Ryan Shell, Author at RyanShell.com

Facebook Events can be used for more than just Events

I’m not sure if you noticed or not, but I made a big announcement yesterday. Several days prior to doing so I started thinking about how I was going to spread this news to as many friends as possible.

To do so, I decided to use my blog as the announcement hub, but to also use Facebook in a pretty large way. I simply made Facebook event called “Ryan’s Big Announcement” and invited all of my Facebook friends (Have you liked my page?) – this took a decent amount of clicking, but was worthwhile.

Here’s the description that accompanied the event,

“I have a pretty large announcement to make on Monday, May 3 at noon. I created this Facebook event so that I could easily spread the word to as many of my friends as possible, at one time.

I hope you’ll click “attending” so that I can send you a message at noon on Monday to tell you the BIG announcement.

And this isn’t a joke – not at all. I’ve got something big to tell you that I’ve been keeping to myself for quite some time. You might say I’m excitedly nervous.”

I had never given much thought to the idea of using Facebook events to make an announcement, but it made perfect sense. Why? Facebook doesn’t give you the ability to easily message your friends from your Inbox, but when you create an event you have the ability to message everyone you invite. For this instance I simply invited all of my friends – it took some heavy clicking, but was worthwhile.

In the invite message I let people know they didn’t have to actually attend an event, but instead that I’d simply be sending them a message.

The process worked wonderfully and it helped me quickly spread my news to a large portion of my friends. Not to mention the message got shared a decent amount on Facebook and drove a ton of traffic to my website.

There is one important note though. Facebook typically blocks, or breaks, links you send in messages to event attendees. That being said, you’ll need to point folks in the right direction – such as getting a link off of a profile or page.

My “Big Announcement”

By Ryan Shell

This post is part of a series that highlights my move and eventual new adventure, aka life, in New York City.

There’s so many thoughts racing through my mind right this second that I’m not even sure how to start writing this. Let me just come right out and say it.

I’m changing jobs.

I’m moving.

I’m moving to New York City.

Now is the Time

I’m at an interesting crossroads in life. As a 30-year old guy I have no kids, no significant other and no hard ties at the moment. If I’m ever going to make a move of this nature now is the time, but have no doubt – the decision was carefully weighed and I’ve thought about it every way imaginable.

During the past several weeks I’ve discussed the opportunity with my closest friends, and mentors, all of which have said something like, “You have to do this.” or “This is perfect for you.” They knew that if the opportunity came to fruition that I simply had to take it – and that was my gut feeling from the very first phone interview.

There’s so much that I’m going to miss, but I also realize that the future is bright and that there are many great things to come.

This was in a fortune cookie I opened the day I received the job offer. No joke.

The Company & Position

Let me quickly give you an idea about the new company I’m going to work for (I start June 1) and you’ll see how it’s a perfect fit.

In short, it’s an economic development and tourism marketing firm that has been around since 1960. They’ve done a great job at attracting a very talented workforce and I’m honored to be joining the team.

My job will consist of general marketing and public relations duties, but will have a strong focus on digital and new media. As I see it, the position allows me to use my professional skills to positively impact places… and that is an amazing opportunity.

I’ll have more to say about the company, and the position in the future, but I just wanted to give you an idea of where I’m headed.

Greensboro, North Carolina

I’ve lived in NC for most of my life and have specifically lived in Greensboro, NC for the last 10 years. It’s the city I call home and a place that I will forever have great memories.

It’s where I created JJ McCain. It’s where I changed careers at 26. It’s where I met incredible friends. It’s where I first ran for political office. It’s where I developed a deep sense of compassion and desire to help others. I could go on and on, but I won’t.

In making this decision, one thing I constantly kept going back to was the various things I’m involved with in Greensboro and initiatives that I’d like to see to fruition. I eventually had to come to grips with the fact that those thoughts, while important, were shortsighted. I’m still going to monitor several things that I’m passionate about for Greensboro, but will be looking on from afar.

