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Tag I'm It: Meme Marketing and What 5 things you don't know about me

I was memed this morning by my friend and competitor, Paul Chaney of Blogging Systems. For those of you that don’t know what a meme is: It’s a thought stream carried from one person to another, or, to be more precise, a “unit of cultural information transferable from one mind to the other,” so says Wikipedia. Basically, it’s the blogging equivalent of a chain letter. The cool thing about blogging is that the meme can be tracked. Entire websites are devoted to doing just that. Some memes, however, are deliberate…sort of a social game to build community and engender relationships.

Meme benefits:

Connect with other bloggers and grow your blogging network
Build your brand and blog traffic
Introduce your readers to other bloggers
Generate backlinks
Have fun

My meme topic:

What 5 Things You don’t Know About Me

Track my meme:

Drew of Drew’s Marketing Minute

Starbucker

Trevor Gay of Simplicity

Phil of Make it Great

Kammie of Passion Meet’s Purpose

Success from the Nest

Dave of Rothacker Reviews

Andrea Learned of Learned on Women
Ann Handley of the Marketing Profs Daily Fix

Nedra Weinreich, Spare Change

Toby Bloomberg, the Diva Marketer

Paul Chaney, Strategic Blogging

Who I am tagging:

I’m shooting for the stars: Drew Myers of Zillow/Drew Meyers Insights, Jim Cronin of Real Estate Tomato, Glenn Kellman of Redfin and Matt Heaton of Active Rain. Let's see who takes up the challenge.

What 5 Things You don’t Know About Me

My husband and I plan to enter ministry full-time within the next 5 years. We are active members of our church and my husband is currently studying to be a Southern Baptist minister at Trinity.

I am a bodybuilder. Well, some of you may already know this. But I’ll bet you don’t know that I am also a personal trainer whose loving husband built her a rockin’ high-end gym in our home so I can train Christian women for free. I use my passion for fitness as a ministry to help overweight Christian women lose substantial amounts of weight. This year alone, the women I train have lost a staggering combined 1192lbs. My personal fitness site is CuttingFitness.

I was a 2003 member of the largest traveling bikini team in the world, the Texas Bikini Team. Somewhere out there are even calendars and posters with my mug on them!

I am currently training to compete in the 2008 Fitness America Competition. The national event takes place next November and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

I have lived all over the world, spending serious time in Udst Kaminigorsk, Russia and Cassablanca Morocco.

BONUS: I am secretly afraid of frogs. When I say afraid, I mean, terrified and hiding under the covers afraid of frogs.

Posted by Mary McKnight on 12/15/2006 10:34 AM

Comments (46)

meme, marketing, online marketing, blogs, blogging, blog writing, activerain, zillow, redfin

Post is included in group: Online Marketing Help Center
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO

46 Comments on Tag I'm It: Meme Marketing and What 5 things you don't know about me

DEC

2006

Mary, Interesting profile. My dad was in the Army so I got to live varoious places also. We go to First Baptist Kenner. You always have some great info on your blogs for all to use. I am getting back into fitness after too much real estate. Starting slow, 2-3 miles a day. Going to get back into tennis in Jan. Little on me too. Have 3 grandkids, all boys. Christian, Ethan, and Andrew. Have a nice Christmas.

Mary, what an interesting person you are. You obviously live life to the fullest. And that's a very good thing. Thanks for sharing.

I never understood a meme, thanks for sharing.

Mary, I'll be praying for you and your husband. I was a youth pastor for about thirteen years and enjoyed it very much. Give us some updates as you go along. Merry Christmas!

Oh I forgot...what's up with the frogs? LOL

Thanks for the link Mary, and it's a pleasure to meet your blogging acquaintance. Based on your 5 things I would surmise you are certainly a "Half-Fuller" (like yours truly). I think what you are doing to help people get fit is fantastic! Keep spreading that wonderful energy. All the best.

Frogs freak me out. My little sister used to chase me around the house with frogs- she would put them sock drawers, the dryer (they didn't fare well in there), on top of spinning record player... Please don't call PETA, she didn't mean to hurt them, she would even make little outfits for them. There is nothing scarier than frog dressed up like a clown.

