Watering Plants, Putting Out Fires and other Social Networking Folk Songs

Three events attended last week and at two of them I gave a presentation about the current trends in online recruitment – more of that probably in a future post.

The other event was an enjoyable evening hosted by Bernie Mitchell of Engaging People in which four social media networking professionals shared their take on Gary Vaynerchuk’s book Thank You Economy.

At these more informal events, where networking is mixed with learning, the Twitter stream is usually alive with ideas as attendees interpret and assimilate what they’re hearing with their own impressions and thoughts.

Previously the hashtag thread would have mainly contained oft repeated soundbites with speakers tailoring their quotes and slides to be tweetable.

But now most of those who present are telling stories and sharing experiences so the input from those listening is crucial. Some of the key points are delivered anecdotally. In the way traditional stories and folk songs were passed on and down, each time gaining a little more colour and emphasis, so those who share these new ‘stories’ are likewise creating a heritage – albeit a constantly shifting and evolving one at 140 characters a time.

So here are my top 10 nuggets from last week’s event…

• Can we stop talking about social media and social media f***ing marketing. It’s social networking
• Our grandparents are better equipped for being social because they remember the importance of real relationships
• Social networking is about watering plants and putting out fires
• Don’t wait until you know how important someone is before you say sorry, please or thank you
• Tonight I was happy people DIDN’T talk about social media ROI. It is about connecting with people: do that & the sales will come
• The fact is that people don’t join social networks to be sold to or marketed to
• I think everybody in marketing should take an exam in social networking
• Making your customers smile can bring you business
• Service & relationships first, sales & commerce second, people share emotions not facts.
• You wouldn’t push crap product on your friends – see every customer as your friend

…hope you find one there to share with someone today