Gratitude has no time limit and I
have certainly tested that theory. May
commemorated my fifth year on social media. Since 2010, there are key individuals
that I would like to recognize for having helped me on my learning journey. Instead of me writing, I asked a number of
questions for them to answer to give perspective from those who were
instrumental to me by mentoring, guiding and leading by example
The people who I would like to
express my deepest gratitude for inspiring, guiding, and supporting me every
step of the way are:
Libby Baker
Donna deMan
Joseph Gear
Sandy Hubbard
Mike Lehr
Leanne Smith
Instead of me writing, I asked a
number of questions for them to answer to give perspective from those who have
been instrumental along my learning journey.
I asked them to answer the following questions to share who these
talented mentors are. Rather than me
just blogging on in my own words, their words and perspectives were important. It celebrates my launch into social media and
my evolution as a Blogster. It gave me the
opportunity to get their insight for my readers to learn from:
1) Is Social Media your primary
source of income?
2) How social media has helped you in your
career/business?
3) What was the first piece of
advice you were given that was instrumental in your jumping in feet first?
4) Is that advice still true
today? If so, why? If not, why not?
After 5 years of observing my
evolution as a Blogster writing about business, leadership and sales, I took the opportunity to ask for their
opinion on how they think I’ve progressed (or whether I have) for my readers to
learn from:
5) What is your perception of
who I am, what my social media presence is, and what value, if any, is gained
from my precense and/or reading my blog?
6) What one word phrase/word
comes to mind when you see: optioneerJM (either on Twitter, FAcebook, G+,
Linked In or Blog)
7) What do you think I should
focus more on to create better value for my readers of my Blog? aka what do you
think are "HITs"?
8) Anything else you may like
to add.
And to take things in a completely off the grid, I
asked:
9) If you were an animal, what
would you be?
Libby
Baker
If
there is one thing I would like to impart as you celebrate your five years on
Social Media is the thing I think of when I see what we have in common as
people and how we live our lives out on Social Media . . . That we are
following our Passion. In everything we do whether as Jeannette Marshall
@optioneerJM, Libby Baker Sweiger or @libbytalks, when the other shoe drops,
when people see the end of the story, whether we are talking about our Social
Media efforts that day, that week of that month, IT IS Passion. That has
characterized my efforts from the beginning and growing a Twitter account
called @libbytalks to three businesses: LBS Consult: A Social Media Business
which helps individuals and small businesses navigate the rocky waters of
social media ~ Living Above the Madness: in which I put out a paper on Twitter
each day to help fight the Stigma of Mental Illness, especially bipolar
disorder, the inconvenience I battle daily. Sometimes I bite the bear,
sometimes the bear bites me, but I carry on!
To
my latest business Joyous Art Design (art shown above) in which I have thrown
all caution to the wind, tried two separate website platforms and now am
building the third: my business on #etsy and a new Twitter Account called
@LibbyBakerArt. We will continue to forge ahead and not give up because it is
not in our natures to do so. I know it is not in mine. Yes, I am a Sole
Proprietor three times over for the State of Minnesota. My Income Taxes are
complex. I'm not breaking the bank. Living Above The Madness should be a
non-profit. But I have not yet had time to make it so. When I get the time I
will speak for the National Association of Mental Health as a volunteer. When I
get more time, I will work full-time for a start-up client of mine who will be
soon ready to hire me as a Social Media Team Lead (I hope). When I get more
time I will paint more. And when I get more time I will publish on of three
books I have finished.
Passion, Jeannette is the key to life and the key to inspiring others on social
media. For me my passion is inside of me and comes from my Creator. It spins
around and around and builds from the fascinating people like you I meet every
day, bouncing ideas off each day. A tremendous source of passion online are the
members of #UsGuys, social media group on Twitter and Facebook who I interact
with more as individuals now and less as a group, like I did a few years ago.
