You guyyyys! Last night we went to The Shorty Awards, and had the time of our lives. Your votes and unwavering support helped us become finalists in New York Life's #KeepGoodGoing category, and we were in very amazing company.
The award went to Dr. Jen Arnold, who is an absolute inspiration. Watch her acceptance speech here!
We were honored to be a part of the event, and want to thank you all so much for being the badasses that you always are and continue to be.
PS: Your votes also got us interviews on CNN (!!) and Fox5NY (!!) !!
Shorty Hangout with the New York Life #KeepGoodGoing finalists!
Everyone put on their official Hangout hats to celebrate all the great finalists in the category!
We had a Google+ hangout with the Shorty Award finalists in the New York Life #KeepGoodGoing category.
We had the pleasure of hanging out with:
- Everyone Is Gay (@everyoneisgay) was co-founded by Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid. They work to give advice to LGBTQ youths, tour schools and help parents.
- Jen Arnold (@JenArnoldMD) is a new mom, neonatologist, simulation educator, and co-star of TLC’s The Little Couple.
- Jen Vargas (@jenvargas) is a Producer in the film and tv industry who also works to volunteer and help out in her community.
- Elizabeth Norton (@ElizabethNorton) is a mom, blogger, power influencer, social community builder and nonprofit worker.
For those who missed it, check out the video below. Congrats to all the finalists!
Announcing the finalists for the New York Life #KeepGoodGoing Shorty Award!
We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the New York Life #KeepGoodGoing Shorty Award! The #KeepGoodGoing Award honors those who use social media to help us find the positive in our lives, and live more meaningfully.
Congratulations to all! The #KeepGoodGoing jury on the Real-Time Academy will choose the winners from the list of finalists below which will be announced at our awards ceremony on April 7th in New York. You can tune in and sign up for a reminder at ShortyAwards.com or purchase tickets here.
Meet the finalists:
Everyone Is Gay (@everyoneisgay) was co-founded by Kristin Russo and Dannielle Owens-Reid. They work to give advice to LGBTQ youths, tour schools and help parents.
Jen Arnold (@JenArnoldMD) is a new mom, neonatologist, simulation educator, and co-star of TLC's The Little Couple.
Rock Christopher (@RockChristopher) runs an inspirational feed that aims to promote enCOURAGEment #Quotes to Thrive & Love.
Jen Vargas (@jenvargas) is a Producer in the film and tv industry who also works to volunteer and help out in her community.
Sarah Walton (@betterwaymoms) is co-founder and CEO of Better Way Moms, which supports others as they explore their own "Better Way" to balance parenting and life.
Elizabeth Norton (@ElizabethNorton) is a mom, blogger, power influencer, social community builder and nonprofit worker.
Meg V. Jones (@ItsMegNotMegan) is an actress, dreamer, food lover and joke teller who plans on changing the world.
Shorty Interview with #KeepGoodGoing nominee everyoneisgay.com
Check out #KeepGoodGoing nominee Everyoneisgay's campaign video and interview below.
Remember, to maximize your Shorty Award campaign you can complete your ”Shorty Interview" and make a campaign video!
The Shorty Interview with Everyone Is Gay
As a parent, coach, or role model tell us: How do you use social media to help others focus on all that is good in their lives? Don't forget to submit a nomination for the #KeepGoodGoing award!
With as much honesty and humor as possible. By never perpetuating or engaging in negativity. By diligently inspiring others to make change.
How are your cats doing today?
What will the internet be like in 50 years?
Implanted in our brains with a micro-chip. Or it won't exist because the sun will have exploded. Byyyyye.
What are six things you could never do without?
Food, water, shelter, love, almonds, and an iPhone.
Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?
ANNA KENDRICK
How long can you go without a tweet?
Between daily advice & lots of monumental, life-changing moments with each other, our pets, and our hairstyles... not much more than 1 day.
What's the wildest experience you've had via social media?
That time we took a picture of our cat.
What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?
Apreesh (appreciation), WRUD (what are you doing), and WYSIWYG (are you kidding... what you see is what you get.)
Shorty Interview with #KeepGoodGoing nominee Buddy Project
Check out #KeepGoodGoing nominee Buddy Project's campaign video and interview below.
Remember, to maximize your Shorty Award campaign you can complete your ”Shorty Interview" and make a campaign video!
