My Transition to Being a Professor

Over the last few months, I’ve finally had some good fortune come my way.  The opportunity to be an Adjunct Communications Professor at Central Penn College has been an amazing experience thus far.  I hold out hope that I will continue to teach there for many terms to come.

There are some things, however, that have been challenging to me.

1) Social Media is the way young people communicate.

While I am far from a social media expert, I still think that my level of social media knowledge is much higher than the average individual.  I’ve been running successful social media campaigns for all of my clients over the past year and have an increasing presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  That being said, I can help businesses, but can I help the students learn more about social media?  Every Communications class should have some form of discussion about social media and how these Communications students can and will use social media in their future jobs.

2) Teaching Communications classes is challenging due to the constant stream of new technology.

The book that I’m using to teach my class is called Media Programming:  Strategies and Practices.  While it does a wonderful job being current and even has an online portal for constantly updated information, the field of communications technology is constantly changing and will continue to do so.  It is certainly my responsibility to stay current on things that could impact not only my class but the communications field in general.

3) My College Classes included no Social Media instruction.  I will not make that mistake as a professor.

Looking back at my time (specifically at Shippensburg University) in college, I quickly realized that not one of my professors ever mentioned social media, even in passing.  Granted, I graduated in 2009 when Social Media was just beginning to become relevent, but I still look at it as a disservice to my education.  Everything that I know about social media I learned myself, being very fortunate along the way to meet two amazing Social Media professionals, Chris Dessi and Rachel Strella.  Even though my current class has no mention of social media anywhere in the course description, relating social media to the subjects we discuss in class will help the students understand how important it is to the field of communications.

4) Colleges and Universities must be proactive when teaching social media.

Just because college-aged students have a Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts doesn’t mean that a) they know to use it properly and effectively and b) understand how important social media is in finding a job or c) how leveraging social media will directly impact their future career.

Central Penn College does a fantastic job understanding the importance and value of social media and how we as professors must integrate social media discussion within our classes.  I look for many colleges and universities to expand classes to include social media related courses for students.

Henchmen’s Wing Sauce: Let Your Wings Fly With Flavor!

I am proud to be the new Social Media Editor of Henchmen’s Wing Sauces.  I recently began a Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/HenchmensSauces) and a Twitter Handle (@HenchmensSauces) to help begin a social media strategy for this emerging company.  Help us spread the word about these new pages and expect the latest news, events and recipes from Henchmen’s Wing Sauces!

At Henchmen’s Sauces, the quality is the most important thing that goes in to each bottle of sauce.  I recently sat down with Blaine and Keith Hench to discuss their new venture, bottling their sauces and getting them out to the public.

- How did you get started with Henchmen’s Wing Sauces?

Henchmen’s Wing Sauces began when we worked at our family restaurant for 26 years, Ye Olde Ale House.  We were one of the first establishments in the Harrisburg area to not only serve wings, but make our own hot sauce (as well as many other sauces) to use on these wings.  It took us quite some time, almost a year, to perfect our signature hot wing sauce.  We then began experimenting with a variety of other sauces, which we look forward to bottling in the future. After our family decided that the restaurant would no longer operate, our first mission was to bottle our famous wing sauce.

 For a brief history of the “Buffalo” Wing, go to this blog piece from Smithsonian.com (http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/food/2013/02/a-brief-history-of-the-buffalo-chicken-wing/)

 - What awards have you won?

Ye Olde Ale House and Henchmen’s Sauces only entered three different competitions over the years.  Our first competition was the establishment formerly known as Wanda’s.  Not only was in an awesome experience where we got to meet a lot of our fans and new potential customers, we actually won the competition.  That allowed us to travel to the state competition in Altoona at the Altoona Curve’s Stadium.  This was a much different set-up as opposed to what we had already entered.  First of all, it was a 2-week competition.  Week 1 we were able to set-up wherever we could find a spot within the stadium.  This week was amazing for us!  We fared very well, getting a lot of positive feedback from new and old fans alike.  Even the 2-Time Defending Champion actually told us that our wings were better than his were!

From the high we left week 1 with, was the low that we left week 2 with.  In the finals they lined us up in alphabetical order starting at the entrance of the park. Needless to say with a name of Ye Olde Ale House, we were at the end of the line and sat empty for the first 2 hours. After it was over, we had people telling us that we deserved to win and it was not fair the way they had it set up. At the end of the day, we were proud of our product and learned from the experience.

Now that we have our sauce bottled, we are currently looking into new competitions to enter.  We are considering the Scovie Awards, the Fiery Food Challenge and other local and national competitions to enhance our brand.

