Being a light

Being a light to the world requires action, requires energy, requires substance.

I could go on, and probably will in posts to come; however, today I thought I’d like this cool little fella share a word that if you press play will surely speak to you. Now it’s great to be inspired and encouraged, but go do something with it.

‘Create something that will make the world awesome!’ Are you doing so already? Well what can you change, what can you do to make your team, company, life, relationship better? Remember what is great today, will be good tomorrow if you let things go and don’t continue to invest in staying fresh.

#kidpresident

Surfing for content

Picture supplied by the National Archives and Records Administration.

 

How do you surf content when there is so much of it going around? With social bookmarking websites like Digg, and Redit losing ground, where are we ‘the consumer’ looking for information?

 

Are we looking to flasher, more socially adapt aggregator apps like Flipboard, Hootsuite, Timeline and Twitter for content of interest.

Brian Solis, a fellow social media expert is famously known for the following statement, ‘News no longer breaks, it tweets,’ and this is true. However; what if I’m not looking for the latest news story; but the top trending outfits, or some true life story like the kind of articles you get in a woman’s glossy magazine (i.e. Marie Claire, Company and so forth).

 

And how do we make our decisions about where to shop online when there are thousands of online shops to choose from? Do we take them largely from the recommendations of friends and family – like Facebook tell us, or do we venture out and find new shops to shop in, new books to read, and new photographs to like?

 

I’d love to hear how you go about finding the content that interests you?

 

  For example, I am a huge Marie Claire fan, but I very rarely buy their magazine for multiple reasons, at the moment. Still, I enjoy reading their articles and in a moment I decided to look for something interesting, I found myself overwhelmed by choice.

 

  Looking to my iPhone and flicking through my apps, it seemed Flipboard was the obvious choice. It’s neat display, magazine style app is easy to share and combine with several of my key social networks allowing me to stay in touch with various magazines, blogs and networks at any one time – This is great, but it is only one app. Have you found others?

 

  How do you locate interesting content? Do you have to do anything at all, or do you find it’s all laid out in front of you via Timeline, and other newsfeeds?

 

  Leave your thoughts below, or on @leemac85

An idea to improve your social influence

Simply posting on timeline what you had for dinner, or items of clothing that you wish to buy are all great if you wish to do so, on your own personal profile. However, the same principles that you use when posting on your personal profile do not apply when posting from a Facebook page; or through any other  business-related social media channel for that matter.

We must learn to engage and move away from the spectating side of social media – Myself included. I don’t claim to be anything more than a work in progress, but I do have a fair idea about how things should be done and aim to hit those standards continuously.

Some ideas on how we could all improve our social influence online;

1. Start using our networks to connect and engage. We use those words way more in speech than in action.

2. We are all human and despite, the fact that we are interacting via a computer screen of sort; we need to be willing, open and honest as a business to say, ‘I suck at this, but I can help with this.’ People want to know there is a real human behind the profile and no matter how great you are at your job, we will all make mistakes, so have a little grace.

3. Not every negative comment needs to be a crisis, some can even be constructive. At least then we can learn, change and help someone else avoid making the same mistakes.

Let us inject some of the resilience that we require in every day relationships into our teams.

A man who has skill and experience is skillful, but a man of great intelligence is worth far more.

Don’t forget if your reading this and you have a question, or what to find out more. You can chat to me @leemac85 on Twitter too.

Experience is better than inspiration

As fresh as this lesson is I decided to share and add value to the blog that I have now been committed too for over eight months and one hundred and nineteen posts later (one hundred and twenty if you count this one) – It may not be a long time, concerning this blog, but my point is not relative to this blog – Rather to explain the progression of the following two phrases:

‘It’s better to embrace the process of your goal, than reject it. In the end, you will get there faster.”

“Experience has taught me better.”

I have come to the understanding that as much as it’s good to be inspired, and have the ability to inspire others; it’s worth far more to have the experience to back up the inspiration for a product, or service or business idea. Depending on your industry or goal this will vary; but by the same token I’m not saying that we have to be an expert in any specific field either.

People change careers all the time, so if your stuck in a job or an industry you don’t like – Great news! You can change!  You just need to position yourself for that change, and when things have the potential to overwhelm – breathe and embrace the process. I heard someone say once, if it looks bad, then it’s not the end yet. There have been many areas in my own life when things haven’t looked great – we all have them, but I have finally concluded that it’s actually better to have gone through stuff and gained the experience good or bad, (even the bad can be turned for good). It is better to be season in life, or in the market you aim to succeed in first; and then inspire others from a position of strength.

Rather than hide from what we do not know, or try to pump ourselves up, I reckon it pays more to be honest and put my hands in the air when I do not know something. At the end of the day, Steve Jobs never designed the iPhone, he just facilitated it and asked the right questions.