But if anyone is ever looking for passion online they need only look up the
#UsGuys hashtag! God bless you for asking for my feedback on your fifth year
dear Jeannette. Have a wonderful next five and let's try to talk at least every
week of it! Love you! Libby
Donna
deMan
I
myself have not used social media as a primary source of income but consider it
a tool that I use in my career daily. Really social media is indispensable
today in every career if you are going to be successful.
When I first started using social media it was in its early stages and I really
just was interested in looking at something new, how to use it and what areas I
could apply it to. It was about keeping ahead of the technology wave and to
also help students and others understand the power of this tool to helping them
in their careers.
Today I think that social media is more important than ever in this fast paced
technology world that touches every part of our lives. Some think this is good
and some think it is bad. Want the latest weather report, most recent research
information on medical advances and treatments, recalls on vehicles or food,
update on local sports teams or the ability to reach friends and family in war
torn regions or areas effected by extreme climate occurrences - it's social
media! That's where people now turn for immediate information that would have
taken you a very long time to get before the advent of social media. Like it or
not social media is here to stay.
Jeannette, you have always been a giver and through social media you have
continued to inform, educate and help people to improve themselves with the
wealth of knowledge that you share through social media and your blogs. What
comes to mind when I see OptioneerJM? Mrs Social Media! What is she going to
share with me today that she feels will be of interest to me and will help me
in my life - not just my career but in
my life in general.
Jeannette, keep on doing what you are doing and evolving with the industry. You
are no longer in the infancy stage of social media and your skills keep
evolving as the industry changes. Just keep on learning and embracing all the
new avenues of social media and sharing the info with anyone who wants to learn
something new or just keep up with the world in general. It's all about sharing
and paying it forward and you have much to share.
As for what animal...........I'm really not sure and probably it would be a
beaver - I am Canadian and proud of it!.
Joseph Gier
1)
Is Social Media your primary source of income?
No, I think Social Media has been a little difficult to focus on as a full time
income source. I am still sort of dabbling in it. I still believe that it has great
promise patricianly with the sound employment of strategy, workflow, measure of
analytics and most importantly execution
2) How
social media has helped you in your career/business?
Yes, I think so, to pretty significant degree. If nothing else it has allowed
we to take my consultant practice to consider new directions. From execution of
services to offering advice to clients, to being able to network and study new
processes and technologies.
3) What
was the first piece of advice you were given that was instrumental in your
jumping in feet first?
Well, I am not terribly impulsive but as an entrepreneur (of sorts) , I think
the best advice I was given is to remain flexible and open minded, the
complexion of Social Media, Marketing and technologies have changed in the last
five years significantly and I expect that they will change even more. I think
that in general that we all should adopt standards if nothing else for
interoperability and common function of technology and assets. One thing will
never change in my mind that the ability to interact and engage with people in
a sincere and genuinely organic manner are the important asset you have.
4) Is
that advice still true today? If so, why? If not, why not?
I think it’s still true but like anything the mindset is dynamic and it
evolves. I think if anything its more true as my observation have allowed me to
see the “dark” side of Social media executions and some of the more absurd
technology implementations. Things like Automated social media responses, poor
staffing and training of social media personal, and trivial analytical metrics
like KLOUT scores.( my opinion, your results might vary (smirk)
5)
What is your perception of who I am, what my social media presence
is, and what value, if any, is gained from my presence and/or reading my
blog?
I think you have a large presence, at least in my Social Media universe. I have
gleamed a good many insights from reading your commentary and posting on
various SoMe platforms. You have done a great job integrating the tweet, the
comment, the post and the long form with the tools and platforms at your
disposal.
6) What
one word phrase/word comes to mind when you see: optioneerJM (either on
Twitter, FAcebook, G+, Linked In or Blog)
I see you more on Facebook and G+ than anything else. I really enjoy the
interactions. It is understandably difficult to cover all the platforms but I
do enjoy seeing your work out there.
7)
What do you think I should focus more on to create better value
for my readers of my Blog? aka what do you think are "HITs"?
I think that variety of subject matter is always important while value is
important, you post on things that I am interested in, anyway.
