New Social Media Networking-One Idea at a Time
Our lives are filled with junctions and crossroads and every one of them points to choices we must make. Which way to turn – which road is better – which avenue has the better stops along the way – which one will bring only good adventures – and probably the most important question, which one will make me happy? I wonder how many of us think about the last question, which choice will make me happy? I think it is important to ask, do we even think about that as a viable option? And from a business perspective, will that choice change the way we do business or will it change us?
How on earth does making choices about different paths in our lives have to do with the new social media and networking? Well that has been the subject of my thoughts over the past few months and I am going to open up my brain here and allow some of my thoughts to spill and see where it will lead. To me the choice to join the new social media frenzy seemed like the best thing to do as I am not the type who like to be left behind. Was I happy about this choice – well, considering that I knew nothing about social media, I guess I was happy about following a new trend, after all I have been networking socially for quite a number of years, this shouldn’t be all that bad.
A few times I brought it up to some of my ‘real’ networking groups and all I got was a shoulder shrug. Maybe they weren’t into this new trend. Maybe they didn’t even know what I was talking about. Who knew! All I knew then was that I wanted to be on the cutting edge and get my business off and gallopping in Belfair, WA. There was no turning back this time, as all my eggs were in one small basket. Looking back at some of these thoughts, I realize that there is no sense in asking anyone for any real commemt on anything. No one ever says anything REAL about anything anymore. Eyes go back and forth searching for some talking point, sound-bite or buzz-word on the subject that fits in with the going ‘shpeel’- Sound-bites and buzz words be damned! I absolutely dislike the sound-bite and buzz-word culture and the current path it is taking. I C it all now B4 my I’s!
This blog is taking on epic proportions, and as I feel I want to begin wrapping up, I feel more chapters in the making. But let me continue a bit more and see what happens. Well I was happy [maybe out of ignorance] and stepped into the foray of learning all about Social Media. Hence my attendance at all of Frank Kenny’s training sessions at the North Mason Chamber of Commerce and reading pertinent blogs. I picked it up pretty quickly and moved right into the stream of things and that is when the fight started. The fight or struggle to keep things simple began almost immediately. But, things just aren’t that simple, speaking in sound bites means changing who I am, doing something I don’t like to do. Suddenly I was fallling prey to the sound-bite culture I so passionately abhor. So I began to say nothing and that nothing turned into more nothing and the silence grew by the week. And, all of a sudden it was not fun anymore. Things were a-changing! My social media learning curve was bending me into a completley different shape and the strain was painful. What was happening to ME?
Well now that quite a few months have passed and with the benefit of hindsight, I have brilliantly deducted that change is good and that makes me happy again. That is what blogs are for Fay, go ahead and rant away. But keep the social banter to 140 characters. Social banter is not soundbites, only quick short sentences [or maybe sentences] with one idea at a time. I can handle that! Sound bites are still a nuisance and a repetitive part of today’s culture. I am going to stick to my New Social Media as one idea at a time.
So choosing to discover the latest technology for social media networking has really taken me down a great path. Whether I took it in ignorance is a mute point right now, the fact that is that I am here and happy about it. Even though being ‘part-of-the-pack’ is becoming a buzzword too. Ahhhhh! I can’t get away from it. Yes I am changed, perhaps a bit more disposed to understanding a one word culture. But even more so – business is not as usual anymore; we tweet, facebook, blog, get ‘linkedIn and whatever else is coming down the pike. And it has changed me too! At least I will always have my blog for rants that need more than one idea at a time! Maybe the next one will be shorter!
