Big Is The New Small

Can You Recognize The Social Media Influencer? Well the obvious answer is yes, absolutely I can.  You may even think of some of your favorite Social Media Influencers and why you follow them.  Leading and influencing in the world of social media can sometimes be more difficult than leading/influencing in a traditional leadership/work setting.

The social media influencer has to lead purely through relational and content equity.  There is no positional equity, hierarchical leadership or formal boss.  The social media influencer has to answer this daily question for their followers: “Why should I listen to, or follow you?”  In other words, what are you providing that makes people want to follow you; especially when there are thousands of others who are only a click away.

Social Media Influence is not simply about the numbers but rather about value.  @Oprah has over 4 million followers on Twitter, however she hasn’t tweeted since May and therefore currently has zero Social Media influence.  @Oprah definitely has potential, but so do every single person in the world of Social Media. Remember This – Potential unrealized is just potential.

On the other hand @revrunwisdom is probably one of the most influential individuals on Twitter.  If he’s not the most influential, he’s definitely at the top, as he is the most re-tweeted Twitter user of all-time.  Why is Rev Run so influential?  It’s quite simple, he provides daily value to every single person in his twitter stream.  He has found is unique voice which is sharing consistent daily morsels of wisdom.  This is an extension of what he did for years prior to joining Twitter at the end of his TV Show Run’s House.  He would close out his show with a quote typed onto his blackberry and end with a “God Is Love… ~Rev Run.”

5 Ways To Be Recognized as A Social Media Leader:

Thoughts?  Who influences you in the world of Social Media and why?

The Twitter vs. Facebook: “And The Winner Is…”  You decide!  Last July, I shared a simple tweet and asked the following question: Twitter vs. Facebook “Which do you prefer Twitter or Facebook & Why?” Answ. in 140 or less @replies  will be a blog post. thx

The majority of the responses overwhelmingly favored Twitter; as a matter of fact only 8% of those who responded had a specific preference for Facebook.   Several of those who responded liked them equally and feel as though they both serve a different purpose.  Twitter fans prefer the here and now quick response and streamlined interaction.  Facebook fans feel that Facebook is more personal; therefore allowing them to share family photos and more personal information.  Of course this post isn’t scientific and could be a tad bit biased.  I did pose the question to my Twitter Community, which BTW is also linked to my Facebook community.

I personally feel that @GodsMac hit the nail on the head by stating “Twitter for sure. Facebook is like a shopping mall, and Twitter is the Apple store. Chaos vs. productivity and progress.” Productivity and progress are definitely appropriate adjectives; @ChrisClayton  chose to use a more descriptive analogy with his tweet stating “Twitter is like sex. I can tell you how great it is but until you do it together you’re just not going to get it.” I don’t know if I would go quite that far; however hands down Twitter is the new Social Media King and you can either choose to recognize that reality now or you will be forced to recognize it later.  (Disclaimer) These responses were from almost a year ago, I’m curious if the responses would still be the same if I asked the the question today?

Check out the responses below and share any observations or additional thoughts:

