L to R: Beth Harte, Mack Collier, Frank and Pamela Martin, Connie Reece
Have you forgotten why you do what you do?
It’s easy to do, of course. Emails, voicemails, your blog and your Twitter account and that budget spreadsheet, and your annual marketing plan and….
Stop.
Answer yourself three questions:
1. Why am I continuing to work my butt off and get all this done?
2. What am I learning from this every day?
3. How do I define success?
For me, the answers are:
- Because I absolutely love teaching, learning, and connecting with people, and my job lets me do that every day.
- I’m learning (reinforcing) that all these terms – marketing, social media, communications, PR – are fancy terms for the basic concepts of connecting people. When they do that well, they succeed. When they do it poorly, they fail.
- Success to me is waking up every day looking forward to the possibilities, meeting new people that I can keep around for a lifetime (whether personally or professionally), and ensuring that my daughter never has to worry about the financial aspect of going to college.
CC Chapman and Scott Monty
At the Marketing Profs Digital Mixer last week, I expected to go there and find a great deal of professional connection. I did. But the more important and lasting takeaway for me was reigniting my passion for not only my work, but for people.
I do what I do because I love – absolutely love – that moment when you’re sitting and talking with someone and you feel that little ‘ping’ of connection. Over a book, or a common philosophy, or a movie or parenthood or a sense of humor. It’s a bit funny to me that I’ve learned that I’m in social media and marketing for the human element, and the business success part is a fortunate byproduct. The fact that I can make a living doing this is beyond amazing to me.
Chris Brogan and Elizabeth Hannan
Gary Vaynerchuck’s keynote address drove it home for me. His passion is palpable, he’s irreverent, he asks permission from no one, and he clearly understands and embraces the value of human connection. A guy who proves it by making sure that each email unsub gets outreach, he gets why people are important (and paramount to him being able to eventually buy the New York Jets, his answer to #3 above). (Listen here for an audio version of his talk).
But throughout the week, I met incredible new people and reconnected with others, and I’m hopeful that all of them will indulge me and let me keep them around for a while. I’d list you all here, but I have other plans…
So to all of you: those that read, those that lurk, those that I know personally and those I’ve yet to meet. Thank you. For your inspiration, your participation, and for reminding me every day that people are inherently good, fun, and incredibly interesting. Each time I get bogged down in the details, I’m reminding myself of my three answers and letting them guide me. If I don’t yet know you, let’s fix that, huh?
Have you found the human element in your business? Are you passionate? Do you remember what you’re doing this for?
From a rookie among pro’s…
1. Because complacency is the enemy of drive and ambition. I’m a copywriter and it’s what I’ve wanted to be. However, social media has lured me in and now I’m stuck. So my “everyday” is doing my current job and learning/researching social media as much as possible in order to either incorporate it or make the change. To be the best you should learn from the best, so I try to do that. Isn’t that what brought me here?
2. I’m learning tons about Social Media, to state the obvious. I’m also learning that people are indeed inherently good. It continues to blow my mind that the experts in this field are so willing to help. They love to communicate and it’s their job. Isn’t that the perfect combination… loving what you do.
3. Success is being able to say “my job rocks” and mean it. Sorry to repeat question 2’s response, but loving and enjoying what you do has to be the ultimate in career success. There has to be something said about enjoying going to work instead of dreading it.
From a rookie among pro’s…
1. Because complacency is the enemy of drive and ambition. I’m a copywriter and it’s what I’ve wanted to be. However, social media has lured me in and now I’m stuck. So my “everyday” is doing my current job and learning/researching social media as much as possible in order to either incorporate it or make the change. To be the best you should learn from the best, so I try to do that. Isn’t that what brought me here?
2. I’m learning tons about Social Media, to state the obvious. I’m also learning that people are indeed inherently good. It continues to blow my mind that the experts in this field are so willing to help. They love to communicate and it’s their job. Isn’t that the perfect combination… loving what you do.
3. Success is being able to say “my job rocks” and mean it. Sorry to repeat question 2’s response, but loving and enjoying what you do has to be the ultimate in career success. There has to be something said about enjoying going to work instead of dreading it.
I am relatively new at this Web 2.0 stuff. But I can tell you that,
1. I find myself getting VERY excited every time I talk to someone about social networking. I guess that I found my new purpose in business.
2. I like building new relationships and discovering talents that were hidden before
3. I define my success by how many people around me I help succeed.
I am relatively new at this Web 2.0 stuff. But I can tell you that,
1. I find myself getting VERY excited every time I talk to someone about social networking. I guess that I found my new purpose in business.
2. I like building new relationships and discovering talents that were hidden before
3. I define my success by how many people around me I help succeed.
Amber, a great post! Connecting with people in a meaningful way…is hard work, but it is SO worth it! Complacent people need not apply.
I have always been a passionate marketer, but always faced some limitation from a force I couldn’t control (um, “the man.” <— For those who haven’t listened to Gary’s keynote, click on the link up above and do so. You’ll know who I am talking about). No more. And it’s a great feeling! Working hard is a pleasure and worth every second.
Social media drives home what should have never been tossed aside…connecting with people not numbers. I am grateful that newer tools allow us to do just that.
And thank you Amber for being a friend and a marketing/social media spring board. You truly know what conversation is worth!
Amber, a great post! Connecting with people in a meaningful way…is hard work, but it is SO worth it! Complacent people need not apply.
I have always been a passionate marketer, but always faced some limitation from a force I couldn’t control (um, “the man.” <— For those who haven’t listened to Gary’s keynote, click on the link up above and do so. You’ll know who I am talking about). No more. And it’s a great feeling! Working hard is a pleasure and worth every second.
Social media drives home what should have never been tossed aside…connecting with people not numbers. I am grateful that newer tools allow us to do just that.
