FOMOFanz the Brian Fanzo show

You're tuning in to a SPECIAL episode where you're going to hear the stories and life lessons that I still leverage today from managing my families yogurt shop at 15 years old and traveling to Iraq and Afghanistan while working in cybersecurity for the US government.

I was recently challenged by some friends that I didn't leverage or reference my crazy unique background enough within my keynotes or on my podcast and after some self-examination, they were right.  So I decided to do what I always do and embrace the change adding a brand new 20-minute intro segment to my Press The Damn Button keynote at Social Media Day San Diego event this past week.

You'll hear the story of how my Dad didn't close up our family yogurt shop when Dairy Queen moved into the same shopping center and how the soldiers I worked with as a government contractor taught me the importance of empathy, self-awareness and leveraging technology to make us never feel alone even on the battlefields of Iraq. 

Shoutout to our NEW sponsor FABL.CO

My new speaker website BrianFanzo.com has been getting some amazing feedback and I'm excited to share that it's built on @fablco platform.

Fabl is is a Content Experience Platform, transforming the process by which rich-media-enabled, on-brand content pages are built, managed and deployed. Built for marketers, Fabl eliminates dependency on web teams, design teams, marketing operations, external agencies and all of the time and cost that comes along with them.   Does it really work, hell yes it does: The average time on a page of content built with Fabl (across all clients, all industry verticals) is 3 minutes and 17 seconds. That's an engagement increase of more than 5x compared the web at-large.    For a demo, visit: fabl.co/demo   Fanzo fans receive a free month of service if they sign-up for an account before August 1st.

Who is Brian Fanzo the Keynote Speaker?

Brian Fanzo is a millennial keynote speaker who inspires, motivates, and educates businesses on how to leverage emerging technologies and digital marketing – to stand out from the noise and engage with customers of all ages.

He has a diverse background working for the Department of Defense in cybersecurity, then as a technology evangelist at a booming cloud computing startup. He is currently the Founder of iSocialFanz, which has helped launch digital and influencer strategies with the world’s most iconic brands like Dell, EMC, Adobe, IBM, UFC, Applebees, and SAP.

Brian’s #ThinkLikeAFan philosophy has powered first-of-their-kind storytelling campaigns for many Fortune 50 enterprise companies and his upcoming book Press The Damn Button takes that experience to the next level providing a gameplan for telling authentic stories powered by technology to stand out from today’s digital noise.

A proud pager-wearing millennial and dad of three girls, he hosts three podcasts (FOMOFanz, Just Try This & SMACtalk), has traveled to over 74 countries, and has spoken at many of the world’s largest events including South By Southwest, Social Media Marketing World, Consumer Electronics Show, and Mobile World Congress.

He is also a diehard Pittsburgh sports fan and a semi-professional poker player that isn’t afraid to leverage his fast-talking skills to read your body language and spot when you’re bluffing!

Find out more information about bringing me to your next event at BrianFanzo.com or please call Brian’s speaker agent Michelle Joyce at 704-965-2339 or email: ([email protected])

After a month off I'm fired up to bring some passion and share some thoughts that I've had over a month to noodle on.... 

So buckle your seat belts and enjoy this rant where somehow I connect the USA women's soccer team, fake news, TikTok, Nike Kaepernick, and PrideMonth into one seamless example of the change and shift that is finally here! 

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This episode is sponsored by iOgrapher which is the streaming case I use, the bookbag I use and now the mini-tripod I use. Get yourself one on Amazon today or sign up for this killer rebate giveaway below!

My friends at iOgrapher are doing a killer TRIPOD rebate giveaway & other offers too!!!

Sign up here: http://rebate.iographer.com

I bought 2 more to put in my car & suitcase!

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Connect on Social:

www.Instagram.com/isocialfanz

www.instagram.com/brianfanzospeaker

www.twitter.com/isocialfanz

www.Facebook.com/brianfanzospeaker

TikTok: http://vm.tiktok.com/R91Wtu/

www.iSocialFanz.com

www.BrianFanzo.com

Every successful person with a niche preaches that you must have a niche to have success...

What about those of us unable to focus on one thing this week let alone a niche?

