Somewhere out there people are staring at the photo above and making a mental note of all the things that look dated in it. Maybe you are one of them.
Maybe you are looking at the rolled jeans, paired with high tops and a fanny pack and are convulsing with laughter. Maybe you are looking at the picture wondering what the hell were we thinking or maybe you are nodding your head in solidarity because you come from the same generation and that look is both comfortable and familiar.
If I tell you that the three of us were screwing around and doing our impression of models in a Fedco catalog you might nod your head. You don’t have to know what Fedco was to appreciate that. Some of you might wonder why I used a store like Fedco that no longer exists and not something like Target.
The answer is simple. I am trying to build a deeper connection between the readers that remember Fedco and am confident that it won’t be at the expense of the others. It is certainly safe to say people understand that friends fool around and try to have fun together.
It doesn’t matter if you are 5, 18, 43 or 103. We all have memories of doing goofy things with our friends.
Business Is About Building Relationships
My blog serves multiple purposes. One of those is to generate business opportunities. The page that says Hire Me isn’t there just to take up space.
This is a place where I can showcase some of my skills and provide some insight into my thoughts and ideas. One of the most effective ways of doing that is by doing what I am doing now.
I am telling stories about my life and trying to use them to build connections between you and I. I am trying to build a community where we support and help each other. That may be nothing more than as friends who give each other a pat on the back or it might be the kind where referrals come from.
Maybe you need a writer, marketer and or social media expert. This might be a good place to find one and not just because I can do all of those things. The reality is there are other readers here who are experts in similar and or related fields. Maybe the call to arms will go to someone else.
Or maybe Stephen King will show up one day and ask me to help him write a book. You really don’t know.
What I am certain of is the best business is built upon relationships. People like to work with people they know and like.
Brands and Social Media
The smart brands are doing more than just creating barely responsive cyber outposts. They are actively building their online presence by engaging with existing and prospective customers. They understand there are angry and dissatisfied customers out there and they are doing their best to reach out to those people.
It is a very smart move.
When you know those discussions are taking place you should reach out and ask them to speak with you. Funnel the discussion towards your blog, your Twitter, your Facebook page and leave a public trail that shows you care and you listen.
People won’t always remember how much they paid for a product/service but they will remember how you made them feel.
Show them you care and you will build your rabid community of fanatics. You want that. You want your community to want to sing together.
Some Looks Are Eternal
It is funny to me to look at the picture above and then look at recent videos. Physically there have been a bunch of changes. Some of it is natural and not unexpected, at least it isn’t to me now.
I suspect that if you grabbed the twenty year-old guy from the picture he would be dumbfounded by what he saw today. I never expected my hair to change. I figured that I would wear that flat top you see in the photo forever.
And I never thought that there would be an ounce of extra meat on me.
But that kid in the photo didn’t have anyone besides himself to worry about. He could and did spend hours in the gym. He didn’t know that once he became a father he would have to spend time helping his kids with homework.
It was a different world and that is ok. Life would be much duller if I could say that nothing had changed between then and now.
What about you? What do you think? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Hi Josh
How true, when we are young that we feel nothing will ever change. Thank goodness they do or we would really become stagnant.
Really working hard on projects and trying to make connections with people. It takes time and when new at it, one has to keep up with it to see what works and what doesn’t. Who will connect with you and where to put your energies into, but it has been a wonderful experience.
Loved your post.
Mary
Hi Mary,
Yeah, change is a good thing. It helps us grow.
People are fun and making connections is too. Some of the best experiences come from the connections we have made with people, especially online.
It is what I like best.
Ahhh..the eighties..fond memories, but not a fashion statement I want to make again..Lol
Most of the time I can look at pictures from back then and not cringe, but the ’70s- not so much. 😉
im a sucker for any blog post with the “80’s” in it!
Clearly you are a man of style, sense and taste. 🙂
Thanks goodness for change:) And I like to think of myself as a fine wine, improving with age:) Cheers! Kaarina
You could be like a fine vinegar too, sometimes there is something sweet in the sour. 😉
Hope you are having a great Thanksgiving. Don’t forget to save a couple of those Finnish pancakes for me.
Hey Josh
Next year I will be the big 4 0, so I know where you’re coming from with the eternal 1980s! My teenage years, some I remember fondly and others I would choose to forget.
Stories and our experiences can have a powerful message and make more interesting reading than your common all garden blog!
Hi Tim,
Forty is a pretty good age. I tripped and stumbled over that number a few years ago and haven’t looked back.
Still have to work on that Favicon information you put together, but I will get there.