Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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September 4, 2008

The Real-World Social Media Heroes List

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 7:55 am

Who Are the Real-World Social Media Heroes?

Cars_on_Wet_Lake_Shore_Drive_by_Liz_Strauss

In 2006, Time Magazine named us as “. . . an explosion of productivity and innovation, and it’s just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy.”

This morning, listening to the cars on the wet pavement outside my window, as I consider requests for real-world causes, I’m thinking about what we’re doing with that explosion of innovation Time magazine described and the opportunity they saw within it.

This is an opportunity to build a new kind of international understanding, not politician to politician, great man to great man, but citizen to citizen, person to person. It’s a chance for people to look at a computer screen and really, genuinely wonder who’s out there looking back at them. (Time Magazine)

Oh yeah, we’re doing lots of that, but have we lost track of how few of us there are and how small our conversation really is?

Few people in the cars driving by think or care about the words flying from my computer to yours. But I care and I know that if you’re reading this, you probably care too.

It’s awfully fun to explore these innovate tools of communication, but the truth is Internet tools aren’t much if they can’t fix problems the Internet didn’t cause.

Some folks never missed that point from the start. They’re not the ones who are always quoted. You can’t measure their success in followers. They’re the ones with their feet on the ground.

Let’s celebrate the folks who are using social media tools to change lives and businesses slowly, solidly in concrete and lasting ways. They’re the ones who are changing the world.

I’ve started a list with those three: Beth Kanter, Robyn McMaster, and JP Rangaswami. Who are the real-world social media heroes you see? Who are the folks using the tools to make a difference in the world?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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21 Comments to “The Real-World Social Media Heroes List”

  1. September 4th, 2008 at 8:07 am
    Becky McCray said

    Glenda Watson-Hyatt
    Jon Swanson

    Those two leap to mind. I’ll have more.

  2. September 4th, 2008 at 8:18 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Becky!
    Two fabulous choices.
    Glenda has changed the world with the power of her mind. Jon with the power of his heart.

  3. September 4th, 2008 at 8:26 am
    Vicky H said

    I was thrilled when I heard that #Gnomedex had raised enough money to send that lady back to school. Not sure of all the details, I can’t remember,but I know Chris Brogan was involved.

    On twitter Nate Ritter has a program that sends Missing Children Alerts via @missingchildren and one of my other favorites is eMom @mailourmilitary for her support of troops that are away from home.

    I can’t wait to come back this afternoon and see what others have added. I love meeting great people!

    Great post Liz!

  4. September 4th, 2008 at 8:42 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Vicky!
    Beth Kanter was the one who made the Gnomedex thing happen. Chris Brogan, Geoff Livingston and Jeremy Wright all pushed it along. :)

    Dayngr at eMailOurMilitary is doing wonders too. She’s definitely a hero.

    Nate Ritter ’s got a great real-world program going as well.

  5. September 4th, 2008 at 8:55 am
    eric : RealWorldGreen.com said

    So many of the self-appointed social media experts are really just people who are talking to each other ( other social media zealots ) about how great social media is, rather than using social media in a real world context.

    The term Real World Social Media got stuck in my head a few weeks ago so i registered the domain name.

    I think a good recent example of social media being used in a real world context was Home Depot on Twitter during Gustav @TheHomeDepot .

    Now, probably not many people leaving the New Orleans area are on Twitter, but those that are could share that information about what Home Depot stores were open with their neighbors.

    And it showed a human side to a large company, Sarah, from their Corp Communications department writes their Twitter updates.

  6. September 4th, 2008 at 10:02 am
    Amie Gillingham said

    Beyond a doubt, Matt & Jessica Flannery with Kiva. First place I found them? 18 months or so ago ago on Twitter.

  7. September 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am
    Karen Swim said

    Liz, I think it’s wonderful to celebrate those who are leveraging the tools for positive change. I am familiar with Beth and Robyn and truly applaud the work they do. I would also add The Red Cross, Nate Ritter (MissingChildren on Twitter) and Mark Davidson who is truly advancing our collective understanding and use of these wonderful tools.

