Fringe benefits and the power of content
In this digital age, where information is exchanged at a rapid pace, content is the key to a successful communication. It is not just a matter of posting your message, photos or videos but how it can attract viewers and be loyal followers of your posts.
When I first created a Facebook page, I found it so scary to be sharing anything on Facebook and so everything I posted was private and for my eyes only or classified as "only me". My family found it funny and asked why in the world will I open a Facebook and tagged it as "only me". Well, the only purpose at that time is so that I can see the posts of family and friends.
I also opened a Twitter account to follow the tweets of foreign and local politicians. Later, I. created an Instagram account so I can follow the posts of my family and friends. The Linkedin I created resulted from people I met who asked if I have a Linkedin account. I did not, even up to this day completed my profile information in LinkedIn and it was more of people requesting for connection with me rather than me requesting for connection. Thus, I never maximized the use of my Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. I am more now of a Facebook user because it is therapeutic for me - one of my ways of relaxing and tuning out of everyday work and hustle bustle of life.
But I am curious about this buzz of using the social media in business and expanding my circle of friends and business connections. There was a time when I completely wonder why would people allow such a huge number of friends in their Facebook reaching even to the maximum of 5,000 friends! I even have to unfollow and blocked some friends, for one reason or another, like they seem to be posting so many things which for me are not relevant and sometimes I just want my posts to be seen by friends who I really know and not just acquaintances or complete strangers.
However, recently I came across a book which I have been reading by Keith Ferrazzi who has an in-depth advice for making connections in the digital world. He uses the term " Fringe" which refers to people in our network who are not within our close circle. Like some Facebook users, I only want people whom I know to be in my Friends list. But for some people like Ferrazzi who recognizes the benefits that Fringe brings, the more followers and people in the friends list the better.
What is the power of the Fringe anyway? According to his book, in this Information Age where information loses its value quickly, it is no longer the VIP or the top notched experts who has the only exclusive source of information. Nowadays, it is better to trade than to hoard information even with ordinary people. The playing field is more level now and an ordinary person can be a good source of information and the collective mindshare of his own network. We just to learn how to navigate the virtual geography where we sometimes connect with people just by mere common interest, shared curiosity, same work industry, etc.
One good example of an excellent networker is Robert Scobie. I went to his facebook page and true enough I am hooked at the knowledge I can gain from him. He usually focus on start-ups and its founders and the latest in technology and he is the sixth most influential " social media influencer" according to Forbes. Looking at his page will surely entice someone like me who is always on the look out for the latest in technology to follow him. It is no wonder that his inbound network ( those he chose to follow) is estimated at around 40k while his outbound is 400k according to the same book of Ferrazzi.
However useful social media can be, we still need to meet people faceto-face. Building our network from people we face offline can help us filter effectively whom to follow and include in our friends list. I also learned that in the digital world as in the offline world "give and take" will take you a lot further than just receiving without giving. If you are sincere in sharing information which other people can make use of, other people will do the same so that everybody will have a mutually beneficial digital relationships.
(Wilma Miranda is the Managing Partner of Inventor, Miranda & Associates, CPAs, BOD member of KPS Outsourcing, Inc.. The opinions expressed herein are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of these institutions) wilma_517@yahoo.com