Getting to Know Jason Weaver, CEO of shoutlet

Getting to Know Jason Weaver, CEO at shoutletI have been working with social media for a few years now, and I am always trying to stay a step ahead of my competition by learning all I can. This includes studying the latest tips and tricks and being as educated as I can with what is hot right now. Also what will be hot next. Part of my continuous education in social media means taking part in webinars as often as I can. The beauty of this is that I get fed endless links and updates from various companies about webinars on an almost daily basis. One that I was not aware of, but a fellow coworker advised me on, was being offered on social media and the ROI that you can generate for a company. Everyone is trying to find out how he or she can make money using social media and the folks at shoutlet seemed to have figure that out. I took part in said webinar and was so impressed with the presentation and the individual delivering the presentation that I wanted to interview him and share his story with my readers. Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and get to know Jason Weaver, the CEO of shoutlet.

So I recently was introduced to your company from one of the partners at my firm. He suggested that I sit through a social media webinar with you. I did. It was fantastic. Do you do webinars that often?

Not too many, however, we are going to start doing more of them. It’s a great way for us to connect to new prospects and further educate our existing clients. Our response has been good.

Actually, before we get started, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Massachusetts and raised in Lake Mary, Florida.

How long have you been with Shoutlet?

I founded the company in 2004.

Tell me more about shoutlet and what all you guys do.

shoutlet is a content distribution and messaging tool (not monitoring). We help companies better connect with their prospective customers online via social media. Our clients use shoutlet to execute their social media campaigns.

I assume you are on Twitter?

Of course, @mixdown04.

And Facebook?

Yes, but steer my business contacts to LinkedIn and Twitter.

Do you have a blog?

No, but my staff does.

When did you first see the power in social media as it related to a business?

2000 while working on “forums” for dealers at a JBL speaker company. Amazing results.

You told a lot of stories, case studies really, in your webinar. Tell me a story right now. You pick, it ca be on whatever you want.

At almost six years old my son is the most amazing inventor I know. My friends and family loving seeing his latest inventions online, like the giant bug squasher, the turbo rocket cleaner, etc. My journey into shoutlet began with him (read more here). Anyway, since starting the company, last week was the first time I walked him through MY invention (which is shoutlet). He thought it was really cool (probably because I showed him shoutlet on my new iPad). Anyway, it was probably my proudest moment regarding the company since I started.

I hear you are into music. Who is your favorite musician?

I am a big fan of Nine Inch Nails.

What are you jamming to right now?

Reggae music (to unwind).

What is the best concert you have ever been to?

I’ve seen everyone from Pink Floyd, Metallica, to Elton John, the best show ever was No Doubt.

Are you using an iPhone or have you not come to the dark side yet?

I’ve had an iPhone since the first version.

You used to work for MyWeather. Does that mean you know whether it is going to rain this weekend or not? (laughs)

That job wasn’t a good fit for me as weather does not excite me.

Are you on a PC or a Mac?

Mac.

So your firm is based in Wisconsin. Why Wisconsin?

I was recruited here in 2000 to work for Sonic Foundry. They had lays offs, shortly after I started my own company.

Are you into sports up there at all?

Nope, not a sports guy (music dude).

Please tell me you play golf?

Only been three times. I don’t have time to practice and I don’t like doing things I can become perfect at. So last summer, I decided to master BBQ instead. I’m a proven BBQ king now.

How many followers do you currently have on Twitter?

Hundreds.

What is one piece of professional advice you would give someone who is just starting to use Twitter.

Post smart thought compelling pieces or at least try and act smart. Don’t follow people just to get them to follow you, that wears off quickly.

So the Facebook business page has gone from users becoming a “fan” of the business to now “liking” the business. What are your thoughts on that as a whole?

It’s probably a better route for steering companies into a potential advertising vehicle on Facebook. I’m indifferent on it.

Where do you see social media in the next three to five years?

Commerce, Mobile, and CRM.

What would you be doing if not working for shoutlet?

Running a VC firm, screw working for a living!

How many people do you have on staff there?

About twenty-five.

What was the last movie you saw?

I just watched Superbad.

Did you like it?

Yes, Jonas is a funny dude.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully doing what I’m still doing today, just supersized.

What do you want to be remembered for when you leave this world?

A good father, mentor to my employees, and an honorable man.

I always let the bands that I interview get the last word. Why not you? Go.

Anyone can accomplish success in life, dive in, the water is warm. Oh, and please buy shoutlet!