My newest project: Kidney donation documentary July 19, 2012

I haven’t been doing much comedy lately. I think I may be pretty much done with it. I’ve been doing it for 9.5 years here in Phoenix, and without a move to L.A., there’s really not anywhere I can go. I’ve spent a lot of time and hard work to build a following, and I appreciate every person who’s come to see my shows. Maybe I just need a break. Anyway…

I’m going to start working on a documentary. Since I volunteered to donate my kidney, and much more since the surgery, I’ve connected with dozens of other donors via Social Media. Surprise, right? Hahaha!

I am putting together a plan to travel cross-country to meet some of these other donors. I want to raise awareness of live organ donation, and I think when people see we are from all walks of life, they may be less scared.

Hearing others talk about it may help. I know my friends/followers/fans are probably sick of hearing about it from me, so I thought other voices and stories would be a great idea.

I’ve got a good friend who’s done a few films to do the trip with me and document everything on camera. My ideas are big. I have a client who is a car dealership. I’d love to have them sponsor me with a car to use. I have a brand new car, but they are such great clients that I know it would also be great publicity for them. I’d also like to get a decent hotel chain to back me up with stays during my trip. Maybe a national (decent) restaurant chain. My mind is reeling with ideas. I know I won’t be able to do it until next Spring, but it gives me time to plan.

I’m going to need funds, too. I’ll be having a lot of cool events and a website set up. The important part is not for me to make money while filming, it’s to get me to as many people as possible to get the word out. It brings tears to my eyes as I write this, because I know it will be a success. I know it will save lives. I certainly don’t need the publicity for myself, but there are other TinyMoms out there who need YOUR help.

If you come up with any great ideas, or have any connections to help me do this, please share them with me! You can email me at fabulousamy@gmail.com if you aren’t comfortable posting it publicly here as a comment.

Thank you everyone! You’ve all been there for the past 18 months for me. Let’s make the next 18 months the ones that will change the world.

Here is our Today Show clip!

TinyMom got my kidney on April 19, 2011.

What’s the difference between Facebook and Twitter? July 10, 2012

All day, every day, with expletives mumbled every hour or so, I see companies and just don’t get it on Social Media. I can excuse people for not doing it properly, because they don’t usually have a brand to uphold. But companies…they’re doing more damage than good to their brands.

I get asked a lot “Amy, what’s the difference? Facebook and Twitter are both the same. They’re social media.”  That’s pretty much like saying that A Joie De Vivre and a Motel 6 are the same. They’re both hotels/motels. Wrong.

Here’s how I like to explain them both, in laymen’s terms. For the GenPop.

Facebook is like a reunion. For the most part, your friends on Facebook are family members, people from your hometown, other comedians/entertainers, etc. You may not have met them in real life, but because of the connection to other people you know, and the interaction, you pretty much already know them. With photos, you get even more engagement. Photos are one of the BEST ways to get attention for a profile or business Page. You add people as friends because of mutual connections. You may have met at a BBQ or pool party. Now you WANT to connect.

Twitter is a party that your neighbor’s brother-in-law’s mother is having. You won’t know ANYONE when you get there. How are you going to get through it? Easy. You start jumping in on conversations and learning about others, so you make friends. Talk about what THEY are talking about and, eventually, they will ask about YOU. If you walk into a party, and you’re just blurting out and talking about how your used cars are the best in the world, NOBODY is going to like you. In other words, on Twitter, they won’t follow you back.

Much like having a glass of wine in one hand, and a small plate of food in the other, it’s kind of hard to dig for your wallet to show pictures of your kids. Pictures aren’t as important as conversation on Twitter. That’s OPPOSITE of Facebook.

Twitter is a little like dating for shy people. You see a cute guy across the room, so you say hi or do something to catch his eye. Now, you could give a slight wave (like a follow!) or, walk up to him and be aggressive enough to scare him off. Don’t grab his junk right off the bat! Give a little wave, he will probably wave back, which is equivalent to a follower. Then you start a conversation. Get to know him. His friends may walk over and start talking to you. You start getting to know people. You being gaining followers. In your first conversation, you’re not going to say “HEY! I’M A PLASTIC SURGEON” to get attention. That’s like an auto DM. People will probably walk away from you. Or unfollow you.

It’s really that simple.

Our Today Show clip. I watch it when I’m having a bad day. July 5, 2012

The Today Show came out twice last year to film us before and immediately (as in HOURS) after I donated my kidney to TinyMom. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I watch it. I pretend to not be a part of it, just to see that there can be good in this world.

My kidney donation