August 14th, 2008 4 comments
Thanks to Margaret Clevenstine, news reporter for ABC13 in Central Virginia, for covering social media. You can watch the 41 second segment here
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Is your business using social media/social networking? If so, how? If not, why not?
August 14th, 2008 3 comments
I’ve been using Twitter since February or March of this year. In the past five or six months, I’ve successfully connected with business professionals in ways I hadn’t expected. Last month several Twitterers in Central Virginia met together for the first time to put faces with user names. Here are some of the valuable lessons I’m learning as this community emerges:
So what about you? Am I on track or way off base? What lessons have you learned about community?
P.S. The second Central Virginia tweetup is scheduled for Thursday, August 28 at 5:45 p.m. at Hilton Garden Inn, Wards Road, Lynchburg. The event is dutch treat; wi-fi is free. RSVP by Tuesday, August 26th via Twitter to Cheryl Smith or Lee Graham or click here to email. Feel free to call or text 434.258.2448. I hope to see you then!
Photo by Simon Greig, Creative Commons license.
August 11th, 2008 4 comments
I’ve been thinking about community a lot lately: Twitter, church, friends, Zappos, running, tweetups and more. In the coming days, I’ll be blogging about each of those. Today, church community is on my heart.
Background
In January 1989, I moved to Lynchburg, Virginia with my (then) husband when he was called to serve as Minister of Education and Youth at our church, Rivermont Avenue Baptist (RABC). He served for a couple of years before he resigned. Though the circumstances regarding his resignation were difficult, we stayed at the church because it felt like home.
During the next few years, we struggled with the pain of infertility so it was with great excitement that our church family celebrated with us when we found out we were expecting our first child. She was born in February 1996. Nearly a year and a half later, we once again found out we were expecting. This time, the pregnancy was much more difficult - emotionally. In March of 1998, when our daughter was two and our son was two weeks old, we separated. Our marriage ended just a few months later.
Just after our separation, RABC exemplified community as beautifully as I have ever seen. This is no exaggeration - every single day for two solid months, people from RABC reached out to me in my pain. Someone brought food. Others sent cards. One person quietly left a pack of diapers at the front door and left no note (no expectation of recognition). These friends in this community called me, prayed for me, kept kids, went to attorney’s appointments with me, and on and on and on…
In the years that followed my divorce, RABC continued to be community (family really) to me and my two children. Slightly more than two years ago, Peter and I got married at RABC amidst family, both the blood relative kind, and the kind who share the good and bad of life with you.
Something’s Amiss
For a year or more now, it seems as though something’s just not right in this community known as Rivermont Avenue Baptist. I wish I could pinpoint exactly why, but I really can’t.
Like many churches these days, we’re experiencing decline. But somehow, it seems different. It seems like we’re more than just a plateauing or declining church as noted by George Barna and others who study church trends.
Just a couple of weeks ago our Senior Pastor resigned, giving our church a two week notice. He left us with a gift. You see, during the last few months, he had set the ball in motion for our church to go through a “spiritual discernment process.” We’ve hired a consultant who will work closely with a yet to be determined group of key leaders. One aspect of the process includes a series of listening sessions, where church members and former members will be invited to talk with the consultant, about whatever is on their minds. After all the listening sessions are finished, the consultant will write up a report, detailing what he uncovered. Based on those findings, our church will then be in a position to determine next steps.
My Hopes & Fears
I love Rivermont Avenue Baptist. I love what God has done in and through this group of people that I often say, love God and one another. They’re serious about discipleship but not such sticks in the mud that they’re no fun to be around. I am hopeful that God will use these next steps to show us where the gaps are and how we can rely on Him in the days, months and years ahead.
And I’m afraid. I’m afraid that for whatever reasons, the process may be too little, too late: for our family, for our church family, for the neighbors who live near our church and across the globe, in desperate need of the life-changing love of Christ.
When community limps, it’s painful. Because to be part of community in the first place, you must be invested.
So how about you? Have you invested in community? Why or why not? Have you been part of communities that limp? If so, what happened?
Photo credit by Tantrum_Dan - Creative Commons license.
August 5th, 2008 2 comments
Not wrong in the sense that their GPS maps are off (though they vary slightly based on location). Wrong in the sense that, when you reach your destination, the lady’s voice says, “You have arrived.” (Watch below; you’ll see what I mean.)
Admittedly, I sort of like hearing this complete stranger tell me I’ve arrived. It’s like Joe Isuzu all over again. But she’s wrong. I haven’t arrived. And the moment I begin to think otherwise, is a dangerous time for me and for those around me. The same could be said for you as well. For all of us.
Whether in business, in marriage, in parenting, in ministry — whatever the case - the moment we think we’ve got it all together, we’re in a dangerous place. We stop paying attention to our business environment and the circumstances of life. We become too smug to heed the advice of those around us, many of whom are far wiser than we are.
And then we’re susceptible to the inevitable fall. Proverbs remind us, “Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
But hey, I’m just one person.
