chrisbrogan.com - Latest Comments in Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

QuickColorado — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:25:59 -0000

I would have thought of your suggestions as common sense. I guess not everybody sees things our way?!

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Conn Fishburn — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:42:48 -0000

Chris,

Thanks for the mention, I've found that when approaching organizations about how to market in this new environment that it's important to literally reset their thinking about how marketing and media work today, that "social media" is really an opportunity to destroy the business/culture divide and help brands understand that they are part of their customers' lives and that their customers are part of theirs and that companies need to understand that it's a choice that keeps them in their customers lives, so they should behave accordingly, with civility.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

daniellegrossi — Sun, 17 May 2009 05:56:27 -0000

I'm just learning the ropes myself as I've only been active with social media for about two years maybe. I love this post. It's so true. Only thing is, even if you do try to make a true connection (for example via twitter) aka "bringing wine to the picnic" you sometimes still get ignored. Why is that? Is it because that tweeter has a bazillion followers and can't manage all the @replies or because he/she doesn't care about connections (sad)?

Not sure, anyway I think your 15:1 rule is really good, definitely a great guideline for all.

Since you asked :), one thing I've tried to promote (and will continue to promote) is our Charity Tweetup Tour, which you've already RTed for me, thank you! I'm leery of asking for RTs because I DON'T want to come across as spammy. I'm just grateful for all that I have and want to give back, preferably invoking a global movement of tweeters who want to give back too! Despite the financial crisis, we still have more than others in countries of true poverty. We shouldn't forget that!

Also, regarding my biz, I tend to talk about our target groups' problems (talking to the pain), and offering my solutions just based on my own experience, which tends to build a good connection.

Sorry for rambling :-)

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

mehmet cihangir — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:02:49 -0000

its clear that this is the best case and best post i have ever read about social media... thanks Chris... i'll imagine the picnic each time i share smth... even with this comment :)

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Chuck Duncan — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:22:58 -0000

Thanks Chris. I've never been that guy, but at the same time, I have yet to take anything from the media. I see it as a giving thing. There's that trust and respect approach. When and how do you actually benefit from it. I've always been reluctant to ask for help or even seek an advantage. Got to get comfortable and specific about what I'm looking to receive. Got ways to do that?

Cheers.
Chuck

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Roger Pynn — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:04:31 -0000

As one who always worries about being THAT guy in any situation, the social media picnic has made me even more paranoid ... and yet it somehow has this beautiful policing power that seems to make us more socially sensitive. It amplifies the gaffes THAT guys make in an environment where it is so easy and so much more fun to laugh at. After all, THAT guy who talked your ear off about his latest brainstorm at the cocktail party last night (probably after two many drinks) was funny but you didn't laugh in his face. If he walked into the room here however we'd all be RAOTFLMAO. And we avoid the spilled beer.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Roberto — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:01:58 -0000

Great post!!!

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Yianni Garcia — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:35:08 -0000

I think I might be THAT guy. Am I? Chris, you've got me thinking.

Am I the social media guy or am I THAT social media guy? Adding value to the people I engage with, whether to raise awareness of my start-up or simply share news about things we're both interested in, has always been my goal when doing outreach. However, I worked in agencies for years, often times on accounts I wasn't passionate about. Passion for my craft drives my motivation and when I'm forced to use my craft (social media) to raise awareness about things I don't truly cares about... Well that's when I become THAT guy.

Get me talking about start-ups, education technology, green technology, web 2.0, cars, NYC, and fashion and you're in for a engaging dialogue. You'll be talking to THE social media guy.

And if you're wondering about my start-up check out gradegurublog.com

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Rehuel — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:48:16 -0000

This is the reason why I don't auto follow new followers on Twitter. I check their profile first to see if they're that guy. I kinda avoid people who only tweet links to articles and sites etc, and have little or no meaningful conversation.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Skreubatron — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:57:38 -0000

Great article! First time I've saw your blog (found a link at the t-shirt forums) and I am impressed!
Really wish more people would reach out and lend a hand, instead of being "that guy" all the time. Sure, I ask for stuff sometimes, mostly just to promote when I'm in a contest or when I'm throwing a contest. I mean when using social media, most of the time the business name is in the social media name - myspace(.)com/xyz or whatever. No reason to spam the life out of people! Just talk and listen.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Hannes — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:31:16 -0000

@ryancmiller,

Hi Ryan, you could do what 'that Guy' doesn't do:
- listen
- help him figure out what he really needs (attention) and why he needs it
- honestly say how you feel, what your needs are and tell what you like about a real conversation

When I'm 'that Guy' (yes I admit) I'm always glad when someone shows me how it can be done in a different, non-that-guy-way, when someone holds up a mirror, not to mock me, but to help me find out what I'm doing and how I can change this. You see, when I'm 'that Guy'ing it's usually because I'm feeling insecure. Seeing someone who recognizes that and respects that helps a lot.

Have a great day,

Hannes

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

ryancmiller — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:56:57 -0000

Chris,

What you just wrote is like a social media etiquette manifesto. I'm totally not surprised by the 100 comments. We all know 'that guy' and most of us at one point or another have been 'that guy'. Hope this Picnic Mentality gets passed around and far and wide. Thanks again for another insightful post.

