Chris, there you go leading by example again! This post asks so many questions. You give each reader multiple opportunities to jump into the conversation. And then you hit us up on DM to top it all off. That's what got me hear tonight. Great example, Mr. Brogan.
Christine
· 10 months ago
Well put, Chris. I have seen many people, some even friends of mine, who want to understand social media, but seem reluctant to "mingle with others." But, like you said, you can get more meaningful connections by participating in the conversations. Thanks for the post. Yet another helpful reminder.
Bean
· 10 months ago
Thanks for this article. I teach blogging and this is hands down the most difficult and I think the most important concept to convey to my students. So many beginners focus on the shiny widgets, cool themes and want to know when the money is going to start rolling in. It is the conversation and discovery of ideas and interests that intrigue me. Conversation is so fluid and dynamic, it is so much easier to teach something concrete like upload this file here to make this appear. I appreciate how this article gives specific actions to increase interaction with readers/customers. I am definitely passing this article link to my students tomorrow. :)
ckanal
· 10 months ago
This is a really great post. The Chicago Tribune recently had a story on the media industry's troubles...loved one of the comments on the article. Paraphrase: What happened to the days you could call a newspaper and talk to an actual person, chat with a reporter, or get a response to your mail to a journalist? Today, this poster argued, media is putting up a wall---contact info is hard to find on web sites, and when you do email, you don't hear back. Goes along with what you're talking about - interaction with your audience is KEY.
Michelle Jayes
· 10 months ago
This post gives one a lot to think about. Interaction with people is very important but not only talking the key is listening to what they have to say as well.
John Michael Cannon
· 10 months ago
Once I focused on talking to people and reaching out to help, my online experience became much more meaningful to me.
Now, it's not Twitter that I miss, but the people and the positive impact we can have on each other's lives... and have FUN with each other. It's great!
There is so much opportunity here for those who will stick it out and keep learning.
Today, I started chatting with @leedman on Twitter, then on Skype and the guy spent tons of time with me and taught me so much. I'll be able to help even more people because because of him. How cool is that?
Times like that are priceless and meaningful to me. The positive ripple effect it will have on the rest of my life and others is fascinating.
Helping and being helped rule in this online social world.
-John
rumblepup
· 10 months ago
I have to admit that at times, I've been a constant salesman, always using every avenue, including social, to promote my site or my offerings. It's difficult being a retailer and not always being on the sale, especially when your life is tied up in your business. But over the past year, I've realized that this new social interaction is a wonderful pool of opportunity and growth. Breaking through the monitor in ways that only we dreamed about in the past, these new connections we make, if we make them honestly both to ourselves and to our audience, will benefit us and our new found tribe in ways that we just don't know yet. I think that your title, "The Goal is the Interaction" is perfect. Someday, when we have and idea of how far we can reach, you might need to follow up with "The benefits of our Goals."
Andrea Tannouri
· 10 months ago
Hi Chris! Thanks for the timely post. I RT'd it from @VA4hire and DM'd the ppl I noticed were way off the mark w/ their tweets. They just haven't been properly edwicated yet!
You rock, I am a big fan since your video abt not being afraid to approach you. =) Peace, @HolisticMamma
stevenimmons
· 10 months ago
I was talking about Dale Carnegie on Twitter the other day, and I wish he were around now to write a book on modern communications. Oh wait, it probably wouldn't differ much from his existing masterpiece. The focus on others is paramount. 'From the pulpit' communications seems simpler for people though, and I would admit this is a bad habit I fall into more frequently than I would like to. Review of approach and tools is very wise, I recently cut back on quite a number of sites to enrich discussion on sites where I was more active. No point simply having a bigger field if the crops are failing.
Ricardo Bueno
· 10 months ago
Re: "Now, which face are you showing through your online presence? Are you the live and participatory, the sharing and thoughtful, or are you a one way street?"
I think we should ask ourselves that very question ever time we sit at the computer and get down to business.
brandonacox
· 10 months ago
Chris, great point! John Maxwell says often that one of the secrets to leadership is to "walk slowly through a crowd." The interactions we have and the interest we show to others is really what leadership is, rather than simply lecturing from an ivory tower. I'm learning and beginning to get it - thanks for the help!
Kelly
· 10 months ago
Chris,
Nice post. At my blog, I have two rules: Never say it all, and Always ask how it relates to our own lives. Works like a charm for encouraging interaction. It's a conversation, and I think that's the secret of the blog's growth.
When I'm out and about, my rule is Leave a comment that moves the conversation forward. If I don't have time to consider deeply and be relevant, I'd rather not comment that day. I want to read and be a part of other blog conversations that are as engaged as the ones at MCE, so absolutely—engaged interaction or wait 'til next time.
