So, I mentioned that there were 2 highlights that came out of my speaking journey last week. The first was meeting Michael Port. Here’s the 2nd.
Last week Friday, I spent most of the day with about 300 professional organizers at their annual conference held in downtown Toronto. Professional organizers are a fun, energetic bunch of people.
I gave a presentation called How to Get Publicity Without Sending Out a Press Release, a presentation about conversational media. At the end, I gave all the professional organizers 5 action steps for their homework assignment.
Quite simply, I gave them tips on how to launch their own blog and steps to get started with their first post.
Would you believe that only 1 person out of that whole group took any action? Her name is Michelle Lynne Goodfellow and here’s what she said to me by email:
“Conversational media are something I had never even given thought to, but now that I have published a second post on my new blog,I’ve realized that for me, this medium is an amazing fit.
Thanks for providing the inspiration; you have changed my life in a very real and very special way.”
After getting Michelle’s email, I chatted with my mother about this. I asked her how could I deliver a message to a full room, give them all the same action items, yet only 1 person takes any steps.
Her response?
“Everyone’s looking for the quick fix. If it requires work, very few want to do it.”
Words of wisdom.
It’s probably another big reason why many businesses shun conversational media. Many are impatient and can’t wait for the Long Tail effect to kick in. The Long Tail effect means they have to work at it over the long haul, which translates into thankless nights punching up a blog post or recording audio for that podcast.
Brings to mind the words of Peter Parker‘s aunt (or uncle depending if you heard the line uttered in the motion picture, on the TV show or read it in the comic strip):
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
So true, Aunt May. And I don’t think she’ll mind if I change it up a bit to sum up my thoughts in this post:
“With social media comes great responsibility.”
corrected website page… sorry!
Leesa,
I’ve just found your blog… through Michael Port’s site. I too was thrilled to hear Michael speaking here in Seattle and then Vancouver about a week ago.
Congratulations to you for helping others find value through blogging and podcasting. I created my first blog nearly three years ago – and despite getting few comments, or even wondering what I was doing, I kept up. It gave me an outlet to share my discoveries of daily working with sales professionals to help them increase their effectiveness.
Eventually, I became a paid blogger, have been invited to China because of my blog, and to participate in the Microsoft.com website. I’ve met people throughout the world, “virtually” – and can’t wait to get my podcasting going.
Just like Michael, it sounds like you love what you do, and enjoy serving others while also creating a great business.
Lori
I was really the only one??? I am shocked… but given the demographic (especially the average age of participants in the room), I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised.
Personally, I think I was moved to do my “homework” because I am very action-oriented, and working very consciously in many areas of my life at making my intentions become reality. I genuinely intend to garner media interest, and to be considered an “expert” in my field.
Since I have worked in the past as a freelance writer, I already feel like I have many of the tools I need to make my intention a reality – your talk simply helped me connect more of the dots… but that doesn’t explain why others can’t take the same steps to fulfill their dreams…
Anyhow, thank you again. You have shifted the course of my life, and I know that months and years down the line, I will end up in a much different place (than the one I was heading) because of it…