• @scottwilliams I digg TW it’s quick, easy, potential & feeds FB.  FB is fine but I don’t understand half the requests, causes, confirmation words…
• @GodsMac Twitter for sure. Facebook is like a shopping mall, and Twitter is the Apple store. Chaos vs. productivity and progress.
• @tmoran777 I dig ‘em both. It seems like twitter is better for networking and business, facebook is good for friend type stuff.
• @ardentvox – Facebook = social media to the masses, linking friends. Twitter = real-time social microblogging, connecting strangers.
• @SWMorris I use twitter more than facebook, but I also have it set up so when I post to twitter it updates my facebook status.
• @vinceparker twitter vs. Facebook and the winner is twitter. Don’t get it twisted up 725%
• @SloweThinking both, facebook is the gateway to general info on everyone I know. Twitter is the peeps I want to follow closely day to day
• @djbyron Twitter: daily communication current friends and networking. FB: Communication with friends who have not yet found Twitter.  @ChrisClayton Twitter is like sex. I can tell you how great it is but until you do it together you’re just not going to get it.
• @peacemeals Facebook + Twitter are used for such different things! Hard to prefer one without first answering “for what?”
• @Johnwsnyder I think both are great. It depends on how you are using. They can both be used totally differently, especially for ministry.
• @focusvision I prefer Twitter. It is more like having a conversation. FaceBook is good, but Twitter is great.
• @jasoncurlee Twitter…cause it’s simple…just plain communication.
• @dwightwatson Twitter. Have ACTUALLY connected w/ far more people than on FB & no constant requests for causes or games I don’t have time 4
• @Murphy24p Twitter for short, broad communication and networking and Facebook for more detailed interactions and catching up w/ friends.
• @VanceWalker Ur comparing apples and ..er.. Cherrios. My Twitterverse & FB World don’t intersect. They fill different functions for me.
• @Stillrockin Twitter is more portable, more interactive, easier, funner! I find FB awkward in it’s navigation. Still better than MySpace
• @shoestringing I must admit that I prefer Facebook (although Twitter is wonderful). I am a big Facebook Fan
• @kevinbussey equal I follow twitter updates more but when I need to see or give more info I use FB
• @chuckazooloo when i was linking up last week, and did my little “experiment” some FB people got really mad at me.
• @seanmurphy07 I tweet to my Facebook. I kind of like FB better because there seems to be real interaction. Lots of tweets don’t respond.
• @AD_hoc twitter, less commitment
• @allboutworship hi twitter and who is tom Is that the guy from myspace who didn’t have any friends so came up w/ idea 2 b everyones friend
• @lynseleanne Twitter. It takes all of the catching up away and it is brief and to the point. You know what is going on with people lives.
• @AdamLehman facebook is way more practical. but twitter is more of an obsession. if i had to give up one, it’d be facebook.
• @MichaelMcMinn I do however like that thru twittersync my tweets pregenerate interaction w/ my FB friends for when I’m on FB
• @DavidTCopeland Like FB best for connecting w/people I know now by sharing pics and updates. It is more personal an no one there to sell me
• @RichHopkins – I prefer Twitter – much more streamlined, easier to deal with day to day, particularly with Tweetdeck.
• @andylie twitter – quicker connectivity using mobile device (like Blackberry) – near instant communication among a larger group
• @jeremydbaldwin facebook, upload photo albums, videos, write over 200 charectors, more people are on it.
• @VoteMikeJones twitter can’t have apps
• @PastorScott Both/And – Twitter for immediacy & networking, Facebook for reconnecting w/old friends & longer form notes, messages.
• @benkomanapalli both 4 diff reasons. Twitter 2 connect with new people, get fastnews. FB 2 have a more detailed relationship/conversations.
• @mstrategiesinc Twitter. Wild horses can’t drag me to Facebook. It’s just a social hour. Twitter is for early adopting, SM-biz-minded folk
• @chuckazooloo I prefer Twitter because the culture is less “uptight”! There is an expectation for you to update! People on FB get miffed!
• @iChilly I see them so totally different – Twitter is NOW but Facebook is cool for connecting with people (past & present).
• @AmandaSims I like both. Twitter for the variety of people & resources, Facebook for the interesting apps.
• @bennysalas Facebook! More networking opportunity, connect with way more people. Twitter off the chain too but less personal.
• @BrianAyers FB = better for old friends & people I already know. Twitter = better for networking & meeting new people.
• @robgt2 Twitter because it’s immediate & lets you get to know other people. Facebook lets you talk to people you already know.
• @StephyBarlow i like both!! Twitter for every day connections and Facebook for pictures and groups!
• @gideony They do different things. Facebook for people I know, Twitter for people I don’t. 3
• @Yochanan I like Twitter the best because it’s straight and to the point. No “fluff” and distraction on Twitter.
• @jasonstover Overall, Facebook because it has way more features. BUT, I LOVE the twitter feature that lets me update both at the same time
• @rnsheets I like Facebook better. You can do more activities like YoVille on there, lol
• @gregatkinson hah – you know it’s Twitter hands down
• @Bpirt Twitter- it’s the only way that I can keep up with people without being all up in their business. Tweet faster than a text!
• @steveharrison Twitter! simple.short.saweet!..n Tulsa cuz of Twitter we saw Fee Band & just yesterday blessed 2 see @mathewbarnett share
• @corechurchtroy twitter: easier to manage
• @Twitter Twitter is better, why else would Facebook offer us $500 million (Disclaimer: not really but If I was @Twitter that would be my response)

Twitter vs. Facebook:  Which one wins out for you?  Share your thoughts and comments…

In my opinion Michael Hyatt, the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing Company is “The Man” when it comes to CEO’s who understand Social Media and specifically Twitter.  Thomas Nelson Publishing Company is The Largest Christian Publisher in The World and @MichaelHyatt is at the helm.  He is able to clearly articulate the advantages and necessity for organizations to have a Social Media presence.  He is very active in the world of Social Media and from an outsiders perspective, his activity appears to be a great return on investment.

