The world is full of ordinary people. Boring, average, run of
the mill folks who are as bland as white rice. You know the kind. They
blend in, do what everyone else does, and, therefore, are destined to
lead lives of mediocrity. The winners in the social media space know that to succeed online, they
need to stand out, think differently, and take actions that make people
take notice. The folks who go furthest push aside the salt substitute and go for the Tabasco sauce!
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Dougherty on Twitter. (Despite the fact that Jim says we're old friends, that's really not the
case. I recently called him a new friend in a tweet and he politely corrected me, reminding me that we connected on Twitter weeks ago!) In any case, imagine my surprise when Jim sent me a tweet this week with a link to the video below:
I sifted through Jim's Keek videos and it looks as though he's been doing a few dozen of these Follow Friday videos each week, for the last several weeks. Each one about :20 to :30 in length. In some, Jim tells the recipient why he enjoys following them on Twitter; in others he shares his reasons for recommending the person. Here's another video Jim created; this one about Peruvian blogger Samantha Luy.
Jim is investing a modest amount of time, yet doing something to really set himself apart from the crowd. Jim is adding Tabasco to his white rice and creating something deliciously wonderful!
Do you settle for the ordinary? Is your virtual spice rack full of empty bottles? Or, are you making the most of your efforts by bringing the hot sauce?
Wow! what a great analogy Amber-Tabasco sauce. Gosh! I know I'm nowhere near the hot and spicy. Perhaps I'm still a "mild with a kick" stage at the moment ;-) Sometimes even the "kick" doesn't make it xx
ReplyDeleteWow...fabulous!! First, your headline is so awesome...I agree with Vanessa about the outstanding analogy using Tabasco sauce!! Genius. It definitely IS all about what makes each of us different...what sets us apart....what gives us that spice so that people will be drawn to you and hopefully want more. I am so glad that you have introduced us to Jim Dougherty...he has incorporated two really important facets into his Twitter outreach...he is sincere in his #FF recommendations...a concept that I feel has been lost in the Twitterverse with mass #FFs and very few individual and meaningful posts. Second, Jim has stepped way outside of the box in his video recommendations AND, as you point out Amber, he is putting a great deal of time into these efforts making them even more special. Kudos to Jim and kudos to you Amber for bringing Jim's Tabasco sauce approach to our attention.
ReplyDeleteAnd, on a completely unrelated note...I have to share a funny coincidence. I had just made myself the most awesome vegan sandwich and was thinking about you as I created this tasty lunch and when I brought my plate over to my desk, lo and behold the email that popped up was this post! Weird and fun!
xo
Claudia
Ha ha! Love it! Always bring the kick, Vanessa!
ReplyDeleteHee hee! I'm everywhere, Claudia! Glad you're sticking with the vegan lifestyle. If you haven't tried them already, check out the Beefless Tips from Gardein. They are to die for!
ReplyDeleteAnywho, yes, I suggest you do connect with Jim and tell him I sent you! I think he'll appreciate your kind words here, as well. I saw his video and immediately knew he was playing for keeps and committing to the Costco size box of Tabasco!
Since you know everything about dentistry, can you tell us if Tabasco is safe for the enamel? ;-)
WoW what an Awesome idea...as I hang my head struggling to get my 1st blog PAGE set up..have the blog idea half written.s.igh..it's a LOT of work! I'm learning patience....not...
ReplyDeleteI really admire all of you who put out all these with great hints...I'm learning!Thank you!Anns
Hah...I hardly know EVERYTHING about dentistry ;-) but...unless you are guzzling the Tabasco Sauce AND swishing it around in your mouth for awhile, I think I can safely say that Tabasco Sauce is safe for the enamel. All things in moderation...boring I know...but true ;-)
ReplyDeleteJust lovely, not only am I white rice, but an unsalted cracker as well. And if someone comes up w/ a great idea like Jim did then I guess you can't copy it because it's not original then..............hmmmm...............
ReplyDeleteThat's what is good about social however is to see the creativity that abounds. I'm just happy I get to hang with these people; hopefully I won't be found out.
You heard it here first folks! Tabasco: Good for flavoring, bad for swishing!
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, we ALL started where you are. Everyone has a first page, so stick with it. In no time at all, you'll be a pro ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh p-shaw! You're not white rice OR an unsalted cracker, Mr. Silly Pants! I prefer to think of you as a smore ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks..I'm sticking..when not stuck! LOL
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Ann!
ReplyDeleteI like the way Jim has taking the concept of social media to a whole new level of personal connections. After all, social media is all about connecting with others but it can still be an impersonal environment. Putting a face (& a voice) to a name rather than just an avatar develops that relationship even further.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, Judy! Video is the next best thing to meeting in real life. As you say, a voice is more powerful than an avatar.
ReplyDeleteOmigoodness! Amber, I really appreciate you bringing this to light! I had no idea about this video Jim made and it totally brought tears to my eyes. I don't even know how I could ever repay him! This is taking recommendations to a whole new level.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I was just reflecting on how people innovate with social media these days and this is a prime example. Thanks so much for sharing this here, Amber! I really can't thank you *enough*!! Hugs!
No way! You missed it? Well, I'm so pleased to have brought it to your attention! I thought Jim's video to you was one of his best! That's why I picked it. :-)
ReplyDeleteGo Team Peru / Team Samantha!