Social Media Curiosity: My Blog World Thoughts
The Enormity of it All
A gigantic thank you to Robert Quirion for giving me the opportunity to attend the largest social media conference in North America, Blog World, in New York City, that took place May 24-27.
To even pretend like I could relay all the information I consumed in a single post would be pretty ridiculous. After a week and a half, I am still trying to process it all myself.
The biggest benefit I reaped was that I was able to see firsthand just how massive and important social media is. I mean, I knew it was “kind of a big deal”, but to have professors, heads of fortune 500 companies, and the pioneers who have been preaching social media for many years to all come together and discuss it with passion and enthusiasm was really excited and inspiring.
It got me thinking about how many individuals and businesses are still lagging behind in this department. Of course, there are plenty of people who are dipping their toes into the social pool, and many who are very savvy, but overall I am surprised at how much hesitation there seems to be.
Once upon a time
Not so long ago, the fact that we were running a few years behind larger centers was excusable, what with the Internet not being what it is today...but today? There is no reason for us to be even a step behind.
When I was a kid, I lived in Newfoundland, and by the time I heard of New Kids on The Block, the kids from Toronto (that I met at summer camp) told me they were so last year. Today I am just as likely to stumble on the next big thing on YouTube as those kids from Toronto or a big music executive in L.A., although admittedly - my discovery will be far less beneficial for said “next big thing” - but I digress.
My point is, because of the wonders of technology, we are all on an equal playing field.
Change is not only good, it’s necessary and inevitable. So, instead of kicking and screaming (or more likely using passive resistance) why not give it a try. I promise, it’s not that scary. Not only that, but I bet once you give it an honest try, you’ll think it’s pretty neat...and useful!! (Yup, that’s right, it’s not a bunch of people telling you about what they had for lunch)
It broadens your world of possibilities - you can take care of your customers more effectively, you can network, you can collaborate, you can find new tools to help your business, you can discover endless amounts of useful information, you can find a great new restaurant, you can find a new employee, or you could find the next big thing. The possibilities are endless.
Light that Fire
It will take a little getting used to - you need to know that this is not one sided. It’s not you broadcasting at your customers. In the same way that I am on the same level as the L.A. music executive now, so are you and your customer. They are just as capable of “advertising” for your brand as you. Depending on the service they received they can be your biggest ambassador or your biggest critic.
There is so much more out there than Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube (Quora, Yelp, Paper.li, About.me to name a few). But these staples are a great place to start for the novice social networker beucase they are very user friendly. I am certain, if you need some guidance, you won’t have to look far - a co-worker, friend, or heck, even your kids would be happy to help you out!
Right now social media is viewed as something that you need one employee doing for you. Eventually, it will be just like having typing or Internet browsing skills - a requirement that you need on your resume in order to be considered for a position.
I wrote and rewrote this, not wanting to sound like I was coming down on anyone, and that is not my intention - my intention is to pique your curiosity. I want to get you out there, exploring this exciting new realm and finding the value in it for yourselves.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” - Walt Disney
