This weekend Des Moines hosted Sarah Lacy, Silicon Valley journalist and author of Once You’re Lucky, Twice You’re Good, for a stop on her User-Generated Book Tour. Sarah chose her UGBT stops largely based on enthusiasm from fans and readers within the communities, and we (and our good friends to the west in Omaha) were fortunate enough to reel her in.
Above is an interview I did with Sarah on Friday evening — we discussed Google’s rumored Digg.com aquisition and $200 million valuation, a possible monetization strategy for Twitter, and the “Human Router” concept. (Watch for a cameo appearance by her husband Geoff near the end!)
Beyond the business side of tech, Sarah is also incredibly well-versed on the topic of emerging cities and the various ingredients they need in order to foster growth of their creative class. Her insight is invaluable — there’s no way I could put a dollar figure to what I (and the Des Moines community) absorbed this weekend.
On a personal, one-to-one level, Sarah is extremely gracious and geniunely interested in what everyone has to say. She even took time to help paint the walls at Des Moines’ first co-working environment, Impromptu Studio. (Photo set on Flickr here.) I also noticed this quality in Gary Vaynerchuk when he came through Des Moines in June — it might be a consistent trait among those who have built up their personal brands via social mediums. Unlike “manufactured” celebrities and public figures, people like Sarah and Gary realize that — above all else — it’s about connecting with the readers, viewers, fans and community.
My main takeaway from the weekend is that our city’s entrepreneurial spirit hasn’t quite “hatched” yet. The excitement and passion are there, and the proper foundation is in place, but we need more and more people taking risks and making that jump. More killer ideas and tight executions like SmartyPig, more entrepreneurs with niche expertise like Liza Kindred, Mike Sansone and Andy Brudtkuhl. More people leading specific movements, like those who have picked up the torch already with 80/35,
The pieces are in place, now let’s assemble them.
Please join me in thanking Sarah for coming to Des Moines! You can reach out to her on Twitter at @sarahcuda or by leaving a comment on her blog, SarahLacy.com.
Posted by Nathan on
August 4th, 2008 @ 9:56 am | Filed under Des Moines, Events, Social Media, TweetUp, Video
Comment or trackback.
All content is Copyright © 2008
Great Interview! Sarah was a great add to this weekend and I am happy to ahve met her. Thanks for working so hard to get her to DSM.
Good analysis, Nathan. I like what you said about the nature of her celebrity–that it derives from the social networking experience. Also, was thinking that given the state of traditional media these days, including in our own town, it’s a wonder that there weren’t more journalists and executives sitting in on this event. Lots to learn from someone who’s wired into to where things are happenin’. — John
Thanks for the comment John, and I am openly disappointed in the attendance. It was great to see some media people there like Juice, as well as yourself, but where was the Register? Business Record? Cityview? People from the Partnership and local chambers? Hindsight is always 20/20, but I can’t help wondering what else we could have done to drive more people to the event, given the extremely valuable nature of the subject matter.
[...] (Also take a peak at the great writeup from our friends in Des Moines where Sarah stopped next… ) [...]
The tipping point is coming soon… I hope…
@Nathan I am also disappointed in the lack of traditional media coverage. You would think this is something right down the Business Record’s alley… being that she is the author of a great business book.
Just goes to show you that the power of change is in our hands… They’ll figure it out after the fact.
[...] Wright of Lava Row managed to capture some great footage and scored an interview with Sarah, talking about Digg’s rumored takeover and her impressions [...]
I am really sorry that I missed this event, but I continue to be impressed by thy work that you and others are doing, Nathan! Thanks for the shout-out, and nice work everybody else as well!
Nathan, I love the passion in your statement Des Moines not yet hatching. I truly believe the future is bright and it is up us to get everyone on board.