I recently finished Social Media 101 by Chris Brogan. Besides being PACKED with helpful tips and things I wanted to check out to further my knowledge of social media, I found Chris to be entertaining in his online space. He certainly practices what he preaches- he’s involved in the conversation and forms relationships with fans and people he follows.
I for one, included him twice in my tweets, both of which he responded to in a timely fashion. He hoped I enjoyed the book and asked me to let him know how it goes when I use some of his tips.
To me, this is the greatest aspect of social media. As a consumer, I was just recognized by someone I admire, who’s brand I identify with, and who’s club I want to be in. This has happened with other companies as well, and each time I’m still surprised. @KateSpadeNY responded when I asked for a desktop wallpaper to spruce up my screen. @BaliseAutoGroup congratulated me on my 75,000th mile when I told them about it. I even had a whole conversation with @JasonAlba before I met him at a networking event.
Sometimes, you forget what social media tools were meant for: to interact.
My favorite part of the book (he takes a lot of the chapters from his blog posts) is Creatives and Your Secret Mission. This post encourages people to find their passion/hobby outside of their day job and to put honest effort into it. You may have to keep it secret for awhile, but your talent will grow and you will learn more skills to help you succeed. You may not (and likely should not) quit your day job to pursue your Secret Mission, but you never know what it has the potential to do if you don’t try.
As I’ve pursued my (not-so) Secret Mission of an interest in social media, I’ve gotten mostly great support (thanks friends and family!!) but also a little pushback, especially once I went public with my blog and my interest. As a college student, it’s not everyday that my peers give status updates about their new blog post or spend their free time reading social media books. It’s one thing if it’s your Secret Mission- but the harder part is to put yourself out there.
All I have to say to this, is get used to it. It’s who you are, and although not everyone will think its cool you’re a lover of social media, designing your own jewelry line, or trying to change the world, it makes your life that much richer.
Although nerve-wracking to put yourself out there- it’s rewarding, too. I just had a phone conversation with a fabulous woman I’m interested in interning for to help out with some of her social media efforts. We talked a little, as she had talked with many, about how Gen Y is different in the workforce and is stereotypically more needy and less driven. She told me: I don’t know what these people are worried about. My interns ROCK. You just told me you’ve been working on your personal branding strategy online, and I can’t say I did much but get to class everyday in college.
People WILL recognize your effort to pursue your passion, as this potential employer has of mine.
So get to it! Go find your Secret Mission!