@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to today’s Twitterview of @rstanzel of the @mnwild. Lets drop the puck and get started!

@rstanzel – Hey Joel, thanks for having me.

Q – #1    Lets get some background on you @rstanzel. Where did you grow up, and what schools/jobs led you to the @mnwild?

A: Grew up in upstate NY, went to @WingateUniv (Charlotte). Intern with Albany (arena football). Jobs in Louisiana/Houston

was with @houston_aeros for 3+ years, then got the “callup” to #mnwild in Sept 07. Also worked ML baseball (pulled tarp 2!)

Q – #2    What advice did you you get about playing baseball that guided you to your current profession?

A: I always wanted to play for the #Yankees. In a slump my senior year in HS, Galway HS Coach Bill Higgins told me..

“Kid you’re not going to play for the Yankees, you may as well try to work for them.” Kind of set me down this path

Q – #3    Interesting. So what is your role with the @mnwild, and what kinds of things does that mean that you’re responsible for?

A: I’m coordinator of media relations and team services. So a liaison between media and coaches, management and players…

Also, in charge of managing travel, player ticket requests, etc. Making sure plane and bus take off on time, etc

Also added twitter to our dpt’s duties last year. We find #mnwild fans enjoy behind the scenes looks on road trips, etc

Q – #4    I would imagine that the plane/bus work can be tricky with weather & other elements out of your control.

A: Yes and thankfully, never had to spend night on plane. Many teams have. We deal with a lot of snow at MSP, of course

On way to Finland, #mnwild had 2 hr delay (engine problem). I was standing on stairs just staring at mechanic working

As aggravated as people get with flying, there’s no longer time than waiting 4 plane to take off when u play next nite

Q – #5    I can imagine. So with all of the travel that you do with the @mnwild, do you do a lot of reading? sightseeing? movies?

A: I read on plane occasionally and watch TV on DVD. Infatuated with Trailer Park Boys (Canadian “The Office” style doc.)

I try to find “dive” restaurants/bars in most cities I go. Off the beaten path. Wear out couple pairs of shoes walking

We typically practice at 1 while on road, but we do then have evenings free

Q – #6    Do TV shows like 3D w/@ChefGuyFieri or @ManvFood help you in making selections?

A: Love @ChefGuyFieri and @ManvFood. Go to some of those spots, + I have friend with DDD and have sent them couple spots

Found my favorite wine bar in San Jose (Perfect Finish) just walking around Election Night ’08 post-game

Q – #7    Cool! Now the @mnwild had a special moustache event recently. Can you talk about that?

A: the #mnwild #Movember campaign was terrific, raising awareness for men’s cancer issues. Wound up with over 1,100 ppl…

with Mo’s at Friday’s game. Special thanks to @kare11 @david_watkins for their help. Broke Guinness record by 1000 ppl!

Q – #8    Great! Lets now find out your favorite: Restaurant, store, winter activity and city outside of MN.

A: Favorite restaurant is tough. Maybe Joey Tomato’s in western Canada. Store, I have to go @BestBuy.

I am no fan of winter, so activity would be watching NFL/NHL next to fireplace. Favorite city, hands down, Vancouver

Also can’t leave out my love for desserts. @MPCheesecake, have heard about it forever, looking forward to trying soon

Q – #9    @MPCheesecake is de-lish! How has it gone in acclimating to MN, and is being in the “State of Hockey” make your job tough?

A: I’m from cold weather climate but lived in south 10 years so it was tough on me and my little Mazda.

Being the State of Hockey makes my job easy, IMO. Plenty of passion from both media and fans.

Q – #10    Nice. To close then, what life advice or mantra would you like to share with people today?

A: I would say u have to love what u do. At least if you want to work in sports. See a lot of people get burned out early

at the same time be balanced. It can’t be all about work. You have to have interests outside sports

@JoelECarlson – Thank you @rstanzel for your comments and time today. Have a great one and “Go Wild!”

@rstanzel – Thanks Joel! Make sure you bring up the #yankees to @dave_schwartz on Wednesday!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to an International Twitterview between MN and the U.K w/@LesleyAveyard. Lets get it started!

A: Hi Joel

Q – #1    So @LesleyAveyard, please share where you grew up as a child and where you’ve lived up until now.

A: Well I was born in Bradford, in Yorkshire UK and spent the first 18 years of my life there. Then I moved to Turkey

I got married in Turkey, my son Ryk was born there. I lived there for about 5 years

Now its back in Bradford again, my family are all still here :)

Q – #2    I see. Now your Twitter BIO says that you are a Social Media Chatterbox and your in marketing. How did that all start?