The Shorty Interview with Buddy Project
As a parent, coach, or role model tell us: How do you use social media to help others focus on all that is good in their lives? Don't forget to submit a nomination for the #KeepGoodGoing award!
I am optimistic & always tell people they can fight the problems in their life and that recovery is possible. :-)
Who's your role model on social media?
Demi Lovato :)
What is the weirdest or most inappropriate place you've ever made a social media post from?
I guess the classroom at school haha
What are some big Twitter faux pas?
Those accounts that purposely send hate because it's "funny"
How do you decide what to tweet?
I think for a little bit what I need to talk about with my followers, than tweet it
What question are we not asking here that we should?
How do you want to change the world?
Instagram, Vine or GIF?
Vine
Which family member do you wish was on Facebook? Which do you wish wasn't on Facebook?
All of my family is on facebook, I wish my one cousin wasn't tbh haha
What's the funniest celebrity tweet you saw in this past year?
Alex Gaskarth's tweets from the Grammies
Can you name some one-of-a-kind Twitter accounts that you follow?
ddlovato, zialldreams, mahoneisswaggin, puredelicacy, amenliam, & more :-)
Has Twitter changed your life? If yes, how?
Yes because without it I wouldn't have met so many great people that positively impacted my life
What's the most interesting connection you've made through Twitter?
I've met so many people that I'm grateful to have met
140 characters of advice for a new user?
Be yourself
In what ways do you waste the most time on social media?
Netflix mostly
How has social media improved your life?
It's helped me create this program, & I don't know where I'd be without this
Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?
Demi Lovato, she is so inspirational and I just love her so much on how she tries to help people
What do you wish people would do more of on Twitter?
Prevent suicide by tweeting people who are feeling like doing it so that they don't take their precious lives
How do you use Twitter in your professional life?
I try and tweet out people to help promote this program
What will the internet be like in 50 years?
Hopefully it will have less bullying/harassment on it, and more positivity :)
How do you imagine Twitter changing?
Hopefully not by much, I love it the way it is
How long can you go without a tweet?
Not long, I go crazy in school
What is one of the biggest misconceptions of Twitter?
That it's stupid, it really helps you meet new people that you have common interests with and it's so much fun
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter definitely
Terms you wish would start trending on Twitter right now?
#DontKillYourself or something to help prevent suicide
What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?
ily
Who is the funniest person on Twitter that you follow?
it would have to be Luke hemmings or Michael Clifford
Ever get called out for tweeting too much?
No :-)
Why should we vote for you?
We work really hard to make sure everyone feels beautiful and that they want to live
What's your best tweet?
The one with 300 RT's for Bell Let's Talk :)
How do you pronounce GIF?
gif
What feature should Twitter add?
Group DMs :)
What was the funniest trend you've seen?
Selfie Olympics
Have you ever unfollowed someone? Who and why?
People who unfollow me, inactive people, people who tweet in a different language
What's the most annoying social media trend?
Facebook
Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?
#WhyToStayAlive
Is there someone you want to follow you who doesn't already? If so, who?
Demi Lovato :)
How do you make your tweets unique?
We try and make our own pictures :)
What inspires you to tweet?
Demi Lovato & all of the people who need help
What's the most memorable Snapchat you've ever received?
Jc Caylen sent me a selfie in summer 2012 haha
Why should people follow you?
We tweet many positive things that brighten up a lot of peoples' days :)
What will the world be like 10 years from now?
Hopefully more people will be aware of mental disorders and suicide will be a thing of the past.
What are six things you could never do without?
1. Family
Why'd you start tweeting?
So that I could help more people overcome their problems in life
Who do you wish had a Twitter feed but doesn't?
Jennifer Lawrence
How will the world change in the next year?
I hope that it will change by giving people with mental illnesses time to recover, because people with physical illnesses are allowed to
How much time you spend online?
Too much
What's the wildest experience you've had via social media?
Internet, Family, Food, Water, a decent hoodie, toilet paper
Has Twitter changed your life? If yes, how?
Twitter has made me new friends, new business contacts and led to Vine, which has totally changed my life.
Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?
#brittlestarisawesomeandhandsome
What will the internet be like in 50 years?
Wearable, consumable and indistinguishable from any other part of life.
What's your best tweet?
They're all gold (okay, I don't know).
Who's your role model on social media?
Ummm, don't have one really.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions of Twitter?
That 140 characters is not long enough to get your message across.
