March 16, 2011
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Every so often, I look back on how social media has changed my life and my business. Some lessons I’ve learned the hard way, by experiencing them first-hand. And, I also consider the painful lessons I’ve been spared by witnessing them take place in other people's lives and careers. Below are three of those stories. They are all true and some minor details and names have been changed to protect the innocent – and the not-so-innocent.
Some years ago, I found out that a multi-national management consulting company, that’s led by a very well-known author and businessman, was launching an online community. I sent an e-mail expressing interest in being notified when the community launched. When the community launched, I made sure to comment regularly and communicate my feedback – good and constructive – to the community organizer. After about two months, I noticed that the community rarely covered Internet marketing in its content. I saw this as an opportunity and offered to write a series of articles about Internet marketing for the community. After a few back-and-forth details, I became the community's first external contributor and secured a place as THE Internet marketing expert within the community.
Lesson: People who show up, express an interest, are prepared, and deliver win every time. Successful people do what other people don’t.
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Many, many years ago when online networks first became popular, I became a member of a New York-based online community. As I poked around and got the lay of the land, I encountered someone with a very interesting profile and who, at the time, had my dream job. For weeks, I watched for any activity from this person within the community and there was nothing. I decided to send a message to introduce myself. I got an instantaneous reply and a conversation ensued. Eventually, we exchanged offline contact information and our professional relationship grew. Little did I know that he was an award-winning writer and an adviser to one of the most famous music groups in history - I discovered this as I got to know him better. He became a mentor, then a confidant, and then a friend. To this day, more than 15 years later, I have learned more from him than I have from practically anyone else. He is someone whom I respect and admire, and all because I took a chance to reach out and genuinely connect.
Lesson: It’s not always about business. Always be professional, of course, and be prepared to make lifelong mentors and friends.
This didn’t happen to me but did happen to a colleague and I witnessed the whole show-down in real time. My colleague, let’s call him Greg, was putting together an off-the-cuff, irreverent seminar about social media. All the planning of this seminar was being managed through an online networking listserv. Greg sent a message to a very famous and highly-acclaimed marketing writer asking him to keynote the event – this would have been a colossal draw for potential attendees. Greg mentioned that although there wouldn’t be an honorarium, they would love to have him speak. Turns out he was available and if they would pay his travel, he’d do the keynote for free. As the messages flew back and forth (via the online community) about getting money together for the business celebrity’s keynote, someone on the organizing team mentioned the conversation on their own blog with a link back to the e-mail that indicated that the potential keynote – who normally charges in the high five figures for speaking – would speak for free. What was supposed to be a confidential conversation between the seminar organizers went public. Because of the traffic and back links, the entire melee was indexed by Google immediately - all without the knowledge and permission of the potential keynote speaker. I won’t go into the drama that ensued but, suffice it to say that the potential keynote found out about the public conversation, backed out, and was understandably completely turned off from the organization. The event failed miserably.
Lesson: Confidential conversations should never take place on a community listserve.
The reason I share these stories with you is to highlight that both good and ugly things happen when you use social media tools. Avoiding social media because you don’t want to risk having to encounter the “yucky stuff” is like refusing to check your mail because you don’t want to see your bills. You sure can avoid those bills, but you miss out on the checks, too.
Check your balance, review recent transactions and pay your bill on the go.
Lena West 1 year 2 months and 7 days ago
@Stephen:Glad I provided a valuable perspective. Congrats on getting started with social media and thanks for reading and commenting!