Marrying the idea of sharing what we each individually knew (and could collectively add) to the concept of helping a business effectively use social media excited all of us.
If the purpose is to create “a community of bicycle enthusiasts” you need to re-think. You’ve defined who you’re after (bicycle enthusiasts) but not WHY they’ve come and WHAT you hope they’ll do for or be to each other. A better purpose (lens) would be seeking to create “A place where bicycling enthusiasts can share knowledge about the best trails/rides so others can discover and enjoy them, too.”
Humans are hardwired to communicate. Effective communication involves framing and sending signals plus receiving/interpreting them accurately. Reducing the noise between buyer and seller would yield immediate tangible benefits.
Even more life-changing would be this type of investment in our other personal relationships.
But I challenge you to go beyond “writing for people interested in marketing” (for instance)… are they neophytes? Experienced but still enthusiastic? Jaded? Bored with the field and seeking new inspiration? A post that would appeal to a neophyte marketer and one that would appeal to the jaded among us are likely very different posts even though both would be written for people interested in marketing.
But beyond the practical… Twitter me this, Batman… why do we try to use Twitter as a giant echo chamber?
Passion drives the desire to learn, to be excellent and to grow in a field. Becoming an expert at anything is predicated on these things. Passion also means viewpoints will be strongly held, opinions may be forcefully expressed…
If you clearly set expectations with your customers (or your kids), including noting the choices or options available, sharing any relevant urgency, reminding them of the important parts and delivering what you promised, your interactions will be much more fruitful.
In offline sharing, gravity works as a filter… Good stuff rises, usually, because it takes effort to support it. No one invests effort into things, people or ideas they think are doomed to failure. Online, gravity isn’t a good filter for ideas.
What do you do on those days? When nothing is really wrong, but nothing is right, either? I think those days are the true test of our resolve to go forward, to be nice, to choose good. Even the selfish can respond unselfishly to a tragedy, but how we respond to the minor annoyances, set backs and irritations on a daily basis is indicitive of our true character. And, fundamental to the character of our business.
