Mark McLaren of McBuzz Communications

Posted by admin

July 22, 2009

For some of us, WordPress can be, at times, hell. It can be frustrating, finicky, and might throw a tantrum or two. Basically, it can be like a four-year-old child. For others, it can be heavenly, like smooth sailing over calm waters of posts, plug-ins, and pages. Thankfully for those of us who experience the former, there are people like Mark McLaren.

The founder of McBuzz Communications, Mark is what you would call a “WordPress guy.” He gets it. He understands it. He is one with the WordPress Universe. And to call him a veteran of this stuff would be a bit of an understatement—he’s been doing this for over 10 years.

Besides being a big-time WordPress dude, Mark is just a really great guy and a devoted family man. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to sit down and chat with him.

Please get to know Mark of McBuzz Communications. :) Thanks again, Mark.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Mark McLaren

2. E-mail?
Use the “Email McBuzz” link at the top of the page on mcbuzz.com

3. What is your occupation/company?
Online Marketing Consultant, McBuzz Communications LLC.

4. What is the best part of your job?
The people I get to work with.

5. Originally from?
Originally from Southern California via Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My wife and I did the research over a period of about four months—and also listened to our Seattleite friends—and decided to move here in 2007.

6. How can people find you on the web?

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
It’s the openness. I love the interaction, collaboration, and innovation social media makes possible.

8. How do you utilize social media?
Mainly, I use it to promote my business and my clients. I tend not to use it as much for purely “social” purposes.

9. What is one thing that mainstream population should know about social media?
The best forms of social media are open. Even Facebook and LinkedIn now allow third-party applications. Similarly, there’s no “right” way to use Twitter. It’s a powerful communications platform. The API is open to anyone. Everything about it, including the hundreds of third-party services and tools based on Twitter, is changing and evolving all the time.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
I try to provide valuable information—more “What do you find useful or interesting?” rather than “What are you doing?” (though I have nothing against the latter mode).

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Very active and growing. Interestingly enough, though, I think there is still a huge divide between the tech cognoscenti and mainstream business people. In my business, I help the latter see the importance and utility of social media for their business.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment? What was it?
I was going to say there’s no real one moment, but with Twitter, there was. I went to an open house at Google in Fremont. I had just “discovered” Twitter and figured out that I could tweet from my phone via SMS. I remember tweeting, “I’m at Google Fremont open house,” or something, and Damon Cortesi (@dacort), whom I had never met, tweeted back, “Me too!” Now, Damon happens to be one of the nicest guys around and a real code and social media whiz, as well, so that was just my good luck. We didn’t actually meet until a later date, but the friendly “Me too!” from someone I didn’t know was such a cool thing. It really made an impression. I mean, it happened through this wacky new website called Twitter and a text message from my cell phone!

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Don’t be afraid to ask your kids how to do stuff! My nine year old showed me how to invite multiple users to join a BlackBerry Messenger conversation. Very helpful.

14. Are you currently working on any projects that involve the use of social media?
All of my projects involve social media because today there is nothing social media does not touch in the online marketing space. That’s also one of the great things about WordPress and other (usually) open platforms: they incorporate social media so easily.

15. Are there any social media events or conferences in the future you would like to let people know about?
I was going to ask you that question.

Just For Fun:

16. What are your hobbies?
My wife and I just did a half-ironman triathlon with Team In Training ironmanbuzz.com. I don’t know if I would call that a hobby! But I’m glad we did it.

17. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
I love the beach. Warm weather. Surfing. Seattle’s not known for these things, but they are a vacation motivation.

18. Favorite restaurant in Seattle?
I’m still kind of new here. Chili’s? (Just kidding. I stole that from “30 Rock”.)

19. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Enjoy the long days and sun (usually!).

20. Favorite quote?
I owe it all to Little Chocolate Donuts. – John Belushi

21. Guilty pleasure?
See favorite quote

22. Favorite actor/actress?
Tina Fey for her writing, producing, and acting. She is brilliant. Deserves every one of those Emmys.

23. I really like it when…
People that I introduce to one another really hit it off.

24. One day I would love to…
Sail around Hawaii with my family.

25. If I could meet anyone, alive or dead, I would want to meet…
Hmm. Feeling a little superstitious at the moment. I’m going to pass on that one. Be careful what you wish for, as they say…

26. What would you like everyone to know about you?
I’m highly employable, with an outstanding record of customer satisfaction.