Scott James is a green blogger and social media strategist in San Francisco.
Tell me about your Blogs and social media work?
I write for several blogs in green media. Blue Living Ideas is a blog about current water issues and innovations around the world, and Green Living Ideas is a fantastic blog about how to live a more green and sustainable life. I contribute to Earth Talk, (http://earth-talk.com/) Politics Report (http://politicsreport.com) and Independent Talk (http://independenttalk.com/)that are all part of the Klat.com network. I write about green and world politics there. And I am a contributor to this blog, MurrayNewlands.com, which has been a fantastic experience- working with Murray has been huge for my growth as a blogger.
In social media strategy, I work with Attack! Marketing, integrating social media into their company and some of their guerrilla marketing programs, like event promotions and street team campaigns. Most recently I started working with the Jay Trainer Band, a great group out of San Francisco who support a non-profit called Artful Change that is also run by the lead singer, Jay Trainer. The band and the non-profit help artist use their passion to promote environmental causes.
If you are in San Francisco, they will be playing a show at Temple Nightclubb as part of the Green Drinks networking group on September 1.
I am also a contributing writer with the Green Options network and keep a personal blog at http://ecoscott.blogspot.com/
What was your first blog?
My first blog was a blogspot called Breakfast in the Bay (http://www.breakfastinthebay.blogspot.com/) . I was starting out as a blogger and I would visit a different coffee shop in the San Francisco Bay area, read the New York Times and write my review of the shop with the day’s headlines infused. It was lots of fun but is no longer updated.
What is the biggest tip you would give to a newbie blogger?
Write good content and write everyday. I started out writing a post a day and now I write 3000+ words everyday. Everything you write is important. After that, learn how to do SEO so people can find what you write.
What do advertisers do that you wish they wouldn’t?
I don’t like the ads that pop up when you go to a site and block the content. It’s a good way to make sure people see your ad, but I never read it. Otherwise, advertisers need to do things to keep themselves out there and it’s fun to see the innovations.
What do bloggers do that you wish they wouldn’t?
Nothing- I love seeing the different approaches bloggers take to self-promotion and ways they use their blogs.
Where do you see growth in the blogging field?
Video blogging. I think that is the next big thing. Seeing how bloggers are at the forefront of using emerging web technologies is exciting and I look forward to seeing some amazing new things. For example, Business Boomer is doing innovative things with interviews at events and their webshow features on social causes and green events through LiveStream.com.
What new ideas are advertisers coming up with to take advantage of new
trends?
I like to see the viral campaigns advertisers are using- the sponsored entertainment is exciting and fun to see Marketers on the other hand are doing amazing things in the social media sphere.
What do you do to improve the world that is green?
I walk or bike everywhere I can, I recycle, I compost. I bring up green issues and ask questions at events and dinners with people where they may not otherwise be brought up. Most importantly, I think, I think about how sustainable I can make my life in everything I do- little things like taking a backpack to the store to carry my food or taking my coffee cup to the coffee shop so I don’t get one from them isn’t going to save the world, but it is a habit that shows up in how I think when I start to make it a habit.
What is one thing about you that not many people know?
I worked for 7 years as a whitewater rafting guide in Colorado before moving to San Francisco- that’s where I fell in love with water and probably why I work in the green sphere now.
What’s your favorite book?
Tough question, I love books.
For poetry, Jim Carroll – Fear of Dreaming.
For fiction, David Foster Wallace – Infinite Jest.
For non-fiction, Van Jones – Green Collar Economy.
What is on your iPod?
Modest Mouse, J Dilla, Bob Dylan, Vampire Weekend, Jay-Z
What are your contact details (email, company, blog, facebook, myspace,
forums, etc)?
All of the links are in the first paragraph for my blogs.
Here are my personal contact details:
E-mail: scottjames.writer@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecoscott
How do you prefer to communicate?
Email.
Who would you recommend, and why?
Murray Newlands (@murraynewlands), an innovative blogger and great guy to work with. He has taught me much about networking.
Sean Daily (@seandaily), the editor of Green Living Ideas and Blue Living Ideas. He has a great podcast and I love how he runs his sites.
Jerry James Stone (@jerryjamesstone), a prolific blogger and social media promotions guru. He has taught me much about how to promote posts.
Paul Smith (@greensmith), who works with 3rd Whale and is an inspiration to me for all of his green and social media work- I love what he is making happen and how he is doing it.
Jimmy Whiteside (Royal Gorge Rafting) Jimmy runs Royal Gorge Rafting in Colorado and taught me much about rafting and integrity. If you are going to Colorado, you want to raft with his company- they are the best.
Christian Jurinka (@photorinka) and Andrew Loos at Attack! Marketing- visionary and innovative marketers and just really fun, amazing people to work with.
What is one thing people can do for you?
Live your passion and- Contact me if you need a writer!
Scott James, An Interview with Green Blogger and Social Media Blogger Scott James