Well, okay, there are two – yet “There Are Two I’s in Social Media” didn’t sound quite as catchy as a title. Besides, I always wanted to try and work the Team America “There is no I in Team America” joke into a blog post – so there you go.
But apart from my lame attempt at humor, there’s another reason for the title of this post. For anyone that’s ever listened to corporate team-building speak, they’ll have heard a similar phrase before. It may even have been something as simple as, “There is no I in team.” While we all may have rolled our eyes and groaned at the time, it turns out it’s actually a pretty smart phrase – especially in social media.
Look around you on the web – if you’re part of a social media website or network, I’d be fairly confident on laying a bet that it feels like you’re on the world’s best team.
Take a look at Twitter, for example. You have a problem, you send out a Tweet and immediately you have the ears and eyes of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Each and every one of them will look at your problem and if they can help, they will.
Or how about BackType, or Disqus? Two similar methods of tracking blog comments that are helping to pave the way at improving the quality of comments left on blogs. Encouraging ways to make people think and comment respectably, as opposed to leaving the “WaReZ RuLeZ” type of gibberish. Building a better community.
This is where social media is leading the way at changing the way we look at the people and world around us. We’re no longer saying we’re only in it for what we can get out of it – now we’re saying to people we’re here for you. If you have a problem, one of us will have the answer and we’ll help you – because we want to help you be the best you can. And in doing so, making ourselves better people.
It’s strange. I look at Barack Obama and I see him as the true social media guru. Not for the way his team used social media to get the word out about his campaign, and not for the way he embraced the medium when millions of others still see it as immaterial.
No, where I see Obama standing as a focal point for social media is that he wants everyone to believe we can.
We can achieve our dreams.
We can overcome obstacles.
We can become one voice reaching for a better world.
We can do all this and more if we simply listen to each other. And respond. And help.
Sound familiar?
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We’re no longer saying we’re only in it for what we can get out of it – now we’re saying to people we’re here for you. If you have a problem, one of us will have the answer and we’ll help you – because we want to help you be the best you can. And in doing so, making ourselves better people.
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No matter whether you “get it” or not, there’s no denying that social media continues to grow and increase its influence in numerous areas of our lives. Personal use through Facebook; business networking through LinkedIn; contact building through Twitter. It doesn’t seem to be slowing either – if anything, more people are coming on board. Could it have anything to do with the feeling of belonging?
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Twitter: lizzharmon
Awesome job, Danny. You are SO right. It’s by working together that Obama was elected, the greatest accomplishments are achieved, that the weak are made strong. One finger can’t lift a pebble. I can’t wait to share this post. Fabulous message here. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind comments, Lizz. Coming from your good self, they mean a lot.
I have the highest hopes that our world changed forever on Tuesday night. It won’t be easy, and no doubt there will be mistakes made along the way. But I truly feel we watched more than history be made – we were watching our future history be shaped.
Let’s all make the journey easier for each other.
Good point. And an indicator of how Obama thought of social media as we, while his competitors thought of it as I, is the simple fact that he followed back. Even though he doesn’t read the 100k + people he follows on Twitter, it’s a statement. He thinks of his communication with his followers as a two way street, not a one way.
Hjortur Smarason´s last blog post..Iceweb 2008 – A Great Excuse To Come To Iceland Next Week
Danny,
Great post, and you are right on the money that it takes a village to get things done, and social media provides a way to connect us to supportive communities that can help us along our respective journeys.
Regarding Obama’s campaign, he did a much better job at connecting in the online communities than McCain for sure, but this was just one communication medium for his campaign platform. What he was really good at was reflecting back what he was hearing from his supporters, and creating a vision of a future of what America wants. And I say this, being a McCain supporter, because he was not as successful in bringing his message to a higher place.
Thanks, Danny!
Juliann Grant´s last blog post..Stats on McCain vs. Obama Online
Good post Danny, but I would argue there is a ME in social media as I posted here: http://blogs.gcigroup.com/fineprint/2008/09/10/social-media/
Cheers,
JC.
@ Hjortur. That’s a good point you make, Hjortur. As you say, even though he would never have read all the Twitters, someone had the sense to follow the followers – even that simple action makes a difference.
@ Juliann. Thank you, and it’s good to hear a balanced view from a supporter of a side (I know some of Obama’s supporters have been just as guilty of petty sniping). I agree that was the main difference between Obama and McCain in the run-up to the voting day. It’s hard to say whether this was a decision of McCain’s personally, or his advisors. It’s strange – his concession speech was incredibly humble and I was left thinking – why didn’t we see more of this side of the man during the run-in?
@ John. Thank you John, I’ll be sure to check out the post.
Thanks to everyone for reading and sharing your views, it’s always appreciated.
Loved your comments on social medial. And I have to agree it seems to be the way of the future on the internet. So many people willing to offer suggestions and assistance, just for the asking!
Thank you, and glad you enjoyed the post. It does seem to be a new age of togetherness and sharing/encouragement – we can but hope.
Thank you. Well needed and well said. Thank you.