Anthropology and Social Media...Like Peanut Butter and Jelly

I was recently in a position to meet with many local business owners from around Rhode Island, as I taught an introductory class on Organic Online Marketing, with an emphasis on Social Media.  I had met a few of the owners before at networking events, or had simply spoken to them on the phone in a different context; others were new to me.  For that reason, I spent a few minutes introducing myself, and sharing how I had come to be with them.  Now, I'd like to share it with you.

I first learned about social networks during a family vacation in Aruba about three and a half years ago.  My sister was extolling the virtues of Facebook.  I had just started my own business, so I was interested in cool, innovative ways to market businesses aside from the traditional, and typically expensive means, such as print.

It took me some time to grasp the message she had for me.  I signed up right away when I returned home, so that I could stay in touch with her in Massachusetts, but I still didn't get it.  I was so focused on me and what I wanted to use Facebook for, that I wasn't looking at the big picture.  And then one night, about six months later, I was watching the movie Apocolypto, an awesome adventure flick about the Maya people of Mexico.  While I found serious issues with the ending, I couldn't help but enjoy it, and it took me right back to my college days, where I had focused all of my energies and degree on that very subject:  Anthropology and Meso-American prehistory.

I was so inspired by that movie, that I decided to flip through some old text books that I couldn't bare to get rid of.  And then it hit me, like a ton of bricks.  Social networks were my research and studies of cultural and social connections times...millions!  Observation, evolution, research, the difference between qualitative and quantitative results from the relationships that are formed online.  I just needed to put it into perspective.

So in the end, I was hooked.  I found my niche in a huge industry where it's so very difficult to stand out.  A lot of people call themselves experts in their chosen field...and there are many people who claim to be experts in Social Media Marketing.  But I'll be honest with you...I'm not one of them.  There's no way I can be.  It changes and evolves so quickly, that I'm able to learn something new everyday.  While the hottest sites to place your business information are more or less stable, how to work with them and use them in an advantageous, yet thoughtful, conscious, and sensitive manner can be tricky.

I'm reading and researching every day, so that you don't have to.  I'm here to take what I see and read and use, and present the most helpful and valid information that I can.  I've been handling marketing in every way, shape and form for over twenty years.  You'll find lots of marketing and ad companies out there with similar experiences, but I have what I consider to be a HUGE advantage.  What makes me so special?  My anthropological background, and my ever-present interest in how people act and react with each other in social, online forums.  Those people become clients of yours and mine, and that keeps my work VERY interesting.

It takes a special person to convey what they know to others in a cohesive and exciting fashion.  I wanted participants to know that I cared, indeed was passionate about what I was about to tell them.  I truly wanted them to be as excited about their online adventure as I was, and that I wanted their business to grow from their time spent with me.  I'm positive that I succeeded.   

Patient Advocacy

I'm hoping (and praying) that I'm finished with a very tough job. No, it's not setting up a Google Campaign, or brainstorming a logo design with a new  client. What's the job, you ask? It's not what you'd expect. It's the  full-time job of advocating for my husband, who was hospitalized twice  in six weeks. After not feeling well on and off for about a month, I  came home to find Jeff writhing with stomach pain, a pain that would  take days of morphine drips to get under control. It's taken me a few  weeks to sit down and write this; admittedly, I took better care of my  family than I did myself during the ordeal. But it's important that I  share this with you, in the hopes of preventing future frustrations for  my friends, family and clients.

Our first visit to Westerly Hospital was in the early evening hours,  and getting information from the staff was like pulling teeth. I found  myself asking over and over "Where are you taking him?", "What's next?"  and "Any results yet?". Not a single bit of information came freely, and  answers would come in days, not hours. The doctors seemed like ghosts  to me; my visits in the ensuing days came too early or, more often then  not, I had "just missed" them. I made some critical errors though: I was  trying to take care of Maia as much as I could, trying to keep things  normal for her. But there was nothing normal about this situation; I  should have relied a lot more on my family.


To be continued...

The Culture of Cats & Dogs

Only-pet Syndrome.  Now that seems like a true story.  Her official name was Puru, and if you have an inkling of who I am, you get the name.  We rarely called her that though, and like most humans, we had a few nicknames for her.  She was best known as "Puddin", and was a dumpster kitty when she first came to us.  In the beginning, I didn't really want her to stay with us.  We'd invite her into our home, feed her and give her some love.  She would eat, drink, and throw up on everything.  Um...yea.  I wasn't feeling it.

The cat stuck around for a while, and in the meantime, my husband and I decided to move to Connecticut to be closer to our jobs.  My husband asked me if we could take the cat with us, and I remember my response quite well.  It was an adamant "NO!"  I explained that we didn't have time to take care of an animal, we were never home due to our jobs as retail managers, the cat was clearly sick, I didn't want the expense, and I'm embarrassed to share this, but I didn't think she was that cute.  I made many excuses, but the truth was...I just wasn't ready for the responsibility. 

