Life is not played out in 140 characters

Posted by Chris in My Blog & Guest Posts,My Views & Thoughts,comment,general,opinion on March 13, 2010

It’s a thought that’s been whirring around my mind for a while now as I’ve been watching the social media channels fill up with 140 character messages, status updates, wall posts, blog comments and image uploads and I’ve started to realise that too many people don’t seem to mind that they’re playing their lives out on computer screens or through their smart-phones.

I appreciate that the very fact you’re reading this demonstrates that we’re both playing a part in the same side show but hopefully by the end of this you’ll take the thought away that all your energy and raison d’etre should be channeled into forming close relationships and holding direct communications with all who you feel worthy of your time.

It was a year ago when I first registered for Twitter. Like you I didn’t know anybody. I watched, listened and began to engage in conversation. After a while I realised that I was often communicating with the same people, sometimes in replies and other Read more…

Likeminds. Bringing people together? A resounding Yes!

Posted by Chris in Events,My Blog & Guest Posts,Social networks,comment,general,opinion on March 4, 2010

Like 350 others I was lucky enough to attend Likeminds 2010 in Exeter, Devon last Friday.

Much has been written about it the day; from the speakers, the attendees and the atmosphere, and most it has been very positive.

There has even been a minor backlash at all those who seemed to infiltrate the twitter stream with the ubiquitous #likeminds hashtag. But isn’t that the point. Did I miss something? Isn’t the very essence of why we all went was to meet ‘Likeminded’ people who all want to understand, learn and develop their communication skills – for themselves, for their clients, and for their organisations?

How many events have you been to where you’re still Read more…

Guest Post from @brandguardian (Jo Porritt): Attending LikeMinds – A Virtual Perspective

Posted by Chris in Guest Blog Posts,My Blog & Guest Posts,general,opinion on March 1, 2010

Here follows the first of my guest posts this week. The first is from Jo Porritt (@brandguardian) who gives her perspective on Likeminds as a virtual event. Later this week I’ll also be posting another guest article from Trey Pennington (@treypennington), looking at Trey’s views on the comparisons between social media in the UK & US [post-Likeminds].
Here’s Jo’s perspective.

So I was set. I had my ticket.

LikeMinds! A people-to-people gathering in Exeter, Devon – an event bringing together world class experts, innovators and serious social media players. The brainchild of Scott Gould and Drew Ellis, supported by a host of other inspirational speakers and panelists. Like Charlie Bucket, finding one of the coveted Golden Tickets to Mr Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, I was excited and thrilled at the prospect of meeting and mingling with some of the Read more…

Can we learn from how large companies engage with social media?

Posted by Chris in My Blog & Guest Posts,general,innovators and leaders on February 26, 2010

Moo talk: The Chris Brogan Interview – where we talk fame, ROI & social media for B2B

Posted by Chris in Top Class Interviews,general on February 23, 2010

For those of you who don’t know, Chris Brogan is one of the world’s leading figures in social media. In his own words he’s ‘an eleven year veteran of using social media and both web and mobile technologies to build digital relationships for businesses, organizations, and individuals.’

Chris speaks, blogs, writes articles, and makes media of all kinds at [chrisbrogan.com], a blog in the top 5 of the Advertising Age Power150, and in the top 100 on Technorati. He is co-author of the New York Times bestselling book ‘Trust Agents’ , and the recently released Social Media 101.

Here’s our interview in full.

1. At what point did you decide the career path you’ve chosen and what drew you to it?
I’ve been on this current run for a few years. I started by leaving my role as an applications engineer in a wireless company to run Jeff Pulver’s Video on the Net conference, and from there, I took on several roles, eventually leading to starting my own company. But what I’ve done for decades is help people understand complex things in a simple way. That’s what I’ve done forever and what I do now. Essentially.

2. What excites you most about the growth of social media?
I love that we can connect with people and Read more…