Minnesota Freedom Band Christmas Concert 2012 IDS MPLS

My Heart and Prayers go out to those 28 lives lost in Newtown Connecticu...

Slingin Santa is the best new Game you can get on the iPad Kids Love it ...

World AIDS Day Spin W Joe Ede @ YWCA MPLS 2012

5TH World AIDS Day 5 hour spin YWCA Minneapolis 2012

Job fair DEED at Minneapolis Marriott Northwest 3,000 people

AIDS Memorial Quilt Minneapolis Minnesota 2012

Christmas Lights 2012 Bentleyville Duluth USA

Worlds Largest Christmas Tree Record Bentleyville Duluth USA

Snow hitting northern Minnesota Grand Marais Nov 2012

Christmas time on lake Superior Grand Marais Light house walke

Thank You Thanksgiving Golden Ticket to Red Ribbon Ride Mn GiveMN GTMD12

Windows 8 hot keys for home screen, desktop, tiles legacy and new view M...

Microsoft Windows 8 weather and touch vs non touch screens and Tiles

Gtmd12 Celebrate To The MAX Party 2012 Rainforest Cafe Mall Of America

Give to the Max Day Social Media Challenge @ Gabriel Skelly

Gtmd12 Minnesota Give To The MAX Day 2012

Nanowrimo Day 14 12K and Obama is on the Radio 2012

Nanowrimo 2012 Day 13 Red Bull Gives You Wings Klout Perk

Same Sex Marriage Party End of Vote No Campaign Minnesotans United for A...

Win for Gay marriage Minnesota Voted NO on the amendment 2012 election

Vote No Style (Gangnam Style Parody - PSY) MN Marriage Amendment Video

Vote No Don't Limit the freedom of marriage - Wayzata BMW 325CI wrapped ...

VOTE NO for our kids - Another Catholic voting to not limit the freedom ...

VOTE NO I support Gay Marriage, and I am a married Catholic in Minnesota

New Ipad Mini Launch and 35 Year Apple Anniversary FirstTech Minneapolis...

NanoWrimo 2012 Day 2 Laptops Candy Tea Fire and Babies

NanoWrimo 2012 I am going to write a book

Vote NO and support Marriage

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: Body Pump and Weight Dump no Halloween Candy for m...

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Vote No Rally Senator Al Franken MN United at University Of Minnesota

Chris Kluwe: Punter, Minnesota Vikings vote no rally Gay Marriage Mn United

Congressman Keith Ellison Vote No Gay Marriage Rally Mn United

Senator Amy Klobuchar Vote No Rally Gay Marriage MN United

Vote No Rally Mn United University Of Minnesota Senator Scott Dibble

#Smbmsp50 Social Media Breakfast Music and Social Media

Snow Hits Twin Cities Minnesota October 24th and stops 394 and 94 =)

Media Launch For Minneapolis St.Paul Minnesota Uber Luxury Transport ser...

Dodge Ballin YWCA Friday Night Dodge Ball 10/19/12 Uptown Minneapolis

YWCA Friday Night Dodge Ball 10/19/12 -1 Uptown Minneapolis

Kadunce River walk in the water Up North

Binders Full of Women and Gun Violence because of single moms AK-47 Mitt...

Fast Fall the leaves hit like Ice and Winter may be just around the corn...

I support Gay Marriage, and I am a married Catholic in Minnesota

Social Media Breakfast Minneapolis St.Paul Tweet Up SMBMSP Severs Corn Maze

My trip from MySpace to Facebook and Google+ with some Pins

Posted on October 10, 2012

I have been doing a lot of thinking about my life and social media.  I remember the first network I joined when I was in high school. AIM or AOL Instant Messenger was the big thing. There was also Yahoo messenger and many more that didn’t get as much attention. Then came sharing sites like Napster and Morpheus where we could share music files for free from person to person.  Next were more full-scale social networks, I was a MySpace user and still have an account.

My first step into paid work with social was as the Director of Finance for a US Congressional campaign. At that point Facebook was very new and MySpace was the rage. There was also this little video site called YouTube that had not gotten very big yet.

 

Well in those early years of social people didn’t like to get advertisements or anything political. I remember a page comment for the campaign I was representing on MySpace. “You have gone to far, MySpace is not a place for politics” warp ahead to 2012 where Facebook is a public company (I got some on IPO day 1) and social is one of the best places to connect to customers. I had my hand in the ruin of social yes I was one of the first people who brought a political campaign into the social web.

Well little did I know but I would become a stay at home dad for a couple of years and get hired as the Director of Communications for a commercial roofing company. Wow had the social world changed. Facebook was king, Napster was gone and a little bird called twitter had begun to catch peoples ear.