Regards,
Kelly
Jeff Brown
· 10 months ago
Your post today articulates exactly how I feel. A post I published Friday specific to Twitter highlights the same sort of thinking. Reading your post today helped encourage me that I'm on the right track. Thank you.
Chance Black
· 10 months ago
I want to start blogging. A friend suggested your blog as one to read as a great example. I am thoroughly loving it. This post was great. I was struggling with writing a post about a unique customer I have. She is interesting to me but I wonder if the story will interest others. Now I will end the post with "what unique people have impacted your view of life?" Thanks
Young Che
· 10 months ago
Peace Fam, I spend loads of time online learning from others. I also make a concerted effort to share what I've learned via blog, Twitter, email or in person. It's still a little odd to me that so many people you mention blogging or Twitter to don't really get it. And friends of mine who have businesses automatically turn the conversation into "How can you make this stuff deliver for my product or service?" Well....
Dale Bohman
· 10 months ago
Great post. It is really interesting the way current social media is changing everything. Marketing used to be about corporations telling us how great their product is and shoving it down our throats. But information is now shared sideways. Companies now have to provide a good product because it WILL be discussed, analyzed, critiqued and often torn apart.
Blogs are an important part in our onging cultural discussion and Chris is right, they should talk and visit with their readers and provide value, not lecture or instruct...or worse case sell.
Albert Maruggi
· 10 months ago
It's morning in the Maruggi household and the questions/demands are flying - 17 year old, "Can I have the car to go to school?" No the parental reply, reaction, "You don't understand I need it!" barked the demanding daughter.
the 10 year old "How many girl scout cookies are you buying daddy?", My response, "er I thought you were not going to sell those this year?" as I feel the hole in my pocket getting larger and larger.
Son, "we have practice at 5, be there it's the last one. And we don't have to run lines do we? can we scrimmage?" "Yes, no and maybe," the rapid fire answers in the middle of tweets and emails.
Wife, "You have to be ready to leave at 8;15!" you see this is because the 17 year old won the argument for the other car. "No problem," I lied of course
It dawned on me Chris, that if my family had access to a Quick Comments survey tool I might not like the ratings I'd get in the morning. :>)
suzi w.
· 10 months ago
I love the illustration you give. And it's true. I recently had a chance to hear Michael Stephens (library guru www.tametheweb.com) speak and though I remember his talk, what I most remember was that he and I talked about Twitter. (Your video on making sure you talk to you at conferences posted that morning, so THANKS because I think I would have been more "in awe" that day than saying to him, "hi, I'm pghgurl30, we've been twittering.")
you rock!
Sonny Gill
· 10 months ago
I think no matter how participatory I am with my blog or Twitter, I can always do better. There's always more and more people that I can reach out to and engage with but it's all about effort and keeping the the goal of interaction in the back of your mind.
IMO, it's easy to see those who take heed to this goal day in and day out, and it shows - in the conversations they have and the relationships they've built. Why wouldn't I want that too?
Judy M.
· 10 months ago
Excellent post Chris. I think if the folks who constantly vomit links, seminars, giveaways and "free" stuff would step back and think about how they would handle the same situation in real life, their on-line approach would change very quickly.
Would you sit in front of a customer and shove your product in their face for the entire meeting? Would you not respond to their questions or comments, just continue to repeat over and over "buy my product, buy my product"? Would you pull out pictures of your house, car and toys and force your customer to sit through your bravado about just how incredible your life is? Do they really care about what you have? Most on-line marketers' approaches would not work in the real world. Why would they think they work here?
Zig Ziglar said "if you give people enough of what they want, you will always get what you want". Interacting with people is the first step in determining what it is that they need or want. And you know what, it's not that hard or time-consuming - and it's also a lot of fun! Maybe some of those linkmeisters should try it once or twice..........
My two cents for the day.
Colin Clark
· 10 months ago
It can definitely be tough to balance 'talking' and 'listening'. On twitter, for example, you WANT people to go visit your site so that they can join in the conversation there. I think it's important to listen about 10 times as much as you talk, so read and respond to 10 tweets before you post one that promotes yourself.
Susan Mazza
· 10 months ago
I've never met most of the people I am talking with on twitter or who visit my blog yet. It is truly amazing to me how easy it is to connect with people in these two mediums. And I find it is far easier for me than attempting small talk at a cocktail party! I have however noticed spikes in what seem like more connected conversations among people who attended events together and am reminded that person to person interaction can never really be replaced. Seems to me if you want to increase meaningful connection you still need to get out there in the world. All the better if you can meet or bring them back "here" because your interactions will be that much more dynamic and robust.
Chad Ingles
· 10 months ago
I agree that interactions are how you gain reach on the Internet, but I don't know if it should be the overall goal. I worry about how it will reduce the "depth" of interactions, as well as diminish the focus on actually doing real things. It sometimes feels like a false economy based on meta-activities, kind of like the derivitives-of-derivitives-of-derivitives with imaginary prices and no real value that resulted in over-leveraged financial markets.
