Downtown LA (http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/)

At the start of summer, I began my reporting by interviewing influential bloggers in the economic realm on topics related to personal finance and the job market. Our conversations centered on their individual successes in the dissemination of information to an audience of other 20-somethings who would find this information relevant in their day-to-day lives. The authors of these blogs are young people who had emerged from the world of education to a domain where success is determined by the amount of followers and the level and nature of conversation created through online communities.

I chatted with Californian and online entrepreneur Neil Patel. At 24, he has already founded two Internet companies and is the author of QuickSprout, a site which provides financial and career advice to aspiring young entrepreneurs across the country, and the world. I Skyped with 35-year-old Andrew Warner, founder of Internet startup company Mixergy, a site that connects millionaire entrepreneurs to young innovators through live Web chats and advice seminars. After enough such conversations, I knew I wanted to gain even more insight into the minds of these young people and see where their ideas were stemming from and what kind of influence they have had so far.

In a conversation with Neil, I first learned about the technology, entertainment, and media conference called Twiistup 6. The two-day event Thursday and Friday in Universal City in Los Angeles features leading innovators and 10 startups chosen to present themselves on a stage in front of influential bloggers, tech-heads, and members of the media. It would be the perfect place for me to investigate the intersection of technology and communication as it relates to the spread of financial and career related information. What better way to encounter influential and rising bloggers than at a conference designed to promote conversation and plot ideas for the future of technology and communication?

On Wednesday, I will fly to Universal City in L.A. to attend the conference. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to listen and observe as hopefuls take the stage and present their ideas for the next big thing on the Web. I will continue conversations with bloggers that I began a few weeks ago, including Neil and Andrew. No doubt that this is an ambitious group, and one that recognizes that in order to influence and impact young people across the country, you have to reach them where it matters and find a way to urge action.

If all goes according to plan, I will return home full of stories that showcase the influence of young bloggers on their readers and how they develop relationships online to create communities. I also will return with a collection of photos and images depicting this fusion of thought and innovation.

Wish me luck as I attempt to conquer this big city.

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Tags: communication, entrepreneurship, innovation, Internet, technology

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 9:39 am and is filed under career. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.