One thing that might be of value is to segment and explain social media
concepts at different levels since most of us have learned the craft as a
matter of experience (a lot of trial and error). It might be help to start
“codifying” best practices and flesh out the less obvious foibles of social
media.. even concepts of strategy and planning, concepts of campaign
executions, coordination with non SoMe counterparts, helpful technologies. Soft
legal stuff like dos and don’ts in content management. And the like.
8) Anything
else you may like to add.
Well, I am a talkative guy, I could speak all day about these things.
9) If
you were an animal, what would you be?
Wolf or Prairie dog.. Depending on the time of day (smirk)
Sandy Hubbard
When Jeannette Marshall and I were getting started in social media many
years ago, businesses did not see the value in Twitter or other channels.
Today, social media has a direct impact on my business. I chat and network on
Twitter and then strengthen those connections on LinkedIn. Clients find me due
to the keywords in my profiles and also through referrals. I work to be helpful
to printers who are getting started with marketing or trying to manage their
growing companies. Being a good social media citizen is part of the fun and
reward of online networking. I've also made many close friends who I get together
with "in real life." I feel lucky that social media is a path to
business and friendship. It has definitely enriched my life.
Mike
Lehr
1) Is Social Media your primary
source of income?
No. I have a consulting practice that puts
together project teams to address change management related events. Social media is not my primary source of
income. Still, social media has helped
establish credibility within my referral network mainly by driving visitors to
my blog. I got involved with social
media after people who liked my ideas and had been telling me for six years
that I should start a blog. Doing that
made social media a good tool to drive traffic to it. That advice is still true today. I can see the effect of it on visitations,
and when I am in touch with my network.
The blog becomes an online training and coaching aide. It is also helping me get back into public speaking.
2) How has social media has helped you in your career/business?
It has helped me more
locally establishing more credibility for my consulting practice.
5) What is your perception of who I am, what my social media presence is, and
what value, if any, is gained from my precense and/or reading my blog?
My perception of you is an
upfront, sincere and wise person. Well,
you did give some good advice on getting me more involved with social
media. It was helpful because many
friends and colleagues hadn’t really invested much time in it as the time. I had to seek outside help and advice on
it. When I see optioneerJM, I know I can
trust the source. You are someone who
vets out material very well even if it’s not your own. I don’t know what you should focus on. I tend to like more business-related issues
especially when it has a psychological or tips bent to it. That’s why I like most of your sales
posts. It does seem though you have
gotten away from it, but I understand everyone needs to focus on what they
like. That usually drives our passions.
9)What animal?
A human, we tend to forget
we are animals too. As a result, we don’t understand why we do many of the
things we do. We only think we do.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith
The People & Process Problem
Solver
Since social media is a marketing
channel, it indirectly provides income by building credibility over the last 10
years and directly through some passive income streams on my website. I would
say for me social media has dramatically improved my business results by
building a variety of communities to avid fan club of small business owners and
business leaders. The first piece of advice was you must engage and do a lot of
quality writing that differentiates you from everyone else. During our time of
knowing each other Jeannette, I know you to be an authentic leader who looks to
think ahead of the flow and support other like-minded individuals on social
media. When I think of you I just smile and I am grateful for our professional
relationship. Since I believe we cannot create value, my sense is to continue
to connect to the value drivers facing mid-size to small businesses. These
value drivers continue to return to how to unite people and processes to work
with the barrier to the trends in the marketplace. My only advice is remember
as you noted in this blog about time. Slow and steady wins the social media
race. Far too many business people start off like the hare and fade like a
falling star. As to an animal, that would be easy, an Arabian horse due to its
beauty and more importantly its endurance.
I am truly blessed by the sphere of
influence and positive professionals who I surround myself with.
I am sure you will
agree. Take my advice and learn from these pros. One major lesson to be drawn from is that you cannot take
anyone for granted, nor assume a connection is a connection, unless you
actually interact. Helping or mentoring
is a bonus to be shared and accepted.
There are many others who have helped and guided me on this
journey. I won’t mention them only
because they didn’t have a chance to respond.
They should know who they are because I reached out. Summer holidays, travel, work and BUSYness
didn’t allow the response.
