Comments on: Clearing a path for newbies in the social media echo chamber

By: by teresa wu » It’s a small (social media) world after all

by teresa wu » It’s a small (social media) world after all — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:20:06 +0000

[...] just a bunch of people talking to ourselves. It reminded me of a post I read awhile ago about the social media echo chamber. How much value are we really adding to the blogosphere if the only people who are listening to us [...]

By: Four blogs worth checking out. -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone

Four blogs worth checking out. -- Hoover’s Business Insight Zone — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:27:58 +0000

[...] Shannon Paul’s Very Official Blog — I met Shannon through Twitter, which means I got to share in the fun when she was recently hired by the Detroit Red Wings to direct their social-media efforts. Shannon’s a smart person with an open mind who wants to share the benefits of social media broadly. [...]

By: What my small town dentist can teach us about social media. | that damn redhead

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:37:00 +0000

[...] recognizes the need to open it up and make access easier for new people. By doing so, she offers these basic steps for those who “don’t know where to start” with social media eng…, demonstrating that the #1 thing in social media is not being “that guy,” but instead [...]

By: Social networks aren’t as common as they seem | Digital Pivot

Social networks aren’t as common as they seem | Digital Pivot — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:56:37 +0000

[...] idea that we need to make clearer in-roads to participation is from an excellent blog post on the subject by Shannon Paul. Many in the on-line world are getting to know her on Twitter as [...]

By: Jenn @ Frugal Upstate

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:05:55 +0000

Fabulous post! And as is so typical in blogging, the comments are just as informative and interesting as the post itself.

I found you via a link post on twitter & will be adding you to my feed reader.

Thanks so much for laying out a specific approach (rather than just explaination) to use in trying to help teach how to use and appreciate social media.

Oh, and you might want to mention to the students that if they’ve protected their updates (as about 4 on the list you gave did) it is a big deterrent to accumulating followers-if they want to interact on SM for business purposes shouldn’t they be more open to folks listening to them?

By: Social media can’t be anti-social | Digital Pivot

Social media can’t be anti-social | Digital Pivot — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:56:19 +0000

[...] Paul, who recently joined the Detroit Red Wings, posted on her personal blog about the importance of making sure we are making in-roads for newbies so those [...]

By: Lee J

Lee J — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:16:43 +0000

Nice post, and some great advice to the students! I’m still a newbie myself, and will also take away some of this and learn from what you share.

I think the hardest part for myself is having the patience. I can see the possibilities, and feel that I am providing valuable content, but I want the subscribers and comments and feedback NOW! I know it doesn’t work like that, but I want to progress my work and further my knowledge and understanding, and it’s such a drive in me that I become impatient.

Thanks,

Lee.

By: Jared O'Toole

Jared O'Toole — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:35:34 +0000

I am in the middle of experiencing this first hand. With a couple buddies I have a social network aimed at young entrepreneurs but with a focus on actually creating valuable content.

Lots of students have expressed how much they like the idea and the network however involvement is low. They simply don’t know how to use a network for valuable business purposes. Everyone has a facebook account and loves scrolling through pictures or whatever. When it comes to stepping up to the plate and offering up discussions and opinions, writing blog posts, or any other type of content they just don’t really know where to begin. It’s proving to be a big and interesting challenge.

By: Nicole Hamilton

Nicole Hamilton — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:35:12 +0000

Shannon,

Great post! I loved it because I think it is important to address this issue. As a new college grad I was hired as a social media “specialist.” We are still in the development stage with our blog, which I am so anxious to get up and running, but am discovering that the time it is taking to get things going has been so beneficial for me. I am passionate about social media, because I have seen the great effects it can have, especially when it comes to businesses and their capabilities of building solid, open relationships with stakeholders.

With that said, it still can be intimidating at times. I read as much as I possibly can every day, but still find myself overwhelmed with all of the new “stuff” that is out there and all the people out there, like yourself, who seem to know SO much about how to approach these communities and how to really listen. At the same time, I can’t seem to get enough. I think what I find most intimating is finding a way to add value to the conversation—and sometimes I wonder if something is better than nothing. I had about 5 internships while I was in college, three of which I was able to really utilize what I know about social media and furthermore grow my understanding. I think the bigger challenge for me now has been this transformation from helping the companies I work for understand how people in my generation use social platforms (who were often their “target” market), to now using what I know and am learning to directly build relationships with our stakeholders and others in the community.

With that said, I think if I continue to hold on to my true passion, building relationships and community, I should be ok—however, I was wondering if anyone has found themselves in this position and if so, what you did to get over it. Like you mentioned Shannon, you feel like a bit of an outsider and often find yourself frustrated by others lack of understanding. How do the rest of you feel who really get it? Are you frustrated, and if so, how can us social media newbies engage in the conversation without worrying about if we actually get it and are contributing something worthwhile? Thanks Shannon for taking a step forward, reaching out, and doing something to provoke thought and get things moving along.

Nicole :)

By: Caitlin Rosberg

Caitlin Rosberg — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:01:49 +0000

Hey Shannon-
Great post. As some one who’s new to a social media position, I find it sometimes daunting, but I thank my stars that since I’m new, the echo chamber hasn’t been a big challenge for me.

You did a great job in pointing out one of the challenges of how people use the internet now: those who grew up with it, who do use Facebook, YouTube, etc aren’t aware that they’re using SM. But the people who help them get jobs are. I can’t tell you the number of times a professor or co-teacher or TA or RA (etc) reminded me that Facebook can be seen by EVERYONE unless you set it otherwise…and oftentimes even then. So people know to be careful about what they put on the internet (most of the time). I’m just not sure everyone calls it SM. Can you think of a better name? One that more people use? Or is “Social Media” really the best option?