Chris Brogan has started a big conversation on his blog. My story needs to be shared on my blog so here we go!
What were your first steps into social media?
In March of 2006, I attended an in-service with Library 2.0 guru Michael Stephens. He outlined the components of Web 2.0, introduced us to blog readers, flickr & social networking sites. And he wrapped it up by challenging us to start blogging – which I did. One month later my Director said, I can’t believe you did that without asking?! and asked me to stop which I did. But I was hooked because the blog reader was invaluable for my new hobby of digital scrapbooking. A month or so later our Director brought in Stephen Abrams a Library 2.0 powerhouse from Ontario.
I became actively involved in the online digital scrapbooking community. I loved the social interaction, learning curve of the hobby & soon found myself helping others. I was in search of an organizing sol’n & found that ACDSee Photo Manager was a fit. As I explored it I helped others in their adoption (by reading the help files :) )
How did you get started?
My turning point in going from a hobby to an addiction happened when Jason Kiwaluk, Community Manager from ACDSee contacted me. He provided me with book titles to read (see below) & links to learn WOM & brand monitoring. In Jan 07 my sister & I launched DigiScrapInfo & I started blogging. Jason expanded his mentoring to include site optimization, SEO, and taught us the basics of driving traffic & immersed us in exploring social media tools.
Who were your early people you admired and followed?
By the end of March 2007 I had exhausted the latest books (even working at a library!) & started reading blogs. When I found Jeremiah Owyang’s blog the resonance was staggering. I mined his categories & he became a great mentor & friend. I love his analytical sense of web strategy. Chris Brogan has also served as a great role model in terms of building community. I have adopted his “What can I do for you?”. Sean O’Driscoll has also greatly influenced me. He has incredible community resources on his blog. In December I had the joy of meeting Jeremiah & Sean in Seattle.
Last summer Dan Schawbel commented on my blog & he’s mentored me in personal branding. In return I edit his Personal Branding Magazine (which is a great resource that everyone should read!!) Since then my list has kept growing. Shel Israel was high on my list after reading his book & he’s now a valued friend.
Here is my list of great influencers in no particular order:
- Brian Solis – PR – co-author of Now is Gone
- Jeremy Pepper, PR at Boingo.com
- Connie Reece – the other Connie/social media maven
- Connie Crosby – the other Connie/librarian
- Jake McKee, the Community Guy
- Mack Collier – Viral Garden (marketing)
- Geoff Livingston – co-author of Now is Gone
- Jeff Glasson PerkettPR
- Beth Kanter, Non Profits
- Jeff Pulver
- Christopher Penn
- Gaurav Mishra – Indian Marketer
- Tom Raftery
- Anna Farmery (the Engaging brand)
- Nick O’Neill
- Rohit Bhargava – author of Personality Not Included
- Lewis Green
- Lee Hopkins – my buddy down under
- Tim Wilson – Analytics
- Tom Noeding – German Comm Mgr Guru
If you were going to give advice to someone starting out, what would you tell them?
I recommend three things:
- The following books are must reads:
- Word of Mouth Marketing by Andy Sernowitz
- Naked Conversations by Shel Israel & Robert Scoble
- Now is Gone by Geoff Livingston & Brian Solis
- Personality Not Included by Rohit Bhargava
- Read blogs & participate in the conversation. Learn as much as you can. Choose from the many I’ve listed above. Start your own blog! :)
- Identify your interests, strengths & weaknesses. Learn from those above. I mentioned the word ‘mentor’ many times & we’re here to help you!
What will you do in the next few months with social media?
- As a Community Manager I keep my plate full.
- In the professional community I work to connect people & provide mentorship.
- And you just never know! Things move quickly in the social media world & I’m always open to new challenges.
Please join the conversation & share your story of how you got started! I’d love to read it. Maybe I’m calling out all of you above?! Do tell – we want to know. :)
Connie, I really enjoyed reading your story. The other day I was doing a live video interview and mentioned you as a great example of a community manager — but I blanked and couldn’t remember the company name. Sorry! I’ll email the host so they can add a link.
I really enjoyed reading your story too! What a great community conversation!
Thanks Connie & Beth. I have really appreciated your support & help. Both of you contribute in your own ways too.
You just reminded me that I was going to ask others to share their stories on their blogs.
Hey there Connie,
Great story on how to set goals and accomplish great things. The social media community opens their arms to anyone with the willingness to learn and give back and you’ve proven what wonderful things can come from that experience. Bravo!
David
Thanks for the shout-out and the love. Hope all’s going well!
Connie,
great post and thanks for the mention and link.
Another book I always recommend to people starting out in this area is the Cluetrain Manifesto. It is a fabulous primer into how how the Internet has changed the world and what you need to do to catch up.
Thanks David! I need to add your name to the list too. You’ve provided some great advice.
Hey Jeremy – life is busy & good! :) When I went to get your link I found some interesting reading – thanks! I’m sure that others will find it useful too
And Tom I totally agree about the Cluetrain Manifesto. In fact Valerie Maltoni had tagged me in a meme & I just responded to that here: http://conniebensen.com/blog/2008/05/04/the-cluetrain-manifesto-conversation/
[…] My story has been an adventure. […]
Just came from your guest post on Chris Brogan’s blog. Thanks for sharing such valuable (and implementable) advice!
such a luck is that, to find myself in Connie’s blog while i was working on to build a new community…