On this episode I breakdown what those without a Niche or who I'm referring to as #TeamNoNiche have to do differently to stand out from the noise, leverage their personal brand and grow their business that those with a solid niche don't have to focus on as much!

I firmly believe that if you have a niche you should own it and crush it while also knowing that you need to have a plane if the niche fades or value changes...

But for those without a niche that hear things like "Work smarter not just harder" this episode is for you, full of tangible and actionable ways you can still find success without having a current niche!

I’m Recruiting for a new team.... #TeamNoNiche

HIGH FIVE to all those that will never do just one thing & believe it’s ok that they’ll never be able to answer the question of...

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Sorry!! I’ve got no plans on growing up & will never be defined by just one thing and I’m finding massive success without worry of siloing my passions with a niche!

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Huge thanks to our NEW podcast sponsor FABL.CO which is the dynamic content platform at the foundation of my new keynote speaker website: www.BrianFanzo.com

As a moderator, interview and event host I take great pride in the work I do but sadly most panels at conferences are boring, disconnected or badly moderated. 

On this episode I breakdown all the work I do prior to an interview or panel to make a panel dynamic and engaging.  I share my thoughts on the following topics:

• Why I don't supply panelists or interviewees questions
• What I ask for the panelist to provide me as the moderator
• Does which microphone panelists use matter?
• What role does crowdsourcing play in a great panel.
• Keys to making a panel not suck
• Trust triangle as the focus of a great panel
• What most moderators get wrong
• Why most panels attract attendees yet almost always disappoint
• Future of panels and why they are essential for today's events.

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Huge thanks to our NEW podcast sponsor FABL.CO which is the dynamic content platform at the foundation of my new keynote speaker website: www.BrianFanzo.com

 

On this episode I get fired up to talk about the current state of social media, Facebook F8 News, social media hatters, future of messaging and why I'm studying the app TikTok but not yet creating there! 

What did I talk about:

• Why we must stop blaming the platforms for our social media feeds sucking!
• How shaking-up our perspective in these current times
• Why I love the direction Facebook is going with Facebook Groups
• Why CONVERSATION not the message is driving messaging changes around FB messenger, whatsapp and Instagram.
• Instagram removing the public "likes" is exciting but not for the reasons many think.
• What WE as USERS must do to change the reputation of social media!
• How I handle hatters and frauds without giving them the attention they crave
• Reminder on the role of bad people and stupid people in a digital world.
• Why TikTok is such an interesting platform to study!
• Why police officers and the military are loving TikTok
• Role of vertical video and personalized commenting happening on TikTok and how it will impact other social channels.

I believe we are living in the greatest times in history but we are humans have to stop blaming social media or technology for the bad in this world and start fixing the world as humans and allowing social media and technology to amplify the good! 

EXCITING NEWS!

https://www.BrianFanzo.com my new speaker website is LIVE and was built on the http://www.Fabl.co platform which will be our newest sponsor starting next episode! 

As always I want to say thank you for listening and together lets chagne the world!

Cheers! Brian Fanzo @iSocialFanz

 

For the past 3 years I’ve had a notebook on my coffee table or really multiple notebooks where I record different notes, emotions and thoughts while binge watching tv.  Now just to put it out there I LOVE binge watching tv shows and find its a hobby of mine that allows my brain to switch gears much in the way going to the gym for some people helps them avoid burnout.  

 

The “tv notetaking” started with simple notes or ideas that were invoked while watching my favorite shows like Parenthood or Sons of Anarchy or Making of a Murder documentary and then I began to be more structured in my notetaking.  Now when I watch shows I first watch an episode or special with the goal of consuming it as a fan but often times I go back and consume it a second or third time with the goal of studying and analyzing the storytelling.

This past week I took structured detailed notes while watching 3 drastically different programs: Game of Thrones, Brene Brown Netflix Special and Beyonce Homecoming documentary and I was blown away by how much I learned and how I could take something from each to improve my storytelling on my new speaker website, my podcast content and how I tell stories both on video and on stage as a keynote speaker.

On this episode of FOMOFanz I share the structure of the notes, what I look for and how I connect what I learn about camera positioning in Game of Thrones to how I will stand and position a story I plan on telling next week on stage at an event I’m speaking at.  