We make a mistake if we agree with these ideas, and then at the mention of Steve Jobs or others who have ‘accomplished’ something, and respond ‘yeah well I’m not Steve Jobs.’ For some reason our Scottish culture hasn’t always been good to us. In my own opinion and experience, my nation is filled with exceptional talented, loyal and friendly people to any other nation, but sometimes when it comes to cheering on our own, we can struggle.

I have come to appreciate that whilst there maybe certain areas, or things have not gone my way in life before, maybe it was all for a good reason and maybe if it wasn’t for those set backs – I wouldn’t be who I am today, or doing what I’m doing.

Most things in life involve process, and often that process varies in time, skill and involvement, however; I do believe that through watching the lives of those gone before me, we must not reject process, instead embrace it and we will get where we need to go faster.

By no means have I arrived yet, or do I expect to get things right 100% of the time, but I do aspire to become more and more a person of character – Someone who inspires not just with fancy and impressive words, thoughts or ideas; Rather to be known as someone who has lived, been through the highs and low’s and inspires from a place of experience, not emotion.

Like the good old saying goes, ‘we must practice what we preach.’

Fashion Thursday

I came up with this name a second ago, but the idea of a post relating to social media, and fashion is something I’ve been meaning to share for at least a week now.

The thing is… Life has taken a few bumps, tumbles, and falls over the last week; as we all know it does. I’ve been working frantically on the buildup of a very exciting project, and juggling the unforeseens of life.

Anyway; Social Media, and Fashion.

Gosh, I feel like bursting into song, or poetry. “Social media, and Fashion. And never the two shall meet!” Well, that would be an incorrect sentence because they do. They do meet. In fact, they were introduced way before most of us understood what Twitter was, and Facebook; if you were a late booker like me.

2006: I held on to Bebo so tight, I’m surprised my screen didn’t crack, as I literally refused the flooding emails of, join your friend JOE BLOGS on Facebook. As if by putting their name in capitals would make me want to switch!

A similar resemblance to the stomp my feet, gut feeling that no I will not be caught injured in those army male like.. shoes!

Approximately a week later: “Yes, so I was thinking I’d quite like to purchase a pair of those army style boots? In Chocolate Brown?” I casually slip into conversation with a girlfriend, who I am about to go shopping with.

But, that’s what we do, right? Well most of us anyway. To bring this back to my point that social media and fashion work hand in hand. I thought I’d illustrate, by using one of my old posts three useful apps that every business should have.

I still love these apps, I’ve blogged about them, and recommended them highly to anyone who reads, or has an interest in social media. Yet, I am also aware that as fleeting as a fashion accessory, perhaps boots was not the best example. So are the fleeting popularity of social media apps.

Do I really need another Twitter app??

I guess it comes down to personal preference really, but just like in the world of clothing there will be items of fashion that will never disappear, such as the black dress, and white collared shirt. There are some platforms that I believe are fundamental to most businesses, and that is:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Google+ (It’s a Google world these days. I’m not quite sure how we’d cope if they ever shut down – Go back to snail mail, I guess).
• YouTube

The rest, are down to personal preference, and industry dependent.

Just like the catwalks of London, Paris, New York, and Milan; who work vigorously to influence our spring,summer, autumn, and winter wardrobe buys. We, as marketers, business people, and right down to the individual job hunter must succeed at making the right impression with a well-thought through, strategic marketing plan that INCLUDES some form of Social Media Marketing. Assessed seasonally.

Have you thought about your summer approach yet? Do you know what’s trending at the moment?

If not, and you’d like to discuss more. Please feel free to drop me a line at thebrandadvocate@gmail.com, or connect with me on Twitter here.

What’s the commodity?

For over a year now, we’ve been labeling newspapers, and magazines as a commodity. As the marketplace for newspapers, and magazines dries up, and the way in which we deliver news has changed. I have to wonder what the commodity really is? Is it the material used to print newspapers, or is it the way in which news is delivered; or both!

The Washington post has been reported to be down 8% in revenue in the first quarter of 2012. Print advertising was also recorded to have taken a 17% loss, and the companies digital advertising dropping 7%. Although these numbers are shocking, and concerning for those involved. It was the 7% loss in digital advertising that caught my attention…

The idea, or solution to falling readership from digital experts was to think outside the box, and rather obviously transfer your usual printed stories to some form of digital media. Many did just that, and opted for the social reader application that would allow stories to be shared via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms.

Is this working? Certainly from the Washington post perspective, it’s not looking great. Their first recordings of figures in this market showed a healthy 14 million monthly average users, which rose within three days to over 17 million. However, figures collected by AppData.com reported the number of monthly average users had fallen to under 10 million yesterday.

Whether these fluctuating numbers flow out of a shift in materials, and will sort itself out, or not. I can’t help, but wonder what the commodity really is? There are endless amounts of information, and choice made available to us today.

Is this just another nail in the box of mass media, mass marketing, mass anything?  What do you think? Join the conversation here.

