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Good morning you.
"Kiss Mah Grits!"
When I jokingly mentioned my topic for today’s post would be “Kiss Mah Grits,” I had no intention of going through with it, I just thought the quote was a cute way to break up the day on Twitter. (After all, who wouldn’t enjoy a well-timed tribute to Polly Holliday, who played the character Florence Jean Castleberry a.k.a Flo on the 80s TV sitcom “Alice?” ) But the more I thought about it, the more compelling the topic became. After all, while social media can be a real blessing, at times I really feel like telling my detractors – and yes, they’re out there – to “kiss off” on no uncertain terms. Nobody likes a critic. (Especially this nobody!) But for better or for worse, they exist and social media networks make it even easier for them to find you and deliver a snarky slap-down that can haunt you and your personal brand forever. Literally forever thanks to the power of *!$#@%^ social media! That kinda sucks huh? Yeah, it does. So what’s a plucky up-and-coming social media darling like you to do when faced with a Troll? Read on.
Social media and Trolls. The two go together like sugar and ants, suburbia and urban sprawl, vegetables and pesticide, me and the beltline. I was fortunate enough to attend SXSW in Austin last week and sat in on a social media conversation on just this topic. Participants came from all walks of life – forum administrators, media IT gatekeepers, editors and publishers, social media movers and shakers – but all shared a common question: what is a Troll and how do you stop one?
A Troll, the group decided, is someone who participates in a community with the effect of disrupting it, even if that disruption is non-intentional. Trolls don’t correct their behavior once it’s clear they’re disrupting. One doesn’t need to be cruel, sardonic or overly sarcastic to be labelled a Troll, sometimes a Troll can be a Troll simply because they’re relentless in their persistence, dominating any conversation and leaving other participants feeling cowed. Or perhaps the Troll is a topic spammer, injecting their personal crusade into any and all online conversations. Bottom line: a Troll is an unwanted disruption of social media engagement. So now that we know what a Troll is, how do we combat one?
For us human types, the answer is easy. We IGNORE Trolls. Like fire, a Troll cannot exist without a fuel source. While the barbs and arrows flung by a Troll might sting like the dickens, and you REALLY REALLY want to shoot a few well placed zingers back in their general direction, this will only exacerbate the situation. Experience shows that when a Troll is completely ignored, it fades away. In fact this is the recommended solve for anyone who runs an online forum – make it so the Trolls’ comments can only be seen by the Troll themselves – eventually they figure out they’re only talking to themselves and they go bye-bye. So next time you face a Troll, don’t reach for your “Retort” button – in fact, step away from the keyboard. Trolls will be Trolls. You’re better than them – heck, you might even LEARN something from them.
So now that you know to ignore Trolls, where SHOULD you spend your time online? Try fostering relationships with those who engage you online, that’s where the real value lies. I always try to respond to those who comment on my blog posts – after all, they took the time to read and share their thoughts, why shouldn’t I do the same? It’s certainly more rewarding than getting all worked up over a Troll’s snarky-ass comments.
It’s funny – training a puppy is a lot like training a social media audience. Use positive reinforcement to encourage behavior you want to see, ignore negative behavior completely and it’ll eventually go away.
And what if your Troll is a persistent cuss? Try this mantra: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and if you don’t like it darlin’, you can Kiss Mah Grits!”
(Rinse and repeat because you’re fabulous. Yes, you are!)
Caramelized Cacao Nib Wafers from Gail Ambrosius, coming to a Social Media Club swag bag near you!
As I write this post, I have bags under my eyes. Swag bags that is! Hope to see you at tonight’s Social Media Club gathering because I sure as heck don’t want to take ANY of this amazing Gail Ambrosius chocolate home and crush my Biggest Loser diet. The soap I’d keep – I’m pretty sure I won’t eat it. Although the Raspberry Mocha soap smells unbelievable and a precedent has been set – I did once eat a whole stick of Bonnie Bell Raspberry Lip gloss. (It was Big Bird’s fault! True story.)
