Our Emoticons Matter

#social#media #smm #social#networking

Do you ever want to make like an Augustana song and go where “no one knows [your] name”? Before I moved to Boston, it seemed like I saw people I knew everywhere I went here in San Diego. That was during college, and most people I saw I knew from college.

Now that San Diego looks much different, it is easier for me to turn off my computer, put my cell phone on silent, find a local coffee house, and disappear. I go to many of the same coffee houses, but most of the people I knew before have moved on. It’s nice not having to drive an hour from my house just to get a few hours of uninterrupted silence.

Those of us who make social media our vocations, or integrate it into our vocations, understand whether we’re updating our Facebook status, writing a blog, or going to another social media conference, it isn’t just something we do. It’s a way of life.

We understand whether we’re chatting with someone on the computer or face to face our emoticons matter. We read and re-read our tweets, trying to imagine our readers’ reactions, before we tweet.  We champion social media principles, rather than follow social media trends. And we understand that sometimes the best way to engage in social media is to enjoy good conversation over a cup of coffee with our Facebook friends and Twitter followers.

If you haven’t done so lately, take the time to turn off your computer, smart phone, tablet, and anything else that tempts you to engage in social media.

Stay social my friends,

Erick