I forgot to mention that I signed up for that little company called YouTube as a member and now have over 1,000,000 views on my channel.

Well my first jump into social in 2009 was to join every social network I could get my hands on. I joined twitter and Friendster and bebo and many many more. I linked them all together or as much as I could through ping.fm I even created my own social networking site on ning.  I remember joining social media breakfast and Fallon presenting a new app they use in house called Skimmer. I tried tweet deck and really started to get into apps for consuming social and publishing.

 

Next I got the company I worked for up on Google, we were not just high ,we were on the top constantly. The main product we sold was Duro-Last and if you looked for them in the state of Minnesota we came up first. High above any paid search. This was a big deal because they are a national company and spend lots of money on PPC and ad campaigns. I believe they even pay 3^rd party groups like Vocus to get more web presence. Anyway, at the national sales seminar my second year in I got called up on stage in front of 1500 sales people as the twitter guy.  As long as I was with the company that title never went away.

Well I got more and more into twitter but I kept my eye on all the other new networks. I signed up with google+ and Pinterest and checked out many that were to unsuccessful to name.

 

I was able to keep the company I worked for at the top of the Google search for the whole time I worked with them and without paying any money to Google. I really believe in organic search and SEO being built into the content you push. More than that it has to be something people like and want to and are willing to share.

I was recently at a meeting with people who use social for marketing and I realized how on target they are  and how much people who don’t believe in social are off the mark.  I love twitter for what it can do for a brand but I will be honest I also love it for all the free junk you can win.

I use Klout to see where I stand with all my fellow posters and tweeters and they give me lots of cool stuff. In the last year I have been sent a whole case of gum, organic shampoo, high end pencils, Red Bull, Starbucks drinks, A box of fair trade food and much more. I have also won a bunch of gift cards and tickets and a twins T-shirt from twitter.

If anyone thinks the power of social is not in the people. They should sign up for twitter and tweet at the company of their choice with a question or comment.  I would guess most of them would reply within a few hours. I would say that’s a lot better than sitting on your cell phone waiting for an hour to talk to a human.

 

All in all I think social is the best place for brands to connect to their customers and to interact.  I will be sticking with it although I see more and more ads pop up in my Facebook feed and more and more friends take a break from it. Well see, I may need to start setting coffee dates with my friends instead of sharing photos online. 

Jump @ Sever's Corn Maze & Fall Festival SMBMSP Tweetup

Jump @ Sever's Corn Maze & Fall Festival SMBMSP Tweetup

Attaboy Mens Cancer and Breast Cancer Ride Thank you party Mn

I support Gay Marriage, and I am a married Catholic in Minnesota

Metroiba at Creative Lighting St.Paul October networking event

Big Gay Race Minnesota 2012 Mn United for All Families vote NO

Amy Klobuchar for Gay Marriage at the Big Gay Race 2012 Minnesota #voteNO

Smbmsp49 Social Media Breakfast a long drive then some Dodgeball YWCA style

Minnesota Big Gay Race September 29 2012 MN UNITED VOTE NO

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: Fighting the weight Losing some pounds - Big Gay R...

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: Fighting the weight Losing some pounds - Big Gay R...: It seems like forever since I last posted. I have been fighting hard with my weight to keep it close to 270 and I want to hit 260. I was...

Duro-Last and My new Site

Well I have not posted in a while. I am no longer working with Duro-Last although I think it's a great product. I am still the Vice President of the Minnesota Green Roof's Council and I just launched my new website check it out:

www.gabrielskelly.com

I will be offering my blogging and social media skills to those interested.

I will be still sharing information about Green roofs and solar in the State of Minnesota. In fact today Excel announced that it is  fully funding the solar rewards program in 2013.

Solar*Rewards Installer Update: September 25, 2012Minnesota Bonus: FY 2013 Budget is Fully Allocated All of the fiscal year 2013 Minnesota Bonus (MB) funds have been allocated. 
Application Review Process for 2013 and 2014 We'll begin accepting new applications for FY 2014 MB money and calendar year 2013 Solar*Rewards money simultaneously in January 2013, subject to approval of our proposed 2013 Solar*Rewards Program, which is currently under review by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Xcel Energy will suspend the review and approval of MB applications that do not have acknowledgment letters until that time. If you have an application currently in review with Xcel Energy, you'll need to resubmit it in January 2013 to be considered for both 2014 MB and 2013 Solar*Rewards funding.

