A Meeting 3.5 Years in the Making---Thank You Social Media

I’ve had some great moments when it comes to having “social media friends” that I meet online and, then, at some point, I meet them in person, but this one may be the best.
And, it proves just HOW valuable these social tools can be.
About 3.5 years ago, Monique Elwell introduced me to Aliza Sherman.
We exchanged emails and decided we would meet up at the upcoming 140 Conference in NYC put on by Jeff Pulver.
That didn’t happen.
But over time, distance, Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, we stayed in touch.
I have a HUGE amount of respect for her deep understanding of how social tools change the way society operates.
Now, there are many unique things about Aliza, but one of them is that she lives in Tok, Alaska.
Of course, when I visited Alaska last September, my first thought was “finally, I get to meet Aliza.”
Unfortunately, whereas we all might think “oh, Alaska is Alaska,” in fact, Tok is 7 hours by car from Anchorage.
So, it didn’t happen…again
She did, however, introduce me to Tyler Arnold, the man who epiotmizes the idea of the “world is flat,” and her brand value continued to grow in my eyes.
(Aliza’s ability to run a Global MicroBrand from Tok is a close 2nd).
Still, we hadn’t met and given her relatively distant location from me, it didn’t seem likely that we would just “cross paths.”
Until I showed up at BWI airport on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.
Like any good netizen, I was looking for an outlet to charge my various devices and I spotted one where only one plug was being used.
It was connected to a Mac.
Next to the Mac was an iPhone.
I looked at the woman using the Mac and said, “Man, that looks a hell of a lot like Aliza Sherman,” but since my only image of her was her Twitter profile pic, I hesitated. (Also, I mean, what are the odds of someone from Alaska being at BWI in the middle of the day on a random Tuesday?)
Then, I did what any good social media maniac would do, I checked Foursquare to see if she had checked in (she hadn’t, though I had…1 point for me )
Checked Twitter under her profile…nothing.
Finally, I pulled up her contact card (funny, how this was the last thing) and figured I’d call her to see if her phone rang (but I didn’t have her cell number, just an email).
Then, I said to myself, “this is dumb…worst case scenario, it’s not and I have 2 seconds of embarrassment.”
I walked over and as I did, she smiled.
She knew as well…from my Twitter profile pic.
So, 3.5 years, countless emails, FB posts, Twitter updates, blog posts, and more…and the personal connection was made.
The tools didn’t make the connection, but the connection was only possible because of the tools.
That’s was so exciting and revolutionary about today.

How do you know Josh? A Social Network Story

My brother is interning at Dell this summer in Round Rock, TX.

Being the “connector” that I am/wish to be, I suggested that he meet a friend of mine, Josh Duncan, who lives in the Austin area and used to work at Dell.

A few days ago, after they met, Barak called me and asked: “How do you know Josh?”

“You know,” I replied, “I’ve actually never met him in person, but…”

• 3 years ago, he commented on a blog post I wrote
• that led to an email exchange, which led to
• a phone call
• then, I started reading his blog
• we friended each other on Facebook, LinkedIn
• and followed each other on Twitter
• he joined a conference call I hosted for “friends of Never Stop Marketing”
• and then we did a Skype interview about my eBook for his blog

Over time, we’ve brokered introductions to other members of our network for each other.

There are those who decry the advent of social technologies, in that it takes us away from “real” human relationships. That certainly happens.

But, the other side happens as well.

And we’re all richer for it.

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How to Show You Care in the Digital Age…

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One of the fantastic things about the digital and social networking age is how easy it is for you to tell all of your friends about good news and bad.

When we know about it, we can DO something about it.

Case in point.

Paco’s recent appendectomy.

Between the blog and Facebook, hundreds of people knew what was going on and many people stepped up to help in a HUGE way…bringing over food, helping out with the kids, etc.

It was great and clutch.

But, there’s a flip side and I think it’s something we all should remember.

I don’t want this to come off as insensitive, ungrateful, or uncaring.

In fact, the point is the opposite one.

When we see a notification that someone is sick, it’s one thing to say “how can I help?”

or “here’s what I am going to do?”

It’s another to send an IM/email/FB message/tweet that just asks “How is the patient doing?”

Why?

I think it creates a burden for the recipient.

On the one hand, that person is dealing with a family tragedy/medical situation, whatever.

On the other, they certainly appreciate the fact that you sent the note and you cared enough to do so.

But, responding to 10, 20, 50 messsages asking “How is he doing?” becomes overwhelming and can pull you away from the more important task of caring for your family.

But, NOT responding could leave the person with the feeling of “hey, he didn’t even care enough about me to respond!”

What I am going to do….

You are free to do whatever you wish, of course, but in situations where I can’t really DO anything to help, my new approach is going to be:

“Hey, I’m thinking about you and your situation. I hope it gets better (or whatever). PLEASE do not feel the obligation to respond to this message.”

Social Media and the Extrovert Project

My friend Chris wants me to blog on the idea of “do you need to be an extrovert to successfully use social media?”

Answer: No.

What you need is passion and a desire to share that passion.

Social media isn’t about you. It’s about serving your friends by helping them see the world in a new way.

If you are an introvert and you love insects, then share cool pictures of insects or interesting facts or great articles about how important they are.

You don’t need to be an extrovert to do that.

Getting out of the echo chamber...

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On a day to day basis, you know the things that I think about.

Suicide prevention is not one of them.

It's not that I don't think it's important, it's just that it's not top of mind.

A few weeks ago, blogreader/friend Aaron reached out to me and asked if I'd like to participate in a blue-ribbon workshop sponsored by a number of orgs on how to use social media to help further the cause of suicide prevention.

I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, it is certainly a worthwhile discussion, on the flip side, it's kind of outside of my "wheelhouse" and I wasn't sure that it would benefit the business (and right now, pro-bono time is limited...sorry, I'm a start-up.)

I thought I would have something to add and Aaron also suggested (rightly) that it would be a good networking event.

Sure, during the introductions I encouraged those Tweeters in the group to agree on a hashtag...and then during lunch, I gave an impromptu lesson on Twitter for the audience, but the real value?

Getting outside of my comfort zone.

Meeting a whole range of folks who aren't digerati, aren't marketers, aren't business folks, but who have a serious problem and are looking for serious answers on how to use something that I'm familiar with to save some of the 33,000 people who die each year because of suicide.

I heard a heart-wrenching stories from Debbie Johnston, whose 15 year old son took his own life as a result of "bully-cide."  She's leading the charge for a new law in Florida, called Jeff's law to untie the hands of school officials to intervene earlier and faster through her organization, Thursday's Child.

I think it's really important to step away from your natural community when you can to meet with others who don't live and breathe the same air that you do...it opens horizons and helps you challenge some assumptions.

Thank you, Aaron for endorsing me to be a member of this workgroup and to all of the folks who used the #spsum tag. Made for an even more interesting day.

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