 

It doesn’t matter if its a book you’re reading or YouTube channel you subscribe to, I believe storytelling is amazing because we can never perfect it and we can also be learning from the stories we consume.  I challenge you to listen to this episode and start taking notes

“Daddy when we’re with you, you don’t care if we are ‘funky & fun’ as long as we are happy!”

My middle daughter Kinsley said this to me tonight as we jumped out of my Jeep to meetup with their Mom.

All four us started laughing like crazy as we looked at each-other and realized:
- Youngest was in her pjs & winter jacket!
- Middle one had tiny shorts with her jacket zipped up!
- Oldest was wearing a Pens T-shirt & shorts!
- I was in jeans with giant holes, flip flops & a beanie!

After her comment set in.... I grabbed all 3 girls, a little emotional and told them that no matter how old they are or whom they’re with to always embrace their own “funky & fun” cause doing what makes you happy will inspire those around you to be happy and isn’t that what life’s all about!

This moment really hit home for me beyond the obvious parenting win...  It's the role of "Funky & Fun" when it comes standing out, being yourself and living your best life... 

I would even go as far as to say most people when they see my backward hat, crazy colored shoes and pager on stage they assume that's a lesson I learned from Steve Jobs and him wearing the same black turtle neck every day...  Well, you're wrong and on this episode the first one after the big 100 celebration I breakdown how this little moment with my 7-year-old daughter captured everything about me and what I believe in around finding happiness, living your best life and standing out from the noise in this crazy noisy world!

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I teased out details on my new #DigitalEmpathy project and you'll get more on that soon but for now I'll give you a little of FOMO as you wait....  

Thanks for listening and giving me a little bit of your day as I love what I do and love sharing my thoughts and insights on this show and its you the listeners that inspire and motivate me to keep on keeping on! 

Thanks Brian Fanzo 

 

https://www.isocialfanz.com

www.instagram.com/isocialfanz

 

November 2016 I launched FOMOFanz with the commitment to do 100 episodes....

This is episode 100 and it's been a journey not only within the podcast and my business career but my life...

I was living the "American dream" then hit rock bottom and discovered depression which led to true self-awareness which opened me up to self-love which ultimately has brought me to today where I can honestly say I'VE NEVER BEEN HAPPIER...

Enjoy a real & raw look as I share it all and whats happened over these first 100 episodes and where I believe my lifes work is taking me! 

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND SUPPORTING THIS SHOW!

Cheers, Brian Fanzo

When I say Twitter changed both my personal and business life I mean it and it continues to be a gateway for life-changing moments for me.  I remember where I was when I got followed by @GaryVee on Twitter, I remember the moment Vala Afshar reached out and asked if I wanted to jump on a phone call and I remember being invited to a dinner by Jay Baer at a social media event because in his words “he wanted to get to know me more and say thank you for the support of his content.”

As a proud pager-wearing millennial keynote speaker I get the pleasure of debunking myths and translating “millennial habits” for brands shifting the perspective around generational labeling and in some cases, explaining that the stereotypes aren’t wrong.

But one of the millennial habits that I love to highlight and drive attention to is the fact that most millennials want to feel a part of something and are open about their desire to be mentored and celebrate those they look up too.  In this same notion, millennials also are shifting what they consider a great leader as they believe it’s no longer just about your experience and knowledge rather your ability to educate those around you with that knowledge and experience.  The other aspect of this millennial lead shift is thanks to social media the distance between those we lookup to and those we consider our mentors has been shrunk to being as little as 280 characters away or in this case a Facebook suggestion to follow @FindTroy

Paying it Forward Thanks To Social Media Isn’t A Yearly Initiative Rather A Daily Focus!

For me reading two books Jay Baer’s YouTility and Gary Vaynerchuk’s Jab Jab Jab Right Hook transformed my philosophy around social media helping me adopt my mantra of #ShowUcare.  #ShowUCare was my community and content strategy from giving my content away for free, engaging and caring about every person that engages with me no matter their follower count and probably most importantly going out of my to show I cared about others before I ever wanted them to care about me or what I do.