Earlier this year when I was in Nashville, I had the opportunity to sit down over lunch with Michael Hyatt and let me tell you he’s the real deal.  He’s down to earth, extremely sharp and an all around great guy.  During the course of our conversation we talked publishing, writing, leadership and all things social media.  As we were talking we both agreed on the implications of Twitter and how it’s changed the view of people.  It was during that conversation that where I developed my thoughts on the multi-dimensions of Twitter, I explain the concept of Twitter In 3D in a previous post.

This 10 minute video was an interview that Michael did at the Christian Leadership Alliance Conference.  Michael’s insight is great and this is definitely a worthwhile watch for anyone, especially organizational leaders.

Twitter Lessons From a Major CEO.

Share your thoughts on Michael’s insights or Share your thoughts on the importance of organizational leaders to have a Social Media presence.

(HT- MichaelHyatt.com)

It has become an almost weekly occurrence for me to meet a Social Media friend for the first time IRL (In Real Life) & F2F (Face to Face).   These moments are not awkward, because I embrace the fact that my life is fairly open in the world of Twitter, Facebook and on my Blog.

Sometimes the people that I meet are individuals whom I have never even had an online conversation with let alone a F2F conversation.  They will walk up and say something like this “You don’t know me, but I feel like I know you… I follow you on Twitter and read your blog.”  From that point the conversation generally has something to do with my boys and I going to the barbershop every Friday and me encouraging them to connect with me online.

There are some Social Media relationships that are a little more developed and those F2F meetings are always fun.  Last year I met my buddy @helloheady for the first time IRL & F2F, after connecting with one another for years on-line.  As recent as yesterday I had someone send me a DM on Twitter that they had attended my church for the first time.  Below was our Twitter exchange:

Her: Just attended the 1pm service, my 1st time @ life church and really enjoyed it!  Me: Awesome, glad you enjoyed it. Which campus?  Her: Nw expressway! Now I know who you are!  Me: Awesome, introduce yourself next time…   Her: Will do, I wasn’t for sure if you were the one following me on Twitter…

Social Media Relationships are as real as real as IRL & F2F relationships.

• When someone visits/comments on your Blog, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc., that interaction is as meaningful as you interacting with someone at your office, the coffee shop, the gym…
• People are sometimes more authentic and vulnerable in Social Media than in IRL.  Sometimes you will be sitting right next to someone IRL and not even know that they’re having a bad day.  On the other hand, that same person is blogging and twittering about the bad day they’re having.
• It’s easier to connect with people of similar interests in an online environment than in a offline environment.  Everyone is one click or one search away.
• A person has the ability to overcome interpersonal struggles, as they can be an online extrovert, even though they may be an offline introvert.
• You can evaluate individuals daily interaction, lifestream, thoughts, dreams, perceptions, struggles etc. through Social Media in a short amount of time.  It may take twice as much time to capture the same information IRL & F2F.
• Candor is acceptable and encouraged in the Social Media world and that is not always the case F2F.
• It’s much easier to overcome demographic barriers in the Social Media World.
• Social Media Relationships are more convenient, which is a huge benefit in our fast-paced microwave world.
• You can positively impact the lives of others daily through Social Media without ever knowing you had an impact.  Your posts, tweets, comments, blogs and overall online presence truly make a difference in the lives of others.

I am a huge believer in genuine F2F relationships; however I have embraced the tremendous value of Social Media relationships.  Social Media relationships are making the world smaller and smaller.  This Big ol’ World is getting Smaller and Smaller, One Tweet, Comment, E-mail and One Post at a time.

Some people may totally disagree in the value of Social Media relationships and if that’s the case, we will have to respectfully disagree.  It’s always important to remember the Social Part of the word Social Media.  Social is defined as — The inclination to seek out or enjoy the company of others; sociable.

dream BIG. think BIGGER.

What do you think about Social Media IRL & F2F?  Share any of your experiences meeting someone from your Social Media World IRL & F2F.