But I digress! Today my social media aficionados, we’re learning all about that balance of art and science I alluded to in my last post. (You know, the one that won your heart a few weeks back? No? Well darling, same to you!) Yes, whether you know it yet or not, you’re now officially a mad scientist conducting perilous experiments to further your selfish goals. At the same time you’re a compelling artist, creating works of breathtaking beauty and awe for the betterment of mankind. How is such a dichotomous predicament possible? Because of social media of course!
First, let’s talk about your artistic side, your creative being. Regardless of your profession, whether you’re a lowly PR professional such as I, a mechanical engineer making sprockets on the east side, or a highly paid bus driver weaving among the streets of Sun Prairie, there’s an art to what you do. You might be a phenomenal writer, perhaps you’re an incredibly talented programmer, or in the case of the bus driver, you’re really good at taking tight turns in crowded city streets. That’s art. Nobody else can learn your talent from a book. This is the special sauce you bring to the table when you serve your employer a heaping helping of work – it’s why you still have your job. Do it long enough and you just might become a master of your craft. This is learned behavior honed over time, this is your craft.
Enter the science. In my profession – public relations – there wasn’t a whole lot of science involved forty years ago. Sure, you’d place phone calls and churn out press releases on the mimeograph, but the profession used to be more about the art of connecting and story telling and less about the technology used to spread the messages – but oh, times they have a changed. Now there are all these technological marvels we call tools that allow us PR types to bypass the media gatekeepers and go right to the customer with our messages, but using these tools takes skill. Understanding. Technical savvy and finesse. (Facebook doesn’t monitor itself you know!) The same is likely true in your profession. You used to do things one way, now all these new tools have come along, enabling you to do more of what you used to do – faster, cheaper and with more independence.
Fractals: The Art of Science
Sure, you can sit back and do things the old way. Social media innovations what? But here’s the problem: your competition is already embracing these newfangled technologies and is stealing your customers. (Oh yes, they are.) If that’s not enough for you, think of your job. You might be all set for now, but what happens when that young pup who “gets” technology comes sniffing around for your position? Bottom line: welcome to the new millennium, you’re going to need to understand technology. In fact, you’re going to want to become a scientist of sorts in your field, understanding how this technology works so you can make it work harder for you. You think anyone in Rome actually wanted to build the aqueducts? Hell no, it’s hard work and mining all that stone is certain to cause calluses and crow’s feet. But here’s the rub: once the Romans’ set up one working toilet, EVERYONE wanted one. (And frankly, who could blame them.) The same parallel can be drawn with social media – once the box has been opened, it’s open – and it’s up to you to achieve technological mastery to stay in the game. So get smart, become a scientist, learn stuff. Smart stuff.
Before you start building social media death cannons to crush all opposing messaging, pay heed: the art of your craft still applies. Even if you’re armed with the best new whizbangery in the world, if you start sucking at your art, you’re not going to succeed – it’s the foundation of your work, who you are as a professional. Nail the art as expected, get savvy with the science and you’ll be on the right track to professional success no matter what it is you do to pay the bills.
That’s all for this installment kids, hope to see you at tonight’s event!
I’ll be upfront about this kids, I’m a PR guy living in an advertising world. Like a mother’s maternal instinct to protect her young, the hunger for publicity flows deep in my blood. I love a challenge, which is really awesome because let’s face it – with a recent Gallup poll listing advertising practitioners as some of the most unethical creatures in all creation – tied with Senators no less! – I need something comforting to cling to while I cry myself to sleep at night in my 800-thread count sheets, which naturally I paid for in demon gold crafted from the blood of innocent children collected during my advertising day job. But I digress…
Nate Towne, PR Manager, Shine Advertising
Like many careers, being in public relations isn’t a cakewalk. Demands of the job, a challenging economy and a rapidly changing 24/7 media landscape sometimes make me yearn for my box of wine before I’ve even turned off the electric blanket in the morning. Thankfully there’s a cure for what ails me. It eases the pain of a shoestring budget, reduces my addictive publicity cravings and helps me sleep better at night too. This magic panacea? Why, social media of course. (You’re soaking in it!)
