Who Am I? How Did I Get Here?

April 3rd, 2008 · 8 Comments

Thanks for coming! You’ve landed on the first ever post on www.ryankuder.com. I’ve been casually blogging for quite a while. I started a few years ago on a Yahoo! 360 page (which I’m not even going to link to). Then about a year ago, I created a social network for my neighborhood and blogged there about local things for awhile. Then I started writing occasionally about social media and Local 2.0 and Twitter. Then something interesting happened.

I got laid off from Yahoo.

And I Twittered my day. And some folks found it interesting. Interesting enough that some people even wrote about it. By that night, it hit the top of Techmeme. And all of a sudden, people started following me on Twitter. Then a few more. And by the end of the day, I’d gone from 87 followers up to around 500. It was a bit overwhelming. But it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Through a lot of the contacts I made because of my layoff, I started talking to people about social media and how conversations happen and how they spread. And I even managed to help a few people come up with some creative solutions to challenges their companies were facing. I was looking for work the whole time and interviewed with some great companies and met some great people. But I discovered that I wanted to work for myself. And for you.

So this blog represents my move from a casual neighborhood blogger to something more. I plan to write about social media and marketing, people and companies, things I like and things I don’t.

There have been a ton of people who have been really supportive of my decision and seeing as I’m launching on Good People Day, I figured I’d thank several you straight up:

Don Reisinger, for insight on what it’s like to leave a steady paycheck.
Darryl Ohrt, for the straight up on starting out on my own.
Jennifer Leggio, for giving me my first taste of helping solve problems.
John Furrier, for reaching out to me and helping me realize that there’s some demand for what we do.
Jonathan Tarud, for helping me get my blog set up and being an all around good guy.

And my wife…who doesn’t blog, doesn’t tweet, doesn’t Facebook, doesn’t lifecast and doesn’t podcast, but trusts that I know what I’m doing nevertheless.

So, let’s get it going! What’s next?

142 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post)

