You do what, now?

Posted on March 21, 2011 by

My friend Chris Brogan wrote a post the other day about what you should talk about when you meet someone. The point I took away from it – without having to go back and reread it – was that I should be more forthright in telling people what I want and why I’m the person to get those opportunities.

You see, we’re in a glut of folks who all proclaim their skillz in SocMed and various online tools. See my post from earlier this year. But as my other friend (yes, I have two friends…maybe more) Mike Langford professes, there are many folks in the world who don’t really know what your skillset is or what you can do.

Why am I writing this? Because I asked about a speaking opportunity at a conference and was almost dismissed out of hand because one of the organizers didn’t know that I…

Have run an advertising agency for two decades

Have had clients like Fidelity, TJX, Talbots, Hasbro, Gulf Oil, Uno’s, Ford Motor Company (pre-Social Media or Scott Monty), Brookstone and others.

Have spoken at Universities – UMass, Northeastern, Emerson, BU, News outlets and businesses across the globe about communication, content and topics outside of social media.

I’m also a veteran journalist and social media professional. So, maybe it wouldn’t make a difference if I share this other info with the folks at the conference. Maybe they’ve already put me in a box.

And maybe when you put someone into a pigeon hole, they’re stuck there. But I figured if I didn’t tell you about this, you might be stuck in your own pigeon hole. What is it that you can do? Does everyone know?

Then get started sharing that info with the world.

Column, Main, social media

business, Chris Brogan, new york, pigeonhole, speaking, Twtrcon

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5 Responses to You do what, now?

Anne Weiskopf says:

March 21, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Hi Jeff – as the person on the other side of our DM conversation, I’m truly sorry if you felt like you were being dismissed out of hand. What I was trying to communicate is that the majority of our speakers/panelists, etc, come from business, brand, governments and NPO’s who share their experiences in using realtime tools and how they have transformed their organization. Given that I have many friends who I admire and adore in the social media space (yourself included) I wanted to be upfront about what we are looking for from a speaker perspective. And, in all fairness to this discussion, it was only after we talked that you spent some time on our website and found an angle to propose to our editorial director. Do know that companies like Fidelity, TJX, Talbots, Hasbro, Gulf Oil, Uno’s, Ford Motor Company, are of great interest to us as case studies that can be shared with our community. Very much hope to see you at Realtime NY 11! Annie
Jeff Cutler says:

March 21, 2011 at 8:08 pm

Not that feeling at all. It was an alert that all of us are so feature-rich (or complex) that it’s impossible for anyone to truly have a single presence or reputation among everyone. And I felt I was doing myself a disservice if I didn’t alert your team to the fact I have the capacity, training and experience to help bolster the offerings at your event.

To your point that I looked for an angle, I didn’t have to look. I am writing a book on using social media to reach the media and I’ve done that specific session for businesses and universities already.

I adore you as well, just wanted to become more three-dimensional in your eyes and those of others.

Thanks,

Jeff
Ari Herzog says:

March 21, 2011 at 8:11 pm

Indeed, Jeff, indeed, keep preaching what you do. Most of your friends, the non-web friends, probably don’t know what you do either.

And, Anne, if you’re seeking government speakers to talk about social media, that’s my pigeonhole and would relish the opportunity!
Bobbie Carlton says:

March 21, 2011 at 8:44 pm

My difficulty lately has been trying to decide which “me” to introduce — between my work heading up marketing for Accounting Management Solutions and Tyler Place Family Resort, my PR and marketing work with various other clients, Mass Innovation Nights, my 25+ years in high tech PR and marketing, the classes I teach in social media marketing and the various Innovation topics I speak on, I never know how to lead. And, in this era of re-invention and multiple careers, this can’t be that unusual.

But if I listen to my audience, they tell me what they need and I can either explain what I do that is relevant to their needs or send them off to someone else.
Ari Herzog says:

March 21, 2011 at 10:13 pm

Bobbie, perhaps if you focus on your function and not your title, you will be less confused. Titles come and go.

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