Last week I was fortunate enough to be asked to speak at the first Chicago Social Media Breakfast. SMB has been in existence in other cities since 2007 but this was the first one in here in the Windy City. The event was separated into different groups with specific topics to discuss. My group was focused on social media and personal branding in regards to the job search and career advancement.

As marketers we are seeing a wholesale change in how companies engage in communication with their clients and consumers. In addition, the ways we as individuals communicate are also changing dramatically. I think for the most part marketers (especially in the last year) are really starting to grasp the enormous changes going on within their space.

What has continued to be a struggle for people is telling the difference between “blowing your horn” in regards to your talents/expertise and “communicating your passion” to a wider audience than your existing personal/professional network. The ability to help people and in turn receive recommendation has never been more important.  It’s a very organic way of self development which also can help you gain recognition and ultimately a new job, a promotion or new business for your organization.

My Top 5 Takeaways from our group discussions were:

1)      “The golden rule” treat others the way you would like to be treated. This will ultimately be something that will come back around to you.

2)      When networking on LinkedIn or other sites don’t “ask for a job” use the tools available to create awareness for your expertise to gain a larger network of targeted individuals for potential career placement and/or advancement.

3)      Use social media to create an integrated marketing campaign around a helpful blog post you have written (become a resource). This is a post I wrote describing an initiative I created here at Paladin: 

       Paladins Marketing Ninja guide: The 30 Minute Challenge

4)      Don’t close yourself off to just blogging, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. One of the attendee’s was discussing his use of Tumblr something I am going to attempt to utilize.

5)      Nothing replaces face to face contact. Definitely get out from behind your computer and regularly get out to coffee meetings, association evening events and luncheons. This is a post I wrote regarding networking events in Chicago: Paladins Galaxy Guide to Networking in Chicago

 We are all hearing the constant chatter (no pun intended) around social media. Some of the discussions are valid and some of are based upon lack of understanding and experience. My recommendation is to continue to share openly with each other and pay it forward. It’s a great community we have here in Chicago and I’m excited to attend future Social Media Breakfast’s!

I watched the election returns last Tuesday in Chicago (in my living room instead of Grant Park darn it! … but that is another story).  While the gray states turned blue, my thoughts turned from the historic political moment to communications. It then turned to engagement and thoughts of the effective use of social media in Obama’s campaign.

What a powerful way to harness and heighten the energy and enthusiasm of Obama’s supporters. Much has been written on the subject throughout the campaign. But now what?

What can be done with this incredible living, breathing momentum? What a shame it would be to have it dissipate after the election. How can it be used to help govern as well as elect? Literally as I said those words, President elect Obama released an email stating he was on the way to the Grant Park rally:

Jadey –

I’m about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don’t want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign — every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it’s time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign.

We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I’ll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing…

All of this happened because of you.

Thank you,

Barack

“I’ll be in touch soon”. . . . there it was. The promise that the mediums will be utilized to further the national agenda. And there is more. . . http://change.gov/ the President Elect’s website. The site provides information but also solicits ideas, stories, applications for positions. It is a give-and-take with the engaged public - transparent and two sided. Can this level of social media management be maintained? Will it become a part of governing? Will there be a staff role for this media alone? If so, will it report to the press secretary? Will other governmental agencies begin to adopt its use? In Obama’s words- his team is “Midwifing a new new kind of politics”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD099nxF3L0

It is exciting time for communications in America.

Here are a few recent references that comment on this subject for further reading:

Obama won the election – not social media – Jennifer Leggio on ZDNet

Social media Obama McCain Comparison – readwriteweb.com

How Will President Obama Use his Massive Social Media Influence

Ad Lab Tech Review on Obama’s Social Media