Though the Looking-Glass: What This Social Media Consultant Does

“What do you do,” asks an unknowing family, one-by-one. I oblige and explain, and yet am asked again, “what do you do?”

I guess the better question might be is, what does it mean to have a job on the cutting-edge, where business decisions are made around the increasingly credible idea that social media (formerly ‘new’ or ‘emerging’ media) might just save brands enough to make it through these tough economic times?

What I actually do is help business people – any people – how they can benefit from social media. Yes, that conversation – and my deliverables – usually involve money in some way, but it’s how our connections have shifted online that matters most.

How does one measure ROI (Return on Investment)? My answer: How do you measure word of mouth? It’s similar, except, in this case, many of the tactics can be tracked. Getting us closer to a real idea of what ROI is and in the meantime, worry about engagement, or participation, as concepts that are very real. There is a lot to be said for someone interacting with a ‘brand,’ as such.

But to family back home, I see a teeny bit of worry that I’m not capitalizing enough on my smarts or nouse… or whatever inexplexable adjective they might use to describe me.

Live Podcast: Featured Guest Spencer Christian, ABC7

Spencer Christian

It’s interesting how life comes full-circle sometimes.

I remember fondly, joining the ranks at ABC7 in San Francisco – my first big step into the ‘big leagues’ as it were and at almost the same time, Spencer Christian left Good Morning America to join the team there.

He has always been a delight and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with him during my weekly podcast, Break throught the Noise, today at 11:30 AM. It’s archived at the link below.

[Click here to listen if the player above does not appear]