How I Got Into Social Media Part 1

After working for Citysearch for a year I started to get intrigued about online marketing.  I spent hours studying online marketing trends, SEO & SEM techniques.  Later I joined a freshly formed internet marketing group called Search Engine Marketing Portland or SEMPDX.  During this time an idea surfaced for a niche social networking site.  Next  I did a lot of research on Social Networking platforms including Ning, PHP Fox, Drupal, Joomla, KickApps, Dolphin and several others.

It was at a SEMPDX meeting that I met John Hartman a social media consultant at Feedia.  He suggested several platforms including Joomla & Ning. I took some of his suggestion and further continued my research and decided on a paid option called PHP Fox.  At $299 for a license I could afford this myspace in the box software.  This was the best option for me because of the price, features and the ability to buy additional features once I needed them.  After hiring a local programmer to set up my site and style the css; mydrinkingclub.com was born.  A niche site dedicated to people of legal age creating their own online/offline drinking clubs.  My friend Kelly Quashine an award winning graphic designer created my logo.  I let my friends know about the site and it started virally growing.  They really thought I had something.  Next, I created an online store on CafePress selling my own swag including t-shirts and hats.  For several months I managed the site, engaged in the community and contributed content to the site.  Unfortunately; my lack of programming skills and dissatisfaction with the platform resulting in me doing nothing on the site and I recently took it down.

Part Two Is Coming Soon!