Tell me what you want, and I’ll give it to you
I’ve been blogging since 2002. I started with a definitely unattractive html page that I used to update like an on-line diary. Through the years that page changed name and style. The topics I was blogging about evolved too.
Many things changed since 2002. Back in the days it felt like the most interesting thing was being out there blogging. The feeling in the air was great. People were learning, discovering and creating at the same time. The result of this process, that still keeps going on, is today’s blogoshpere. The only difference is that now it’s much easier to find ‘carbon copy’ content online and probably that’s one of the reasons why the audience has become more selective pretending more uniqueness from bloggers. At the beginning it didn’t feel like this because in a way every blogger was niche. In this learning/creating process everybody was trying to communicate something special.
My blog has always adapted its shape to what I was doing. I guess that’s why I never gave a specific title to it but Andrea Vascellari’s Blog. It has always been expression of what I am and what I’m doing.
My blog has always followed me. Now I would like to change this. I would also like to follow my blog.
I would like to give to my blog something more unique. “Give to my blog”? Yes, because my blog is not just me anymore. It’s me, you, us. More than anything else it’s ‘our conversation’.
So tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you. In addition to my usual posts, I’ll start to publish on my blog anything from my experience that could help you. Suggestions, tips, strategies… YOU name it!
Here’s some random questions that I picked up from recent messages that gave me inspiration to write this post:
- I must admit that your work sounds interesting. I’m so open to new ideas, so I’m interested in any new things. But I don’t really know how to make it work, or what you did exactly to start your career. If you understand!
- How could I use social media to leverage my business?
- About technology and entrepreneurship…I’ve only got used to hear how it actually makes things more difficult… but you made it sound so different and easy
- How did you have so much courage to put up a company, I mean, weren’t you scared or anything?
- How can I convince my boss that we need social media?
- Where do you find the energy to blog on daily basis?
- I see the power of 2.0… but how can I use it in my own business?
- I’d love to hear more of the story about how you got started
- You are really active…but how do you manage everything you do? Please tell me what’s your game plaaaan?
- …can I use the same style I use on my blog when I write on our business blog?
- How do I build my online persona?
- Can corporate culture embrace the transparent social media environment?
- and the list goes on…
Let’s see if there is somebody else out there that would like to start this journey
< blogpostface > I need you
It’s ok, I’m in it but I can’t do it alone. I need you to:
- participate in the conversation by asking more questions and commenting. And please do it publicly here on the blog, not just via private emails. I know that many of you come from different countries so it doesn’t matter if you don’t have a perfect written English. Let’s just talk together, this is what will generate the conversation.
- spread the word among other people who might be interested in what we are talking about. It’s much easier to add value to our discussions by reaching a critical mass of people that could contribute. And if you are not directly interested but you know somebody who might be interested, well send him/her a message or even better write a post on your blog.
This will take a lot of my time and energy so it will not be easy for me because my job keeps me very busy, but I’m ready to take the challenge if you are really interested.
I simply need your feedback. I based the thoughts I shared on this post on a limited number of people with which I talked (on and off-line) so I would really like to know what do you think about it. Your questions and needs will drive this so let me hear your voice!
Andrea
Author: Andrea Vascellari
Andrea Vascellari is the CEO of itive.net. All thoughts and opinions on this blog are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer or clients; neither past or present. If you liked this post feel free to follow him on Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to this blog.
I’d like to hear stories about what you exactly do – reflective pieces and simple case studies to inspire
Thanks DK!
You know that I really appreciate your point of view…
+ keep up the great work @ http://www.mediasnackers.com
Andrea
Yes Andrea, this a extremely good idea. I also a preacher of life in a social virtual communities, which combines work and everyday life and fun. Web 2.0 makes that possible and my challenge is how to get people committed to combine these three?
I like your blog and I am comming to be an active member.
Sincerally yours,
Heikki
P.S. I am going to Zanzibar 7.4.2008
Awesome Heikki!
‘Kiitos’ for your thoughts and have fun in Zanzibar!
Stay tuned,
Andrea
Wow, this is a really good idea! At least I’m excited
I too would like to know how you started. Also how you came up with the idea and what made you to believe in it all the way through.
Saga
Saga,
Thanks for your comment and also for the precious words you dropped on your message via Facebook.
I’m really happy about the feedback I’m getting so far…Looking for more!
Andrea
Good luck as your creative process continues. With your personality I can’t think of anything you won’t make successful.
I’d like to hear more examples of people / companies successfully using new social media outside the bubble of those of us who already “get it.”
I think this was from me via Twitter: “I’d love to hear more of the story about how you got started”
Would be great to know more about you and your work. I’d also love to hear more about what Web trends and news stories are particularly hot in Finland at the moment.
@Brian:
I like the ‘outside bubble’ perspective. I’ll keep it in mind Brian! Thank you…
@Amanda:
Web trends and hot stories from Finland…nice!
Of course Amanda! I couldn’t forget your tweets!
@Everybody:
I’m curious to see where all this is going and where this journey will take us. Keep spreading the message on your blogs/social media networks!
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
Love the new theme and the new approach.
Very often, it’s a great idea to focus a blog on a specific topic. It not only ensures that your readers know exactly what to expect from your blog, but also sharpens your own posts.
Because we share an interest in social media, I would like to read a higher number of practical how-to posts from you related to the social media space.
All the best.
