Welcome! It’s been months since I’ve posted to this blog. However, as you know, I’ve continued to connect with you and others on the big three social media sites. I’m elated to be connecting with you again through my blog today. In this post, I want to introduce you to some people you should know because, well, they ROCK as people and social media users!!!
What is Going to Happen to the Powerful and Influential People in Social Media Lists?
As you might recall, in the past couple of years I’ve posted a list of people who were deemed by a number of Twitter users as some of the most powerful and influential people in social media. It amazed me how much attention my blog received because I published those lists – but I’ve decided against publishing that type of list again. The difficulty of receiving notification (in a timely manner) of all of the people who undoubtedly deserved to be on such lists was one reason I made that decision. As a result, my blog was filled with comments that ranged from encouraging to quite rude, which was great because of the exposure it afforded the people listed, my blog, and me.
However, at the end of the day I felt compelled to do something new this year.
So the list below consists of people with whom I’ve built varying degrees of relationship during my usage of social media and social networking sites. In fact, I have spent hours on the phone or in person with many of the people listed. Not only do I consider them Social Media Phenoms, I consider many of them friends. I hope that, like me, you’ll manage to build invaluable relationships with them in the days and weeks ahead. Without further ado, here are some people I consider Social Media Phenoms:
1. Maria Reyes-McDavis: Jesus freak, wife, mommy, digital marketing agency director, strategic consultant to churches & ministries, classic car lover, NBA junkie, gym rat.
2. Mia Chambers: Global Citizen. Sushi Lover. New Media Aficionada.
3. Karen Swim: Marketing,PR Communications. Quietly doing work I love for people/orgs I believe in and that inspire my respect
4. Shama Kabani: Author of The Zen of Social Media Marketing, Host of Shama.Tv, President of The Marketing Zen Group
5. Donna Maria Coles Johnson: Wife, mom, business leader. @INDIEgu, @themediaisyou, @makecosmetics.
6. Dee Stewart: Book Critic, Editor, Publicist, Cup Cake Blogger. Publishing. Author(Kensington) CHF. Mom. Girl Scout. Hello Kitty Journalist. NFL. Christian. Following Me Yet?
7. Monikah Ogando: The Business Explosion Coach – How Entrepreneurs Mix Mindset, Marketing and Money for Success
8. TC Coleman: Lawyerpreneur. Brand Development Consultant. Online Business Development/Rainmaking Strategist. Lover of Spicy Foods! *C = Tweets about Clients
9. Angel McClinton: Campaign Manager @LA_OnlineMedia, super mom, treehugger, on cam glam gal, off cam geek, blogger, film fest program director…all w/a 
10. Sarah Newton: Day Job – Youth Expert, Thought Leader, Blogger , Entrepreneur, Family Peacemaker, tech geek and crazy chic all rolled into one
11. Sharon McPherson: A.K.A. The Fuller Brush Girl. A member of iCop and a contributing editor to the book, Twitter Revolution, I’ve been a work-at-home business owner since 1998.
12. Marika Dye: TV Host, Speaker, Interviewer, Writer, Virtual blogging assistant, Graphic Artist, IT Tech, Life/Relationship blogger
13. Wendy Y. Bailey: Coach’s Coach: Creator of Group Coaching Mastery: Master Group Coaching with an NLP twist
14. Christy Goldfeder-Ingkavet: Certified health coach. Professional copywriter. NY Organic Food writer at examiner.com. Surfing enthusiast. Say hi to my alter ego @christyi
15. Gwen Bell: A Fast Company Most Influential Woman in Tech. Forbes’ Women to Follow on Twitter. Balancing Laptop Yogini. Evolving Lover of @jlongtine. #reverb10
16. Alejandro Reyes: Recently named 1 of 15 people to watch by @SacMag. Help small biz & entrepreneurs crush it w/ local social media marketing. Love my fam, friends & speaking.
17. Brent Leary: a guy trying to make sense of it all
18. David Bullock: Profit Engineer – Business Development Specialist, Consultant, Speaker, Co-Author – www.Barack20.com Social Media For Business Blueprint
19. Dwight Miller: Business Coach, Music Lover, Entrepreneur, Online marketing expert
20. Deon Gordon: Entrepreneur. Marketer. Activist. Foodie. Urbanite. Designer. Lover. Thinker. Infomedian. Vanguard. Reluctant Blogger and Purveyor of Excellence.
21. Chris Brogan: President, Human Business Works and President, New Marketing Labs.
22. Wayne Sutton: Co-founder of @TriOut, location-based geek, blogger, entrepreneur, former journalist, loves community, husband, father & overall nerd.