A: I returned to the Uk from Turkey with no job. I started working for my Dad who was in engineering

My Dad designed and built some amazing pneumatic lifting devices for a customer and I saw huge potential for these

So, I took on a huge marketing campaign for him, which thankfully was a success!! Enter the world of marketing :)

Since then I’ve worked in various sectors & went ‘solo’ about 5 yrs ago. I built up a telemarketing company initially

I have always been active online, in chat rooms and so on so as Social Media grew, so did my activity and interest!

Now I help solo and small businesses understand and embrace Social Media and help with networking skills too

Q – #3    Good for you! What kind of response do you get from businesses in the UK re: Social Media? Strong? Mild?

A: interest is increasing, I have noticed a lot more ‘buzz’ and people are asking a lot more questions now

Some are still sitting on the fence, I think a bit like they did when the Internet became massive

all in all the message is getting through. Like a lot of things, some are afraid of change and perhaps technology too

The bit I love the most about my job is seeing the freedom of creativity and control it gives to those I coach

Those that have never networked online before are totally amazed at the serendipity of it all

Q – #4    @Facebook, @Twitter & @Foursquare are popular in the U.S. What’s popular in the U.K when it comes to Social Media?

A: Twitter is taking its grip. But Facebook is more popular to certain age groups. My daughter prefers FB over Twitter

Foursquare is taking off well too and I am currently talking to retail & leisure companies about it .

However, I am not seeing a lot of success (as in new business) through FB Pages yet, here in the UK

Q – #5    Any geo-location platforms like @Foursquare, @Gowalla or @FacebookPlaces being used much in the UK?

A: Well I use @Foursquare & I encourage friends to do the same @Gowalla is not as popular, @Facebook Places is still v new

location based apps will get more popular as social media becomes more accepted here – people are worried about privacy

Q – #6    Have businesses been offering deals for “check-ins” on @Foursquare? Do you have any unique Badges?

A: Hahaha I got a Boat Enthusiasts badge but don’t sail :)

You have to remember we take a while in the UK to catch up to you guys :) The badges will get more unusual I’m sure

as people experiment and become more curious. Lots of restaurant chains and pubs using @Foursquare now

Q – #7    That’s good to hear. Now for your favorites: Restaurant/pub, store, tech gadget and outdoor activity.

A: Well I don’t drink so pubs aren’t a great favorite of mine, unless they serve tea :)

I love Mexican + Italian food & I never get tired of trying out new venues :) My favorite restaurant? My own kitchen!

I’m not a gadget person really but I suppose my HTC Desire is the latest for me. Still getting used to it!

I had a Blackberry before and can’t get used to the touchscreen or not being able to tweet whilst I walk :)

We have a dog and so I guess my favorite outdoor activity is walking Caspar with @PanAveyard

Although @PanAveyard is desperately trying to get me on my bike and get out cycling with him. Maybe in the spring!

We are expecting snow, literally tonight, and I wouldn’t mind going sledging either

Q – #8    Fun! To end today, what life advice or mantra would you like to share with people today?

A: People should keep on communicating and connecting, because (and it’s my company’s name) Conversation Matters!!

To be part of an opportunity, you need to be there when the opportunity arises. Connect, connect connect :)

@JoelECarlson – Very good! Thanks for your time and comments today. Enjoy your snow! MN is supposed to get some today & tomorrow.

@LesleyAveyard – Thank you Joel this has been a new experience and great fun :) If we get snow lets compare pics!! Thank you

When considering using Social Media yourself, a good place to start is by giving some thought, though not a lot, as to who you are.  What are your interests?  What kinds of things do you talk about in “water cooler” conversations with people at work, at seminars or coffee shops? Briefly thinking about those questions will give you an idea of the kind of person you will be using Social Media. You probably won’t deviate far from what you figure out.

Doing this will give you an idea of what kind of posts or Tweets you’ll make and also give you some ideas as to the BIO or description of yourself that the various Social Media platforms asks you about entering.  It can even give you ideas as to what kind of avatar image you might use for yourself. How will you be dressed? What kind of expression will you have on your face?

All of these points are good to think about so when people see you or come across your Social Media account, in a few seconds they can determine “Is this somebody that I want to connect with or not?” As it is with face-to-face meetings with people, your introduction or how you present yourself online can have a real impact on getting a good following, or being left alone.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to the landmark TwitterReview of @DepotMpls, because it is a local landmark. :)

@DepotMpls – Thanks for having us today, this is an exciting time of year for us!

Q – #1    So @DepotMpls, what is some of your history? How old are you and when did your use as a building change to what you are today?

