I've spent a lot of time on the sidelines with social. I'd come up with thousands of excuses. Among them, "I'm not a teenager," "it's too hard," "I spend too much energy on email already," and on and on.
At some point, I realized there were no more legitimate excuses. So I opened a Twitter account, I updated LinkedIn, and built a Facebook profile.
I was plodding along, mostly lurking, sometimes posting, until slowly I began to make connections. You live in Chappaqua? You're a working mom? You work in marketing? Me too, me too, me too! At some point, the technology faded away and it wasn't about building my Twitter following, it was about finding these kinds of “me too” moments.
I've met some amazing people through social— the best moms, the best marketers, and the best of friends. I'm learning that social is about nothing more—and nothing less—than a means of embracing these connections.
So what started out as a quest for a social following has evolved into a search for people who are great to know. I've stopped counting Facebook fans and started counting new friends.
Are you social? Of course you are. We’re only human, after all.
Awesome post Tami. You hit the nail on the head. This is what it is all about. Connection, interaction, engagement… relationships. Return on Relationship™ is about people. Make it a great day!
Thank you Ted and thanks for being a great teacher on Social!
Amen sistah! You hit the nail on the head in such a simple way. Social is about the "me too" moments. I LOVE it!
So happy we had many of those "me too" moments when we met. I am blessed our tweet, business & life paths crossed.
I'll leave you with one word… PHHHYYLLLIISS!!
Thanks so much Pam. Now you've just created a 'Me too' moment. I like new friends who are NUTz. You too?
Thank you so much Pam!! And thank you for inspiring my blog post about meeting GREAT people through social!! You are at the top of my LIST:)
Right back at ya' sistah! Here's my inspired blog post. Thank you much! http://www.pammarketingnut.com/2012/09/social-media-is-still-about-the-people-ibm-smarter-commerce-global-summit-2012-takeaway/
Ditto @Ted Rubin's comments. Social Media is about people, not gadgits.
Thanks Jen! Agreed:)
Another insightful post, Tami. Marketers try to humanize brand content, Engineers try to humanize technology, auto manufacturers humanize cars… out here even I'm trying to humanize myself :D)
Humour aside, "Keeping it human" drives social media engagement. Takes me right back to something I wrote: The 7 Human Qualities of Social Media > http://goo.gl/rqt55
Your blog post opens up a very interesting area of thought – everyone's personal journey into social media. Just as you experienced, everyone – from intern to CEO – goes through the initial resistance to "jump off the ledge and go with the flow" which one overcomes with time and practice. Reason: We're only human, after all.
Agree with Pam and Jen above. Really like Ted Rubin's #RonR concept… just like ROI – but with a human quality to it. Good one, Ted.
Thanks for your comment Amar! GREAT post on the 7 human qualities of social! I'm writing these down on my white board.
Thank you, Tami. Glad you found it "white-board worthy". I'm honoured. Truly super-kicked.
Just found your blog, Tami. Really good stuff too.
From what I've seen, your path is not uncommon for 'corporate folks'. Social takes time and while it's all the marketing rage right now, it's still hard to justify time spent by 'me too' moments.
That said, there's benefit in that type of serendipity for brands. I hope to read more about your experience as you get more entrenched in this stuff. : )
I agree with you Nate! Love Tami's "serendipity" moment here. Good stuff! Nice to meet up with you here too! 🙂
Thanks Nate & Pam. Good suggestion to post more on our progress on driving social transformation. Stay tuned:)
[…] Cann, Director of Marketing for IBM, says it best in this post, It’s Not Social, It’s Human. Love her so simple summary on how we connect via social media and in real life in “me […]
Who is that guy with you in your photo. Is he a model? Just kidding, great post.
Definitely a model Pete! Can you help us connect with him? 😉
I came across this post and you hit the nail on the head, Tami. Social media is simply the platform we use to engage and nurture our relationships these days. When you talk about marketing, at the end of the day, relationships matter and how you go about growing those is what sets you (and your business) apart. Look forward to reading more in the future.
Hey Tami,
Great post. I suffered from the same a while back but when I started being actually social not just posting I started to realise the amazing opportunity to built relationsips with people all around the world !!!
All the best,
Ian
Thanks Ian! I appreciate your comment & support!
Love this post, Tami.
Thanks so much Jorli!
Hi there Tami, Actually I am sort of at the same stage you have mentioned in your post at the moment, at least with twitter, I am terribly new to it. Linked In, Facebook, Blogs I have been using for a while. It is a relief to know that "we have all been there" on the sidelines feeling is a mutual thing.
Yes agreed! It actually takes some work and persistance but I’ve found the pay off well worth the effort. Thanks very much for your comment! I don’t think we’re alone!
[…] Cann, Director of Marketing for IBM, says it best in this post, It’s Not Social, It’s Human. Love her so simple summary on how we connect via social media and in real life in “me […]
After I start your Rss feed it appears to be a ton of junk, is the problem on my side?
I’ve looked into it & we aren’t finding an issue on our end or with other users. Thanks for your comment.
Tami,
Reading your Blog 'Its not social it's human' and Ted Rubin's response, has made me feel particulary human this day !
Great thoughts from human words !!
Thank you Jim for those kind words!
Love your post!!!! (=
and Inspires me to “post more” …I have some “saved draft” never published and I often say to myself..”hey omg it’s too personal – too human”
i just understood…just being myself is the key.
Great thoughts and made me feel great 🙂
ciao!
Rosanna
[…] Cann, Director of Marketing for IBM, says it best in this post, It’s Not Social, It’s Human. Love her so simple summary on how we connect via social media and in real life in “me too” […]