7 Habits of Highly Effective Social Marketers- Jim Long

Ok, Interview #5 of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Social Marketers” series. Today’s interview is with none other than Jim Long, NBC cameraman for the White House.

About Jim
Jim is a self described “new media soul trapped in an old media body” or a “human satellite truck.”  When he’s not flying around the world covering the President and White House News, he’s running his own business, Verge New Media. If you happen to track him down, ask him about his hair-rising trips to Afghanistan aboard one  of the Air Force’s “doomsday planes.

1. What one trait or habit got you to where you are today?
I don’t know if I can peg my success today on just one trait.  I believe that it is my persistence, my fierce dedication to my craft and client, and the faith that exceptional work will lead you to personal success – it’s these qualities that have gotten me where I am today.

2. Your work day just started, what’s the FIRST thing you do?
The start of my day is linked to the ebb and flow of news.  Some days are planned out, other days we’re putting out fires.  I’ve learned to expect the unexpected, but i generally start my day loading up my camera, then logging in to Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare

3. What makes you efficient with your day?
Efficiencies in my newsgathering role are less dependent on web technologies than many other jobs;  yet every assignment requires that I make judgements about how much, and what type of gear I need to bring to bear to the task.   Paramount in this process is the question: “Could I get on the air with what I have with me?”  Beyond the camera, blackberry has become indispensable.

4. Your Favorite Business book of all time?
The Long Tail”  has put the current state of my business in perspective, putting a fine point on the opportunity and uncertainty media and other businesses face.

5. 3 things on your desk right now/ 3 things you can’t live without
Sony HDW F900r Video Camera
iPhone 3G, Blackberry World Edition
Powermac G4 1.67Ghz

6. Habit you want to kick in 2009
I’m terribly disorganized,  I need to work on that.

7. Habit you’d like to form for 2010

NOTE: for those of you who know Jim well, suggestions for a new habit for New Media Jim?