Keith and Blaine labeling their sauces for distribution.

- Where are your sauces sold?

Right now our sauce is available at John Gross and Company (http://www.gross-ery.com/) in Mechanicsburg and also through Flavor Palooza (http://www.facebook.com/FlavorPAlooza). We are currently trying to get it into Karn’s, Weis and other local retailers.  Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time, effort and energy to get into established retail markets that would help us expand.  Until then, we have to make sure we find every avenue to get our sauce from warehouse to kitchen table.

 - How did you get involved with FlavorPAlooza? How is your experience with them?

We were contacted by Dan through a mutual friend who has done all of our art work. We have only been doing business with Flavor Palooza for a short while but it has been amazing.  To have Dan and FlavorPAlooza reach audiences that we would not typically be able to reach is truly helpful.  But beyond that, Dan represents similar ideologies as Henchmen’s Sauces; a small, local business that focuses on quality and is made in small batches.  We will be sure to announce on our new Facebook page when and where FlavorPAlooza will be so our fans will always be stocked up with Henchmen’s Wing Sauce.

FlavorPAlooza’s Business Card designed by KollisionMedia

 - How is your sauce better than the average hot sauce?

The one thing that stands out about our sauce is the combination of flavor and heat.  A majority of corporate hot sauces are hot just to be hot and don’t supply flavor to add to the wing.  Henchmen’s Wing Sauce is the perfect combination of flavor and heat.  But beyond that, our sauce is very versatile and can be used on just about anything.  It can also be used as an outstanding base to build many other sauces from.  We actually have a variety of sauces that we are looking to bottle in the future, once our signature sauce takes off like we know it will.

 - What does the future hold for Henchmen Wing Sauce?

We would like to think big and say it will someday be worldwide. This is a sauce that we are very passionate about. When you make something that you know is better than any other sauce out there, everyone anywhere should have a chance to experience the fully flavored hot sauce that we provide.  As we mentioned above, we are seriously looking into local, regional and national competitions to get Henchmen’s Sauces the recognition we deserve.

 - Is there anything else you would like to mention that we haven’t covered?

We are two brothers who have poured their hearts and souls into a product that we believe is the best on the market. When you believe in something that strongly you need to share it with the world!

Keep up with Henchmen’s Wing Sauces at their new Facebook page and Twitter Feed.

Henchmen’s Sauces Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HenchmensSauces

Twitter Feed:  @HenchmensSauces

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@kollisionmedia.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

New Facebook Newsfeed: What Can We Expect?

Facebook is rolling out its new Newsfeed on the web today and on mobile in the coming weeks.  What new features can we expect?  How does this change things?

The main point Facebook tried to hammer across in todays’ Press Conference is how they are making the social networking site a “personalized newspaper” that is evolving with our needs.  When Facebook started Newsfeed, the interface was not as visual as it is now.  Most people have “little cameras in their pocket” that allow us to take and share photos of the things around us.  They promise that the interface will be more visual and engaging, with a larger area for Newsfeed, larger photos, expanded articles and so on.

Another unique feature they will be adding is a choice of feeds.  Users will have a friends feed, a photos feed, a music feed, and a business feed all in chronological order.  The feeds will be organized based on the frequency you use them as well.  They are also rolling out a major photo album facelift, allowing friends to see more of what we do and take photos of.  Articles will have an expanded section, with larger photos, more detailed descriptions and a more prominent title area.  This will be even more pronounced if you have multiple friends that share the same story.

Check-in’s to Facebook will be more visual and include a larger description of where you are and a map detailing the geography in the region.  They also promise to make 3rd party apps (Pinterest and Instagram were their examples) receive more coverage in your Newsfeed.  They want to wrap-up each day’s news for you from people and places that you like and follow and promise to give us ample coverage of important events, based on how many of your friends share similar stories.

One thing that was not covered whatsoever in the press conference was what all this means for Businesses that do a majority of social media marketing on Facebook.  While all of this honestly sounds fun and interesting on a personal level, it is my responsibility to understand repercussions for the businesses I represent.  Many of these small businesses do not have the time or will to understand the nuances of Facebook, which is why they turn to me for advice and guidance.  It will take time for myself and other social media professionals to digest these changes and develop (or edit) new or existing strategies to make sure our messages are seen by the most people.

At the end of all of this, engagement will still be key.  I do not believe people will see what you post as much if they don’t engage with what you are saying.  Generating new, fun and unique content will allow more users to see your posts and help them develop into brand advocates.  It remains to be seen how these new features will change the Facebook for Business landscape, but on a personal level, this update seems to have appeal to the masses.