Club Arlington

If you’ve connected with me on Facebook or Twitter, it’s highly likely that you’ve seen me post about “Club Arlington.” I’ve never really explained what it is, but this seems like a fitting time to do so.

It is in fact not an actual club, but more so a group of tight nit friends that are together a lot. These individuals are some of my favorite people in the world and I’m going to miss them tremendously (I’ll miss many others as well).

The fear of losing these friendships (and others) definitely played a part in my thought process, but at the end of the day I don’t think that will happen.

The Next Chapter

I’ve had an interesting life thus far, and this change will simply start a new chapter. You might say that I’m excitedly nervous, but I think that’s only natural.

Greensboro, NC to New York City is a huge change, but I’m ready to take the opportunity by storm and give it 100%. There will be much more to come and I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.

Oh, and before I close, let me ask that you do one thing. Take a moment and listen to Empire State of Mind (YouTube video link) by Jay-Z. More importantly, specifically listen to what Alicia says starting at around 57 seconds – that really says it all.

Thank you for reading my “big announcement.” Woot woot!

– Ryan

25 Things You Might not know About me

By Ryan Shell

Here’s a quick list of 25 things you may or may not know about me. Consider making your own list – it’s a constructive little exercise.

I was so young when my parents got divorced that I never remember my dad being around.
At the age of 20, I was one of the youngest full-time radio DJ’s to work in a top 50 market. I went on to host a successful Top 40 night show for six years.
I hate mayonnaise.
I’m a licensed NC real-estate agent.
At the age of 29 I was one of the youngest people to ever run for a seat on the Greensboro City Council.
My iPod has everything from classical to hip-hop to electronic on it.
Sometimes I shamefully buy chocolate doughnuts from the grocery store and will eat one, and then feel disappointed that I caved to sweets and trash the rest of the box.
Not being financially secure is, without a doubt, one of my biggest fears in life.
I earned $15 an hour (thought I was rich!) at the age of 18 when working at Roadway – a trucking company. It was possibly the hardest job I’ve ever had and provided added motivation to never drop out of college.
I’ve never drank alcohol. As in, never had a sip. No really, not even a sip.
Not a day goes by that I don’t miss being on the radio, or entertaining an audience of some sort.
At the age of 11, my first job was painting mailboxes. $10 for the black part and $2 extra for the flag. If I hit a stretch of houses and know one would hire me, I’d do one for free making surrounding mailboxes look bad. It worked.
My New Years Resolution for 2009 was to travel once a month. I did it… and traveled all but one place, including Mexico, by myself.
Cancer scares me.
At the age of 30, and not knowing anyone, I moved to New York City leaving behind everything that was comfortable in my life.
I think grits are gross.
I’ve been in love twice (That’s a heavy one).
I’m an only child.
As a result of getting in trouble and not being able to leave the house for a period of time when I was younger… I can juggle.
I keep a Photoshopped picture of Lance Armstrong (an idol) climbing up Alpe d’Huez in my office – my head is on his body. It’s pretty funny looking.
I have a passion for helping people.
I hate that there are homeless people in the world.
Health insurance shouldn’t be a privilege.
One of my favorite movies is Rudy. If you’ve seen it… “Rudy. Rudy. Rudy.” What a moment.
I’d like to be one of the following: President, the President’s Press Secretary, a Chief Marketing Officer.

“Hold on a minute I’m naked” – Another Day in my Funny Life

By Ryan Shell

“Hold on a minute I’m naked,” said the lady peaking out of her front door.

That’s the end of a pretty random turn of events I found myself part of late yesterday afternoon. Let me rewind and start from the beginning.

I was driving home down MLK in Greensboro, NC. As I approached a stoplight I noticed a guy in a wheelchair in the middle of the road. He was totally out of place and in a good amount of danger.

