Surfing around the curiosity yonder

Just answer the question DAMMIT!

I have this underwritten rule, that has been private up until now.  Because I recognize that in order to become a voice others trust, I have to be honest. 

Truth be told
 The rule is that I don't read much on other people's take on social media.  The reason being, I don't want my own interpretation by tarnished or skewed by someone else.  I confess that I was really tempted to go look at Marie Smith (Facebook Guru referenced on right sidebar under "Social Media" references) to see what Marie would say, but I dug deep and realized it was not unlike trying to sell magazine ads to someone.  

What can you expect?
They are asking what to expect and leaning on their network to find the answer.  Thinking someone would step up and stand out with a strong, accurate answer.

The answer business
is a fine way to bring to attention your strengths and attributes.  One of the reasons I was willing to escape Linked In Group discussion was after finding someone practically cut and paste part of an answer from me.  

On the brighter side
The good ones stand out and the shady ones also.   You kinda get a strong sense you're on the good side when you get invites to connect from strangers in unique industries you are not as familiar with.

Stand out
So you can stand out, if you know your stuff. I still exchange tweets or message some of my best and still-current connections from Linked In to this day.  It was mutual admiration society or similar interest ville. 

Refreshing honesty
seems to be a welcome introduction to newbies and war-weary veterans of surfing around, doing research, comparing, accumulating facts, looking stuff up, passing the time, gaming, watching mindless dribble, FAILheaven, and so on. 

Ah Quora Quora QUORA
Since I blogged about the sprinkling of requests to have more people answer questions properly, Quora is sorting through its people of subscribers and members to weed through to ask some to answer questions.  It can subtly flag it to others, or other questions it wants to send your way.

Since I talked about this value added feature yesterday, I have had 15 requests to Answer Questions emailed by Quora to me as Notifications in the last 24-hour period and counting (yeah, that was the jist of the article where I suggested people like numbers and lists, eek).  

Curious warriors
strength in not always in numbers, but the strength of the numbers can carry a lot of weight.  Quora's value proposition is it is a beauty trap for all the curious minds out there, opinion seekers, third opinion needers, answer-ers and not necessarily blowhards.

Alas, a question I discovered tonight was under a new group I'd joined for social marketers.  As I was about to close the page, like a beacon or a candy to beckon me, I went into the group.  The first question caused me to feel compelled to answer, taking a rest from Quora, and seeing how the responses are received over here:

Q:

Social Media Marketing

Could you please advice me a strategy to run successful Ad campaign on facebook. Thanx

Manju Singh

Marketing Professional

A: my answer~

There is a really important common point here:  who do you want to reach (i.e. aka target audience)?  

I get where you are coming from however,  Manjusha. It's kinda like asking a yes or no question and getting layered with excuses and/or seemingly unrelated or incorrect information and/or all.  

The right kind of social media partner should be able to identify what to expect from a Facebook advertising spend;  it's not that difficult for me to pinpoint because I sold magazine ads in a newspaper town, so I get how you must be feeling.

There are organic ways to grow within Facebook.  I'm a fan of this method because, although it is much slower paced, your connections tend to be more memorable and long lasting.  

Under this guise, I would suggest you join GROUPS, a really powerful feature and offering of value add by Facebook. 

Numbers don't lie

I am not always controversial
but I have formed a habit of dive bombing into unchartered unexamined non-identified-sources.   I guess I'm unafraid of developing a curiosity, studying it, defining the characters involved, and then dropping in like lightning.

Thunderbolts
are rarely welcome.  To zap in in an instance, drop their opinion.  To result in striking attention.  Taking attention away from anyone is like standing up to the kids playground bully.  You rarely go quietly.

The conversation conversation 
context can go on a vacation.  Unless you are an accredited media:  television station, network, newsprint, magazines, and now website like MASHABLE, you have to defend your position.

The harsh reality
of offense.  There is no humming harmony in the background to set the tone, nor the beat of the tunes, giving personality to the message or messenger.  If you stick your neck out with your opinion online.  You better be able to defend it in a heartbeat.

