Seeing Past the Sparkle, and Why Chris Brogan Got it Right

Right now I’m in Las Vegas. I’m here speaking about social media to the fabulous consultants of Arbonne, at their National Training Celebration. Now when you think of Vegas, what comes to mind?

Is it this?

Probably not. Probably you think of the glitter, the excitement, the noise. And I have to admit to you, that’s not really my thing. Cigarette smoke bothers me, so I tend to avoid the casinos, and I actually prefer to curl up with a book in my room where it’s quiet (I have 3 young kids…I don’t often get that opportunity!), rather than run around the city at all hours of the night.

The picture above was taken this morning, right here in Vegas. As I went for my morning walk, I found it so stunningly beautiful, I couldn’t help but take a picture, and share it with you.

Which brings me to my point.

In social media, it’s easy to stay focused on the surface of things, and people. The glitter of the sparkly people and events that fly by. But if we only focus on that, we miss a big opportunity. Because you see, at the end of the day, these are still people. And there are many layers to them. They have needs, hopes, fears, desires. When we focus on taking the time to get to know people through our social networks, then we have the opportunity to share our products and opportunity in a meaningful way, and develop some incredible relationships that feed us in the process.

Chris Brogan recently illustrated this in a powerful way. This past week was the South by Southwest (SXSW) event in Austin. It was a big, glittery event, and everyone who was anyone was there, rubbing elbows with the big names in social media. It was very easy to get swept away in the parties, the sessions, the glitter, and many did. Yet here was Chris’ post on the topic: We Could Do So Much More. By focusing on the less-seen people, I believe Chris made a difference with this post. And it’s a difference we can make each day through social media, by making each person we come in contact with feel “seen.”

Will everyone need what we have to offer? Probably not. But that doesn’t discount the importance of the relationships that we build with them. We are richer for every one, and so are they, when we take the time to dig beneath the surface.

Your thoughts?

coded by nessus

Carolyne Taylor

March 22, 2010 | 9:22 am

Excellent post Jen (and loved hearing you speak at NTC!). I think another thing that we need to remember, in any business, or just life in general, is that while someone may not directly need or what what you are offering, you never, never know who else they may know. I read somewhere that everyone I know, knows 200 people that I don’t – I cover this in my “networking for success’ workshop so this is a great reminder!

Barbara Seale

March 19, 2010 | 11:20 am

Your post made me think of one of our industry’s icons, the late, great Mary Kay Ash. She used to say (with apologies, ’cause I’m probably not quoting her exactly), ‘Treat people as though they have a sign on their forehead that says, Make Me Feel Important.’ Don’t we all want that!