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Personal Uses for Social Media

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In my work with clients I spend a great deal of time assessing, developing and executing social media strategies for business. Yet, there is a very real personal benefit to social media and each platform offers something different.

In recent weeks, I had been largely absent from the social media scene. There were no new posts, or tweets, no links shared on Facebook or FriendFeed. It can be difficult coming back after an absence as Joanna Young recently detailed but social media was a huge help.

After my absence, I felt a little shaky, much like regaining your land legs after a period at sea. Facebook proved to be a nice launch point to regain my balance. The smaller, more intimate nature of Facebook proved less demanding. I could give a thumbs up and never say a word. I could have discussions about ice cream or ants and others happily jumped in with comments.

I viewed photos and read status updates which helped me to regain that sense of connection. I had felt so alone for so long, but somehow less so as I enjoyed what was going on in the lives of my Facebook friends.

My business only accounts on various networks including Twitter gave me an opportunity to stay plugged in and share without having to explain my absence in other places. This helped me remain productive and relevant even in my silence.

Skype allowed me to have one on one conversations for business and personal. It was much easier to focus what energy I had on one person at a time, and each conversation left me feeling upbeat and useful.

Connecting with others is essential to our physical and emotional health. Sometimes it is not possible to connect in person and social media can fill or supplement that vital need.

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March of the Illiterati in E Flat

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Written by Karen D.  Swim

Two weeks ago, my Grandmother retired her old school TV Antenna for a digital converter box. If the FCC had not mandated that the US switch to digital on June 12th, my Gran would have kept using the rabbit ears.

In the world of early adopters one might say my Gran is a no bloomer. Yet, her diehard dedication to “rabbit ears” is not unlike those who hopelessly cling to the notion that social media is worthless and digital media is solely for the illiterati.

In a recent conversation with an erudite writer, I listened to what has become a familiar litany:

People who publish on the internet are not real writers. I am a noted journalist/writer/editor and accustomed to spending 6 weeks, writing 15 drafts before publishing.

My crowd is very literate and will not possibly be on Twitter. ( I pull up Twitter screen) Oh, look there’s Bill /Jane/ Buffy, they’re on Twiter?

I do not have time to waste engaging in urbane conversations with plebian strangers.

Internet publishing is for hacks.

Overlooking the fact that I had just been called a moronic hack who spends time on inane platforms talking to a motely bunch of idiots, I patiently explained this new world that has “killed newspapers” and made superstars out of the unknown.  I politely declined to point out that a truly impressive insult would have described “my people” as having brains as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage.

Alas, we no longer use insults such as: “Away!, Thou art poison to my blood.” Yet, in spite of the evolution of the English language we have managed to make amazing discoveries, and advances.  Who’da thunk it? (See what fun online writing can be?)

Those who view online writing as a dumbing down of provocative thoughts and ideas are missing the point entirely. It is an expansion of creative thought, discussion and collective collaboration. While other forms of publishing aim to “talk at” digital publishers “talk to.” It’s the sharing and exchange of ideas and information in real time.

Literature, and great writing are not dying, we are simply evolving in the way we communicate. Many will hold on until the bitter end, until change has steamrolled over them leaving no other choice but the truly erudite will not only embrace the change but lead the way.

What do you think? Are we diminishig the art of writing with online publishing?

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What I Learned From Crying on My Blog

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Peek A Boo
Image by Cayusa via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

I pierced the veil of secrecy and shame daring to reveal a heart filled with pain
Silencing voices in my head, moving past fear and dread
Like a swiftly moving current support rolled in, as I was enveloped in a cocoon of love by my friends.

Yes Virginia, there is a person behind the avatar. A beating heart, a living being that will respond when you reveal that you too are human. On Tuesday, I was joyfully reminded that technology is not a barrier to connection but a conduit that allows us to create friendships and communities in spite of the miles.

With the potential we possess to truly develop relationships and build communities, I wonder why there persists a tendency to do the opposite. We have a bevy of social media tools that invite conversation and sharing yet many dehumanize the process with a focus on metrics and statistics. In fact, just today Steve Woodruff thoughtfully remarked in a tweet:

“How I built a Twitter network of ____ in ___ days.” Sheesh. How about, how to build relationships and add value over the long-term??

