What Does Eric Want? #HireEric

A week ago, my friend and world-renowned connector Larry Benet called me to offer help and asked me what I wanted.

What I wanted.

I'd never really been asked that before. Work was always something that I did because I had to, to pay bills and get along with life. I loved what I did, but never really sat down and thought about the direction I wanted to be headed in.

But it totally made sense.

How could I start a journey unless I knew where I was headed? How could I start taking the steps in the right direction, if I didn't know what direction I was headed in.

So here I am, answering Larry, and the handful of other amazing friends that have reached out.

So here's what I like doing, in some sort of vague order.

1. I love working with people. Don't stick me behind a helpdesk, or as a data analyst. I love working with, understanding, communicating with, and advising people. People give me energy, and working with them, training them, helping them understand is so rewarding, and when you see the light bulbs start turning on, that's the meaning of all of it!
2. I love working with technology. I started my first geocities website when I was 12 years old and on an AOL dialup connection. I began in social media when I signed up for TheFacebook.com in 2005 as a senior at the University of Texas. And I love using technology, blogging, content, social, mobile and #allthethings to connect, engage and help make customer experience, marketing, and recruiting more effective, more efficient, but most importantly, more fun.
3. I love teaching. I've spoken at more than two dozen social media, content marketing, interactive and design conferences, and I love working with professionals, business owners, and students to help them understand the power of digital. I love taking a group of people who hadn't understood the power of digital, and showing them how to get started, and even excel at creating engaged communities online. It's really a great feeling.
4. I love learning. There are new devices, technologies, methods, and networks every single day. There are different companies and each has their own way of conducting processes vital to the way their businesses work. I love learning and understanding how we can combine these two areas, new technology with company processes and bringing that all into the new age.

So where does this leave me?

• Consulting with an agency. Before my last employer, I spent an average of two years at each employer. I realized that this is just enough time to get the social engine running smoothly, engaging fans and followers, and ramping up on content. But then I get bored. I've worked with some smaller social media agencies in the past, helping to create strategies for these companies to achieve their goals, normally increasing awareness, engagement, or leads. And I had a lot of fun doing it.
• Solopreneur. I've also done some work on my own, normally for friends, or previous companies I've worked with. I've already had three solid leads, that make up close to 1/4th of my regular corporate income, but along with most folks in this situation, I'm a little scared. How do you get started. How much should I charge? Will I get even close to what I was making on a corporate payroll?
• Consultant with a social company. Sorta like the agency type role above, this would be working with a Salesforce, Sprinklr, Spredfast, or Dynamic Signal type company where they have their own customers who need to learn how to use the technology better. I think this would be an awesome option, both because I could work with the company on their internal efforts, but also help to offer some expertise on the customer success side of the equation as well.
• Analyst for social and tech. I've written before, blogged, and put forth a few opinions where social media was headed. I could apply this toward an analyst agency where we can create thought leadership and also work with clients to better understand how they can take advantage of technology and prepare for future changes. Plus, a few analyst-friends have said they think I'd be good in the role! I think it's worth thinking about for sure.
• Corporate in-house social. This is where I've been so far, creating corporate social media strategy and implementing tactics from the ground up. This is what I'm familiar with, from social strategy to content, paid social, a little API and development, and improving and making business processes more efficient.

So in short, I'm not completely sure what I make of it. What does it sound like I actually want? Give me your advice below!

#HireEric