The power to share

Never underestimate the power of one tweet!

Like any relationship, our response and actions within certain situations can have a positive, or negative effect. In world of social media this does not change; excluding the level of exposure, of course.

As scary, and as dangerous as this may seem too many, we must not lose our nerve and shy away from fear of exposure.

We should not worry about gaining a negative response from a comment, post, or plug made (within reason). Instead, I would suggest it is far more important to understand, know and respond well in these events. Always make sure you that when you do respond, respond in a manner that is appropriate, firm and professional.

The power of sharing is much more than simply the share of information. It has the potential to go the extra mile when building relationships; to share experiences both bad, and good. Building something of greater strength, and value – a friend for life.

How to build a successful social organisation

Three thoughts on what it takes to build a social organisation:

1. Embrace collaboration

This is not the time to be a jack of all trades – unless you are extremely good at that role and have been practicing for some time. We must open ourselves up to the idea of working with other skilled professionals, and be secure in that choice, which co-insides with my philosophy; Soar with your strengths, and delegate your weakness.

Hot tip – If you haven’t already heard, let me be the first to introduce you to the rise of the freelance, and collaborator.

2. Choose leadership, over management

The difference between both is influence. The level of influence you have will determine the altitude of your team, company, brand, and organisation.

3. Nail your social strategy to the core of your business

Social media should not be a flirting thought by now. There should be no question on how important is Google+ – It is extremely important. If you want to be alive in a years time, (which is a generous amount of time) then make sure you take each of these three thoughts, and drill them deep into the centre of your organisation. Bolting them onto the side of your business will not work. These are core essentials, and relevant to anyone looking to build, or grow business in 2012.

The more you give, the more you sell

This is a principle that many within the world of business are discovering more, and more. Funny thing is that this is something we have been learning in my church for years. It’s true, the more you give, the more blessed you will be.

Today I just want to challenge you, what are you going to give? I honestly believe that if you decide to be generous as a business, and sow seeds accordingly from the heart, then you will at some point see those seeds returned to you in abundance.

Sometimes those seeds may come back in a different way to what you would expect, but why not try it. Now that doesn’t mean that you should work for free, for an unlimited time. Let’s be wise about things here. If you put yourself on a plate for those in the world who are willing to walk all over you, to do just that, then they will do just that. However; don’t let those small percentages of put you off from being generous. You may think this chat is deep, and irrelevant to running an organization, or launching a marketing campaign, but I would suggest this is 100% relevant.

We know from the world of social that businesses today must have a heart, and in many ways become human; i.e. Have personality, use conversational language, and have a heart. So you see, the more you give, the more you will sell.

Guy Kawasaki recently launched his latest e-book, ‘What the Google’ in partnership with Samsung, and in the process of self publishing he told The Social Hour, he’d given away 5,000 free copies. He went on to comment how in past tense publishers would have been telling him how crazy he was, for giving so much away for free. Yet, he also added that in doing just his sales have increased significantly. “It’s a funny thing,” he said. Well, not really. This principle of sowing and reaping has been around for sometime – It’s just now those who are applying the principle are starting to see the return, and sharing it with the world.

The fine line between work and personal

Gap’s new social media policy: The “OMG guess what happened at work” guide has been released by the brands social media team, in-house, in the hope to re-gain some brand buzz, with the help of fellow GAP employees.

The e-guide distributed amongst Gap staff, titled “OMG guess what happened at work,” encourages employees to participate in social media, whilst keeping the companies best interests in mind. Outlining a few simple housekeeping rules, even the warnings were kept informal:

“These guidelines are important—because if you don’t follow them a few things could happen: your posts can get deleted, we could lose customers and investors, we could get in trouble, or, worst of all, you could even lose your job … So do the right thing, stick to the guidelines.”

Whilst I am all for companies embracing social media, throwing out the robot speak, and encouraging the whole team to get on board. I understand that that is what it takes for any social media strategy to really work.

I do not support this idea that companies can control what employees decide to share, or talk about on their personal social media profiles separate to work. I hope that Gap is providing the relevant employees with social media accounts.

In the words of Seth Godin, “The industrial revolution is over.”

I understand that if we are employed by a company to work, then we should be respectful of what we do in that time; However, if a company would like to encourage employees to speak about them on Facebook, Linkedin, or any other social network, and hand out pre-warning of job loss for misuse, then it is only fair that employees are given work accounts, separate to their personal profile as standard practice.

In the same light employees are expected to be mindful of company interests at work and to a certain extent out with working hours, then companies should be expected to respect their employee’s personal space too. This is a line that is too often smudged.

There has to be boundaries, and if you are an employee I would certainly be asking questions before you sign a contract.

Here are a few basic and initial questions Gap employees should be asking:

• Will you provide me with a work email address, or log in details for a work Facebook/Twitter account?
• What exactly is classed as misuse?
• Can I have a copy of that policy?

Find out more, here.