Yes, social media. The light at the end of the tunnel, the port in the proverbial storm, the cream in your coffee – you get my drift. While it can’t cure the common cold (yet), what it can do for public relations practitioners, advertisers, bankers, real estate agents, teachers, computer programmers, retailers, designers and pretty much every professional (or unprofessional) in the whole-wide world is help you do your job better, especially if you communicate anything in any aspect of your job. (Which believe me, you do. Yup, I’m sure of it – check again.)
In a nutshell, that’s what brings me to the Social Media Club of Madison: social media makes work better. How? Science, my Pretties, blessed science. No matter what you do, like bacon, social media can make it better. Writing a press release? Why gnash those teeth waiting for media pickups when you could get that baby up online as a PitchEngine social media release yourself and start building organic search love? Giving a presentation to the top executives at your firm? Punch it up with some social media research gleaned from real-time social media conversations from Addictomatic. Want to know what the world thinks about your brand? Google and Twitter alerts will become your best friend. Need to sell more sprockets or sprocket savings accounts? Turn to Facebook to build and engage your audience. Want to be a star? Try YouTube ya crazy kid.
My point? Tasks that used to take forever and cost oodles can be catalyzed by the power of innovative social media tools. Best yet, many of these tools are now free or in the process of becoming so cheap as dirt they might as well be free. And you can punch up anything you can do in the offline world with a little social media sauce; you just need to get a little creative. (A little imagination works wonders!) So go and do – and tell!
Stay tuned for my next post in just a few weeks – this one was a warm up for all shapes and sizes, the next delves a little deeper into the concept of you as an artist and social media as a science and how the two working in tandem can make your life easier. Yes, you too can become a scientist – hopefully a mad one.
In the meantime, here’s a question for you – how has social media helped you in YOUR career, and what do you hope to get out of your relationship with the Social Media Club of Madison?
We come from a variety of professional backgrounds and range in work experience from still-in-school to well-seasoned executives, yet we all have a passion for learning and helping others. That said, we each belong to a number of professional organizations important to our careers, but felt that there could be another group focused on what is not just an emerging trend, but also a proven method for helping us advance our work.
Our goals are to:
- Expand Social Media Literacy
- Share Lessons Learned Among Practitioners
- Encourage Adoption of Industry Standards and Ethical Practices
- Help Madison Move Forward
- …And Have Lots of Fun Doing All of the Above!
How will we do this? Stay tuned for information about our first event.
Meanwhile, I encourage you to become a member. We promise to provide enticing and relevant programming and blogging. Simply email Janie Winston, Network Administrator. Also follow us on Twitter at @MadisonSMC and friend us on Facebook.
Stay tuned for upcoming posts from nearly 20 bloggers.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Twitter @ InMadison.
- Marlena Deutsch, 2010 Chair
Stephan & Brady
All votes are in and Marlena Deutsch of Madison-based Stephan & Brady is the first Chairwoman of the Social Media Club of Madison. Congratulations Marlena. Please take a moment to send props to Marlena on Twitter @InMadison.
Wendy Soucie is Incoming Chair and will take over as Chairwoman in 2011. Please send her congratulations on Twitter @WendySoucie.
Stay tuned for more updates from MadisonSMC in the coming days!
The nominations are in and now it is your turn to vote for the first Chair of the Social Media Club of Madison! Please find information on all three candidates below. Voting will be open until 7PM CST, Tuesday, January 5th. Second Place will be offered the post of “Incoming Chair” – this position will serve as Chair in 2011 and will be an essential member of the 2010 Board.
