Social Media Conversation series (Talk with Anna Farmery)

Background: This is the second blog-post in a series of conversations with Social Media change agents, Social media thought-leaders, experts and mavens to answer some of the most important questions surrounding the subjects of Social media and Web2.0 ! The emphasis of this discussion series is to address ’socialmedia’ at a ground level and talk about the real world issues that are being faced by us on both sides of the road: i.e. as actual users and as consultants/agencies in this space.

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After the engaging conversation with Dennis D. McDonald, Ph.D, I am proud to have with me, widely read and heard social media and branding trainer, Anna Farmery.

At a personal level, I am a great fan of Anna’s  The Engaging Brand podcast series  which has been nominated for two years as the Best Business podcast. In addition, she consistently speaks and delivers workshops on branding, motivation and social media. You can read Anna’s blog or listen to her free weekly audio show at http://www.theengagingbrand.com

My Dear Consultant – Think About It !

Imagine the story of a confused guy from an enterprise. Some-one who isn’t a typical unaware customer anymore. Some-one who’s using the power of internet to get ground-insights about the stuff that he really wants.

A few weeks back…

I am a common man, a common small business-owner. I like exploring the developments that are happening around me. I like trying out things that fit the needs of my business and actually provide value to my unit.

One day..

With dreams of making it big and hopes of benefitting from the ‘web-wave’ I thought of approaching a top-notch consultant one day.

Now…

Poor me, why am I being taken for a ride by my so called ‘niche’ consulting firm? What wrong did I do? Was my research in-adequate? Or was I over-expectant? Oh no, perhaps they never understood what I wanted to achieve. Or perhaps, the set of tools, tactics and methodologies are so powerful that I’d be a fool if I do not follow them.

His Thoughts..

My consultant is so convinced that:

• I should be present on social-network.
• I should use a micro-blog like ‘Twitter’.
• I should write a blog
• I should ‘Ajaxify’ my current website
• I should jump into the conversation
• I should use a Wiki for enterprise-collaboration

And do what not & what not…

Why

‘But Why? ’ That’s the simple question that I have been asking everybody. Why should I do it?

My company is following the open-culture of communication. Why do I need the barrier of technology to talk via a Wiki when I can do that in person? Is there are any social-network that serves my focused interests?

The Reason

Something which he hasn’t been able to tell convincingly. I like exploring things deep-down. With tight-budgets I believe that there should be a strong reason for adoption of any new trend. Just because everyone is doing it therefore I should also do it is a rubbish reason for me.

What do you say my friend? I know you’re a busy man ! Perhaps, if you get sometime you should think about it. I know you’re telling the whole world about flexibility of web2.0, social-media and things like that. But the fact is I’ve become a little wiser too. I have also learnt a thing or a two from the traits.