Social Networking, Naturally
Despite the desire to maintain the momentum of my business, I decided to go ahead and take a two-week vacation with my family in southwestern Colorado earlier this month. As it turned out, even at an altitude of 8,671 feet and a location in the least populated county in Colorado (Hinsdale), Lake City has about half a dozen hot spots where one can still get free, high-speed Internet access. Places like the Cannibal Grill, Alpine Moose Lodge and the Sportsman Outdoors and Fly Shop.
It was good to get away for a while as the cacophony around social media is becoming deafening. I suppose I should be pleased as this is the focus of my business but it is far too easy to become jaded by the non-stop news coverage and ever expanding list of specious social media experts.
As I settled into our mountain hideaway (actually my in-laws house but a hideaway nonetheless) and started venturing out into the wilderness, I discovered a different kind of social networking that is literally as old as the hills.
In the San Juan Mountains, you don’t have to go far to discover MySpace or to enjoy a facebook group. In the lovely town park every afternoon, there are plenty of Flickr examples and on the day we ventured up to Crested Butte, I found one YouTube that I wouldn’t be caught dead on (actually if I took the first step on skis, I would be found dead on it). And, after a day out in the mountains, every feed is del.icio.us.
We had the truly special opportunity to be in Lake City for the fourth of July. I honestly though I was living in the “Willoughby” episode of the Twilight Zone. I found myself once again in a simple, perfect little mountain town in the middle of nowhere living the true benefits of social networking and Twitter as they have been played out for generations. No doubt about it, I can certainly Digg it.
After two weeks of this idyll, I was actually looking forward to getting back to Dallas re-energized by the true spirit of what genuine and authentic community can deliver – open, unfiltered communication, transparent intentions, effortless collaboration and much stronger and stable relationships.
« Some People Still Don’t Have a Clue. | Home | Astonishing Customer Service »
Comments
Hey, John. Great insights from vacation. Social networking takes its roots waaaaaaaaaaaay before the age of the internet, doesn’t it? It’s great you were able to strip away all the tools & technology and get at the root of the movement. Thanks for the reminder.
Looks like you had a great time. Hope you are all relaxed and rejuvenated.
I have put in significant time in growing my “friend” network on Facebook. I’m now upwards of 180 or so and around 150 LinkedIn. I’ve been selectively posting and learning the sites.
I now would like to go the next step and have a blog to steer folks to. Are you still contemplating a realtor program? If so I’d like to reconvene and further our discussions.
We’re also back from our vacation and I’m available when you are.
Will
Leave a Comment