Bryan Rahn – Life in the Blue

I have been told I am a young professional. This is why I needed to get a loft downtown.

But I don’t really feel like one. I don’t have a bogus job title at a bank and I don’t carry a day planner with me. I don’t drink Starbucks all morning or use phrases like ‘At the end of the day.’ I’ve never been to an office Happy Hour, or tell people that ‘I’ve just been buried in paperwork for the last 48 hours.’ I don’t use hard copies of anything, or fax machines, or carry a briefcase. I don’t even wear a tie. Or a collared shirt, or pants.

I much prefer my Twins t-shirt for my day at the office. I come in each day wearing a backpack. I Ice people at work. I spend my time surfing the net, meeting like minded people and letting my hair down at Big 12.

Either way, I was excited to see that the Great State of Minnesota was well represented today. Minneapolis made the top 3 cities for young professionals.

If I ever become one, I’ll have to move there.

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Check out a site for one of our friends over at Newsy.com. Claire Hanan is an aspiring journalist and recent University of Missouri graduate. Congratulations Claire!

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I was fortunate enough to be asked back to the University of Missouri to teach a class on search marketing. Although I can’t recreate the humor, passion and excitement I brought to the class, the slides are below.

I believe they called it Honorary Degree or perhaps Professor Emeritus . . maybe it was Guest Speaker.

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Some cool sites to check out on a nice spring Thursday in Columbia, MO.

I got back into what Life in the Blue was meant to be all about – Achieving Google’s covered Blue PPC ranking – before the top spots where changed to gold. I helped out one of my friends at our new start-up, GrowthPartner.com. Follow along for some pointers while we achieve pay per click success with one of his campaigns.

I have also recently been enlisted as the webmaster for the all-time NCAA Most Accurate Kicker, Jeff Wolfert. Jeff was a walk on at the University of Missouri, and was their place kicker for the next three seasons. He ended his career at Mizzou as the all time leading scorer, and went a perfect 185 for 185 on extra points. He was a key part of the Tigers run to a BCS number 1 ranking in 2008.

I was live in person for one of his career highlights, kicking the game winning field goal against Kansas at Arrowhead stadium, where he was carried off the field.

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My projected bracket. We are on the record.

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The talk of the town from the city in the west at LeadsCon today is how worried people are about the death of the short form (please note the ad in the upper right) and that it will put lead generation companies out of business.

If I have learned one thing in the past 6 years of my life it is that change will always happen. It is the people who stay on top of change and anticipate changes before they screw up their system that will stay ahead.

It’s true, Google taking the top spot from us would slow us down big time. It will be a dog fight in PPC land, and it may reach the point where we can no longer make money pay per clicking for leads.

But Google was never going to just let us make money off them forever, right? That is why we always have to be looking for the next big thing. Take it from one of my closest personal advisors, featured in CEO’s under 30 today.

He is only 27 and has already tried more ideas than most do in their entire lifetimes. That is how we will stay ahead. Not by blindly chasing the next big idea, but by sticking to our expertise and testing more, new ways to make money online.

I am confident we can continue to test new ideas that will help us stay ahead, while planning for the future. So, even if it is the death of the short form, the key to success is having the team and ideas in place for 2010 and beyond.

So watch out for our next online domination. You might want to get in at the ground floor early.

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Lane Kiffin, I do not blame you. The sports world is crying for the players he leaves behind at Tennessee. To that, I submit this argument.

First, it is the NCAA that establishes all the rules about players, how they are recrutited, how they have to commit, can’t transfer and so on. So the NCAA is forcing the players ‘left behind’ at Tennessee to stay there. Not Lane Kiffin.

Second, USC is his “dream job.” It may come open once in his lifetime. If your dream job came open, you would jump at it. He has to take the opportunity when he has the chance. It is unfortunate timing, but such is life.

Third, what would it take for Tennessee to fire Kiffin? One 4-8 season from his Volunteers and he would be out the door anyway? All it would take is that one mediocre season, and where would all these people talking about loyalty be then?

So I don’t find it fair that a team ‘feels betrayed’ by things like this. They wouldn’t care if they had fired someone . . .which reminds me . . . I bet somewhere, Phil Fulmer is laughing his ass off.

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I wanted to do a year in review. Since I don’t yet have a personal assistant transcribing my every move, I thought I would look to Twitter for the answer. Please find a complete review of my 2009, with updates below.

Jan 31st, 2009 – “Hey Bryan!” – “Hey! Lisa, right?” – “No. Leslie.”

Swing and a miss. Not a great start to the year.

Feb 17th, 2009 – @bethshanna and @sjorscheln – Excited to see what you guys have in the works for us tomorrow.

The result was not much.

Feb 27th, 2009 – I lost my driver’s license and credit card. And I broke the TV in the room. Coupled with losing my computer, I think I am making a good impression.

It’s actually a miracle I survived 2009.

Mar 7th, 2009 – Studio 54. Have you guys seen my friends?

Update: They had not seen my friends.

Mar 14th, 2009 – Still got it at shuffle puck. Nobody ever taught us how to lose.

I still have never learned how to lose.