In a society of debates
Why would someone block someone else?  Just by asking for proof of their statement.  Unfortunately, for them, I documented the interaction as I continue to lean on my graphical imagery sensories, I have become more instinctively reactive to saving something.

Instincts of survival?
Or just tired of people making false or padded statements of authority like they KNOW something that nobody else does.  Unless, it is clearly recognizable by their authenticity.  

The most of anything articles
 are usually identifiable because of history, past,  commentary or writings.  Like People's Most Beautiful List that has been around since?  Insert fact check:  _________________::
                                      ~..~

{ i n s e r t    i m a g e   h e r e }

                                      ~..~

 Repercussions
 A developing opinionator on social media is being crafted.   I'm applying my instincts and gut reaction to matters that cross my radar.  Usually, docilely, non-confrontational because they almost always lean towards inspirational, positive messaging or images that make you just go WOW!

WOW happens
when you least expect it.  Perhaps you forgot to take a pause before you emit anything?  Or the experience is so uplifting.  Appealing to your creative senses:  sight, hearing, visual poetry, written mastery.  Whatever it is, I tend to let it pop.

Pop scorn
Has to be defined something like you decide to opinionate which on social media can be really sticking your neck out on here.  Bullying, violence, corruption are obvious areas to lay your scorn.  But don't forget, that if you decide to opinionate you are setting yourself up for suspect questioning on authenticity.  Which I did.  Innocently, trying to find an uplifting song to share with everyone who it casts its light upon.  I come across something that my radar said was a scoundrel.

Scoundrel
Should be resurfaced as an word of our times, of our world.  Those scoundrels are the ones that try to cheat innocent people.  Or the ones that try to fake an authority that only they say to be true.  Taking money from old people, innocent people, trusting people with no intention of ever doing what you promise.  Plenty of shady politicians have been called a "scoundrel" as the one-word-says-it-all descriptive.

The story
Here is how the story folded.

I was writing about lists.  Assembling stats from my own blogs to demonstrate how lists and favorites are a great way to monitor where folks come from to your blog, your Tweets, Facebook likes.  I love gazing at numbers.  There appears before me poetry in words to be explained.  In my own words.  My own interpretation.  You see, I wasn't even thinking about being the most trusted authority on social media. 

From here

To there

Numbers don't lie
My darn numbers that I check out, not nearly often enough, guides me and directs me towards what blogs I write seem to resonate, catch on.  For my audience is not boastful or any a scoundrel in there.  That I'm aware of, at least.  I'm pretty consistently known for being a promoter of Calgary.  To my non-Calgarian, non-Canadian followers.  How I know where my visitors come from?  My Google stats, of course.  They are THE best source.  I have experimented with WordPress but it just doesn't provide the juicy stats that Google does.

No vote
The non-voters would be anyone associated with me.  I wouldn't dare rely on other's generosity, support to catapult me into some sort of notoriety.  I'm kind of averse because anyone of any fame or acclaim are deemed, beamed and decided by others.  Not themselves.

Excuse the hand-writing
Try writing with your mouse.  It is going to take a lot of practice to make it look finesse.  I'm up for that.

Measurement stick
I set my own measurement sticks.  With my ultimate goal of being a singular voice on something widely important.  That's what my instincts tell me and the path seems to be guiding me towards.  When I can absorb, enhale and infuse the numbers, they will show me the way.  Now, it could be Calgary, but maybe reddit.com senses something far wider when moderating "Canadian Travel" for them.  (Please send me clips of what you think are awesome parts to visit in Canada.  You just have to share it with me on reddit.  It isn't my opinion on what the best is, I only moderate.  By sharing your opinion often and proud, you are substantiating numbers like where, in fact, IS the best place to visit in Canada?).

Smart
They're just plain smart.  No bull-S-sers are following my aura, some could say they use a charisma metre that is set by their own personal gauge.  Simply because they gravitate to similar topics, articles, visual, stimulated or subtle. 

The shortcut
It's always pretty easy to try to take the short road instead of the long one.  Or the shorter ones with plenty of peaks and valleys.  They all differ.  Nobody should try to cheat the numbers, sway the results, bribe the fanbase.

Integrity
Is the measurement that only those who feel the necessity within every fiber of their being is going to be attracted to me, my message, my opinion and lately, investigation.