Zach Heller
· 10 months ago
Good post. There is a very fine line in online communications. This is one area that I have had to amend my ways a couple of times. I tend to enjoy frequent conversations and interactions, but from time to time find myself pitching too much, too often. Twitter has made it easier to interact and build relationships, online and off, and for that I am thankful.
I think the key is to always be looking for opportunities to help others. Answer questions, off advice, and even take part in a project when asked. It will help you promote yourself without ever promoting yourself.
Greg Magnus
· 10 months ago
Great post Chris, thanks! I'm also a firm believer that quality overrides quantity. Although it may not be intuitive online, it takes less time to produce quality interactions verses a large quantity of meaningless connections, etc. The results are a better experience for everyone involved.
Armand Dauré
· 10 months ago
Hello Chris,
Very interesting job you're doing!
As a matter of fact, interesting people do have domains of interest which not only make them interesting but attractive to other interesting people.. et c. With this volontarily redondant sentence, I would like to enlight the fact that, yes, we do make ourselves reachable to eachother, giving and getting access to pertinent information, awareness of affinities and eventually building a globality based on knowledge and culture instead of...well, we all know what.
You are one among many "blogally relevant" persons.
Thank you!
Jeff Korhan
· 10 months ago
Interesting. So, you approach this media just as a professional speaker does an audience: Make a connection by meeting them where they are, then take them where they want to go - leading, but also interacting. Everyone wants to be involved with the process if the environment is right.
Jeff Korhan
Jon Clements
· 10 months ago
This is a good post to help take stock. Though we might think we're embracing the social media ethos, I'm sure it's easy to revert to type and adopt the activities and behaviours that have made complete sense up to now. It's an interesting conundrum, as part of the communications world is ready to move on while the rest is reluctant. This means having to juggle both worlds simultaneously, satisfying each without upsetting them.
Pixie Stevenson
· 10 months ago
Great post, Chris! I've been snowbound on a farm in Ohio. Last night I took a teleclass and just the interaction on the phone gave me the morale boost I need. Twitter has been a life line.
John Doss
· 10 months ago
Great topic. I agree it is much more interesting and sustainable if all parties in a conversation participate.
Mary-Frances Makichen
· 10 months ago
Chris, Awesome post! Exactly where my thoughts have been going lately. I have to say that after hanging out on blogs where the author consistently interacts with their readers, in one form or another, I'm almost offended now by the blogs that never interact with the people who've taken the time to comment.
Julie Roads
· 10 months ago
I love the 'Strategy into Action' concept - one of the reasons I'm so looking forward to SOBCon '09 with you is the real, problem-solving, networking time! Excellent post!
Sophie
· 10 months ago
You just took my blog right out of my mouth. So many people see social media as a platform to market themselves but fail to understand it's all about INTERACTING with others. Thanks Chris for putting it blunt.
Mary N
· 10 months ago
Great post today. I'm currently teaching a Social Media for Faculty course and we're looking at ways to involve faculty and students more closely. One method is through the tools that are out there such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. We're also looking at how to connect students with professionals in their fields and how to encourage collaboration and critical thinking. Your post came at the right time. I've shared this with my class and hope the students share with their students. I love this experiment.
Jon Wortmann
· 10 months ago
Slowly getting it. The hard translation is from face to face communication to what kind of interaction is authentic online. If you've never done it before, and I haven't, at first it wasn't clear that it's all about building trusting relationships. That takes time in real life and online too. As always, thank you!
--Jon
A G Bell
· 10 months ago
I have been "listening" to you for a few months now and I've always got time to read what you have to "say". I have recently begun to change my tactics and "get more connected". It's way more fun than just sitting waiting for the next time I see an opening to plug my web-site and/or my blog.
I have to admit that I have a problem with Twitter, though. It seems so time consuming to me. I suppose I'm either very impatient - I want to answer one e-mail or message on this, that or other network and move onto my next "interaction", or I'm very laid back - I'm comfortable with going through my e-mail notifications one at a time and doing things as they appear in my to do list.
Twitter, to me, is like a massive instant chat platform. "Instant" being the operative word. I've often been going about my business and kept Twitter open in a seperate window, in the background, only to return to find that I've received an @reply or DM half an hour before. I sometimes answer these and can't help but feel that the recipient is going to wonder what I'm going about. That s/he has forgotten the previous 140 or less characters the they sent me.
No, I suppose I don't really have the time for Twitter, it's like a big IM monster to me. The Frankenstein of all IMs across the Net.
I suppose I just have to allot some time to concentrating on that one platform for an hour or so a day, or every couple of days. I'd be interested to know how others manage their time around the IM Franky.
