(For the latest news on this subject, check out: SocialMediaAdventure.com)
TOO MANY Friends?
“Do you really know ALL of your facebook friends? There’s NO WAY you have actually met all of those people!”
These are statements I hear often, and it’s understandable considering the fact that I have thousands of facebook & twitter connections. The comments come in many variations, but they are all implying the same thing… those thousands of friends? They aren’t REAL friends….
Rob Harter, co-pilot extraordinnaire
At first I felt guilty for having so many friends, and would have a hard time answering that question. But then, the revelation came. After being asked that question while on a recent road trip, my friend (and co-pilot) Rob Harter reminded me to look at the glass as ‘half full’. My response then became clear: “No, I haven’t met all of them personally… but imagine what a party it would be if I did!” Can you imagine what it would be like to have that many genuine friends? Or better yet, to have them all in the same place at the same time, celebrating our friendship?
And so began the experiment…
I decided to interact with my online friends in a way that I hadn’t attempted before. I sent an update to facebook & twitter accounts via text message, encouraging everyone to communicate with me while I travelled on the road trip. There was a problem though, I wasn’t online while I was driving across the country…
You Gave Out Your Cell Phone On Twitter???
Yes, I started posting my cell phone to facebook and twitter, encouraging people to get in touch with me. Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind that it wasn’t ‘safe’…after all, these were my friends! And then, something happened, the responses came – FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD! (Canada, USA, Mexico, UK, Indonesia, etc) From people sharing directions when we were lost, to people sending funny jokes or words of encouragement while I was drowsy behind the wheel, there was a community effort and an outpouring of love like I hadn’t felt before.
But The Real Power Was Still To Come!
What I love about Social Media is that it is a steady evolution toward real relationships. Many have argued that technology distances us, but I am optimistic and extremely confident that the evolution of “Web 2.0” is leading us toward creating genuine, authentic and in-person relationships. In fact, I know it…it’s what I experienced.
In a short trip to Toronto, I made more genuine friends than I could have ever imagined. A few highlights include:
‘random’ friend finds in Starbucks
- Melissa, the ‘random’ friend that showed up at a London, Ontario Starbucks while I was checking my email… (Thanks for the tip!)
- Super Spiritual Girl, a twitter hero of mine! (Follow her for amazing insights and an exciting upcoming announcement)
- Veronica, the angel of a woman who created the video that I have watched near-daily for over a year. (Watch it on my blog if you haven’t already!)
- Cheri Najor, one of the most powerful professional speakers that I have ever witnessed in human form. In a simple bagel store, I was moved emotionally listening to her absolute passion for life and immense love for her son. 🙂 (see www.kreativnrg.com)
- Many, many, more… (Sorry I didn’t mention you all, You’ll be in future posts!)
The interesting thing about all of these people, though, is that we had connected online – through social media – and had never met in person. In fact, when we first made the online connection, I doubt that any of us imagined that we would ever meet, or even become great friends!
Now, I have a whole new perspective on life because of my new friends. They have all taught me something that I will carry with me forever.
I also have a new perspective on the internet, social media, and ‘web 2.0’. It isn’t just a fancy way to waste time or a powerful way to make money…it’s a way to promote peace, love and happiness.
What Now?
I am finishing up a book on the power of Social Media, and will use this road trip as a case study. I will include dozens of stories that I couldn’t include here. I will share more on the principles embodied in the social media revolution that will transform the way that businesses operate, and more importantly how we interact with each other as human beings.
I welcome all of your insights, messages, questions and feedback… I will keep you posted on the details and look forward to sharing it with you all, and the world!
UPDATE
The response has been SO POWERFUL from this trip, that I am excited to announce the Social Media Adventure a cross-continent summer trip to demonstrate the power that Social Media has to create genuine & profitable relationships!
Check it out at: www.SocialMediaAdventure.com
Very insightful! Though I didn’t meet you through Facebook or Twitter, I do have the Internet to thank for our friendship. 🙂
Glad to help you staying awake! 🙂
I agree with you, tho.. so necessaire to communicate with friends.. at least to show how you care and.. for me.. we’re still alive 🙂
Meeting you was inspiring Joseph. I told my friends it was my first FB Friend coming to life. YOu’ll have to find a way to twitter with both hands on the wheel though:-) Looking forward to the book and our growing friendship.
Tomorrow I’m flying to AZ to stay with a twitter friend I have not even met in person yet. His wife and him offered for me to stay at their house and drive with them to kettlebell certification….from phx to tucson….the power of social media is very real and I’m enjoying every minute of it…I’ve met so many cool people through ebay, facebook, twitter, ning networks and some of them in person along the way too…I consider them all my dear friends!
