An Open Post to #AOL's Tim Armstrong
I am impossibly uncool. So really, really, really, uncool that I think I managed to make it cool again.
I have to admit, that I am scared OUT. OF. MY. MINDDDDD about the AOL #lifestream gig. Scared may be a bad word, anxious as a mofo feels more appropriate.
It's weird, when I was filling out the application it honestly didn't even occur to me that I wouldn't get the job. No really, it was the same with the Fiesta Movement, it just seemed so matter of fact.
I know, it sounds cocky ... but I am always painfully honest - and el duderinos, you all know ... I KNOOOWWW this shiznat. (I even have the domain www.Iamsocialmedia.com.)
I study people religiously ... for 17 hours a day. I have launched TWO multi-media web platforms in my life, and BOTH were wildly successful.
My channel on LiveVideo had over 600,000 fans, and TNTML ... well, doesn't this just speak for itself??
I was just MADDEEE for a position like this - but my brain just keeps taunting me. This weekend has been HORRIBLLEEE!!!! I cannot stop thinking about the #lifestreaming gig for more than 10 seconds!!?!?
If it weren't for you guys, I honestly don't know where I'd be. My IRL friends think I'm INSANE for spending 17 hours a day trying to launch a business ... they really don't even connect that this website is a business. Somehow turning $10 into 1.5 million based in corporate sponsors alone is just too much for people to grasp. Let ALONE the movie that is being done, and The Big Bang Theory ... I can go on, but I'd be gagging you with your own spoon.
My family doesn't support me. My mom's first reaction to the Ford Fiesta Movement was "you had better check with (our accountant) since you will have to adjust your taxes."
And my brother today when I told him about the AOL lifestream gig reminded me that I needed to make sure I have health benefits.
Dude, FOR REAL?!?! I love my family dearly, but mannnnnnnnnn.
I am from Connecticut - I broke a SERIOUS mold. At 25, a mildly attractive, relatively intelligent chica would be married, have pumped out at least 1 of her 2.5 kids and live in a house approximately 15 miles from where she grew up with a goldfish, a husband that works in insurance and a golden retriever named Aldus.
I finished high school at 16 with honors, going from making 6 figures to being homeless is just something that families don't really like hearing. However, how could I still consult on a regular basis and NOT put all of my time into TNTML?!? This site has EXPLODED in unapologetic awesomeness!!!!!
I'm a nerdy hippie with a passion for people, and technology. Given, today alone I had 2 more emails from various people I have met offering me a place to stay in exchange for help with their SM campaigns - I smiled sweetly and declined (and by smiled sweetly, I mean inserted a smily emoticon). Again el nerderinos, I am NOT coming from a place of desperation. Don't get me wrong - this AOL gig would be AAHHMMAZZINNNGGG!!! But no matter what - I will be successful. It's matter of fact. Success is attitude. Success is Tim Armstrong.
I spent the ENTIRE weekend looking at videos of the guy - and WOOOOWWWWWW I have an incredible amount of respect for the dude.
He is also incredibly competitive, a risk taker, and consciously aware of people and psychology - noting the drastic changes in web based behavior. I am not even kidding when I say that I can knock this OUTT OFF THEEEE PARRKK!!!
I even said on my skype call the ONE major thing that was missing from Aol Lifestream ... VIDEO!!! Livestreaming!!! It is called "Lifestream?!" Why not offer Livestreaming?!!?!!!! I actually totally thought they were already offering it. I even called the duderino that was my initial point of contact and asked him if it was a separate app. He said they didn't offer it.
Justin.TV had 355,000 downloads of their app in the first week, and currently there are over 1.5 million mobile downloads of Ustream, and yet I have STILL not bumped into another lifecaster.
That CLEARRLLYYY indicates market interest, however people don't really know what to do about it. They need someone to introduce it to them; they need solid marketing.
I go live from my phone - it is INCREDIBLE!!!! I can connect to people instantly in real time, and have them be a part of what I am experiencing.
THAT. IS. LIFESTREAMING!!! That is where this platform needs to go - because it is where the TREND is going!!!!!!!
I just get this stuff on a whole other level - and I don't talk about things, I just DO them!!
Again, I don't need Aol per say, however, after spending an entire weekend really getting to know Tim, I want this job more than anyone could possibly imagine. I just looked at the official YouTube channel for the program, and there are currently 122 views for my submission. I will take that as a good sign since the other entries do not have more than 50. I so, so, SOOOO appreciate the RTs and posts when I first noticed that they had yet to set it to private.
I just ... I just ... I just ... really want this. Like really, really, really, want this. I feel like Aol will actually listen to my ideas, and I have SOOO many of them!!
However, at the end of the day - I will still say I am amazingly impressed with how far this site has come, and how far we are going. I am elated that Tim Armstrong at least knows my name, and has checked this site out at least once in his nerdy little life.
I will take my head, and place it on my David and Goliath sponsored pillow, and know that that will rock me to sleep tonight.
*sigh* #nerdsunite
really dig this interview of Tim, btw!! Good Stuff!!
UPDATE: Verizon finally downloaded a VM from this morning, and apparently I didn't get the gig. I'm not going to lie, I am pretty shocked- however, I cannot thank you all ENOUGH for all the posts and RTs ... AOL or not, nothing is going to stop me, and congrats to the winner. #nerdsunite