If you're in this group:

• The $250 application fee you previously paid will be applied to the new application.
• A new application will be required to assign any new program requirements, e.g., funding calculations, to projects that qualify for our proposed 2013 Solar*Rewards program. 
• You'll also need to update your engineering documents in the new application once the application system re-opens in 2013.

The following table indicates actual Solar*Rewards program performance as of
September 18, 2012. This table will be updated monthly and located under the "Overview" section on our website.

Solar*Rewards Program Performance through September 2012 (excludes MN Bonus)

	2010	2011	2012 (as of 9/18/12)
Solar*Rewards Incentive Payments	$2,378,272	$3,366,000	$5,403,964
Total Program Spend	$2,618,197	$3,653,351	$5,627,503
Participants	166	140	180
kW Installed	1,057	1,496	2,402

We'll provide updates on the status of the current Minnesota Solar*Rewards program and the opening of the 2013 program as the 2013-2015 CIP Triennial Plan decision is finalized with the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

I really like Blue Horizon Energy for a solar installer. They are in the Metro and do superb work.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a pioneering way for business owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to buildings. Property owners assess measures that attain energy savings and receive 100% financing, repaid as a property tax assessment for up to 20 years. By abolishing upfront costs, providing low-cost, long-term financing and allowing the loan amounts to stay with the property if owner decides to sell, PACE overcomes obstacles that have mired implementation of energy efficiency for business owners throughout the United States for years. How PACE works · City issues micro bond to fund install · Bond sold to 3rd party financial institution · Building owner assessed property tax to bond repay Blue Horizon would like to grow the solar industry by allowing commercial properties owners to invest in solar PV systems without having to pay for them out of pocket. PACE is a ground-breaking program and if done correctly, could really have a great impact on the environment, helping business owners save money on their electric bills, as well as continue to evolve more into the world of alternative energy sources. If you are a commercial building owner and want to become a part of this movement please contact Blue Horizon Energy.  Think small, save BIG As much as most of us don't want to admit it, winter is just around the corner. With winter comes a whole whirlwind of problems. High gas bills = Lighter pockets Ice dams = Leaking Hot and cold spots in home = A level of discomfort Solution: Air sealing and attic insulation A lot of people don't realize the benefits derived from air sealing and attic insulation and how many different problems it can solve. Better insulating keeps warm air in and cool air out resulting in lower gas prices. It prevents ice dam build ups on your roof, eliminating the possibility of future leaks. And lastly it increases the level of comfort in your home by  obliterating hot and cold areas. Call Blue Horizon Energy to start saving! 952.955.5900  info@bluehorizonsolar.com www.bluehorizonsolar.com

Purity Ring live at First Avenue Fireshrine Fire Shrine purityring

Apple Iphone 5 Launch September 12 2012 Iphone5 IOS all new .5% GDP

Ninja Red Kale Spinach Apple Banana Strawberry - Not Vitamix but it works

Minnesota Twins vs Indians - fall baseball at it's best 2012

Kadunce River walk in the water Up North Minnesota

Blue Moon Over lake Superior 2012 = 2 full moons in 1 month every 2.8 years

Hot Chelle Rae at @1013KDWB booth! Minnesota State Fair 2012

Minnesota Green Roofs Council @ Minnesota State Fair Eco Building 2012

Smbmsp48 Lee Odden Toprank on How to Optimize at 514 Studio

Mn State Fair Tom Thumb Mini Donuts fry deep in oil Gabes Green corner g...

3HP Vitamix VS fruit at Whole Foods Apple, berries, kiwi and much more

Fireworks Fisherman's Picnic 2012 Grand Marais MN Fire Works

A Gift to Those in Need open Your Eyes and see that you can help

Kay Roseland, Gabe Skelly And Nick Rosener at Alphabet Bash 2012 #Acbba...

Fishermans Picnic 2012 Grand Marais Mn

Optimize Book Launch with Lee Odden of TopRank at Aria - the Jeune Lune

Day 4 Minnesota Red Ribbon Ride 2012 heading home Fight AIDS HIV Minnesota

Red Ribbon Ride Day 1 - 2012 10th Anniversary before we leave Mall Of Am...

ATVing in Staples Minnesota Week Before Red Ribbon Ride 2012

Storm and high winds hitting the West Metro St.Louis Park MN

Going Home from the Winnipeg Folk Festival 2012 next year it's 40

Eliza Gilkyson Winnipeg Folk Festival 2012

Daytime stage Winnipeg Folk Festival 2012 Bob Marley

K'NAAN Winnipeg Folk Festival 2012 Main Stage

Water Foot Pump for Africa Winnipeg Folk Festival IDE Canada 2012

Happy 4th of July 2012 From St.Louis Park With Fireworks

Can you fry an egg on a black BMW when it's 100 degrees outside? Car or ...

