put your work where your mouth is

May 18th, 2009 • posts i've written

We’re in the business of sparking conversations.

But lately, we’re all participating in far too many petty conversations between each other.

Talking the ‘social media’ talk has gotten far too easy for this industry. The same trite catch phrases are passed back and forth while one person tries to assert their cerebral superiority over someone else.

My question is, what have you done?

Conversations should lead to actions, so where’s the amazing work? Where’s the amazing work between any of us?

Having a point of view is mandatory, but expressing that point of view through taking action is necessary too, otherwise you’re just more noise among the industry din.

Related posts:

1. eyes on your neighbor’s work
2. the measure of our work
3. how will the new york times pay wall work?

Tags: Social Media

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2 Responses (add your comment)

1. lauren! May 18, 2009

   at 10:54 pm

   amen, brother!

2. Olle May 19, 2009

   at 6:27 am

   If by we, we’re talking about advertising/communications agencies I think we’re not in the business of sparking conversations – but making money. I think that’s too often forgotten. Or we don’t want to say it because it sounds so hard – but it’s true. Communications (and creativity) is a tool that we trust does that (but we have to prove it). Even if we’re working on internal communications it’s because we believe it can make an organization more effective and hence cut cost and make more money. We can’t show much when it comes to social media because not a single one of us have yet proven it works. Honestly. And if I’m wrong, I’d love to see the case.

   I still believe (no, I’m sure) it does make money like I believe all communication that helps strengthen a brand does. But we do have a long way to go to prove it.

   Cases in Advertising Works 17, right in front of me, for example proves beyond doubt that they indeed made money. I think Dell outlet and a few other cases where social media services help bring in the money, are the only ones that are really clear.

   The amazing work is so early, that I think it is nothing more fancy than companies starting to engage (whether that’s because of agencies and consultants or just sound thinking by the company people). Having interested followers (you have 2109, and apparently you share interesting stuff).

   Whopper Sacrifice is a good agency driven example. But there aren’t too many yet. In my opinion. In other words, it’s a good question.

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