Question for the group though. Is there the best way to react to 'that guy'? Do we just send him to Chris' post, call them out, or do our best to ignore them? I'd be curious as to what you all do when you encounter this kind of person at Your Picnic.

@ryancmiller

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Carlo — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:59:29 -0000

Hi Chris. This is a great post in trying to understand how some of the dynamics within social media works. It's also a great thing to see how there seems to be an attitude that returns to village mentality, where a person has to contribute to be part of a community (and a genuine contribution, at least). But there will always be people who abuse the new reach social media has given them (like in many other circumstances). I don't think this will give a "playbook" that they can use either.

I am just stepping into the high-paced world of social media and I'm glad to find someone who can break it down to easy to understand bits. It shows that you really know your stuff.

Thanks.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Hannes — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:18:00 -0000

Hi Chris, man what a must-read. It's so tempting to just 'start talking' as it seems like this is what everyone does with social media. It's easy to forget that your talk is only worth as much as the listening it gets.

I've recently started writing about the power of Listening and how it can be your most powerful tool when writing stories, when marketing your product or when using social media.

I was going to write that you could add Listening to your list, but then again a great listener understands that listening is what you talk about without even mentioning it literally.

So, no, nothing to add but praise. It's great to be around here.

Hannes

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

imjustagoyle — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:34:07 -0000

I love this post, Chris. There is a person I'm connected to on LinkedIn who's "that guy" and he drives me NUTS. Every email from him (which I receive usually no less than 4 times a week) is about HIS thing, every post in multiple groups is exactly the same and it's all cloaked under an emotion evoking subject line or premise. I see right through it and it irks me. Your post is dead on and he could learn a few lessons from it. It's a shame he's too busy "promoting" to be reading.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Conrad Theart — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:52:26 -0000

Awesome stuff! Great to be learning from a leader like you.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Marsha Collier — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:23:38 -0000

Chris, Thank you for this post, the community needed to hear this. "That Guy" syndrome pervades the web and Twitter posts like this are unprofessional..

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Eva — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 06:41:02 -0000

thank you ~ of all the people I have followed since joining twitter I have learned the most from you...and continue to do so. Thankfully I dont need to be "that guy" as I am not selling a product ~ but I have learned so much about online relationships that can be quite complex in this "global village" . Still have a long way to go.

Your birthday party was a laugh...

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Nathan Hangen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:49:49 -0000

Brilliant and well-timed post Chris. I still struggle with this from time to time, but I think there is learning curve involved. This is new ground for all of us, and it can be difficult finding your voice. It is even more difficult to keep your voice from getting lost among the noise.

The thing about social media, is there are a lot of cliques and groupies and it is tough to join the picnic. I'm tired of hearing about people I should follow or that are so "brilliant," yet they are nothing more than self-promoters that are allowed to get away with it. I'd almost be willing to bet that there is a double standard when it comes to marketing on these mediums. If you aren't one of the "cool guys," then you don't get to play.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Carolyn Marshall — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:05:52 -0000

Point # 1: Excellent post, Chris. And to your point # 2, I happened across your post on Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog.

Very good advice which I will, in turn, pass along to others (points # 2 & 7).

Thanks!

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

claudio alegre — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:42:45 -0000

I rarely comment on a post more than once unless a conversation is sparked, but I gotta say that Chris might have just laid out a basic foundation for the proper approach to SM if its to be done the right way.

I for one plan to link back to this post from my blog as a must read piece and a vital reference for anyone interested in understanding the correct behavioral model that should be associated with the most effective way to approach Social Media.

thx again Chris

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Jared O'Toole — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:34:59 -0000

I've found it hard to figure out just how much to promote my stuff on twitter. I've started to realize that the system moves so fast %95 of the people following me won't see a particular tweet, especially if I am sending a lot of tweets. So I've started to think that mentioning my stuff more often isn't a bad thing because most people don't see when I mention it before. Just to be clear I'm not trying to spam. But my followers will actually tell me they wish they knew about our new contest and I should have said something. Well I did send out 5 tweets about it but they all got lost in the noise.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Philip Van Peborgh — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:55:05 -0000

Thanks Chris, great post. I've paid the rent for nearly 20 years by persuading people to hire me as a freelancer or buy from me as a sales guy.

After being subjected to all types of advice on how to sell I've boiled it down to this rule. Having been professionally with social media over the past few months I think it applies equally as well.

Solve the customers issue (even if you don't gain from it).

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Rob — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:54:53 -0000

Chris,
If I can only read one blog a day going forward, it has to be yours. As a sales guy one needs to be a bit pushy, but there is a huge difference between being 'that guy' and closing. Closing only happens after you have shared the wine. Thanks for the insight and wisdom.

Re: Pirate Moves- Promoting Without Being That Guy

Barb Giamanco — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:58:50 -0000

Having spent my entire corporate career in sales before starting my own business, I love that Chris reinforces the simple and powerful message that it is about building relationships. That's as true off line, as it is online. Nobody likes "that guy" at a local networking event any more than they like him/her online. Excellent post!

As for a few of the comments about people being worried that we are giving "that guy" the play book for how to behave online...I don't think we need to worry. Because the truth is that "that guy" actually doesn't get it and probably never will:)