I have spent the month reading other blogs that were inspired by the Media Barista’s Challenge, and it got me thinking about how interconnected we are on the internet. I am so grateful to be working and collaborating with some amazing people on social media. I have met some really wonderful people who are willing to coach, help, and answer questions for me when I cannot find what I am looking for. Here is where I will do a quick shout out to all of the amazing ladies of Social Solutions Collective. Talk about a group of women who are ready, willing, and able to help you with any social/internet questions you may have.

On the other side of the coin, there are people and companies who are completely unwilling to help with questions. These are the companies who ask you to provide your email for new items on their websites, or need you to fill out your complete life’s history before you can even access the website. When I search for an answer to my problem and I come across a website that seems to have my answer, but only lets me in if I provide them information, well I turn away from it and move on. I understand protecting material that has been created exclusively via that company, but I do not understand holding material so close to the vest and making people dance through hoops to get to it.

I do my best to help out others who are struggling. I always want to remember that I still do not know it all about the internet, but I have some kind people in my corner who are willing to take some time out of their business day to help me. This shows me that these companies are reliable and trustworthy, as I hope SiteMast comes across to others.

So my question for this final musical blog, are you the type of company that holds all of your “secrets” close to the vest? Or, does your company have the “Come Together” mentality, and want to help smaller companies who are searching for answers?

The Beatles are my FAVORITE band ever…had to end with them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axb2sHpGwHQ

This got me thinking about all of us out in Internet World, and the masks and makeup we put on when we put ourselves out on social media, or our companies websites. Are you authentic with your brand, or do you try to cover up the cracks and crevices with shiny things that distract customers from what may be falling apart behind the scenes?

I do my best to be happy and honest about what is happening behind the scenes at SiteMast. Guess what, I do not always have good days. Now, I know not to broadcast and lament on social media about a client or how horrible a situation is. I do think it is ok to mention that things may not be flowing as well as usual. I believe that makes the brand human and relatable to customers.

When I see companies post that everything is great, and moving along smoothly every hour of the work day, I start to wonder what is going on behind the scenes.  Are they just putting out shiny objects to gloss over problems that may be solved by asking a help question out in social media world? I just tend to question companies that make everything hunky-dory. Maybe I am too honest, I do not know. I just think my customers want to see a human side to me and SiteMast.

So my question for this week is: Are you authentic to you and your brand? Or are you one of the “Shiny, Happy” brands, that never has a problem in the world?

(If you want to check out Face-Off, just click on the name for more info. Great show!)
(Oh, and don’t forget The Media Barista is still rocking out her daily blogs…she deserves a shout-out! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCQ0vDAbF7s

I think we have all seen it, the “I am a social media guru, and let me tell you how it is done” blog posts. Well, here is my answer: Hi, my name is Laurie, and I am no ninja, guru, magician, karate chopper, whiz bang of social media. (sorry to everyone who thought I was )

Do I wish I was? Actually, yes, sometimes it would be very neat to have glowing credentials and my numerous degrees and say “nanny  nanny boo boo” to all of the other so called “experts” out there.

Then I step out of my dream world and start thinking about my clients. I love all of my clients. (yes I am being honest) I would not have the clients that I have if I was aspiring to be some ninja of social media. My clients are not looking for some amazing social media star. My clients are looking for someone who is down to earth, and is willing to sit and listen to their dreams and goals for their business.

A great article about “me, me, me” bloggers is to read is from Social Solutions Collective “Cut the Crap in 2013, Out With Me in With WE” by Brooke Ballard of B2 Media. She brings up some great points on what NOT to do when writing a blog or content about your company and how to keep your clients interested in you!

To your clients you are a superhero, social media guru, or ninja. They came to you because of results based on word of mouth, or saw something on social media that they liked about your company. Don’t lose the sense of who you are as your company grows. There are times to brag about accomplishments, and times to step back and let your clients do the shining for you.

So the question is: Are you so vain that you think this blog is about YOU?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j13oJajXx0M

I sat and thought about songs that would inspire me, and allow all of these fabulous posts just flow through my fingertips and inspire creativity to everyone who read it. Guess what, I over thought everything. Every song, every idea, every thought… I put myself “Under Pressure”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I

This got me to thinking about all of the “pressure” that is put on all of us in the social media community, whether it is real pressure or pressure we put on ourselves. Pressure to write the next content filled blog, pressure to understand the next change Facebook has put out, pressure to keep up with the social media company 5 miles down the road from you, pressure to get the client with the perfect pitch…the list goes on and on.

I am guilty of all of the above, and more.

For this first week of this fabulous blogging challenge…I am going to challenge YOU! Take this week, and remember why you got into this business. Forget about the customers that are never happy, the plugin that refuses to work or the most amazing blog that your colleague posted that is getting rave reviews.

Here are some of the reasons I love being in the Social Media Community:

• Getting to work with some great social media tools
• Being able to put my voice/thoughts out
• Meeting incredible people all over the world
• Collaborating with creative people every day
• Being part of many communities
• Helping others who are learning right along with me
• Being able to meet YOU!

Let me know what your reasons are for being in social media!

Do not forget to have a great week, and when the pressure builds up, take a step back, breathe and remember all of the great things that come from being in this massive community! And don’t you all agree that Queen just rocks? (shame we all think of Vanilla Ice when we hear this song!)