What do you say? Have you ever been bitten in the butt for thinking you’ve arrived? How?
July 16th, 2008 9 comments
If you’re familiar with MBTI styles, I’m an ENFP. What that means for this post is that I typically read more than one book at a time, something that seems impossible and even ludicrous for someone who is a J, like my husband. That being said, here’s a list of what I’m currently reading:
What’s next on my list:
I keep coming back to read excerpts from:
I’ll be busy for the next few days, reading at the pool and while camping. Here’s my MBTI prayer, “Dear God, please help me keep my mind on one…Look a butterfly…thing at a time! Before I go, let me ask this:
What are you currently reading? What books do you keep coming back to and why? Which have been life changing for you? Leave your comments here.
July 11th, 2008 2 comments
Central VA TweetUp #1
Live in or near Lynchburg, VA and want to meet other people who are using social networking sites for business? Then meet us for the first ever Central Virginia TweetUp - a meeting of people who may only know each other by their @Twitter nick names. In this case, the gathering is being extended to include users of other social networking platforms (like LinkedIn, Plaxo, Plurk, Identi.ca, Facebook, etc.) as well.
Day/Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Location: Charleys Restaurant, Lynchburg, VA
Cost: Dutch treat, separate tabs
Food: Appetizers and drinks or dinner, whatever floats your boat
Other: Wi-Fi is free (thanks Rob & MJ) so bring your laptops if you want. We’ll get to know each another, see who’s doing what and if there are ways we can connect. Come ready to share your favorite blog sites, viral media stuff, new iPhones (and old if you want to sell) and whatever else is on your mind. Feel free to bring a friend! Pass this link along or trackback to your own site.
RSVP: By Monday, 7/14 via Twitter (@ or dm me), LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook, FriendFeed, comment below or you can always use good old fashioned email, text/phone 434.258.2448.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Attention progressive companies in Central Virginia or beyond, have a chance to meet talented folks on the cutting edge. Get a little company visibility on this site, and others (as applicable) and at the event. Pick up the tab - that simple. And if you have free stuff you want to pass out, that’s always good! If you’re interested, please contact Cheryl Smith by email or call 434.258.2448.
What am I missing? What suggestions do you have for the TweetUp? Who can you bring with you? Leave your feedback by clicking on the comment button below.
Recognition: Central VA TweetUp idea and initial conversations with @frankmartin and @nicktripp. TweetUp design by Lee-Graham.com
July 10th, 2008 7 comments
Note: This post was edited to correct my accidental omission of Jon’s birthday wish link. If you subscribe to my blog, please accept my apologies for the duplication.
This post is dedicated to people who, in a just a few short months, and often in an instant, have been blessings to me. If you’ve read Levite Chronicles, you’ll note that Jon Swanson often uses short lists (of 8 lately) in his posts. So here’s my list of 8 for today with a double bonus (like Brogan) for the finale.
By the way, do you know Jon Swanson? If so, wish him a happy birthday today. Read about his birthday wish.
Finally, who’s in your list of 8 and why? Start your own post and trackback here, or just leave their names in the comment section. I probably want to follow them.
July 9th, 2008 13 comments
Social networking is all about meeting new people and connecting with folks in a variety of platforms, right? So when is it OK to say no? When is it appropriate, or even prudent, to block a Twitter follower? As a reformed dysfunctional pleaser, I often worry about blocking someone or denying a friend request. Thankfully, those days are gone!
Guilt Free Twitter Blocking
Spammers. First email spam, now Twitter spam. These resourceful yet annoying people follow hundreds, thousands and even hundreds of thousands of people with the hopes of driving traffic to their websites. Think about it - if you’re checking out new followers, you typically click on their website links, right? Before automatically clicking on websites, read the bios and check out the tweets. If it looks like spam and smells like spam, it probably is. If any part of you thinks it’s spam, don’t even bother with the website. Block them. If you’re not sure, check it out and if you discover it’s spam, block them! Don’t retweet their @names nor pass along their URLs. The more times they’re blocked, the more likely their accounts will be closed…eventually.
Leisure Suit Larry. You know the guy. The first thing he does is come to your pool party and pee in your pool. He talks only about himself and never contributes anything of value to the conversation. He pushes only his stuff (blog posts, websites, product) and that’s that. Block away my friend. No remorse.
Party Babe. I’ve recently been intentional about blocking sex pistols and party girls. While those tweets may have entertainment value for some - not so much for me. I’m just sayin’. If the avatar looks like an audition headshot (or more) for Playboy, I’m pretty much going to block her. No worries.
The Perp. I was once followed by a guy whose entire following was made up of young, beautiful women/girls. Don’t get me wrong; I was flattered to be in the company of so many young beauties. Somehow, however, images of him reading my tweets in some dark room filled with cigarette smoke and the smell of days-old alcohol was enough for me to block him right away.
