BE SOCIAL - Talk To People

We are obsessed with "social"... but people are being less social in their in-person actions.  You can hardly attend an association or business conference that does not have a track of breakout sessions focused on "Social"... but then you go into the hallways and the attendees are ignoring those around them.

Everyone is buried on their phones trying to keep up on what is going on someplace far away.  They stand around and avoid eye contact with those around them.  We are hungry to connect, but we are not taking actions to engage with other people.

This SXSW Film Festival promo clip makes me laugh (see below or at this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml0Vn56lBwo).  

The couple meet in line while waiting for film.  The are not on their phones, they actually talk.  They hit it off.  Their lives flash forward to marriage, kids, etc...  But the guy is in the wrong line.  

Even if you are in the wrong place, strike up a conversation.  You never know what it could lead to.  All opportunities come from people.  

If you are at a conference and you are spending your breaks with co-workers or surfing the web on your phone... you have flushed opportunity down the toilet.  If you are waiting in line, turn to someone and say "hello".

I have heard that at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival they are going to sponsor "Line Meet Ups"... a semi-organized effort to get people waiting for a film to network and have fun with each other.  Going beyond a line of hundreds who are reading Facebook and Twitter posts, a "Line Meet Up" could be a spontaneous party on a side walk.  Think about the possibilities. 

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do - Brian Massey's New Book "Your Customer Creation Equation"

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their work and personal lives.    

It seems I know a lot of people who are releasing books lately. My friend Brain Massey is about to launch Your Customer Creation Equation.  Brian is an exert in how to take your company beyond the noise of social media, and make it convert to real business.

Conversion is the science of turning Web traffic into leads and sales. It is the art of engaging a visitor and helping them solve their problems. There is no better medium to do this than the Web. When you get conversion right, all of your marketing programs become less expensive. Brian is the consultant to call for making the Web a profitable place for your business.

His book will be released soon.  Sign up on his website to get more info so you do not miss this important book!

Have A Great Day.

thom singer