Susan Mazza
· 10 months ago
@AGBell Twitter can be a time sucker and for me it is often a huge distraction, I am playing with a shift in context though - from relating to it like another e-mail (a linear have to read and respond to everything ) to more of a "buffet" I can drop in on periodically every day (I scan what's in front of me and interact with what and who calls to me). On the relationship side I chose a few people each week to make an effort to connect with. Along the way I RT what calls to me so people know I am listening and appreciate what they offer. I am feeling less overwhelmed now and I can honestly say Twitter has provided a window to tremendous learning and interesting and supportive people in just a few short months. (Am also finding Tweetdeck an essential tool)
Really interested in other people's answer to your question. I am bound to hit a following # soon that will blow what is working now out of the water again!
Joan Curtis
· 10 months ago
Hi Chris, This is a great reminder on how we all need to interact with one another. I wrote an article for the ASTD Traning & Development Journal that appeared in November 2008. It was titled Engage Me, Please! I think you get the gist. It strikes me as interesting that on certain platforms we forget all about engagement. When we stand up in front of a group, we think our job is to talk our heads off. When we go on Twitter we think our job is to talk about ourselves and our products. I run the LinkedIn Public Speaking Network. Everyday I have to delete a discussion because it isn't a "discussion." Instead the person is trying to sell themselves, their website or something else. They are not asking questions and trying to engage.
We must keep reminding people to Engage me, Please!!!
Keith Pape
· 10 months ago
Hey Chris -
What a great reminder for the week. Personally, it's not the 2 way conversations that is my Achilles heel, but, converting the conversation to be about potential projects. I love to talk issues and strategy, but it's always the pitch and the nudge about projects that i struggle with, and know of lots of folks that are the same. It's always been my belief that if you engage with folks, help them in the way they are comfortable, that a 'pay it forward' effect will happen. Mostly it does, but it can also lull me into waiting occasionally.
Thanks again for the nudge.
Keith
Craig
· 10 months ago
I always try to stir up conversation by asking questions regarding basically anything. Conversations is all its about and the only way you can truly interact with others.
Milos
· 10 months ago
I don't think that one could add anything to what you have already said. Once again, great post and seems as you have covered all of the fundamentals in getting involved and engaged with your community in order to help them and let them help you.
Debbie
· 10 months ago
It's easy to simply give advice to others. But true communication is a two way street and that involves ...listening. And listening often takes TIME. In this age of instant everything, we need to begin to ask questions and then take the time to listen.
I'm thrilled to see the reference to Quick Comments. In full disclosure, I'm the product manager for Quick Comments. I believe it's a tool that can be used to ask questions and view instant real time results. You can create your own Quick Comment and then embed it into a website or blog or send a link via email. I believe it will be a new tool to help engage your audience to gather feedback on any topic. So whether it's your customers, blog followers or even your family ...it's time to start asking and listening.
chrisbrogan
· 10 months ago
One trick, to me, is figuring out how to keep conversations spreading. I feel like we do a great job talking here on the blog. How do we migrate these off to other places? How do we encourage linking and interactions between blogs? How do we shift medium from text to video and back again? Things like that.
That's my next challenge.
Jeff Korhan
· 10 months ago
Chris - I believe one inhibitor to encouraging linking and interactions is many of us aren't sure what is acceptable. We want to help you and help our own businesses too but aren't always sure where that line is. Why not throw down some guidelines that we can comment on.
Chris, I have a little problem with this post. Not that a lot of what you've said is not of value, but that some of it ("...On your blog, are you writing strictly as the authority?) and ( How can you encourage a more two-way conversation") and (the references to interacting) seem somewhat contradictory to my experiences with you and others on twitter. Don't you think the post itself is a tad authoritative? And as far as interacting and having a two-way conversation is concerned, I have tried a couple of times to interact with you on twitter and you referred me to your blog instead of interacting.
In all honestly there appears to be a hierachy on twitter, especially among social media folks, that appears a little clickish. Or is that the "stuff" that communities are made of?
John Michael Cannon
· 10 months ago
alekhouse,
In the past, I've tried to talk to Chris and I've gotten no response. But I take it differently. I take it as a challenge.
I'm trying to make myself into the kind of internet personality that the Chris Brogan's of the world WANT to interact with.
I don't even think about the fact that he didn't reply... I think about how I can make a difference in people's lives with this wonderful social world on the internet.
I don't need his time or for him to interact with me... and I don't think he's a hypocrite because he didn't get back to me. I can see myself in his shoes doing the same thing. If you were Chris, with overwhelming amounts of attention, what would you do... really?
I learn gobs from his blog and take it and run with it. That's more than enough for me.
I think you are more powerful than you realize, alekhouse.
