no 5 is the one on the left with many eyes! hahaha.
54 Tim '@Twalk' Walker // May 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm
It’s a testament to your pre-blog presence that you got 50+ comments just for saying “Hello”!
I think that a lot of the conventional wisdom about online presence that has formed over the past few years of bloggery is coming under constant revision now, thanks to the many new collaborative tools available.
The really good news about this: anybody can start at their own best point of entry. If you like tweeting, then tweet. If FB is your thing, go for it. Flickr? Rock on. And then it can morph in wonderful new ways.
Anyway: welcome, formally, to the blogosphere. Your RSS feed went straight into the inner circle of my feed reader. Cheers!
55 mousewords // May 12, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Welcome to blogging! LOVE those monsters, awesome!
I’ve subscribed, can’t wait to see what you have to say.
Have fun!
56 Jim Long // May 20, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Let me begin with some Washington-speak. “I would like to associate myself with the remarks of my esteemed colleagues here.” hehe
As I am comment number 56, it occurs to me that there are A LOT of folks out there who care what you have to say and appreciate the conversation you bring to the table. Looking forward to keeping up with this part of your world!
57 The Curse of the Sophomore Slump // May 25, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[...] incredibly welcoming and supportive response that my first blog post brought. There were more than 50 comments left by an incredible array of heavy hitters from Twitter and the social media scene, people who [...]
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