23. Jeremy Victor: Founder Make Good Media | We help businesses integrate B2B social media & content marketing w/ traditional marketing practices | Editor In Chief B2Bbloggers.com
24. Billy Mitchell: B2B Marketing Agency partner and creative director. MLT Creative is the idea launch pad for BtoB marketers. We make ideas work
25. Jim Turner: Copywriter, Author, Internet Marketer, Blogger, Social Media Marketing Strategist, SEO Copywriter, Attraction Marketing
26. Paul Greenberg: CRM author, consultant, speaker, loves family, friends and NY Yankees
27. Brian Solis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Solis
28. Vincent Wright: Chief Branding Officer at: http://www.Brandergy.com http://www.Brandseed.com
29. Wayne Anderson: Management Consultant; Speaker; Coach; Mentor; and Trainer
30. Craig Kausen: Just one guy livin’ the dream… Father of 4, Chuck Jones’ grandson. Art biz guy, Computer Engr, Listener of Wisdom, Creativity Seeker,Smile, it’s contagious!
Social Media Phenoms in the Tulsa and Oklahoma city metropolitan areas
1. Cindy W. Morrison: Social Media Strategist / Speaker / Author / Emmy Winning TV Journalist — Showing peeps to reboot, upgrade & reinvent through SOCIALVENTION
2. Cheryl Lawson: We’ll bring together Tulsa’s most compelling Social Media advocates to network, learn, and just plain have a good time! Next meet up #Tweet4Toys Dec.13 #SMTulsa
3. Nancy Nascenzi: Tulsan by choice, corporate comm specialist, journalism educator, freelancer, feminist, geek wannabe, opinions expressed here are mine not my employer’s
4. Deedra Determan: Founder of community website for moms, 918moms.com. Launching 405moms.com soon!
5. Mandy Vavrinak: Writer, thinker, speaker and dot-connector. Blogger. PR and Integrated marketing pro. Passionate about strategy before tactics. Chocolate is my Kryptonite.
6. Jessica Dyer: President, Emerge Interactive Media
7. Myra Golden: I help companies retain and recover customers.
8. Jill Solomon: mom, wife, and fierce photographer wedding, senior, children commercial photography Tulsa Oklahoma
9. Beth Anderson: I’m the Editor-in-Chief of Chic Galleria Magazine. Lucky Magazine Alpha Shopper. Fashion junkie, positive thinker and always throwing out the Welcome mat.
10. Lauri Rottmayer: Executive Director of @TheMrsOKPageant (www.TheMrsOklahomaPageant.com), former marine and current coffee achiever. I don’t speed. 
Author of Rottitude.com
11. Natasha Ball: Think there’s nothing to do in Tulsa? Think again.
12. Heidi Ducato: Stylish Stepmom, Stylist, Wardrobe Consultant, Personal Shopper, Fashion Blogger, Fashion Editor
13. Frank Wiley: Former Fox23 Reporter
14. Mike Henry, Sr.: Interested in applying Christian principles in business and making a difference through relationships. Founder, Lead Change Group Leadership Teamwork Christian
15. Ron Terrell: Husband / Dad / News Anchor / Former Sportscaster / Impressionist / Practitioner of Sarcasm / Moviewatcher / Concertgoer / Sporting Event-Attender
16. Dan Gordon: I am a fourth generation jeweler at my family 100+ yr old store in Oklahoma City @SamuelGordons
17. Patrick Allmond: Having a blast living. I network my ass off. I love to listen & share ideas. Flying+Talking+Making People Better = Bliss. Love to have you on board
18. James E. Jones: National Politics and Local Opinions.
19. Steve Weber: SEO-WordPress-Google Guy (former teacher) using my teaching skills to help people succeed online–Plenty of Free videos and training tutorials on my site
20. Clay Loney: Oklahoma-based TV news anchor who prefers not to act like one. Keep it real, say it like it is, eyes wide open. It’s not about stories, it’s about people.
Quantity of Followers, Fans, Likes, and Connections is NOT Important
As you visit my friends’ and/or colleagues’ Twitter pages, you’ll notice that some don’t have 1 million people following them on Twitter or even 10,000. Listen, that isn’t important. What is important is the depth of their connections with those who do follow them and their level of connection within their own sphere of influence. Think about this way. The deeper your connection, the greater your ability will be to influence favorable actions. Read on for an example.