A: The old MKE Road Depot was constructed in 1899 & remains 1 of the last long-span, truss-roofed sheds in the nation

The most activity was 1920′s when the Milling District & the trains were busling w/ activity. This was the hub of Mpls!

Last trains left in 1971 & it set empty for several years til Gary Holmes (CSM Corp) came up with an idea for it.

Here’s a cool pic of The Depot back in it’s prime day bustling w/ activity. http://twitpic.com/398kue

CSM proposed 2 hotels, mtg space, restaurant, bar, indoor ice rink & waterpark for the space.

Interestingly, 1 of components of the city accepting the idea was the Ice Rink! They wanted a “Rockefeller of Mpls”.

The original train shed & clocktower were renovated to ice rink/ mtg space & historic suites. Rest of Depot was built.

Pic of the clocktower bldg back in the day (former offices for railroad & ticket counters). http://twitpic.com/398mdk

Q – #2    When were the renovations done, and is the clock-tower open to the public to tour?

A: CSM renovated & built The Depot in 2000 and opened in July 2001. We’re getting ready to celebrate 10 yrs!

The clocktower is pretty amazing, but very difficult to get up so we aren’t able to offer tours of the tower.

You can tour the bldg, which features our “Great Hall”, original marble floor, gold leaf plated ceilings & woodwork.

If you pay close attention, you’ll even feel dips in the marble floor where ppl lined up to buy tickets & caused wear.

Q – #3    So what special opening is happening on WED Nov 24th?

A: Every year we turn the “Depot Pavilion” into an indoor ice rink for a few months. Wed, Nov. 24th is opening day!

Here’s what skating looks like, you can see all the original truss work & smoke stacks. http://twitpic.com/398p7n

It’s a holiday tradition & we see many families come each yr. Skate rental is available from kids 10 to adult 14.

We even get an occasional proposal on the ice & we’re happy to play a special song & clear the ice upon request. :-)

Q – #4    Better to have a proposal on the ice instead of being on “the rocks” right? :) Any wedding ever done there?

A: We haven’t had an actual wdng on ice (great idea tho), BUT we’ve had wdng parties skate after the I do’s still dressed

Q – #5    What other kind of events to you have at @DepotMpls, and when it’s not frozen over, what is the Depot Pavillion used for?

A: We host a lot of gala’s, awards ceremonies, wdngs, team building events, etc… in both Great Hall & Pavilion (rink).

Even w/ ice we have a temp floor + carpet we can put down in hrs & convert rink to this: http://twitpic.com/398t9x

Because the ice is cooled from below, room temp can be warmed for other events & most have no idea they are on ice!

Q – #6    I missed asking this earlier, what are the hours that the skating rink is open and what are the fees?

A: The ice rink is open a variety of hrs, always check DepotRink.com to verify. Admission is $8 (adults), $7 rental.

For all of our twitter followers & those that read your blog, here’s a $2 off admission/person coupon! http://is.gd/hmbKd

And new this year, we’re adding special treats to those that check in on @foursquare & possibly others. So check in there too!

Q – #7    That’s a nice offer! What are the less crowded times of day to come, and are skating lessons available?

A: Mornings are the least crowded. We don’t offer lessons, but you can rent a “walker” which really helps beginners!

Interesting point: Depot Rink reuses all its ice (scraped during season) to cool the heating equipment in the Depot!

Q – #8    Any tips or suggestions on how to dress for an indoor skating rink?

A: We keep the rink at 55 degrees, so it’s fairly comfortable w/ a sweater & jeans & maybe light gloves.

@JoelECarlson – Great! Thanks for your history lesson about the @DepotMpls and have another great season with the ice rink!

@DepotMpls – THANK YOU for having us, there really is a lot of fun history around here. If you come, explore the whole complex.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone on this snowy & gray day in Minneapolis. Today’s Twitterview is with @mrobin032009 (Monika Melsha), let begin.

@mrobin032009 – Good morning! Happy to be here & not on the roads yet!

Q – #1    So @mbrobin032009, lets learn a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up and where did you go to school after HS?

A: I grew up right here in the Twin Cities – South Mpls. & went across the river to St.Thomas for my B.A. in Marketing Mgmt

Q – #2    What or who influenced you to get into the field of marketing, and what kind of marketing have you done?

A: I actually changed my major to Mktg at CST when I found myself more engaged in the coursework. Good instructors were a big influence.

I started out a Computer Science or Quantitative Methods Major of all things

David Brennen was one of my instructors who you still see being interviewed occasionally since he has continued to be involved in SBA

I’ve worked in both financial services & retail marketing as well as Operations on the vendor Side & the client sides

I also worked in the health & fitness industry in parallel for many years.

