Warren – I love headlines. They are a blank canvas.

“Social Media is not a replacement for an organized, well run company or quality products/services” I so agree.

I am firstly, passionate about communication, marketing done well with clarity and integrity and authenticity. Clever seldom gets my business. Although I appreciate clever also.

And I have spent the last eight years in business development roles officially–after years in publishing and advertising.

Enthusiast of Social Media and Virtual Networking I am, I see it simply as the door opener it can be. I enjoy the arena for the connector (or in some cases the reconnector) it has been for me and the clients I support.

And I hope that in time as trial and error reveals what works and what is rejected, Social Media used ethically and authentically gains a strong reputation.

I hope it becomes part of an integrated and balanced media strategy for more new as well as existing brands and businesses.

Assuming Social Media is a tool is here to stay, and assuming prior strategies and tools for marketing/branding have a place in the mix (for a time longer) how do you propose that SM grow beyond being the buzz word/phrase/trend it is? That it evolve from its teenage stage so to speak.

Ironically, the last three prospective clients came my way by way of referrals…yes, good old fashioned referrals, from people who I knew (more than a little) and who remembered me well. But I was also “found and contacted through Facebook” as well as also simply found via an internet search. I was deemed an interesting profile; a potential new resource. Someone got curious and checked me and my supposed talents out.

Once upon a time internet marketing with auto-responders and email campaigns and newsletters worked reasonably well–with people who signed up to receive them.
And before that direct mail could be impactful.
And before that print advertising was the way to raise consumer awareness in a more regional or global way.
And before that what…word of mouth? Well that just remains a tried and true method for the longest time.

I’d sooner be known and highly regarded by word of mouth and if technology makes it easier to pass along quality referrals so be it, I’ll embrace it.

Meanwhile I try and remember that behind every post and transaction there is a human being AND that the new technology did not come with an operating manual did it?

Rules of engagement are being experimented with and in some cases pushed to the limit, as teenagers also are known to do (smile). Those same teens grow into leaders sometimes too.

And we will all eventually mostly agree on best practices, yes? Hopefully!

I do appreciate your writing voice and posts for their candor.