To that I say, Amen! I read articles, posts and tweets on how to build subscriber numbers, how to drive traffic to your website and how to build an empire on a social media network, but are we missing the true value of developing relationships with real people?

Tuesday reinforced my own personal belief that doing business on the internet does not have to be impersonal. Your friendship and support not only made the difference in a tough week but validated my stand that authenticity and transparency are more than trendy buzzwords of the day.

When you focus on humanity, on connecting honestly and openly it is not detrimental to your professional brand or business but an opportunity to truly build long term value and have deeper engagements with people.

As a human being, I am thankful that no matter where I am I can reach out to a community courtesy of the interwebs. As a marketer, I am excited at forming and teaching others to go beyond one-way marketing messages and develop relationships with the people who are at the other end of that connection.

It is time to shed the decades old corporate assertion that doing business is “swimming with sharks.” We do business with people, not numbers to be manipulated into clicking our junk and buying our stuff.  Instead of screaming to be heard, quietly listen and allow those human beings to tell you what they want and need.  You may be pleasantly surprised at just how pleasant business becomes when you make it personal.

What are your thoughts? Feel free to share in the comments, discussion is gratefully welcomed here! 🙂

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Five in the Morning

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coffee
Image by uberculture via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

When Steve Woodruff gave me the opportunity to get in on the ground floor opportunity of the Five in the Morning franchise, I didn’t hesitate to say “count me in!” Of course  I then realized that his famous Five in the Morning posts really were 5 am. I love reading his posts, but admittedly I am never up at that hour. After unsuccessfully trying to negotiate a time zone that would put me closer to 9 in the morning, I acquiesced. I mean I kind of owe him seeing as how he did give me my dream job. So, without further pomp and circumstance, I’m proud to share five posts that are well worth reading…

Kelly Erickson reminds us that without a map you may miss your stop. Read her insightful post to map your business for success this year.

A new year signals change for many people and in this heartfelt post, Alex Fayle discusses the need to grieve what we are giving up before letting go and moving on.

BrandFreak treats us to a humorous look at marketing strategies by financial giant, Bank of America. Did B of A make an oop-oop-a -doop?

If you or companies you work with are wondering how to Make Your Corporate Blog Work for Your Brand, Not Against It, you will benefit from this social media case study on The Blog Council about how Kaiser Permanente is using social media to build their brand.

If you are still nto convinced on the benefits of Twitter, here’s an interesting story about Twitter’s day in court by Rex Gradeless, Social Media Law Student.

Like this? Re-tweet it on Twitter (just cut/paste):
Get today’s fresh-brewed Five in the Morning fuel from @swoodruff right here: http://twitpwr.com/1Hp/

Follow Steve Woodruff on Twitter

Subscribe to the Sticky Figure Blog

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Drunk with Power

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Madison Avenue, looking north from 40th Street

Image via Wikipedia

Written by Karen D. Swim

Has social media created a culture drunk with power? We pluck our members from relative obscurity and elevate them to the ranks of celebrities. As quickly as we create them we can destroy them with the click of a mouse. Our blogs are a platform, irritate, or anger us and our mighty keyboard will take you down and invite our community to scourge you in the streets.

Some would say that social media is the great equalizer allowing small companies to compete with big box brands and giving on the street reporters the same right of access as Joe or Jane Journalist. We scoff at the dividing lines that once separated Madison Avenue from Everyman for there is a new order and we are burning the symbols of tradition at the stake.

Yet, at what price is this equality? Can the masses handle the power?

We accuse the old guard of being entrenched in outdated ways. However, lately I am beginning to see the battle from another perspective. The old guard suffered the hard knocks and had to play by the rules Journalists could not go on air and call someone an idiot on the strength of personal experience or opinion. Facts had to support suppositions before they could be voiced. Citizen journalists are not beholden to an editor, network, or legal department. There is an up and downside to this disparity.

