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The True Value of the Social Web

March 17, 2011 30 Comments
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A lot of people say there’s no value to the likes of Facebook, Twitter, etc, and that it’s just a bunch of losers sharing what they had for breakfast.

To anyone that says that, this video is for them. My sincere thanks to everyone who’s stepped forward and shown that the human race is still an amazing one.

Thank you.

If you can help Kira, please connect with her on Twitter at @ksiddall.



This post contains a video. If you can’t see it displayed properly in your feed, you can view it directly here.

Update March 21, 2011: Sadly, this story doesn’t have a happy ending. Kira informed me today that Taylor passed away, following the earthquake in Japan. My thoughts go out to Taylor’s family.

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About Danny

Danny Brown is Chief Technologist at ArCompany and an award-winning marketer and blogger. His blog is recognized as the #1 marketing blog in the world by HubSpot. Danny is also co-author of Influence Marketing: How to Create, Manage and Measure Brand Influencers in Social Media Marketing.

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Treb Asgun
Treb Asgun

Great post you have here Danny, I love reading it... Great points you have and it is really informative... Thanks for sharing!

Treb Asgun
Treb Asgun

Great post you have here Danny, I love reading it... Great points you have and it is really informative... Thanks for sharing!

Craig
Craig

The Social Web seems to be a great asset, but a little difficult to figure out. I'm glad there are people like you out here to help.

Craig
Craig

The Social Web seems to be a great asset, but a little difficult to figure out. I'm glad there are people like you out here to help.

Craig
Craig

The Social Web seems to be a great asset, but a little difficult to figure out. I'm glad there are people like you out here to help.

UKICM
UKICM

Such a useful video. So many people doubt the value of twitter for businesses and it is good to show the positives of it.

UKICM
UKICM

Such a useful video. So many people doubt the value of twitter for businesses and it is good to show the positives of it.

Martyn
Martyn

Keiko Tanabe? The Japanese watercolor artist? Good night. I've interviewed her at Artists Discuss. Small, small world.

Neat man. This proves that social media really has a value, if you use it correctly.

Danny
Danny

Cheers, mate, and yep, pretty small world indeed. :)

Martyn
Martyn

Keiko Tanabe? The Japanese watercolor artist? Good night. I've interviewed her at Artists Discuss. Small, small world.

Neat man. This proves that social media really has a value, if you use it correctly.

Martyn
Martyn

Keiko Tanabe? The Japanese watercolor artist? Good night. I've interviewed her at Artists Discuss. Small, small world. Neat man. This proves that social media really has a value, if you use it correctly.

Danny
Danny

Cheers, mate, and yep, pretty small world indeed. :)

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

The issue isn't that there is no value. The issue if figuring out the real value. For people it's immense. For Brands? depends. Social Media Talking Heads (Brogan's, Solis's etc) and Mashable and Facebook over value to the Nth degree and scream at the top of their lungs this over value for Brands and because Brands pay their bills they forget its a People to People revolution not a Brand to People.

I ran the engagement numbers for big brands on Facebook and they averaged 0.01 to 0.03% per post for the GOOD ones. When Starbucks has 18 million fans the value isn't 18 mill fans. Its the 400 people who post on their wall each day (yes that's it) and possibly the people their posts get seen by.

Social Media as a Platform is a Revolution in Interpersonal Communication Technology. You prove this with this video!

Danny
Danny

Hey there Howie,

Funnily enough, we were talking about this very thing at a conference this morning. Sure, numbers are great, but it's the impact that's greater.

I'd rather have 50% of 100 people acting as opposed to 1% of 1,000. Every time.

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

I agree. It is why Social is so much geared towards small businesses vs big business. Big business has no face. I would send you business or I come here because of Danny Brown. My small dessert business in LA everyone knows the owner (in person) and me from Social. So they are much more passionate and rabid via Social Media.

I think the closer a business is viewed with a human face the more people participate. I blogged not long ago that SuperStar DJ's and Bands (human faces) get 100-1000% more engagement on Facebook than name brands.

In fact I used to have this avatar with the Alien because of my Brand Fiction persona and Mark Schaefer asked if he could call me and convince me to put my face on my twitter account. He did and I was happy I changed it.

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

The issue isn't that there is no value. The issue if figuring out the real value. For people it's immense. For Brands? depends. Social Media Talking Heads (Brogan's, Solis's etc) and Mashable and Facebook over value to the Nth degree and scream at the top of their lungs this over value for Brands and because Brands pay their bills they forget its a People to People revolution not a Brand to People. I ran the engagement numbers for big brands on Facebook and they averaged 0.01 to 0.03% per post for the GOOD ones. When Starbucks has 18 million fans the value isn't 18 mill fans. Its the 400 people who post on their wall each day (yes that's it) and possibly the people their posts get seen by. Social Media as a Platform is a Revolution in Interpersonal Communication Technology. You prove this with this video!

