When you got started with social media, was it your idea? Or did someone else drag you into being active in that site? How did you decide which site to start with? How do you decide now that you have at least some experience with social media?
I remember when I got my first friend request for Facebook. It was from a fellow in my Toastmasters clubs who had decided not to renew his membership because he and his wife were expecting a baby in a few months. Oh yes, I should mention that Toastmasters is an organization that helps its members to become effective in their communication and leadership skills.
He told me how we could stay in touch through Facebook. Not really understanding what he meant, I accepted his invite because I trusted him and didn’t want to lose touch.
A couple months went by, and his baby girl was born. I will always remember how excited he was that day and the awesome pictures he posted of the baby right after she was born. Excitedly, I shared his happy news with the rest of the members in our Toastmasters club.
I believe that was the day that I GOT IT. By that I mean that I had a visceral experience of joy in finding out some very happy news via Facebook that I was unlikely to have heard about any other way. Can you think of moments like that for you with Facebook or other social media sites?
My “aha” type of moment with LinkedIn was not quite as visceral, but still was impactful. I had been on LinkedIn for about 18 months simply accepting invites, but not doing anything proactive. Then after reading an article in a Toastmasters newsletter about the power of LinkedIn for networking, I decided that I would be more active on LinkedIn.
The first thing I did was to join the Official Toastmasters International Members group, where I found myself fascinated by what the other group members were writing. One person who wrote was from Dubai and needed help with a particular type of speech project that no one else in his club had tackled. We became LinkedIn connections almost right away so that I could more easily mentor him through that project.
As someone who has been a teacher and mentor ever since I can remember, I loved the opportunity to reach out to someone who could benefit from my wisdom and experience. In addition, as a lifelong learner and still a student of social media myself, I in turn have been mentored by others I have met via LinkedIn through a variety of the social media related groups.
Who have you mentored through Facebook, LinkedIn or another social media website? Who has mentored you? I would love to hear these kinds of stories.
Joyce Feustel, Boomers’ Social Media Tutor
Photos for this blog post found on http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/
My journey into Facebook was prompted by my daughter heading away to college. It was a more direct way to share news with her than email. I also work with women half my age and felt it might be a good link with them. It was invaluable to be able to keep track of my girl when she took two trips to Norway the following year. When I saw that she had posted, I knew how she was doing and where she was.
Thanks for your comment, Ellen. My daughters headed off to college before Facebook was around. But if it had been around then, I would definitely have jumped on it at that time. And in my office, most of my team mates are between mid-20s and 50, with most of them on Facebook. I agree that it is a nice way to be in touch with their lives even though I see them every day. And when co-workers leave, it is a good way to stay in touch.