Chris Pirillo of Lockergnome/Gnomedex

Posted by admin

September 2, 2009

Blogger, tech expert, social media advocate, community builder, happy dog owner, YouTube celebrity, and avid tea drinker are just a few of the words that could be used to describe Chris Pirillo.

A man who knows social media, Chris is one of the most well-known members of the Seattle social media community and is often referenced when the subject turns to online communities. You may have also heard Chris’s name most recently because of Gnomedex, which is considered to be one of the nation’s premier social media and technology conferences. When he’s not putting on amazing conferences or performing other public duties, Chris can be found streaming live video from his eastside home via Ustream.tv, talking everything from tech to web culture and everything in between.

Get to know Chris on another level, wouldja?

The Basics

1. Name
Seriously? If they don’t know it, how did I get nominated for this gig? Ok, ok—I’m Chris Pirillo.

2. Occupation or company
I don’t know what my occupation is, really. I’m a geek and I work for myself. I’m lucky enough to have made a career out of a personality disorder.

3. What is the best part of your job?
The commute time! I roll out of bed into this room, and I’m there, dude!

4. When and how did you end up in Seattle?
I originally started out in Iowa. I ended up here because I wanted to be here. I love the weather here in the northwest and the outdoors (even though I’m the great indoorsman).

5. How can people find you on the Web?
Google the word Chris. You’ll find me.

Social Media

6. What is it about social media that attracts you?
The babes! Dude, seriously, have you seen the social media babes? They’re very attractive, except for that one that we won’t talk about.

7. How do you utilize social media?
I tickle it with my pinger! I use Ping.fm to sneeze out updates to sites like Twitter and Facebook, among others. I honestly feel that social media is using me, instead of the other way around. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I feel like I’m being followed by thousands and thousands of people!

8. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
They should know it’s happening, whether they’re using it themselves or not. People are talking about you (or your company) whether you know it or not.

9. If people are following you on Twitter, what can they expect to read?
They can expect pithy quotes. Sometimes, I can be a little blue. I post links from people who post on Geeks and Lockergnome and ones that others send to me that I like.

10. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Sometimes it’s very stinky, and other times it’s beer-y. In any sense, it’s a hot scene. If there’s a social media event, there will be hundreds of people who show up!

11.Do you remember your social media “WOW!” moment? What was it?
Uhm… I really don’t know. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a “WOW!” moment. It kind of just came upon me before I even really knew it, and I was off. I was doing social media before that even became a term!

12. What is one piece of advice you’d give to new users of social media?
Be yourself, and understand that transparency applies to you. It’s important. Don’t ever think you’re the exception to that rule.

13. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
Yes! I’m recording this as a video for YouTube right now!

14. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future that you would like people to know about?
Well, at the time of this recording we were getting ready for Gnomedex! That’s my annual tech/social media conference. I definitely recommend it, of course.

Just For Fun

15. What are your hobbies?
I build LEGO sets!

16. Favorite vacation spot and thing to do there?
My favorite vacation spot is Costco, actually. I love their hot dogs with a large drink. It’s only $1.50!

17. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
Costco, of course! I love both the hot dogs and polish sausages.

18. Favorite thing to do in Seattle in the summer?
Well, if it’s meal-time, I like to just go to Costco!

19. Favorite Quote?
I’d have to say the curly one!

20. Guilty Pleasure?
On a rare occasion, I will go to Costco, get a hot dog, and add sauerkraut!

21. Favorite actor/actress?
My favorite actor is Harrison Ford. I’ve modeled my entire career after him. I’ve been told I am the Harrison Ford of geeks! I’ve worked very, very hard to attain that title.

22. “I really like it when…”
Someone goes out and gets a Costco hot dog for me! That’s the best because I don’t like to leave my home environment!

23. “One day, I would love to…”
Finish this video! How long has it been already? Is anyone still reading/watching?

24. “If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, it would be…”
Someone alive! I wouldn’t want to meet a dead person. Can you imagine the awkward conversation? It wouldn’t go anywhere!

25. What would you like everyone to know about you?
What do you want to know about me? I’ll answer any question! I would like you all to know that I don’t take myself seriously, and that’s something I’ve been accused of on occasion. Does that make sense at all?