Declining Tabulations
The most saddest offshoot from declining traditional media sales, the dwindling revenue means tightening up.  In media, it is cross-polarization.  Take a story and make it identifiable with a country, not a region or a city. 

Generic boredom
Anyone who really lapse into stories.  Trusting and loyal.  No, not the fairy tales that abound on social media.  These really smart people can sniff out the egotists and proclaimers.  They don't need the recognition.

Comments
I may take a dry perception to comments.  Early on, in my initial stages of blogging.  I heard over and over again that whether what you are writing are catching on are based on the number of comments.

Experiment
All of my three readers, of this blog, may remember that I am a fan of creating my own experiments.  To see if anything registers.  To give information, share knowledge from the unscientific results that abound.  I used to way back, when I was convinced that the only way my blog would ever catch on is I simply just ask people to comment.  When I did ask, I got people to act.  

Linked In
One of my most proudest followers is the "LinkedInCompany" on Google +.  Not the most obvious source for communicating on social media, but still unparalleled influence in results is Google+ (if you want a tip).  They connect with me, update me and inform me privately and personally, like this:

Most engagers
Sure, most of my best and most excellent sphere of real influencers are from Linked In.  I'm fortunate to be associated with some magnificent leaders that are climbing in favor, on the news, more often quoted in news authorities.  Fact in point:  one of the largest charities CEO was established as a connection on Linked In.  We had a meeting to exchange in conversation about non profit exploration of social media's strength as a platform of finding, retaining and maintaining relationships with donors.  Me, I was investigation my credibility to be paid to help for a campaign or for a while.  He acknowledged my "conversation" this afternoon and we had a really pleasant, brief exchange.

Another great example:  I reached out to a very big chunk of connections from Linked In, with whom I have personal connections with to request that they share information on how to donate towards the Fort McMurray Wild Fires.  I have proof, evidence of who is actually "engaged" with me.  Not just reactive, but whom we have short conversations or long hellos spanning years on Twitter.  The people that help you, start you off, give feedback, give praise, are your cheerleaders are the ones that respond.  Most of the ones I reached out, I trusted.  They did respond, simply by jumping to it and sharing, or asking a question.  I can send out a post among almost 18,000 Twitter followers, post on Facebook, and I may get a blip of response.  But personally connecting with Linked In, I got lift off:  help raising funds for residents and City of Fort McMurray.

Supporters, mentors
I clearly write and give tribute to those that helped me and my adventures on social media.  Based on one of my biggest discoveries in sales was that you never claim credit for what others are doing to allow you to deliver to customers.  You benefit from that.  You plug into results from that.  The principle hasn't changed on social media.  I am only as good as my followers, and if I'm ever going to be great at it, it is only because others will give me a nod.

On guard
I treasure the very important connections that I have been honored by with the reciprocal connection on Linked In.  I am private about them.  We may message back and forth, here and there.  I never divulge who they are or what we communicate about.  I am always seeking an opinion or a sparring of ideas.  That's who I am continually discovering.  Thankful that I am surrounded by really really "remarkable" people.  They care about who they are identified with, just being by association on here.  Above board and professional exchanges always.  Not the riff raff that seem to jump in and then fizzle out.   Just recently, I joked with a very big CEO of a very big bank on when was I going to be his Road Manager when he finally writes the book then goes on a Road Show to expel his wisdom.  Sure, I want to be identified with that.  He knows who he is.  I hope he does read this.

Misperception
The saddest part about believing the masse, instead of experimenting, not judging, forgetting to decide for yourself what is great.  Linked In is really under appreciated or gets a bum rap.  They are not a ONLY a job search site.  They are not a career, headhunting, employment, sales networkers site.  You may be doing it all wrong if you are simply amassing big numbers.

Big numbers
Are just that.  Think sports.  As I am more comfortable comparing to now.  Because I assumed I knew a lot about hockey, and now the discovery becoming an NFL Sea Hawks new fan, makes me understand why sports are always such a great source for quotes.  But they also live, breath, and constantly examine their stats.   

