Experts in the Industry: Jason Falls (20 of 45)

I first met Jason Falls, "social media explorer" and director of social media for Doe Anderson -- last year at SXSW (shocking, I know). Not only is Jason a cool guy to hang out with, he's also an avid blogger (something he's been doing since the 90's) and savvy social media-ist. Some of the things he's doing with Doe Anderson clients, Jim Beam and Louisville Slugger are downright impressive (ping him on Twitter and he'll be happy to give you details).

Here's how Jason answered the five questions from the Experts in the Industry: 45 Interviews in 45 Days series:

In one sentence, please describe what you do and why you're good at it.

I'm good at having and managing conversations, both written and verbal, because I'm a social butterfly, a good writer and a fast thinker.

 

How did you get into the world of online community, social media or social marketing?

Besides always being fascinated with computers, I wrote a newspaper column for my hometown rag a few years back and wanted to find a way to publish it online so my non-hometown friends could read it. That evolved into a personal blog. Also, I grew up in a small town and have a genuine love and interest in the folks I grew up with. When social networks started popping up and I realized I could find my old friends and keep up with them, even peripherally, I jumped on it. I only regret taking 6-7 years to figure out I could make money doing it.

If you had $10 million to invest in one company and one company only based on their use of "social," which company would it be and why?

Apple. Because there is real community and conversation everywhere about Apple despite the fact they barely use social media at all. They just make good stuff. People talk about good stuff. But to be fair and answer the question posed, I'd say Dell. Elevating the social media platform to the collaboration level with customers is groundbreaking stuff.

 

Which business leader, politician or public figure do you most respect?

 Jon Bon Jovi because he surrounds himself with his family and friends, is loyal to them first and foremost, contributes a great deal back to the community and, oh yeah, rocks. [Aaron's Note: I love this answer btw]

Would you join a toothpaste community? Why?

No. I find nothing compelling or engaging about toothpaste. I might comment on a company's site that I don't want them to change the flavor, but join a community? Nah. 

Freeform – here's where you can riff on anyone or anything – good or bad. Or just share a pearl of wisdom.

My grandmother once told me I should never do anything I couldn't tell my grandmother. For a while, I thought it was sage advice. Then I realized she was just trying to get me to admit to doing something sinister. From that point on, I told her everything. She regretted the advice after that. I'm not sure if that's a pearl of wisdom, but if you tell your grandmother (or mother for that matter) everything there is to tell, they don't nag you as much.