Social Media, as we all know, has gotten a TON of hype in the last few years. But with the hype, has come a lot of misconceptions about the tools. In many cases, I think that companies are focused too much on the tools themselves, and not realizing that these are simply new channels that allow us to quickly and easily communicate and connect with each other.
Last week in Scottsdale at the MarketingProfs Digital Marketing Mixer, I was lucky enough to meet many people who are wanting to push blogging efforts forward at their businesses. What I noticed from the people that I talked to in my one-on-one sessions was that they mostly shared two qualities; They were very curious about blogging, and very scared by it as well. It was as if they felt that they had to do something, but they weren’t sure what that ’something’ was.
And I got to thinking about that, and I realized that in a few years, these people and the companies that they work for will probably be the ones that we look back and view as being the brave ones that dove into the blogging waters. It would be so easy for these companies to say that they don’t understand blogging, and thusly dismiss it. But they knew that something so big was happening that the fear of being left behind, overcame their fear of the unknown.
On a personal level, these discussions might have been the most rewarding to me. So many of the sessions started with the frustration-tinged admission that “I don’t know what to do!” But in reality, I think most people know more about blogging than they realize. I remember telling someone the importance of going and commenting on other blogs, especially when a blogger leaves a comment on your blog. The woman thought for a second, then added, “So what you’re saying is….I should go back to their blog after they comment on my blog, and say what….’Thank You?’ ” I clarified that it was all she had to do, and reminded her that she “shouldn’t overthink this.” At one point I told one woman that “You CAN do this!” and watched as a smile and a look of relief seemed to wash over her.
You, like the good people I was lucky enough to meet at the Digital Marketing Mixer, can do this. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Great words of wisdom, as always, Mack. I agree. Find something that you are interested in and jump in. Mistakes may be made and that’s ok. Just try it out.
Good advice, Donna. This is another good point, because so many people worry about their blog ‘not being any good’ when they start. But the odds are that no one will know about your blog when you start anyway, since you won’t have an audience. So you have time to get your act together and figure out how to use the tool, before the audience arrives!
Hey, Mack. Great to finally meet you in person! Excellent advice here.
Mack, I remember you talking a few weeks ago about attending and how the difference felt between SXSW and SBMU. That the connection was different and the focus was different, how teaching made for a great conference experience for you.
It’s very awesome to see you continuing that approach for MPDM and teaching beginners that “they can do it”. I bet that was very rewarding for you!
Bravo!
Hi Mack, I am one of those people that you talked to one-on-one and I really appreciate your kind demeanor and encouragement to “just do it”. Today, I began writing the strategy for my blog. I am looking forward to what tomorrow brings.
Thanks Elaine, so good to meet you as well!
Thanks Chel, MPDM was great about having a ‘teaching environment. In fact, we turned my blog lab into a roundtable discussion about the elements of a great blog. I do this on purpose, since I usually learn more than the attendees do!
Stephanie it was great to meet you, and am catching up on my emails from the people I met in Scottsdale, will be emailing you soon!
I’m really looking forward to meeting you sometime soon and watching you in action.
I’m enjoying your passion for teaching and getting excited about the knowledge that I have an can impart as well.
Same here, Chel! Let’s plan on connecting at SXSW next year, ok?