I thought I should include my own
answers to the questions to be fair:
1)
Is Social Media your primary source of income?
No. I did have an opportunity to expand
a major, best-selling author’s social media presence though. I have done gratis work helping a relative’s
business and as a volunteer advisor for a professional technical group launch
into social media, guidance, and leveraged my influence to elevate their own
presence.
2) How
social media has helped you in your career/business?
No. Not directly. It is a hobby and an outlet to share my own
experience from consistently rising to the top in sales, business development
and establishing start- ups. Social
media lends new experience and knowledge avenue while leveraging what I have
learned from operations, leadership and business roles.
3) What
was the first piece of advice you were given that was instrumental in your
jumping in feet first?
Be there or be square. I was hesitant
and fearful that it would be associated with being considered a time
waster. Again, my own personality swayed
me to: if you don’t understand
something, before you become rigid in your opinion, you should take the time to
learn more about it.
4) Is
that advice still true today? If so, why? If not, why not?
Of course it is true. I may have been
called “goodie two shoes” once or twice but never square! I’m appreciative to have gotten to know a
number of early adopters of social media.
It is cool to see some turn it into business opportunities as bloggers,
speakers, trainers, content developers, marketers.
5)
What is your perception of who I am, what my social media presence
is, and what value, if any, is gained from my presence and/or reading my
blog?
I have learned from the best. I am like
a sponge, constantly ready to soak up great advice or observations from
successful social media personalities. I
also have learned from the shortcomings I perceive in others.
6) What
one word phrase/word comes to mind when you see:
A positive, smart, savvy, energetic lady who likes to curate
remarkable articles, images, photography, art.
What I am drawn to, I share.
Simply because I think if I like reading this article or find that newsworthy,
or something we can learn or benefit from … others will agree and click on it
and perhaps share it. I don’t do it so
that it will get noticed, that is a bonus.
Sounds a bit self-centered, but it is more giving from my outlook. As I grew from 1 to 5000 to 10000 followers
on Twitter, I avoid the attitude that I’m more important than anyone else. It takes commitment and time to acknowledge
others and continuously be humble or gracious by others.
7)
What do you think I should focus more on to create better value
for my readers of my Blog? aka what do you think are "HITs"?
My biggest read is one on sales. Someone
asked and I gave permission for it to be used as a chapter in their e-book on
how to hire sales professionals. It
really was based on sales conversations that are ongoing among executives with
their sales managers, sales managers when hiring sales professionals: Hunter
or Farmer: What type of sales
professional do you want? I think it continues to be popular because it
constantly goes around in circles in organizations.
Forecast, Project or Dartboard? Took a look at the struggle organizations,
their operations and the demands on sales pros to provide solid predictive
projections on sales revenue. I had the
experience of speaking to heavy investment scrutiny and had to answer: where will your customers come from? The article stemmed from trying to answer
this question and help organizations formally do so as well. Large success enterprises I have worked for
have it ingrained and you can’t go a day without considering your actions on
impacting it. I drew from when I’d
launched a national magazine, telecommunications company and jump-start a
faltering operations. It goes with the
magnetic quote: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
8) One
thing that might be of value is to segment and explain social media concepts at
different levels since most of us have learned the craft as a matter of
experience (a lot of trial and error). It might be help to start “codifying”
best practices and flesh out the less obvious foibles of social media.. even
concepts of strategy and planning, concepts of campaign executions,
coordination with non SoMe counterparts, helpful technologies. Soft legal stuff
like dos and don’ts in content management. And the like.
9) Anything
else you may like to add.
The insight and recap from asking for opinions from others and my own
reflection has definitely given me more ideas to blog about later on.
10)
If you were an animal, what would you be?
A dog. Like my own border collie, Buddy. He is really smart, adoring, friendly, loyal
and protective of his own. He is a
beautiful breed by both character and appearance
yet it is his character and personality that draw others to him.
I am looking forward to the next five years and excited by what will unfold, who will inspire, help and elevate me. Among those in this blog, there are several others that boost my journey every day. Thank YOU!