Well, I thought I’d be the first commenter here since I’m up so early – almost made it!

I really enjoyed the video, Mark. I’d love to see more, so please keep pushing yourself. :p (uh oh, there’s a smiley!).

What a great story. I have so many, it’s tough to pick one out. On a personal level, it might be the one where, after connecting with someone local on Twitter through another of my Twitter (and then IRL) friends, we discovered that she had a piano she needed to sell, and I desperately wanted one (I grew up playing the piano and hadn’t been able to since I moved to the US). I ended up getting a great piano for literally a steal!

Almost all my business has come to me through the social web, or, at least, it has played a significance part. Since you talked about teaching, it reminded me of how I got my position at Hopkins; I was introduced to my program chair through an IABC friend, who’d seen me get very active in social media. Now I’ve been teaching there for 3 years. 

Even better, when I’ve needed help, I’ve been able to hire former students as sub-contractors, and one of my favorite clients ended up coming to me through a former student. That work has also expanded, and I’ve been able to bring in someone to help me with that project – someone I first met on Twitter and then IRL.

I love it when worlds collide.

I’ll bet I know why before I even watch the video. Hold on please.

The best part of this video is how your warmth and professional generosity shines through. It’s not hard to see why new business follows…kudos!

I thought you did a fine job presenting on video. One question. Is CK a part of the team you put together for the company pitch? Since you asked for our Twitter connection stories, here’s a link to a story I recently posted on my blog about how I connected with Ken Blanchard on Twitter – and why it happened. http://bit.ly/iPMJaa After I publicized the post on Twitter using his Twitter handle, Ken DM’ed me right away to say he loved the post and RT’d it to his 25k followers. It was a last minute post I put together when I saw an email message come across my screen saying that Ken was following me on Twitter and it led to a very good day for my blog. Enjoy!

A great way to put it Shonali.  Thanks for sharing those experiences!

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel like awkward on video.  I wish I had your easy going style on video Gini!  You’re the best!

That is a really good point Lance. It is almost never an instant thing. I like to say that the business plan for social media is, “you just never know!”  Thanks for the great comment!

Collaboration, passion, value, video and you… this indeed works, thank you Mark for your marvelous reminder?

Mark

Really enjoyed your video – you’ve got a very real and engaging style and the message is grounded and helpful

Its a funny thing how we are used to being in front of rooms of people and engaging and inspiring folks but as soon as the Video camera comes out it has the ‘Kryptonite around superman’ effect.

You are Kryptonite-proof – keep up the videos!

Regards from the UK

James
@jameslramsay:twitter 
 

I smiled all the way through the video, and you are great on camera. 

Such an enigma isn’t it?  I am definitely more comfortable in front of 500 people than alone, in my hotel room with a video camera. It is strange, I’ll grant you that. : )

Thanks Ryah!

Thank you Mark!

Don’t give up on video.  Your passion is evident in your blog all the time but it is contagious in the video.  You have extended the reach of your classroom.  The good news for your audience is we don’t have to pay tuition to attend.  We also never cut class.

“Why am I waving my fist in the air?  You will just have to click on the video to see!”I haven’t even watched the video yet but I’m laughing so hard at this opening line and that image of you that I wanted to first thank-you for a much needed moment of good humor. You have a way with captions, headlines and imagery.

Now back to the video and your article. But first I need to wipe up the coffee I spilled while laughing.

Mark you need to keep doing this, please. So genuine. Was your last video blog the one about the Art Galleries?

You speak the truth Mark. If not for twitter we wouldn’t have met and the work you’ve helped our team at MLT Creative with could fill another video. Great video and good luck on that project! Your positive energy is contagious.

Ha!  So funny.  Nice to see my star student around the blog!!

Ha!  I always end up looking so stupid in these You Tube screen captures. They give you three to choose from and the other two were even worse than this one. I’m pleased that it always makes you laugh when I look like an idiot : )

Brilliant.  What a gift to all of us this comment is!  Beautifully said. I am excited and energized by the progress I see in every one of your comments.  Now … when do you start the blog??? And you don’t live that far away. I hope you plan to meet all the people from {grow} at Social Slam April 27, 2012!

