Have you read UnMarketing by Scott Stratten yet? It’s a great read, and I think if you are new to the world of Twitter and Social Media, it could be akin to a holy grail. Anyway, one of the things that Scott talks about in there is how he spent a lot of time building his community on Twitter before he started blogging. Then once he published his first blog post, he had thousands of people ready to read what he had to say.
My response in my head was, “Man, I don’t know what I would have talked about when I was first starting on Twitter if I hadn’t had some blog posts to tweet out.” However, like on so many things, I have now learned to see things from a different perspective.
So you’re Blogger Baggins
You’ve been gifted, unknowingly, a huge gift. It’s called the Media of Power, and it enables you to reach thousands of people with everything you say. Your job is to use this powerful tool to accomplish whatever goal you have, whether it’s personal branding, building a business, or promoting a business that already exists. But you’re kind of small potatoes in the great big world of Social Media, right? And there are all kinds of dangers and risks round these parts. Not so much talking trees, but definitely talking trolls.
You’re not all that different from Frodo Baggins. He had, originally, a single challenge. Get the ring of power to the town of Bree, and then big powerful Gandalf would take over. But Frodo didn’t start his journey alone, did he? No indeed. Frodo started out with his Sam.
You won’t get far without your Sam
One disadvantage you have in comparison with Mr. Frodo is that you probably (I’d wager) don’t have a wizard assigning someone to be your friend. If you do, then you probably need to leave off here and go to a very different kind of blog. But anyway, let’s assume that you are well in mind and spirit. How do you find your Sam?
In fact, finding your Sam in Social Media is not about finding just 1 person, but it’s really about finding a lot of Samwise Gamgees. Some call this community building. I like to refer to it as “making friends.” However you name it, you need to look for people who are willing to travel the wilds of the Social Media world with you. These are people who have similar interests to you, probably. They may have similar perspectives on things. They may be coming into Social Media just like you, or maybe you look to them for help and support because they’ve been around longer.
There are lots of ways to meet your Sam. Some of these ways include:
• Interacting with people in chats – you know there is a common interest there
• Looking for comments in your stream that catch your interest – start talking to that person
• Search for words that would be important to you and start connecting with those people
• Comment on blogs that you like – that gives you a really good idea of what someone is like, and they get to know you, too
Let’s talk about wizards for just a second
As a footnote, there are Gandalfs in this space, and there are also Sarumans. Both claim great power, but only one will guide you in the ways of good. If you can find yourself a Gandalf, you have found yourself a trailblazer. Stay close.
Arrows and Axes
For a long part of his journey, Frodo benefited from the protection of a dwarf, Gimli, and an elf, Legolas. These two swore to protect Frodo and his ring of power. Now, you don’t want to necessarily look for people who will protect you, although sometimes you do need help beating that cave troll. What these fellows can do is help spread the word about you. They can go out into this huge space and say, “Hey! Look at what this person is doing!” They can find other friends for you too, like maybe a Treebeard type friend who will herd all kinds of other friends together for you. These kinds of people are what some might call brand evangelists, but I always kind of squirm at that phrase. I like to call them supportive people. Who like to talk. A lot. About you.
Beware of the Gollums and Boromirs
As you build your fellowship, you must always be aware of people who might try to rip away whatever you’re building. Sometimes these people can approach you as if they want to be part of your ring of friends, but something in them makes them dangerous when it comes to your objectives. Maybe they come and argue with you on your blog no matter what. Maybe they spread rumors about you. Who knows why. Maybe they are jealous of your success. Maybe they’re just really bored.
You’ll become the king and find yourself among kings
As you build your fellowship – as you build your own blog, your own voice, and your own community of Sams and Gimlis and maybe a Gandalf or two, you will find that people whom you consider kings will suddenly start to say, “Oh, cool, another king’s in town.” Maybe they won’t say it exactly like that, but that will be the sentiment. The important thing when you become a king is to remember that you would never have gotten there without your fellowship. The other important thing to remember is that the best king makes sure everyone in the fellowship becomes a king too. Your job is not done when you find success. That’s how kings get overthrown.
Behind every successful blog there lies a fellowship
If you look at some of the big blog success stories, you will find that a lot of the story interwoven into those sites is how they are supported by the community. Building your fellowship can start right away, right now. In fact, the earlier you start, the better, not only because you’ll grow faster but also because as you find success, you’ll have a larger fellowship to share it with.
Who’s in your fellowship? Let’s start building. Let’s start walking. There’s a long way to go.
