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Work Hacks: Ken Grant, ‘Godfather’ of social media

Ken Grant is known as the "Godfather of Delaware Social Media" — or, in his words, the First State's "Designated Pot Stirrer." "I feed off the energy of crowds."

Ken Grant filming an interview in Wilmington. (Photo courtesy of Ken Grant)

Ken Grant isn’t in the mob, but he will make you feel like one of the family with his fun, inclusive approach to social media training.
Before he became “The Godfather of Delaware Social Media,” Grant did overnight board work for a news/talk radio station. That position led to a business editor job at the station and later, reporter and editor positions for a daily newspaper.
In 2001, Grant completely switched gears and became the communications director for a political party. After leaving the world of politics, he became the marketing director for a lab supplies manufacturing company.
It was then that he discovered his great love for social media.
“I went to a training session on social media in 2009 led by Whitney Hoffman — that was a game changer,” Grant said, “We went up and down the state offering training sessions, meeting with people in business, politics, and nonprofit areas. The goal for me was to use the social media tools to better connect everyone in Delaware and show the rest of the world what a great state we have.”
Outside of being a social media mentor and marketing director, Grant currently works with Epic Marketing and Downtown Visions, an organization which helps promote a fun and safe environment in Downtown Wilmington.
When Grant isn’t checking his emails every five seconds or shooting videos, he’s out in the crowd at bars, concerts and various social events where he can unwind and meet new people.
Here’s how Ken Grant keeps Delaware connected.

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What’s it like on the day-to-day at work?
Like most jobs these days, some days are just the standard — respond to emails, take a few phone calls, do a meeting or two. Then there’s the days where you get a call from someone with an interesting event or project they want your help on, and the next thing you know you’re in a room with some truly innovative and interesting people.
 
How did you become the “Godfather of Social Media”? 
Back to 2009 — after Whitney Hoffman opened my eyes to the possibilities with social media, I started connecting with a bunch of early adopters in the area. We went up and down the state offering training sessions, meeting with people in business, politics, and nonprofit areas. The goal for me was to use the social media tools to better connect everyone in Delaware and show the rest of the world what a great state we have.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that, someone started referring to me as the Godfather, then a friend did a little Photoshop magic, and there we are.
I also like the title “Designated Pot Stirrer.”
 
How often do you check your email?
Um, I’ve checked it five times since I started answering these questions.
 
What is the most gratifying part of your job?
Meeting good people.
 
When you need to take a break, what are you turning to?
I’m a complete extrovert — I feed off the energy of crowds. I love going to events (mixers, concerts, etc.) at the Grand Opera House, World Café Live at the Queen, the Nomad, the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts, Film Brothers, etc. — a good party is my break.
 
What’s your design and computer gear (program preference/ones you use the most, Mac or PC)?
Whatever is in front of me: my desktop is a Mac Pro, my laptop is a Compaq Notebook, my Tablet is a Google Nexus 7, my phone is a Samsung Galaxy, my camera is a Kodak Playtouch and I edit video with Final Cut.
 
What’s one way in which you believe your day-to-day work is better now than it has been in the past? Is there something you do now (or don’t do) that has made a big difference?
Everything is changing, growing, evolving — there’s things I put together thinking, “this is going to be awesome and everyone will love it” and nothing happens. Then there’s the stuff thrown out on a whim and everyone seems to like it.
I feel like if I don’t mess up and learn something new on a regular basis, then I’m not really pushing myself or growing.

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