Forgive the metaphor. It’s hard to resist because I’m an Aquarius and also because the weather these days has been unseasonably summery.
When you think about your social media personality are you a diver, jumper, wader or splasher?
Where in the proverbial water park do you fit in?
- Diver: You’re a natural and effortlessly glide into new networks. You know instinctively what to do and how to build your community. I’ve seen this with some people on Twitter, blogs, Facebook and recently Pinterest. I’m making a generalization here, but I think many divers are under 35 and grew up as digital natives.
- Jumper: I’m not talking about the Brooklyn Bridge story William Holden tells in Network, ‘don’t do it kid, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you’. I mean in a good sense. A jumper doesn’t have the same finesse a diver has. But you have excitement and will and don’t want to miss out on the action! Trouble is, you cannonball in so quickly, you don’t always look where you’re going or anticipate who’s going to get soaked. So you make dumb mistakes. Sometimes small ones, other times it’s the stuff that gets you fired. Advice: take a few seconds to look before you leap. And maybe you should invest in some diving lessons, too.
- Wader: You’re the cautious type. Or perhaps you’re just plain scared – ‘shy and nervous’ as Kim Mitchell says. You look at the great time everyone’s having and like what you see but just aren’t sure if you’re ready to put yourself out there. So you dip a toe into the water and maybe even go a bit farther in. Slowly…Slowly… Often you panic and run for the hills because the water is too cold for your temperament. The challenge for waders is to get over your fear of the unknown and then venture out at your own pace. Just keep moving ahead!
- Splasher: These are people who only think of themselves. They’ll do anything to elicit a reaction regardless of the damage it causes. They’re boors, selfish and definitely hard to take. Sure they have a certain sense of fun, which might make them charming if you’re not on the receiving end of their mayhem. But mostly you want to avoid these trolls. Online, unfollowing is an easy trick. In real life, that’s harder to accomplish.
So which am I?
I hate to admit it, but I’m a wader mostly and boy do I wish I could dive!
I started blogging in 2007, having thought about it since 2005, when I first heard about RSS and other things social from Giovanni Rodriguez at Counselors Academy’s conference. Joe Thornley was in the same session and got started much more quickly.
I had to let it percolate for a while. Instead of creating, I started by reading blogs and occasionally offering a comment…listening. I signed up early for Twitter but it took me about 18 months to actually tweet (and even longer to say tweet J).
I began as a critic because I didn’t get how the site worked. Too many people hide behind criticism when really they’re petrified of change.
Today, you could call me a passionate wader. I walk in way faster, test the waters and push ahead. I no longer sit on the sidelines and gawk.
Where do you fit in and how would you describe your approach to social media?
Thanks to the folks at Jugnoo for asking me to contribute.
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About Martin Waxman
Thx! RT @JugnooMe Do you dip your toe in the #socialmedia pool… or jump right in? http://t.co/p16kazBT – guest post from @martinwaxman.
Great post Martin! As a fellow Aquarian (the best of the zodiac I might add!) and a fellow ‘wader’ I could 100% relate! And the Kim Mitchell mention was pure icing on the cake!
@belllindsay Thanks! Anytime I can quote Kim Mitchell, I’m there
. I wonder how many waders are out there versus jumpers and divers… I also noticed that some divers may not be good at all dives, but are great at certain ones (i.e. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter)…
@martinwaxman @belllindsay What about doggy paddlers?
Great stuff, mate, and always love a good analogy – sitting beside Lindsay at the jugnoome offices is a living analogy in itself!
@DannyBrown @belllindsay jugnoome Nothing beats living in an analogy… as long as it’s in a decent neighbourhood
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@DannyBrown @martinwaxman jugnoome That’s a pretty bad analogy Danny.
@martinwaxman @belllindsay did you know Kim Mitchell was from Sarnia? I knew this city was bourne of geniuses! I was a wader as well Martin! When I started out I watched the conversations, I listened and then I interviewed some of the most active people on Twitter to get their perspectives. When I understood what I had to do that’s when I dove in and started testing. It took about 1 month but I did remain cautiously optimistic.
@hessiej @belllindsay I didn’t know he was from your hometown. Usually, I try to invoke Winnipeg. But Sarnia’s just as good. Thanks Hessie.
@martinwaxman @hessiej Sarnia..? Well that explains everything.
@JulieTyios @JugnooMe @belllindsay – Thanks for inviting me to guest post!
@martinwaxman @JulieTyios @JugnooMe There are waaaay too many Canadians posting there!!
@DannyBrown @JulieTyios @JugnooMe Who told you I was one of those???
@martinwaxman @JulieTyios @JugnooMe A little bird?
@DannyBrown @martinwaxman @JugnooMe *tweet*
@JulieTyios @DannyBrown @JugnooMe Now I wish I’d thought of that one
YAY! You just called me younger than 35! I’m definitely a diver, but I’m willing to bet you’re right and it’s mostly the younger generations who do this. Of course, I’m only a couple of years from 35, but that’s not the point. I actually don’t think it’s a person’s age (and I know you said you were generalizing). I think it’s more personality than anything. I dive into everything (hello, road cycling anyone) and (hopefully) will no matter how old I get.
@ginidietrich I have absolutely nothing to say here…
@ginidietrich Thanks Gini. I agree about personality versus age as what keeps people open to trying new things. And by the way, I think you’re one of the best natural divers I know – and an Aquarius!
@martinwaxman @ginidietrich OK, there are waaay too many Aquarians in these comments..!!
@DannyBrown @martinwaxman @ginidietrich ”Aquaaaaaariussssss, Aquar-i-ussss….harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding…” - wait. That’s not us.
@ginidietrich How about belly-flop, cannonball and dog-paddle?
@shelholtz It hurts to belly flop!
@ginidietrich I just hope not to belly flop ( :
@amybp LOL! I’m pretty sure you’re OK!
@dkragen Excellent! on this 90+ degree day!
@pmswish, I think I am a Diver! lol
@hessiejones @martinwaxman I just retweeted. Thought it was an interesting blog posting. Debating what best describes me.
Thx! RT JugnooMe Cool off with an evening dip into social media with @martinwaxman and @JugnooMe! http://t.co/p16kazBT ^HA
Thanks @JustInTheSouth. Looking fwd to seeing you in Toronto
I dive but I am slightly older, at 36. I also don’t consider myself a digital native despite playing with computers as a pre-teen; I’m more of a digital immigrant.