I think someone looks familiar............ http://www.texasbikini.com/2003/WACO/mya/03mya.htm ..... an anagram?! Or do I have it wrong?

Suzanne: You got me!

Mary, I understand what a meme is now, but I don't understand how the tagging is initiated? Perhaps it's because I'm rushing to get on this airplane, but I've read the top two links and it's not there. How is the tagging accomplished?

If I've missed it somewhere in here, just tell me to look harder and I will. : )

Great to learn new things about you!

Mary, you certainly are full circle. Didn't know all these things. Five years, hugh? That worries me! Only frogs? I'm afraid of anything that jumps. Makes me a little jumpie as well.

Frogs aren't so bad.

Just hold them tight, stab them in the back of the head, remove and skin the legs, flower and saute in butter with a touch of garlic and lemon juice.

Lenn

Jeff, the meme actually went so far back, I stopped tracking it. Very much like a chain letter.

Gena, don't worry there are plenty of qualified people in the company to carry the torch when we move onto ministry. John is currently grooming a very well known programmer, Jack Slocum to fill his shoes as CTO.

Lenn, if you cooked a frog, I'd eat it. Good thing I'm not afraid of food!

Frogs? Okay Then. Remind me not to take you down to the Lake when it's time for shooting practice. BAM.

But then again I can hang the frogs on the target and you can shoot them. BAM.

It is quite possible that this will help you face the fear. LOL...

Well, we could always just go to the Mall. :)

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Spiders Baby Spiders...BAM...ROAR!

Mary,

Meme's are pretty cool; I like your theme.

I think it's wonderful that you and your husband plan to live your life in service to Him.

As an avid Arizona Cardinals fan , I despise all Texas teams. The Texas Bikini team has made me realize how narrow-minded my thinking is.

What brought you all over the world?

Mary I only wish I lived closer to you to join your group and get fit. My husband and walk and play tennis together but it isn't enough. Those ladies your train are very lucky to have you close by.

wow Mary.....do you have 8 days a week and does your day consist of 30 hours a day? When do you find the time? That's pretty cool what you and your husband are about to accomplish. Great job...

hey..... how about introducing me to some of the Texan team. You know I am single... ;o)

Hey Mary..... by the way, if you get a chance, I am home tonight, could you call me....even up until 11 pm or anytime tomorrow... I wanted to ask you one important question before I finalize what we have been talking about. thanks, jeff

Thanks for the explanation, Mary, AND for sharing your personal stuff. It's always fascinating to hear about the personal side of people. So often we only know them professionally.

Mary - Wow, your beautiful, a bodybuilder, personal trainer (for free no less) and blogger extraordinaire. If you weren't absolutely one of the nicest, most helpful people I've come across on AR I'd have to hate you. ;)

I never heard of meme. It sounds like fun.

Mary - From bikinis to blogging in three years? You are indeed talented - and I wish you well in your focus on the ministry. It appears you will continue to live a varied and extraordinary life!

Mary-You are an amazing young woman and I learn something everytime I read your stuff. We are all very fortunate to have you in our group. Thank you.

Hate frogs, but love to travel? Blogger AND body builder, and God-loving. And you plan to enter the ministry? Wow, very impressive. Best of luck on the next journey of your and your husband's life. Sounds like God is definitely using you to further the Kingdom. You go!

DEC

2006

Mary... I love the concept of meme. What a fun, innovative and socialable way to get to know each other. That being said, you're such an interesting human being. I even had to look up Udst Kaminigorsk. Thanks for sharing and for the intro to meme.

Mary wrote: There is nothing scarier than frog dressed up like a clown.

I'm not a big clown fan. They creep me out. And I know this is wrong, but I have to ask...

Which image is scarier?

???

Suzanne: I've known Mary and her husband since before those pictures were taken and I can tell from experience that when Mary is on a contest diet she doesn't like it when you wave tierra misu under her nose. Or cheesecake. Or key lime pie. Not that I have been known to do that...

