I love the visual you get when you observe the life cycle of a dandelion.
It perfectly demonstrates a very important aspect of social media marketing.
The asynchronous conversation.
Regardless if you blog, tweet, facebook, or email, you are participating in asynchronous conversation.
When we participate online in communities (like Active Rain) by joining in the conversation we’re very much like the dandelion. A seed of thought occurs and takes root. The idea grows and blossoms into a conversation we articulate to the community. Like the single dandelion blossom that randomly scatters its hundreds of seeds to wherever the wind shall take them, our conversations online do likewise.
This is very different from the conversation we have that I may or may not remember from yesterday, last week, or last month by phone or in person. As time forgives no one, that conversation died the moment I forgot.
The asynchronous online conversation, however, is like the ubiquitous dandelion seeds cast upon the electronic breeze that is cyberspace. They quietly reside dormant in the search engine index until the right conditions exist and they are called upon. We don’t know exactly when, where, or how that will happen. Yet we do know if Google, Bing, and Yahoo consider that seed on topic and a relevant conversation from an authority on the subject, they will deliver that seed right up and the dandelion will blossom once again. It only takes one seed to start the whole amazing cycle over again.
That is why online communication is such a powerful medium. When we have topical online conversation we create dynamic opportunity. When we search online we are finding the dandelion seeds of the asynchronous conversation that are waiting for us.
René Fabre is well known for his innovative marketing programs. He is a sought after speaker and motivator known for his knowledge, keen interest, and insightful approach to contemporary marketing ideas and technologies. His obvious passion for the subject is well known and contagious. He frequently gives workshops and round table conversations on Internet Marketing, Social Media Marketing, and Lead Generation.
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