Q – #3    Ah. So in addition to this work, you also do some blogging. What is your focus and what topics do you post about?

A: My blog is http://nightlightjourneys.blogspot.com/ & my focus is marketing, incl. books as well as experiences that occur day to day

Work, Life Balance creeps in since I’m a wife & mother to a 3 yr old as well. I communicate things that I hope people will relate to

I also love taking photographs, so I wrap those into my posts too

If I had to choose a genre it would be a reflective blog.

Q – #4    Fun! Let me ask you, do you think blogging will fade due to social media’s growth, or does it add to it?

A: Absolutely not. People are using blogging as an ongoing way to open up conversations w/ specific groups of people &/or customers

Companies are shifting efforts & part of that is doing less push marketing. Listening is key to understanding your target markets

Blogging is a fun alternative to traditional research methods to gather feedback & keep conversations going around relevant topics.

On a personal level, people who blog see themselves as more of a personal brand & choose to define their identity through writing.

Q – #5    Good arguments! Lets shift to you & your FAVS: restaurant, store, winter activity and blog.

A: Favorite restaurant right now is CRAVE West End. I also love Gianni’s. Stores: Trader Joes Ann Taylor, Gap

Winter activity – Watching my munchkin play in the fresh snow or snowshoeing if I find the time.

& favorite blog: http://thebrandbuilder.wordpress.com/

I follow so many wonderful blogs in my Google reader it’s hard to choose just one.

http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/ is another really interesting blog I’ve recently started reading

Q – #6    What social media platforms do you use, and what do you think of geo-location tools like @Foursquare & @Gowalla?

A: Besides Twitter, you’ll find me on LinkedIn & Facebook . I love youtube as well. I also recently started a blog on Tumblr

I don’t do foursquare yet – I’m trying to convince myself to try it, but am on the fence as you’ll see in my latest blog post.

I have downloaded the app onto my GalaxyS/Vibrant, but am not ready to let everyone know where/when I hang out. Privacy is an issue.

If I were a business owner, I’d be hoping that people like me changed their minds. There is a huge market for growth in geo tools

Q – #7    Good to have a plan. So to end, what’s 1 thought or mantra you’d like to leave with people today?

A: “Success is not forever & failure isn’t fatal” from Ken Blanchard’s “The Heart of a Leader “. You have to be open to fail to succeed.

@JoelECarlson – Good point! Thank you @mrobin032009 for your thought and comments today. Have a great morning and stay warm!

@mrobin032009 – It’s been fun – Looking forward to when you get @real_genevieve on board for a twitterview

Thanks for the opportunity!

@JoelECarlson – Hi everybody! It’s time for Twitterview No.2 today, and our guest is @inkblotsart. Lets get this started!

@inkblotsart – I’m doing this via iPhone so I apologize for any delays!

Q – #1    No worries. iWon’t get mad about an iPhone. :) So to start @inkblotsart, tell us where you grew up and where you went to school?

A: I lived in St. Paul until I was 5 then lived most of my childhood in Little Canada, a St. Paul suburb.

I went to Roseville HS for high school, spend 4 years at the U of M and graduated from Globe College (now Globe University).

*Spent 4 years…yay iPhone auto correct. :)

Q – #2    So how did you get to become a digital artist, and please also explain what your art form is?

A: I went to school for graphic design and absolutely love working on computers. I’ve always been somewhat artistic so it was a good fit

Digital art is art created using a computer as your medium. Whether it’s painting, collage, fractals, etc.

I became a digital artist because I was rejected from interior design school. I failed my portfolio review b/c I used too much color!

Q – #3    Failure brought you to a good place! :) So explain what your collages are about and where ppl can see them now.

A: Well I have 3 different facets of work: location collages, mixed media collages and custom work.

The location collages are based on a city, neighborhood, college or event. I go out and take all of the photographs for them.

The mixed media collages are mostly focused around vintage themes & use advertisements from old magazines.

The custom work is collages that are created for individuals or businesses using photos & other items that they provide me with.

Q – #4    You now have a gallery opening up where people can see your work. Where is it, and when does it open?

A: People can find my work at retail stores around town and at art fairs during the summer.

The gallery is called Studio at 795 and is located at 795 Raymond Ave in St. Paul. Right down the street from Keys Restaurant.

The grand opening is tonight!! From 7-10. Live music & cupcakes!!

It’s a collaboration with my boyfriend Karl Johnson, who is a photographer. He’ll be here tonight shooting portraits for $25.

We’ll be open tomorrow from 10-5 for a more family friendly event. Hot cider & cookies & balloons for kids.

