"Don't be that guy!"

People have been doing business socially for generations:  over dinner, at cocktail parties, on the golf course and in numerous social settings. 


Suppose you're chatting at a party, and your friend is sharing about the recent loss of a loved one or a serious concern about their child.  Someone you know casually walks boldly into your personal space, interrupts your friend's heartfelt communication mid-sentence, and blurts out:  "Hi, I'm Bob.  You may not have enough personal life insurance in the event of an unexpected tragedy.  Can we set an appointment to discuss your insurance needs?" 


If you're a kind, patient person, you think "What a jerk" but say, "No thanks.  Would you please excuse us?"  If you're like me, a sinful person and less than patient with such a  #?*@!#  idiot, you react stronger and think something that would make a raunchy, foul-mouthed comedian blush.


It's no different in the world of Social Media than it is at a party.  In fact, social media has been compared by many to a social party.  Be sure not to behave like "Bob, the Insurance Guy" and be known by those who are listening on social media as "That Guy".  The video below, featuring social media guru Chris Brogan, speaks directly to avoiding this error of ignorance.  Chris is the kind of guy who can definitely teach an Old Dog a few New Tricks.


Advice to Old Dogs: pick a type of social media to explore and just LISTEN to what others are saying on that forum before you try to speak.  Don't make the mistakes that I initially made.


(My apologies to my friends who make their living in the insurance world.  It is an honorable profession when practiced with integrity.  I should know - I was an insurance salesman a long time ago when I was a Young Dog.  Be sure you have sufficient life insurance to cover your loved ones.  Really.) 

Thanks for sharing 223 seconds of your day,
Smitty