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Some Things Shouldn’t be Automated: Authors Engaged Online Revisit

December 12, 2011 in Connecting, Publishing, Tools, Twitter with 0 Comments

For a long  time I have wondered how I could better automate a twitter list (Authors-Engaged-Online) I created out of one of my most popular blog posts: Chatting with Hemingway in your study .  This post explains why I created the list. A while back I created a paper.lithat pulled from that list and also sent out a message promoting the top story from that list (I am still not sure how it picked a top story).  Some people love it and I am glad it added value to your day.  Some people hated it.I realized something when I sat down today to dig into some ideas of how to better automate what my favorite authors say .  The number of Authors that actually do engage with their readers on twitter or any place for that matter is very small.  It really is a great resource.  Why then should it be automated?  If it is as valuable as I think it is then I should be the one picking the top story posted from that list.  I should be the first one who drinks from the well.

Some things just should not be automated.  So here is what I plan to do.  I will be pulling something everyday from that list (it may include something I found from them on Google Plus, their blog, Facebook or any other site they frequent, (or even their books!).  It will supplement instead of replace one of my regular blog slots on each day.  I will try to write a short summary of why what they posted is being highlighted.

So there you have it.  Instead of automating the list I have moved it up into something I touch everyday.  Why? Because I think it is that valuable!  I think you will too.

She’s a communications manager! Now what?

August 31, 2011 in Connecting, Customer Service, Marketing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 0 Comments

Today a friend contacted me with great news.  She was recently hired as a communications manager for an event center.  She has reinventing herself. So at the outset of this she asked what advice I could offer as she ventures out into this new space.

Not wanting to overwhelm, I decided to keep the first steps really simple.  So I shared these three principles: Listen first, engage, and most of all promote others.  Yes,  it is much more complex than that.  What I see too often is communications made too complex.   So here is how I broke those three down for her.

Listen:  Gather all the interested parties that exist in your business world (customers, collaborator/partners, vendors, champions, friends and colleagues. Never discount anyone as the contact database and scope is developed.  It is hard to gauge who will be a valuable contact. Sometimes the most unlikely ones will be the best.  Hangout where the community gathers, both on and off line.  Really learn about the community before you jump in.  Use tools like Rapportive to gather all the outposts they use.

Engage: Once you have a feel for the community, begin to engage and add value. Be sincere and open.  Don’t be afraid to take risks.  Some things will work and other won’t.  Only trying will tell.  Don’t assume that a tool like twitter is the one to use.  Fill the toolbox with what the community already uses.  Most of all give them a place to gather; preferably your home base (like a blog) where the attention gained can easily be guided to the things you want to offer.

Promote Others: Luckily this principle is a staple in the event business.  Other than just being a good practice because it is the right thing to do, you will become known for someone of value, someone to be connected to.

Please add more since this is an ongoing conversation.  I am so excited to see where she goes with it.

Choose Wisely Mr. Cameron

August 12, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 8 Comments

Yesterday Britain’s Prime Minister announced that he has asked security forces to consider a way to limit the public’s use of social media sites as a way to curb or prevent rioting, looting and other thuggery. As soon as I heard this news I was at first shocked that a member country of the free world would even consider such a move. Yes, communication tools have been used to spawn horrible acts in the past, probably the worst in current history was the use of the media, both print and radio, to spread the Hutu’s message of ethnic cleansing across Rwanda in 1994.
Today with connectedness having become far reaching with tools like Twitter, Facebook and now Google Plus, we do have a greater responsibility in measuring the impact of our words and messages. But to go as far as limiting communication, in my opinion, turns what is a small event compared to genocide into a mark on the freedoms of the British people that will not be easily forgotten. Worse yet I think it shows a lack of understanding what social media really offers. For decades the media has been carefully controlled and even scripted by politicians and governments to execute policy-driven messages. The White house and Downing Street has for decades been very careful to share and suggest what images they wish the media to use and what sound bytes or speeches they wish to be publicized. The journalists that adhere to this policy are the ones given special access or first knowledge of breaking news. The ones that violate it quickly learn to adjust. (read more on how policy is shaped and controlled through the media. This article was written in 2005 and does not include the greater changes since the growth of social media). With new media though, there is no control over what is said. Large media companies no longer have the podium they used to have over blogs, celebrities and others that have risen in popularity. Events are reported as they happen through open channels of communication.

Before Mr. Cameron decides to give social media a heavy hand to curb thuggery, I hope he considers the true power he holds. Just as King George VI used the radio to calm his realm and prepare them for the battle that was before the nation, Prime Minister Cameron can choose to use the powerful reach given him just as it is given to every citizen he is considering silencing. I hope he chooses wisely.

