Think about what your life was like before you had a blog, facebook, twitter, or other social media tool. What was your life like then? How has it changed today? I was reflecting on my social media usage and have realized that social media has really changed my life quite a bit. Thanks to social media, I was able to meet great folks like Scott Beale, Gary Vaynerchuk, Andy Kaufman, Brian Solis, Lee Odden, and countless other amazing folks out there. I have learned so much from these people and feel that I have been able to contribute a great deal as well. To me, that is what social media and interaction is all about.
Here are a few ways in which social media has changed my life:
- I Have become more active in the social media community, before social media I had no idea who Brian Solis, Lee Odden, or Jeremiah Owyang were, now I interact with all of these folks, some on a regular basis.
- I have met great connections, which I hope to turn into friends.
- I have definitely explored more of San Francisco and have gotten out of the house a lot more. This is due to all of those twitter meet-ups and social media gatherings.
- I have grown as a writer and as a researcher. I spend a lot of time reading and proofreading my work so that my readers can get an enjoyable experience. I try hard to diversify my content and make things interesting and engaging.
- I learned how to better market myself as my own brand.
- I realized that social media is more than just having a blog or a twitter account, social media is about relationships
- Social media has led me to create the Search Marketing Salon, a group devoted to meeting folks involved in the online industry whether it be through SEO, SEM, or social media.
- I learned that that social media is a way of life and this has dramatically changed how I interact with people online.
- I have become a better listener both online and off line
There are many other things I could list here, but I would love to hear some of your stories, thoughts, and experiences. Please share them with me and with the rest of the world.
I will just go ahead and count myself as one of the “countless others” you’ve met 😉
Jacob, a lot of what you shared here with regards to changes I have experience myself. There is no better way to grow and learn then through reaching out and connecting with peers and contributing and asking questions. For this, I am ever building in skills that help me in a huge way every day. The support is a great deal of importance as well. I feel that I have a strong support team that I can always bounce ideas off of at will . Having the courage to take chances as well as being around others who do as well allow me to strengthen my will.
My favorite change you listed here is “I have become a better listener both online and off line” This has to be one of the most important lessons of all with social media. If we can become better listeners, then anything is possible.
The first thing I check in the morning is no longer email, but twitter, linkedin, RSS, then analytics, then salesforce, then email.
There’s definitely more of an immediate gratification with engaging in the community.
I have experienced everything you say above and I would like to add my 2 cents from a woman’s point of view.
I have found that women are natural networkers and relationship developers, something that has helped them run their households, families and child raising efforts more easily and efficiently. Now, with women starting up businesses at a faster rate than men, they are quickly learning to use those skills online to help them grow.
As a networker from way back, I have found networking online much less expensive and way more efficient!
The discussions on my GutZy Women Ning go way beyond just business talk, but get to the heart of our dreams as well as our challenges. We then see ourselves in each other, create real bonds and with that comes a deep desire to help each other succeed.
I now have great friends, mentors and JV partners in Australia, UK, Africa, Boston, LA , Greece and the Netherlands and I LOVE IT!
As we help each other become more successful, we create the opportunities and the finances to travel and enjoy each others company and expertise in person!
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout!
hi