A little grace goes a long way

Off the topic of marketing (but still under the category of bright ideas) I thought I’d tell you about a Ning community I recently joined called Grace in Small Things, founded by Schmutzie, a prolific blogger, cat lover, needleworker, poet, photographer - an overall creative type - who lives with her husband in Canada.

I can imagine what you’re thinking - not another social network. I know, I thought the same thing, but I’d been a fan of the concept for a while (the tag line grabbed me right away, “Waging a battle against embitterment since 2008” – love that) and so I finally decided to pull the trigger.

Grace in Small Things is about identifying five small, graceful things every day. It’s about choosing not to allow the noisiness of life to rob you of the time and energy to be mindful of yourself and those you love and to recognize the grace that exists in small things.

While I feel I subscribe to this way of thinking in general, writing it down - actually publishing it for the world – has given it more teeth. It’s held me more accountable for sure, but more importantly it’s providing a ritual, reinforcing ‘best practice’ behavior to consistently appreciate life. Admittedly I’m a little lax with daily publishing, but I notice that I’m noticing the small things more. I’m searching for the good stuff, actively LOOKING for those five things. And I like it.

I have a salesman friend who likes to say ‘shavings make a pile’ and that’s how I think of Grace in Small Things. A little grace here, a little grace there. Eventually, all that grace adds up to something big.

Social Networking Advice For You In 2009: Dive in, but please come up for air!

The information available is out of control. It can be stressful trying to keep up with blogs, tweets, email, web sites, my TIVO and On Demand shows. But I vow to remain calm and not succumb to any addictive media behavior in 2009. Here’s my plan:

Work comes second. Learning comes first. At the start of each day, I’m going to open up our BrightBlueMktg Twitter account and check out one, at the most two, new recommended links to blogs or web sites a day. And then I’m cut off until my work is done.

I’ve found some really cool people to follow who have provided me links to articles that help me put this social networking in perspective (such as the Minimalist's Guide to Using Twitter... No more stressing about twitter! http://twurl.nl/xhd6s8) And it’s led me to discover the purpose of Twitter in my life. And that is to learn. To learn by continuously finding interesting new sources, staying on top of trends, listening in on brilliant people, and staying on top of hot news items.

I keep a list on my phone and PC of my favorite web sites, blogs and books plus those I want to check out. I highly recommend this! Through Twitter, Facebook and observing blogs, my list has grown tremendously. As a New Year’s present to you, I will share my latest and greatest finds:

Who I’ve learned from by following in Twitter (www.twitter.com/brightbluemktg)

www.twitter.com/PRsarahevans
www.twitter.com/ Copyblogger
www.twitter.com/ larissagaston (One of our very own bloggers!)
www.twitter.com/ JesseNewhart

Cool sites I’ve recently discovered:

www.animoto.com
www.politifact.com
http://blogsearch.google.com
www.rottentomatoes.com
www.engadget.com

My recent great blog finds:
Mark Cuban’s: http://blogmaverick.com/
http://www.copyblogger.com/
http://larissagaston.typepad.com/blog/
http://jratkins.myblogsite.com/index.html
http://carter.awarenessnetworks.com/

So here’s to attaching your oxygen tank, flippers and the rest of your social networking scuba gear in 2009. Enjoy the dive, but please don’t forget to come back to live the real world after awhile!

Happy New Year!

What Not to Do

You’ve probably heard of What Not to Wear, the show where Stacy and Clinton outfit an unsuspecting fashion victim with a fresh new look that not only transforms their physical presence but boosts their self-esteem. Well, when I read this story from Julie Power at Internet Marketing Report I immediately thought of a new show one might call What Not to Do, for companies in need of a fresh new outlook on how to do business and connect with customers in an increasingly social media-driven world, hosted by Common Sense and Get With The Program.

Julie recently wrote that executives at Jack Daniels shut down a web site that Dave Child, one of their fans, had launched called ILoveJackDaniels.com because they thought it infringed on their trademark. The site - a Jack Daniels love fest - had built up quite a following and garnered more visits than any of Jack Daniels’ corporate web properties.

Scratching your head? I think Julie said it best: “Were they crazy? Doesn't every company want advocates like these? These are the rare handful of people who'll go to great lengths to tell the world how much they love your product or service.”

I understand the need to protect a brand and corporate image, but blocking the people who are passionate about helping promote that brand? Your customers and fans? Seems counterproductive to say the least.

Julie goes on to share an excerpt from Dave Child’s new blog, Added Bytes:

Still love Jack Daniel's? Umm. I know it should taste the same - they've not changed the recipe after all. Yet for some reason, I find myself drawn to alternatives...

Not a surprising conclusion to this story, but probably not the end result Jack Daniels really wanted. With the adoption of social media tools on the rise, and the power those tools provide to consumers allowing them to publicly share and influence, I think companies would be wise to join the conversation and help foster community instead of proceed down a path that disenfranchises the people with whom they want to connect. Somewhat akin to Stacy and Clinton telling you it’s time to dress age appropriate.

What do you think? Is your company wearing the wrong outlook?