1st image credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/noyoo
2nd image Credit: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/anishaaa
3rd Image by Vedrana Bosnjak. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/veke
Thanks Margie-A fitting illustration of the social journey that awaits us!
Glad you liked it, Van 🙂
Nicely Done.
As an LOTR fan, I have a real appreciation for how you’ve crafted this piece like an enduring story. You’re a wizard with words, my friend.
I’ll be pleased to pass this along to many starting out not just with blogging, but in SM in general. I think the examples given apply all around.
Only one question remains: Where does Shelab fit in? ;>
Oh, the evil spider. Well, I would say that the Gollums and Boromirs of the world can lead you into all sorts of dark places, but actually I would say that Shelob is self-doubt. It sucks out your ability to blog because you feel like everything you’re doing is crap. It paralyzes you and gives you writer’s block.
Given that, I have no idea what Sauron would be. Maybe just quitting altogether? 🙂
Great post Margie and +10 points for the LOTR comparisons.
Much like life itself, blogging is a journey where companions, opponents, and mercenaries come in and out of your journey as you evolve and learn. Finding a good group that share your values and believe in mutual benefit is key.
Cheers!
Jeff – Sensei
Well said, Jeff.
Where can I use my +10? 🙂
So what you’re telling me is that you’re a Tolkein fan? Solid analogy. I like it!
One more thing: This stuff takes time. A lot of it. I cannot believe how much time I put into this. But every single day I learn more and more about my own strengths and weaknesses, and where I can carve out my niche, and where I can have impact.
But the results are paying off – slowly and surely.
Of course, I’d give anything to be invisible every now and then, juuuuust to see what really goes on!
I might be a huge fan of Tolkien, yes. 🙂
Yeah, the time thing. Boy, it adds up fast, doesn’t it? And sometimes you think, “Ahh, it’s all working out.” And other times you think, “Ugh, pah, why why why?”
Judging from some of the conversations I see when I am 100% visible, I’d hate to think what I’d see/hear if I was invisible. Yikes. Shiver me timbers, as it were 🙂
Well, I consider you part of my fellowship, yep I do! 🙂 Love the LOTR analogies. (And yes, I have all the DVDs, extended versions, of course.)
One thing I’m doing is getting more brave about reaching out to people I don’t know, just up and emailing or commenting that I love their blog or site or product or whatever it is that draws me to them, and then strike up a conversation. I’m almost always pleased and amazed at the generosity of people.
For instance, when I was starting to make connections with the divorce mediation and collaborative law world in Boston, I emailed David Hoffman, the founder of a great law firm, Boston Law Collaborative. I said “hi, we both know Stu Webb (the founder of Collaborative Law) and I just wanted to say I love your web site and what you’re doing out there. I’m in Boston regularly and would like to meet you for coffee if at all possible” or some such.
He invited me to his firm’s monthly luncheon, introduced me around and we’ve been in touch ever since. Subsequently, I took a 40 hour mediation training from him, which was amazing.
Similar experience with Lee Rosen, a fantastic divorce lawyer in North Carolina. I started commenting on his awesome blog (Divorce Discourse) for family lawyers and we’ve had a conversation going for a bit now. He’s so generous with his time and advice!
Anyway, peeps, reach out and you’ll be pleasantly shocked at the goodness and kindness of most folks.
Great post, Margie!
Thanks, my friend.
It is amazing to be able to be in a scenario where you can meet new people every day. In fact, online you have to challenge yourself to keep meeting new people because the stream is perpetually changing. It’s both wonderful and daunting.
You are giving a great gift by going out and meeting people. I am certainly glad we have connected! 🙂
Wonderful perspective for those just taking on this area. I’ll certainly leverage this for personal and professional blog work.
And I just received UnMarketing for Christmas and am very much enjoying Scott’s unique voice and perspective.
Looking forward to more of your work.
Tom
Thanks, Tom! Welcome to this wild work. Glad you enjoyed what you read here. I look forward to hearing what you come away with after reading UnMarketing!
Love it! I, like many, read Tolkien avidly when I was younger and really enjoyed your analogies. Very fun and good tips too! Great writing, Margie.
Daria
Thanks, Daria!
Hi Margie,
What a fitting post. I consider you truly a brand evangelist for gagasgarden and one of the most suportive people and friends in the social media online community. But something wonderful happened on my merry way tweeting on Twitter; you became a friend, a confidant, and a mentor.
Warmest Regards,
Gaga
you are too good to me. What a sweet thing to say. Thank you!!
Beneficial info and excellent design you got here! I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and putting the time into the stuff you publish! Great work!