Full time ministry? SWEET! And Trinity is one of the best schools on the planet. Great choice!

Mary, when is the best time to give you a call?

Thanks for the hook-up Mary! Three months blogging and all this action...outstanding. Best biz wishes.

Not sure if you noticed Mary but your Meming is wildfire tonite!!!!

Like we are all on speed dating drill !

DEC

2006

I'll add you to my prayer list as well! How awesome that you're on track to answer a call! And I think you would make a better reality tv show with your mission of helping women lose weight than the current crop of crap tv...hmm....maybe you should tag a tv producer?

Hi Mary

First praise God for you and your husband and you wanting to go in to the ministry. Then praise God that you are doing this training for free for women who seriously need your help. I know that this is something that some people may not understand but if He calls you to do something then He will bless. Years ago (1982) when I got saved I had been teaching dance classes and God called me out and I started teaching aerobics classes to Christian music to women in my church. That soon grew to 5 other churches and I had in attendance over 200 women from all ages. The name of my company was called Joyful Heart Aerobics. We did charge (the church did) for registration. (10 week session 1x wk $20, or $3.00 a class and they could go as much as they wanted) 45% went to the church, 10% to their favorite ministry, and the rest to me. Believe me it was a blessing. I did that for 3 years until we moved and then I went to work at a local gym. I really still have a heart for helping women but at 51 honestly I am not in the same shape and my back is very unstable. SO what do I do,,, stage homes, now we move furniture around, crazy, huh...I miss those days, best of luck with all that you do!

Love the Meming, how do I get in on this??

Phyllis Pafumi

DEC

2006

Kudos to you Mary! I also made some radical career changes to help better not only myself, but my family and community. Hats off to you...and keep us posted as to your career as a Personal Trainer for your Christian friends. That is outstanding you do that to help those that are struggling. We need more people like you out there!

Thanks also for the info on Meming. I am new to Active Rain and had no clue what the heck that meant!

Many Blessings,

Beth

APR

2007

Wonderful Info Mary.

MAY

2007

Frogs, I collect frogs...well not real live ones, but you know what I mean.

JUL

2007

Hi Mary, I was meme'd today and just doing some research before I respond, glad I came across your site. You are certainly beautiful, but turns out more so on the inside. Good luck to you and your family! Regards, DavidC

"Eye of God" from Hubble. We are not alone!

AUG

2007

Wow.......diversified you are!

DEC

2007

That's a very interesting and diverse background...from bikini team to fitness trainer and competitor to blog guru to ministry. Wow. Very impressive.

MAR

2008

Hello Mary! Just want to help your readers out there

Have you seen the Easy Viral Traffic blog yet? They provide some pretty cool information about how to get free website traffic... check it out http://www.easy-viral-traffic.com/blog/

Frogs, I thought you said blogs at first. That wouldn't make sense.

That is whole lotta bacon lost, good for you. That is so cool that you are pursuing your passion and purpose.

MAY

2008

I will check out that link in the previous comment, thanks!

Tom Davis - Realtor DE

JUN

2008

Mary,

I'm new to Active Rain and am still lost in the "maze" of information. I'm in the Makeover2Takeover Group with my "mentee" Emily Lowe. She is SOOO trying to pull me into the modern world.

Anyway, she meme'd me this am. My first response was "what's a meme?" Now that I'm figuring it out I wanted to see what was important to write about. Thus my comment...

How inspiring you discription of yourself! I turned 50 last fall and started trying to whip myself into shape. I did the Country Music 1/5 Marathon this year and am working out w/my trainer on a regular basis.

My regular prayer is... Let my actions reflect my heart that others might want to know God too.

God Bless.

JUN

2008

Someone resurrected this one..very interesting. But then again, I knew Mary was always interesting.

NOV

I knew you looked a little bit too athletic for a blogger. How did you do in the fitness competition?

I couldn't get the link to strategic blogging to work at all so I went one up and didnt see anything about you. I must be looking for the wrong thing.

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