Apr 2nd, 2009 – @brantbuk If we are only going to talk for 2 minutes a day, let’s make sure it isn’t about contractions, shall we?

I think we should continue this rule for 2010.

Apr 28th, 2009 – Does anyone else think it’s not a coincidence that MGM stock tanked right at the time @brantbuk and I stopped going there two times a month?

This tweet is currently under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

May 14th, 2009 – 300+ Channels and I can’t get a game 7 NHL hockey game. The NHL is officially the puppy who lost his way.

This marked the end of my love affair with the NHL, and began a troubling relationship with Desperate Housewives.

May 18th, 2009 – Hoping that the Hope Springs Eternal Minnesota Twins can avoid a 4th straight walk off loss on ESPN tonite.

Update: They did not.

May 24th, 2009 – Looking for the Hope Springs Eternal Minnesota Twins to complete a sweep of the Brew Crew on Sunday Night baseball tonite.

This marked the highlight of my 2009 tweeting season, be re-tweeted by the Minnesota Twins.

Jun 4th, 2009 – Quick 9 at Forest Park this morning before rolling into work on the patio today. That’s my kind of party.

It was a Miley party. Note to self – More of this in 2010.

Jun 17th, 2009 – @brianhelmig – Great photo! May it find its way into the pages of Fortune 500 Magazine someday … Photo

Yeah, those MRC outings are really just singles events.

Jun 18th, 2009 – My wallet can only be described as “#Vegas Ready.” This is different from Duece ready.

Update: Upon return, it would not even be described as Subway ready.

Jun 27th, 2009 – Two hope springs eternal Minnesota Twins games in STL two days. Let’s get Denarded! Photo

Oh, I got Denarded.

Jul 2nd, 2009 – Missed @burcheck yesterday to make the – “Is it Zack Greinke t shirt give-a-way day?” sassy remarks.

Turns out it was actually Yuniesky Betancourt give away day.

Jul 9th, 2009 – I’m totally mixing on loopt right now.

That was a load. Loopt isn’t fit to mix up pancake batter.

Jul 10th, 2009 – Some girl: How’d you hurt your ribs? @brantbuk : Ahh, Workin’ out.

More of this in my memoirs, Working with Reds.

Jul 11th, 2009 – Excited for the #Harper’s Island finale tonite! I think it’s Henry. He always protects Abby and ignores his fiance. Suspect…

I was right! Not every victory makes the papers.

Jul 12th, 2009 – The task of fetching my car in the AM is becoming exhausting. Today, it’s at an apt complex that wasn’t built when I went to college here…

This isn’t moving in the right direction, either.

Jul 13th, 2009 – Chris Berman is so in love with Pujols. I want it to end in a ‘Bat Off’ but Berman accidentally call it a ‘Beat off.’

I think this actually happened.

Jul 18th, 2009 – Before the #80s race. Photo

I came in last in the race and first in style.

Jul 22nd, 2009 – @tbukowsk How dare you not tell me you were going to the fair?! And yes, I am one of those people that goes to the fair just to eat…

The cheese curds were delicious.

Jul 23rd, 2009 – Older, wiser heads prevailed today. Whiskey is the devil’s plaything…

Oddly, this was only the second strangest whiskey and hoose night we had in ’09.

Aug 4th, 2009 – In email, how do I set priority between Only Bold, Only underline, and Bold & Underline? And some bold and some underline is in parenthesis?

I still can’t figure this out, and it caused me to miss cake in the processor room.

Aug 7th, 2009 – “Just crossing the bridge.” What’s that? Oh, I don’t know. I just thought that was what people said when they got to the Lake of the Ozarks.

This has been confirmed as 100% accurate.

Aug 9th, 2009 – Closing down bachelor party number 2 of the summer. “I’ve got my swim trunks, and my flippie floppies. I’m on a boat!”

6 months later, that is still number 1 on my ipod.

Aug 14th, 2009 – Lady says “Does anyone in here have teenagers?” Response: “You mean, like that we date?”

He must come up with these in his sleep.

Aug 22nd, 2009 – Good nite out with @tbukowsk @mattwanzo and @heathercox22 – Celebrating the win and reveling in my vast knowledge of trivia with @brantbuk

I think we won this because I knew Joe Flacco went to Harvard. I need new hobbies.

Aug 23rd, 2009 – Faxing a riddle and speed date flyer. RT at me for the riddle – get the answer and get 50% off admission to www.columbiaspeeddates.com

I love speed dating and I love riddles.

Aug 27th, 2009 – Can’t backup laptop before #Vegas. Laptop gets stolen and I will be fired. I will go bankrupt, turn to a life of binge drinking and loose women.

This still may happen.

Aug 29th, 2009 – Our suite in #Vegas. At noon. Photo

This was later nominated for “twit pic of the year.”

Sep 7th, 2009 – Miami vs Florida State! Nessler and Andrews. Feels so good to have college football back. But this Kenny Chesney song has got to go.

I wasn’t the only one. Kenny didn’t last a full week.

Sep 10th, 2009 – The day has already started out nicley. Also, please follow @joshkayser He is sad with not enought followers & doesn’t want to be ‘that guy’

Update: Stretchy is still ‘that guy.’