-John Michael Cannon
SusanMazza
· 10 months ago
Good points @JohnMichaelCannon...you provoked a few additional thoughts from someone who confesses to having been put out a bit like @alechouse when I first discovered twitter and started commenting on blogs.
Twitter (and blog commenting for that matter) is not the same as e-mail - we get to choose who we engage with and when. Sometimes people engage with you and sometimes they don't, but it does not mean they are not committed to engaging.
I see being able to follow an expert like Chris and listen into his conversations as a privilege and an opportunity to learn through observation that I would not otherwise have had. To me this is one of the many amazing opportunities of social media.
I challenge us all when we attempt to engage with a highly sought after expert to consider whether we are trying to get something more or are we looking to provide something. If our attention is really on contributing then whether someones responds or not won't matter because it's not about us anyway. If we want something, we need to realize we are waiting in a really long line! And if we don't think we have something to contribute yet, then we have work to do.
I truly believe that Chris invites and welcomes engagement and contribution from others. I do not have to look to my personal experience with him to know that. I have had maybe 3 minutes of real interaction total. I came to that opinion from simply watching how he interacts with others.
So far I have clearly gotten a lot more than I have given so I put myself in the category of having a lot more work to do.
Rufus
· 10 months ago
@alekhouse Of course there are cliques on Twitter! I'm part of a clique, though not the one Chris hangs with and probably not one that matters a whole lot to the SM crowd. I'm not terribly bothered by it because I am successful in other things that interest me more. Because Twitter is made up of human beings, all those things that defines human beings comes with it; pride, jealousy, lust, envy, etc, etc. Just because the medium changes, it doesn't make Twitter less of a human model.
The "social media" crowd is a clique, especially among the "veterans experts" who have "created" and "defined" it. I don't fault them for that. And they deserve props for doing that. It is just human nature to protect what you have, even though they all say it is open, all about the connections, you can connect with whomever you want, the world is flat, yadda, yadda, it really isn't. This statement is an observation, not a value judgment, but I'm fairly certain there will be comments about it. I can live with that.
Why are you on Twitter? Why do you blog? If your goal is to get in with the "SM plastics," then you are probably aiming in the wrong direction. You are too late. There are too many requirements to join the club. If your goal is to further your own interests or further the interests of some things that you are passionate about, take what Chris and others are willing to give if it applies and forge your own path.
What I take from Chris that he is willing to give me? This small space of interaction on his blog between you and me. And his insight into some things about SM that I don't have the time to discover on my own. And, his tolerance of me expressing ideas that he doesn't necessarily agree with, but he keep on his blog anyway.
Lisa Rosendahl
· 10 months ago
I am a new reader of yours and find that on good days, you insire me - on bad days, I am intimidated, maybe overwhelmed, by how much is out there for me to learn from. I have a blog and lately am feeling that I am outgrowing the space; it is time for a refresh and new direction. So I am looking for my niche, my message, my value added and I find a little support in each and every post of your I read. Thank you.
alekhouse
· 10 months ago
Now we're interacting! Very cool.............. Thanks.
Susan Mazza said "Twitter (and blog commenting for that matter) is not the same as e-mail - we get to choose who we engage with and when. Sometimes people engage with you and sometimes they don’t, but it does not mean they are not committed to engaging" Susan, Thanks for responding to my provocative comments about Chris' post. I follow him regularly and admire him; truly a prolific blogger with lots of valuable info to share! And share he does. I am definitely in agreement with your point of view. My comments were not meant as criticism, they were only an observation. For clarity, Susan, I wasn't put out by the lack of response from Chris, I was using that as an example to address the "interacting" point he was making in this post.
I cannot truly say though (as James Michael Cannon feels) that I would want to mold my internet personality to one other person and their communities or like thinkers. There are too many diverse and interesting communities out there to interact with. I would like to grow and emerge authentically, as I become more savvy with this media.
Tim Dempsey
· 10 months ago
Well written reminder of the fundamentally high-minded ideals of social networking: that being essentially "good," we will both give and receive; that we will be humble. I'm really tired of those 'authorities' [read, egos] humping their stuff at every possible moment. This post is a classic example of how to build your authority without baldly pumping your service. Clever, and well done.
John Michael Cannon
· 10 months ago
Hey alekhouse,
Cool! Yes! Now were talkin'.
"I cannot truly say though (as James Michael Cannon feels) that I would want to mold my internet personality to one other person and their communities or like thinkers. There are too many diverse and interesting communities out there to interact with. I would like to grow and emerge authentically, as I become more savvy with this media."
It's great to hear this empowering statement from you rather than just a complaint.
I had to do a google search to find your Twitter profile, yesterday. No links or pictures of you here. I found you to be a great woman and it didn't match up with who I saw here, in your reply on Chris's blog.
Now, I see that great woman!