For more information about the updated News Feed:  http://www.facebookstudio.com/news/item/a-new-look-for-news-feed

 

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@kollisionmedia.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

Top Secret Gourmets: Generic’s Worst Nightmare

I recently became Social Media Editor of Top Secret Gourmets, one of the most decorated Spice and Rub companies in Pennsylvania. Owners Larry Sayre and Cory Lauer were kind enough to do an interview for my blog.  Top Secret Gourmets promised to do a recipe contest when they reached 100 Likes on Facebook and have recently reached that goal.

What are the rules for the contest and what prizes will be awarded?

The contest is simple, send a recipe using any of the Top Secret Gourmet products in your cooking.  We will cook the recipes and determine which ones we like best.  To enter, simply post the recipe to our wall at http://www.facebook.com/TopSecretGourmets and when we receive 20 recipes, we will declare a winner.  1st place will receive 3 bottles of choice, 2nd place will receive 2 bottles and 3rd place will receive 1 bottle.  The only stipulations are that each person may only submit one recipe and you must Like our Facebook page.

You have said about the potential of online ordering at topsecretgourmets.com. How close is this to happening? What issues have arisen during this process?

We got the informational part of the site up about a year ago. We have the storefront almost finished with just a few odds & ends left. As long as there are no last-minute glitches we hope to have it running by the beginning of March.  There are always technical issues that always come up that are out of our hands. We also have to take into account that we must have enough inventory in place to get started. It’s a good problem to have, but we are constantly updating our awards and now have new product to add as well.

Your newest spice Pirate’s Gold  has been out in large bottles for a short time. When will the artwork be done? When will small bottles be available?

Pirate’s Gold is a mustard based spice that we are very excited about adding to our line of award-winning spices.  A lot of the artwork will be done in a few more weeks. Then, there is the process of getting the new artwork  labels designed for the first time. That takes an additional 3 to 4 weeks. We are hoping to have Pirates Gold out in small bottles by the middle of April. We may also have a Pirate’s Gold Mustard in the works down the line.

You have recently partnered with FlavorPALooza (http://www.facebook.com/FlavorPALooza), a small business focusing on selling other small batch spices and condiments. How did this come about? What are the advantages of having him sell your spices?

4) Our partnership with FlavorPALooza is one that came about out of necessity.  While we have an excellent client base currently, Top Secret Gourmets does not have the resources to hire a salesman.  By working with FlavorPALooza, we have someone knowledgeable and respected in the field selling our products where we can’t be. It has the opportunity to  get our product into a new variety of customers’ hands.

What does the future of Top Secret Gourmets hold beyond what we have discussed? What can your fans be looking forward to?

5) The future is simple. We want to concentrate on what we do great, high quality products with a twist. We don’t cut corners and it shows in the end results. You get what you pay for. We want to concentrate on getting our products out to more people, both on the wholesale & retail levels. We don’t want to get away from what has made our name or our products special. We believe all our products are unique in that they don’t taste similar, yet they are similar in that they all hit the taste buds from the different angles. We don’t want to stray away too far from what we do because that’s when you lose focus. We do plan on eventually venturing back into our Secret Sugars and may also try our hand at BBQ Sauces, Mustards, Hot Sauces, & Marinades.  The only way we go this route is if we can do it exactly like our spices, high quality, unique, with a twist.

Top Secret Gourmets has won a tremendous amount of awards, with all 9 of the spices winning at least one award and many of them winning multiple awards.  For more information about these awards:  http://topsecretgourmets.com/awards

I would like to personally thank Larry and Cory for their time regarding this interview.  These two are some of the most creative people in their industry and look to be destined for stardom.  Check out some of the links and give their spices a try!

Official Page:  http://topsecretgourmets.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TopSecretGourmets

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/TSGourmets

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@kollisionmedia.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

2013: What’s Coming Up

It has been a few weeks since I posted a new piece, but this is not for lack of trying.  I have had a series of events happen since my last post of 2012:

- My job at Solutions for Advertising is no more.  The owner of the company decided that he wants to go in a different direction and hence decided to make 2012 his last year in business.  But fear not,

- I was hired as Social Media Manager for KollisionMedia.  My new responsibilities (above and beyond handling my client base) will be to do a blog piece every 4 to 6 weeks at http://kollisionmediablog.com.  These interviews will revolve around our clients and what they have going on at their respective companies.

