Crain’s Detroit Business Adds New Community Tools

Crain’s Detroit Business, one of Michigan’s most recognizable business publications, is undergoing a bit of a makeover.  While randomly clicking on some links shared via Twitter, I noticed that the blog portion of their site has been completely redesigned.  Take a look.

Get a closer look here.

It seems that the publication is now integrating additional community elements.  Users now have the ability to post wall messages on profiles, search blog posts by tags, “friend” reporters,  upload pictures and video, and track posted comments.

While Crain’s is well known for their weekly print editions, reporter blogs are quickly rising in popularity, generating more than 10,000 page views per month.  Additionally, there are very few hyperlocal sites with a strictly business-centric audience in the Metro Detroit area.  Adding more community elements could create a whole new dynamic and increase user participation.

However, I think they are missing something.   There doesn’t seem to be any links designed to help me share the site’s content with other networks.  For example, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal both have share widgets for posting to Facebook and Twitter.  Facebook Connect even turned me into a Huffington Post reader. Why not tap the power of other networks before creating you own?

What do you think?

Does building a community element guarantee more participation?  Do we really need a new place to connect?

Filed under: business, social media , community, crain's detroit business, detroit, media, publication, social media

The birth of TechKaraoke Detroit and a special send-off for Shannon Paul

At the recent Angelina Detroit #eatup, there was a ton of discussion surrounding what should be the next “activity” for the Detroit social media community.  One of the many ideas thrown out was to follow in the footsteps of New York City, L.A. and Chicago by putting together a TechKaraoke event.

What is TechKaraoke all about?  It’s simple: people get together, have a few cocktails and rock the mic.

Well, hold on to your butts because it looks like a karaoke event will be held next week thanks to @primesuspect.  We’ll also be using this opportunity to give a good friend of Detroit a proper send-off.

Our very own Shannon Paul will soon be relocating to Seattle as part of her new position with WeSeed. While we all hate to see her go, we definitely want to say “goodbye and good luck” in style.  Since Shannon is actually the one who first shared with me the idea of putting on a TechKaraoke-style event,  I find it only appropriate that she be a major part of the “first” gathering.

So, come join Detroit’s tech and social media community on Saturday, May 30th at Royal Kubo in Clawson as we give our friend a “very official” send-off (see what I did there?).  They’ll be great conversation, lots of laughs and the butchering of classic songs by your friends and neighbors.  This could also be the start of a TechKaraoke Detroit chapter!

If you can’t make it, be sure to thank Shannon for all she has done for Detroit.  We are sure going to miss her!

Check out the Facebook page for the event.

Filed under: Michigan, community, detroit, social media, social networking, tweetup , community, event, fun, karaoke, Shannon Paul, tech karaoke detroit

Hanging out at Ignite Lansing

I was lucky enough to get ahold of a ticket for last Friday’s Ignite Lansing, which was the first Ignite event ever held in Michigan.  For those who are not familiar with Ignite, here is a quick summary:

If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers.

Ignite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. Since then 100s of 5 minute talks have been given across the world. There are thriving Ignite communities in Seattle, Portland, Paris, and NYC.

While I always try to attend as many Metro Detroit-based events as possible, it was refreshing to step outside of my usual geographic boundaries and visit another growing digital community.  I was able to meet plenty of new people and finally shake hands with @nicklucido and @mattfrendewey, two smart guys I have been following on Twitter for awhile.  I also want to give a special shout out to @kaseyincharge for quickly organizing a post-event tweetup.  To view the attendee list, search the hashtag #ignitelansing or check out my Twitter stream.

However, the best part of the evening had to be my buddy David Murray’s hilarious, informative and Oscar-worthy presentation – “Who Wants To Be Adopted.”  I followed Dave around with my Flip camera for most of the night (primarily because I couldn’t present my proposed topic about the elements of a perfect Arnold Schwarzenegger movie) and captured his evening of triumph for all to see.  Enjoy.

Side note:  A few weeks ago at Startup Weekend Detroit, many of us were discussing how the Detroit community could benefit from an Ignite event.  Based on the phenomenal reception I witnessed at Ignite Lansing, I think this is something we need to explore ASAP.

Interested in helping me organize an Ignite event in Detroit?  Leave a comment, drop me a tweet or shoot me an email.

Filed under: Michigan, community, conferences, detroit, social media, tweetup, twitter , social media, twitter, community, Ignite Lansing, Ignite, David Murray, Presentations, Lansing, Ignite Detriot

Detroit’s Growing Social Media Community

The inaugural Module Midwest Digital Conference represented a great moment for Detroit’s social media community. Many of our local rock stars took to the stage with recognizable leaders in the digital industry and shared their knowledge of all things social media with attendees who were eager to learn.

With Module being hailed as a winner and a successful Startup Weekend in the bag, I think it’s pretty clear that fantastic things are really starting to happen in Detroit.

So, what comes next? How do we carry this momentum forward? How do we become more than just a blip on the radar?

To find some answers, I asked Jeremy Tanner, Ken Burbary, Adrian Pittman, Damian Rintelmann, Scott Monty, Shannon Paul and Chris Brogan how they think Detroit can take things to the next level.

I’m really taking their advice to heart.  But now I’m looking to you.

What would be your advice to Detroit or another up-and-coming social media community looking to create a name for itself?

Filed under: Michigan, business, conferences, detroit, social media, social networking , Adrian Pittman, Amber Naslund, Chris Brogan, community, Damian Rintelmann, detroit, Jeremy Tanner, Ken Burbary, Marcel Lebrun, Module Midwest Digital Conference, Oz Sultan, Scott Monty, Shannon Paul, social media

Detroit Tweetups – Hanging with Chris Brogan Edition – #robtu

A lot of people out there (well, at least like 60,000) think Chris Brogan is pretty cool dude.  So, when it was announced that there would be a Tweetup in his honor at the Royal Oak Brewery, Detroit’s Twitter community came out in force… and with only 24 hours notice.

A surprise bonus was that social media firecracker Amber Naslund (pictured below with everyone’s favorite redhead – @damnredhead) was also present.  After introducing myself, I just had to thank her.  Why?  Because Radian6 is pretty awesome.

Be sure to check out everyone’s tweets from the event – #robtu

Here were some of my favorite moments:

• Getting the chance to finally meet @cbarger.  Heck of a nice guy.  Make sure you follow him.
• Loudly promoting Friday’s Module 09 conference.  It is going to be awesome.  Seriously. Buy a ticket.
• Being referred to as “Trouble” by @ambercadabra.  Obviously, my reputation proceeds me.
• Discussing a possible Tweetup collaboration with my new friend, the delightful @lish.
• Seeing many new faces.  This Tweetup drew people from all over Michigan, including @natalie_joy, @kaseyincharge, @andrea_ness and @ssiewert (a fellow Erma’s Frozen Custard fan).
• Reconnecting with @drintelmann. Our paths had not crossed in some time…. and it started getting annoying.
• Talking about the happenings here in Detroit with @chrisbrogan.
• Sharing my love of Band of Brothers with @kenburbary and @essohhbee.  CURRAHEE!
• Bumping into @bw313. I actually introduced her to Twitter back in February at another event.  This was her first Tweetup and she brought a not-yet-on-Twitter friend… who is now on Twitter as @ElaineMBrady.

Thanks to everyone for making it a great night and for playing a part in Detroit’s growing social media community.  You all rock.

Check out the list of attendees after the jump.

Filed under: Michigan, detroit, detroit tweetups, social media, social networking, tweetup, twitter , #robtu, Amber Naslund, Chris Brogan, community, detroit, detroit tweetups, social media, tweetups, twitter