To be continued...

The Web Girl Chronicles: Memos to Momma

When her full-time Dad leaves the room, this tech-savvy kid tells-all in secret emails to her working Mom.

Oct. 20, 2003

Mornin' Momma!

Dad's taking the trash out, so here I am!  For the first time since we met, you didn't come to greet me when I awoke.  I called for you with my sweet babbles, but Daddy came instead.  He picked me up, swung me around, and showered me with kisses and hugs.  It was fun, but I still wondered where you were.

Daddy must have known I was looking for you, because he explained that it was time for you to return to work, and that he would be watching over me.  I was a little confused, but as soon as he gave me my morning milkies, it became a little clearer.  I miss you terribly, and all the snuggles you and I shared during those hot, summer days.  But I feel safe and secure with Daddy, so don't worry about me!

After breakfast, Daddy joined me on the floor, where we were surrounded by warm blankets and fuzzy animals.  We played with my soft blocks, and Daddy read me a short book that looked really yummy.  But somehow, chewing a book didn't feel right, so I chewed on my bottom lip instead.  That always makes me feel better.  Soon after that, I got very sleepy.  Daddy sat in the rocky rock chair with me, while I drifted towards sweet dreams.

Do you know what I dreamed about?  You.  You were holding me in your arms and feeding me milkies, staring at me like I was the only little baby girl in the world.  It was the best dream ever.  Come home soon, Momma.  Daddy and I miss you.

Love,
Maia

Dear Maia,

What a wonderful surprise to hear from you!  Yes, it is time for me to return to work, after three short months that seemed to fly by.  I loved spending the summer with you - they were sheer Heaven for me.  I really didn't want to leave you, and between you and me, I'm totally NOT ready to go back to work.  But your Daddy and I agreed that my career could take better care of us as a family and Dad was sick of working retail with all those long hours.  So.  Here we are.

OH how I missed seeing your smiling, giggly face this morning.  I've been preparing for my return to work, so I know you have lots of milkies around there to keep you happy and content.  Just lay back in Daddy's arms, and enjoy your time with him.  In the meantime, I'll be counting the hours and minutes until we can be together again. 

Love Always and Forever,
Momma

The Culture of Only-ness

Only.  I'm not fond of the word.  It has such a negative connotation.  It boxes us in, suggesting that what we have is not enough.  Take for instance the phrase "Beauty is only skin deep"?  I know a lot of beautiful people, who may be considered by some to be quite average looking, but their soul - what's on the inside - makes them beautiful to me.

And what if you add the words "child" and "syndrome" to it? Only-Child Syndrome.  Sounds nasty, doesn't it?  My child is an only child...does she have it?  How about your child?  The phrase is meant to express the behavior of a child with no siblings; the stereotypical only-child may be spoiled, isn't a good sharer, and doesn't take "no" for an answer. Is the phrase out-dated?  You betcha.

The fact of the matter is that only-child families are the trend.  They're called "single-child families" and, their on the rise.  Over the years, we're subtly made to feel guilty for not procreating.  I've been told that there is always enough love in your heart for another child.  And I know you've all heard the "So, when are you going to have another?" question.  If you're like me, the phrase hangs heavily in the air, while your wheels turn quickly to come up with an acceptable answer.  Others offer the only-child scenario as cruel and selfish .

Then you may have, as I do, that little voice that occasionally speaks up when you least expect it.  The voice says that I'm a good Mom - am I denying myself the privilege of raising another "good kid"?  And more importantly, am I denying my child the right to share her life with a sibling, to have that constant playmate, and another connection when it's time for her parents to leave this world?

I came to this Earth with God-given free will.  There were no rules about how many children to have - the decision is solely mine.  I recently watched former President Clinton give an interview with David Letterman, and he mentioned that he and Hillary had always felt that raising Chelsea was their most important job.  I've always liked the man, but I admired him even more for saying that - it echoed my feelings in that I've been given the privilege of bringing a child into this world.

And here's the part where I'm brutally honest:  I am selfish.  There.  I've said it.  It's easier for me to provide for my single-child in the toughest of economies.  It's easier for me to go out to dinner as a family - and it's certainly cheaper.  It's easier for me to have a "date night".  My husband is easier to love.  The future of paying for college tuition and a wedding isn't that scary to me either.

My daughter is neither spoiled or coddled.  She accepts the word "no", and hears it often, especially on Saturday mornings when she's watching commercials for the hottest toys.  And so, I've made peace with that inner-voice.  It no longer fills my head and heart with guilt over my decision to quit while I'm ahead.  So my child is not an only-child, she is a child living singly in a home filled with love and ease. 

And let's just leave that only "only-child syndrome" as a phrase best used when describing my cat.  But that's a story for another day.