- I have scheduled interviews for blog pieces with the following people:

Lena Fortini, Special Events Coordinator with Appalachian Brewing Company

Cory Lauer, Owner, Top Secret Gourmets

Dan Trimble, Owner, FlavorPALooza

- I have also considered the notion of office space for my blossoming business venture with http://startuphbg.com/.  While working from home seems to be a great idea at first, it comes with a variety of drawbacks.  I can never truly concentrate on tasks at hand because there are always dishes that need washed, laundry that needs done, and general things around the house.  There is also that problem called DVR.  It certainly takes a highly motivated and disciplined person to be able to work from home and not succumb to distractions.

This all being said, having a shared workspace would allow me to hire someone to help grow my business.  The biggest problem that I currently have is time.  I know that my business venture can and will be successful, but I need the time to not only do the work that I promise my clients, but to market myself to new clients as well.  I feel in 2013 all things will fall into place and allow me to finally be on the path to stardom!

On a personal note, my old email address pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com is still active, but I can also be reached at pmiller@kollisionmedia.com as well.

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@kollisionmedia.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

An Interview with BIO’s Daniel Hooven, Part II

My first entry in this two-part interview with BIO’s own Daniel Hooven succeeded in not only being one of my most popular pieces, but helped me to reach my goal of 1000 lifetime views here at paulmmiller.wordpress.com!  I want to thank all of my fans and readers alike for reaching this phenomenal goal.  Next goal?  How about 2000?

Haunted Encounters:  Face to Face is BIO’s newest hit show and is receiving only the best accolades from the paranormal community.  Daniel Hooven is the lead investigator on the Paranormal Syndicate and embraces his challenges every week. Dan is part of a paranormal team known as “The Paranormal Syndicate” made up of Dan (lead investigator), our historian Jordan Murphy, the Paranormal Linebacker/tech manager Helmey Kramer, psychic Chelsea Faust, and the true star of the show, our K9 investigator, Captain.  This week will be the Season 1 Finale.  Let’s spread the word and help Daniel and the Paranormal Syndicate bring huge ratings and get a shot at Season 2!  Daniel was nice enough to do an interview with me for this entry, with the transcript of this interview below:

Paul:  Explain the back story of signing on with Haunted Encounters:  Face to Face.  What was the pitch process like?

Daniel:  We always knew that we wanted to develop a product that could compete with other shows, so my friend Adam and I continued working on our new media series called Resident Undead.  We self-financed and produced all of our episodes without outside help. While a lot of paranormal groups want to be cast for television, we were among the few training from the start and taking the initiative to produce episodes to prepare for any opportunities that came up. In 2010, we were invited to compete on the Travel Channel’s Paranormal Challenge and won the series premiere. It was a cool experience and I am extremely grateful to everybody from the show and casting director Robert Mazza.  We quickly went back to work on our web series after the show, I just knew that I didn’t want to try to live off that one moment forever. In 2011, we pitched our story of a haunted fraternity house to a casting agent for SyFy’s new show School Spirits, and our story was picked up.  It was made into an hour-long episode which was titled Frat House Phantom and was the season one finale. At that point, we added Jordan Murphy on our web series as a co-host due to her passion for the paranormal and her dedication.  It’s hard to find people like us who get it done, no matter what.  At this point, we knew we were done with one-off appearances.

SyFy’s School Spirit: Frat House Phantom

We developed a treatment for Resident Undead, which presented our web series as a “reality program focusing on a team as they recorded history’s voices on the recorder they call Pandora through Ripples in Time”.  This may sound like a mouthful, but it was part of our brand, we pitched the idea of going to haunted locations where we would re-enact key events, but change the ending, which would provoke a response. I created an online treatment site that people could access if sent a treatment and also embedded a QR code on the treatment for mobile access. The pitch process was perfect timing as our friend Helmey and his paranormal K9 Captain had an opportunity with Ping Pong Productions that required a few more people for a show they were developing. Ironically, Ping Pong was one of the companies we had sent out treatment for based on their reputation as a top production company.  Next thing I know, we are on conference calls with everybody and on a plane to LA. Helmey had talked to me before about his idea to gather a select group of individuals in the field who demonstrated a desire to achieve results and think outside the box, this group would become the Paranormal Syndicate.

Paul:  What does being the Lead Investigator of the Paranormal Syndicate entail?

Daniel:  I think that this show has set itself apart with the focus on teamwork and strategy; in most cases the team is split into two to cover the most ground. As lead investigator, my biggest strength is communicating on the ground and coordinating our sequences on location. Prior to each location, the entire team meets and strategizes each area we want to hit and we lay out a plan so that we can go full sequence, at each location.  As Lead Investigator, I always try to make sure everybody is okay and voice any concerns we may have, but at the same time, we all rotate in these roles and operate as a group. This show is about this team known as the Paranormal Syndicate and really shines at demonstrating how different skills and synergy can get amazing results. We don’t care about air time or who does what, all we care about is presenting the best evidence possible.

