“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”
Rudyard Kipling
The Social Awesomeness Manifesto
“Always be yourself. Unless you are a unicorn. Then always be a unicorn.”
Unknown
Here is an audio recording of this post. Thank you for listening. <3
The Social Aweseomeness Manifesto
The world has changed. And change can sometimes mess people up. As an artist of business, with a huge passion for engaging, I created a manifesto of sorts for those seeking some guidance on how to be socially awesome on social platforms. I like many am not one for rules, but I dig manifesto’s, so I made one.
One thing I really think we need to understand is this is real life. The new real world. The same “rules” apply online as they do offline. So when in doubt, just remember this is about people. And I know you know to engage with people. It’s what you do every day.
A Squared
Be awesome. Be authentic. I am smart, at least that is what my mama told me. I can see right through you. Do you. Keep it real. And I promise to do the same.
Caring Matters
If you cannot or do not care to listen, engage, respond and reply, you are not ready to engage in the social space. If I ask you a question, I will be waiting for an answer. If I give you a shout out, a simple thank you goes a long way.
Chill On The CAPS LOCK
You really think I want to engage when I am being yelled at? Does anyone want to listen when being yelled at? No. Be cool, chill on the caps lock.
Nobody Likes A Litterbug
Spamming my wall with your product, event or political agenda only makes me want to hide you, delete you or block you. And I love you, so please be mindful of littering on my wall. If you ask nicely, and are offering something I believe in or see value in, then trust, I will share it, buy it, or like it.
Don’t Bleed The Feed
Whether its Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, be mindful that when you post 17 pics of your dog, baby, Starbucks, etc. in a row I may get hostile and stop following you or hide you. Same goes for hitting the share button. Post. Then chill. Share. Then chill. Inspired by the awesome Instagram i love you vid by Casey Neistat.
Link Love
If you are trying to lead me somewhere, like your website, event, your salon, or a blog post, please include the URL, phone number, email, Morse code, whatever in your post. It’s super helpful if you actually want me to do something.
Check One Check Two
And while we are on the topic of links, check your links on your social pages. If you are a business, and you want me to check you out, working links (on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, YELP, etc.) will get me to you much faster. In fact, if your link does not work, you may have lost me, forever.
Hide And Seek Is Fun But…
If you are a human, please share that with me in your About section on your social + digital pages, profiles, etc. The Internet may seem like a super secret shield, but if you are hiding from me I will be scared and hide from you too. Marketing is about stories. Tell me one.
Sharing Is Caring
But taking credit for someone else’s stuff is lame. If you see something that inspires you, and you know the source, like someone else’s page, just hit the share button (or repin, or #repost #regram) and credit the source. It’s good karma. And the right thing to do.
Quote This
If a quote came from you, awesome and congrats. If it came from someone else, like Thomas Edison or someone cool like that then give them credit. If you don’t know, Google it. If anyone reading this knows who created the unicorn quote, please share, I have Googled for days, but no luck so far.
To be continued…
Have something awesome to add? Know someone who is socially awesome? Please share in the comments below or with me, I’m listening and I care.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
Unsubscribe
“Follow those who follow something – an idea, a belief, a vision, a cause. Avoid those who need to convince us to follow them.”
Simon Sinek
Please enjoy the audio version of this post if reading is not your thing.
Unsubscribe or Subscribe. Your Choice
In today’s world, we can get so wrapped up in all the “noise”. Whether it’s the news, social networks, TV, e-mails, phone calls, etc. But one thing many of us forget is that we have a choice. We can subscribe and we can unsubscribe.
I Took A Stand
An interesting thing happened on Facebook on March 26, the day the Supreme Court began hearings on Prop 8 and DOMA, two issues that are very near and dear to my heart as a gay woman.
When I posted the Human Right Campaign equality logo on the Passion Squared Facebook page, four fans unliked the page. That’s right, I lost four awesome Passionistas that day, who chose to unsubscribe.
Was I sad to lose those fans? Of course. I value every person who chooses to like and follow Passion Squared. Did I understand why? Yes. And I respect the fact that they did not share my beliefs and chose to move on. What was awesome though is Passion Squared found 7 new Passionistas who subscribed to my vision and liked my Facebook page, and for that, I am grateful.
Subscribe
To that which brings value to you and your business.
To the messages that matter to you.
To what you believe in.
To what brings you joy.
Unsubscribe
To that which does not bring value to you and your business.
To the messages that do not matter to you.
To what you do not believe in.
To what brings you angst.
It’s up to you to create space in your life and business to that which serves you. It’s your choice.
As always, I love to hear your thoughts on this post. Feel free to share in the comments below or directly with me, I’m listening.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
Why I Love The Harlem Shake
“Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.”
Souza
Here is the audio version of this post if you just want to listen. You’re welcome.
Dance Like Nobody Is Watching
I love the Harlem Shake. I just cannot get enough. All of them, the good, bad and the ugly. Why? Because it speaks to something that I believe is so important in today’s world; people dancing like nobody is watching.
There is so much we can learn from this latest YouTube craze. That people love watching others live with abandon. How much we all crave fun, play and creativity. How its many times the simplest of things that can have the most impact and resonate with a global audience on the web.
As I watch many people begin to bash this craze, I have thought a lot about why that would be? What could possibly be wrong with people having fun and sharing it with the world? Aren’t we supposed to live out loud. Share our art. Dance like nobody is watching?
Here is one of my fave salon versions from a good friend, amazing hairdresser and industry leader Fernando Romero.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz69k6UL09M
What We Can Learn
When I see high school students get suspended from school for creating their own version of the Harlem Shake, it takes me back to my school days. And they were not pretty. I struggled with topics such as math, history, English, well OK, all of them. I was bored out of my mind, and it reflected in my grades. I was suspended myself two times before I reached the 7th grade.
What I saw in those suspended high school students was future artists, producers, directors, choreographers, and clothing stylists. I saw future leaders, managers, entrepreneurs. I saw a bunch of fearless young people having fun, and learning about themselves in the process. What could possibly be wrong with that?
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please share them in the comments or with me, I’m listening.
(shared with LOVE from Nina)
I Can See You
“What happens in Vegas stays on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube…”
Eric Qualman
Here is the audio version of this post if you are not into reading. You’re welcome.
I Can See You
Much of my week is spent on the social and digital web researching, learning, listening, building relationships and joining in on some amazing conversations with my mentors, peers and friends. I love how these platforms empower relationships, people and business.
Promote What You Love Instead Of Bashing What You Hate
I have been noticing many leaders in our industry posting content that feeds right into the stereotypes that people have about salons and hairdressers on their Facebook pages. And of course, with those posts come thousands of comments, some from beauty professionals and not so shockingly from salon clients. Booooo.
What appears to be happening is that many are forgetting something very important about business pages on a platform like Facebook, they are PUBLIC. Which means, everything you are saying, the good, bad and the ugly, is seen by your clients and potential future clients. When you may think you are using your “inside voice”, you are actually creating a permanent footprint with your words.
This YouTube tutorial gone very wrong has been flying at the speed of light around the web. I am sure you have seen it. What blows my mind is the comments and shares from professionals about this.
This video, with over 5 million views, is an opportunity to educate clients. But what I saw mostly was a lot of bashing, teasing and laughing. And what is worse is that it was all done in a public forum, Facebook. Yikes! How could we use this video to educate our clients, instead of trying to make them afraid? You follow?
Here are a couple super professional responses and shares on that video that I love. Reason being, both Kristen and Gordon used this as a empowerment tool, not a bashing opportunity.