I'm not molding myself to be anybody but me. That's not what I meant, at all.
The only point I'm trying to make is: If you want the attention of high quality celebrities in any field, the best chance at getting it, is to become one, in your own right.
In no way does that imply being like someone else. It implies differentiation.
I think you're a great gal. You can speak to me, directly, instead of indirectly. If you have a problem, you don't have to hide yourself or be indirect. If I'm wrong, I'll certainly admit it.
I believed you were better than how you presented yourself, here on the blog. You've proven me right. That's why I said something. I think you have great potential to be who you say you want to be.
Props to you, alekhouse.
John Michael Cannon
· 10 months ago
For SusanMazza,
Thank you for seeing my point. What a great perspective you've brought to the table. You earned another follower!
Aries
· 10 months ago
Hi Chris,
Its a very great article article you got here, just hit me spot on! I have a social media website on my own and i realize that sometimes the hardest thing to do for me is writing and interacting with my members. Sometimes its hard for me to discipline myself to interact and enter the conversations.
I guess the keypoint here is to be more discipline and start to engage. Right?
Jim Brochowski
· 10 months ago
I just did this very inventory last week. I think engage is a great word.
LOVE this post, and it's so true. New salespeople often misconstrue the purpose of social media tools as a way to a quick buck. But it's ALL about relationship building, sharing content and advice, and learning while you're giving. Thanks for the great reminder!
Chris Saad
· 10 months ago
Chris, based our experience with JS-Kit, ratings and polls do indeed get many times more interaction than comments, but I think it goes further than that. I think a page view is a form of interaction.
All Comments
I appreciate how this article gives specific actions to increase interaction with readers/customers. I am definitely passing this article link to my students tomorrow. :)
Now, it's not Twitter that I miss, but the people and the positive impact we can have on each other's lives... and have FUN with each other. It's great!
There is so much opportunity here for those who will stick it out and keep learning.
Today, I started chatting with @leedman on Twitter, then on Skype and the guy spent tons of time with me and taught me so much. I'll be able to help even more people because because of him. How cool is that?
Times like that are priceless and meaningful to me. The positive ripple effect it will have on the rest of my life and others is fascinating.
Helping and being helped rule in this online social world.
-John
But over the past year, I've realized that this new social interaction is a wonderful pool of opportunity and growth. Breaking through the monitor in ways that only we dreamed about in the past, these new connections we make, if we make them honestly both to ourselves and to our audience, will benefit us and our new found tribe in ways that we just don't know yet.
I think that your title, "The Goal is the Interaction" is perfect. Someday, when we have and idea of how far we can reach, you might need to follow up with "The benefits of our Goals."
You rock, I am a big fan since your video abt not being afraid to approach you. =) Peace, @HolisticMamma
I think we should ask ourselves that very question ever time we sit at the computer and get down to business.
Nice post. At my blog, I have two rules: Never say it all, and Always ask how it relates to our own lives. Works like a charm for encouraging interaction. It's a conversation, and I think that's the secret of the blog's growth.
When I'm out and about, my rule is Leave a comment that moves the conversation forward. If I don't have time to consider deeply and be relevant, I'd rather not comment that day. I want to read and be a part of other blog conversations that are as engaged as the ones at MCE, so absolutely—engaged interaction or wait 'til next time.
Regards,
Kelly
Blogs are an important part in our onging cultural discussion and Chris is right, they should talk and visit with their readers and provide value, not lecture or instruct...or worse case sell.
the 10 year old "How many girl scout cookies are you buying daddy?", My response, "er I thought you were not going to sell those this year?" as I feel the hole in my pocket getting larger and larger.
Son, "we have practice at 5, be there it's the last one. And we don't have to run lines do we? can we scrimmage?" "Yes, no and maybe," the rapid fire answers in the middle of tweets and emails.
Wife, "You have to be ready to leave at 8;15!" you see this is because the 17 year old won the argument for the other car. "No problem," I lied of course
It dawned on me Chris, that if my family had access to a Quick Comments survey tool I might not like the ratings I'd get in the morning. :>)
you rock!
IMO, it's easy to see those who take heed to this goal day in and day out, and it shows - in the conversations they have and the relationships they've built. Why wouldn't I want that too?
Would you sit in front of a customer and shove your product in their face for the entire meeting? Would you not respond to their questions or comments, just continue to repeat over and over "buy my product, buy my product"? Would you pull out pictures of your house, car and toys and force your customer to sit through your bravado about just how incredible your life is? Do they really care about what you have? Most on-line marketers' approaches would not work in the real world. Why would they think they work here?
Zig Ziglar said "if you give people enough of what they want, you will always get what you want". Interacting with people is the first step in determining what it is that they need or want. And you know what, it's not that hard or time-consuming - and it's also a lot of fun! Maybe some of those linkmeisters should try it once or twice..........
