I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing more and more peeps getting off the grid for a week’s respite and even longer. There’s a general malaise, at least in my community, about the time we’re spending to remain connected across channels while coming up with something fresh and exciting to say (that’s not an echo).
>>When my friend Queen D (that’s @3HatsComm to y’all) decided to pull way back, it seemed like she disappeared for good. Upon a query, she insists she’s lurking and around, just not as front and center as she used to be. I have to say, I miss that comment energy. She left an indelible impression; more than she knows. (But, she’s not gone…just more quiet!)
>>Kaarina Dillabough, my north of the border pal, announced she was going dormant (that’s dormant, not Dorman) for a week and then announced upon her return she escaped on a 33rd anniversary with hubby to the Caribbean. (I missed her in my stream; but she was not gone…just taking family time.)
>>My dear friend Erica Allison still has her “summer off” post on her sidebar on the blog (one of the highest PostRank scores she’s tallied) which said she would be encumbered with mommy duties while running her business in summer months. These weeks, her booming business has her focused on areas like billable work and not her blog…she laments this turn of events but also recognizes the need to earn money. (She isn’t gone, just not as accessible to her community.)
>>And, the most famous infamous of all, NittyGriddy, went MIA for more than two months! Gasp! And, to inform her community she’s baaack, she hit up the Gin Blossom to announce her comeback on @SpinSucks.
>>When Danny Brown (along with a team of writers) launched his Punk Rock Views on Social Media blog about the new tonality in social media, he added to my thoughts about what is going on here?
Look around your community. Per chance you’re amplifying messages within your own peer group; I’ve heard many a friend mention this more than once (me included). I’m hastening a guess that most of us launched our blogs with every good intention of attracting new business from small-to-medium enterprises and laughing all the way to the bank.
Alas, our blogs (at least the bloggers with whom I’ve spoken) agree we’re writing and messaging in an obvious comfort zone – right amongst our own peer group and network of service-oriented professionals (likely playing in the social media, marketing and public relations space).
Does this resonate with you? If it does, here’s what I want to say:
>>We are social media leaders following other social media rock stars just ahead of us pioneering and testing the next new app, tool, channel, platform, connector, game, and more. It’s so easy to become jaded and tired in this leadership position, but guess what?
WE CAN’T!
We have to keep the energy and vibe and positive spirit high…WHY? Because our clients, customers, peer bloggers, entry-level professionals, and others in our communities expect us to be that way – helpful, teaching, positive, thoughtful, inspiring.
>>You bet it’s challenging at the top. We’ve put bloggers on pedestals for years; wanna bet they’re tired too leading the pack as they do? Sometimes they show it; other times they don’t.
>>The point here is this…when you’re tired from being smack in a leadership role in social media and your messaging begins to show those rough edges (because your community recognizes that), then do get off the grid. Take a breather already; no one will fault you for a little R&R because when you return you’ll be back like a spring breeze to tell us all about it.
Nicely done, my friend. Thanks for the shout out! I noticed that Social Media Fatigue post was high up on the list as well – not my choosing, that of the PostRank algorithm. However, I think it still rings true for many. So many folks are MIA, some explained, and others, not. I think it’s a natural ebb and flow. @bdorman264:twitter wrote about it today as well; he suggests having fun and perhaps lowering the bar a bit. I think there’s some truth to that approach as well. The thing is, everyone has different reasons for being online and everyone has to look at those reason to evaluate success, malaise, boredom, or energy. I would say I’m still around, but that I’m re-tooling to figure out how best to remain active, without killing my business.
For example, I have so many blog posts in my head right now; it’s just a matter of getting them onto the screen! What to do? Write them down as best I can, save them and post once/week if I need to. What I’m not going to do is fret! Rather, I’m going to focus on the good reasons I’m begin pulled away and focus on servicing those clients in order to bring in more! 😉
Ah, a woman after my own heart @EricaAllison:disqus using the “ebb and flow”, rather than balance, ‘cuz you know how I feel about balance:) @bdorman264 post today was spot on (pun intended), and fun?…I’m all for fun!
I’ve been writing in my head for more than a week and pounded this one out to have a post on Monday. You know that Clicky thing — it says we should always post on Monday and Tuesday and perhaps Wednesday but not so much Thursday and Friday — fuhgeddaboudit.
