Rachel is also a founding member of the Running with Scissors Improv Group and was named Best Comedian by the Portland Phoenix  in 2011 & 2012.

I can’t believe she just said that …

I met Rachel a few years ago, the same way I’ve met most of my friends in Portland, on Twitter. Shortly after meeting digitally, we met in real life at a Tweet Up and we have been great friends ever since. Rachel is smart and funny. She makes me laugh. And, she’s gorgeous. What’s not to like?

I met up with Rachel at Arabica and we talked for a long time. Unsurprisingly, I laughed a lot. As with most of my interviews, what you’ll read here is a greatly condensed version of our conversation.

Tell me about your first experiences with social media.

“AOL chat rooms. Do I really have to talk about this?”

What do you think you’ve learned about yourself through social media? Or, what things that you already knew about yourself have been reinforced?

I always have something to say. I always do. That’s the part of it where I don’t worry about it. If I don’t have something to say then I won’t post for a little while. Usually, I have thoughts about everything. I overuse social media that way. I think it and I post it. I probably entertain myself more than I entertain anybody else.”

For me, as a person, because I’m a comedian, and I never thought of this before social media—I am my own brand. A big part of it is, ‘I can’t believe she just said that.’ It’s part of who I am and I’ve thought of starting a blog called, Did I Really Just Say That? What did I just say? Often times I’ll catch myself and just think, ‘I can’t believe I just said that. Well, there that is.’  I do it all the time. I actually hope that real people in real life understand they can have that freedom. To be silly and to say whatever they want.”

What do you like about social media?

“You can keep in touch and feel like you’re not alone even when you’re alone. And, you can do it naked or in your pajamas. You know what I mean? I don’t have to do my makeup to Facebook and tweet with people. To hang out with people you have to be dressed. I mean look, we’re in a coffee shop right now and I’m dressed.”

“It can allow for more of a filter. I’ll type something and then I’ll think, ‘I don’t really want to say that,’ and I’ll delete it. But there can also be less of a filter, you know? Sometimes, I’m just like, ‘I’m going to say this. I don’t really know you, so I’m just going to say it.’”

“What I love about social media when it comes to my job on the radio is that there is more that people get to know about me. Listeners will friend me on Facebook and get to know more about things I can’t talk about on-air, like my politics or my philanthropy. So it’s a great extension, and I love getting to know listeners. With social media I can get a temperature check and get to know my listeners personally. I like that a lot.”

What do you dislike about social media?

“People can be mean. Social media has now given everybody a voice and unfortunately sometimes they can be really cruel. Sometimes I think, ‘why do you think you get an opinion about my opinion that’s so disrespectful or rude or mean?’”

“I think there is a huge lack of personal connection. I’m an extrovert and I like to be connected all the time and check my Facebook and Twitter, but I can turn around and put it down and really genuinely connect with somebody. There are some people who just can’t and don’t want to put it down. I feel like we should be able to sit somewhere and start a conversation without being connected. We should be able to connect with people in real life and know what it’s like to feel compassion and real connection.

Is there a person or brand who you think uses social media effectively?

@blackgirlinmaine

@djnorequest

I want to thank Rachel for taking the time to talk with me and share her experience with, and opinions about, social media.

You can find Rachel on Twitter at @rachyrach1

If you’re interested in registering for one of Rachel’s improv classes you can do that at:

www.rwsimprov.com

If you’d like to see Rachel perform, she is holding a benefit tomorrow night, Saturday, February 16 at 9:00 p.m. at Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress Street, Portland. Suggested donation is $8.00

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Social media has changed the way that many of us learn, purchase, interact and explore the world around us. And, things are just getting started. Social, Social is a place to discuss social media with people from all walks of life. No experts allowed.

About the Author

Rob works as a digital marketing & public relations consultant to agencies, brands, and individuals. He has 20 years of marketing experience. He also currently serves in a volunteer capacity as director of pr/communications for TEDxDirigo. From 2005-2011, Rob served as director of social media & agency communications at The VIA Agency (Portland). Prior to VIA, Rob worked with several PR & advertising agencies in London & Boston. He is a graduate of The University of Vermont (UVM) and a Maine transplant (2002).

Follow Rob on Twitter at @bobbbyg

His real-life interests include art, travel, writing, design, psychology, the beach, & exercise (grudgingly at times).

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