- Feb
- 11
What I Learned as a Social Media Fake: Part 3
Posted on February 11, 2011 by — One Comment
To thine own self be true is not only Shakespearean and Biblical wisdom, it is also true of social media.
It took just a few weeks as a social media fake to connect with the same social media universe as the real me. One of my “real” friends even added the fake me to her coveted Twitter list of bloggers and writers, right alongside folks I’ve known for years in the building products industry. I saw the real me being retweeted by friends of the fake me.
What I Learned as a Social Media Fake Part 1
What I Learned as a Social Media Fake Part 2
Why? Two reasons:
1. Outside of the tech and media industries—and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Sarah Palin—the Twitter universe is pretty small.
2. But mostly: I’m still me. Still attracted to the same type of content, featuring information that is relevant to me and/or makes me laugh. And the same people who are attracted to my content are going to find it.
The experience also taught me that it’s OK to mix it up a little (see caveat below). Got into it on “Obamacare” with a blogger who was so much like me, I wanted to reach through the Internet and hug her sweet little misguided business-owner self. She was so determined to blame Obama for her increased health care costs, she absolutely could not even try to find middle ground. This went on for a good 48 hours. My Klout score soared. But my heart sank. Seems like life is too short to live that angry.
Note that mixing it up does NOT apply to brands and business that are targets of endless litigation. Even for us individuals, it makes sense to blog, walk, drive and breathe backed by a good umbrella personal liability policy. It’s how we roll in the US.
But be interesting. Even in today’s litigious culture, things like apologies and promises still work. Really.
Conclusion
My time as a social media fake began because I was concerned that my “personal brand” would suffer online if I showed too much personality.
Yet the “real me” managed a pretty high ratio of fans to detractors offline for more than a half century of life. It is the same personal brand that has helped O’Reilly/DePalma gain and retain clients who seek our expertise for marketing and public relations in the building and architectural industries.
Authentically.
Oh, and my stepson who had the bad accident? That’s all better, too. I’ll always be profoundly grateful to Twitter friends of the “real” me for all your support and care when I most needed it: @michaelanschel @jgandB, @hueberbreuer, @Paul_Anater, @susanserrackd, @damnedgoodesign @JTGoldberg @greenearthpr, @cbwhittemore , @catpoetry @alisonilg @brpgreenplumber @bethSEGreen @mododesigngroup @ktom17 @jmurphy42 @bobmader and LaurenHunter_HW.
And friends of the “fake me” now my REAL friends: @Alexandrafunfit @craftycmc @PsiChic.
My stepson and I, December 2010
AlexandraFunFit
June 12, 2011 — 7:42 pm
As someone who was a “fake” friend before you “became real,” I can honestly say you’re fantabugastic in both forms, you little Velveteen Rabbit. Although, I would have been happy to know about your stepson at the time so I could also encourage you. But I’m glad he’s okay. And maybe you can bake him some Mink au Jus!