Being one of those “early adopters” pretty consistently, I’m surprised when I talk to people who still don’t “get” social media. Some apparently see it as vanity or time-wasting behavior – maybe just another alternative to video gaming. (And I’m not just talking about my Mom here. There are actually some people in business who are still skeptical about the value of social media.) And then there are others who are stuck on the benefits and format of one particular SocMed app, while completely ignoring the important utilities and potential of other platforms.
For instance, this weekend I spoke with a friend of mine who works in various aspects of film production, is a strong networker with a highly developed social consciousness and is an active Facebook user. And the moment I mentioned Twitter, he proceeded to rip on it. In fact he didn’t even really want to hear what I had to say about the value of it. His big objection was you can’t say anything worthwhile in 140 characters or less (which is even more ridiculous considering the brevity of most of his Facebook posts). But seriously, you can link to anything online with Twitter. The content you’re referencing can be hosted anywhere: YouTube, iTunes, your blog, your website, etc. He still didn’t really get it.
I thought after the Iran election protests that everyone in this country would get it. Now you can know instantly, in real time, from real people (not just official government spokespeople or paid media, or anyone else with a particular agenda) – what the heck is going on anywhere in the world: see the photos, the video, hear from people on the streets. Atrocities cannot continue completely behind closed doors anymore, at least not on a large scale. And people with common interests can easily find each other, communicate and network.
Facebook is great for connecting with people you already know, or re-connecting with long-lost friends. It’s the best thing that has happened to alumni groups and old grade school ball teams ever. And you can share a lot of great content together. But when it comes to finding new people who are thought leaders and/or fellow enthusiasts in a topic of interest to you, there’s nothing better than Twitter. And to find out what’s going on in the world right now, what topics people are talking about and what they’re saying, it’s Twitter all the way.
Those who do get it are actually just as busy offline with Twitter-related opportunities as they are online. I met this past week with Yuri Artibise, a local blogger who worked on social policy in government for years before getting laid off — and who makes it a point to meet at least one Twitter connection in person every week. At first I didn’t know what we were going to talk about or what value might come out of the meeting, but because we came together through a common interest in social engagement, I found out pretty quickly that this was a good use of my time. He told me about a local group that meets specifically to brainstorm solutions to social and other problems, and then actually works out next steps, and is accountable to each other for follow-up. Wow, things could really change this way – boy howdy!
A lot is made in social media circles of one of its hot buzzwords: authenticity. This may be a foreign concept to those few intrepid souls who don’t tone themselves down for anyone. But for those of us who have squelched aspects of our own personality, uniqueness, somewhat colorful (or even off-color) humor and varied set of experiences that have made us who we are — in order to fit neatly and acceptably into a corporate (or similar) environment, immediately and instinctively know what this concept of authenticity is all about — and why it’s so important.
People are dying inside — killing off much of the best parts of themselves: creativity, passion, fire — in the name of being what? Socially acceptable? Promotable? Uncontroversial choices for some manner of favor?
Massive layoffs, corporate malfeasance, and devastation of entire industries has shaken up these allegiances — and given large amounts of people excellent reason and opportunity to question the wisdom of stifling themselves for dubious gain. The loss of status involved in a layoff and/or long-term unemployment used to be something people were advised to hide and be ashamed of. But all this free-floating talent out there can now network and create their own projects, ventures and opportunities.
Another key SocMed concept is connection. People are starving for it — and I believe that’s why social media has grown so explosively.
The unconditional embrace in the U.S. and elsewhere of personal independence as a supreme ideal in so many aspects of our society has caused a fracturing of social structures as fundamental as family and community. People had become very transitory in each other’s lives. It was all about business and getting ahead — going wherever the money was to be made. Families and friends — each other’s “tribes” so to speak — were scattered to the winds. Allegiances were forged and broken again and again, as companies laid people off from jobs, or people moved from job to job on their own steam, hoping to climb the career ladder faster than their peers. Genuine personal connection, and the power of like-minded people joining together for a cause – any cause – is making a comeback big time. And the platform for this comeback, interestingly, is the same one that first started the fracturing: computers. Oddly poetic.
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View Comments to “Online Leads to Offline Community”
This is a great post and I completely agree on every point. Thanks for putting this into words!
Well stated description of Twitter and its usefulness. I've run into the same problem before, an avid Facebook user who has already made up their mind that “Twitter is useless” without even knowing much about it. The flawed view that Twitter is just about boring, every day life updates still permeates in the masses. I try to explain to people that it's simply a communication medium, just like email.
So much of this is about remaining relevant.
And you have two schools of people – the ones that are in it to promote business (and themselves) and the ones who mainly poke at each other – usually to see who is “right” but also to be … relevant.
The thing I find so amazing about SM is really the amount of time it takes to remain important. I mean…if you don't tweet every day, you lose your spot in the twitter feed and be damned if you try to catch up. However, you have the tweeters who have “set” their tweets to go out automatically – does that make them more or less relevant if they aren't actually hitting the “tweet” button?
I tried to enforce the “no phones” Friday night with seven people a few weeks ago. We lasted…twelve seconds.
Pretty well written.
Here's my take on social media (and I'm an ad agency creative director): It's for you, the early adopters, to ratchet up their cool factor. That said, it's a valuable tool, in my opinion, for people who consume it wisely, meaning they're not plugged in 24/7.
Type A's or those with highly addictive personalities consume social media at an alarming rate. While social media (or as the former-CEO of my former agency used to call it, social marketing) is part of the fabric of most of the world, you weirdos need to know there's still a real world out there… A real world with plants and beaches and if you ever go back to the real planet, you'll blog about it, post pics to Facebook and Skype from Phi Phi, Thailand, so I guess everything I said is moot. LOL
Thanks, Michele! I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment!
Thanks for the comments, everyone!
Being someone who's (relatively) new to social media, I find the idea that global village is shrinking very exciting! And like you said, we're finally hearing about what's really going on, directly from the people participating. I just wish we could vote for president the same way we vote for the next American Idol! As far as Twitter goes, the only really problem I have with it is that I don't have that much to say to the world.In my quest to be authentic, I find that I am really not that interesting… *sigh* oh well
Trust me, Rebecca – you're plenty interesting!
This is spot on, Colleen. As someone who wasn't too actively involved in the Twitter world, I was given a great opportunity to become engulfed in the Twitter madness – and I was amazed. Before that, if you asked me about social media it was Facebook Facebook Facebook. After becoming much more familiar with Twitter, however, I realized there are GIANT benefits of using it; the tip of the iceberg being exposure generation.
This is a well written entry, keep it up!
- Ryan
Terrific post, Colleen! You are spot on. I can honestly say that I would not have all the many opportunities I have today or made so many friends around my interests had it not been for Twitter. I think I will have to write a post about all the people that have moved from Twitter to offline relationships. Curious to hear about others who have met their Twitter friends in real life? Please add your thoughts to this post: http://bit.ly/99mNCe Hope to meet you my friend IRL soon!
Thanks, Angela! And I would love to get to meet you IRL. Occasionally I make it out to Florida. Have never been to Cleveland, but am from Detroit – so I still go back there. Ever make it out to AZ?