Surprising
What is always most surprising is how wrong you can be sometimes.  The ones that you think are supporters are really co-promoters.  The least likely ones are the ones to respond, mostly comment, if you straight out ask them.

Skepticism
The hardest part of being someone who likes to investigate facts, uncover cool opportunities or just imagineer, is that your greatest super power is your adversity to dishonesty.  Fighting the battle with skepticism, trouncing it with optimism.

Optimism
So you silent viewers.  Thank you.  I know you're here.  Even if there only a few of you.  You inspire me.  I write.  I become more inspired.  Your react by your click, whether on this Blog, or my other two that are evolving and examining the other sides to who I am.  Simply, a gal from Calgary.  Nothing more.  No one less.

Other than someone who imparts knowledge, shares beauty and curates the amazing content that you can find, slowly, outstandingly, wonderfully.

Often words are not needed to express

Or express how you feel

Mere pictures can inspire ::

A social media journey

Who knew what would follow when I launched this blog optioneerJM five years ago?  I remember how it came about:  My mentor and friend Donna deMan insisted that I get on board Linked In to introduce myself, open myself to career opportunities, reconnect with those I had lost touch with, and get "with it" on social media. 


Linked In

Like anything to do with social media, you don't just be there.  You have to embrace it, blend in and become active to gain the value it presents.  So I did.  I had quite a few years experience in sales and digital printing, so it wasn't too surprising that I hovered around sales groups before I jumped in.  After all, it was pretty underwhelming.  All I had to do was write about my opinion on matters others were embraced in.  What happened was, my opinion was valued, my experiences I shared were welcome.  I started to meet people.  One of the first was Mike Lehr when I commented on career advice.  Not before long, we were messaging and exchanging information after he voted and commended my comments..... he seemed to know what he was doing and had a esteemed background in intuition and even authored books on the topic. 

Shortly after, in a Digital Printing group I connected with Sandy Hubbard.  We had similar careers with printing and magazines so it wasn't surprising that she became a mentor and champion.  Sandy was a publisher and writer and encouraged my viewpoint so I thought "what the heck" I will start a Blog about sales and draw from what I had commented on in Linked In to get started.  The thought was, if it is good enough for sales types, it may be good enough for the whole world wide web.


What drove my curiosity was why was there such a fuss about "Social Media"?  I admit I was skeptical and stubborn:  I didn't want to be associated with or thought of as a time waster online.  Donna encouraged and convinced me to get on Twitter.  I had come up with the pseudonym optioneerJM by then, getting a lot of direct questions what an optioneer was?  The explanation seemed natural and easy to answer:  "An optioneer provides multiple solutions then executes to solve the problems, while gaining buy in from others."  It seemed logical:  option with re-engineering to come up with option-eer combining both. 


Twitter

I hung my handle on Twitter, linking my blog, and primarily using it as a gateway to drive attention to my blog.  It became so much more.  Sandy Hubbard was a pro and tucked me onto her side and showed me around:  First stop was a group of early adopters on social media called #USGuys.  I was thrilled.  I was starting to get some momentum to my thinking that if you can't wrap your head around something, find out why that is.  Research, read, absorb.  So I did.  Thankfully, they opened their arms and let me into the club (it isn't a club by any stretch of the imagination).  A group of people that were not only had a large following individually, but also many had started to leverage their knowledge to launch their own expertise as business opportunities.

My dog Buddy

Facebook

Admittedly, I did have a Facebook profile for family and friends AND GAMES.  I was uncomfortable letting others know that I fooled around on Farmville and Yoville, with the exception of my sister and good friend Allison Tasker.  What amazed me was on the page, the ladies whom I connected with didn't just share crates of vegetables to expand your farm.  I noticed how they shared recipes, quotes, sayings and found causes like domestic abuse, bullying and missing children.  I was turning my head around on the expansive reach of Facebook, collaborating with my new found friends from across the globe. 

I had the optioneerJM persona established by then, thus I expanded to include a Facebook Page.  I started to think that some of my tweets that were nuggets captured and shared may be of value by encompassing them on Facebook.  I discovered that many of my awesome friends from Twitter were active on Facebook and it was more intimate.  Many of my friends, like Joseph Gier and Libby Sweiger were active on Facebook and I got to learn and appreciate more about them as people by their posts. 

