Accessibility and Thirst

by Richard Reeve on November 28, 2008

in @CCSeed

In several cultures, the sun is the source of ...

A new role keeps leaping in front of me as I continue to wade further into social media: apostle.  I’ve heard the word evangelist used, and indeed those who are creating the tomes of content on this development deserve that moniker.  What I’m talking about is the transmission of this practice one on one, seated at a computer: guiding folks as they sign up for accounts, helping them get over the fence, through the door, around the obstacles…sneak them under their fears.

Now that’s as far as I’d like to take the analogy to religion, for it’s quite silly to think of the phone as a sacramental object, and these are but tools.  The thing that I’m beginning to glimpse though is that these tools are feeding a huge need in the collective psyche to grow again in our communication skills.  Individuals are gaining the access and networks to communicating broadly, and I’m finding that we are thirsty for the opening that these tools provide.

Have you done the one to one introductions?  Have you witnessed what I’m seeing?

(Image via Wikipedia)

Blog Widget by LinkWithin
  • haven't made a successful intro yet...still new to this big opening, however; learning how to swim! finding that the cross-fertilization is the greatest thing.
  • There are many questions about social media that I would like to see answered. I think it is valid that each of us see it as a different instrument of society. Some use it for blatant self-promotion, and we even see the phenomenon of Magpie into the Twitter stream. I have to ask myself what is right, what is wrong? Is it as we perceive it to be, or is it as the few will attempt to turn it into? Who makes this call? The masses, or the will of the people who wish to see it as purely social? Time will tell, and I for one will be curious as to outcome.

    Peace,

    Alden~
  • The analogy, for what it's worth seems to have helped. I totally agree with Angela's comment about the need for the Evangelists, as I wouldn't know which way is up without them. This post was generated from off of what was said here and you might also find it useful: http://www.businesscasualblog....
  • I see a definite difference between those who discuss best practices and new ways to utilize social media as compared to those who teach the uninitiated what the value of the tools are and how to utilize them. Those of us who teach very much need those who are defining the field.
  • Great post,

    whatever you want to call those spreading the good word about social media, PASSION is the difference with traditional media.

    Passionate people were traditionally left out from the game. They now spread valuable content across the web, how great is that.

    Julius
  • Really appreciate your thought on "apostle" versus "evangelist." I think many more of us fall into the former category. Partially this is because we don't have the time or the audience to truly play the role of converting the masses, but also because the apostle role is so seriously needed. This is especially true, in my experience, in large companies where embracing social media as a customer engagement tool is still slow in coming.
  • I know exactly what you mean. When I mention social media at work -- I work at a newspaper -- eyes start glazing over. Then I start to explain what it can do and how it can help reporters in their jobs. People look interested, but scared is the only word for it.

    I think you're right. People need to be helped over their fears. There seems to be a lot of technology fear, even among relatively young people. But I find once they get over that fear of the unknown, they have fun with social media.
blog comments powered by Disqus