Paul:  Any other thoughts?

Daniel:  I’m very grateful to be part of this amazing show as it shows hard work pays off. Everybody on the cast has sacrificed so much to get where we are and we appreciate all the support we have received. Very big thank you to Ping Pong Productions and the A&E Family for having so much faith in us and embracing us for who we were. I also think social media is becoming a must have for entertainment business, especially Twitter.   People really need to not only learn how to use social media, but learn WHEN to use it, since it can be a key to success if used right.

We wish Daniel and the Paranormal Syndicate the best of luck in their future endeavours!  Check out some of the links below for all of the information on the Haunted Encounters:  Face to Face, Daniel Hooven and the Paranormal Syndicate:

http://www.bio.com/tv/haunted-encounters

http://www.facebook.com/officialhauntedencounters

Twitter:  @HauntEncounters

@DanielHooven

@Jordan_Murph

@theHelmey

@CDamali

@CaptainParaK9

http://www.bio.com/tv/haunted-encounters

http://www.facebook.com/danielhoovenofficial

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

1000 and Counting: An Interview with BIO’s Daniel Hooven

This blog has become very important to me on many different levels.  Little did I know on September 19, 2011 when I wrote my very first blog (http://paulmmiller.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/my-initial-blog/) that I would continue blogging on a series of social media related topics.  But with this entry I should reach 1000 views on my blog, an achievement I’m very proud of.  I don’t always do this just to do it, I try to promote some of the people around me who have inspired my work in the field of social media.  I would just like to tell all of my readers how much I appreciate your support!

This entry will be a very special two-part entry.  A great friend of mine throughout my college years was a man named Daniel Hooven.  We began our friendship on the Low-Blow Show at 88.1 WRSK Slippery Rock in 2002 and continued with stints in the UUWF until 2007.  In the years that passed, Daniel has made quite a name for himself with a hit Web Series called Resident Undead and with his brand new television show on BIO, Haunted Encounters:  Face to Face.  It was obvious to me that Dan’s future was in front of a camera, and he certainly proved me right.  Don’t miss BIO’s hottest new show Friday nights at 10 pm.  The following is a recent interview that we had:

Paul:  How did you start your paranormal journey?

Dan:  I took the less traveled road into the paranormal.  Most people have a ghost story that acts as their catalyst, but my story starts with a friend who got into the paranormal. He started a web series called Resident Undead and was looking for somebody to help him with social media and creative development to make his product stand out. I didn’t really have an understanding of the product, so I went on a trip to Villisca, Iowa on my first paranormal investigation and have been addicted to the adventure ever since.

Daniel prepared for his next encounter.

Paul:  How does your communications background help you with the show (esp. radio)?

Dan:  My background in communications has been vital in getting where I’m at today, from marketing to brand development, a background in communication is so valuable in the entertainment field. Communications also have prepared me for press coverage, understanding how to craft key messages to fit on the radio, in the newspaper, or on a live interview is very important in the entertainment field. My background in communication has also positioned me to take advantage of social media.  I think our team does very well in social media, with huge twitter campaigns for our series premiere which resulted in responses from individuals like the Offspring, Lords of Acid, and Chris Raab of Jackass. Understanding how to communicate and use social media correctly are all a direct result of my background.

Paul:  Can I have a little background about the show? Specifically what exactly you are trying to accomplish at each location.

Dan:  Haunted Encounters: Face to Face wants to introduce the viewer to something new.  Plenty of shows have had success with a more traditional format or with the whole yelling in a dark basement act. I think the common misconception is that “paranormal investigations” require you to sit in a basement for hours, that’s not true, we believe that we need to stimulate the dead into speaking. Our use of Ripples in Time really brings a different flavor; Ripples in Time is a strategy I developed in which we re-enact key events that happened at our locations to illicit a response. At the Lizzie Borden House, we re-enacted the murder of Andrew Borden, but in our Ripple, Andrew wakes up and kills Lizzie in self-defense, which led to some amazing EVPs that left one of our producers terrified. Helmey’s custom-made recorder known as the Paraline and K9 investigator Captain also present new strategies in the field.  I think this show will at the very least, let people know that its okay to think outside the box.  I mean, how can you really place rules on the unknown?

Each location we want to tell the story, Jordan is our historian and absolutely loves learning the hidden stories at locations. At Eastern State, most people focus on Al Capone’s time there, but Jordan discovered the history of TB, a story that was fresh and was significant in the evolution of ESP to an open community prison. I know at the Black Dahlia house, I wanted to tell the story of journalism’s hand in the murder since this case was tainted due to the media.  Most people forget that there was a young girl named Elizabeth Short who was tortured and murdered, so we wanted to really stress that Short was more than just the face of the Black Dahlia, but a person with a story.

