“Can we get to business?!” by Charles Wasilewski

(Back in early August I received a call from a very kind gentleman Charles Wasilewski from Aartrijk.  He asked me about doing a webinar about social media.  This was my first presentation done completely in webinar form.  We did it on September 2, 2009 –what a great experience!  Below is a blog he posted to the Aartrijk site about one of the questions that was asked in the webinar.  I have reposted with his permission. I hope you enjoy reading. Nibby)

That partly-excited, partly-frustrated-sounding question popped out at me from among several dozen when I was moderating a Webinar (”Social Media 101: Get Your Agency on Facebook and Twitter” presented by Insurance Journal) in early September.

The Webinar was presented by Nibby Priest of Vaughn Insurance Agency Co., who is among the most-active insurance producers I know in using social networking.

The question came while Nibby was showing how to get a personal Facebook page started. This is one of the  most-popular things to do on the Internet. After all, Facebook has 200 million-plus members and is among the top 5 most-visited Web sites in the world.

When I read the question, I sensed that the agent asking the question was impatient with all the “personal” Facebook material, and wanted to get to the important stuff: how to use Facebook to market and sell.

I’ve felt the same frustration in the past — until I realized that the personal nature of Facebook is what makes it popular and captivating for millions. Facebook isn’t like advertising or direct mail or an e-mail newsletter or a Yellow Pages ad. It’s not really a marketing tool or tactic to be pulled out of the marketing plan and executed.

It’s something very different: It’s a technological way to carry out social relationships online.

Facebook is popular because it allows people to:

– connect person-to-person

– choose people, brands, organizations, causes, and advertisers they want to connect with online … and shun or ignore those they don’t

– easily search and find people from their past and present to build relationships going forward into the future

So, for me, a lesson of “Social Media 101: Get Your Agency on Facebook and Twitter” was a reminder that social networking is about talking with people, not merely sending out business messages via advertising or marketing. I’m as big a fan as anyone of advertising and marketing, but Facebook requires a different approach. It requires a commitment to joining a community, providing value, presenting information and perspective, and building relationships.

The great hope of social networking for marketers is that when members of the community are ready to buy, they will find you — even seek you out — because they know you and know what you know.

- Charles Wasilewski

This blog is from The Aartrijk Group website please click to the site to see the comments. Charles also is a incredible poet. Nibby is enjoying his book of poems Far As The Curse Is Found: Poems In Six Places. To say the least.  Charles is a great guy to work with.   He is a gifted wordsmith!

My Hometown Henderson KY Newspaper-The Gleaner ROCKS!

If you haven’t picked up a copy of the Henderson KY Gleaner newspaper lately you should.

Take today (September 2, 2009)  for example the paper is full of many wonderful stories about our community and world around us such as:

Electronics Recycling starting next week – Way to go Henderson County Government and Pauline Allen!

Chuck Stinnett’s recent trip to Quebec and how he experienced multiple cultures and teaching me what a Loonie and Toonie are!  I did not realize how much Canada and Quebec has become a melting pot for so many people from other countries and religions.

Dear Myra McKee Polley’s bout with cancer and how she stays “Lookin’ Good”.  Judy Jenkins always writes the most touching stories.  I tell Judy Jenkins that her writing makes tears come to my eyes by her ability to capture a story.

Home building in Henderson KY  is picking up.  Henderson KY is is a great place to live, work and raise a family!

How our ugly now defunct power plant in downtown is being turned into art and a tool to teach architecture students.

A interesting Night Club Owner/Producer in Evansville Dies.  Wow, he was just ahead of his time.

How a Hospital in Des Moines Iowa is using Twitter to keep patients informed about surgery.   Wonder if Methodist Hospital (Henderson KY’s local hospital) administrators saw this news article?  It is a great idea and the article said “one way to further relationships” and keep patients in Henderson KY for medical care.  (this is not online Gleaner but is a national story, you can find the article on page A6 of 9/2/09 print edition of gleaner or this AP Online  News Article)

Way to go Gleaner editors and writers you truly are the best. Keep up the great work.  I know things are tough, but your work is above average in my small opinion.

What is your favorite Gleaner Newspaper story today?