Danny
Danny

Hey there Howie, Funnily enough, we were talking about this very thing at a conference this morning. Sure, numbers are great, but it's the impact that's greater. I'd rather have 50% of 100 people acting as opposed to 1% of 1,000. Every time.

Howie at Sky Pulse Media
Howie at Sky Pulse Media

I agree. It is why Social is so much geared towards small businesses vs big business. Big business has no face. I would send you business or I come here because of Danny Brown. My small dessert business in LA everyone knows the owner (in person) and me from Social. So they are much more passionate and rabid via Social Media. I think the closer a business is viewed with a human face the more people participate. I blogged not long ago that SuperStar DJ's and Bands (human faces) get 100-1000% more engagement on Facebook than name brands. In fact I used to have this avatar with the Alien because of my Brand Fiction persona and Mark Schaefer asked if he could call me and convince me to put my face on my twitter account. He did and I was happy I changed it.

Janet Callaway
Janet Callaway

Danny, aloha. Thank you for sharing this story of the social web community's prompt response and giving of resources to help another.

Unfortunately, the people who think people only talk about what they are eating or where they are going have not spent the time to become a part of the family or even understand the basics of what happens/is available.

People are always down on what they are not up on.

Maybe the tragedy in Japan and stories such as this one that result from it, will turn on a few lightbulbs.

Best wishes for a magnificent weekend. Aloha. Janet

Janet Callaway
Janet Callaway

Danny, aloha. Thank you for sharing this story of the social web community's prompt response and giving of resources to help another.

Unfortunately, the people who think people only talk about what they are eating or where they are going have not spent the time to become a part of the family or even understand the basics of what happens/is available.

People are always down on what they are not up on.

Maybe the tragedy in Japan and stories such as this one that result from it, will turn on a few lightbulbs.

Best wishes for a magnificent weekend. Aloha. Janet

Danny
Danny

Hey there Janet,

I always like your comments - the Hawaiian "aloha" makes me smile every time. :)

It's easier to dismiss what we don't understand than it is to try and understand it. If only more people would put the effort in... well, the potential is limitless.

Thank you for coming by here, and hope you're having a great weekend :)

Janet Callaway
Janet Callaway

Danny, aloha. Thank you for sharing this story of the social web community's prompt response and giving of resources to help another. Unfortunately, the people who think people only talk about what they are eating or where they are going have not spent the time to become a part of the family or even understand the basics of what happens/is available. People are always down on what they are not up on. Maybe the tragedy in Japan and stories such as this one that result from it, will turn on a few lightbulbs. Best wishes for a magnificent weekend. Aloha. Janet

Danny
Danny

Hey there Janet, I always like your comments - the Hawaiian "aloha" makes me smile every time. :) It's easier to dismiss what we don't understand than it is to try and understand it. If only more people would put the effort in... well, the potential is limitless. Thank you for coming by here, and hope you're having a great weekend :)

Jerry Nihen
Jerry Nihen

I'm very happy that you are . I am glad that people can finally connect and help each other internationally on such a large scale, and can't wait to see how it impacts the world. I'll do my part and get those tweets scheduled out this weekend.

I hope they find Taylor as well, and my heart goes to Kira and family.

Jerry Nihen
Jerry Nihen

I'm very happy that you are . I am glad that people can finally connect and help each other internationally on such a large scale, and can't wait to see how it impacts the world. I'll do my part and get those tweets scheduled out this weekend.

I hope they find Taylor as well, and my heart goes to Kira and family.

Danny
Danny

Thanks, Jerry, appreciate it mate. And agree - the eyeballs that we cam all help place on issues like this is where social media truly shines.

Jerry Nihen
Jerry Nihen

I'm very happy that you are . I am glad that people can finally connect and help each other internationally on such a large scale, and can't wait to see how it impacts the world. I'll do my part and get those tweets scheduled out this weekend. I hope they find Taylor as well, and my heart goes to Kira and family.

Danny
Danny

Thanks, Jerry, appreciate it mate. And agree - the eyeballs that we cam all help place on issues like this is where social media truly shines.

Kira
Kira

Danny,

The school motto of Taylor and my alma mater is “What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own.” While I think this is related to tangible things I also think it is increasingly relevant to our online networks and voices. Thank you so much for sharing your network with us and helping to make the world a smaller place. Thank you for demonstrating that there is an amazing, compassionate human at the other end of every connection we make. The power of this effort to find Taylor is staggering. You are all proving that the world is an amazing place and a better place when we try to take care of each other.
Thank you ALL for your efforts. I am trying to connect with everyone and send information on to her family.

Kira

Kira
Kira

Danny,

The school motto of Taylor and my alma mater is “What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own.” While I think this is related to tangible things I also think it is increasingly relevant to our online networks and voices. Thank you so much for sharing your network with us and helping to make the world a smaller place. Thank you for demonstrating that there is an amazing, compassionate human at the other end of every connection we make. The power of this effort to find Taylor is staggering. You are all proving that the world is an amazing place and a better place when we try to take care of each other.
Thank you ALL for your efforts. I am trying to connect with everyone and send information on to her family.