Special thanks to Daniel for participating in this interview.  Look for part two coming soon!

For more information about Haunted Encounters:  Face to Face, visit these links below:

http://www.bio.com/tv/haunted-encounters

http://www.facebook.com/officialhauntedencounters

Twitter:  @HauntEncounters

@DanielHooven

@Jordan_Murph

@theHelmey

@CDamali

@CaptainParaK9

http://www.bio.com/tv/haunted-encounters

http://www.facebook.com/danielhoovenofficial

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

The Twistin’ Pig Restaurant: A Collabrative Effort with Kollision Media

I recently helped out a great friend Bart Kaminski with the official launch of his Water Kooler segment (http://kollisionmedia.com/blog.html) at the KollisionMedia Website. Bart interviewed the owners of the Twistin’ Pig in Annvile and I helped write the article. This is a major step in the future of KollisionMedia and loyal readers of my blog will be seeing many joint efforts between myself and KollisionMedia in the coming months! Here is a transcript of the article:

Interview with Tanya Belair and Bethany Canner, Owners of the Twistin’ Pig

The Twistin’ Pig is one of the Palmyra/Annville area’s hottest new eateries. A new take on a classic concept, Twistin’ Pig is located in the Flightpath Business Park at 31 Landings Drive (Annville), next to In The Net and Paramount Sports Complex. Being just over one year old, Twistin’ Pig is looking to continue growing in the region. Bart Kaminski and myself, Paul Miller, sat down with owners Tanya Belair and Bethany Canner to discuss what the Twistin’ Pig is all about, why their food is so special and the future of Twistin’ Pig.

Tanya discussed many different inspirations that led her to opening up her first restaurant, Twistin’ Pig. Tanya recalls fantastic memories growing up in Annville with her brother. She explained her vivid recollection of times spent getting ice cream after sporting events and the sense of family that she still remembers to this day. Tanya had been toying with the idea of opening a restaurant for about two years prior to the Twistin’ Pig concept coming together. She explained how losing her brother made her have the inspiration to follow through with her vision. While it is not located on a major highway, Tanya explained to us the importance of her location. Twistin’ Pig sits between In The Net, Paramount Sports Complex, Bounce U, Klick-Lewis Ice Rink and a local baseball field. She wants to make the Twistin’ Pig a meeting destination after all sporting events, much like her childhood experiences.

Tanya also explains how important it is for her and the Twistin’ Pig to give back to the local community. A new trend in local sports is the “pay-to-play” concept that has hit budget strapped schools in recent years. Whereas in years past, school budgets allowed children to play for free or minimal costs, children playing sports have now become a financial burden to parents and schools alike. Tanya explained that she does whatever she can to donate to local athletics and will continue to do so.

Where Did the Name Come From?

The name Twistin’ Pig came from a combination of sources. Tanya has spent much of her life living on a farm and has always had plenty of animals around. The idea of “Pig” came from this, as well as her secret family pulled pork recipe (one of the premier menu items). The “Twistin’” portion of the name came from the twist of the soft serve ice cream cone and the vast array of ice cream flavors that the restaurant serves. Tanya wanted to make sure that the fun atmosphere was conveyed in the name. From there, Twistin’ Pig was born. Artwork of the signature pig playing sports lines the restaurant to keep up with the sports theme, but Tanya also loves the 50′s Retro look as well.

A Beautiful Evening at the Twistin’ Pig

Cruise In’s at the Twistin’ Pig

The Twistin’ Pig also hosts a series of events each year called Cruise In’s. Due to the 50s retro theme that the restaurant portrays, Tanya thought that these Cruise In’s would not only be excellent for business, but also offer fans a new and exciting event to make the Twistin’ Pig stand out among other establishments in the area. Two different companies are involved in these Cruise In’s: The Lebanon Country Cruisers (http://www.lebanoncountrycruisers.com/) and the Blue Moon Cruisers (http://www.bluemooncruisers.com/). The Cruise In’s have been a staple in the Palmyra area for many years, but lost their venue recently. Tanya and Bethany thought this would be an excellent opportunity to showcase amazing cars and with the help of In the Net and REM Automotive, was able to make this a reality. While the Cruise In’s at the restaurant are completed for the year, look for them to return in 2013.