Sailor Mouth. My impressionable children sometimes watch me Twitter. I chose not to expose them to unnecessary profanity. Additionally, I do social networking presentations for groups (some of which are faith based) and don’t want to offend any of my own audience participants. I’m not so worried about an occasional word here or there. I’m talking consistent and crude. Reminds me of something I once heard, “people who curse do so because they have a limited vocabulary.”
Other Social Networking Invitations
I’m not sure my friending strategy is as well thought on LinkedIn, Plaxo, or Facebook. For the most part, those are more static platforms. The value they provide is different as is my level of engagement with each.
For another perspective, read Louis Gray’s recent post - As I Get Older, Some “Friending” Gets Creepier.
So now I’m curious.
Have you thought intentionally about who you allow to follow you on Twitter or friend you on other platforms? What’s your conclusion? Have you ever posted your policy? If so, share the link here. Keep the conversation going.
July 8th, 2008 8 comments
I’m a big fan of social networking in general and Twitter in particular. In the last few weeks I’ve begun following the Twitter updates of The Honorable Congressman John Culberson (R) of Texas. For how much longer, I’m not entirely sure.
I’m following Culberson, not because I’m a Texan or a Republican but because I’m interested in how people are using Social Networking and Social Media and how this digital world is shaping all aspects of culture: faith, family, business, politics, etc.
I’m not a politico. I vote because it’s my civic duty and I loved Ms. Janie Gray’s US Government class in high school. My understanding of politics is primarily shaped from life with a strongly Democratic ex-husband and an equally strong Republican former boss.
On June 3rd, I twittered during Hillary Clinton’s “almost concession speech” and during Obamas’s speech that followed. In recent weeks I’ve seen Congressman Culberson tweet from the White House, the first in history to do so, and from the House floor. And I happen to think it’s all good for our country.
So it was with great interest and more than a little concern that I read tweets from Congressman Culberson that,
“the Democrats are looking at restricting Member content on websites outside the house.gov domain.”
Surely people in the Democratic camp haven’t talked with Senator Obama about this! Just today I read an article about the Obama campaign building community and growing grassroots support by embracing social networking strategies. You can read the New York Times post “The Facebooker Who Friended Obama” here.
Click here to read Congressman Culberson’s statement.
Free speech and access to government, at least as best I recall, are principles we hold dearly in the US.
So, what do you think? Weigh in here. Should our elected government officials’ use of new media be restricted? If so, how much and how far? If not, why not?
July 8th, 2008 5 comments
For the last couple of weeks I’ve been rolling a post around in my brain about how and why I choose to follow people on Twitter. Last night Grant Griffiths tweeted the question and we decided to do a tandem post about the subject. You can read his post here. It’s good.
I use Twitter as a business tool so my reasons for choosing who I follow are based on my own business goals of keeping current on business issues, technology, trends, marketing, social networking, writing, and staying in tune with the non-profit and faith-based organizations. Here’s my Twitter Follow Strategy:
Observe others. I first heard of Twitter from Chris Brogan. Initially, I followed his conversations. If he communicated with someone, I figured he or she might be a good person to follow. Thankfully I found Becky McCray, Jon Swanson and Liz Strauss and many of the folks on my list. From there, I began watching those people’s conversations and used the same strategy.
Find like minds. At some point, I was doing a last name search to see if any of my relatives were Twittering. Though I’m not related, I stumbled upon Michael Hyatt. I’m interested in writing, publishing and faith-based topics so following him was a no brainer. Next I wanted to know who he was following so I looked through his “following” list. I read the bios, reviewed the tweet history, and checked out websites/blogs and About pages. I didn’t want to seem like a weirdo stalker person, so I didn’t follow all of his following. Instead I picked a few and continue to add others over time, based on conversations and tweets.
Search keywords. I’ve recently started running so I want to follow people who are into running as well, so I can learn from them. I did a search on Summize and found @beyondjems. What a small world – she’s also connected to @michaelhyatt! As Grant notes in his post, you can now also search easily using Tweetdeck.
Follow backs. When I receive a new follower on Twitter, I look at his or her tweet history, bio, website/blog, and followers to following ratio. I make a “follow” decision based on what I see. Grant does a good job of explaining this in his post so I won’t duplicate. Here’s what I will say: don’t automatically discredit a new Twitterer. We were all new once, right? Maybe we should all make it a matter of practice to follow at least one new Twitter person a week. Just a thought.
One of my favorite books is Vital Friends by Tom Rath. In Chapter 2 he states,
“If we have already spent significant time on self-development, is it possible that most of the magic – our room for rapid personal and professional growth – lies in developing our friendships?”
As strange as it sounds to someone who doesn’t use or understand Twitter, in four short months, I feel as though I’ve seen rapid personal and professional growth, partly as a result of new Twitter “friends.”
How do you grow your Twitter following? How have the people you’re following on Twitter enriched your life?
P.S. Click here for “Six Ways You Can Use Twitter Today” and here for “Tweople You Must Follow.” And of course, if you’re not already, follow me on Twitter.