Wow Joseph, SO inspiring!!! Very blessed to have you as friend :-).
I think that you are quite right Joseph…many speak about using social media to ‘build relationships’ as a prelude to selling a service/product, but I don’t know that many consider it to be just that–a means for meeting new friends and forging new relationships-with no other motive in mind. Thank you for a truly delightful posting.
In a world where many people lock their doors and their hearts it certainly was great to meet someone who lives his life with the faith that there still is love and kindness all around us – don’t change that paradigm kid ! My blood sugar may never be the same but it sure was fabulous connecting with you – I am inspired by your example.
Meeting you inspired me to be more authentic, to believe in the goodness of people and to know that there are genuine people in the world that you can connect with, even at a distance. I’ll never pass by Einstein bagels again without remembering the magic of that moment we shared. You, my new friend, are in for life.
I never had the privilege of meeting YOU in person and yet it feels like I’ve known you for a long time. Anybody that encourages positive change in this world we all live in…I support fully. More power to you, Joseph, and looking forward to your upcoming book. Brace yourself, you may be encouraged to do another roadtrip at that time, as everyone would like you to personally autograph their copies….lol:)
Joseph… you are unique and amazing! All you comments show that there are still people around the world who are genuine and will support you no matter where they are in the world. Integrity and honesty lead the way and you are full of both! So do not be surprised at the huge response and support you are getting… I mean.. how great is it to meet… Read More new people and create new friendships along the way! Your charisma, personality and love for live are very contagious! So I am not surprised at all at your success
Cannot wait to see you again! But I will have to swim a few thousand miles first.. haha
Hugs and love
Moi…x
As one who fired off a couple of text messages to you while you were on your road trip, I’m glad it was a positive experience for you.
We found similar experiences in engaging others (physical strangers, but social media acquaintances) when on trips to Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
I hold true to the belief — which I believe you do as well — that at our core, all people want to be social and helpful. I love that your experience is yet one more confirmation of such acts.
Don’t forget to Tweet when the book is wrapped up and available!
Mister Sir. Thanks for answering my texts. It’s good to know people are out there who are willing to chchchchchchat.
that’s so cool! i just ‘stumbled’ across this note on Tamara’s page, watched the video and saw some women i know in the video – including Trey Anthony, who i met in the Dominican in Jan – and who is now leading a group of us in a 5-wk program The Number One MasterMind, Warrior Writing GROUP – starting on Wed! Joseph, following you on Twitter now and look forward to seeing more about your experiment! and to seeing what happens next as i don’t believe anything happens by ‘accident’!
I used to work for Cheri Najor and just went to the CABIT Symposium ASU’s biz school sponsored two days ago and this was a main theme there
Wishing you much luck on your endeavor !!! You my friend are a beautiful soul and giving such power to the idea of making connections on the net. It\’s really nice to finally have a positive and uplifting perspective about meeting friends online. I know that you are making a huge impact on thousands of lives !!!
Love & Light,
~ Mona (fb friend)
Everything dynamic and very positively! 🙂
Thank you
Elcoj
GREAT POST!! Thanks!
It was nice to read how people were helping you with directions. It renews my faith in humankind. As it’s said: “We are all connected.”
I am a firm believer in the new connections people are making online, and in the power of the heart/soul to recognize true relationship in whatever form it presents. Thanks for all you do.
Now I feel silly for wondering if your DM on Twitter was a form message. Like you said, you just really like people 🙂 I look forward to reading more.
I think it’s totally amazing idea, a great experiment, and adventure! I can’t wait to hear about the travels and people you meet! How cool! It will bring a lot of happiness and awareness of good in this world! Good luck! 🙂
Love your ideas, it is a bold thing to do to expose yourself to the world.
Hi Joseph!!! Great ideia! I've thought about the same issue and sometimes I felt guilty about having a lot of “virtual friends”… But….. they're my friends! Lots of them known frist time personally, but so many found in this waves – you're one of them – and you all are great and are into my heart!!!
Thanks for everything, your friendship and sharing your life, moments and way of thinking! Be happy MY FRIEND!!!
Thank you my friend, so glad that you stopped by. Hope we can meet some time, maybe in Brazil? 🙂
You bet!!! Maybe the next SMA could be here…
Here in Brazil, in the USA or in Canada… one day we can meet and share all we are experiencing in our lives…
Yes, my friend, some day we wil!!!
You bet!!! Maybe the next SMA could be here…
Here in Brazil, in the USA or in Canada… one day we can meet and share all we are experiencing in our lives…
Yes, my friend, some day we wil!!!