The Food

The main attractions to the Twistin’ Pig menu revolve around the pulled pork and pulled beef brisket sandwiches. Tanya and Bethany insist that you try these sandwiches without sauce to “truly understand the natural flavor” of the spice rubs and meat. The crew at the restaurant tried many different recipes, but settled on one they felt fit the area, a sweet flavorful rub. Tanya also commented that they intentionally use a better quality of food than you will find at most area restaurants. She also spoke that the Twistin’ Pig is not “fast food” because every item is cooked to order. Fresh cut french fries are also a major hit, especially because they have truly fresh-cut fries. Many restaurants claim to have fresh-cut fries, which are usually precut and shipped in bags from a vendor. The Twistin’ Pig cuts their potatoes every day to ensure freshness and quality. For more information about their menu, go to: http://www.twistinpig.com/menu.html

The Ice Cream

Twistin’ Pig serves soft serve Ice cream, something that has gone by the wayside in modern culture. While many places offer “soft serve”, they don’t offer “soft serve Ice cream” as by law it must be made with 10% butterfat. They offer 40+ flavors, but with the ability to combine any two flavors, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination . The Twisters are also a favorite, ice cream mixed with candy served in 5 different sizes from F1 to F5 (the grades of a tornado). And the coolest thing is the Twistin’ Pig’s F5 Twister Contest. If you can eat the F5 Twister in under 30 minutes, your ice cream is free, you receive a t-shirt and your photo is put in the Hog Heaven section of the restaurant. Only 5 have completed this mighty task so far.

The Future

The future of the Twistin’ Pig is bright. They have recently added chicken wraps for those that would like a healthier option on the menu. There also is potential for major growth near their current location at the Flightpath Business Park. The Twistin’ Pig has also begun offering Facebook Specials for their nearly 600 (and growing) Facebook Fans (http://www.facebook.com/twistinpig) and are very excited to be a part of the 2012 Palmyra Christmas Parade on December 1st.

The Twistin’ Pig is a model small business in the Harrisburg area. Because of the drive and passion the ownership of this restaurant has, the future looks extremely bright for Tanya, Bethany and all the Twistin’ Pig family.

Official Site: http://twistinpig.com

Written by: Paul Miller

Social Media Editor at Solutions for Advertising

http://paulmmiller.wordpress.com

@SolutionsforAdv

Why I’m Thankful on Thanksgiving – 2012

This last year has been an amazing year for my career, but it has not been an easy journey.  The last three years since December 2009 when I graduated with my MS in Communications from Shippensburg has been full of rejection, false hopes and constantly working 60+ hours a week just to make ends meet.  However, the last year has meant more to me than any in the past 30 of my life.  I’d like to take time to thank each and every one of the people who have helped me attain some of my goals in 2012 (in no particular order).

1. My beautiful fiance Jackie and our wonderful family.  I don’t know where I would be without Jackie and the kids.  We have been together nearly 6 years and they have been the best years of my life.  Without her, I know that I wouldn’t have had the drive and passion to reach for new goals and to push forward every day.  I look forward to September 28, 2014 when her and I will begin the next phase in our life together.

2. My loving Parents.  My parents have always supported me through great times and difficult times.  While some would say that this is to be expected of parents, I have given my parents more than enough reasons to give up on me over the years.  I have not always been who I am today, but have worked so hard every day to redeem myself for my past.  My parents have never left my side and the support they have offered is invaluable.

3. Chris Dessi.  This is one person on this list that I promise if I had never met, I would not be where I am with my career.  The 2012 Social Media Summit was important in so many ways, with the main reason being meeting Mr. Chris Dessi.  Any loyal reader of my blog certainly understands how Chris has been influential in my career over the past six months.  For those of you that don’t know, Chris is the voice of social media in New York city and I have the amazing opportunity to have dinner with him after the SMS 2012.  He told me not to give up or be frustrated with hardships.  He taught me how to harness social media and how to help some of the businesses I work with grow.  Most importantly, Chris taught me to never give up when reaching for my dream.  I remember him saying, “No one want to hire you?  Work for yourself.  Show your excitement to others and they will begin to share your excitement.  It won’t be work anymore.”  Thanks Chris…

4. Rachel Strella.  This was the second aspect of the Social Media Summit 2012 that made it such an important day in my career, I was able to meet Rachel Strella of Strella Social Media.  Rachel has helped me understand not only how to use social media for small businesses, but gave me a business model that I can succeed with.  Rachel’s advice is the cornerstone of my work, but she is always able to answer questions I may have along the way.  Where Chris was my motivational influence, Rachel has been my ideological influence.