My two cents for the day.
I think the key is to always be looking for opportunities to help others. Answer questions, off advice, and even take part in a project when asked. It will help you promote yourself without ever promoting yourself.
I'm also a firm believer that quality overrides quantity. Although it may not be intuitive online, it takes less time to produce quality interactions verses a large quantity of meaningless connections, etc. The results are a better experience for everyone involved.
Very interesting job you're doing!
As a matter of fact, interesting people do have domains of interest which not only make them interesting but attractive to other interesting people.. et c.
With this volontarily redondant sentence, I would like to enlight the fact that, yes, we do make ourselves reachable to eachother, giving and getting access to pertinent information, awareness of affinities and eventually building a globality based on knowledge and culture instead of...well, we all know what.
You are one among many "blogally relevant" persons.
Thank you!
Jeff Korhan
Though we might think we're embracing the social media ethos, I'm sure it's easy to revert to type and adopt the activities and behaviours that have made complete sense up to now. It's an interesting conundrum, as part of the communications world is ready to move on while the rest is reluctant. This means having to juggle both worlds simultaneously, satisfying each without upsetting them.
Awesome post! Exactly where my thoughts have been going lately. I have to say that after hanging out on blogs where the author consistently interacts with their readers, in one form or another, I'm almost offended now by the blogs that never interact with the people who've taken the time to comment.
--Jon
I have to admit that I have a problem with Twitter, though. It seems so time consuming to me. I suppose I'm either very impatient - I want to answer one e-mail or message on this, that or other network and move onto my next "interaction", or I'm very laid back - I'm comfortable with going through my e-mail notifications one at a time and doing things as they appear in my to do list.
Twitter, to me, is like a massive instant chat platform. "Instant" being the operative word. I've often been going about my business and kept Twitter open in a seperate window, in the background, only to return to find that I've received an @reply or DM half an hour before. I sometimes answer these and can't help but feel that the recipient is going to wonder what I'm going about. That s/he has forgotten the previous 140 or less characters the they sent me.
No, I suppose I don't really have the time for Twitter, it's like a big IM monster to me. The Frankenstein of all IMs across the Net.
I suppose I just have to allot some time to concentrating on that one platform for an hour or so a day, or every couple of days. I'd be interested to know how others manage their time around the IM Franky.
Really interested in other people's answer to your question. I am bound to hit a following # soon that will blow what is working now out of the water again!
This is a great reminder on how we all need to interact with one another. I wrote an article for the ASTD Traning & Development Journal that appeared in November 2008. It was titled Engage Me, Please! I think you get the gist.
It strikes me as interesting that on certain platforms we forget all about engagement. When we stand up in front of a group, we think our job is to talk our heads off. When we go on Twitter we think our job is to talk about ourselves and our products. I run the LinkedIn Public Speaking Network. Everyday I have to delete a discussion because it isn't a "discussion." Instead the person is trying to sell themselves, their website or something else. They are not asking questions and trying to engage.
We must keep reminding people to Engage me, Please!!!
What a great reminder for the week. Personally, it's not the 2 way conversations that is my Achilles heel, but, converting the conversation to be about potential projects. I love to talk issues and strategy, but it's always the pitch and the nudge about projects that i struggle with, and know of lots of folks that are the same. It's always been my belief that if you engage with folks, help them in the way they are comfortable, that a 'pay it forward' effect will happen. Mostly it does, but it can also lull me into waiting occasionally.
Thanks again for the nudge.
Keith
I'm thrilled to see the reference to Quick Comments. In full disclosure, I'm the product manager for Quick Comments. I believe it's a tool that can be used to ask questions and view instant real time results. You can create your own Quick Comment and then embed it into a website or blog or send a link via email. I believe it will be a new tool to help engage your audience to gather feedback on any topic. So whether it's your customers, blog followers or even your family ...it's time to start asking and listening.
That's my next challenge.
Jeff Korhan
I have a little problem with this post. Not that a lot of what you've said is not of value, but that some of it ("...On your blog, are you writing strictly as the authority?) and ( How can you encourage a more two-way conversation") and (the references to interacting) seem somewhat contradictory to my experiences with you and others on twitter. Don't you think the post itself is a tad authoritative? And as far as interacting and having a two-way conversation is concerned, I have tried a couple of times to interact with you on twitter and you referred me to your blog instead of interacting.
In all honestly there appears to be a hierachy on twitter, especially among social media folks, that appears a little clickish. Or is that the "stuff" that communities are made of?
In the past, I've tried to talk to Chris and I've gotten no response. But I take it differently. I take it as a challenge.
I'm trying to make myself into the kind of internet personality that the Chris Brogan's of the world WANT to interact with.
I don't even think about the fact that he didn't reply... I think about how I can make a difference in people's lives with this wonderful social world on the internet.
