How #techkaraoke Helped Us Get Work

Since it’s the end of the week, I thought I’d take a few minutes and share a story of one of our clients (we, as policy, do not reveal our client list publicly – it’s usually a term of our engagement) and what helped win them.

One of the tenets of working online – especially social media – is “walking the walk.” And that means really engaging (not just Twittering quotes – if you’re tweeting quotes all day, you’re saying nothing yourself, and are a dead giveaway that you’re “clocking it in” instead of really participating), being yourself and then be willing to share that. And if all you can comprehend or comfortable sharing is by loading up Hootsuite with a series of quotes, you might want to consider finding another line of work. This space may not be for you (and that’s okay).

A few weeks ago, I was honored to be crowned #techkaraoke Detroit (heads up – link is to Facebook, login would be required) champion by Brandon Chesnutt and Brian Ambrozy. For those who don’t know, #techkaraoke is a great chance to get together with other online-connected folks and have fun either belting out your favorite songs or being a backup dancer. It was a fun night.

But how does that work with winning one of our clients, some of which are NOT in our space? It was held up as specifically as an example of “walking the walk.” Not only do we espouse the brand and business benefits of social media, but we’re actively engaged online in different spaces as well as keeping connected with some of the smartest people in the space. And oddly enough, not because we’re hoping for work – it’s because it’s the right thing to do and the people who on a variety of levels are, as a friend says, “Awesome Sauce.”

Many, many folks talk and talk about engagement – but when it comes to actually doing it, they don’t. They have the same fear that they’re telling their clients to get rid of.

Did #techkaraoke win it alone? Nope. But it’s a combination of factors for every single interaction you make. And if you’re going to talk authenticity, you should do it. It might just give you that edge.

One might say that I’m “spilling the beans” on how to win and be successful in the space. But I’m not – because I can tell you all day, but if there’s anything I’ve learned, the difference between talk and action is great.

What are your stories of authenticity benefitting you online?