For those who have read my blog for a while, you may be aware that, despite working in the social media field as a strategist, and being a fan of Brian Solis and all the others who talk about “Engagement”… and often use those as part of my own work, to try and get corporations to take Social Media seriously…
You want to know what Social Media is for me?
Stories.
Sharing those stories, hearing those stories, living.
This video caught my attention over the weekend.
Try and watch that video without completely losing your shit. I dare you.
Furthermore, this is just one video. Of millions. Of people putting themselves out there, sharing their stories with the hope of maybe, saving just one other person from not having to live through the pain that they have.
That is truly revolutionary.
We often joke about Facebook and Twitter overshare. Lamebook is one of the funniest showcases of humanity at its… um… finest.
But you know? How cool is it?
I remember back in 2009, when I posted the letter I had written to my doctor detailing all of my symptoms and requesting action. At the time, I thought I might have had Cushing’s… turned out to be boring old Lupus.
But that letter? It inspired someone else to write one to THEIR Doctor and they got their diagnosis and treatment.
When I write about my struggles with various things like Lupus, the death of a loved one and the grief afterwards… or my divorce… the feedback I get is tremendous. I get emails saying how me writing about the end of my marriage has given someone else the courage to leave. I have had emails from other people who have told me that my blogging through palliative care and death has helped them cope a little better. Or how talking about my “invisible” illness has made them feel less alone.
And it’s all just one post. One story. And one video, like the one above.
So yes, by all means talk about marketing. Talk about engagement. Talk about ways to capitalise on social media. But don’t forget that the personal stories are what make this time truly revolutionary.
