When we think of people who have had the greatest impact upon us within our lives, we first think of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, friends, old bosses, teachers, etc. We are able to recall their faces and certain scenarios as if it was in real time. Many of them have helped to mold who we are today. We are grateful, as without them, we would have had to figure it out on our own and we know that is not always easy. We do not forget the impact they had as we continue to put it into play and build upon it.
As marketers, we search for ways to have an impact upon consumers to convince them to buy and continue to buy. As we engage in social media to build our personal brand and build a network of people that we trust, we are undoubtedly exposed to people who have an impact upon us and with whom we have an impact upon. This impact can be one of a helping hand, guidance, a shoulder to cry on or for inspiration. There are some that we have never met but, yet, they have had an impact upon our lives. In social media this seems be a bit more prevalent as we are able to connect with people in various degrees and on various platforms. We read blogs and walk away thinking about it for hours after, we attend webinars to learn and engage, we tweet to connect and share information. Social media gives us the platforms to be impacted and also have an impact.
Social Media’s Greatest Impact
During a Twitter chat hosted by DJ Waldow #smchat (@DJWaldow on Twitter), who brings passion to everything he does (whether that be email marketing, being a dad or even a fridge full of beer), was discussing who we would like to meet face-to-face, a bucket list of sorts which let to the question of who has had an impact upon you? While some answers were those mentioned above, many answered with folks they have either met face-to-face or are on their bucket list. I answered quickly and freely as I have two that if they did not know it previously, they know it now. I was fortunate to have met them both and am regularly reminded why they continue to be at the top for me.
Social media’s greatest impact is the impact that we receive and give to others. A bit confusing but in a way very clear. Sure, some are there to be robotic by counting followers, push out their own message, auto dm to frustrate us more than our kids or our sports teams but, a large majority, are there to learn, share, engage and have a virtual relationship until connecting face-to-face. This sets the stage to be impacted and impactful as we are able to reach out to people and care.
When we Care, We make a Difference.
Seems simple as why would we ever even give a second thought to something we do not care about? We put our heart and soul into things we feel strongly about. We admire people who day in and day out make a difference in the lives of others. This is not scalable as an author of a blog who wrote a post that resonated with us and inspired us cannot be compared to relief workers but yet they both have had an impact. Whether we have met the person face-to-face or not, we are able to identify them as making a difference in our lives and this impact drive us through that inner voice to enjoy the small victories, continue to strive for more, stay focused or even push through the bad times. These are the people that we admire and go to as they care and will always be there … whether they know or not the impact they have had upon us.
Who has had an impact upon you? Why?
photo credit: h.koppdelaney
