Robert Clarke of OmniTechNews

Posted by admin

September 9, 2009

Robert Clarke is like any other young person; he enjoys sports and video games—and, oh yeah, he reviews tech gadgets, has his own web show and blog, and has garnered attention from both businesses and media. Did I mention he’s not even a teen? As the kid spearheading OmniTechNews, a blog dedicated to all things tech and gadgets, Robert is very quickly making a name for himself in Seattle’s social media space.

At just 12 years old, he’s making noise by creating and producing great-quality video and blog content at his family’s eastside home. To date, he and his team have created more than 50 YouTube videos ranging in topics from product unboxings to reviews to software tips and tricks. Because of his great work on his blog, companies have begun to take notice and have even started sending him products for review. But, it’s not just businesses he’s gaining the attention of; recently, Robert and his OmniTechNews team have even been featured on NPR and King 5 News Seattle. Amazing, isn’t it?

Through OmniTechNews, what Robert is doing is absolutely remarkable; he’s reinforcing the fact that if you have a great original ideas, some social media savvy, and a lot of passion and knowledge, it doesn’t matter your age—people will find what you have to share valuable. Is the next generation of social media users starting to arrive? I think so, and it’s being lead by young people like Robert. So get ready, because they’re not just knocking on the door, they’re about to break it down.

Get to know Robert of OmniTechNews.

The Basics:

1. What is your name?
Robert Clarke

2. E-mail?
robert@rjfc.net

3. What is your occupation/company?
OmniTechNews

4. What is the best part of your job?
Having something to do in my spare time; summer gets boring for 12 year olds.

5. Originally from?
I originally lived in London but moved out to Seattle with my family. We thought it might be fun to try something new.

6. How can people find you on the web?
Just go to www.omnitechnews.netor find the podcast on iTunes and Zune. We also have Twitter and YouTube accounts. (www.youtube.com/omnitechnews and twitter.com/omnitechnews)

Social Media:

7. What is it about social media that attracts you?
It is so easy! You don’t need to be a computer wiz to have a Twitter or YouTube account (although it helps).

8. How do you utilize social media?
I use it for many things:

Twitter makes it easy to stay connected to world information like current events.
It is fun to tweet and see how people respond.
I like being connected to the world.

9. What is one thing the mainstream population should know about social media?
It is very big, don’t get frustrated at your friend who has more followers than you. There is always someone who is going to have more than you.

10. If people follow you on Twitter, what can they expect?
I try to do fun facts here and there, but mostly it’s behind the scenes of OmniTechNews. I also tweet about what I am doing, like going to Starbucks.

11. How would you describe the social media scene in Seattle?
Friendly; when I went to my first tweetup (age 11) in Seattle, everyone was really friendly even though I was small and new to social media.

12. Do you remember your social media “wow” moment?
I think it was when OmniTechNews hit a hundred subscribers. I was just like “WOW. 100 people have said they want to find out whenever we release another show. That’s awesome!”

13. What is one piece of advice you give to new users of social media?
Don’t be a stranger; really express yourself.

Just For Fun:

14. What are your hobbies?
I play most sports, but the two I am really into are tennis and basketball. I like to tweet, blog, watch videos on YouTube, and be a geek.

15. Favorite vacation spot? Thing to do there?
Vashon Island; I love to fish a chill out. It’s the one place where I don’t a have a to-do list.

16. Favorite things to do in Seattle in the summer?
Do lots of OmniTechNews. It is the one time where I don’t have to worry about school getting in the way.

17. Favorite quote?
“Acta non verba” (Action not words)

18. Guilty pleasure?
Twitter; I am way to obsessed.

19. Favorite actor/actress?
Leonardo DiCaprio

20. I really like it when…
Someone subscribes to the OmniTechNews YouTube account. There is always a small satisfaction.

21. One day I would love to…
Have 2,000 subscribers on YouTube with OmniTechNews.

22. What would you like everyone to know about you?
To some degree, I want to be noticed but not hassled.