Jayme, thanks for the tip of the hat: my time off the grid was sooooo beneficial and worthwhile.
You make so many good points about leaders and rock stars and pedestals. Although I don’t put anyone on a pedestal, I did fall prey to the stars-in-my-eyes rockstar admiration at the start. As Bill said in his post today, it felt like a fast-forward, never-ending gerbil wheel of dancing as fast as I could. But that was OK…and I specifically say “was”. That was how I learned, grew and gained perspective.
Today, I’ve had time to rejuvenate, reflect and re-frame. I’ve said many times that the friends I’ve made and colleagues I’ve met online…well, I wouldn’t change that for the world. And although I never thought I’d be laughing all the way to the bank, I thought I’d be making at least a few trips there, haha! I will now be focused on my potential clients/customers more, with the intention of not losing all the fab friends I’ve made along the way.
So, I will ebb and flow, bring the FUN on full tilt and let the results of my new strategy take care of themselves. Great and timely post, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina
The journey is always full of treasures, and the learnings are so much more rich, Kaarina!
Ya know, I have proof (and a blog posted drafted) of my comments elsewhere… just some of it is from ‘different’ sites, trying to amplify other messages outside the group. No idea if it’s ‘working’ but I am doing something; and really, I am planning to get back here more often. When I patent the 37-hour day, make my millions and can retire, sigh.
BIG hat tip to you and Erica; BTW I reached out to Ingrid, who seemed really gone for such a long time, nice to see her back out here. I’m still not booming (or even burping, hiccup – I’d settle for hiccups) with success, so I am shifting my energies to 1) turn the blog and all this social netWORKing effort back towards gaining either clients or a dream job and 2) not letting myself feel the fatigue of being ON all the time. Jayme, there have been times when it’d be so easy to sit for hours on end and read, comment on so many posts but where does it stop? Where does my work life end and my play life begin? Worrying about what to tweet, what’s a good post for the billions of people not on Google+, actually being quasi-social on Facebook, then thinking I need to get back on LinkedIn already?!! The break taught me it was ok to step away and slow down, as I furiously type this knowing I have to run out the door. Sure my Klout is probably in the teens (haven’t checked) by now, but THANK YOU, I know I have made an impression and some great connections. Always a work in progress, FWIW.
I bet you could be a typist in your next life; I bet no one types and thinks as fast as you, Friend! I’ll go find your Klout profile and send you a little +K; sounds like you need to boost it just in case some new employer wants to hire someone with a higher K than the next candidate…Heh.
I always give you grief about not being around as much as you were (although you’ve become a lurker), but I always wondered how you could sustain your pace and to what gain. (Clout!)
We had fun, now we just have to find ways to make $$ doing so. Carry on!
Isn’t that actually kind of funny? Davina was at her peak activity before Klout was born. She probably knew better than any of us not to drink that koolaid.
It’s the GAIN part that is a trick. So many of us have discovered that follows, likes, RTs, comments don’t necessarily equate to paying customers. It’s inside baseball, preaching – and sometimes selling – to the choir of koolaid drinkers. I like this, enjoy it, learn so much, getting to know people; so many of the conversations we’ve had have given me great peace of mind, assured me I’m doing it right, do sorta know WTH I’m talking about. But the ever annoying catch is convincing others (clients, are they out there?!) that we do, that we can help them.
I like what you said about piece/peace of mind…! You’re right about that…we can gain from it and earn confidence. The $$ not so much.
I like what you said about piece/peace of mind…! You’re right about that…we can gain from it and earn confidence. The $$ not so much.
Agreed. Although I don’t see myself as a leader, I interact with so many of you guys that the jade (not the stone!) is accumulating much more quickly than I thought it would. But because I’m not focusing on social media at my place, I can just avoid the topic if I’m feeling down on it.
Hah. What a great escape! Great having you and know that I was heading to your place to pull the who and whom post in here and then got sidetracked. This is my reminder to update the post with my very favorite from your house.
Hah. What a great escape! Great having you and know that I was heading to your place to pull the who and whom post in here and then got sidetracked. This is my reminder to update the post with my very favorite from your house.