Have you ever unfollowed someone? Who and why?
I have. They started to tweet only hate stuff.
What do you wish people would do more of on Twitter?
Send nice tweets to people. Compliments. That kind of thing.
Which family member do you wish was on Facebook? Which do you wish wasn't on Facebook?
They're all on Facebook. Even my mom. They're all welcome.
Can you name some one-of-a-kind Twitter accounts that you follow?
Too many to mention. All great at different times for different reasons.
How do you make your tweets unique?
They're straight from my brain.
Why should we vote for you?
My mom will be thrilled. My kids will think I'm cool. My wife will let me buy a new phone.
Why'd you start tweeting?
140 characters is perfect. Get to the point. Distill your message to its purist form.
In what ways do you waste the most time on social media?
Even when I'm just surfing around, I'm learning and taking things in. So I know what to do, and what not to, next.
How do you pronounce GIF?
The guy who created the term says 'jiff', but that's just a sign of his genius mind gone amok. It's a hard G...like me.
As a parent, coach, or role model tell us: How do you use social media to help others focus on all that is good in their lives? Don't forget to submit a nomination for the #KeepGoodGoing award!
Through some of my Vines, I try to make sure people know that everything changes. Bad times end, so keep going. Good times do too, so enjoy.
What will the world be like 10 years from now?
Hopefully, we'll realize that we're all just spinning around in space TOGETHER...plus jet-pants. I want jet-pants.
Why should people follow you?
I value their time. If I tweet something (other than a reply), I want it to entertain or inspire.
Ever get called out for tweeting too much?
Nope.
What's the wildest experience you've had via social media?
Having 'famous' people retweet/share my Vines. That's fun.
How much time you spend online?
You mean, there's another way to live?
Terms you wish would start trending on Twitter right now?
Shorty Interview with #KeepGoodGoing nominee Meg Jones
Check out #KeepGoodgoing nominee Meg Jones' inspirational campaign video and interview below.
Remember, to maximize your Shorty Award campaign you can complete your ”Shorty Interview" and make a campaign video!
The Shorty Interview with Meg V. Jones
As a parent, coach, or role model tell us: How do you use social media to help others focus on all that is good in their lives? Don’t forget to submit a nomination for the #KeepGoodGoing award!
I was nominated for the award because of this actually. I use social media to share my story to remind people they can do whatever they want
What will the internet be like in 50 years?
Oh dear. Hopefully less used but actually it will probably be required to live or something crazy.
What inspires you to tweet?
Every crazy little thought that pops in my head. I'm a spur of the moment tweeter.
Why should we vote for you?
I want to change the world. I want to show people it doesn't matter where you come from/what you've been through, you can be a star.
What's your best tweet?
Most of my walking dead vine included tweets are pretty awesome.
Have you ever unfollowed someone? Who and why?
I unfollow people if they're bullying other people (I'm not talking about joking with someone, but really harassing them.) it's unacceptable
What's the most memorable Snapchat you've ever received?
Blake Paules (a vine-r I like) snap chatted me, I thought it was cool at the time.
Ever get called out for tweeting too much?
Hahaha when The Walking Dead airs ALL THE TIME. I'm surprised my friends don't hate me. (They probably do, don't tell me.)
What are some big Twitter faux pas?
Any of those #cutfor<insert celebrity name> tweets. Completely unacceptable. It's not something to joke about nor make a trend about!
How do you imagine Twitter changing?
I think it would be a cool change if celebrities were able separate their notifications from fans and followings, etc. I bet it's stressful.
What's the most interesting connection you've made through Twitter?
Almost all of the Walking Dead cast follow me (Norman, Melissa, the show, Lawrence, so many more), music artists follow me. It's pretty cool.
Instagram, Vine or GIF?
GIFs make my days sometimes but I've met so many people through vine! Also I IG too much.
What's the most annoying social media trend?
Selfie Olympics. Y'all are gonna hurt yourself!
Who do you admire most for his or her use of Twitter?
I think Liam Payne. He tries so much to interact with his millions of fans, and if he says anything offensive he apologizes. It's adorable
Who is the funniest person on Twitter that you follow?
Jenny Johnson or Rob Delaney.
In what ways do you waste the most time on social media?
Scrolling through funny tweets, trends, and joke accounts. They're so good sometimes though
How has social media improved your life?