Follow people

July 25, 2011 in Connecting, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 10 Comments

Does it really make sense to categorize people? Whether it is Google Circles, Facebook or Twitter lists, they have been used effectively by people for years now. Yes circles are somewhat different but really they are ways to categorize who we follow and read. One particular post on G+ and it’s resulting conversation caught my attention. Chris Guillebeau said he only had one circle called “Awesome People” which got me thinking. I follow people not subjects. Yes I focus on company culture, game and app development, technology, writers and publishing, business acumen and communication. What I have found is that I really am more interested in connecting with people and while they may show up on my radar because we share similar interests I am actually compelled to follow them because of the complexity of their interesting lives. In the past I have tried to categorize them into subsets but I finally resulted in a list like Chris’. You see it comes down to this, I like people. Whether they know it or not, all people are marvelously complex and interesting.

Brevity and connection

July 22, 2011 in Connecting, General, Marketing, Publishing, Rants, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 3 Comments

Twitter taught me how to get a point across in 110 characters of text. Many of us noticed our writing improve on blogs and in books. Another benefit was the ability to know quickly if you were someone I wanted to connect with. In the short descriptions on a good twitter profile I knew who you were, what you did and where you did it. Better yet I had a link to find out more.

As people add me to circles on Google + I am noticing a common occurrence. Just like twitter, Google Profiles are where I quickly assess whether I want to add you to a circle or not. Several profiles read like resumes or worse they are just one solid block of five hundred words or more. Most of all they are boring.

The profiles that catch my attention are short, creative and utilize all the tools that Google has offered including the photos banner. And like twitter, really your profile is as good as your last post.

Like the subject of this post I am keeping it brief. Please feel free to comment, disagree or share your own profile insights.

If we are not connected on Google + you can find me at http://gplus.to/johnflurry. See you there.

I chased him down

May 31, 2011 in Connecting, Customer Service, General, Marketing, Social Networking, Twitter with 0 Comments

We were having a meeting in the Soma Games/Code-Monkeys office a couple of weeks ago near the front of the shop. In the middle of the meeting Chris Skaggs our CTO yelled out, “he is wearing our shirt!”. We all turned to look out the street front window. A guy in his twenties had just walked by wearing a Soma t-shirt. I immediately jumped up, opened the door and chased him down. He turned around as I called out, noting that he was wearing our t-shirt. I then asked him where he got it, telling him I thought it was cool he was wearing it. He said a guy named Chris had given it to him when he stopped in the shop out of curiosity. I thanked him for wearing it and invited him in to come in anytime to play XBox or see our latest projects.

I remember thinking to myself as I began to chase the guy down “what the heck am I doing”. I realize I really didn’t care if he thought I was nut. I was so excited this guys was walking around with our brand on him. I was going to do anything to make sure he knew we appreciated it.

That is what makes the difference today. Every fan, customer and community member matters. They have a voice and they hold the keys to you getting your name known. So when they wear your t-shirt, give you a shout out or blog about you, chase them down and make sure they know you saw you appreciate what they do. It doesn’t cost a thing and it goes a long way to further enchantment.

Here are a few examples of brands that listened this week.

A friend asked about the best Microsoft Office document app for the iPad. We had a conversation on twitter and Quick Office chimed in with a thank you.

I have a twitter list I use to promote Authors who are engaged on line. Using Paper.li the list sends out a note about the top posts from that list. Several Authors say thanks. Two of which are Ted Coine and Laurie King through her famous character from her Beekeepers Apprentice Novels Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes’ young assistant.

These gestures are worth more than prizes and they can never be bought.

My own personal Eeyore

May 11, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting, Rants, Social Networking, Twitter with 6 Comments

When I was little I had a stuffed Eeyore. I loved the toy and I felt a real connection to the character. You see, I was a bit of a complainer, even at an early age. I am not sure if I picked this up along the way or if I was born with a melancholy disposition. As I have come to terms with this I think the former is probably the truest. Misery loves company and Eeyore seems to attract plenty of it even if that crowd often thinks we are obnoxious. One day I realized that this was miserable to be around. I began to dive into the reasons I had to complain and go after ways to either change my attitude or my life. We all have due cause to complain about something after all. I realized I could change more than I thought.

