Before we delve too deeply into this, I’d like to start from the perspective of one year ago today. At that time, I was vaguely familiar with LinkedIn, was aware of FaceBook as something that existed, and was beginning to hear folks talk about something called “Twitter“. I knew that the word “Blog” was a term for something. On the brighter side, I was pretty good with email (smile). That was about the extent of my knowledge of all things “Social Media“. This all changed in late January of 2009 when I dove in head first in an all out effort to learn all I could about this new form of communication and networking. I’ve still only scratched the surface but, eleven months later, here is what I have learned ……
The Not So Good:
- If you try to stay on top of everything that is happening at any given time, you will drive yourself crazy. The target changes too rapidly to have much hope of remaining current. Attempting to do so, without a good time management plan, will result in huge “time suck”. My time management plan wasn’t so good (smile).
- People in Social Media are merely a slice of the existing human population. If you expect that their social skills will be any more refined due to their embracing this new form of communication, things like manners, you will be sorely disappointed.
- For whatever reason, people in Social Media, and perhaps even more so than in real life, tend to be adverse to direct engagement. Odd, curious, and sad.
- I hate all things automated and particularly those communications that are obviously so: auto direct messages on Twitter, FaceBook Fan Page suggestions, and “help me with a game piece”. Not personalizing these communications is far worse than not sending them at all.
- “Get Rich Schemes” are abundant in all forms of Social Media and particularly in Twitter.
- All of this activity has an increased tendency to attract the scum of the earth who perpetuate scams, viruses, and hijacks. There will likely be an attack in progress on something you use and that will be seemingly almost daily. Best get you some good virus and malware protection.
- As soon as you learn to really count on a particular tool, it will crap out on you. Murphy’s law.
- I still have not found that one great app that really sets my heart a flutter. Mind you, I’ve seen some pretty cool stuff. WordPress is neat. Gist and Threadsy hold great promise. There’s a lot out there to like. Still, I’m a hopeless romantic who remains looking for love (smile).
- I l have not yet figured out how to monetize all of this, in a way that I want to, but I will.
The Pleasant Surprises:
- I’ve had the privilege of meeting and associating with some really cool people who have helped me greatly and taught me a lot. A number of these have developed into traditional relationships. I can say with all confidence that Social Media played a huge part in a large percentage of these associations as most of these folks do not run in my typical circles.
- Social Media has presented me with an abundance of new opportunities. As stated in item #9 in the section above, I’m still not sure what to do with these opportunities however, I am getting closer to those goals.
- NetWorks! Boise has experienced a tremendous growth spurt. We started the year with one group and in a week and a half we will have three. Once again, and I know this to be true, Social Media has played a huge part in this success. So, in actuality, I am monetizing it.
- I’ve come to recognize the great value of FaceBook. Too bad I still hate it (smile).
- Twitter is a great way to get software support. That app giving you problems? Tweet about it and find out how quickly somebody from the company will respond.
- The new Blackberry’s beat the hell out of the one I had five years ago. That was maybe the worst period of my life and I blame most of that on the purple beeping s.o.b. that was hitched to my belt during this dark chapter of time.
- My grasp of technology has increased 1,000 fold in this short period of time. This is not an exaggeration.
- The eleven months that I have spent in laying the foundation needed to move forward, will not have to be repeated. At least that is what I am praying for (smile).
2010…. It’s going to be a great year! Thanks for visiting!
Craig
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Craig M. Jamieson is a lifelong B2B salesperson, manager, owner, and a networking enthusiast. NetWorks! Boise Valley is a business to business networking organization for the most serious sales and marketing professionals only.
