NxtGen Blog

This weekend I attended the Future Midwest Conference.  The conference had two main objectives from my point of view.  First was to learn how other companies are using different tools to make their business better, and secondly was to show the world that Michigan and the Midwest are tech savvy, and need to recognized.  I found the conference very informational and found some great tools that I will be sharing with you in the future.  Once I get a chance to play with them and show how they can really build your business.  The one underlying theme that I thought really resonated with me, was that there are many really cool things going on with Social Media, but it still comes down to building and maintaining a relationships.  We talk a lot about the online community, what is this online community that we speak of.  When I was growing up I lived in a small city that had a tight community.  People watched out for each other.  To be considered part of the community, you had to add value.   It is great if you have thousands of followers on Twitter or friends on Facebook, but if you are not adding value to them, what are you getting from this relationship.  Social Media is still new and is growing up.  I believe that in the future to be successful on Social Media, a person or business will be accountable for what they do in the community.  As Chris Barger, the Global Director of Social Media for General Motors said in his presentation, “Social Media needs to use basic business practices”.   You need to conduct yourself on-line just as you would with a face to face meeting.  There is no magic elixir in Social Media, there is only hard work and sweat equity.  What is your secret behind Social Media?