Hyatt Clearwater Beach Florida Duro-Last Seminar 2012 Tues

Green Roof Minneapolis City Hall Minnesota

DURO-LAST GO GREEN EXPO FSEER DURO-LAST

Duro-Last in MN EAT STREET MINNEAPOLIS PHO 79 Caravelle Cool White PVC ...

Final Party Pirate Sweet Home Alabama Duro-Last Seminar 2012

Can you fry an Egg on the sidewalk when it's 100 degrees Outside - Cook ...

Red Ribbon Ride Hope House St.Croix Valley Ride 2012 Fight AIDS

Momentum 2012: National Geographic Photographer Paul Nicklen

Pride 2012 Red Ribbon Ride #tcpride2012 Parade Minnesota Fight AIDS HIV

Pride Parade 2012 Twin Cities #tcpride2012 Minnesota Red Ribbon RIde

Twin Cities Pride Parade 2012 #tcpride2012 Gay Pride Minnesota Pre Parade

Gladiator Uptown YWCA HIIT High Intensity Interval Training Boot Camp + ...

Mens Cancer Attaboy Ride Fathers Day June 17th 2012- Remax Results

All Through the Night at Savorys Gardens

Fishing in Ely Minnesota Happy Memorial Day weekend 2012 Timber Trail Lo...

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: Newleaf Biospace body fat and VO2 Max tell me I ne...

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: Newleaf Biospace body fat and VO2 Max tell me I ne...: So, It's been a couple of weeks since I did a post. I was really wanting to do a post that I have weighed in below the 270 mark for the...

10th Anniversary Red Ribbon Ride training 2012 Wayzata Minnesota

Stormy Night Bread & Pickle Lake Harriet Bandshell

Facebook Stock IPO buy it like your drug of choice May 18 2012

June Bugs strike Minnesota in May - GLobal warming

Start Now! M. Sanjayan The Nature Conservancy Momentum 2012 MN

Accelerate Minnesota 2012 Pledge to Grow University Of Minnesota Metroiba

Gerald (Jerry) W Skelly Memorial Video

2012 Minnesota Living Green Expo - Solar - State Fair Grounds

Yelp Elite Minnesota Aloft hotel WXYZ BAR Minneapolis May 2

Smbmsp45 Government, Public Service, & Social Media

Pinterest for Business and Fun

You may have heard a lot of buzz about this new social media site called Pinterest. Many magazines says it is the new white hot advertising tool. You may also read that the biggest users of Pinterest are women. Well I am here to tell you, you are mostly right in believing what you hear. Pinterest is the newest photo sharing and repining site out there. I started using it for a trial a couple of months ago and now I am hooked. It's not the same as Facebook or Twitter. It's more simple and yet almost more fun. Pinterest allows you to add photo's to a digital pin board online. You can see and re-pin other peoples pins. You organized your pins into boards that can include direct uploaded photo's and links to photo's on websites.

     For industry users this is a great way to share photo's with clients. All items on Pinterest are searchable and key word tagged to how you describe your pin. I would suggest to anyone get on Pinterest and see what happens. I am suprised by how many strange things I throw on my pin board get liked and re-pinned. Ask me for an invite and I will send you one. What ever you do, don't let Pinterest pass you by.

http://pinterest.com/gabrielskelly/

Titanic Survivor Wayzata MN Mrs .John Pillsbury Snyder Talks with Gerald...

Happy March Heat 80 Degrees Minnesota Metroiba Mark Dayton Small Business

Leap Year Day Rain Snow Blizzards Feb 29 2012 Schools Closed

84th Annual Academy Awards War Horse The Help Real Steel

Lent

Second Chance Prom Any way you want it MN Freedom Band

Minnesota Freedom Band Second Chance Prom I will Always Love you

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: 5 Hour Spin YWCA Meltdown Boxing and Gladiator

Dad's Weight Loss Blog, keep fit and in shape as a parent: 5 Hour Spin YWCA Meltdown Boxing and Gladiator: I did the 5 hour spin last weekend. To be honest I really only did 3.5 hours of it because I had a captains meeting for the red ribbo...

Internet Marketing Essentials University Of St.Thomas Mykola Sarazhynsk...

Awards Party Duro-Last National Seminar 2012

A Tribute to my Grandpa Gerald Skelly SR

Snow In Minnesota Happy Friday Ski Snowboard Helmet 4 Life

Ireland Aran Islands 3 Gabe Walks to the end of the world =)

Ireland Dun Chonchur Gabe walks the Aran Islands