Spending just a couple of minutes with Amy Martin is an absolute blessing. We don’t always get into numbers here, but she has over 1,000,000 followers on Twitter? Why you ask?
Amy-Martin-Digital-RoyaltyWell for one thing she is an absolute rock star in the social media and digital world.shaq-twitter

A short list of accomplishments include:

-Former Head of Digital Marketing for the Phoenix Suns.

-Teaching Shaq to Tweet (my favorite story in the interview).

-Being the go-to for celebrities, athletes and more who want to jump into the social media space with her company Digital Royalty (her new website is coming soon and will link it up as soon as it is up)

-Creating of a really cool ROI system for social media called “Return On Influence.”

In this interview you will learn:

-How to become your own media source.

-How businesses and brands can dominate and engage on social media.

-Pros and Cons of Ghost Writing.

-Amy’s favorite brands, businesses and folks on Twitter.

-Where this is all going in the future.
….and more.

Enjoy! Like it? Please share it and leave your comments

The absolute best advice from world class entrepreneurs and leaders, the Founder of Help A Reporter Peter Shankman on the future of social media, one single Mom doing something remarkable in 50 states in 52 days, and the final segment of our four part series Get Off Your Couch and Get Healthy with the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine and we say goodbye to this season with style on the final episode of 2009 this Sunday.

On TV:
Premier: On ABC (KDNL-ABC30) at 11 AM (CST) on Sunday, November 22nd following “This Week With Stephanopoulos”
Replays: On ABC (KDNL-ABC30) at 1 AM (CST) on Tuesday (24th), Wednesday (25th), Thursday (26th) following “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

On Demand:  (Starting this Sunday, November 22nd also at 11 AM CST)
www.therisetothetop.com (feel free to share, embed, or do whatever you like with the video)

But do not worry as we are launching a NEW daily web show in 2010 to help you build your business with insider tips, tricks advice and more. Details coming extremely soon!

I remember sitting in class in college (an Intro To Entrepreneurship class…ironically one of only two business classes I ever took the other being Marketing) and occasionally a “real life” entrepreneur would come in and tell us what he or her has learned from the trenches.

The term “real life” I have always found funny sort of like a guide with a safari of tourists looking through a fence saying, “Shhhh not too much noise. That is a REAL entrepreneur!”
After starting four companies in four different ways (One a solo venture, one a partnership, one a mess, and of course The Rise To The Top), I figured it would be helpful to all entrepreneurs whether you are jumping into your first, fifth or hundredth company to at least consider answering some of the questions below even if you don’t have a fancy business plan.

In the end, I PROMISE it will save you money, time, aggravation, frustration, and give a little structure to the entrepreneurial dream.

In no particular order….

1. Can I remove myself from this business or will I always be a part of it?

2. Can I work “non normal hours” including nights and weekends if necessary?

3. Do I have 6 months extra cash reserves?

4. Do I have a list of trusted professionals (lawyer, accountant, etc.) or do I need a referral?

5. Can I take criticism?

6. Who are my mentors and go-to people when I need help?

7. How will my business make money and what are the alternative revenue streams? (*I know captain obvious here but I’ve made that mistake, have you?)

8. Do I work better alone or in groups?

9. What things do I LOVE to do on a daily basis?

10. What things do I HATE to do on a daily basis?

11. Who is doing the books and keeping finance in order?

12. How far in advance am I planning? 6 hours? 6 days? 6 years?

13. How much time will my business require of ME?

14. Do I plan on on selling my business?

15. What is your web strategy?

16. Am I also marketing my business, product or service or soliciting help?

17. Do I have a plan for hiring your first employee?

18. How am I  going to generate buzz for your business?

19. Where is the start up capital coming from?

20. Will I be investing my own money?

21. Am I prepared to deal with the emotional toll of the ups and downs of businesses?

22. Where am I getting answers to my entrepreneurial questions? (Such as blogs, The Rise To The Top *wink*)

23. Who are my favorite entrepreneurs and why were they successful?

24. Why is my business unique?

25. WHY am I starting my own business?

…if you can’t quantify it…it will be tough to do it.

What are some more questions that I missed?

This is gonna be a good one – jammed full of business-building tips and tricks.

Things you will be able to take away AND use right away:

-How to make your business greener (simply and effectively)

-5 Common Mistakes Made On Websites

-How to use StumbleUpon for business

-What a non-disclosure agreement is and how entrepreneurs can use them

+ more!

The co-star and the real brain behind Bravo TV’s Flipping Out Jenni Pulos, Ambassador to all things green Cindy Bambini on building a greener business, Part 2 of Get Off Your Couch and Get Healthy with The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, experts including Adam Kreitman will be helping your business.

On TV:
Premier: On ABC (KDNL-ABC30) at 11 AM (CST) on Sunday, November 8th following “This Week With Stephanopoulos”
Replays: On ABC (KDNL-ABC30) at 1 AM (CST) on Tuesday (10th), Wednesday (11th), Thursday (12th) following “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

On Demand: (Starting this Sunday, November 8th also at 11 AM CST)
www.therisetothetop.com

In case you missed last week’s episode with Keith Ferrazzi, make sure to check it out here.

As usual your feedback is always appreciated and taking extremely seriously (more seriously than a money on unicycle…seriously). We want to improve and be more useful! Let us know how.