In an era where many claim to be social media experts, Amber Mac is the real deal, and she has the 96,300+ Twitter followers to prove it. The best-selling author of Power Friending, Mac has appeared as a tech expert on CBC, CTV, CNN, CityTV, ABC, Fast Company, and G4TechTV, and was named “Canada’s Top Social Media Expert on How to Build a Brand” by Canadian Business.
Check out Mac tonight as she hosts the After-Show with Amber Mac for W Network’s #RippleEffect, from famed U.K. Producer Tony Wood (Hollyoaks, The Only Way Is Essex, Geordie Shore, Coronation Street). The unscripted show follows the lives of three Toronto-based women (writer and recovering addict Vicki Hogarth; pre-med student Nina Nogrekar; and ice skater and mother Chantal Fry) who have agreed to let viewers into their lives as well as the lives of their friends, coworkers, significant others, and even Tinder dates (yes, Tinder dates).
Social media-savvy Mac is a fitting host for the After-Show, given the social media-fueled nature of the show. #RippleEffect is filmed in almost real-time, following each woman in her own unique story line up until the episode airs online. Viewers can interact with the women around the clock via Twitter before tuning in again to see how their advice, opinions, and concerns have influenced their lives in the next episode. The first episode debuted online at WNetwork.com on June 4th, and viewers, including Mac, have been interacting with the women ever since. Tune in tonight to see how audience tweets have inspired the cast’s love and life decisions since last week, and stick around to interact with the talented and charismatic Amber Mac via Twitter during the After-Show with Amber Mac.
Be sure to watch the second episode of #RippleEffect followed by the After-Show with Amber Mac tonight at 8pm on W Network online. And get in on the action, too! Be sure to follow #RippleEffect on Twitter here and tweet your thoughts — good, bad, and ugly — regarding the cast’s lives, love interests, wardrobe choices, and more at the show. Mac will be reading your tweets and responding to your thoughts live on the After-Show, which immediately follows the 8pm showtime!
Tell us a bit about yourself. What should people know?
I was born in a small town on Prince Edward Island, the enchanting home of Anne of Green Gables. I went to a one-room schoolhouse, which basically meant I moved from one row to another as I traveled from grade to grade. Perhaps it was the disconnected nature of my childhood life that inspired me to join the connected world of technology. After completing a post-graduate degree in journalism, I moved to San Francisco to work at a dot-com start-up. At the core, I’m a serial entrepreneur who is interested in working with talented people who sometimes like to break the rules (with the uncompromising goal of building something awesome).
You’re well-known for being Canada’s first social media expert. How did social media become such a huge passion for you, and when did you realize your expertise in the area could turn into your focus as a TV host, author, reporter, and businesswoman?
Like many entrepreneurs, I’m happiest juggling many things at once. I like the idea that if you have multiple jobs, it doesn’t matter as much if you get fired from one. (Note: I do not apply this same logic to my personal relationships!) Moreover, my parents always encouraged me to first earn credibility in the business world before I dove too far into the television universe. Thankfully, when I started doing both, there were very few women on air talking about technology – and what I love specifically about social media is its ongoing potential to bring people together to embrace positive change.
What are a few social media tips for Twitter newbies looking to get more followers?
Twitter is not a once-a-day thing. Truth is, you get as much back from Twitter as you put into it. In other words, tweet frequently and share compelling content. Sure, you probably don’t want to be connected at all hours of the day. However, if you’re working to build your personal brand, it’s important to post as often as you can.
You’ve hosted many high-profile TV shows, including your current role as co-host on CTV’s App Central. What appealed to you about getting involved in W Network’s #RippleEffect After-Show?
My whole career I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to take my geeky social media skills and use them to extend the television experience. Let’s not forget, based on recent research, about 84% of us use our mobile devices while watching TV (thanks Mary Meeker!). However, there have been few instances where the social television experience is truly pushing boundaries. On #RippleEffect, we’re working hard to stretch these new muscles.
Monday night we’ll get to see how the tweets from viewers last week altered the three main stars’ decisions regarding love, life and work. What are you most excited to find out about in the lives of the three main women on tonight’s show after last week’s premiere?
I’m hooked on the stories we’re hearing from these three women. Each one of them has a unique perspective on love, life, and work. I’m especially interested in learning how the audience is influencing them. Most importantly, I’m keen to watch them grow and learn from their personal successes and failures.
What is your best social media advice for fans watching the show tonight from home? What kind of tweets do you think will actually affect change in the lives and relationships of the main stars?
Right now, we’re using Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google+. One of the best ways to interact with the cast of #RippleEffect is to tweet in with your comments or questions (@RippleShow). We’re anticipating that people will eventually record short video comments that we can use during the After-Show (which airs immediately after the episode is available on the W Network website). In other words, there are plenty of ways to shape the stories we’re seeing.
Let’s get social for a moment. How do we stay up-to-date with you?
AmberMac.com has all my links. Thankfully, I have weekly shows and blog posts that require new and innovative content. I am always working to stay on the cutting-edge of what’s new (and relevant) in the social media world, which means I read a lot and follow some of the best in the business. From checking out blogs such as Mashable to professionally Twitter stalking people such as @mathewi, I’m always learning (and mildly concerned that if I go to sleep, I might just miss the next big thing).
Again, be sure to watch the second episode of #RippleEffect followed by the After-Show with Amber Mac tonight at 8pm on W Network online. And get in on the action, too! Be sure to follow #RippleEffect on Twitter here and tweet your thoughts — good, bad, and ugly — regarding the cast’s lives, love interests, wardrobe choices, and more at the show. Mac will be reading your tweets and responding to your thoughts live on the After-Show, which immediately follows the 8pm showtime!