And thank you Amber for being a friend and a marketing/social media spring board. You truly know what conversation is worth!
I would have loved to have been there! Sounds like a great time was had by all … and that is the point. Social media only works because people (real people) put in the effort to make those connections, get to the conferences and so on. The best thing is, that after you have been “participating” online, the barriers between us all come down. There isn’t the same reticence that you have when meeting someone for the first time. But it is the in-person meet-ups where the magic happens 😉
Gavin Heatons last blog post..Why Social Media is Good for Small Business
I would have loved to have been there! Sounds like a great time was had by all … and that is the point. Social media only works because people (real people) put in the effort to make those connections, get to the conferences and so on. The best thing is, that after you have been “participating” online, the barriers between us all come down. There isn’t the same reticence that you have when meeting someone for the first time. But it is the in-person meet-ups where the magic happens 😉
Gavin Heatons last blog post..Why Social Media is Good for Small Business
Great post Amber – I know many of those people as well and they are all wonderful. I hope to meet you out and about one day too. 🙂
We can all get annoyed by the day to day checking of e-mail, Twitter, FB, etc. – but it makes it that much happier when you have great (and fun) interactions with good friends – from both on and offline.
~ Larissa
@LYF108
Great post Amber – I know many of those people as well and they are all wonderful. I hope to meet you out and about one day too. 🙂
We can all get annoyed by the day to day checking of e-mail, Twitter, FB, etc. – but it makes it that much happier when you have great (and fun) interactions with good friends – from both on and offline.
~ Larissa
@LYF108
The people that love social media are the same people that used to join Ad Club and AMA and Rotary and Lion’s Club and were on student council. We just don’t have time for that stuff anymore, so we connect online.
If you’re going to be a social media professional, you better like people A LOT because as you adroitly point out, that’s the ENTIRE point – using our ability to connect to help humanize companies that aren’t as adept.
Two reasons why it’s so cool to meet other people in this industry (like last week at Profs):
1. The “avatar come to life” phenomenon is very fun. You feel like you know people based largely on 140 characters, and there they are in 3 dimensions. It has a bit of that Andrew McCarthy movie “Mannequin” about it.
2. Pretty much without fail, people that have dedicated themselves professionally to social media are very welcoming and engaging. Again, because that’s pretty much the job description.
I’ve been in digital marketing for 15 years, since pre-Netscape and I can honestly say I’m more fired up about the future now than I have been since the big boom in 1998. Something HUGE is happening. We can all feel it. Excited to know people like you and see this story unfold together.
Keep up the good posts!
JASON BAER
Convince & Convert
@jaybaer
The people that love social media are the same people that used to join Ad Club and AMA and Rotary and Lion’s Club and were on student council. We just don’t have time for that stuff anymore, so we connect online.
If you’re going to be a social media professional, you better like people A LOT because as you adroitly point out, that’s the ENTIRE point – using our ability to connect to help humanize companies that aren’t as adept.
Two reasons why it’s so cool to meet other people in this industry (like last week at Profs):
1. The “avatar come to life” phenomenon is very fun. You feel like you know people based largely on 140 characters, and there they are in 3 dimensions. It has a bit of that Andrew McCarthy movie “Mannequin” about it.
2. Pretty much without fail, people that have dedicated themselves professionally to social media are very welcoming and engaging. Again, because that’s pretty much the job description.
I’ve been in digital marketing for 15 years, since pre-Netscape and I can honestly say I’m more fired up about the future now than I have been since the big boom in 1998. Something HUGE is happening. We can all feel it. Excited to know people like you and see this story unfold together.
Keep up the good posts!
JASON BAER
Convince & Convert
@jaybaer
Excellent post Amber! It really touches on the human connection and why are in this industry all together. MarketingProfs was my first time meeting individuals I’ve been twittering with for months and it was a grand experience to put faces to the 140 characters of text. I could not have asked to meet a better group of people. I laughed so hard I cried:)
To answer your questions:
1>I work my butt off on a daily basis because our actions change the world we live in small increments. Its my great pleasure to be apart of such a revolutionary industry. The industry is changing so quickly its like re-learning the wheel is “Round” & it “Rolls”.
2>Everyday, I learn there is a new challenge to evolve S.M. strategies to meet the ever-changing desires of the market. What a fabulous time we live in
3>Success to me is defined as what you feel inside at the end of the day when you start to winding down for the evening. Do you have a warm fuzzy feeling or a feeling of “ick”? You are a success if you are proud of your actions at the end of the day, have no regrets and eagerly await the challenges the next day will bring.
Looking forward to our next meeting!
-Elizabeth Hannan
@ElizabethHannan
Ps. Its always your Birthday! (lol)
Excellent post Amber! It really touches on the human connection and why are in this industry all together. MarketingProfs was my first time meeting individuals I’ve been twittering with for months and it was a grand experience to put faces to the 140 characters of text. I could not have asked to meet a better group of people. I laughed so hard I cried:)
To answer your questions:
1>I work my butt off on a daily basis because our actions change the world we live in small increments. Its my great pleasure to be apart of such a revolutionary industry. The industry is changing so quickly its like re-learning the wheel is “Round” & it “Rolls”.
2>Everyday, I learn there is a new challenge to evolve S.M. strategies to meet the ever-changing desires of the market. What a fabulous time we live in
3>Success to me is defined as what you feel inside at the end of the day when you start to winding down for the evening. Do you have a warm fuzzy feeling or a feeling of “ick”? You are a success if you are proud of your actions at the end of the day, have no regrets and eagerly await the challenges the next day will bring.
Looking forward to our next meeting!
-Elizabeth Hannan
@ElizabethHannan
Ps. Its always your Birthday! (lol)