Anybody who has followed my blog or podcast, or has anything to do with New Media and/or podcasting knows CC Chapman. Over the past 2 years he has been a great friend, and I look forward to meeting him in real life some day. Our conversations drift back and forth from new media opportunities, to our books, to podcasting, to nothing really at all.
Recently I asked him for his take on reinventing myself. As one of the “pioneers” of Community (I started the community department at Warner Bros. Online) I have always felt somewhat disgruntled that I am not where I want to be in terms of leading the new media community effort. To me, I should be out there giving speeches and key notes like some of my co-workers from WB. I should be out there expounding the importance of community and social networking, and *gasp* user generated content.
So I asked CC a couple of weeks ago about reinventing myself. What could I do to suddenly let people know that “Hey, it’s me, remember me? Look at me!”
And CC’s resonse, in part, included the following:
“Why do they have to pay attention? Just raising your hand and saying you are on site isn’t enough any more. “
I was devastated. Not because of what he said, but the bluntness of it all – and he was right. Why would people suddenly listen to anything I have to say? It hit me – hard. Why indeed? Because I’m a has-been community director? What have I done lately besides a podcast with 20 regular subscribers?
I have to say, CC, you made me think. Of course now all my fears about really having nothing “important” to say come flying back at me. But your point is so blunt and true I can’t argue with it. I think it is something you have to think about whenever you launch a new marketing campaign, web site, podcast, anything. Why should people listen to you?
Why should they listen to me?
Im still wrestling with that one, when I figure it out, I’ll let you know.
[TAGS]CC Chapman[/TAGS]
Troy – thank you for turning on comments. I was here yesterday but chose not to bother registering on your site to leave a comment. I’m not sure what I was inspired to write yesterday, but I’ll offer what’s on my mind at the moment. My comments may sound harsh. I will risk that, because I do want to respond to your post here.
Let’s start with comments. If I understand your concern, it is one of recognition. I couldn’t recognize your post unless I jumped through your hoop of registration. Perhaps a small example, but what other barriers are you putting between people and you?
On the matter of prior accomplishments, I would say that everyone has them. Some may be more interesting to more people. You alluded to whether or not you might lack current accomplishments. I’m not sure anyone cares what we accomplished in the past, and I doubt people really care what we are accomplishing now ——- unless it impacts them somehow. This is very normal, I think.
In visiting this site of yours I am struck by an “it’s all about me” feel, with a chilly atmosphere. Where / how do you foster communication with us? Before you opened comments, it was like you were behind a big wall. Your Twitter profile has no link to any of your blogs. I cannot find a link to anything about someone or something other than your stuff. No phone. No email. How do people talk with you? How do you invite a conversation? Do you want two-way communication?
And, do people’s accomplishments out there impact you? Where are the links to those things? Do you venture out to join the conversation? I believe you do, but I don’t know. Is this intentional on your part, or an oversight?
Instead of wondering why people don’t beg you to keynote their conferences, I wonder how your perspective might shift if you moved that energy into imagining what you might do NOW for people in the community to which you hope to matter. What are you contributing that people find valuable to them?
You talk about CC. Is he the only person that matters? What about the thousands of others out there, just like you and me, with things to do and stuff to say? Do they interest you? Go explore, and tell us what you discovered about them.
Because you opened this up, I commented. We’re having a conversation. This is a good start. I just subscribed to your blog. I look forward to hearing what you do now.
To your success,
Brian
I have to say that I’m a little surprised to see something shared via e-mail in confidence show up in a blog post, but I’m ok with it.
Taken out of context this sounds quite different then it was meant to. Troy, I wasn’t saying this to YOU, but rather it is a question I ask of a lot of people. I’ve had similar conversations with several people over the past few weeks and I have asked them the same thing.
There are so many people doing great things out there. You are one of them, but the question is a valid one. How and why should someone pay attention to any one individual among all of them. It is something that can’t be answered right away and takes time to fully answer.
Getting an audience. Re-inventing oneself. It doesn’t happen over night. It takes time, energy and a LOT of effort on your part.
I still feel a little hung out to dry, but I can also sense that you did take it to heart and I said it to help you and you KNOW I want nothing but you (and everyone else trying to) to fully succeed.
Hey CC ~
I apologize for sharing 2 sentences of our conversation. It’s just that it really did make me think. I wanted to share in my realization that jut because >I< may think I have something to share, doesn’t mean that others really want to listen.
It truly was a wake up call to me that I can’t rely on my past experience that I did 10 years ago – but need to constantly contribute to regain that respect.
I feel bad thinking that the insight you helped me gain has inadvertently resulted in a loss of trust since I posted a snippet of our private conversation. It is because I value your opinion and experience so greatly, that I really wanted people to know that you made a difference in how I was looking at my situation.
No trust lost. It’s fine. I just wanted to put it in context because out of it people could take it completely differently
Heavens… here’s a man with a list of accomplishments as long as your arm:
* Former WB Online editor responsible for setting up and running their message boards.
* Author of Kidz in the Biz.
* Had a huge website – themoffatts.com
* Boy Scout (?) leader.
* Has a high ranking position at the community theatre.
* Director of High school musical at that theatre.
* Holds down a full time job.
* Has a blog, podcast and contributes to many other sites on the interweb.
If only I could do/have done a quarter of what you do, I’d be really proud.
When are we going to hear a snippet of the musical on the podcast?
Matt
Passing through and wanted to say hello