The Fearless Blogger

I mentioned in my last post that I’ve had a couple of things I’ve been working on that I’d share with you soon. This is the first.

Background
Ford recently posted this contest at fiestamovement.com

One of Motor Trend’s Gotta Have Cars for 2010, the Ford Fiesta will make a bold statement on the American road. This is your chance to drive the international model here before its official US debut. We’re looking for an elite crop of drivers to take the wheel: people with a strong presence on the web, an ability to craft a compelling story through video, and a hunger for adventure. As a driver, you’ll receive monthly secret assignments from Ford Mission Control that will take you to places you’ve never been, to meet people you’ve never met, and to experiences you’ll never forget. And you’ll bring your friends and followers along for the ride.

We’ll hand you the keys to your own Fiesta for a six month period, and we’ll even handle the gas and insurance for you, too.

Many will apply. Only 100 will be chosen. Show us you’ve got what it takes to join the Fiesta Movement

As part of this excellent example of using social media in a marketing campaign, interested applicants were to submit a video explaining why they should become a driver, upload it to YouTube with the tag fiestamovement and submit the link with their application. As the video shows, my cat decided to toss my hat into the ring!

This month’s Twestival showed the potential of harnessing Twitter’s power to rally the masses to raise money and awareness for a cause.

On March 1, we’ll get to see what happens when one person’s fate is left in the hands of these same masses – again with the goal of raising money and awareness for a cause.

Meet the Twitchhiker
The Twitchhiker is also known as Paul Smith.  Paul used to “have a proper job in radio”, but now write about media for the Guardian, and blogs “about radio, TV and tech for several other websites”.

On March 1st, Paul will

attempt to travel as far around the world as possible in 30 days, relying only on the goodwill of people using Twitter.

His goal is to span the globe as far from his hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK as possible within the month.   Paul has set his sites on New Zealand, since it is “closest to the opposite point on the planet” to his house.  More specifically, the Twitchhiker’s true goal is located at 52.546° S 169.173° E, “an island barely five miles wide that’s so insignificant that Google can’t be bothered to name it”. read more

iBetaTest.com is a recently-launched site created to connect iPhone developers with beta testers for their apps.

iBetaTest.com is an iPhone beta tester community and an Application Store, with an idea to bridge the gap between developers and beta testers, help those stranded developers and apps denied by Apple in their own App Store by giving them ability to sell their apps on iBetaTest.com.

The process to become a tester is straightforward. Register you user name at the site, fill out out optional profile details and register your iPhone or iPod touch’s device UDID and you’re ready to beta test.

Developers registering a new beta specify supported devices, number of testers, an application description and testing instructions. Developers also have the option to offer incentives for tester participation (e.g., gift certificates or a free product license). read more

I’ve been having a blast doing Inside the Bloggers Studio – hope you’ve been enjoying it too!

The next round of folks who’ll be stepping into the hot seat are an eclectic crew and I’m excited to share their answers with you.

Coming up over the next few weeks will be

• Lucretia Pruitt – Geek Mommy
• Johnny Truant – The Economy Isn’t Happening
• Tony Hsieh- Zappos
• Brandon J. Mendelson – The Brandon Show 
• Amber Naslund- Altitude Branding 
• Monica Hamburg 
• Ryan Five – Oktober5
• Rosemary Bystrak – sddialedin.com
• Ahmed Naguib – TechnRolla
• Susan Murphy – SuzeMuse
• Michael Carrasquillo

Who would YOU like to see on this list? 

I can’t guarantee they’ll be brave enough to step into the Studio – but I can always extend the invitation!

Something I enjoy about the holidays is the cross-generational conversations family gatherings provide.

One cousin just learned to drive, a nephew is learning to walk, an aunt just started a new job . . . and Grandpa sits back smiling, observing, absorbing, basking in the glow of bringing family together.

photo credit: Bryan Ledgard

It occurred to me that Twitter is a bit like that family gathering; and we’re all a bit like Grandpa. read more