Imagine if you received an email from The Facebook Team or The Ultimate Fail Whale himself, stating “Twitter and Facebook Are Shutting Down!”  Seriously, just take a few moments to imagine the implications on you, the businesses you patronize, your friends, the non profits you support, your church…  Imagine the implications!

If Twitter and Facebook were to shut down tomorrow, the affects would definitely affect more the more than 600 million combined users.  Life as we know would change and change in big way.

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine how life was before a few years ago and when we do allow our minds to take a ride on the history train, it generally starts with a phrase like, “Remember, back in the day when…”   Some of my favorite, Remember back in the day when’s are: “Remember back in the day when your kids could run around in the neighborhood and you didn’t have to worry about XYZ or Remember back in the day when everyone knew their neighbors and actually talked to their friends on the phone instead of Social Media and texting.”

This Video proved that Social Media is not a fad.  If Twitter and Facebook were to shut down permanently, I can see the world standing around sharing their versions of Remember back in the bay when’s:

• When we were able to check up on our friends and family in a matter of minutes.
• When we could instantly connect with leaders, experts and people we admire from around the globe.
• When we had instant access to information; not only from Google, but real people, real time.
• When we could take a 3D look into the lives of our pastors, leaders and those we don’t know.
• When the world felt smaller, because we were so connected.
• When (fill-in the blank with your choice phrase)

The bottom line is this, not only are Twitter and Facebook Not A Fad, they have become the fabric of our lives.  It doesn’t matter whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a casual observer or a non-user.  Twitter and Facebook affect the way we think, the way that we do business and the way we live our lives.

If you don’t believe me… Imagine receiving an e-mail stating that “Twitter & Facebook Are Shutting Down!”

What do you think?  How would the world and your life be different?

The World Of Social Media is here to stay and that has major implications for the business sector, organizations and Corporate America.  There are over 200 million bloggers, over 500 million Facebook users, 50 million Twitter users and 34% of these folks post opinions about products and brands.  Theses shared opinions are a big deal, as 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements.

The problem with social media advertising is that many companies don’t have a clear understanding of how to leverage social media for their business.  There are a growing number of businesses whose primary focus and business model is to help organizations leverage social media and they will even do all of the social media work for you.

Here are 5 Ways Businesses Should Leverage Social Media

Know Your Voice- This is the golden rule as it pertains to Social Media.  If you are speaking on behalf of John Q Organization, make sure that you speak from that voice.  Businesses tend to confuse or overlap the voice of their personal brand with their business brand.

If you are tweeting or posting Facebook updates for your Coffee Shop, you should not be tweeting about mowing your grass, unless of course you are mentioning that it’s time to have a nice cup of Joe afterwards.  An easy solution to make sure your business voice is the one speaking is to ask this question before posting — If my company could tweet or post, would they share this?

Be Social- The most important thing about social media is the social part and not the media.  If you look @Starbucks  and @Southwestair  Twitter streams, they are always interacting with customers and people.   Be Social, Be Accessible, Be Social, Be Relevant, Be Social, Be Authentic, Be Social, Be Real, Be Social, Be about Your Brand, Be Social, Be Entertaining, Be Social and did I mention BE SOCIAL!

The statistics that I shared in the beginning of this post about 78% of customers trust peer recommendations drives home the importance of being social.  I think that research could be extended to say that people are more likely to trust and promote brands they feel connected to.  Be Social!

Make A Name For Yourself- This is a two-part solution.  1.) Make sure that your Twitter and Facebook names are simple, easy to remember and relevant to your company.  2.) Make a name for your company by being active in the world of social media.  Have tweet-ups at your place, provide social-media only specials, have promotions that demand viral interaction and be creative.  @dealsplus  is the master of demanding online viral interaction.  It does not matter if your company is large, small, on-line, or has a physical location, you can Make A Name For Yourself. Familiarizing yourself with the 111 Twitter Tools will help you to become efficient at making a name for yourself.

Make Your Profile Work- Make sure your Twitter and Facebook profile represent your company.  If your business is a coffee shop be sure to have your logo as your profile pic. and not your personal glamour shot.  Check out my 6 Ways To Make Your Twitter Profile Work.

Have a Primary Social Media Application- The cool thing about the success of Twitter is that Facebook and Twitter have become kissing cousins.   There are many applications that automate the connection of the two platforms.  Although I encourage the multi-updates in both spaces, it is helpful to focus on one platform as your primary.  For me personally, my primary is Twitter, although every single tweet goes to my Facebook community.

