A little over a week ago, I went to the kick-off event for “Whuffaoke or Bust”! It brought home a lot of lessons about what it means to build and participate in communities – online and offline.
What’s “whuffaoke”? Check out this 3-minute video I produced with my partner Averan for an explanation and to see how much fun it is!
I’ve been thinking a lot about whuffie lately. Tara Hunt, author of The Whuffie Factor, defines it as the social capital you create (using social media tools like Twitter) by being nice, networked, and notable. The basic concept is all about authentically connecting with people to give and share information, perspectives, encouragement, opportunities and more.
This message is particularly important right now, as “social media” continues to be a buzz word. It’s seen more and more as a vital part of your branding and marketing (whether you’re an individual or corporation), but there’s no long-term track record on how it all works and what it all means. We just know that we all “need” to do it.
The problem is, getting into social media with a goal of getting something in return – whether it’s connections, sales or brand recognition – goes against what makes it so powerful in the first place, the philosophy of giving.
I’ve realized lately that due to economic stressors this year, I was taking a somewhat non-whuffie approach to my work. I was feeling so focused on sales that I’d approach in-person networking events with a results-oriented approach instead of a relationship-building approach.
Penelope Trunk gives career advice re: networking that matches the whuffie approach – be helpful to everyone you can (not just the people you think can get you something or somewhere) and be interested in them (not focused on plugging yourself). In the end, you benefit too, because people will like you and want to help you.
I went to a meeting yesterday of the Fairfax Village Network, a burgeoning alternative currency system in my town. The idea is that individuals join the network and offer services, talents, skills or resources for free, thereby earning points which can be spent to “buy” from other people in the network. For instance, I could provide copyediting services to a local business owner and earn points. I could then use those points to get a free massage from a local healer. It’s a “gift economy” that allows us to pool our local talents and resources, without needing to go outside the community to earn or spend global currency such as US dollars.
To me, it’s the same philosophy of whuffie. It’s not about personal “transactions” as much as giving and receiving within a larger community. It’s kind of like trusting that ‘what goes around, comes around’ (in a good way)
Since I’ve start consciously adopting Penelope’s advice and the approach of the Whuffie Factor, I’ve felt a lot better. In tough times and good times, our relationships are the most important things in our lives. I don’t need to “sell” myself. I need to BE myself – kind, interested and giving – and support others in their efforts. This is what leads to success – shared success – for all of us.