en: @jinru_ mineminemineminemine! you keep your paws off missy, or you won't have any paws left at all >:O 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @Cubachi As private citizen, Dems can't target/spin AK or Sarah as she is no longer making policy (part 3) 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @journalistics OK, Jeremy, you now only need 4 or 5 new members. Just joined. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @Nat77 Good to hear - always double down. We need about $56M give or take from you tonight. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @byseanferrell She got stopped by a cop because there were too many kids in her car and they weren't all buckled or something... 07/04/09 02:49am
: I wanna go somewhere or do something other than be home! D: 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @AIrv10 u got the house 2 urself n so do I...n neitha got shit 2 do! this = pathetic! I need my friends 2 live in state or somethin... 07/04/09 02:49am
no: @kriisttennn who blg?!? or metro?!? hhahaha 07/04/09 02:49am
en: 3505/34414. A bar of soap with which I scrawled on my back windshield: "Figuring shit out or bust!" 07/04/09 02:49am
en: I think its really weird that u can sense how far u r from someone. Wish i was like a baby and 100000 miles or 1 mile felt the same 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @AzeezaWhoSayin You can have one of my kids or I am having a 2 for one sale lol 07/04/09 02:49am
en: I am still craving a slushie or milkshake...or oreo blizzard, damn these cravings! 07/04/09 02:49am
en: "Hey Kate. Know why Michael Jackson can't play chess?' "No, why?" "He doesn't know if he's black or white." I love the litt 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @luvnDWood Are you helping the bookdrive in Vegas? or Phoenix?? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @bremarie Do you mean the band or the show? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @joshgroban , i got a good laugh from that! is it the same photo or just where you are again on the hike? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: USA done big and I can't understand Coach's strategy or subs 07/04/09 02:49am
en: FarrOUT. Havent tweeted in ages:) Or is it twittered? Hm. anyways, sick onceagain. Partyyy tonight. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: Fireworks Finale. Chicago latefront. I think fight or gunfire and stampede and people on stretchers tainted show 07/04/09 02:49am
en: So many cute boys here...i'm either invisible or horribly ugly 07/04/09 02:49am
es: dashgo product dasgho descrip.. $ 255. http://220.227.31.87/dashgo_wr/p/50 or RT + $buy @madamanchi123 Sat 8:19am 07/04/09 02:49am
en: "Failure to follow these instructions will result in death or serious injury." Yikes! #moonfruit 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @Lileks ...or Absolut Mongo - tastes like baked beans. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: Club Lit at Carson Double Tree tonight! Be there or... be there! PS - I really wish I can make it. :(( 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @reeeepoman What side are we seeing when you tweet, Nathan? The Father, Repo or The Monster? It's a bit frightening. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: Digital Delivery art to test the Twitter buy tool.. $ 5. http://220.227.31.87/dashgo_wr/p/46 or RT + $buy @twotweet Sat 8:19am 07/04/09 02:49am
en: RT what are the agendas? @jessicasetiawan: Torn between spending sunday with family, or with friends.. Hmm.. Suggestions tweeple?? http: ... 07/04/09 02:49am
: Or however the hell you spell it. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: RT So moke when kids say, Ala's or Pearl's....haha!! (via @puunui) What about Waiks, Pipes, Nalo & Nanas? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @ThisIsRJ oh no..that will just have to pass..one way or another!! (hate that) 07/04/09 02:49am
en: george lopez or iCarly... choicessssssssss 07/04/09 02:49am
en: #turnoffs men who don't know who they are, what they want to do or where they want to go 07/04/09 02:49am
en: should I stay or should i go ? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @cwgabriel do you just always carry a set of dice then? or did you carve some out of a bar of soap all mcguyver style? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: Whether #BING is good or not, I can't use a search engine that makes me think of Ned Ryerson every time I try to find something online.( ... 07/04/09 02:49am
en: The HANG OVER was HILARIOUS omg.... THE WHOLE ENTIRE THEATER laughs with u at the movie for over 2 hours or something! A GOOD DAY! <3 07/04/09 02:49am
en: I don't care what anyone says or thinks about my twittering you all can shut the fuck b/c you don't understood the situation...thank you 07/04/09 02:49am
en: XP Maybe they are using a better wireless connection? Or is there only one in the area? 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @superbjorn Too much Michael Jackson? I stopped watching tv, listening to the radio, or going on websites this past weekend. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: Bugg Off all natural essential oil blend spray or lotion keeps pesky insects away so you can enjoy your day! Order: www.TerraSoaps.com 07/04/09 02:49am
en: @AestheticsGirl And Ollie's almost back! If I had women and/or children, I'd be hiding them. 07/04/09 02:49am
en: I can't believe how late I slept in today!!! I must've been really tired!!! I usually can't sleep past 7am or something : 07/04/09 02:48am
en: if deaths coming it best come quick, or im all yours 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @tamisawyer you need to check a "Becket Price Guide" or maybe look online at what they're going for on Ebay? 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Sweat pants? OR short shorts? mm/ 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Chicken Quesadilla were a hit! Clean up or work on some flatting? Hmm... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @DuranLA we hated bonds long before he was a known, or even suspected, cheater 07/04/09 02:48am
en: not sure if I should be sad or proud that I can now taste the difference between "my" stoli and cheap other vodka they serve at clubs 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @Yasexy Lol, wtf??? porkchop? WoW if i'd nickname you after food, it would be somethin' nice soundin' like angel cake or somethin' lol ;) 07/04/09 02:48am