It is great for a business to encourage their customers to connect with them on multiple Social Media medians; however having one or the other as a primary helps with clarity.  Imagine your company as bi-lingual.  The question is: Is your company’s native language Twitterese or Facebookese?  Answer that question and speak that language to your customers.

The bottom line is that Social Media can definitely be a benefit to every business and business owner.  Use It, Try It, Be It, Become A Fan Of It, Study It, Know It, Become Good At Leveraging It.  In the future, “It” Can Make or Break Your Company.

“It” Is Social Media!

What do you think?  What companies do a great job of leveraging Social Media?  Share your thoughts.

This video will blow your mind…

• If it doesn’t, It should.
• If you’re not a believer in Social Media, You should be.
• If your business or organization is not leveraging social media, That’s Stupid!

What do you think?

Is Social Media the vehicle to truly make the world smaller, or is it just a fad? Share your thoughts on these compelling stats and the overall impact of Social Media! ?

There is a lot of discussion about the Internet and social media and whether or not they are creating Illegitimate Experts, Gurus, Leaders… or iPhony’s.  Lets’ look at the definition of Illegitimate- not in accordance with the principles of valid inference.  By this definition the Internet and social media may be creating illegitimate experts, but that’s the beauty of the Internet; a person does not have to be in accordance with a “valid inference.” 

In the www. world you have to create your validity and my thought is “If people are listening and if you have an audience, influence, a voice, knowledge, experience, personality, talent, information… that people want to hear, you have just been legitimized” and therefore are not an iPhony. 

Let’s take a look at a recent product that in my mind was not legitimate and it’s a product that everyone has seen, The Snuggie.  Seriously a backwards robe is not a legitimate product and doesn’t serve a legitimate need.  The Snuggie has sold over 4 million backwards robes; therefore legitimizing them.  “So who am I and what do I know?”

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…  One woman’s phony is another woman’s expert.

Do you think the Internet and Social Media is Creating Illegitimate Experts, Gurus, Leaders… or iPhony’s?   Share Your Thoughts!

Last week had a conversation about Social Media with Tony Steward who in my opinion is one of the most brilliant Social Media Minds that I have interacted with.  Our conversation really got me thinking and challenging the fact that Online relationships are as real and meaningful as Offline relationships. 

I recently had the opportunity to connect offline with a friend of mine @helloheady  for the very first time at a Poetry Night that he hosts.  It felt like I’d known @helloheady  forever, as we have connected in the online world via Blogs, Twitter and Facebook  for well over a year.  Here are 9 reasons Online Relationships Are As Real As Offline:

1. When someone visits/comments on your Blog, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc.; that interaction is as meaningful as you seeing/interacting with someone at your office, the coffee shop, the gym…
2. People can be more authentic and vulnerable in an online environment than an offline environment.  You can be sitting right next to someone and not know their having a bad day, while they are blogging and twittering about the bad day they’re having.
3. It’s easier to connect with people of similar interests in an online environment than in a offline environment.  Everyone is one click or one search away.
4. A person has the ability to overcome interpersonal struggles as they can be an online extrovert, even though they may be an offline introvert.
5. You can evaluate individuals daily interaction, lifestream, thoughts, dreams, perceptions, struggles… through online sharing in a shorter amount of time.  It may take twice as much time to capture the same information in an offline environment.
6. Candor is acceptable and encouraged in the online world; not always the case offline.
7. It’s much easier to overcome demographic barriers in an online environment as compared to the offline world.
8. Relationships are more convenient in an online environment; which can be a huge benefit in our fast-paced microwave world.
9. You can impact lives daily in an online world without ever knowing knowing you had an impact: through your posts, your tweets, your comments, your online presence…

I am a huge  believer in genuine face-to-face offline relationships; however I am truly embracing the value of online relationships.  Online relationships are making the world smaller and smaller.  This Big ol’ World is getting Smaller and Smaller:  One Tweet, One Comment , One E-mail and One Post at a time.  BigIsTheNewSmall 

I know there are people who totally disagree with this line of thinking and I respect their opinion… My only thought challenge is please prove otherwise.

Are Online relationships as Real and Meaningful as Offline?  Is there anything that you would like to add to the list?  Share your thoughts and experiences?