Hello everyone, and welcome to the start of a new week! Lets kick it off with a Twitterview! My guest today is @NewMediaAngels.
Cemanthe: Hello everyone!
Q – #1 To start @NewMediaAngels (Cemanthe), tell us about where you grew up, if and where you attended University and where you live now.
Cemanthe: Hello :) Grew up in South Africa (everywhere! mum got itchy feet every 3 years so we moved alot :), didn’t attend uni –
and think this stood me in good stead afterall! And now live in the most beautiful part of London near Richmond :)
Q – #2 Yes they did! So how did you come to start your company? When did it start, and what was the motivation behind it?
Cemanthe: Great. Well, I started a previous business in 2007 when I got tired of the rat race and office politics, but sadly..
that business got nicked by someone else! (long story!) :) so I rebranded and started new media angels in Feb 2009 …
motivation was purely because I’ve always been entreprenurial & also dont seem to fit into the structure of a company..
I always contributed more than my job description allowed for ;) and there can only be one MD in a company so made..
so made sense for me to start my own and be the MD :)
ps.. life is too short to be in a job or career that is not fulfilling! philosophy of my life!
Q – #3 What’s an MD? What kind of businesses have you worked with? What is “HOT” when it comes to Social Media in the UK?
Cemanthe: ah! Managing Director :) The big boss basically :) In my own business we’ve worked with everyone from pre-startup..
.. to mid-range brand. In my personal work experience I’ve done just about every job u dnt need a degree :)
The current trend is moving towards mobile marketing in the form of apps, but also more emphasis being placed..
on building relationships with customers using #socialmedia
Q – #4 Are QR Codes catching on in their use in the U.K? Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are heavily used here. There too?
Cemanthe: Great question! QR codes not catching on as much yet, I think people struggling to understand what they are & can do…
yes, Facebook, Twitter and Linked definitely industry leaders here in UK!
Q – #5 What kind of things do you find people generally Tweet or post on Facebook? Weather and food are popular in MN.
Cemanthe: I think it’s mixed to be honest. The people who know about social media are tweeting about weather and food! How else..
do you start a conversation with someone? :) It’s trying to get this concept across to people that’s so difficult..
.. will you start a conversation?! People are trying to sell their business through socialmedia, not realising that..
.. no-one cares about your #business; they want to know about you and what You can do for them! That’s your USP – you
Q – #6 Do you do both Android and Apple Apps? As far as smartphones go, which platform is the most popular in the UK?
Cemanthe: Yes, we do both, but not built from scratch – they’re structured to make it easier (& cheaper) for the client…
Apple most popular but Android definitely market leader in all research I’ve done! Strangely enough :)
Q – #7 Lets learn more about YOU. Your FAVORITE(S): Restaurant, store, comfort food, vacation city and App to use.
Cemanthe: Whew! This could go on for ages ;) heehee Restaurant: Giraffe, @sweetiepiesbb and Pincho (tapas). Store:..
.. any stationery shop will do! :) Comfort Foo: choc, cupcakes, icecream. Vacation City: Greece in general, but..
where I live is so beautiful that every weekend like a vacation :) App: Facebook! hahaha also Shazam :)
ah also, Florida and New York City favourites! New York City most favourite city of all time :)
Q – #8 Are you a blog or a biz-book reader at all? If so, have any recommendations that you care to share?
Cemanthe: Oh yes! Follow Mashable closely for updated info, and with other blogs find ones recommended on facebook by contacts..
and also particularly have found Seth Godin’s book ‘Poke the Box’ useful and enlightening. Also like…
‘Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway’ – book for life in general really. not just business
I think also reading biographies or autobiographies of business leaders is a good idea – learn from their experience
Q – #9 Do you have any goals for your business or yourself that you care to share? Expansion, etc.?
Cemanthe: Well, NewMediaAngels is now splitting into Social Influence which will deal with socialmedia training side of things..
we will then do photography and apps as part of New Media Angels once that happens, & I have a wonderful team of ..
Make creating a Web site a top priority. You really shouldn’t do without one. Give people a place to go to learn about your business.
.. about 12 Angels (who are fab!). I also have a new company that I’ve just started which focuses on the internal…
..social engagement – ie. the internal clients: employees! So NMA and SI will be external social, new company internal.
@JoelECarlson: It’s been great to Tweet with you today. All the best with your Co. and yourself. Thanks for your time and comments!
Cemanthe: Thank you Joel – that has been great to talk to you too! Very interesting! :) Bye! *waves*