By spreading my inspiration with thousands of people. It's phenomenal! It also shows me it's even more possible for me to be the actor I want
140 characters of advice for a new user?
If you think you have something interesting to say make sure to chop it to pieces, condense it, ruin the message just so it will f...
Can you name some one-of-a-kind Twitter accounts that you follow?
@ZachBraff always makes me laugh. @miilkkk is hilarious. @harry_styles tweets are always a little odd.
What's the funniest celebrity tweet you saw in this past year?
""I know lets put stickers on every single piece of fruit sold in America!" -Satan" @rainnwilson
How do you pronounce GIF?
...how do I answer this? (g - like goal • if - like what if)
What are six things you could never do without?
Family. Friends. Laughing. Hot sauce. Code Red Mountain Dew. Oxygen.
Terms you wish would start trending on Twitter right now?
Absopositifically! That should be everyone's reaction to an exciting request. (Or 'MegIsAmazinglyAwesome-ificly...)
What will the world be like 10 years from now?
Hopefully calmer. Less stress, more laughing (hopefully I'll be helping the last part.) But at this rate people might be walking around naked
How long can you go without a tweet?
I've gone weeks without one before but I prefer not to.
Why'd you start tweeting?
Because I fall for peer pressure all the time. My friends said it was cool!
What feature should Twitter add?
A "frowned upon" button. So when people say mean things they can get a notification going "your tweet was frowned upon" hahaha.
Twitter or Facebook?
Twitter! I like interacting with people all over the world; but I keep Facebook for the pictures.
What do you wish people would do more of on Twitter?
I wish people would do more funny hashtag trends. It is so entertaining.
Why should people follow you?
People should follow me because I'll definitely continue trying to inspire people, and I like to think I'm funny sometimes.
Hashtag you created that you wish everyone used?
"My TL would be more interesting #IfDaveFrancoHadATwitterAndTweetedSelfies" I deleted the tweet. Told you I tweeted off the top of my head!
Which family member do you wish was on Facebook? Which do you wish wasn't on Facebook?
It would be interesting and funny if my grandma had a Facebook, and I don't mind any of my family on there now!
Is there someone you want to follow you who doesn't already? If so, who?
Seth Rogen or James Franco! Two hilariously awesome actors I hope to have the privilege of working with one day.
What's the wildest experience you've had via social media?
A girl went mad when she saw me post a #mcm of Harry Styles! Started a rumor I was dating him. I've never met him. Absolutely weirdest thing!
How will the world change in the next year?
The world changes every day but hopefully in the next year it changes positively somewhat because of me!
Has Twitter changed your life? If yes, how?
100%! Lots of people saw my video through Twitter and that's how I got this nomination! (I also spend too much time reading funny tweets now)
How do you use Twitter in your professional life?
Here recently I've definitely used it to reach out and network people who need inspiration.
What was the funniest trend you've seen?
There were a lot, but #FailedChildrensBookTitles had me dying. One was "The Little Engine that said 'Screw It'"
How much time you spend online?
Eh. If I have a free time I'll check my twitter and Facebook on my phone. Not really sure. (Anyone notice 'do' is missing from the question?)
Who do you wish had a Twitter feed but doesn't?
Will Smith! He's a really funny and really nice guy (I've heard, don't correct me if I'm wrong) and I think he'd be funny to follow!
What is one of the biggest misconceptions of Twitter?
That everything you read is true. Especially from those fake news accounts. Just cause it says news doesn't mean it is.
What are some words or phrases you refuse to shorten for brevity?
I can't stand "totes" or "adorbs." I think you're talking about a handbag or misspelling absorbs. So odd.
How do you make your tweets unique?
I speak from my heart. (Cheesy, judge me, shhhh.) But really, I say stuff off the top of my head...so it's pretty unique.
What question are we not asking here that we should?
"WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO EAT POTATOES?" And the answer is EVERY WAY. Although I fancy mashed potatoes quite a bit.
Who's your role model on social media?
Comedicly, Jenny Johnson is hilarious. Respectfully, Liam Payne from One Direction. He always apologizes if he offends. It's modest/adorable.
How do you decide what to tweet?
I want to sound cool and say I think about something profound, but just like my videos, I just tweet what comes to mind.
What is the weirdest or most inappropriate place you've ever made a social media post from?
In the shower one time! I was washing shampoo out of my hair, thinking, and suddenly I go I SHOULD TWEET THAT! So I did. Lol.