This is something that hit home recently for me after reading Seth Godin’s email newsletter where he simply stated:

“Remarkable work is usually accomplished by people who have non-typical priorities” -Seth Godin

So as my iSocialFanz brand awareness has increased and I’ve been able to grow an amazing engaged community I’ve made it my mission to not only continue to #ShowUcare but also find ways to give others that feeling and memory I had when GaryVee, Vala Afshar and Jay Baer took the time to show me they cared.  

So what does all this have to do with millennials and a facebook friend request……  Well, you’ll have to listen to the episode but I can promise you that what went down after I sent a friend request to Troy Sandidge will be something I never forget and I believe will have a lasting impact on both of us for years to come.

Please enjoy this podcast episode where I interview my newest Facebook Friend Troy Sandidge who just happened to make me speechless with his post after accepting my friend request.  And that was just the start as he did it again after jumping on the podcast and sharing his story of optimism, resiliency and genuine hard work. The man has had 3 brain surgeries, was only 2lbs at birth and lost his mother as a teenager yet his outlook on life can best be described as “calm, positive and thankful.”  

I challenge you after listening to this episode to think about Troy’s battles before complaining about your bad luck and rather than spending time making excuses use that time to #ShowUcare about others in your community and your life as you never know the impact that will have or the places it could lead you, including being a guest on your favorite podcast.

YouTube Video Mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHPzub2xk9M

Follow my guest Troy Sandidge on social:

• https://twitter.com/FindTroy
• https://www.instagram.com/FindTroy/
• http://troysandidge.com/

Ps... 

Also, check out Social Media Week Lima June 18th & 19th hosted by my good friend Jessika Phillips as I'll be speaking there for the 3rd year in a row and Troy will be speaking there as well! https://nowmarketinggroup.com/social-media-week-lima/

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Sponsored: As a gadget FOMO geek I’m always looking for new gear, exciting technology and tech tools for myself as well as my clients! I found #AlibabaMarchExpo and got this cool wireless charger holder for my clients & my Jeep:  https://bit.ly/2UswiEO

#AlibabaDailyDeal 

The world needs more empathy, I believe this is something we can all agree on but what does that mean?  For many when they think about being empathetic they immediately think about their interaction with others.  Which is the key principle of empathy but I believe to be an empathetic leader not only must you recognize and share in the feelings of others but you must make changes to empower others to recognize and share in your own feelings.

Fatzo, yes that's what Brian was called growing up.... 

Which ok is a fun play on his last name Fanzo but you might be wondering why he would share that & how does it have anything to do with empathy.  Well you'll have to listen as it's not often host Brian Fanzo dives into "Leadership" focused episodes but this theme is not only close to his heart but it goes far beyond leadership but it needs to start with leadership NOW!

Brian discusses the differences between failure & vulnerabilities as well as addressing the core aspects of empathy and why we must move from realizing "The world needs more empathy" to understanding the mindset shifts required to go on this path and start changing today! 

Definitions included in this show include: 

• Empathy is the ability to recognize and share in the feelings of others.
• Vulnerability: the state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

Also Brian references this quote from Brene Brown: 

"our purpose in life is connection, and connection can only happen as a result of authenticity."

You'll have to listen to the episode to hear the 2 mindset shifts but Brian believes 100% in this mission mainly because its not that he believes it's possible but he is living proof.

Practice What We Preach:

Brian walks through a long list of things that he's learned about himself that he used to be embarrassed about but now realize are what make him unique which are included below as he broke them down into two categories:

Skills that I’ve found essential yet not focused on early in my career:

• Self confidence
• Empathetic mindset
• Consistency
• Authenticity
• Relationship nurturing
• Active listening
• Dynamic communication
• Compartmentalization
• Skill set scaling
• Storytelling
• Embracing change
• Prioritization

Growing up Brian was embarrassed by these qualities that were often called out and in many cases the focus of bullying..

• Had a little stutter
• Talked too fast
• Wanted to make everyone happy
• Jack of all trades master of none
• Mommas boy
• Too emotional
• Struggled taking tests
• Always starting new projects & didn’t finishing any
• Avoided conflict
• Wanted to be a Dad
• Was chubby
• Believed I would change the world

Hope you enjoyed this episode and would to hear your thoughts on the topic as well as suggestions for future episodes!

Tweet Brian:

http://www.twitter.com/isocialfanz