I don't need his time or for him to interact with me... and I don't think he's a hypocrite because he didn't get back to me. I can see myself in his shoes doing the same thing. If you were Chris, with overwhelming amounts of attention, what would you do... really?
I learn gobs from his blog and take it and run with it. That's more than enough for me.
I think you are more powerful than you realize, alekhouse.
-John Michael Cannon
Twitter (and blog commenting for that matter) is not the same as e-mail - we get to choose who we engage with and when. Sometimes people engage with you and sometimes they don't, but it does not mean they are not committed to engaging.
I see being able to follow an expert like Chris and listen into his conversations as a privilege and an opportunity to learn through observation that I would not otherwise have had. To me this is one of the many amazing opportunities of social media.
I challenge us all when we attempt to engage with a highly sought after expert to consider whether we are trying to get something more or are we looking to provide something. If our attention is really on contributing then whether someones responds or not won't matter because it's not about us anyway. If we want something, we need to realize we are waiting in a really long line! And if we don't think we have something to contribute yet, then we have work to do.
I truly believe that Chris invites and welcomes engagement and contribution from others. I do not have to look to my personal experience with him to know that. I have had maybe 3 minutes of real interaction total. I came to that opinion from simply watching how he interacts with others.
So far I have clearly gotten a lot more than I have given so I put myself in the category of having a lot more work to do.
The "social media" crowd is a clique, especially among the "veterans experts" who have "created" and "defined" it. I don't fault them for that. And they deserve props for doing that. It is just human nature to protect what you have, even though they all say it is open, all about the connections, you can connect with whomever you want, the world is flat, yadda, yadda, it really isn't. This statement is an observation, not a value judgment, but I'm fairly certain there will be comments about it. I can live with that.
Why are you on Twitter? Why do you blog? If your goal is to get in with the "SM plastics," then you are probably aiming in the wrong direction. You are too late. There are too many requirements to join the club. If your goal is to further your own interests or further the interests of some things that you are passionate about, take what Chris and others are willing to give if it applies and forge your own path.
What I take from Chris that he is willing to give me? This small space of interaction on his blog between you and me. And his insight into some things about SM that I don't have the time to discover on my own. And, his tolerance of me expressing ideas that he doesn't necessarily agree with, but he keep on his blog anyway.
Susan Mazza said "Twitter (and blog commenting for that matter) is not the same as e-mail - we get to choose who we engage with and when. Sometimes people engage with you and sometimes they don’t, but it does not mean they are not committed to engaging" Susan, Thanks for responding to my provocative comments about Chris' post. I follow him regularly and admire him; truly a prolific blogger with lots of valuable info to share! And share he does. I am definitely in agreement with your point of view. My comments were not meant as criticism, they were only an observation. For clarity, Susan, I wasn't put out by the lack of response from Chris, I was using that as an example to address the "interacting" point he was making in this post.
I cannot truly say though (as James Michael Cannon feels) that I would want to mold my internet personality to one other person and their communities or like thinkers. There are too many diverse and interesting communities out there to interact with. I would like to grow and emerge authentically, as I become more savvy with this media.
Cool! Yes! Now were talkin'.
"I cannot truly say though (as James Michael Cannon feels) that I would want to mold my internet personality to one other person and their communities or like thinkers. There are too many diverse and interesting communities out there to interact with. I would like to grow and emerge authentically, as I become more savvy with this media."
It's great to hear this empowering statement from you rather than just a complaint.
I had to do a google search to find your Twitter profile, yesterday. No links or pictures of you here. I found you to be a great woman and it didn't match up with who I saw here, in your reply on Chris's blog.
Now, I see that great woman!
I'm not molding myself to be anybody but me. That's not what I meant, at all.
The only point I'm trying to make is: If you want the attention of high quality celebrities in any field, the best chance at getting it, is to become one, in your own right.
In no way does that imply being like someone else. It implies differentiation.
I think you're a great gal. You can speak to me, directly, instead of indirectly. If you have a problem, you don't have to hide yourself or be indirect. If I'm wrong, I'll certainly admit it.
I believed you were better than how you presented yourself, here on the blog. You've proven me right. That's why I said something. I think you have great potential to be who you say you want to be.
Props to you, alekhouse.
Thank you for seeing my point. What a great perspective you've brought to the table. You earned another follower!
Its a very great article article you got here, just hit me spot on! I have a social media website on my own and i realize that sometimes the hardest thing to do for me is writing and interacting with my members. Sometimes its hard for me to discipline myself to interact and enter the conversations.
I guess the keypoint here is to be more discipline and start to engage. Right?
http://thelifeofjimmer.blogspot.com/2009/01/plu...
I've written about it more here: http://revolutionofme.pbwiki.com/#THEAUDIENCEHA...