  8. September 4th, 2008 at 10:15 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Amie,
    Great to see you! Beyond a doubt is right!

  9. September 4th, 2008 at 10:16 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karen,
    Good adds all of them. :) I’ll be putting in their links so folks have them to check out. :)

  10. September 4th, 2008 at 10:24 am
    BloggerNewbie said

    Well Liz, I nominate you. I think you change the world for the people who read your blog. You are always so positive. I am sure the people I meet throughout my day would thank you for my disposition. I thank you.

    I will definitely check out these other great people.

    Have a great day!

  11. September 4th, 2008 at 10:46 am
    Malcolm Campbell said

    Yes, Kiva’s folks are great examples. What a wonderful way to help people help themselves, as opposed to simply giving handouts.

    Malcolm

  12. September 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
    Robyn said

    Liz, you bring so many surprises to us here in the blogosphere. You are one of my blogger heroines. And, I start with Dr. Ellen Weber Ellen says writing helps her to transfer brain research to the business world and everyday life with applications everyone can use. She has new and fresh approaches all the time.

    Two of my social media heroes are Gavin Heaton and Drew McLellan since they launched “Age of Conversation.” These books lean on the wisdom of 273 bloggers and take it to the bookshelf. The project might have seemed too big and timely for many to handle, but they value the heart of social media - bloggers - and willingly spend the time to put it together and take it public.

  13. September 4th, 2008 at 11:01 am
    Karin H. said

    Hi Liz

    I like to nominate Ed Rivis - the webmarketing genius. My dear friend Richard C had noticed him sooner than I, but I think I’m now a bigger fan (and follower) of Ed.
    Not sure if you could call him ’social media’ but he knows how to let small business grow their business using all kinds of ‘magical’ and simple webmarketing techniques and software.
    I’ve learned a tremendous amount from him and that is noticeable in the increased online turnover of our small business.

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  14. September 4th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey BloggerNewbie!
    We’re in this together. Every time I write something that improves your disposition, you can bet I’m working on improving my own. :)

  15. September 4th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Malcolm,
    I agree with what you’re saying. The Kiva plan is genius because of they it gets everyone to invest in it’s success.

  16. September 4th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Robyn!
    We sure know Ellen is a world changer right with you. I still look to the day I can sit in the same room with you both. :)

    I agree Drew and Gavin made something wonderful happen in both the process and the product of “The Age of Conversation.”

  17. September 4th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thanks for bringing link to Ed’s blog, Karin!

    I think he’s a hero too, because he’s what keeps our social media feet on the ground and our food on the table. :)

  18. September 4th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
    Using Twitter in the Real World, The Home Depot said

    [...] in Liz Strauss’ blog, Succesful Blog, she wrote post, The Real-World Social Media Heroes List. She asks, ” have we lost track of how few of us there are [ in social media ] and how small [...]

  19. September 4th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
    Robyn said

    Liz, it was so hard to narrow this down to two. If you don’t mind, I’d enjoy adding two more:

    Joanna Young and Brad Shorr. I would add Joanna because she always goes deeper with a conversation by asking a probing question. She has also provided me some excellent tips for writing and blogging.

    Brad often uses humor in the amazing cartoons he draws to make a point. I like this communication tactic and he’s a maestro. He also opens to door for many guest bloggers.

    Liz, it would be a thrill for Ellen and I to sit down and enjoy a meal and a great conversation together!

    Thanks for all you do.

  20. September 4th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Robyn,
    Joanna and Brad have been important forces in my life too. Thanks for adding them to the list. :)

    My smiles to you and to Ellen. :)

  21. September 5th, 2008 at 3:29 am
    Karin H. said

    Absolutely Liz

    Since following his blog and implementing many of his tips our ‘online’ food has more than doubled and I’m getting hungry for more ;-)

    Ed only brings ethical methods to the table too ;-)

    Karin H.

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