Strategic and creative counsel is one of the most under-monetized aspects of being in the communications and marketing business. Would you ask a lawyer to coffee to “pick his brain?”
I, too, get these types of people asking for advice or help. They are my friends, colleagues, coworkers, acquaintances, family. I started to wonder if this was a woman thing. My semi-educated guess/basis: women are naturally inclined to create community, help, take the brunt of the work, and my favorite*- be underpaid.
I found Jordan’s post to be reassuring that I’m not the only person who feels this way. I also found her post to be good reminder for all of us to protect ourselves professionally. Yes, you can give out that advice, but be aware of and acknowledge the value you are also doling out for that cup of coffee.
* If you don’t know me by now… I’m totally being sarcastic.
As a social media marketing maven/freak myself*, I run into lots of ‘experts’ and mavens on social media platforms. I follow them on Twitter, I try to go to networking events, etc. I want to learn from these people. In the end, I want to be disseminate info that I think is important to my own followers, friends.
As you may know, I do my best thinking in the shower. JPH says it’s another version of meditation. Sweet. I’m a meditating machine! (… in the shower)
Here’s my question to you, dear friends and lurkers. If Joe called himself a social media consultant AND was consulting for a business on social media, wouldn’t it be natural to assume that Joe himself had an active Twitter/social media presence? -> Is it necessary for you, as a social media consultant/manager/director/expert, to have your own (active) presence in the social media sphere?
I would say yes. I think, at the very least, you should have a presence in the space in which you claim to be a consultant in. Even if it’s only to help push out your client’s social media space. Ie. Retweeting, reposting links, et al.
But is there an alternative view to this? Could you be a social media expert/what-have-you and be STEALTH!? Could you, in fact, be a social media ninja?? Does this social media ninja exist?
* Note: I don’t claim to be an expert, just a maven. Read Gladwell’s The Tipping Point. Shoot, if I was an expert, I’d have a FT permanent position in a company as a social media marketer, natch. So… if you have any leads…I’d be most appreciative!
This morning’s workshop went well. It was a smaller classroom, which fostered more dialogue regarding privacy and how-to’s. Thanks, attendees, for making this fun! I hope you learned a lot and can take the info back to your contacts.
I’ve posted my deck and handout on Slideshare.net. (www.slideshare.net/chrisylam) And here is the deck as an embed.
Please credit where credit is due. It’s all under a Creative Commons Attribution License. Plus it’s just plain good manners.
Hey there! I’m back from Canada and back at work. The funeral was fine. My cousins and extended family were very nice in hosting us and accommodating us.
This week I’m catching up and finishing up my “new” deck for Saturday’s workshop. That’s right, I’ll be teaching my “Intro to Social Media” workshop at Women at Work in Pasadena this Saturday at 10:30am. I think we’re full. This time, we’ll be in the computer lab and it’s a smaller room.
It’s amazing how things have changed in one year in social media.
Foursquare vs. GoWalla vs. Yelp – Brightkite kind of died
Twitter vs. Plurk vs. Pownce – Twitter has pretty much killed both, IMO
Friendfeed – I dunno – but looks like Buzz might have a hold (I still don’t like FF)
Facebook vs. MySpace
Tumblr vs. Posterous
I’m interested to see where the pieces fall in 12 months. You?
At the end of my finance internship at Paramount, I found myself looking to add more social media marketing experience under my belt. I wanted a substantial, meaty project where I could: 1. implement, 2. track, and 3. provide case studies in the future.
I absolutely believe an internship is useful for so many reasons! You get to feel out the industry, the field, the people, and the work. Some say I’m too old for an internship. I disagree. While I’m looking for more clients to serve and even a full-time position, why not learn a new thing or two? Why not network and meet new colleagues? Plus, the stuff I learn here, I can hope to apply to other projects. Win-win!
My former classmate Roberta introduced me to the online manager of an organization that promotes travel to the city. I had a good phone interview for an internship. I tweeted about it: “had a good phone interview for a some mktg internship promoting the city.”
Minutes later, I received a DM (direct message) from a follower who worked at a PR firm on the Westside. “Are you looking? We’re hiring a SoMe Mktg Intern!”We scheduled a phone interview. She told me who I was going to work with – <insert name of well-known LA social media expert>! I said, “HIRE ME. I want this job!”
And the rest is history.
I’m currently adding that SoMe Marketing experience under my belt at said PR firm. They’re giving me practically full reign to manage the social media accounts of several major international and regional companies. I’m having a FANTASTIC time here! I really lucked out in finding a friendly and helpful place to be.
I ended up passing on the first internship opportunity. AFAIK, the online manager is still looking for a couple of PT social media interns. I think it would have been a great opportunity for me to take, but I also knew I’d be stretching myself way too thin. If you’re interested, DM me on Twitter or leave a comment!
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