Definitive Proof that Engagement is Valuable
As you wind down a project, you find that any little oomph that can lift you up and over the finish line is much like a lovely breeze on a burning hot day. It is thus entirely in the realm of happy serendipity that I had the experience I did yesterday.
See, for about 5 months now, I’ve been blogging about engagement online. A lot of people think engagement is an over-stressed segment of the online world because it technically doesn’t lead to you making money. I got some crap (for lack of a better word) when folks found out I’d be spending so much time on this “overdone” topic. But yesterday, I got the ultimate validation that while online engagement on its own may not have a business value, it is priceless.
Yesterday, I received the worst comment on a post I have ever gotten. The comment was pretty mean, but it was worded in a way that made me wonder if maybe they were right. I’ll be honest – it kind of took my breath away a bit. It’s not that I mind criticism or disagreement – it was just the tonality of it.
Suddenly, without me doing anything apart from saying I was sorry the post so disappointed the commenter, two fine fellows engaged the person in a way that diffused them and also let me know that folks had my back.
It’s true that a lot of people are using social media primarily for professional reasons these days, but we’re all still people. We all are taking risks by sending our writing and our thoughts out into the world everyday. And it’s true that you could do that in a very straightforward way and avoid the “people stuff.” But having experienced what I did yesterday, I have to say it was darned nice to know that folks have my back. I’m sure other people know I have their backs, too.
Is there a business advantage to this facet of engagement? It’s not a straight line. But if you’re here building your brand or your business, I wouldn’t want to risk missing the gentler, kinder side of human nature. What a joy online engagement can be through that prism.
Don’t you think?
This is post #98 in the Engagement Series. Just 2 more to go!!
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Margie, as we blog and post, we definitely take a risk “sending our writing and our thoughts out into the world everyday.” It’s difficult sometimes, but we can’t take it personally. Not everyone likes the same books we read or TV shows we watch. It’s just human nature.
Plus, who knows who’s out there responding to our writing? They can be from anywhere, from any walk of life, and certainly with any frame of mind or intelligence. Kind of makes me wonder just how different social media marketing is to traditional marketing. Do we ever really know who’s reading us until we get a comment? Perhaps this isn’t the magic marketing pill people predicted?
“Is it me, or is social media becoming another chore to juggle?”
http://elainefogel.net/2011/07/26/is-it-me-or-is-social-media-becoming-another-chore-to-juggle/
Hi Elaine,
You raise an interesting question – where does this all intersect with marketing?
The answer, I think, is the missing link, up till now, which has been using social media in ways that are meaningful to your prospects and/or customers.
It’s why, even though I love talking about religion and politics, I refrain from doing so. I am out here for professional reasons and I do not want to alienate anyone who might otherwise want to work with me. It’s a shame that we can’t meet each other with civility where we disagree, but that’s the world we live in.
If your customers or prospects don’t like what you are doing, obviously the move is to adjust. But if someone randomly gives you a hard time because their interests don’t align with yours, that is a cause of concern on a more societal, beyond-marketing level.
Thanks so much for coming by and commenting!
Margie,
What a grea post! I agree with you whole heartedly. We are all still people and whether you’re in the physical world or cyber world, we should always mind our manners. Good manners have always brough people more blessing than not. And for those who don’t practice them well, they’re in a club all of their own.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Blessings,
Laurie Popovich
Thanks, Laurie. So glad to hear you liked it! 🙂
Margie, I really enjoy your posts – I look forward to reading them. Of course there are some I like more than others. Isn’t that normal? I’m pretty sure you know you can’t please everyone all the time! Being upset over a negative comment does get you in the gut though no matter how aware you are that you can’t please everyone. Sorry you had that happen. I have a strong feeling it didn’t get you down for long!
Very true. You can’t even please all of the people some of the time.
Like I said, I certainly don’t expect everyone to like everything I do. I welcome disagreements, in fact. But useless comments like, “This is crap,” well, that just doesn’t seem to do anything except maybe make that person feel powerful. It doesn’t add anything to me as the blogger or to them as an online participant. In fact, I’d venture to say it detracts from them rather substantially.
And, did you leave that comment up for all the world to see? At the end of the day, Margie, it comes back to the original commenter and is not a reflection on you. This is what I’ve been yakking about of late, too — the lack of common courtesy and respect for those who are putting their time and effort into creating a haven for intellectual stimulation.
There are those who wish to deny that privilege and hurt with words. Words hurt, regardless.
Your thoughtful approach is one I’ve just begun to experience; I’m enjoying your other perspective and thank you for it.
Actually, the comment was left on a guest post I wrote, so it wasn’t up to me, in this instance. I do tend to leave all comments out there though. A comment that is bereft of true meaning won’t really reflect poorly on me or my content, but rather it will blow back on the person leaving it.
The sad thing about this particular case is that the person hid behind an anonymous handle, so even the protection of the online world was not quite substantial enough to make them feel comfortable in what they were saying.
Such a bummer to be a person like that, I’d have to imagine.
Thanks for coming by!
Didn’t see the comment (can’t find it?) however know that I too have your back.
Remember at the end of the day if you are putting anything out at all worth reading somebody, somewhere won’t’ like it. And they’ll tell you. My mantra is haters = focus. If you don’t have a clear message and voice then there is nothing to offend.
Of course it’s good to occasionally take a step back for an objective view on what you do. In this case your community / tribe has spoken, and they approve.
Thanks, Nicole. As I mentioned above, the comment was actually on a guest post I wrote, so it’s not here. But I appreciate your vote of support a great deal – and that’s my point. There is a lot of positive stuff about the online world that shouldn’t just be swept under the rug 🙂
Margie,
All of the above comments say the truth and show their insight and right-ness.
It still hurts, though. Because you are right. We put what comes from inside us, whether we share more or less of our personal selves in different ..niches. It is still us, we think of it, put it down, add the touches and send it out to be appreciated, read, passed on, commented on …or ignored. Disagreement, well, it’s there, because we are all different and yada yada. Attacks, just aren’t something we ever expect.
I’m sorry, because over just the last few weeks since I actually “met” you, I have come to value you. Your posts inform and at least half the time, make me laugh out loud! (and I’m not a laugh-er) They make me think and remind me of some of our good-life-rules. I love the no-nonsense-cut-the-bullshit sound of your voice, I never have to wonder what the lesson or point is.
I’m sorry, but it also brings into the shine the best part of what and why we do what we do. There are so many good and right people in this world. Being online showed me that. There are so many people who wont stand back and just let wrong shit happen.
Wiggity wack! ~Amber-Lee
haha, wiggity wack! I like that. Thanks Amber-Lee. I am very glad I’m getting to know you as well. And while the comment itself was a real bummer, the way that it led to reminding me that I had people in my corner was worth the price. I wouldn’t take that experience back for anything.
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