About Shannon Paul
I write about how social media amplifies and aligns with marketing, public relations and other areas of a business. I have experience creating and implementing social media programs, policies and workflow systems to help businesses earn a voice and gain relevance with people via the social web. I always try to learn and understand how humans use technology to connect to one another and to the brands I represent.
I recently took on a role as VP of Social Media Strategy at Fifth Third Bank. In the past I managed social media at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan including its online community, A Healthier Michigan. Many still know me for my work with the NHL Detroit Red Wings where I helped the team launch its social media presence.
My background also includes optimizing digital content for search and social sharing, working with product and development teams to build requirements for increased interactivity and integration into social networks, as well as social media crisis communication and online community management.
I frequently speak about social media strategy, inbound marketing and community management, especially as these topics relate to regulated industries. This blog is dedicated to sharing my thoughts, opinions and other interesting information about social media for business. My hope is that you find the things I share here useful.
Disclaimer: Despite the Very Official nature of this publication, the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog belong to me.
If you’re interested in keeping up with what I have to say here, subscribe to receive regular updates, or contact me directly.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Great website. Love the marketing tips and social media bit!
Stumbled across your blog, good stuff. Curious what agency you work for as I’m from MI but transplanted myself in SF, Calif. for work in tech PR. :) you can email me offline, if you like. (or not). cheers!
Hi Shannon– I spent some time on your blog and find it very interesting especially about social networking. Would love for you to check out my site called Beautiful Stranger.tv. We stop real people on the street and find out what they are using, wearing, loving. We find and interview the influencers on the streets around the world and are starting to work with many of the big consumer brands and companies for them to connect as well. Can’t wait to hear what you think. Best, abby
The Red Wings are the only hockey team to which I’m loyal! And the Toledo Storm (where I’m from), but that’s almost the same thing ;)
Congrats to Shannon for being listed by Chris Brogan as one of 8 bloggers to watch in 2009! http://is.gd/d9uL
Having met Shannon and working briefly with her at Startup Weekend Ann Arbor, she’s a diamond in the rough and brings a breath of fresh air to Detroit. I look forward to more great content and comments from Shannon.
Love your blog and writing style….even if you are affiliated with the Red Wings. :-) Seriously, really good stuff.
And Happy New Year from a lifelong Blackhawks fan.
Incidentally, you might enjoy my current post on the upcoming Winter Classic between our fair teams. You can find it on my blog or the Chicago Sun-Times @ http://tinyurl.com/9uzt55
hehe, nice closing sentence. :)
I am a social media addict. like you I have a public relations background and what i read here convinced me you have a depth in the area of your expertise. keep it up.
Hi Shannon, regarding your tweet about Vocus reps not commenting on blogs, we’re instructed not to. We see everyone’s comments however through our software. Just an FYI. Hope all is well.
Hello! “God Sommer” as we say in Norwegian, literary meaning have a good summer, which is what we made a stop motion animation about: http://www.m-l.no/sommer09/
Maybe its something to consider for your blog?
Cheers
Andreas
Nice last line :-)
I just read your article on feedback – September 2009. I was wondering if I could have your permission to reprint this article on my newsletter Think Forward(R) in January? I have about 5,000 subscribers and this would concide wonderfully with the expert podcast interview I have running that month.
In addition, I am looking for five strong female bloggers who might want to work with me on the launch of my new book “Hitting Our Stride: Women, Work and What Matters”. The launch is scheduled for Nov 1. I look forward to hearing back from you!
Thank you!
Karel Murray
866-817-2986
Shannon,
My son’s a serious computer administrator-programming whiz at UM-Ann Arbor.
I anchored TV news in Michigan.
I admire Brandi Carlile of Ravensdale (Seattle) – she’s huge in Boulder-Denver, Colo., where I am.
Bottom Line:
I’d love a Coney Island from Detroit. Can you help?
P.S. Of course, I admire your stuff. So, I’d find invigorating a point-counterpoint on any stock/chart of your choice. Try me!
Really interested in your Social Media Planning strategy… it is all a bit random currently! We do the same but for planning websites… before businesses go to a designer they MUST learn their options for consideration and cherry pick the most appropriate for their business. They are not doing this.
We are not designers or developers but business people in business who understand all that ‘stuff’ surrounding the build of a website and how to make it work! (realistically “most of” – as “all” is a tall order and that “all” daily becomes “more”!).
Understanding the Internet and what it can do for a business is a minefield – we help defuse those mines so a business owner / manager can have a clear run and avoid the many headaches and confusions that exist in relationships between businesses and their web building team.
Hi Carol,
My planning strategy is all about alignment and making sure objectives and goals accrue to larger business and functional strategies. Sometimes that leads to putting together requirements for changes to existing websites, or adding on a blog, landing pages, etc. to help people make the transition between their social network, or referring site point of entry.
I agree that a company’s web presence is particularly important and many aren’t treating it with the importance it deserves, or thinking about business objectives they can accomplish via the web. Glad to hear you’re helping some bridge the gap between development and business needs.
congrats..welcome back to motown. It’s on it’s way to a comeback!
Thank You Shannon for “makin it pain”–you have a no-nonsense delivery that is very refreshing. I am sure to borrow a couple of concepts in communicating what I do to customers. I am thrilled to finally get to your blog.
Community Action Hero David Yorka
For the wonderful info
I’ll be back often.
Thanks!
Have a safe and prosperous 2011.
buy tramadol
{ 20 trackbacks }