Just get off the grid………:). When we all end up talking to each other, we create this bubble and sometimes it’s hard to grow and be creative from there.
I have no problem taking a leadership role, but because my model is different than most who play here, my model might not get you where you want to go. One thing I can do, I like to call things as I see them and usually in a somewhat humorous light; but I’m not sure if that is the ‘enlightenment’ the business folks want to see.
Per my post today, I do have a much clearer focus of where I want to go and what I’m doing online. Essentially, I am going to keep it fun and sustainable and if I can grow from there, so be it; if not, I guess I will figure out what plan ‘B’ is at that point.
Good post Jayme and thanks for sharing……..
I like that you’ve nailed your purpose; now we can all get down to business laughing at your house. Didn’t know that pressure is even more significant than playing skipping stones around the webz, didja?
Serious, for a sec, what a great objective…to keep it light. That’s #RockHot, Bill.
BTW – Griddy was just teasing us; she’s been the biggest MIA and is still so……….
Serious? I was wondering if she went back out the door to go under cover. Anyone know why? (You of all peeps know, right?) I hope she’s well.
She was working on a big offline project and I think once she got used to being offline it was too hard for her to get cranked back up again. However, those are my thoughts only; I have no insight other than her telling me about the project.
My strategy is to live vicariously through Bill and all of his fun. #thatIsAll
I know, everyone wants to be like me………….
Not I, said the blind man.
I know you’ve hinted at this with our recent tweets back and forth. I think a lot of folks are feeling this way right now. Who knows why…maybe it’s the impending holidays, maybe it’s the crush of new business or maybe it’s just flat-out fatigue. But whatever it is, it’s good to pull away every now and then.
Truth be told, it’s really about shifting priorities. As much as I love getting around to comment on my favorite blogs and share great stuff from my friends, sometimes business or life just gets in the way. And that’s okay. We each have to do what makes the most sense for us and our businesses and let the rest go.
Your point about being a leader is a good one. I never thought about it that way, but being a blogger does make you a leader. We have to stay on top of trends and keep feeding our readers. After all, it makes it really hard to encourage clients to blog regularly if we’re not doing it ourselves, right?
Great thoughts, Jayme. Definitely got me thinking today.
So glad about the leadership idea, Laura. You’re spot on; we have to keep up with this so we can continue to walk the talk with those whom we service.
Commenting is a toughie. I’ve noticed it’s the first thing that goes when I’m super busy, but actually it really impacts my own traffic back to my site, the amount of new followers I get, etc.
Do you notice anything when you comment less?
So true. Commenting is the first to go when things get crazy. And, when it’s REALLY nutty, social media use and blog reading goes downhill too. I hate when that happens. And yes, I definitely see an impact in my site traffic and network growth. I know I need to do it, but sometimes, you can only spread yourself so thin. For instance, right now, I’ve got a lot of client work I’m grinding away on. I’m thrilled! I just need to find the time to continue being active in this space so I don’t look up 3-6 months from now and wonder where all of the business went!
I’ve noticed the wear and tear on Triberrites and the Triberrati. I have been wondering when it was going to become a moveable feast. [grin] I’m glad it has. It will liberate many.
I’ve been “blogging” on and off for 10+ years. Honestly, I find it hard to blog about work – not to mention unrewarding. But I do enjoy the mindshare of the Triberrati and I’m so glad I was paying attention when the rising tide was but a swell.
Stan, you’re not old enough to be blogging for 10 years!!!
I love you for saying that, Jayme. Check is in the mail!!!
Yep, I am done with this social media thing. Going to hang up my keyboard and wander off to far off places and see the sights that must be seen.
Are you serious?
Of course I am not. Been doing this for far too long to just quit. I have a formula that works for me and I like it. Not everyone has figured out how to make it work and that is ok.
Hahaha. I knew you weren’t…please expect my phone call soon.
I think there are times when it all gets too much and I think there’s a bit of that going around at the moment. Maybe Google+ was the baby that broke the back ?
On the positive side it could be that folks are generating more business and are just, well, busy !
Still, I wouldn’t be without my social media connections. The likes of you, @neicolec, @jennwhinnem, @faryna:disqus @EricaAllison:disqus @NEMultimedia make me smile and keep me thinking on a near daily basis.