Ok. Ok. I suppose they do. Plus you had the podcast with Mitch Joel. You’re forgiven.

The video is great.  Congratulations on the proposal.  Fingers crossed it all works out.  It is amazing the people you “meet” via Twitter. I’m trying to build my connections in hopes it leads to a new career.  I love meeting new people and “stalking” those who are pioneers.  It takes a lot of work to build an online community.  But, your story is inspiring!

Mark, thanks for your response. Oh, I have a blog–I started it nearly a year ago, but have seen a big increase in readership after getting on Twitter, even though there aren’t that many direct referrals from Twitter or the related apps. It’s called “Close To Home; Perspectives on Child Health in SW Virginia” and can be found at http://www.carilionclinic.org/blogs/ackerman/. I was the first (and so far only) doc in my system to be blogging. Most of them can’t even find their way onto the web for FB or Twitter. And they think I am wasting my time.

I must admit, I started it without ANY real concept of what to do or how to do it. Read a few books on blogging, and it took a while to find my voice. Then in May, since all the blogging info said blogs worked best when combined with other forms of social media I decided to take the Twitter plunge. Started my Twitter account all wrong (no bio or picture) but changed all that after I read the Tao of Twitter a few weeks later.

I think that right now my blog is too narrowly focused and my twitter account is too broad (I am interested in too many things). However, the way to generate focused twitter followers is by attending and participating in the Twitter chats, which has further increased my blog readership. All I have to do now is to Blog MORE OFTEN and regularly. Hah! more easily said then done.

Love the video Mark!  Such a great way to further share your message with those who don’t have the pleasure of getting to chat with you in person and/or who may not be as into reading an article as watching a video.  The use of both is very powerful. 

I did love CK’s energy in Social Slam and have followed her blog ever since.  You opened my eyes to a whole new realm of talent with that event.

I still recommend The Tao of Twitter (http://www.thetaooftwitter.com/) constantly for VIEO Design’s clients and we are thrilled to have had the honor of working on the Tao website (ah yes, I do use the East TN pronunciation).  

Congrats on your upcoming gig – can’t wait to find out more about that : )

I want to tease you, ask what Gini paid for that endorsement.. except she really is a natural presenter, very good on camera.

First, like others have said, great video. You really did a nice job and your passion oozes through. Having met you “IRL”, I know that the video really shows the real you. It’s not a facade. That’s what makes it so great. I think it’s normal to feel awkward on video. I know I do. But, I can assure you that you did great. People really like seeing the human side of things, isn’t that what this is all about, after all?
Second, congrats on the new business! I’m really excited for you and all of these new opportunities. It’s well deserved. Oh, and I almost forgot, as for social media networking stories? There are lots. You’re right, it’s amazing. And, I certainly count our friendship as one of the many successes of social networking at it’s finest. 

There are teachers and then there are TEACHERS! I have had both and you definitely fall into the latter category. Awkward or not you come across as passionate, genuine, and natural on video…maybe you should keep some of the awkward part . I was totally inspired by your video and I finally broke down and ordered a quality webcam for my computer system. I can only hope I come across as well as you.

Can you send me an email? I might have an opportunity for you.

Mark, I love real life examples of successes that are easy to relate to. What might be really cool would be to invite the {Grow} community to submit case examples like this for guest videos (or written blogs).  You’ve published a few of these over the years (and they’ve all been awesome). Maybe making it a subset of {Grow} rather than the main thread would be a good way to do this and attract an entirely new audience looking for “real life” examples.

Kind of you to say.  Good luck with that!

Thanks Autumn. I literally couold fill EVERY blog post with stories such as this. It happens every day. Very powerful stuff. Believe!

Thanks so much Holly. CK rocks!

Have faith. You’re doing all the right things! : )  Thanks for your comment and kind support Davina!

Well, I think my next one WILL be over coffee. That is a good idea!

Thanks Adam.  I really do believe in it because I have seen dozens, if not hundreds, of my students benefit from “The Tao.” It’s not technology. It’s a mindset and that’s what most people miss.

You never know who will hold the key to your next success. As my friend Boe Parrish says, “You are only one connection away from your destiny!” The real world techniques I write about, I also use on Social Media. Would love for you to visit and contribute at hhtp://NetworkingNinjas.net