Originality

What's in a name? A lot. What's in someone else's name? Certainly not you.

People - family, friends, colleagues, and taking it a step further; fans, followers, and other audiences want to engage with you, not a semblance of you, or you parroting someone else.

Your thoughts, your beliefs, your faith, your dreams, your musings, and your opinions - that's what we are hoping to engage and learn. Worried that someone's not interested or that you're uninteresting? Lies, all lies. There's always someone that is ready and willing to celebrate your uniqueness with you.

Whether you're speaking, blogging, tweeting, writing, conversing, posting - whatever the communication form may be, punctuate it with you.

Be yourself, you are much more interesting that way.

Weekender

Note: I am starting a new tips series called "Socially Speaking" and it will appear on -you guessed it- weekends.

Socially Speaking for 8.20.11:

Transparency lends itself to credibility.

If you mess up, admit it. If you don't know the answer to a question, admit it. If you're inexperienced, admit it. If you're willing to admit that you're not perfect, a work-in-progress, or open to suggestion, your audience is more likely to take you more seriously. You build your credibility and trustworthiness. The quickest way to lose credibility? Lie or attempt a cover up.

Be honest, be real, be transparent.

Social Media: Rules of Engagement

Every social media professional will guarantee you that their "rules of engagement" are the best. If you boil it down to the nuts and bolts all prescribed rules are basically the same repackaged core principles. I've combed the web and assembled my favorites.

1. Be Transparent. Your honesty (or dishonesty) will be picked up right away in social media communities. (src: www.marketlikeachick.com)
2. Embody the attributes you wish to portray and instill – operate by a code of conduct. (src: www.briansolis.com)
3. Listen before you talk. (src: www.usemyhead.com)
4. Stay relevant. (src: Charlene Li, author of Groundswell)
5. Keep the conversation going. (src: www.britopian.com)
6. There's not much, if any room, for automation in social media. (src: blog.webdistortian.com)
7. If somebody goes out of their way for you in social media make sure you reciprocate the gesture. (src: www.kunocreative.com)
8. Travel with your networks. Go virtually with your friends, followers, subscribers, etc on their adventures...take part in their lives via social networking. (src: me. I like to "do life" with the people I engage with.)
   
9. Be cautious. Protect yourself and your privacy. (src: www.talentzoo.com)
   
10. Always, without hesitation, say thank you. Show gratitude even in the simplest of scenarios. It goes a LONG way. (src: common sense)

Pack light, virtual travel doesn't require a lot of baggage.
Did I miss anything you think should have been included?

Tweet, Retweet & Repeat?

New to Twitter? A seasoned tweeter? It doesn't matter. Before you get started or if you're already thousands of tweets old; learn the rules of engagement.

• It's not all about you and/or your business.
  
• If you wouldn't say what you're about to tweet to someone's face, best to leave it untweeted.
• Someone's content is really interesting? Retweet it!
• You like a tweet and wish it was yours? Don't steal it, give attribution.
• 50 tweets in five minutes? Not necessarily a good idea.
• Auto-tweets all day, every day? Go away.
  
• You're a buzz kill? Hey that's fine, but keep it to yourself.
• If people retweet your content or say something nice to you, it doesn't hurt to say 'thanks.'
• Would you kiss your momma with that mouth? If your tweet is more than 75% expletives, maybe reconsider how you're phrasing what's on your mind.
• If your tweet has anything to do with your bathroom habits; don't share it.
  

What does this all boil down to? The Golden Rule. Tweet others as you want to be tweeted. Try universally applying these thoughts to all social networking. Heck, apply 'em to life in general!

ROI: Return on Investment

You ever heard the old addage, you reap what you sow? Well it's true.

If you don't invest in relationships, over time you will find yourself without relationships, or at least with little in common with those that you care about.

If you constantly spew out negative language, people will evenutally ignore you, move on, or hit the mute button.

If you spend the time carefully researching and developing products and services, you are bound to find one that's a homerun.

If you treat customers with care and prioritize their needs, you will find yourself with a plethora of brand ambassadors.

Think about it, how hard is it to take the extra time to give of yourself, or to do something the right way the first time? In most circumstances and situations, it's not that difficult.

You have a lot control over the quality of investment you make, or the lack thereof.

Humility is an Honest Quality...

On Wednesday evening, I (and 2499 of my "closest" friends) spent our time with the President. Former President George W. Bush, that is. "W" is a man who spent 8 years under the scrutiny of a nation and the national media. His every step being monitored, questioned, and judged. For his term as President was marked with a national tragedy unlike anything seen my generation or many others. An act of terrorism was committed on our soil and it was up to "W" to lead 280+ million people as cohesively as he could.

Was this an easy feat for any man? No. Would any man make mistakes along the way? Yes. How many people had the privilege of leading our nation prior to Bush? 42. Did this fact go to his head? No. One Wednesday evening, we were treated to a night of comfortable conversation, good natured humor, anecdotal nostalgia and the occasional plug of his new book.

"W" took center stage at the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce's Annual Dinner at approximately 8 pm and shared with us the highs and lows of his presidency. Making no apologies for being committed to faith, mission and serving the people of the United States, Bush recounted his thoughts and feelings behind some of hardest decisions made as the Commander in Chief. He was relentless in his praise of our armed forces, his emphasis on the need for a principled mind and moral fiber to run the country, and of course in his desire to never criticize his predecessor.

The common theme that peppered every quote, joke, and story he shared? Humility. This man ran our country. He's one of 44 to have this commendable privilege. Did it go to his head? No. He's real, raw and at times, self-effacing.

Am I looking to convert you to his fan club? No. In fact, all I hope to accomplish in this musing of mine is to share the fact that I enjoyed my time listening to the President. I admit I was riveted by what he had to say, because I hold a great deal of respect for the office he formerly held. If I could impart only two (of the many) impactful points he spoke, I'd choose:

• "How can I point out the speck in your eye, when I've got a log in my own. The most important verse for any President."

And,

• "I will not criticize my predecessor. I believe when you leave the Office, you exit the stage."

Thank you, Mr. President. It was a sincerest pleasure.

An April Fool...

Wow, where did the month of April go? All I can recollect of the experience is the rain, rain, and more rain. I feel like a fool for not savoring the 30 days of showers that April had a bit more, for earnestly seeking the May flowers.

That thought lends itself to a conversation I recently had with my husband. We were reflecting on the fact that at times, life takes place in the details. And, if you overlook the details in pursuit of what's ahead, you may just miss some of life's greatest moments passing you by!

Were the April showers really that bad? Honestly, no. The outcome and benefits of the rain? The May flowers!

Not only does attending to the details make you stop and take pause from time to time, but it's character building as well.

Don't be an April fool and miss out on some of the greatest aspects of life for being in hot pursuit of the greener grass.

How will you make time to stop and smell the roses in the month of May?