While somewhat out of the norm for my posts, I wanted to intentionally write this as my “a-little-about-me” contribution to the Love Scott & Associates blog. For those out in the “blogosphere” who know me, I’m a man of considerable self-doubt and insecurity. But early in the spring of 2006, I dropped my insecurities and started writing a blog called The Brand Chef. While at first I saw nothing of value in it but the soothing sound that a vacuum makes as it SUCKS empty air; after a month-or-so, I received my first comment.
“Nice Post, Andy…” (from… “nameless”)
So simple. So succinct in it’s depth and meaning. It inspired me. It excited me like a little schoolgirl. I was instantly addicted.
So, does that make you a success?
Yes, it does. I’d broken through the barrier. I walked up to the bull and slapped it right on the nose and lived to tell the story.
We work in the arena of public opinion. Advertisers, marketing folks, creatives of all kind deal with insecurity and criticism on a daily basis. Public opinion is ingrained into process. If your ad, your creative for a TV spot doesn’t “hit” with a specific demographic, you’re going to hear about it. And in this age of instant messaging, texts, tweets, posts, comment threads and video rants, hearing about it isn’t just confined to the corner office or trade publications. You’re going to hear (and read) about it in every platform on the planet. From digital, to print, audio and video, the dissemination of public opinion (and its control) has been relinquished to “the man on the street.” Once I realized this, I discovered one, basic principle to success in social media marketing. You can fail your way to the top.
Now, I’m not saying I’m anywhere near the top of the social media marketing game. In all actuality, I’d put myself closer to the middle (there’s my insecurity coming out again). But with patience, persistence, honesty, and a modicum of intelligence, I’ve gained ground in the social media world – enough to consult clients on the strategies behind social media marketing and using social media to extend their reach and enhance the bottom line.
As a reminder, I keep a list of these famous failures to remind me that it takes a considerable load of failure to recognize (and eventually realize) true success.
–> Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he succeeded.
–> Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. Jordan once observed, “I’ve failed over and over again in my life. That is why I succeed.”
–> Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.
–> 27 publishers rejected Dr. Seuss’s first book, “To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.”
“Take pride and recognize your failures, because success walks within their shadows.”
So, with that, I say, “Welcome to my little corner of the Love Scott & Associates blog!”
Until Next time…
Keep Cooking!
Andrew B. Clark