Once my blog is up (i decided to revive it in some way – i prefer microblogging but i do see the value of having a blog) i will do a few posts about the things you ask. I personally prefer audio/video posting due to time but i realise i have to make time. I have a lot of video/audio media online but need to now add some “backstory” to it.
Thanks for linking me to this blog entry.
Andrea,
Great idea for a blog post– and blog format. Always be asking questions, and asking us to be your content. My need is pretty general- examples of social media reaping benefits– and examples of where it fails. Again, I love the idea of keeping the readers involved.
To whit:
As a PR person I find constantly that the “A-List” and obvious sites are not always– not even normally– the best traffic drivers. I’m trying to find ways beyond the trail and error of calling for responses. Not that the comments here need to answer this general dilemma, but hosting a community approach to answer questions would be valuable. As curator, you of course could steer the questions to ones that most interest to you– but involving the readers can take things beyond where you might think and produce new answers for everyone
Hi there,
I really enjoy the blog and interaction with your site and with you on Twitter! I find it amazing that you have time to personalize yourself even though i’m sure you’re very busy..Maybe more information on how to manage time and tasks and your views/philosophy?
Heya, I’m so jealous you have all these replies! As a blogger myself for over three years I have yet to find my real style of expression and navigate between personal, professional and technical. I have good periods and nad periods. I’m not giving up however and always feel that I will soon blossom into something more attractive. I think you have the right idea and it’s a good idea to ask people what they want. I’ll read over the comments again to get some more ideas. Are you coming to Going-Solo by any chance? Graham.
I’d love some ideas about how to build a business introducing web2.0 and social media to educators and small business owners who don’t yet know about the communication possibilities available.
Andrea,
I really enjoy seeing social media from different perspectives and experiences. Your interactions locally and during your many travels. Good Luck!
Christina
How do you feel the role of blogs evolving? Is twitter a new medium of self expression? There are those who already have a hard time keeping up with what blogs, and the relevance mechanisms that the comments and the posts sustain. How will these people cope with our online identities further fragmenting as lifestreaming becomes the norm?
Traffic for traffic’s sake has never been a good SEO advice. What is the right balance between keeping a focused theme, but still project ones all-around persona on a personal blog?
David
I like your encouragement for people to participate. I look at Google Analytics and see a lot of traffic to my site, from all over the world, but few leave comments. Maybe it’s the content, I can’t be sure. However, I think encouraging dialogue is great.
I would also like to read more about each other’s cultures. I find it wonderful that we can so easily communicate regardless of time zone.
Good work!
Great idea here. Comments are good, too. I totally understand the need for trying to get help pulling people onboard Web 2.0. But, alas, I think I have grown tired of it. I focus on clients that “get it” and are ready to move forward.
However, we’ve been discussing Web 3.0. What are your thoughts? Where is this headed?
Getting ready for the next step…
Thanks for being a catalyst for the conversation!
Jeff Tippett
calvertcreative.com
You know I am interested in social media use around the world, however, I’d like to know how an Italian ends up getting work in Finland!
I would like to hear more about the perspective of how your blogging inlufenced your life and how you converted others to enter the social media field
I’d love to hear stories from your travels and how travel has shaped your life. Had it not been for a trip to Ireland in 1998, my life would never have shaped out as incredibly as it has.
Keep up the great work.
Dave
Hello Andrea Vascellari, you have lots of people commenting your blog. I participated yesterday in happening in Porvoo, Finland promoting local producers. My role was to blog, interview, twitter and jaiku about the event. Last year 1000 visitors participated and yesterday 2 0000 to 3 000. Got tons of ideas about how to move from social media to “social realism” (not to be confused with an ex.USSR art form.)
Br
Helge
For me, I’d like to see more “how to” and case study information. We probably agree that the theories are all there. Now, I’d like to see them put into practice, and learn from how you got it done.
Swell blog, and what a great bunch of people you have commenting here.
Hi Andrea:
I also love the new concept. Since we’re talking about Web 2.0, there’s nothing more Web 2.0 then continuing the conversation with your readers.
I am interested in hearing more about the type of social marketing campaigns that you’re involved in.
Andrea, I like this approach of asking questions and providing fitting content – and if you ask me I would ask for your opinions and views on all things “social software” – especially in relation to corporate life.
You know it’s important – when we want to change the world/society/… we best start with changing organizations
Excellent opening for intensive two-way blogging, Andrea!
I appreciate the historical view. Year 2002 you started blogging is not so far away in the past but sometimes we seem to expect that things will change a lot faster. When looking forward to see the new era of global communication we must accept the reality that it needs time.
Some people tend to see -or wish – things changing a lot faster than they actually do, if we look the mainstream culture, not just the pioneers of media. Suspicious minds keep the evolution of web 2.0 in certain limits (perhaps that’s how we can avoid communication explosion).
In this situation some of us may become frustrated. If you ever have had these feelings of frustration I’m interested how you came over them?
hmm … it really depends in what you want to achieve … readership? stickiness? page-views? a good start would be to use feedburner’s stats, have you tried it? there are pro’s and con’s, but it would help you understand what “ticks” into your audience.
like many others have already commented on, i’d love to see some concrete examples or case studies as of how social media gets applied. kinda social media 101.
I two favor hearing more about Social Media campaigns. I look forward to seeing what direction you take here.
Thanks to all of you!
You comments on this post are great!
I just published a new post about how we will move on!
http://www.andreavascellari.com/blog/?p=377
Keep joining the conversation!
Thanks again,
Andrea