DISQUS

Hey,

Great post. So would another example be....I can't do business in Iowa...Iowa companies aren't ready for what I sell?

Drew

Jo,

I think it's an exciting question. "What else do my customers really need?" Now we're not selling -- we are helping.

For many people in the service industry, that feels a lot better than hard selling. And in the end, it earns us even more repeat business.

You can't beat that!

Drew

Sandy,

Thanks for helping us tell the world about the Age of Conversation 2. It's a great read, with plenty of new thinking and ideas. Your readers will find some fresh perspectives in the 250+ pages.

And...all the proceeds benefit the world's children. You can't beat that combo!

Drew

Matt,

Thank you so much for helping us spread the word. This is a project that is successful because everyone did their part -- and you've sure done yours!

We're so glad to have you as one of our authors!

Drew

Mike,

It's pretty tough to think less of a person simply because they're human. The reality is -- everyone of us has been in a place where we couldn't do it alone. I think the man who allows his ego to step in the way of other's support and help is the shameful one. They were offered a helping hand but pride got in the way.

I think it takes a man of incredible courage to recognize and be humble enough to acknowledge that life has knocked him to his knees and he needs a hand to get back up on his feet. He is the stronger man of the two because he knows that you don't rebuff God's gift of the helping hands/hearts. Even when it tugs at his pride.

You and I have talked about your story before. I will tell you now what I told you then. God always litters our path with what/who we need. I'm grateful you were a strong enough man to accept the help, so that you could serve so many others down the road.

Drew

Wow....good thing I have a Google alert like you taught me. Otherwise, I might not have seen this until I checked my RSS feeds (like you taught me) later in the day. Later today, I will publish a new post (like you taught me) and put the finishing touches on Age of Conversation 2 (giving back -- like you taught me). So this social media stuff is working for me! :)

I've been blessed all my life with amazing teachers and you have certainly been one of those for me. I continue to learn from you every day and have no doubt that will continue. I'm pretty clear on who is the coach!

Despite all of that...the best thing to come out of that Panera encounter (of course!) was the friendship we now share. I love you too.

Thanks for the unexpected shout out and kind words. Not sure I've earned them all, but I'll stay at the plate swinging, until I do!

Drew

Jason,

Good post -- right on point. I think it also depends on who your blog is aimed at/who your audience is. Many of our colleagues are blogging to the social media crowd. So I assume they're making their living by serving that population.

So BlogWorld etc. is right on the money for them. Especially, if they have a book to sell or their blog is generating revenue with ads.

Let's face it -- we're ahead of the curve on this one. So the presentation we've give at BlogWorld to our peers is incredibly different from one you'd give the PRSA club or I'd give to a bunch of rural electric co-op presidents.

What I love about talking to non-social media "believers" is that there are truly some remarkable tools they just don't know about. We can have impact on how they do business. Which, I think, is the way to invite them into the realm of social media. Make it valuable to them.

Good discussion starter!

Drew

Mike,

Ahh, people are going to love this! If you're going to learn, you might as learn from the guy who's already mastered it! I've got some employees who are going to be sitting in the front row!

Drew

Mike,

Friendship is a full contact sport. I'm not going anywhere.

Drew

Jack,

Thanks for compiling this amazing list. You know, we take all of these generous people for granted but when you see the list, the smarts are staggering!

Thanks for including The Marketing Minute but even bigger thanks for including Age of Conversation. We're knee deep in the editing process of Age of Conversation '08!

Again -- kudos to you for creating such a remarkable resource.

Drew

Drew McLellan's last blog post..Are you simplifying things for your customers?

This is fascinating. Going to blog about it soon! Congrats on the good work!

Drew

Doug,

This is excellent -- thanks for doing it! All the authors will love it.

Drew

Scott,

Sorry to be late for the party. Been a little pre-occupied with the floods! I just wanted to add my congrats to the crowds! Ford made a very wise choice in finding someone who understands both the how and the heart of social media.

Enjoy the new adventure!

Drew

Angela,

Have been out of town and just heard. Sorry you were down for the count. Go slow getting back at it! Want me to bring you something from Panera? You body is probably going through withdrawal!

Drew

Debra,

I suppose this is one of those "we'll never know the true story" situations. You're right...they have received a lot of buzz.

But, I'm not sure it's the kind of buzz I'd want. I don't remember one thing they said about Vista -- do you?

I completely agree that it was probably a fun purely internal piece. But is there such a thing anymore?

Great meeting you!

Drew

Beth has many great insights -- thanks for sharing them. Business owners need to remember that re-gaining marketshare lost because they went dormant during an economic downturn is going to cost them a lot more than just holding steady.

Drew

Thank you for sharing the opportunity with your readers! We'd love to have them voice their opinion and/or sign up to be an author.

We're glad to have you on the 2008 team!


Drew

John,

I agree -- Slideshare is an excellent tool! One of my favorite aspects of it is how much you can learn by viewing others presentations. There's a lot of brilliant and not so brilliant work there. It's like a learning lab!

Drew

I would not hire any employee today without checking for them on Google, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and any other online "watering hole."

Good, bad or ugly -- it reveals a great deal about the potential hire's judgment, discretion and common sense.

Drew

Ben & family,

Congratulations! Cherish every moment. And don't drop him. I always like to add something practical! ;-}

Drew

Doug,

Thanks for the plug! I hope your readers will come over and add their 2 cents!

And I loved your contributions -- you're right on the money with everyt suggestion!

Drew

Andy,

This meme is a great idea. It invites all of us to reward the smart blogs that we read and help them gain new readers. It also allows us to introduce our readers to some great new content and thinking.

Much like the z-list meme, your idea will work because it is not about us, it's about us putting the spotlight and offering accolades to people who have already given us value.

Thanks for thinking of it!


Drew

Ben,

As usual -- excellent points! Frankly, I think not responding when someone comments is just rude. It's like having someone in your house talking to you and you just walk into the other room.

Even if it's a group "thanks everyone for the great comments" kind of reply, at least acknowledge their effort and time.

I'm going to be thinking about all of these as I keep plugging away!

Drew

Ray,

Excellent post and points. Thanks so much for a very timely and timeless message!

Drew

Ben,

Boy, DO I hear you with this. But, I have found a software (originally it was to synch with my Palm) that really helps me manage lots of information, passwords, URLs, credit card #s, frequent flyer #s -- you get the idea.

Check out splashID.com

It has really saved my hide more than once!


Best,

Drew