Take A Closer Look at One Social Media Phenom
My friend Brent Leary, who is a Social CRM Strategist has over 5,800 Twitter followers – but he’s had the privilege of presenting a webinar to over 2,000 people for Hubspot. Before Brent conducted that webinar, he had done speaking or online events for Microsoft, Sage, Intuit, Research In Motion, AT&T and a few lesser known companies. How did Brent do it? In addition to being a brilliant and easily likable guy, he credits his close relationship with a highly regarded CRM expert Paul Greenberg, who has mentored him for years, with opening up doors of opportunity to him. They even do a show together (sponsored by Microsoft) on Social Media Today’s TheCustomerCollective.com site called CRM Playaz.
Can you see why I believe that Social Media isn’t about how many connections you have – but the degree of rapport you have with your connections?
Anyway, I’d say that Brent is one powerful and influential guy, wouldn’t you? Yet I’d venture to guess that many tweeters have visited his Twitter page and assumed that, based on his number of followers, he’s not. They were wrong! Again, it’s not about how many people follow you on Twitter, friend or like you on Facebook or invite you to join their LinkedIn network. It’s about the quality of relationship you enjoy with them. Eventually, some of the relationships will become financially rewarding if you offer products or services that not only promise results but deliver.
Social Media is a Tool to Discover, Connect, and Build Relationships
Social media is a wonderful tool to discover, connect, and build long-lasting personal and professional relationships. If you’ve just discovered me because of this post, I’d love to connect with you, whether you’re a Social Media Phenom or not.
Ron, you always amaze me. First, thanks for creating this list. Second, know that I’m honored to even be mentioned. I hope you realize how much I respect and appreciate the friendship we’ve built over the years. Wow, has it really been that long? You’ve played an integral part in my development, on and offline. Thanks again.
DG
Ron, sweetie, I am so humbled. I consider you a social media phenom as well. Can we add you to the list? Let’s take a vote!
(Pardon the sweetie – I am Texan!)
Thank you for compiling this list and sharing it with us. As a young social media professional, I’m always on the lookout for people to learn from and to be inspired by.
Ron, my friend,
Thanks kindly for including me on a list of such robust social media practitioners… I look forward to working with you much more closely in 2011 – and beyond…
I’m with @Shama! Ron, you should be at the tippy top of this list, not just for being a social media phenom, but for being a man who loves people, loves helping people, and knows how to use new media tools to have a positive influence on the world. Thank you for including me in such amazing company, along with your fabulous self.
Wow! Thanks so much for the compliment! It means more to me than you know, Donna Maria. Again, thanks.
Deon, as you know I responded to your comment in a private message but I also want to acknowledge your compliment publicly. I’m grateful to know you for many reasons. At the top of the list is your love for the McRib sandwich (lol), your brilliance as a marketer, and your heart to serve. Thanks so much for your friendship and staying in touch.
Aw schucks! Thank you so much for your kind words, inspiring us all to go for more in business, and providing a plan for us to do so in your book – The Zen of Social Media Marketing.
Justin, you’re welcome! There are many others to learn from but the people on the list are my favorites. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Vincent, you’re welcome! It was without a moments hesitation to include you on my list. I look forward to working with you much more closely in 2011 too. Let’s chat in near future about ideas for a project.
Ron, I’m honored that you added me into your list. Thank you so much! I hope we can work more together in 2011 and beyond
Christy
Christy @ Delicious Life´s last [type] ..Comment on Top healthy holiday gifts by Christy
Hi Christy, you’re welcome. I’d love to work with you more in 2011 and beyond! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Let’s connect on the tele soon to discuss existing and upcoming projects.
Ron, i have to agree that you should truly be at the top of the list. From the early days of twitter you were there lighting the way with your wisdom, insight, warmth, and friendship. You are one of those people that defined the beauty of social media as a connection point that at it’s core was all about humanity and sharing time and space with really cool people. I have come to know many on this list and agree with you that they are phenomenal human beings who really are leaders and role models. I am tickled beyond belief (and yes shed tears of joy) that my name was found among these superstars. Thank you Ron for the list but most importantly for being you!
Karen Swim´s last [type] ..The Next Big Idea
Karen, I’m absolutely thrilled by your compliments, moved by your encouragement, humbled by your tears and exhilarated by the possibilities of serving humanity in ways that unleash our ability to do good. I look forward to how much we’ll all achieve in the days and weeks ahead! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! God bless you and yours. – Ron
Thanks so much my brother! I really appreciate your friendship and including me in cool lists like this.
2011 is gonna be big!
Alejandro Reyes´s last [type] ..Thankful
Thanks for the addition to the list Ron. I seem to always miss touching base with you when I am up in that area. We should fix that .
Patrick Allmond´s last [type] ..Big News- Focus AM-FM-Web Radio Show Kicking Off