From the belly of the beast

And now for something completely different.

For some reason people seem to like this blog and it has received occasional bursts of popularity beyond my circle of friends and family. Because (or in spite of this) I've been asked, along with about 50 other bloggers, artists, business people and social media activists to participate in an online campaign for IBM called "The IBM Social Influencer Think Tank." Fancy, huh?

Now before you scream "SELLOUT!" let me explain.

I am not a spokesperson for IBM. I am not endorsing their services. (Not that I wouldn't, that's just not what I've been asked to do.) I have only been asked to blog about the roles that social media and technology play in my life and then incorporate the hashtag #MySmarterCommerce into my posts.

My compensation for this effort? The potential of a wider platform for my blog and other online communiques.

IBM will feature their favorite contributions from me and my fellow Think Tankers on their website exposing my thoughts and ideas to more potential consulting customers. I also have the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion at SXSW depending on the amount of "engagement" created by my posts.

I figure it's also a great opportunity to experience social media marketing from a whole different perspective. Either way, it's not going to change how I approach this blog or what I write.

So if you see an occasionally post on Facebook, Tweet or blog from me with the hashtag #MySmarterCommerce embedded in it over the next 30 days you'll know why. If something that I've posted strikes you as worthwhile, please share it with your friends and followers. I've always wanted to go to SXSW and doing it on IBM's nickel would be pretty sweet.