First off…XOXO to Sweden in spades! Secondly, 100% agree…G+ is culprit. We weren’t handling well then, but after…done. We’re all baked.
I was missing @soulati:disqus@twitter-59802772:disqus @EricaAllison:disqus so I thought “let me hit up that soulati TUDE thing I miss so much.” I’m hesitating to comment though because Jayme is going to say JENN WRITE A GUEST BLOG for me I bet you. I bet you. (laughing)
So I’ve “gone off the grid” but not famously so because I’m not famous, it’s just that I’m busy doing full-time social media for my full-time job. I love it. But I’m in philanthropy now, and that world is so different – the ROI is different – so much of what I used to read about social media & business doesn’t even apply to or help me.
But let me comment on this idea of where social media leaders need to be. Jayme, you know I agree with you – I consider it my responsibility to keep on top of trends, tools, and topics as part of my job. Hey, staying educated is part of any career, right?
I’m struggling to articulate this next part (so maybe no guest post request after all, ha ha) – I just think when I hear about a blog about “new tonality in social media” I think how does that help with the people who are here on the ground? I’m not criticizing Danny, I think highly of him even if I haven’t had a chance to hit up his new blog because of the aforementioned busyness. I’m genuinely asking. I wonder who is experiencing this new tonality? Look at the top trending topics on Twitter. Are the people involved in THOSE conversations experiencing this new tonality? Or is it just us…the social media people…talking to ourselves? And if it is, that’s fine for sure. We are certainly allowed to talk to each other. But I don’t know if we can broadly call it a new tonality in all of social media. Sorry to pick on Danny in this one.
Like you say, Jayme, it’s so easy to write for each other – because we can count on each other to show up, comment, retweet, validate, etc. I don’t write for that audience anymore (and I do miss it) and I can’t tell you how much more difficult it is. So I admit I read the “writing for each other” a little differently now because it doesn’t, to put it bluntly, help me do my job. If I was doing social media for the sake of social media, it would help me. But now I’m thinking about social media to have an impact on the issues my organization care about. And this is something I think about nonstop.
JEN, WRITE A GUEST BLOG. Like you need an invitation, Dude.
But, seriously, you raise an amazing breath of freshness — we entrenched are losing sight of the forest through the shrubbery. You, who has gotten a break into another vertical, now have an entirely new perspective (i.e. Danny) and other views from philanthropy.
I would eagerly accept that post from you with more thought on this; I think this is critical sharing and no one can do it but you b/c you’re now an “outsider” (gasp) but always family.
Get what I mean? Wouldja, huh, huh? Pretty please?
You’re so sweet Jayme. It’s still percolating in my head and whatever drips out, you get to drink that coffee (bizarre metaphor alert!).
Only from you, Jenn.
I enjoyed reading this Jayme, especially because I naturally look at trends and find them quite interesting, especially in the blogosphere.
From what I’ve gathered, there are 3 main reasons why folks ‘step away’:
1. They truly do need just a ‘short break’
2. They are questioning the worth of ‘making the rounds’ and blogging in general.
3. The appeal of ‘community’ has worn off.
Some might disagree with those 3, but I’ve seen them all, again and again.
Gratefully, I feel stronger and more passionate today as I did when I started exactly 2 years ago. That’s not to say I haven’t made shifts here and there in direction, but the flame has never been stronger.
Continued success Jayme,
Marcus
It’s so important to have your passion leading the pack, Marcus. I have to agree with big kudos to you that your commitment to blogging, speaking and teaching are extremely helpful during this “dark” time (when peeps are heading off the grid or have general malaise). When the leaders (and Jen does raise an amazing point) air discontent, what tone will that spark long term?
Thank you for stopping in, Marcus!! You have hundreds of homes to visit and glad you chose mine!
Like I mentioned at @EricaAllison:disqus place, I’m trying to get a system in place that will help keep it from being open-ended. If you set the limitations ahead of time, and they are realistic, you can prevent burnout. But it takes most of us getting a little burnt out first to realize what those limits are.
Great food for thought, Adam. “It takes us getting burned out to understand that feeling and put up limits.” Indeed!
Heck, feeling burnout from blogging is good for us because then we know how our clients can feel!