Cheryl Nichols: IABC Seattle

Posted by admin

June 3, 2009

To say Cheryl Nichols is involved in Seattle’s social media community would be an understatement of epic proportions. It seems that whenever I’m at an event, regardless of who I’m speaking with, her name comes up in conversation because of all the great things she’s doing involving social media and digital communications. As a board member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), an organization of which I am a big fan, Cheryl is involved with putting together the many amazing events, which, as put on the IABC Seattle website, “help communicators achieve professional excellence and drive success for their organizations through effective communication strategies and practices.” In addition to the IABC meetings, Cheryl can be found at the many tweetups and SMC Seattle events around the Sound. Go find her!

Please get to know Cheryl Nichols; she is someone I believe to be a true all-star in our community.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Cheryl Nichols

2. E-mail?
cnichols05@hotmail.com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Program Manager, Microsoft via Murphy & Associates.

4. Originally from? Oregon. When and how did you end up in the Greater Seattle area?
Moved here more than 10 years ago.

5. How can people find you on the web?
Twitter: @cherylnichols

Social Media:

6. Why do you like social media?
It’s an amazing way to make connections with people on multiple levels, whether it’s about local, global, or topical interests. I’ve been introduced to so many great people not only online but face-to-face. I’ve learned about new websites, blogs, and news sites that might have taken me much longer to discover. It’s like having my own personal filters for information.

7. How do you utilize social media?
I use Twitter for keeping a pulse on various communities—internal communications, professional organizations like the IABC, and SMC Seattle, as well as personal interests in social media, travel, photography, and more. I’ve made incredible connections with people in Seattle and globally. It’s helped me sync with people that would otherwise be difficult to find and meet.

I’ve been a student of social media for a few years, soaking it all in, learning as much as I can. But it’s only this year that I jumped into the fray, actually getting on Twitter and other social media sites. Experiencing it and immersing yourself is quite different than studying it from a distance. I’ve learned a great deal by getting involved in the conversation.

8. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
It’s about conversation and community, developing both online and offline acquaintances and friendships. It’s enriched my relationships for both work and personal associations. In communications, they say content is king. In social media, many times it’s conversation that’s king.

9. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll find my tweets to be a mixture of sharing information I find of interest, responding to conversations taking place, and throwing out a question here or there.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
The social media scene in Seattle is fabulous. There are great people here and these great people don’t always know where and how to find each other. Social media is facilitating connections between people that might not otherwise meet. Interesting factor: We all complain about the rain here in the Northwest, but the weather might actually be a positive factor in getting people meeting at tweetups during our rainy season.

11. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about? Please include dates, locations, etc. Where can more information be found?
As a volunteer board member for the local chapter of the IABC, I’m heavily involved in planning professional development events. Our 2009 social media seminar was a great success, in large part due to the stellar speakers we had, which included @chrisbrogan, @tosolini, @wryanturner, @chrispirillo, and others. We anticipate continuing to put together programs that include social media elements for communication professionals and those who might be interested in communication fields. IABC/Seattle’s site is seattle.iabc.com.

Just For Fun:

12. What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include learning about social media and its linkage to internal communications. I’m also interested in sustainable international travel, global cultures, photography, and hiking, among other things. I like to write, but I haven’t started blogging just yet. If I buy that puppy, then I have to feed it, so I’m still thinking about what breed of blog would be the best fit for me.

13. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Western and northwestern China, at the moment—wonderful cultural experiences to be had, a wide range of sights, sounds, and rich history. Soaking in the local culture, bargaining at the outdoor markets, and, of course, enjoying tasty meals at a fraction of the cost at home.

14. Favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite food?
Dahlia Lounge, a great Tom Douglas restaurant. Salmon is my hands-down favorite, but I also love the silver-dollar-sized donuts with a little mascarpone for dessert. If you haven’t had them, you’re missing out on a Seattle secret.

15. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Bicycling and hiking in the Cascades, boating on Lake Washington, and journeying to Pike Place Market early on Saturday mornings.

16. Most embarrassing CD you own?
I think I still have a Windows XP CD hanging around—and I’ve even moved on to Vista!

17. Any hidden talents?
The ability to say hello in at least 20 different languages—I guess that qualifies, right?