What I Did This Morning Instead of Blog
There’s a lot more to social media than just blogging. To be active, we must be out there listening, commenting, contributing, communicating in other ways, and reaching the people who matter to us. One one side, that’s where I’ve spent a lot of my time this morning. And I’ve been doing other things, too.
Inspired a bit by Andy Quayle’s What Did You Do Today post, here’s a bit of what’s on my plate (not counting family life):
CrossTech Media
I’ve been doing lots of stuff for CrossTech Media in anticipation of our upcoming ITEC Houston technology event, I’ve been working with Radian6 on a webinar/video series that we’re producing for a CrossTech webinar. I’m also trying to build interest and awareness of our new The Next Data Center executive briefing event, which I’m really happy about. I’m also building out events for later in the year (something about the future of work, and one about communications, and another about social software). I’m building speaking engagements now for New Marketing Summit, my event in Boston this fall. So, that’s a lot.
PodCamp
PodCamp Boston3 is coming up this summer. I’m in charge of helping raise sponsorship money to cover the venue, the wifi, the other stuff that makes a PodCamp happen. Christopher Penn and Whitney Hoffman and others do all the heavy lifting, but fundraising takes some efforts, too.
Book
I’m co-authoring a book soon with Julien Smith. We’re in the proposal stage, so I won’t say more. Book is the new “rock band” thing we say. “Oh yeah, I’m writing a book, too.” But it’s something that matters to me, so I’m putting what I can into it.
Social Media Stuff
Here’s a pretty busy bucket that I’ve run out of time to cover. But there’s where I spend a lot of time, too. What comes of this part is always interesting, quirky, sometimes business-actionable, and filled to the brim with humans. THIS is where the above stuff starts. Social media are the fields I tend, where I plant seeds, weed out things that don’t work, grow new varieties of relationships, and develop ideas that might or might not lead to business or a further sense of being helpful.
Later, I’ll cover what goes into all this, but start here. Think here. Start here. Think about how this is what social media does for individuals. Do you know that’s why my bosses hired me in and gave me a big role in changing their company? Do you know that my bosses (and I say that half joking, because I think of us as business partners with different percentages) talk to me about Twitter and Facebook and things like that every day?
If you’re passionate about social media, real business happens here, real connections and value happen here. Education happens here. It’s what you want to make of it, and it’s a powerful force for STARTING and MAINTAINING good things. It’s up to use to close what you do with it. But if you use the tools, at least you can start.
What are you doing today? How are you using social media to move the ball forward in your life? What are your challenges?
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Comments
Chris,
Social Media keeps me busy! Blogging is the main attraction for me but all the other outlets allow people to see the posts and interact and let my business grow. Twitter has been amazing, there’s always Facebook (and Myspace, I work in the music industry) and then learning the ropes on Digg.
Keeping priorities and setting goals for your Social Media work is a must. Progress must be made and feed readers turned off every once in a while.
This morning, instead of blogging, I twittered, I joined the conversation with friends online at FaceBook’s Squawk Box morning call, I joined a new social media site (socialmedian.com,) and I added video mail (SightSpeed Light ap) to MySpace. I deleted hundreds of boring emails on the side. Time to blog and get serious about writing…
Joy~
Jeanette
You do keep very productive in a helpful to others way which is most fulfilling as you know. Your schedule is so high powered? What’s your blood type-O?
I so agree with you about listening, commenting, contributing, and communicating with people. The more authentic one is, the bigger return but without focusing on the return is best imho.
“…STARTING and MAINTAINING good things” - love that!
For me, i find the challenge to be that sometimes I think too much or I censor myself. I want to contribute and have something meaningful to say, but sometimes I get stuck in my own head. I am passionate about connecting with people. It is powerful, enlightining, wonderful and fun. I just have to get out of my way first.
I simply want to know what you use to manage your schedule, Chris. What calendaring software or life management software you use — do you carry around a pencil & notepad as well?
This morning, I read some email, made a call, blogged about an article and sat out by the pool.
Sitting out by the pool (on vacation) with the kids was the best social thing I could do today (aside from reading a Chris Brogan article :)
See you at PodcampNYC
I started my blog as a way to collect my thoughts and empty my head on microbusiness topics that come up, while I find my own way to independent work. I hoped to start some conversations about what folks are doing, what tools they are using, etc. But I got far more than that.
Now, especially with Twitter, I’ve got a growing network of friends and colleagues where I give and get help as I pull together a business model that works and suits me. Their support, encouragement, ideas, and feedback are always pushing me forward. I wake up eager to see what’s been happening while I slept.
The challenge is always: How do I prioritize what needs to get done in the next 24 hours, and what will I do with the Undones?
i know julien from montreal and of course through mitch (joel), looking forward to seeing what you guys are working on.
Social media is addictive but the VERY media people who I have been trying to explain this too still DO NOT GET it. It is actually trying me LOONEY. So, I decided to stop sharing with them so in about 5 years if they ask me we will see if they move ahead.
So sad.
Thanks for sharing, Chris.
Hmm..maybe I need to come to Boston and check out Podcamp out there too! ;)
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w00t! it’s out in the open now. :)