Q – #5    Cool! Now to you personally: what are you FAVS – restaurant, store, winter activity, tech gadget & color.

A: Favorite restaurant: Cecil’s Deli. Fave store: toss up between Ikea & West Photo. Fave gadget: my iPhone!

I just learned to snowboard so I can’t say it’s my absolute favorite winter activity just yet, but it’s getting there. :) #jectv

And as my Twitter profile says, I’m a chartreuse fanatic, or any kind of lime-ish green color. My dad now calls it “Giesla green”.

Q – #6    Funny! :) So to end, what is a thought of the day or a mantra that you would like to share with everyone?

A: I have a print behind my desk that says “you’ve gotten this far, keep going.” It reminds me that you have to keep moving forward.

@JoelECarlson – Very good! It was a pleasure to meet you and all the best to you and Karl on your new studio. Thanks for your time.

@inkblotsart – Thanks so much, Joel! It was great chatting with you.

PHOTO – Karl Johnson of Scape Photography – www.scape-photo.com

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody! Welcome to the Twitterview 2.0 of @ericamayer today. She’s ready to rock-n-roll! :)

Q – #1    @ericamayer, you were Twitterview #18 on March 26th, so we have some catching up to do. How was your Summer & Fall? Traveling?

A: lots of fun traveling :) NYC, LA, DC, San Fran -took time to catch up w.old friends. loved it!

ps. that was possible because of the unlimited flight Sun Country deal :) also hit Vegas w/the hubby!

Q – #2    Wow! NY, LA, DC, SF and Vegas. Maybe share 1 new/neat/interesting thing you got to do in each location?

A: NYC: visited @charitywater :) . DC: visited @defactosound @Genlack @thenuwanda at Discovery Channel.

Vegas: met @everywheretrip and saw Cirque w/the hubby, SF: stay with @bigcib and re-lived college memories. :)

Q – #3    Lots of activity! Now you also do “side projects” (i.e commercials, videos), have you done any lately?

A: yes :) just finished a project w/ @pleasefindthis and @dan_rodriguez -a music vid: http://youtu.be/UZJDW3PY5TI

@pleasefindthis is from South Africa…it’s great to work w/him-and see he and @dan_rodriguez create a touching song <3

Q – #4    Nice sound! In you’re “free time”, you also do photography work and are a founder of #jmu612. Talk about both of those.

A: yup, “puke rainbows” photo: http://on.fb.me/ahFFcs -started by taking avatar pics for ppl to raise $ for @charitywater

re: photo—> so busy I’m taking a bit of a photo break until 2011, hubby misses me, and @Wcco is super busy -no time :(

#JMU612 is a marketing/technology meetup. Yes, I’m a cofounder but @maikelvdm and @Joelecarlson make it easy to run :)

Q – #5    You do at least 1/3 of the work for #jmu612! :) Now locally, any new stores or restaurants that you’ve tried lately?

A: Went to @namastecafe with @maikelvdm awhile back-loved it! mmm. also, @commonroots and Broder’s Pasta Bar -favorites!

and of course everyone should check out @urbanbeancoffee where we hold #JMU612 :) rockin’ place!

Q – #6    Besides spending more time with the hubby, do you have some personal/professional goals that you’ve set for yourself?

A: Yeah, I think taking time to breathe…may sound silly. Sometimes we get so caught up in helping we forget that if we

are run down/burnt out/exhausted…we are worthless to the ppl we are trying to help. Trying 2get more than 2 hrs/sleep

also, to use my new camera to start exploring video more. I’m a producer/director by trade -love to improve shoot skill

Q – #7    Sleep is always good! Now are you coming up on an anniversary yet for your time working at @wcco?

A: Also, I’ve notice the @wcco website goes to what looks like a micro-site of @CBS, when did that happen?

I’ve officially been at @WCCO over 5 years now. Time flies :) the website switched this month. A big change, indeed.

Q – #8    You must be getting tired by now. So to end, what thought for the day or mantra would you like to share?

A: well, I’m a quote junkie. I’m going to share a few, if that’s OK? haha.

@JoelECarlson – Only if it’s something that @GRLitman has said. :) Go ahead.

A: “When u change the way you look at things, the things you look at, change.” (Dyer) -we can always control our reactions

Also, handouts don’t exist. If you want something, manifest it. The only person who can stop you…is you. ;-)

@JoelECarlson - Good thoughts to reflect on! Thanks so much @ericamayer for participating in your 2nd Twitterview. Have a great weekend!

@ericamayer – thanks a bunch, for all you do Joel :) You are ‘da bomb dot com.