Shane Rhyne

Since I work for a top public relations and marketing firm with a job title of “digital strategies manager,” it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that I spend an inordinate amount of time talking publicly about social media.

For instance, here’s a sampling of the past week’s activities:

Last Tuesday, I had the privilege of speaking to the Knoxville Chamber as the final seminar of the chamber’s annual Social Media series. This year, my topic was “What Can Plus Add to Your Business Communications,” a look at some of the benefits and potential of Google+.

I’ll happily admit that Google+ is increasingly my favorite of the major social networks, so I’m always happy to spend some time introducing people to the network’s potential uses.

The next day, however, I was shifting gears and revisiting the world of Facebook. I was asked by WBIR-TV to come on the air and discuss the rumored announcement of Facebook’s IPO and to talk about new Facebook features such as Timeline. As luck would have it, Facebook officially filed their IPO while I was in the studio waiting to go on air. I didn’t have much time to study any details but was able to provide a brief synopsis of what was happening for the viewers.

Here’s the video to that appearance:

Then, last night I was a panelist on the Social Media Club Knoxville’s inaugural “Social Media Smackdown,” a light-hearted but informative debate pitting panelists and their favorite social media platforms against one another. Naturally, I was representing Google+. My friend and co-worker Rick Laney was also a panelist and was representing Twitter. Another great friend (and former co-worker) of mine, Katie Granju, was our Facebook panelist. A newer friend, Nicole Van Scoten Denton, was on hand to represent the emerging platform of Pinterest.

Here’s a snapshot of the panel getting ready for the Smackdown.

L to R: Katie Granju, Nicole Van Scoten Denton, Rick Laney, Shane Rhyne

We had great fun and I hope the audience learned a little something, too.

I have to say I’m amazed. If only three years ago you had told me that I would spend so much time speaking regularly in public about how I use the Internet to communicate with people, I would have been skeptical to say the very least. But, I do enjoy the opportunity to share what I’ve learned and to learn from other folks at events such as the chamber’s social media series or the SMCK Smackdown.

And, speaking of Google+, feel free to add me to your circles by visiting my profile page.

About Shane Rhyne

I wear many hats in my personal and professional life. I am a public relations professional, writer, and social media advocate. I blog about topics of interest to me professionally and personally. Connect with me on Google+

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•