We live in an age where we can print, photograph, video, record and publish in mere minutes. We have the freedom to exchange ideas and resources across the globe. Yet freedom is never free of consequence. Freedoms are traded, exchanged, and often won at the expense of something lost. Every country has an ugly chapter in their history that demonstrates the dangers of extending freedom to some and not all.

We can use our freedom  to trash a brand until it buckles from the weight of the scorned and acquiesces to our will. We can freely question the decisions of those among our ranks and ignite a debate that would have wearied Patton.

And why not? Nothing enhances visibility and drives traffic like a good old fashioned cat fight. Yet, what about the casualties we don’t see? What about the brands that fear our rules of engagement? What about the individuals that are splattered with the blood of our words as they sit on the sidelines? Are we creating unnecessary barriers between “us” the sage early adopters and “them?” Are we trampling upon the freedoms of the uninitiated to explore our streets of gold unhindered?

Freedom is beautiful but more so when exercised with responsibility. We have the freedom to talk during a movie but to do so detracts from the freedom of fellow movie goers. The opportunity to actively participate in the shaping of culture is heady stuff indeed.  As we exercise that power let us also exercise caution. Let us not commit the sins of generations past but truly forge a new order that embraces and includes not isolates. Let this be the order that does not engage in a gluttonous feast of power as we taunt those without a seat at the table.

In this new day let us air our differences with respect or not at all. Let us exercise the freedom not to engage in battle, especially at the expense of another. Let humanity be our guiding force and our hearts the beacon that guides our choices.  In this season of joy and celebration, perhaps the best gift we can offer is kindness and respect.

Do you have any ideas on how we can improve the way we interact using social media? Are there changes you’d like to see? Please feel free to add your own thoughts on this or any subject in the comments. Your participation is warmly welcomed.

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What I Learned from the “Why Girl” and How It Can Help your Business

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But Why?

Image by Liquid Lucidity via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

Years ago, I had a colleague who we nicknamed “The Why Girl.”  It was not one of those mean, behind the back nicknames whispered in the corner by the water cooler, she knew and embraced our good natured ribbing.  She earned the nickname because in every management meeting, you could count on her to ask “Why?” When presenting her own points, she would give you her list counting them off 1, 2, C (because she always forgot if she was counting down numerically or alphabetically – yes we found it hilarious!). I liked “Why Girl.” Questions force us to examine our own beliefs and opinions, and in doing so renew our own understanding.  One of the best ways to learn is to teach.

I think of “Why Girl” a lot these days as I question actions I have taken for granted and explore new paths. The exercise has opened my eyes to things I do without thinking that may befuddle others. It has made me take a step back and examine business processes – Why did I set it up this way? Is this intuitive for customers? Why did I word this message in that way? Is it easily understood? Is email most efficient for this communication or would it be better to call?

When children ask “Why”” it can be annoying. We may tire of explaining and become exasperated when we can’t explain something that we just accept as true.  Yet, are colleagues and customers silently asking “why?” Are we exasperating them with our lack of answers or unwillingness to even listen.

Social media enthusiasts risk not asking “why?” and assuming that everyone knows how to  (fill in the blank) or that everyone understands why. In truth, only a small percentage of your population may understand “why.” Believe it or not there are still many people who are not even comfortable with email let alone other social media tools. It is important not to become so entrenched in your comfort zone that you isolate those who may not be where you are yet.

Or you can dig in your heels and decide that they need to figure it out because after all the future is here. You could do that … but it would be a big mistake. A willingness to ask why provides you an opportunity to lead. When you not only understand but are willing to show others the way you  will achieve far greater results than simply following the “in-crowd.”  Taking a step back to examine, and question may lead you to discover an unmet need.  Identifying an unmet need is an opportunity to fulfill that need in the market, and to take a position of leadership.

The truly cool kids are not just moving from one shiny toy to the other, they’re taking it apart, banging it against the wall, and merging it with different parts. They’re not only asking why” but also “What if?” If you are wiling to challenge, examine and question you have an opportunity to do and be great. In my mind that’s a much better position than simply standing in line waiting for someone else to figure it out.

Have you asked “why” lately in your business or personal life? Were you surprised by the answer? Feel free to share your comments, opinions or questions. Discussion is welcomed and encouraged.

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