en: #iranelection can Lie to get what they want or need. Islam want to rule World without you in it Must see Islam: what the west should know. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: If this same fog plagues the peninsula tomorrow I guess we'll have to make a go of it in Berkeley or Foster City for fireworks 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @andersoncooper I cannot believe FOX News hasn't blasted Palin for that rambling speech... or maybe I can. Keep up the centrist reporting!! 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Philly's NBC10 teases 2nite's 11pm news by saying Atlantic City casinos NEED your money this holiday weekend. News or advertising? Pathetic 07/04/09 02:48am
en: okay, I'm not like @reba or @Followtheblonde but 2 me all my followers are tweetpees...lol... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @Soleil_DeParis you need to post something juicy like 'i am in love with my teacher' or alike, and wait for the friends response. That's it! 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Goodness, I just wanna either be done school or back on campus AT a school <Jeff> 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Why do I always get nervous before something either extremely bad or great happens? 07/04/09 02:48am
en: I just took the "Are You More Of A High School Musical or Camp Rock Fan?" quiz and got: Your Crazy for Camp Rock AND High School Musical ... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @paulbeen79 thank God for google or I wouldn't have understood that tweet Dr. Been. Hope everything is going ok... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @kingzofkingz when the man is right he is right. Hit the spot early or wait outside. Doors will close by 12. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Molson says 'Answer Honestly - Would you prefer' 'To Burn out or Fade away?' 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Boom or Bust, The Fireworks Show Must Go On - http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92760 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @katmuro oh idk i know shes in a hiphiop group or something and tom likes german hiphop. i think she likes tom more than he likes her. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: i found a bunch of ringtones that u can buy or make your own at www.myxertones.com 07/04/09 02:48am
en: "Either you run the day or the day runs you."Jim Rohn 07/04/09 02:48am
en: its great to come home and not even feel welcomed or appreciated. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: i just reminisced several months ago...and remember the "i'm an idiot" post and wonder if that will ever happen again...or not :( 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @mteric is there raindrops or sunshowers where you are? :) ♫ http://blip.fm/~9cco4 07/04/09 02:48am
en: I wish I could sleep outside sometimes without any noise, any bugs,or anybody disturbing me!aw man, I need my own apartment...... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Clothes or no clothes it reary doesnt matter <Alanna> 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Its true pay $49.95 ONCE for 3000 channels and never pay for a Satellite or Cable bill again. How, you ask? http://tinyurl.com/lb372e 07/04/09 02:48am
en: I can't decide which is prettier, the fireworks my neighbors are shooting off or the ones nature is making. 07/04/09 02:48am
pt: Las Vegas or Bahamas? :| 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Acting in less then 20 minutes....in front of about 20 or so.. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @LanaJewel girl I'm in the house idk if I'm hearing gun shots or fire works, but yeah I can't travel anymore 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Our response to the DEMO $1M (or is it $2M?) "prize." Whatever it is, we'll double it at TC50 http://tcrn.ch/59u 07/04/09 02:48am
en: "Well, there's a remedy for all things but death, which will be sure to lay us flat one time or other."-Miguel de Cervantes #quote 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @jacksonak I know. Its okay. I will be there for toronto. Lol. Or whateva is next. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @bballgurl24 Yup, me, too. I thought it would be Madonna or Brit... I mean, yeah! Michael Jackson! 07/04/09 02:48am
en: One less piece of twitterati; more or less; does not make good soup better! celebrate the demise of the abd.hes todt! 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @aperiozar Or intelligence, or an understanding of science, or any doctors that helped them. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @kato66 Ikr? I think one had: wyr drink portapotty water or take a shot of bees. geez. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: What is your fav Buffy episode? Mine is either "Doppelgangland" -'This world's no fun.' or "Storyteller" - 'Slayer of the Vampyr'. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @somebluenotes Ehhhh.... old news up here in Philly. I swear, they must have started with them last week or something... 07/04/09 02:48am
en: TWINS or BLUE VILLS ??? @grant04 @MugzyMcFly @jawannsample @SAMxB @SuaveWreck @Matrix238 @ipodraheem @YoungFlame @ThisAintSeanF @bifflawson 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @sandyeas Have you seen Christie today? Or is Mike visiting her? Which would explain why I have not heard from either of them today ;-) 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Ray Bradbury asked me for a ride back to his hotel, cause he did not want to own or drive a car. That was actually very religious. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @RaymundoMonge I knoww he SWEARS he should b getting paid as much as Kobe or something...I would rather get a championship than the cash 07/04/09 02:48am
en: I am in fact alive, just with VERY limited internet access. The rain really needs to stop or I'll go insane. 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @AlexanderCherry would these be your boobs you are speaking off, or those of others? ;) 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Has just build forcefield! All da fake niccahs bullshitters will be detected. Don't waste my time ever again. JackMobb or Die 07/04/09 02:48am
en: Impressed with this new 50 mixtape. Def the old 50. I can stop callin him Curtis or Boo Boo (for now) 07/04/09 02:48am
en: @Gabi30stm * I'll send you the original blog or eMail when I've found it. Sorry I can't find it right now -.- 07/04/09 02:48am
en: "Look, other bands, they want to make it about sex or pain, but you know, The Beatles, they had it all..." http://tumblr.com/xv627qz71 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @slash5150@ereisisgod,just gonna leave u 2,2 ur thing,i'm like the shamwow guy,straightsex or i'll punch ya in the face, no barbed dildos! 07/02/09 04:54am