Kira

Danny
Danny

Hey there miss,

Couldn't agree more - the potential of social media is only really just being tapped. Imagine where we could be when the majority "gets it", as opposed to the few. :)

Fingers crossed this has a happy ending - I have another contact to send you, will email it over.

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Ohh, these are some golden words Kira - love them :)

Kira
Kira

Danny, The school motto of Taylor and my alma mater is “What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own.” While I think this is related to tangible things I also think it is increasingly relevant to our online networks and voices. Thank you so much for sharing your network with us and helping to make the world a smaller place. Thank you for demonstrating that there is an amazing, compassionate human at the other end of every connection we make. The power of this effort to find Taylor is staggering. You are all proving that the world is an amazing place and a better place when we try to take care of each other. Thank you ALL for your efforts. I am trying to connect with everyone and send information on to her family. Kira

Danny
Danny

Hey there miss, Couldn't agree more - the potential of social media is only really just being tapped. Imagine where we could be when the majority "gets it", as opposed to the few. :) Fingers crossed this has a happy ending - I have another contact to send you, will email it over.

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Ohh, these are some golden words Kira - love them :)

Pervara Kapadia
Pervara Kapadia

Hi Danny, this is amazing. The way you have put forth the modus operandi of Social Media without bringing any brand and business angle is a fabulous way.

Thanks for this - I hope to share it on my Page as well as an example of how Social Media is becoming pertinent in our lives and if business does not look at it now - well then when.

Thanks once again.

Regard
Pervara
http://www.facebook.com/pervarakapadia

Pervara Kapadia
Pervara Kapadia

Hi Danny, this is amazing. The way you have put forth the modus operandi of Social Media without bringing any brand and business angle is a fabulous way.

Thanks for this - I hope to share it on my Page as well as an example of how Social Media is becoming pertinent in our lives and if business does not look at it now - well then when.

Thanks once again.

Regard
Pervara
http://www.facebook.com/pervarakapadia

Danny
Danny

Hi there Pervara,

Thank you. Social media is perfect for businesses, but we can do so much with it personally as well; and that's where some of the real magic comes in. Thanks for helping us get the word out, appreciated. :)

Pervara Kapadia
Pervara Kapadia

Hi Danny, this is amazing. The way you have put forth the modus operandi of Social Media without bringing any brand and business angle is a fabulous way. Thanks for this - I hope to share it on my Page as well as an example of how Social Media is becoming pertinent in our lives and if business does not look at it now - well then when. Thanks once again. Regard Pervara http://www.facebook.com/pervarakapadia

Danny
Danny

Hi there Pervara, Thank you. Social media is perfect for businesses, but we can do so much with it personally as well; and that's where some of the real magic comes in. Thanks for helping us get the word out, appreciated. :)

Regina Walton
Regina Walton

Thanks for posting this! It's a tangible example of the value and reach of social media.

Kira sent me a tweet, and I've kicked it over to people who live in Japan. I hope they find her.

Danny
Danny

Hi Regina,

Thank YOU for running with it on Twitter and Facebook - that's what's making a difference, and I really appreciate it. :)

Regina Walton
Regina Walton

Thanks for posting this! It's a tangible example of the value and reach of social media.

Kira sent me a tweet, and I've kicked it over to people who live in Japan. I hope they find her.

Regina Walton
Regina Walton

Thanks for posting this! It's a tangible example of the value and reach of social media. Kira sent me a tweet, and I've kicked it over to people who live in Japan. I hope they find her.

Danny
Danny

Hi Regina, Thank YOU for running with it on Twitter and Facebook - that's what's making a difference, and I really appreciate it. :)

Stuart
Stuart

Hey Danny, first time round here and what an awesome website! There's a lot of good work here :-)

I think, despite Facebook's abundance of meaningless drivel, it's a highly useful tool to 'connect'. Not just talk, or share, but really connect with others. Twitter is slightly less burdened with drivel, and it still manages to be a powerful tool of networking and interacting.

Social media in general is responsible for so much of today's business. How else can two home-based entrepreneurs, one from South Africa and one from Mexico, keep in touch?

Danny
Danny

Hey there Stuart,

Great to have you here, and thanks so much for dropping by - hope it's the first of many (and especially with the endorsement of someone like Mark). :)

Completely agree on how Facebook is being used - like you say, sure, there will be drivel, but one man's drivel is another man's gold. And the connections can make a huge difference in a lot of ways.

Cheers, mate!

Stuart
Stuart

Thanks for making me welcome Danny, appreciate it :-)

Mark Harai
Mark Harai

Danny, Stuart is quality people, this should be the makings of some great conversations :)

Trackbacks

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    [...] To anyone that says that, this video is for them. My sincere thanks to everyone who’s stepped forward and shown that the human race is still an amazing one. via dannybrown.me [...]


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