5. Steve Infanti.  Harrisburg University’s Associate VP has been a great influence in my career in other ways.  If I had never attended the 2011 Social Media Summit, I more than likely would not be currently representing 6 clients as well as a potential 10 more.  While Steve didn’t specifically change my career direction, his involvement in the Social Media Summit in both 2011 and 2012 and BarCamp Harrisburg 2012 and 2013 helped lay my groundwork for a career in social media.  He has also went out of his way to help me prepare my resume and even has helped in my search for a job.

6. My clients.  Without people like Brett Meyers of Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar and Grill, Jason Phelan of the Gingerbread Man, Cathy Haynes of CONTACT Helpline and Ken Ross of Bethesda Mission, I would never have had the support system needed to succeed.  Each one of these individuals has helped me in different ways, ways that I could never repay them for.  This support helped enable me to never give up at reaching my goals and to keep making new goals, not getting complacent.  To each of these individuals I am unbelievably grateful to.

7. Solutions for Advertising.  I may have never even received my Masters Degree if it wasn’t for Solutions for Advertising.  Peter Anderson is not only a boss to me, but one of my best friends.  I did two different sets of internships with Solutions for Advertising, as well as my graduation project, compiling and writing our Media Kit and Brochure.  Pete has always been there to help my succeed in my career, especially one day after the 2011 Social Media Summit.  It was then that I realized that my future was in social media and made Pete aware of my desire to start a social media department of Solutions for Advertising, which is thriving to this day.

8. Bart Kaminski of KollisionMedia.  Bart and I have been friends for many years and I have seen KollisionMedia get to the point where he is now having to hire people to keep up with all of his work.  Bart has supported me throughout my current venture, including referring me a few clients along the way.  I am sure that Bart and I will have a close working career in the future and that this successful year is just the first of many.

9. Tierney.  The first thing I must mention is that Tierney gave me inspiration to write this blog with her latest entry at http://stoutsandstilettos.wordpress.com/.  Not only that, she has been one of my closest followers, commenters, advisors and friends, even though we have only met in person twice.  Tierney, understand that my blog and my business would not be where it is without you!

10. Everyone that passed on me for a job.  With all of the positives on this list, it may seem strange that I am thanking everyone that passed on me for a job.  Some of the jobs that I have applied for would not have challenged me, some would have been the wrong fit and some would have just been plain boring.  I was willing at certain points to settle for a $12 an hour job, but I now realize that I am worth much more to a company.  I don’t want a job, I want a rewarding and fulfilling career.  So all of those people who told me I had the job, but that you just have to finish the interview process (3 different times!) I thank you for passing on me.  I now realize how much I have to offer to employers.

To sum up, this journey that I’m on is only beginning and all of these people (as well as some I didn’t mention) have helped me to reach great success and the potential for even more!

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495

Social Media During Hurricane Sandy

For the East coast, we often only see the pictures and video of a natural disaster.  Whether it be Hurricane Katrina, the earthquakes in Haiti or the most recent oil spill in the gulf, residents of the eastern seaboard usually just have to deal with the occasional blizzard.  Hurricane Sandy gave us first-hand experience of what it is like to be involved in a natural disaster.  While Harrisburg didn’t receive the amount of damage as did places like Washington, Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, the Harrisburg area still had to endure loss of power and more over the safety of loved ones.

While I know some people out there still are against Facebook and Twitter, I don’t know how I would have gotten through Hurricane Sandy without them.  Those people who lost power were still able to communicate with friends and family, but also were able to communicate with other people in the community.  A dear friend of mine has family that live in each of the five boroughs in New York City and was very afraid for the safety of his dearest relatives.  Facebook allowed them to reach each other in ways that may not have been available in years’ past.  He was able to know that even though they lost power, they were safe.  Facebook also allowed news media to chance to communicate with their constituents in a new way that should and will be embraced in our new digital age.

Twitter also allowed followers to know and understand what was going on in our surrounding areas.  For me, #SandyCenPa was a forum that people could discuss road closures and power outages and news outlets were able to disseminate information about speed limit changes and regional flood warnings that otherwise would have been impossible for those to access without power.  There were a series of other forums on Twitter:  #SandyNYC, #SandyPhilly and #SandyDC that allowed people regionally without power to get an understanding of what was happening around them and to know what areas were unsafe.

While listening to New York City’s own Ron and Fez Show on SiriusXM today, Ron Bennington made a great comment:  “The one good thing about this (hurricane) that we can take away is our ability to band together and help one another.”  I think social media in Hurricane Sandy helped everyone keep things in perspective and understand social media’s true power.

Paul M. Miller

pmiller@solutionsforadvertising.com

Twitter: @SolutionsforAdv

LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paul-miller/3b/b5/495