November 18th, 2009
We’ve all heard the saying right? “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” Usually this phrase in uttered in a different context (I hope you know what I’m talking about) but just work with me on this. Try to look at this from a social business standpoint and ask yourself what’s more important, the players or the game? The players are the users of the various social business tools and applications and the “game” refers to the platforms and tools themselves.
The “game” gives us unique opportunities to connect with people and build relationships but the players are the one’s that actually need to make those connections happen. There are a lot of platforms and tools that exist today and there are millions of people and companies who have created accounts on various platforms. However, we need more players to actually make these relationships and connections meaningful.
It’s great to have a large network but that network is only as good as the relationships that you can build from within it. The Game has changed and we can do incredible things but it takes players to really make something happen. Here are a few examples of what I mean:
- Next time you travel to a conference or an event take a look at your Linkedin and Facebook profiles to see what connections you might have in that area, then set up an in person meeting (I’ve done this on many occasions)
- Look to your network for career opportunities or to hire folks to join your team, Chess Media Group hired Sonny Gill because of the online relationship I had with him. We’re continuing to grow and guess where are employees are going to come from?
- Take a look at what companies you are connected to on Linkedin and who from those companies you are connected to, start reaching out and building opportunities. Take a look at all of your connections that are in your geographical area, again, set up in person meetings with them if you can (and if it makes sense to do so).
- Ask your network for help or for introductions to people you need to connect with, but remember to return the favor
I’m sure you have many other ideas. The game is out there, start playing it player!
TAGS: building connections, building relationships, players, social media, the game
October 9th, 2009
(image from shutterstock)
Sometimes I wonder what the world is going to look like in a few years. Are we going to write letters to each other anymore? Is cursive writing that I learned in elementary school going to completely die out? Sometimes we get so absorbed with the rapid pace of technology that we forget about the most important aspect of any relationship…offline interaction. Remember that scene in Wall-E where everyone is cruising around in their little chairs? Is that going to happen? I hope not.
I’m traveling to DC in a few hours to meet with John Bell who runs digital strategy over at Ogilvy. I’m also going to meet with Scott Johnson who runs Rock Creek Strategy; a strategic marketing consultancy. Yes, I will be going visit a few good friends of mine as well.
I’ve never met John or Scott in person. I’ve had somewhat of an online relationship with John over the past few months and I’ve never had any interaction with Scott at all. After I booked my flight to DC I went through my network of connections on Linkedin and Twitter and reached out to a few folks that were located in DC; as a result I have in person meetings set up. It’s amazing to really think about how valuable and powerful social media platforms are. I’m traveling across the country to a place I have never visited before to meet with 2 people that I have never met before.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. “He who has the most connections when he dies, does not win.” The size of your network is absolutely meaningless; it’s the quality of your network that matters. I love chatting on the phone or meeting people in person that I’m connected to online; it makes the relationship stronger. Granted online relationships do make offline relationships a bit more personable; you still need to take those relationships offline.
It’s great to see that social media drives more traffic to your site or helps you make money for your business. What you really need to realize is that everyone you are connected with online is an actual person that exists offline; collecting a database of names and connections won’t do you much good. Real business opportunities and relationships are formed when conversations and interactions are brought to a more personal level. I’m approach this not from a sales angle or from a marketing angle, but from a PERSON angle.
Be human, go offline, and build your relationships…don’t worry, twitter and facebook will be there when you get back.
TAGS: building relationships, going offline, offline networking, online networking
October 15th, 2008
First of all, exciting news. I was selected to contribute to Online Marketing Connect, which is a site for marketing experts to share their ideas and knowledge. As the site puts it:
“Online marketing for marketers is a new destination that brings together the very best minds in marketing to contribute news, ideas, strategies, commentary, insights, [...]
TAGS: building relationships, most important thing in marketing, online marketing, relationship marketing, Social Media Marketing
