Comments on: How Social Media Changed My Life

By: Doug Stewart

Doug Stewart — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:35:27 +0000

I'm glad you enjoyed the post. You're right. My story is the same as many others. My life is filled with great friends and supportive people now. Many I've met or reconnected with through social media.

By: Maggie Winterfeldt

Maggie Winterfeldt — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:11:08 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful post, Doug. Unfortunately, your story sounds similar to what happened to a lot of people during the past several years. The candor and positive attitude with which you reflected on your experience are inspiring, and I applaud your perseverance. You have shown us social media at its best.

By: Doug Stewart

Doug Stewart — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 01:03:25 +0000

Thanks Melody. I overheard someone say, “you can't hide anything in a small town.” Well we all live in a small town now. Social media and the internet has put windows around us all. I guess that means we have to quit throwing stones too.

By: Doug Stewart

Doug Stewart — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:44:23 +0000

I like your personality. It makes your blog sparkly and bubbly. You can't make that statement about most blogs. I've also learned a thing or two from you Michelle. In fact, I'm still learning from you. Thanks!

By: Melody Brooks

Melody Brooks — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:25:32 +0000

Doug, what a great post…it shows what an amazing man you are. You're not afraid to be yourself, and that is inspiring. Often I find myself censoring what I put on Facebook because I don't want to offend those potential clients who might be looking at my wall. Maybe I need to rethink that to some degree. Thank you.

By: webcopywriter

webcopywriter — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:15:41 +0000

I'm one of those people you've encouraged to show your personality on your blog! Doug, this post is amazing. It's authentic and real and speaks volumes about who you are as a person and as a business owner. Thank you for sharing this.

By: Doug Stewart

Doug Stewart — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:32:32 +0000

Thanks Blase. This blog post was in draft stage for a very long time. But I believe you have to show you're a real person in your blog. I've “preached” that lesson to others. It was about time I took some of my own medicine.

You introduce a great point about the value of listening to your customers. Most small businesses can listen to customers more intensely. Delivering a much more personalized service than “the big guys.” Great point.

By: Blase Ciabaton

Blase Ciabaton — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:47:54 +0000

Wow Doug, thanks for having the courage to share such a personal post! I'm a big fan of testimonials and case studies that explain the specifics of people's challenges and the steps that they take to address those challenges. In a “big picture” way, I think that's really what business is about: solving people's problems. As an “ex” big corporate American guy like yourself, I think that small businesses are generally better positioned to listen to customers' problems and to solve them. Doing this is probably the easiest way to “kick the big boys' butts.”

I also support the spirit of “help, help, help” instead of “sell, sell, sell.” This is a critical way to build trust within the social media community and with potential customers. Finally, I agree that a slow, well-thought approach to social media is way better than diving in head first. Before getting started in earnest, I read books on both Twitter & LinkedIn, and found that they made the time I devoted to social media much more impactful. Thanks again for sharing! Keep up the good work! Blase