About the 2010 Candidates
Wendy Soucie
Wendy is a 30-year veteran businesswoman who brings ideas about how to help B2B companies get started with social media. She has spent 5 years with marketing agencies and understands the marketing side and how social media fits; she has spent 4 years with IT consulting firms and understands the technology side as well; and her 30 years in business development has prepared her to understand social media’s place in this environment as well.
Wendy is a certified Black Diamond Consultant with the Social Media Academy. She is a Beta tester for the new Social Relationship Management tool xeesm.com as well as a LinkedIn Trainer for Integrated Alliances. Wendy’s website/blog is located at www.wendysoucie.com. In addition, she blogs for Blog WI Social Media – networkmindshare.blogspot.com – and is a writer for Madison Social Media Examiner.com.
Find out more about Wendy, including her websites, on LinkedIn.
Jeff Bach
Jeff is responsible for business development and long-term growth strategies for two media production companies. Recent successes include:
1) Partnering with Kwik Trip, Badger Sports Properties and the University of Wisconsin Athletic Department on a major promotional project resulting in over 800,000 entries in the promotion database.
2) Developing relationships and sales channel with two national distributors, resulting in our products being picked up by REI.
As a content creator and video producer, Jeff has long understood that the production of content is the easy part. The real work starts when you begin to consider how to distribute and monetize that content. He sees social media as a means of distribution, promotion, and spreading the word. And also views it as another arrow in the quiver of tools to build our presence as individuals and businesses. In Jeff’s opinion, the most valuable part of social media is the removal of friction. Social media is making it easier for trusted sources to get the word out to friends, family and followers, when that trusted source decides to share.
Find out more about Jeff, including his websites, on LinkedIn.
Marlena Deutsch
Marlena has been in the communications and PR field for more than 7 years, focusing on getting the right message out in a number of venues – speech writing, crisis communications, brand management and public speaking. Most recently, her work at Stephan & Brady allowed her to host Madison’s first TweetUps, gathering other local Twitterati to swap ideas, best practices and next steps.
Marlena blogs for S&B at http://www.stephanbrady.com/food4thought/ and hosts and writes her own blog, First Smiles and Tears, at http://firstsmilesandtears.wordpress.com/ - a portal for parents to share their favorite moments and fears.
Marlena holds received her BA at UW-Madison and her Master’s at The Ohio State University.
Find out more about Marlena, including her websites, on LinkedIn.
Carol Rosenstock
Carol has 20+ years in Business to Business with the Wealth Management industry and most recently is utilizing those talents as the Business Development consultant with Brava Magazine. As well as direct sales and marketing, Carol has been an intregal part of the social media campaign to disseminate quality connections for networking as well as connecting the community together to achieve results for profit and non-profit ventures.
She has served on the Board of Directors for EWGA, Executive Women Golf Association. Is on the commitee and future 2010 Board of Director for The Business Forum, a women’s networking group. She is also, an Excecutive Member for the United Way for Dane County. In addition to her Board positions, she is a member is TBF, Middleton Chamber of Commerce, attends HTHH and Girls Night Out events. It is important to be connected within your community throughout networking and being invited to events for Brava Magazine articles.
Carol holds an MBA from our local Edgewood College and is very tied to the Madison community as she has lived in WI for 43 years; married 11 years with three children.
To find out more about Carol, please visit her on LinkedIn.
We have been very busy meeting with folks from all around the area about the new Social Media Club of Madison. While we work to ramp up interest, ideas, members and a great calendar of events application we have set our sights on rolling out a more substantial vision for our work at the beginning of the New Year. Please continue to provide recommendations on new members and share your thoughts with us on Twitter (@MadisonSMC), Facebook (Social Media Club of Madison) or via email at MadisonSMC at Gmail dot Com.
Welcome to the new virtual home of the Social Media Club of Madison and a prospective online repository for social media events and programming in the greater Madison area. If you are a social medialite or relevant group in and around Madison with an event to promote please submit it through our Calendar of Events tool and we will do our best to help you spread the word. If you’d be interested in connecting so would we. Please send us a note via the comments section.