While pulling up to the stoplight I slowly drove past the guy (to get a better look at the situation), but immediately noticed that he was disabled and having a hard time getting out of the street, or moving at all. I put the car in reverse, rolled down my window and said, “Do you need help?” He shook his head yes and I pulled my car behind him, stopped, put on the emergency lights and got out.

He could barely talk, but when I asked him again if he needed help he mumbled yes. I then asked him if I could push him up onto the sidewalk; he again shook his head yes, so I did. He couldn’t really talk, but when I asked him where he was trying to go he simply pointed straight down MLK.

As I was standing there someone yelled out of a car, “Mike what are you doing in the middle of the road man.” The person in the car evidently knew the guy, and perceived the situation as being remotely humorous, but eventually told me he was probably trying to get to a house several blocks away.

So there I am, standing on a street corner in a not so great part of town with a guy that couldn’t talk, couldn’t walk and had significant physical diformities that prohibited him from clearly pointing me in the right direction.

What to do? Of course I couldn’t just leave him I started pushing him in the direction he was originally going.

After we traveled about a block I saw a guy sitting on the front porch and said, “Do you have any clue where he might be trying to go?” He responded by saying, “I think to a house down by the church.”

Off we went. Me and Mike strolling down MLK probably looking as crazy as could be. I eventually turned down a side street he motioned towards that instantly made me think, “Yeah, this probably isn’t the safest place for me to be walking.” During my city council campaign I frequently visited this area and was routinely yelled at with statements such as “Get the F*&^ out of here cracker.”

I continued to push Mike, making several turns along the way, and we eventually came to a house that he made clear was his destination. I parked him next to the curb, and started walking up the 15 or so steps to the front door. Upon stepping on the porch I thought to myself, “Whoever is home is going to think I’m the police.” (This happened frequently during my campaign while in certain neighborhoods.)

I eventually knocked on the door and after about 25 seconds went by there was no answer. So then I knocked again. A lady eventually said, “Who is it.” I then said, “My name is Ryan and I have Mike – he was in the middle of the road.” She then said, “Hold on one minute I’m naked.”

The front door eventually cracked open a few inches and she peaked her head out (obviously still naked). I explained the situation and she thanked me for helping him and then I started making my way down the steps.

I said buy to Mike, but before I left he managed to pull out a sheet of paper that had letters on it. He then pointed to to the letters D-O-U-M. I then said, “Do I have money?” He shook his head yes and I said, “Sorry Mike, I don’t have any on me.”

As I walked back up the side street towards MLK I thought to myself (while laughing), “I couldn’t make this stuff up.”

Get Fit: The Skating Slump

By Ryan Shell

This post is part of my ongoing “Get Fit” series, an effort to lose a little weight/tone up, and save money by reducing the number of meals I eat out.

It’s been a while since my last “Get Fit” update so I thought I should get on the ball. On a good note, just before I started to write this post I checked my eating out expenses for the month and am under budget by $24 and that’s fantastic! The question is, can I avoid eating out for the next two days? Doubtful, but who knows.

My last update outlined a pretty hardcore workout schedule that I was doing for skating, and I’ve kept a similar schedule for most of the month. Up until last Thursday I was skating indoor practice four times a week and outdoor four to five times a week. Some days I’d do indoor practice immediately followed by outdoor practice. The back to back indoor and outdoor practices are no joke and most definitely test your mental strength.

Thus far, my training has been on schedule for the regional competition I’ll be taking part in May 15 – 16, but I sure felt like trash at practice last night. I hadn’t skated for a few days due to the weather (outdoor was canceled twice) and you’d have thought I’d have felt fresh, but that wasn’t the case.

In any sport, you have ups and downs… especially if you’re following a strenuous training regime. It’s safe to say that I’m on the down portion of the curve at the moment. In theory, this is a good thing as I’ll start to peak around regionals, but admittedly, now that I’m a bit older than when I used to skate, I hope my body reacts the way it needs too.

Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be able to tell you that I feel great and that all of the training paid off.