Add in social media and platforms for anyone to express themselves through blogs, podcast, YouTube and we have an overexposure of the uglies. It begins with feeling camaraderie with others who are complaining, but then quickly turns in to one big downer. I am not proposing that people should never have an opportunity to share their hurts to find support. However, I am challenging people to turn around and see how others are impacted by your outlook. Who wants to be around someone who constantly is complaining? And yes I have those days that I still sigh a lot (A former co-worker never believed me when I said I was just needing more oxygen those days). But I find I have much better connection with people when I can optimistically take on my day.

This post was first inspired by Gini Dietrich’s post on SpinSucks and by her link to Peter Bergmans post in The Harvard Business Review, both excellent read on the subject.

The internet works: all-call revisited

April 20, 2011 in Connecting, General, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 4 Comments

So at about 9:30 pm Monday night my friend Andy Traub posted on twitter that he could not make it to Chris Guillebeau’s World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon this June. He had already bought a ticket and needed to to sell it.

I saw his post and knew my tribe would be interested since I live in the NW and have many friends who enjoy Guillebeau’s work. Apparently there is a large waiting list to get in, so this was an opportunity to both help Andy out and someone else as well.

Within minutes someone saw my post and bought the ticket. I loved the response post “God works in mysterious ways…like on Twitter. Thanks…to both of you! #soexcited”. So once again, if you have a tribe and something valuable to share or find, the all-call is a valuable tool.

Here is my original All-Call post.

Being a valuable contributor to your tribe

April 8, 2011 in Connecting, General, Publishing, Social Networking, Tools, Twitter with 5 Comments

Last week I wrote about influence overload and choosing what we are influenced by.

So how do I ensure I am staying a valuable contributor to my tribe? Knowing what my tribe’s interests are is a good starting place. Mine is a combination of authors, publishers, entrepreneurs, communicators, coaches and fellow mobile and online tool enthusiasts. There are probably many more nacent groups in there. My point is, find out who they are and what they want from you. Hopefully they have gathered because of the original content you provide and the discoveries you share.

Second I stay valuable by not reposting like a parrot (read Strange Behavior of Crowds). I try to limit my posts to six types of messages: (I am sure I could define more but these stood out).

The Reading post: You will see me post that I am reading something. That means that I have actually started reading something and I think it is worth sharing.

The really valuable Reading post: For this I will usually post a secondary comment like “must read” or “great post”.

The next type is the announcement and is usually reserved for my blog posts or other content I have created like a video.

Then there are the conversations. I try to keep these minimal unless I think the conversation is valuable to the community. Most likely I take those offline.

The fifth type of posts is the question and answer post. I am either trying to get information or answer someone’s question. Twitter is a great tool for customer service. Use it.

Last is the I am here post. I don’t mind you using location services. In fact I like it because I may get to meet up with you. I also like to know the cool places my tribe hangs out.

Keep your posts relevant to those in your community. Take a minute and think if the article you retweet or share on Facebook really is worth passing on. I thank my tribe for keeping me interested and informed. They make me look like I know what I am talking about.

Influence Overload

March 28, 2011 in Connecting, General, Social Networking, Twitter with 9 Comments

Since the invention of the printing press we have become overloaded with influence. Now just as we have control over the books we read, we also have control over what information we choose to digest, even in the age of constant Twitter streams and Facebook updates. A few years ago I chose to cease my daily ritual of reading multiple newspapers. I was finding that I was becoming stressed after reading all the mayhem editors were sending my way. Like those papers, we can easily be inundated by a fire-hose of information through the constant updates of social media accounts. There are millions of blogs that beckon our reading. So again the question, who in influencing us?
One way of keeping our influence to a manageable state is to limit our consumption to what our tribe is saying. By tribe, I mean the smaller group of people within your sphere of influence. I create lists on twitter, I keep my Facebook community small, and I am constantly trimming the blog and site lists I keep up with. By doing this I benefit from not only from my tribes information but that of it’s greater community.
Other than simply keeping things manageable there is scientific proof that too many inputs can stifle our effective decision making. Len Sweet shared an article this week from Newsweek describing the decision crisis we find ourselves in. With multiple sources of information streaming in at us, our brains are finding it harder to be decisive.

I am constantly trimming, refining, changing and discerning who I listen to via my channels of influence. Over time my channels have become valuable to me. Just as I am discerning regarding the books I read, I don’t pay attention to every message that crosses my radar, even in the refined lists. I do pay attention to those who have over time proven consistently valuable, which brings me to another subject; being a valuable contributor to your tribe. But that is another blog topic. How are you keeping your information stream from crippling your decisions?

Here is one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject and how we will overcome it:

E. O. Wilson
“We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.”

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