en: How is it impossible to find a bright orange backpack at my house? Or anywhere for that matter? Sheeesh. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: 50 Cents "Get Rich or Die Trying" is an album to go down in history....so serious 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @thejoshlovell , i havent contacted you. just send it when you can, or if you still merch for fys, i can pick it up in michigan. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @DonnieWahlberg can I just say ur tweets whether small or big make me smile. I love u so much! Xoxo 07/02/09 04:54am
en: RT @Jason_Pollock: “Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” Buddha via @tonyrobbins <--Man, what a thought. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @lizisgully Oh. Aasiyah Raye or whatever yeah I hate that bitch. She was on People magazine for most beautiful a few years ago. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @HollyCleary @AmmerieRain *sighs* Yes, it is. I can count on one hand the times that has happened, or half of one hand. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: taking applications: will anyone come over and play board games with me on off nights, or go late night walking on bayshore? ;) 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @kirkfamily Me too! God gave us 66 books for a reason... to read 'em! ( or listen on tape or CD if unable to read!) 07/02/09 04:54am
en: i wanna go on a miniroadtrip before i go. extended going away party over a week or something like that. 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @BeckyDMBR you seem interesting cause you are both family blogger and political streak? Did you/or do you write for a newspaper? 07/02/09 04:54am
en: SO craving a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice or Gingerbread latte right now :) 07/02/09 04:54am
en: @BruOliveira or should I say bitch parties? AHAHAHA 07/02/09 04:53am
: Any ideas on what I should do or where to throw a party? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @Mnmissy Question TwiTTerVille: Do women prefer the good guy or the bad boy? ?/ Depends on whether she prefers her sanity.:) 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @BRIANMBENDIS Weren't you just going on about comic artists and writers acting with a little dignity a day or two ago? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: As an actor if you yourself is not feeling well, say a headache or what not, you won't feel it in a scene because the character isn't sick. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @chelseajbde hahaha i did already, they wont accept! or whatever they have to do to be my friend haha 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @GiulianaRancic I am hosting a LS party for my friend Mia. What did you serve at your party, or was it a different kind of event? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Interested in one of our domain names for sale? Call us today 512.587.2364 or email to: info@tomorrowsdomains.com 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @alyssalovesatl omg i know! cause its not like we are not going together or anything. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @sammydeee lmao i bet. i don't have mtv or i'd watch 07/02/09 04:53am
en: is there any callers, or any1 out there n need of prayer 2nite, 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @3rin3lizabeth True. Okay so how do I oraganize this Erin? First call the photog, get them, call agencies or what? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: RT @StanHjerleid: Sometimes we r so focused on gting followers or selling something that we don't take time 2 smell the roses & help others. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @Tanya_Dawn They're bad here...I think Jon may be on to something with the Biblical approach, it's got to be divine punishment or something. 07/02/09 04:53am
: ~O. He reigns! 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @rafik you want to get me in trouble or what ? :P I'll do it face to face once we meet somewhere in Tunis SF or Tokyo :) 07/02/09 04:53am
en: what TV series was better The Soprano's or Entourage ???? 07/02/09 04:53am
nl: @JamesWH LOL. I know I was stuck between Tiger Woods, FIFA 09, Street Fighter 4, Skate 2 or Killzone 2. lol. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: RT @GuyKawasaki 12 things entrepreneurs should not do: http://om.ly/?jkw Pls mark found useful or retweet (via @dailyrt) 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @WayneCAnderson a lot of those guys have headsets on. Do they short wave broadcast it or something? Or are they listening to the Mariners? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Worst day of meetings ever. How's about having an agenda or some objectives, and less wastey of timey? Fuckers. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Fries RT @jackalopekid: fries or onion rings? #whichside #food 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @MrsMccracken How are we dorks, Ms. I trip on everything not nailed or stuck to the ground xP? 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @byrdfood @iamjuice yall on the way over here or whattt 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Twitter’s Popular Facebook App Has Been Broken Or Exploited For Days. http://ff.im/-4Hdku 07/02/09 04:53am
en: @nicoleebrandt ugh I know why must they open or Britney!! But I mean that's really good for them cos they can get really famous from her 07/02/09 04:53am
en: drakes video really does'nt fit the song or make sense nor do I really care, but I love all them girls.... 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Looking for stories of businesses, brands who have used social media in all the wrong ways. pls tweet me links or overview via @leesabarnes 07/02/09 04:53am
en: I AM WHO I AM ..LOVE ME OR HATE ME..YOU'RE STILL THINKING ABOUT ME :p AHHAHA ;) 07/02/09 04:53am
en: thoughts that I did somethg bad or that I'm a horrible person. I did thk I ran somethg over this morng n drove around the block a few times. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: good something or another to all of u out there in twtterland. I am calling it a nite. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: I love getting emails from people featuring "scoops" that don't have any quotations or sourcing in their articles. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: o,k, Craig Ferguson & Dennis Leary (double insanity) or more Dexter On Demand? Sorted school notes (purge), starting to get sleepy at last. 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Publishing the new Break Bread PodCast. Break Bread or STARVE! 07/02/09 04:53am
en: Hate it or love it no hatein over here so I guess I'm lovein it life sweet 07/02/09 04:53am

