Networking is an amazing thing. My biggest professional successes have come from good friends and good tweets. However: I worked very, very hard to build a name for myself and make my own way. There would be nights until 2-3am where I would be drafting proposals, or workshops; writing articles or convincing myself that the passion I had for living out loud had finally culminated into a real-life example: Social Media.
Just like when a fad takes off, we see the trickles down to the strangest places. I’m becoming a bit annoyed with those that want to jump on the ‘Social Media!’ bandwagon- because they had a genius idea that since they’re on Facebook and Twitter, they want to start a business and just tweet, “all day!” Social Media is becoming the leggings of society. Everyone’s trying it out, but very few look good in the cotton cling.
I can’t tell you how many people have grabbed my card or my hand after a presentation and asked, “I think I would love to do exactly what you’re doing! I need to learn more, but I really like the idea of talking about Social Media. I’m a twitter addict. Help me!” It’s the same feeling when someone asks, “Where did you get your cards? These are genius and I want mine to look the same!” –It’s happened probably over a hundred times. The first 10 times, it was sweet. I was honored. Then? I recognized what was happening.
There’s a series of geek sayings that I’ve loved for years. One of which is, “No. I will not fix your computer.” It always struck me as both brutally honest and hilarious at the same time. I think I finally get the mentality: Those of us who truly believe in Social Media want everyone else to get on board- really. The world is a better place when we are connected. But once you’re on board? It’s not our job to make YOU a success. That’s something you have to do on your own. Copying someone’s business card, isn’t going to make anyone else feel any better about you. Social Media is about innovation and making a name for WHO YOU BELIEVE IN. How can you believe in a replica of someone else?
The moment you stop respecting who I am, and start just asking, “what can you do for me?” just creates tension. Ever been in the grocery store when the child in front of you first begs their parent for candy, then a trinket in the checkout and finally just settles for more attention? That’s what’s happening to you when you ask for me to make your success for you. I believed in Social Media when it was the red-headed-stepchild of the workplace and job search. I submitted proposals to get government involvement and the recognition that this was an IMPACTFUL way for people to be heard.
At a recent event I had the privilege of connecting with job seekers, the employed and the people who just wanted my job. I often get asked, “I want to do what you do. Will you show me how?” Mentoring is a great example of giving back to a community who has given me so much- unfortunately, it allows people to TAKE more than BRINGING THEMSELVES to the large table of what Social Media is about.
The moment someone walks up to me and asks me for something, I’m on red-alert. Would you just walk into a company and demand to be hired without showing any talent, drive or respect? If you’re telling me you want what I have? How have you worked for it? Someone I’m honored to do and often do is have the ability to sit down with people and FIND THEIR PASSION. If it’s only themselves? I know they’ll fail. We must believe in something outside of ourselves to connect to the world. Social Media Startups and design companies are failing everyday because of that simple truth: It takes more than who you are to create what you want.
The difference: Is in how we live out what we believe. Are we treating Social Media as leggings, or jeans? Jeans evolve over time, (rolled, skinny, flare, bootcut, skinny…) while leggings are one shape and the opposite of innovative. If you’re assuming Social Media is just a fantastic fad that you want to dominate- I have news for you. Treat Social Media and those that have given ourselves to its success, and you’ll find the impostor in your posts will be known. How many Social Media start-ups do you see? How many will fail? Are they taking an all-encompassing look at what SURROUNDS Online and B2B Networking or are they just assuming that one-size will fit all?
Show the world your value and beliefs- you’ll find your own success.
