People forget that social media is all about being social, and I have to admit that I find that I forget myself. I’ve been very active on Twitter and writing blog posts for all my other outlets. Plus, I work a full time job (as many of you do, too). One thing I find myself doing is not being social in my own local community.
Not everyone is on Twitter. Not everyone has a Facebook page. We forget this sometimes. We get active in online discussion in our favorite forum, but we don’t step outside and talk to our neighbors. Heck, no one even picks up the phone anymore. The last time I got an invitation to a relative’s shindig, it was through Facebook. I find this a little bit disturbing.
The other day I stepped outside to check my mail and a poodle ran over and started barking. I had never seen this animal before in my neighborhood, so I checked the collar and called the number provided on the tag. Come to find out, it was the poodle from across the street. These people have lived there for 4 years. My daughter plays with their daughters and I had NO IDEA they owned a poodle.
I made a decision to catch up with my neighbors and even venture out into my local blogging community. I started the other morning with a visit to Community Coffee to catch up with their social media team because, well, they’re nice people to chat with. Then I met some fabulous area bloggers at a meet and greet hosted by VisitBatonRouge.com. This was exciting because I normally network in the travel community or social media peeps at out of state conferences, but I forget what’s right here under my nose. I was really impressed by the personalities and passion for social media that is right here. I can’t wait to see what awesome projects are going to develop here in Baton Rouge, LA.
I’d like to challenge each of you to step away from the computer and step out in your local community. You just might be surprised by what (and who) you’ll find in your own backyard. Be social!
Want to join the conversation? Get in touch with VisitBatonRouge.com and join our facebook group (Baton Rouge Social Media). We’ve got some great events and meetings planned – even a few field trips!
This is so true, Shannon. It’s easy to ignore local connections when we’re so busy tweeting and sending messages via Facebook. Thanks for the reminder.
.-= Donna Hull´s last blog ..Disappointment At China’s Great Wall =-.
A great reminder – thanks Shannon! My only problem is that being a wandering vagabond/house-sitter/long term traveler – I don’t really have a community beside my online community! Yet – this post makes me try to think outside the box a bit more!
.-= Sherry Ott´s last blog ..The Lasting Memories of a Travel Sabbatical =-.
It’s easy to get caught up in the online world and neglect…people! Since I travel around it’s tough sometimes to get out and leave the digital world behind. Something I had been hoping to work on more this year but haven’t been completely successful at yet.
I totally agree. I get so caught up inn the computer sometimes that I lose sight of what’s right in front of my face.
.-= Barbara at Hole in the Donut Travels´s last blog ..An Adventure in Copper Canyon, Mexico, Chapter Three – Mayo Indian Danza del Venado =-.
Now I realise why I don’t get loads of dinner invites – I’m connecting with people on the other side of the blogsphere instead – or perhaps my local friends are too. But it’s a good thought to connect with local bloggers too – find local folk who share the passion!
.-= Heather on her travels´s last blog ..Leonardo’s bicycle at MOSI in Manchester =-.
Haha, good post. It can definitely be bad.. I find there are some people I talk to via text message or Facebook more than I do in real life.. Maybe it’s time to pull the plug on the computer
.-= Ryan Cowles @ Metacom Creative´s last blog ..Taking a Train Across the Country – Part One =-.
Great article – totally agree with you!
.-= Ross´s last blog ..Puerto Pollensa Package Holidays =-.