Sep 11th, 2009 – Just another power hour to get things started.

The first of many.

Sep 12th, 2009 – @brantbuk @natebro Tweeting each other from the house. Cute. I’m just chillin in a parking lot with 5 bags of ice, and no one help melt it.

Update: We have since successfully melted the ice.

Sep 16th, 2009 – Pounding the pavement with @joshkayser passing out flyers for www.ColumbiaSpeedDates.com

Not how I envisioned the marketing, but effective nonetheless. Also, if you want Speed Dates oh ten, leave a comment below.

Sep 22nd, 2009 – Figures to be a good day. Launching a project after much scope and perspective. PS @joshkayser – You owe me beers thanks to mah boy Jeremy.

Update: I have yet to collect on my beers.

Sep 26th, 2009 – “I want that mother f-ing candle in my mother f-ing drink” Photo

With all due respect, I think that was the least dangerous thing he has ever done.

Sep 30th, 2009 – Fun night. But you don’t have to take my word for it. I’m just one guy, throwing a speed date party, in the middle of Missouri, on Wednesday.

In ’09, I was also just one man, flying over the Grand Canyon, on a mother f-ing Thursday.

Oct 6th, 2009 – Come to GCB 205 today to learn about marginal costs and benefits, opportunity cost of capital and home ownership.

They at least learned the decreasing marginal benefits of drinking.

Oct 16th, 2009 – Now it’s a party Photo

It was indeed, a party.

Oct 17th, 2009 – RT @brantbuk Waitresses in Miami loving that @benchoi just got served with this ID… Photo

Also in the running for twit pic of the year.

Oct 31st, 2009 – @Jen_Bukowsky But if I move downtown, I will miss fun events like the Pet Parade Photo

Update: I ended up missing the pet parade.

Nov 11th, 2009 – RT @natebro Going to #pubcon? You need a Personal Assistant. We’re giving one away. Enter here – Link

The end result of this was finding my twin sister, Miranda.

Dec 10th, 2009 – I’m ready to get Schibi’ed.

Update: I ended up getting Schibi’ed.

Dec 18th, 2009 – @burcheck came to the office bearded today. Take a glance at photographic catalog of his life – Photo

Passing the time into 2010 . . .

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Another great charity we have right here in Columbia, Missouri is Habitat for Humanity Columbia, MO.

Habitat for Humanity provides Economic prosperity in the Columbia area. A healthy housing market attracts businesses that depend on a range of housing options for their employees. Studies also show that providing stable, healthy housing is one of the most effective strategies for improving school performance in low income children.

Our local Habitat for Humanity also helps the environment. When people can find good housing that they can afford near their work, it improves our transportation system by decreasing congestion and reducing commuting costs. Habitat’s commitment to green building produces energy-efficient homes that are more affordable to maintain. Additionally, building housing near public transportation and thriving job centers results in diminished air pollution and congestion.

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PubCon will always hold a special place as a Las Vegas staple in my heart. And as we have gotten older, and the trips have become fewer and farther between for some, and more often and with greater intensity for others, it’s great to have an opportunity to get away together. Not a week in Columbia or a weekend in Vegas goes by without a mention of something that happened once while in the lost city in the desert.

But PubCon has always been more than a simple Vegas trip. PubCon gives your coworkers an opportunity to get out of the office, pick up the nose out of the laptop and meet the interesting folks in our little industry. And even more than your 27th trip out to Las Vegas, PubCon is not a vacation but an opportunity.

This year we have a whole squad to descend on the strip. PubCon will give us the chance to see what is going on in the world, hear some new ideas and grow stronger as a team. We may be able to put the next project into scope and perspective. We can set new goals and aim for bigger and better things. Plus, there is something about traveling and having shared experiences together that makes a team grow more determined to do something big together. Should be a nice few days in the desert, and I’m looking forward and some airing of grievances, male bed sharing, and maybe we can fit in a round of beer pong.

This year should provide extra fun for our group. We are giving away a PubCon personal assistant with the brain child of our next venture Growth Partner.com. Hopefully we can mash up with some like minded people who want to dominate an industry online. 10% goal setters need not apply, we want to achieve exponential growth and dominate the way Kobe cleaned house with 81. But, with the assistant at least I can be rest assured there will be an ice cold water on me nightstand when I wake up in the morning.

For a charity program that appeases me, I don’t have to look further than my own backyard. It is great to work for a company that really knows how to share the love. The VA Mortgage Center Scholarship Program has awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to college students in the ROTC program, and sons and daughters of Veterans.

I was able to meet one of the scholarship winners in person, Alicia Swartz, and present her with a check for $1500. She is a student at the University of Missouri, majoring in Photo Journalism and enrolled in the Air Force ROTC Program. She plans to graduate and be commissioned in May 2010. As part of this program, I was able to achieve one of my goals of finally presenting someone with a really big check, Publishers Clearing House style.

VA Mortgage Center.com helps Veterans and Active Duty become home owners thru the VA Loan program. Our VA Specialists work with the thousands of families who are eligible for VA Loans, to help find a solution to finance their homes.

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