I was a keener by now.  No holding back.  In fact, I was a social media enthusiast.  So much so, I became a social media Evangualist, singing its praises and the wonderment of all that could be gained.  Mike Lehr caught on, set up his profiles, with me giving him hints in the background.  Almost immediately, not only was Mike embraced, he was guest blogging for some of the gurus from #USGuys.  Mike didn't need to be convinced that it was a marvelous adventure.  In fact, Mike's Blog was my first of a select few to follow of Blogs I followed, credited as such on my blog.  He was very kind and reciprocated.  That taught me one of the first lessons:  help others while being conscious of whether they appreciate it and acknowledge it by sharing back.

Google Plus, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr

I was a late bloomer to Google Plus, but the logic stood out.  I applied the same reasoning of why I used Google's BlogSpot to host my Blog.  If you want to increase your presence in social media, you can't go wrong with putting big brother Google behind your efforts.

I can't remember how I stumbled upon Pinterest, but it became an addition for my visual appetite.  I loved looking at wonderful photographs, art and images.  There is an abundance of stimuli there.  Along with recipes, how to, decorating, quotes and a multitude of many other things.  I got on board and immediately recognized what a great way to capture the things you loved and those you admired under a synopsis called Pinterest. 

I like images and quotes.  I started to marry the two, sometimes creating my own quote, other times borrowing from the well known or obscure.  Regardless, the visuals are usually beautiful . I play with InstaGRAM a little, admittedly, mostly to see what my kids are sharing.  It is fun, flamboyant and brilliantly impulsive.  I still keep it toned down compared to the others, but there is a lot to be said about the plethora of images there.  It was a no brainer to get on to Tumblr for the same reason.  I can discover fantastic images, to be shared on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

I'm honored to have made a lot of talented and remarkable connections.  Every day I log on any of the sites, I learn something and more than likely share something else.  My reputation and brand as optioneerJM has evolved from that.  Quite simple.  Very remarkable.

I will be writing a Gratitude blog shortly to personalize and thank those that helped and inspired me to be a better social media citizen to commemorate my five years on social media, starting May 2010.

The sharers, viewers and doers of social media

"If the internet is the information highway, social media puts you behind a Ferrari."                                                                   ~Jeannette Marshall

Everyone and just about every company is dabbling in social media these days.  It just occurred to me:  where you hang out and what you do with each platform can predict the results one can expect.  It is social media basics 101:

The Doers - Facebook

I have only about 500 followers on optioneerJM Facebook.  They are the most active social media personalities there are.  Some are professionals - they earn their income from participating in Social Media.  Often, they too, like me, have a smaller circle of friends and followers on Facebook than they may on Twitter or elsewhere.  However, what stands out is they are doers.  They actively read what you post because they have considered whether or not to have you counted among their more intimate group.  I'm not talking about a Facebook Page, I'm talking about those who perhaps may be more selective, yet still count you among a group of  "Friends".  

Chances are,, they will read what you post, acknowledge it with a like, go farther and share it or even better, share/repost.  I know of at least one top social media personality, executive, writer for distinguished publications, who tests his theories by asking his "friends" questions and certainly uses it to reinforce his own beliefs.  

Who you have on your circle of friends on Facebook are more than likely those that they feel a personal connection with, share ideals with, and/or count them as those they value the opinions of.

The Doers - Linked In

Be there are be square.  Linked In is the site that brings credibility and reinforces what you do.  It is more likely to be restricted to who one follows or allows to be followed simply because its likelihood to be connected to someone personally.  It has great potential when you accumulate recommendations from colleagues, clients or peers.

The Doers - Bloggers

There are many bloggers out there, as there are topics.  Some are actively giving away advice, their opinion, or knowledge for free.  Some may have a catch:  hire them, buy something, or comment on something.  It can be a cliche of sorts.  I find it interesting how often the active Doers are often referred to "the best" of something.  I'm skeptical on these lists, other than the major media forces like INC., Forbes or Entrepreneur.  Why? Simply said, the best of anything is those the author knows by a connection that is more than fleeting.  It is a circle of folks who scratch each other's egos and flaunt each other's influence.  There are a select few, who are chosen to write for said major media forces, more than likely because their views, advice or knowledge is considered worthy.

