Meet our speakers – Dennis Van Staalduinen
Posted by Karen in 
Dennis is a brand strategy consultant, brand naming expert, and a skilled writer and speaker who has a wealth of experience in marketing and communications. His aim through his work is to help brands “speak to customers with a more human voice”. You won’t want to miss the strategy session in our Advanced stream to see how Dennis’ insights can help you and/or your company.
1. Describe yourself in three words.
Swiss Army Nerd.
2. How long have you been involved in Social media? What do you use it for? (work, personal, both)
I’ve been a “Web guy” ever since encountering the Internet on a green screen in the 90’s in University, and I’ve been a big believer in the central concepts of Web 2.0 for about ten years now. I was an early adopter of Twitter and Facebook, but have only been heavily involved in tying it all together for the last two years.
3. What social media tools/sites do you use the most and why?
WordPress, because it has become my word processor.
Twitter because I like the public forum.
Facebook for both private socializing and back-channel professional groups.
4. What do you think social media newbies need to know about it?
That it’s not particularly new, magical, or scary. It just follows normal people rules. Work hard. Be polite. Share your toys.
5. Do you see an area or tool of social media that is underutilized that should get more attention? Why?
Really good writing. Because it’s important.
6. How has social media changed/impacted your life?
It has allowed me to turn my brain inside out – for better and worse.
7. Share with us a hidden treasure or gem you have discovered.
My three kids. They’re incredibly funny.
8. If you could be an article of clothing what would it be? Why?
A play costume in some smart kid’s tickle trunk.
9. How do you think people can more efficiently integrate social media into their lives?
Treat it less as a topic and more of a conduit.
10. Where do you see social media in 5 or 10 years? Do you think SM is a trend or a permanent fixture?
I think the term “social media” will be about as exciting as the term “personal computer” in 5 years. So ubiquitous we no longer need to talk about it.
11. What’s the next big thing?
Same as the last big thing. People.
12. What social media strategy do you think should be abolished? Why?
Lazy marketing tactics – that is, Spam in all its forms.
13. What social media strategy do you think more should use? Why?
Listening.
14. Why do you think Ottawa has such a strong and vibrant social media community?
Because we’re well educated nerds with access to tools, time, and content.
