Megan McQ’s Musings

This past February, The NYT wrote an article that covered a ‘viral’ communication trend on Facebook. Millions of users wrote notes in their pages that told their friends ’25 Random Things you Didn’t know About me.’

While I am finally going to attempt to uncover ’25 Random Things you Didn’t know About me,’ I think it’s more important to explain why I put ‘viral’ in ‘these parentheses thinggys.’

The ’25 Random Things’ conversation trend was definitely viral. However, there are viral marketing companies that promise viral marketing campaigns-which is a complete myth. I believe that you can create online marketing campaigns that go viral, not create viral marketing campaigns.

In other words, the ‘viral’ element of an online marketing campaign is a secondary outcome to a campaign. If the content of a campaign isn’t buzz worthy to online constituencies, then it simply won’t go viral. Any company that specializes in ‘viral campaigns’ should definitely be met with a cautious eye.

Over time, I plan on exploring recent case studies that demonstrate how online marketing can go wrong if not planned carefully. But since I know you’re incredibly curious about my ’25 Random Things,’ I’ll continue to debunk and explore the hot topic of ‘viral marketing’ soon. Until then…

1. E-A-G-L-E-S!  EAGLES!

2. I value human connection. I enjoy talking to random people and hearing their stories, I’ve learned some of the most fascinating things.

3. I’m left-handed, but I play all of my sports right-handed.

4. I like customer service; something about helping and connecting with people is something that gives me a lot of pleasure and meaning. This is probably due to the fact that I am very intuitive and can tell what someone needs (a majority of the time) without them having to articulate it.

5. My Myers-Briggs letters are ENFP, although I’ve taken the test several times and sometimes get different results such as ENFJ.

6. I’m allergic to cats. Just thought I’d throw that one out there.

7. I like to be creative. I don’t know in what capacity, per se. While I like developing strategy and persuasive ways to present and create said strategy, I think this is due to the fact that I like to ‘think outside the box’. I am in envy of those who can express themselves creatively, through art forms (photography, dancing, etc.), and I think it is a shame that our society does not value them more.

8. I believe that knowledge is power.

9. I make a mean tomato soup…from a can.

10. I was on the policy debate team in undergrad, I learned a lot about the art of persuasion and found a passion for the law. It was incredibly difficult and extremely rewarding.

11. I’m a middle child.

12. I tore my ACL when I was a senior in high school. We still went on to go undefeated and win states, but it still changed my life forever (one of those pivotal moments). I was unable to play volleyball in college and it was as much as a set back as an opportunity. I didn’t touch a ball for four years, but I am trying to get back into the sport and play several times a week.

13. I’ve broken my left wrist two times. Ow.

14. I’m horrible with learning new languages–but I still would like to learn Spanish or Mandrain Chinese.

15. I have an off-beat sense of humor.

16. Ben Folds is my hero.

17. So is Mozart.

18. And Mahler.

19. I used to sing in a professional children’s chorus, I was the youngest member when I started and I was in it for 6 years. We performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and actually performed a mass at the Basilica in Rome. As a result, I know 15x more about Mozart than the popular music of today.

20. I socialize with people 3-4 years older than I am, and always have.

21. I’m quite an epistemological person.

22. I like mayo on my french fries.

23. I really like the theory of globalization and its implications on our society.

24. I’m obsessed with my chapstick, it’s called ‘Chap Ice’ and I never go anywhere without at least one. I actually bought 50 direct from the manufacturer one time because I was having trouble finding them.

25. My alma mater is James Madison, I will always bleed purple.