Tags: Uncategorized

8 responses so far ↓

1 Ryan, welcome to the blogsphere! // Apr 3, 2008 at 7:58 pm

[...] Kuder is up and running with his new blog at http://www.ryankuder.com. Being an ex-Yahoo Marketing guys with tons of experience, his blog is bound to have interesting [...]
2 Edubya // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:12 pm

aaaand added to my RSS reader! Nice new digs! Can’t wait to see what happens next.
3 susan mernit // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:33 pm

Ryan–Congrats and welcome! You have certainly arrived, and I have a feeling it will only get better.
From one ex Yahoo to another–here’s to success, prosperity, learning, fun.
4 Jonathan Chum // Apr 3, 2008 at 9:40 pm

Cool Ryan! Looking forward to some interesting reads…
5 Lauren // Apr 3, 2008 at 10:51 pm

I feel priveledged (and lucky) to be connected via twitter and lizzieD. Here’s to helping our company out in this sphere!
6 Frank Martin // Apr 4, 2008 at 7:04 am

Kudos and blessings to you as you embark upon this challenge! I’ll look forward to following your blogs and your success!
7 Rachel Luxemburg // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:02 pm

Welcome Ryan! I’m looking forward to what you have to say.
8 Michael Zensius // Apr 4, 2008 at 4:17 pm

Love the site…looking forward to reading more!

www.ryankuder.com

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