I talk a lot about the power of social search, and today I’ve experienced a perfect example. On my way back from a late, quick lunch errand, I found myself facing a dilemma and needing quick answers. I posted a query to my knowledgeable and enlightened Twitter network, knowing I’d benefit from instant expertise.
Note: I also could have posed the question on LinkedIn’s Answers forum or searched by keyword on Delicious, but I was in need of immediate assistance. Twitter did not let me down. Before mere minutes had ticked by, I was in luck – informed, educated and helpful souls were sharing their advice and experiences.
Is this a silly example? Sure. Does it illustrate the power of social search? Absolutely. Because I follow – and seek to be followed by – people who are knowledgeable about PR, marketing, social media, tech topics and central Ohio, I could have just as easily posed a serious query on any number of topics. I know my Twitter network would have come through with answers in those instances as freely as they did in the case of the dropped cookie.
Would you rather get answers from a nameless, faceless, personality-less seach engine (no offense Google et al) or from an intelligent, informed network of experts who can understand the nuances of context, uncover hidden wealths of information and still get back to you instantly?
The lesson here, for me, is to surround youself online with the kinds of people you most want to be with in person - as well as those whom you most want to be like. Are you “friending” and following anyone and everyone on social networks like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn? Or are you strategically cultivating a network of expert sources and people for whom you, in turn, can be an informed and knowledgeable source?
These are important questions to ask. As important as, say, wondering whether you can still pick up and eat a cookie after inadvertently dropping it. Not that I would ever do such a thing.
If you liked this post, please consider subscribing to my blog via RSS feed or email.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Monte // Sep 18, 2008 at 8:49 pm
You have made an excellent point in that developing a social network on twitter is basically a trust your neighbor type thing. Out here in the western rural areas, it is extremely important to be able to ask a neighbor for advice, and trust that the answer is one to live by. To drop a cookie and pick it up to eat is a small thing when you look at the bigger picture of trust.
2 Jen // Sep 23, 2008 at 10:09 pm
You’re adorable! Absolutely adorable! Have to tell you though, on Mythbusters they found that the 5 second rule does not exist. Contact is contact and exposure is exposure. But, chocolate chip cookies are chocolate chip cookies, so all bets are off.
I love the fact that you’re blogging!
3 Sarah Z. // Sep 25, 2008 at 7:45 am
You’re exactly correct Lara. This is the perfect example I needed to demonstrate the power of tools like Twitter to friends who, despite their active networking abilities, consider Twitter similar to stalking. I knew that it was a strong tool but I don’t have an example like this (yet) to make my point. Thank you for this blog!
4 Sora Kim // Sep 29, 2008 at 11:39 am
The power of social networking is truly amazing. I love how you asked if you should still eat a cookie after dropping it on the ground! And even better the responses are funny and informative. What’s great about twitter is that when you post your question you can get immediate responses from your peers.
I had a question about twitter, can anyone post to your question or blog? Is this site international or is it strictly American?
In regards to your point about adding certain people on facebook or “strategically cultivating a network of expert sources and people for whom you, in turn, can be an informed,” I go to college for public relations and use facebook for friendship and to keep up on what my friends are up to. Not only do I use facebook for friendship but I also use it to add public relations groups that will inform me about job postings, what to expect in a “real world” position, any tips or advice given from people in the field (this can be on an international level as well depending on who responds to the discussion), read articles that others have posted and much more.
I believe social networks like facebook for example can give you the best of both worlds. You can add all of your friends and use it in a social aspect but you can also find useful information that can benefit, in my case, towards my future career. But the answer to your cookie question is an important one even though you didn’t eat it even though people were suggesting it was still good after 2-3 seconds.
5 larak // Sep 30, 2008 at 9:08 am
Monte, Jen and Sarah, thank you so much for your comments. I really appreciate them!
Sorah, thanks for visiting and for your comments as well. Twitter is an international site for sure – I follow people there from all over the world. Where are you based?
6 TarotByArwen // Oct 6, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Twitter has made me feel as though my world has expanded. Today I talked about my new experiences with WiiFit and found several of my Twitterhood also do WiiFit. It was fun to get feedback and instant “atta girl’s” from everyone.
Leave a Comment