Social Media Changes Lives - What's Your Story?
10/23/2008
Hey Shel, I need to change the answer to your question:
4. How has it changed you? -
Answered: I think I’m still the same person I was before I began .. blah blah blah
In 2005, Shel Israel interviewed me for the book Naked Conversations. Most of my responses (a few were even a bit controversial) about blogging apply to social media marketing in 2008. But three years later question #4 would have a different response.
Last week driving back from speaking about social media to Jennifer Giffith's advertising class at the University of Georgia (UGA) I had a few extra minutes .. well several since I once again got lost getting on 316 back to Atlanta. (The students were amazing, our conversation was energize, I have a few new Facebook friends and Pamela Petersen even launched a blog - Advertising Media and Marketing Explored.)
I realized that the experiences from social media, including talking to terrific college students, influenced who I am from the "me" of pre social media days 2004 to the "me" of 2008. So my answer to Shel's question would be different today; because of the lessons learned I have changed ..
- Trust - in myself
- Trust - in the community that people will help you get it "right." Right may not be the direction you began with but frequently results in is a stronger outcome. People have different truths and that's okay.
- Acceptance - accepting ideas from people when I didn't ask for feedback.
- Patience - not everyone will "get" social the first time.
- Passion - for an industry that I love and belief that ii will influence better marketing and better business.
- Growth - personal and professional as a result of the people I've met.
- Humility - the responses and feedback from the communities online and offline are energizing while humbling
It's not all about me. It's all about You .. and it's all about Us together.
In May 2006, I launched a special website and called it Blogger Stories. I was fascinated by the way social media was influencing and changing people's lives .. one by one. I wanted to create an environment to tell those stories .. your stories.
There are
78 stories or chapters that include many business bloggers including Shel Israel. There are also mommy bloggers who helped Katrina Hurricane people, an American poet, authors turned bloggers and bloggers turned authors. There are people from Europe, the Far East, the United States and Canada as well as Australia and New Zealand. Blogger Stories was even highlighted in Bob Walsh's book Clear Blogging.
What makes Blogger Stories unique is that the stories are told by the people in their own words. People who have told their stories include:
* Alex Genana
* Allison Gower
* Andy Hayler
* Andy Howard
* Ann Handley
* Average Jane
* Beth Kephart
* BL Ochman
* Bob Walsh
* Carol Krishner
* Chloe Spencer
* Christelle Alexandre
* Cooper Munroe
* David Armano
* Debbie Weil
* Deborah Carraro
* Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff
* Des Walsh
* Donna Lyons-Miller
* Easton Ellsworth
* Ed Garsten
* Emily McKahann
* Geoff Livingston
* Gil C. Schmidt
* Holly Buchanan
* Ilise Benun
* J. D. Matthews
* Jack Yan
* Jane Genova
* Jayvee Fernandez
* Jeremy Wright
* Jody DeVere
* John Cass
* Jonathan Danylko
* Kalyn Denny
* Katie Delahaye Paine
* Kim Klaver
* Kristen Havens
* Kristie T
* Lewis Green
* Lisa Nichols
* Lois Kelly
* Lynda Lippin
* Mack Collier
* Marianne Richmond
* Mary Hunt
* Melissa Fletcher
* Meryl K. Evans
* Michele Lessiard
* Mike & Benjamin Yoskovitz
* Mike Sansone
* Mille, My Mom's Blog
* Monica Ricci
* Nadia Muna Gil
* Nedra Weinreich
* Nettie Hardstock
* Nichelle Stephens
* Nick Jacobs
* Pamela Slim
* Patricia Skinner
* Peggy Payne
* Peter Kim
* Pinny Gniwisch
* Richard Edelman
* Rico Mossegeld
* Rita Arens
* Robert Bruce
* Ruth Daniels
* Shel Israel
* Sherry Heyl
* Stephan Spencer
* Sybil F. Stershic
* Tammy Powley
* Tim Jackson
* Tris Hussey
* Valeria Maltoni
* Wendy Maynard
* Yvonne DiVita
So .. getting back to Shel's question #4. How has social media changed (or influenced) your life? What is your blogger story? Drop a comment if you want to tell your story. If you know people who have a great story to tell .. please pass along.