The Sharers - Twitter

On the flip side, I have going on 9000 Twitter followers.  The chances are great that a good percentage interact on a regular basis.  If your opinion is valued or they find that your posts/shares are along their own beliefs or interests, they will acknowledge by sharing that content.  There are many that may retweet (#RT) your content on Twitter, or even better, recommend you to their own group of followers, typically on Fridays, with the hashtag #FF (FollowFriday).

Always, always, and I say ALWAYS try to acknowledge, thank those that share, #RT, #FF you.  Don't be lazy or complacent.  These are your cheerleaders and boost you on your way up in the Twittersvere and likely barely glance on your way down, noting you for arrogance or even less acknowledging you exist.

 ________________________________________________________________

The PC has improved the world in just about every area you can think of.  Amazing developments in communications, collaborations and efficiciencies.  New kinds of entertain-ment and social media.  Access to information and the ability to give a voice to people who would never have been heard.

~Bill Gates

 ________________________________________________________________

The Sharers - Pinterest

If you happen to stray on to Pinterest and start to post, a funny thing happens.  As you accumulate an audience, it has the likelihood of being rePINned simply because that is the culture of the machanism.  The more useful, the more likely it will be considered to be added to others on boards.  Pinterest is an engine that keeps on giving.  Your PINs can keep snowballing even if you aren't as active as other outlets.

The Viewers - Google Plus

According to my analytic resources, the least acknowledgements, shares come from Google Plus.  Granted, many of my influencers and followers are on G+, few do much their other than view your post if it happens to scroll into their sphere.    G+ is for the visual, creative minded.  Out of all the social media sites, it allows the visuals to be front and center to any post.  You shouldn't post there if you aren't going to take care and attention to have visuals to go with your message.  

Granted, many view on Google Plus, there are great groups and interest arenas, but to get real participation you may have to work harder there to reap any reward compared to say Facebook or Twitter or even Pinterest.  I wouldn't count it out entirely, however, because it has the big engine Google behind it and it just may help your search engine results if you are there.

The Viewers - You Tube

We've all heard of campaigns going viral, more often than not, because they are on You Tube.  Think "Justin Beiber" who would have remained a Canadian boy with dreams of stardom, and not the megastar he is today because of You Tube.






There are definitely other social media  platforms that are being used that I haven't included here:

• Tumbler
• InstaGRAM
• Vine
• SnapCHAT
• WhatsUP

Any of these can be included in your social media portfolio with convincing statistics to support them to be an important part of your campaign and to create relationships with viewers.  Why I didn't include them on their own, is simply because they cannot be relied upon as a sole social media outlet.



Combine your social media campaigns with a number of platform.  It will build consistency and relationships with your followers along with name recognition.

What you post is associated with your story or brand.  What interests you? What do you resonate with? What information do you feel inclined to share?  Eventually, you can be identified as a subject matter expert in that area.  The most successful are the ones who tell stories.  I discourage appointing just anyone to be your storyteller because social media is your personal, corporate or brand's outlet to tell your stories or allow others to get to know you better.  

Unfortunately, far too many spend the time, effort and resources to building their web site than they do to their social media.  Ensure you have someone that is not just a marketer, but someone who is enthusiastic about what you have to offer.  Typically, if you're a solopreneur, it will be you.  However, companies or brands leave it to someone who doesn't know how to acknowledge or interact with people.  Make it your mandate that whomever has this responsibility will use manners, acknowledge tweets, likes, shares, follows with a personalized touch.  Don't just react to negative publicity because you will create your own monster.

Whatever you do do, keep in mind that not only being there is important.  Interacting and engaging is what it's all about.  Get involved and don't just treat it as a necessary evil.

"From the streets of Cairo and the Arab Spring, to Occupy Wall Street, from the busy political calendar to the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan, social media was not only share the news but driving it.

~Dan Rather

Feel free to follow me under my pseudonym @optioneerJM 

Twitter 

Facebook

Pinterest

Google +