NOWSOURCING

About Blog Careers Contact Portfolio Services Shop

Blog

January 1st, 2008

You Know You’re a Social Media Addict When…

Posted by: Brian

Follow @twitter

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Send to a friend

(image credit: Jinx)

Ok, this is a true story that happened to me 2 days ago. I was in a bank parking lot and saw a random guy wearing a Digg hoodie. Soon after, I found myself walking over to him, thinking I’d start talking about about digg, but then I thought …wtf am i doing? I don’t even know this guy (he didn’t appear to be Muhammad Saleem or any other notable diggers, but you never know)!

He was talking to a friend and I was kind of standing around and then he went into his car so I left. This was such a weird feeling. Would you go up to a random stranger on the street? What do you say – “hey nice Digg Hoodie?” “what’s your username?”

Sometimes it is hard to make social media offline translate into a meaningful experience. Naturally a coordinated even like SMX will bring things together, but random encounters walking up to people might give people the wrong idea about you…

About the Author

Brian Wallace is the founder of NowSourcing, Inc., a social media agency since 2005 serving everyone from startups to the Fortune 500 and everything in between. Prior to founding NowSourcing, Brian worked in a variety of technical and marketing environments being a Chief Technology Officer for a noted media company. Brian holds an MBA and MS in Information Systems and resides in Louisville, KY with his wife and children. He started the group social media blog, Collective Thoughts and appears as a guest author on Mashable and Google Tutor.
View all posts by Brian

http://www.alistseo.com Mark Laymon

In the past year I have had 3 new social media friends come up to me and talk to me about my SEO hat.

Mark Laymon’s last blog post..When to Post When You Have Little to Say
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@Mark: yes, it would have been good to have met him, but he was already in the car and going away. I’m far from shy and it met have been beneficial.
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com Jason Falls

Ah, Brian. You don’t know the joys of being a redneck yet. Here in the Bluegrass, we’d just yell out and interrupt them, “YEAH DIGG!” and waive. If he was curious, he’d stop and chat.

But I applaud your civility.

Jason Falls’s last blog post..Five Resolutions For Your Year In Social Media
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@Jason: you caught me. I’m not a redneck. You’ve got to admit that redneck and Digg are not typically used in the same sentence…well, maybe to make fun of rednecks

Just playing, KY is a great place.
http://www.socialmediamom.com Social Media Mom

I would love to see someone in a Digg shirt. I would totally go up and meet them, find out if they have a blog or what. I might even ask about the sweatshirt, like did he buy it off the site or get it as a prize or convention or what. Great conversation starter. He was probably wearing it so someone would say something.

Social Media Mom’s last blog post..Social Media For 2008
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@Social Media Mom: yeah, he got away before I spoke to him. Don’t worry, I’ll get the next one and randomly interview them here
http://fashionablygreat.com/ MikeonTV

Its the guys with the NowSourcing shirt you shouldn’t talk to! j/p
http://standup101.blogspot.com Lucy Dee

I have had the pleasure of meeting Muhammad Saleem! I hung out with him–twice (on 2 different occasions!) And I had a blast!

But I digress: Let us briefly reevaluate the phrase, “social media.”

That first word: “social” … is important to pay attention to. I think that’s the key thing you missed out on. Becoming social! It’s not just for the net, you know…

So just do it already! You only live once! Next time you see a social media-head like that, just say something. Trust me! People love to be chatted up, especially on such a “specialized” subject.

You’re a part of a small clan, that will hopefully grow bigger. But unfortunately, a lot of people will never catch on and surf Digg pages or StumbleUpon any SU sites. Don’t be afraid. Plus, it’ll make great dinner conversation for you (and the person you chat up).

Lucy Dee’s last blog post..2008 awaits…
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@MikeonTV: dude, you’re totally not getting NowSourcing shirt!

@ Lucy Dee: I’m very social, and the guy left before I got to him. Figured that this experience would be something that many in the “clan” as you put it could relate to.
http://www.openjason.com Jason

That is so true.. it’s like there’s an unspoken/unknown comeradity, but saying something would be weird… very true… Nice post!

jason

Jason’s last blog post..Shopping Carts – Open Source or Paid Platform?
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@Jason (not Falls): sometimes you do what you have to do break the ice. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a real window of opportunity…

Glad you liked the post.
http://www.PimpMyNews.com John

You know your a social media addict when…

You log off your laptop in bed, roll over, turn on your iPhone to do your last tweet of the day -and silently praise yourself for shutting down your laptop before 1 am.
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@John: …and 1am is just your daily nap, and you’re back for more at 2:30am!
SilentJay74

For Jason, Mike, and Brian, if I see anyone wearing a Digg, Fark, or any other social media swag here in Ky, I will talk to them. I got no problem breaking the ice. Speaking of which, I can’t wait to see everyone on the 22nd.
L8r guys! Great article!
http://www.thebigfish.co.za Jansie Blom

i thought rednecks made fun of digg?
http://www.nowsourcing.com/blog brian

@SilentJay74: Way to break the ice and looking forward to the 22nd (more on that soon).

@Jansie: no. Everyone makes fun of Digg
http://www.manishpandey.com Manish Pandey

Wow! What an awkward feeling would it have been. Umm…I might have gone to him and asked how do you do? Keep myself away from asking his digg username, well I don’t think he would have frowned upon you.

Manish Pandey’s last blog post..Top 11 Link Baiting Guides That Everybody Ought To Read
http://www.techtipsblog.com mike b. – searchbuzz

I get more comments when I wear my ‘Google Dance’ shirt than anything else! I love wearing it!!

mike b. – searchbuzz’s last blog post..“Lost” Generation?
http://www.jesieblogjourney.com jesie

I would probably ask where he bought his Digg hoodie from? Perhaps I am a lady I could ask such questions. Then see how the conversation goes.

Too bad he drove away.
http://www.jinx.com/digg/zip_up_hoodie.html SOL_667

I think everyone is looking for a connection. I wear my “Not even Norton can protect you” all the time and I get tons of great comments. I believe Geek has become a subculture of its own and to wear a digg hoodie is a way of identifying yourself with this subculture. Maybe he wears it to have people connect with him?
http://www.desigu.com that jon jackson

ha ha ha.
That’s awesome.

Too bad that “kindred spirits” feeling wore off before you said something.

I do stuff like that, but my rational thinking doesn’t kick in till after the conversation.
stonedparadox

i think you potentially just lost a friend there

or a type of friend to be honest

if THAT was me and i saw him i would of instantly walked over and had a chat with him

do u remember that build your own nation website?
i was at a concert and THEY were there and they had there flag
it was like 4/5 of them
i went over to them and had a ball with them

theres always a chance they could be assholes but thats the risk u task

Risk it for a buscuit as they say
http://seoroi.com/ Gab “SEO ROI” Goldenberg
http://myreflections.info Reflectioner

I don’t even have the guts to order a T-shirt from Alexa with my blog name on it. I can’t imagine myself in a position where I have to talk to somebody who knows me or heard about me on the internet. That’s something still taboo.

Reflectioner’s last blog post..How to make your own motivational posters

Get In Touch T 502 442 7914
howdy @ nowsourcing.com

NowSourcing, Inc.
4010 Dupont Circle, Suite 409
Louisville, KY 40207

Check out our monthly newsletter. We won't spam you.

1,225 READERS

FOLLOWERS

NOWSOURCING

Blog

You Know You’re a Social Media Addict When…

About the Author

Archive

Categories

Authors

NOWSOURCING