A Year of Social Media Friendship

As many of us approach the close of another calendar year, we begin to look forward to starting the new year fresh.

The truth is we can do that any day with our social media communities, but there is something about getting together with family and friends at this time that helps us to reflect on what is important in our lives. It also reminds us that we should make the most of the years ahead of us.

One thing we have learned is that social media is capable of connecting us with anybody on this planet.

We have also learned that our circle of true friends is essentially the same size as it has always been. The only difference is who we happen to be more closely connected with at this time.

Friends and Social Media Friendlies

The social networks use words like friends, connections, and followers almost interchangeably. For this reason, it is up to us to define them for ourselves. As I explained to a group of CEO’s I recently worked with, I’ll connect with practically anyone on LinkedIn with whom I may have shared interests. That doesn’t necessarily make us friends.

As a result of our digital connectivity we now have a new term – social media friends. These are really people that value our contributions to this world. We are more accurately friendly with them than friends – and there is nothing at all wrong with that.

Friends are those that want to hang out with us because they enjoy our company – period. Social media friendlies are those that appreciate and value what we do that helps them do more of what they want to do – or to do it better.

Commit to Creating More Value

The one thing that friends and friendlies have in common is what we share – friendship, common objectives, experiences, and connectivity.

Thus, to make 2013 a better, more productive, and enjoyable year, we all need to create more of what is worthy of sharing. It means showing up at the party (or meeting) with a contribution that is uniquely yours. This is indeed a capability we all share.

Even your critics make you better, don’t they? Yet, they cannot make their contribution if you are not committed to being out there making yours. That’s the challenge – one that has been there since the beginning of time.

In a world of amazing connectivity we should all realize our contribution has value for someone. More than likely it has value for a defined community that is just like them. Now that we have this resource known as social media we can actually find them – and they us.

What could be more exciting than that?

Find or Build Communities that are Right for You

There has never been a better time to be a member of a community, whether that community is social, local, global, educational, or commercial. What does matter is understanding which communities are best for you.

I’m convinced 2013 will be the year of the social media community. Digital technologies now enable your voice to be heard by anyone. You only have to learn how they work – and use them with focus and purpose.

That’s the true challenge – focus and purpose. Stop gathering followers and start making more friends and friendlies.

Marketing used to be about broadcasting and hope. Social media now makes it about connecting and engaging.

What happens after that depends on you, your objectives, and those of your communities.

I’m ready if you are.

If you liked this – please leave a comment below and share with your friends and friendlies.

 Happy Holidays!

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