Joe Thornley nails it with his post about credibility in social media coming from firms actually being active in the space. In my day job, I work with a lot of agencies, both advertising and PR, and almost all of them claim to be experts in social media. The reality is, however, that many of the agencies who tout themselves as experts do not invest adequately in training or in actually participating in the space.
I’ve talkedbefore about the importance of marketing peopel to really dig into social media – exploring both the mainstream and the esoteric, and really understanding the culture. Sadly, it’s easier to jump to conclusions about technologies based on a cursory knowledge of the space than it is to actually experience the culture and the people.
Traditional advertising has almost nothing in common with social media. Old models do not apply as they once did, and in order for agencies to call themselves “experts,” they need to move beyond assuming and start participating.
If you don’t know who Gary Vaynerchuk is, you’re really missing out. I had never heard of him a month ago, until I kept hearing what a phenomenal guy he is. He’s a videoblogger who runs a wine business, but spends a lot of time talking about life, love and what really matters in life. And he does it in such a way that makes you want to be as passionate about ANYTHING as he as about EVERYTHING.
Gary has suggested that we make April 3 Good People Day – a day when we stop talking about the negative and recognize the people out there that make the community what it is.
You know what? I’m completely on board with this. Since I started blogging and participating in social media almost four years ago, I’ve met a ton of great people and had amazing experiences that I would not have had if it were not for the people in the community. I’m a little hesitant to put together a whole list of great people for fear of leaving someone out, but I will give a few shout outs to the good people I’ve met in the PR / Marketing community that I’m a part of.
Joe Thornley – a fellow Ottawa PR guy, who has been tireless in pulling together the Third Tuesday movement, which is spreading across the country. Joe is good people. (Gotta give Brendan props on this, too).
Joe Boughner – a friend of mine from university whose love of rants about the media is paralleled only by his love of angry punk music. He had blue hair until he sold out and started working for the man. Still, he’s good people.
Shel Israel – I’ve met Shel a few times, and he’s helped me connect with social media types in Singapore and with a lecture I gave on social media. Referring to himself as a “niceguy” in his bio is an understatement.
Collin Douma – One of the nicest people I’ve met in the advertising world, and one of my favourite bloggers to read. Definitely a good person, and definitely one to add to the list.
RichardAtDell – I met Richard at a Third Tuesday in Ottawa. I described him as “gruff and pragmatic,” and he hasn’t let me live it down. He’s more involved in the community than I think I’ve ever seen from a company rep.
Dave Fleet – Dude runs through snowstorms to raise money for cancer. That pretty much says it all.
Like I said, this is just a handful of the good people in my social graph. My friends, my family, my talented coworkers and my beautiful and talented girlfriend – it’s these good people that make life worth living. I’m going to spend my day giving thanks that those people are in my life, and I hope that you will, too.
Thanks for starting this, Gary. You’re a good person.
