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.

Michael Vick and Forgiveness….

After reading the book about life at Leavenworth prison, I’ve been thinking a lot about the question of rehabilitation and debt to society.

It came up recently as the dental hygienist and I got into a debate about Michael Vick.

As a dog lover, she said there is no way she can ever forgive Vick for what he had done. He had “crossed the line” and even paying his debt to society in the form of prison time couldn’t make her look at him anew. It didn’t’ matter how much remorse he had shown.

That raised the question of “when do people deserve a 2nd chance and when are their crimes-no matter how many years before-unforgivable?”

Child sex offenders, murderers?

Robbers/Thieves?

Shoplifting?

Which are the ones where…”ok, you made a mistake, pay up and you’re back into society?”

and which are the ones where it’s “sorry, you are marked for life.”

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…

Image via Wikipedia

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.”

Jerk Move?

I like aisle seats.

I like the space to stretch out. I like to know that I have at least one armrest.

I don’t want to be cramped in next to the window and I don’t want to have to bother people when I go to the bathroom (which happens a lot since I drink a TON of water.)

I arrived in Miami from Santiago after a 8.5 hour flight at 6am.

The flight to DC was at 8am. I got on board, sat in 20D on the aisle and all was well.

Then, a flight attendant approached me and said, “would you mind sitting in a center seat? I’m trying to sit a family together.”

I was tired. I had work to do and I certainly didn’t feel like I needed to sit in a center seat.

From what I could see, we weren’t talking about small kids because, I hadn’t really heard anything.

Of course, as a father who has traveled with children, I know how frustrating it can be.

But, I said, “actually, I do mind.”

It turns out the girls were 6 and 8 and slept the whole way. The mother sat in the aisle seat.

Had it been an infant or a toddler, I might have done otherwise, but I did feel entitled (the NFO hates that word and hates even more when I act that way) to the aisle seat.

Did I make the right call?

Being the Gossip Target…

Image via Wikipedia

There’s a concept in Judaism known as “Lashon Hara” which literally means the “evil/bad tongue.”

It refers to gossip.

And, it is considered one of the worst things in which you can engage…or encourage.

There’s a woman I know who is particularly adept at this, unfortunately.

And, I will admit, in the past, I was guilty of indulging her and even encouraging her.

Like everyone, I have my less than savory sides to my personality.

Recently, I discovered that I was the object of her “Lashon Hara.”

I felt bad and hurt. Not only because I realized the damage that was going to occur (or has already) to my reputation within her circles, but now because I realize how others have been affected by it as well.

Better late than never to learn this lesson.

And, sometimes, you have to learn the hard way.

The value of sharing...

Image by erjkprunczyk via Flickr

People often ask me why I am willing to share so much information and to share some seemingly random things with you.

Well, I guess it is because that, more often than not, it is, simply put, worth it.

Here's a trivial example.

The other day, in my post where I suggested that Maryland may be the most uniquely shaped state, I mentioned a book that I wanted to read called How the States Got Their Shapes.

Well, wouldn't you know it, but one of the people coming over for lunch the next day had it, brought it over, and lent it to me?

So, while I didn't read ALL the states, I did skim a majority of the book and I'm going to say that, when you combine the shape with some of the historical information around it, that Maryland and West Virginia would be my top two nominees.

In a previous era, there's NO way that I would have been able to share that information and then have it turn into something so useful, so quickly.

Most Unique State Shape...

Image via Wikipedia

There is no question that I'm biased on this one, but was looking at a cut-out of the state of Maryland the other day and I wondered...what state has the most unique shape?

I'm ready to argue for Maryland. So many nooks and crannies, a very narrow part in the northwest, a huge cut thanks to the Chesapeake Bay.

There's a book I added to my Amazon Wish List, but haven't read yet called How the States Got Their Shapes which I will have to check out.

Which state do you think and why?

Still not sure about Facebook?

We all know that, when it comes to purchasing decisions, we trust our friends.

This is the essence of my business around Community Driven Marketing (from the corporate side).

And this is why you need to make sure you have a strong network that is willing to refer you based on good work.

Recently, I decided that it was time to refinance my mortgage.

So, what did I do?

I updated my Facebook status.

Within 3 hours, I had 6 referrals via comments (and another 3 via email) of people whom my network trusts.

When you have a large network, you can quickly pull out information from them to make your life easier (and return the favor as well).

Obama and the Future of Race Relations in America...

Let's say Obama does win.

I'm curious...what would his victory mean for the 'race' discussion in America?

A few possibilities come to mind:

1. "ok, now that an African-American has been elected President, it's clear that America isn't a racist country, so let's move on..."

2. 'this is a good first step and the 'glass ceiling' has been broken, but there is more work to be done.'

3. 'Now race will get the attention it deserves..."

I'm just throwing out ideas here. Just wondering how it will be interpreted.

I'm done with political blogging and tweeting...

Image via WikipediaI'm tired of the snarkiness.

I saw one tweet during the debate tonight (I didn't watch it) that said,

"Four corners of the earth? Doesn't McCain know the earth is round?"

Tell me, does that really add to the debate?

Do you think that by highlighting for your network, that McCain uses a common phrase that we all use that he is somehow unworthy of office? Or stupid? Come on.

I've long preached that it's ok for people to share their opinions about politics on the 'social web' because I didn't think one would 'get punished' for their political views.

And that is still true...I think it is a sad day when someone says, "oh, you're a Republican, so I won't buy from you."
Image via Wikipedia

But, HOW you choose to present your and your opinions DOES make a difference.

If you keep putting out updates/posts/tweets telling me "how stupid Sarah Palin is," I am going to start thinking that you are small-minded.

There are smart marketing minds out there for whom I've lost a lot of personal (even though I don't know them personally, of course) respect by the way they've presented their cases for their candidates (on both sides).

Seriously, I don't care that you want to vote for Obama. Great. You should. You should argue your case. But, do it on the merits. Don't make your point with little comments that are the hallmarks of 4th graders.

Leave that to the campaign manager and their "I approve this message" ads.

Their brands will be gone in 4 weeks. Yours will last forever.

As for me, I'm done for now. People get too emotional and the rational discussion is gone.

One day, we'll figure out how to have good political discussion online/virtually and I'll keep looking for the right tools to do it.