Social media is the new bar and just like Cheers are all your regulars are present. And just like the eleven season long TV show, each character can enrich your life or your business if you just tune in and meet them.
Let's start with one of the most memorable characters, Sam Malone. This guy's years of experience with baseball, women or even just life, enthralled, appalled and made you laugh: sometimes all at once. These are the men and women on social media sites that not only have great stories of success to tell, but it's generally mixed with humor, and general down to earth commentary. They intrigue you with their life experience, keep you engaged with their go-getter attitude and sometimes even make you wonder how they made it work.
These folks are your go-to for advice on how to run your business better, a morale booster when you need a light at the end of the tunnel and are an inspiration for how you personally or professionally can overcome the present hurdles you have. These idealists have their audience comfortable enough with them that if they recommend "it" on one of their social media avenues, people are going to want to find out more.
You always have your Norms. These folks just live on the Internet. They are avid bloggers, Tweeters, facebook fanatics and are forever online. You tune in to their pages and they have hundreds of followers, tons of comments and are responding as well. They are a permanent fixture to the Internet no matter what the topic. You can ask them a question, get a comment from them or just learn what they are doing minute to minute: Even if they are just sitting on their couch. They have a lot to say about nothing generally, but are connectors to this vast following of disciples of their fodder. If you can get their attention with something that they like, they will broadcast it to the world.
Lest we not forget about Cliff. Cliff who knew it all, and had an answer for everything. You can type in a search for anything on any search engine and get a vast number of Cliffs. They know everything there is to know about anything on their subject matter; and even then some. Generally you hit their site on a Google search, or maybe you yourself are following them because they produce information about content you find valuable. Whether you believe what they say as a resource or want to prove them wrong as a nay sayer, you look into the content they are providing on their sites so you can see if you have a new nugget of knowledge.
After a long day at work, perhaps you look for any of Coach's social sites. He makes you feel good, shares the news of the day and makes you laugh. You feel great listening to what coach has to say because he may not be an authority but he's always up on what's going on.
Eventually you run into Dr. Fraiser Crane. He's either a friend of a friend on facebook, or that Twitter friend you are not sure why he's following you. Is he responding just to drive you crazy, or is there some merit to his rants? You keep him around because you know that as out of place he may be on your social network, he's tuned in, going to respond, and at least tell you how the other half lives; whether or not you want to hear it.
Never to be discounted are your Diane's of the social media web. She may not be a professional authority, she may not have a ton of background in what she's commenting, posting or responding about, but she's definitely thought provoking. She's coming from a place of concern and understanding your topic matter. Generally she has some like minded followers and connections who may offer your service or product a different angle than perhaps even your marketing people have looked at. She's heralding "listen to me" because she does have a valid point or opinion and should not be discounted just because she's a lowly waitress. There's a lot more behind this social media user and chances are the folks that she associates with can be an asset to you too.
Getting out there and looking at who's providing content, commentary and who's following them are keys to building your own Cheers. Think in terms of how the advice, opinions and connections these people have and influence the offer can help build your business or personal relationships.
Where as just passing individuals on the street, maybe they would have never given each other a second look or thought. Maybe they wouldn't even talk to each other if they weren't at Cheers. But these people were brought together at Cheers forming a network of folks that would each, in his or her own right bring something to the bar. These connections helped add depth, complexity and varying opinions to the dialogue that we loved about the show. Each of these characters offered something that can easily translate into someone you want following YOUR social network. Now get out there and create your own Cheers!And cheers to everyone you want knowing your name :)
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