Over the weekend, I was at the Texas-based National Tractor Parts Association’s annual leadership conference to give an inspirational keynote presentation at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2008.
On that morning, I was in my hotel room, freshly showered and comfortably sitting on the couch, using my new “Crackberry” to check emails and poke inside Twitterland before my talk.
It was the very first time I was truly feeling connected because for years, every time I left my home for a speaking engagement somewhere around the country, it was impossible for anyone to reach me until I finally arrived at the destination’s hotel. Thanks to my new Blackberry, I now stay connected regardless of where I happen to be.
And my friends, THAT’S A GREAT FEELING!
So there I was, happily wading through emails and chatting up a storm in Twitterland when suddenly something thundered through my head. From the moment I woke up until I sat on that couch, I had been toying with the idea of being introduced to the audience in a different, possibly more compelling way.
What if, instead of handing a typed introduction sheet to the meeting planner, I used one of the videos I brought with me to do the same job? Wouldn’t that be more compelling?
Here’s the video I was thinking of using (if you are an RSS or email subscriber, click on the title of this article to see it):
Rumbles of excitement immediately burbled up inside me. Another idea hit me:
Why not get some feedback from my followers at Twitterland and see what they thought of this idea?
But there was one problem.
I was using a Blackberry, not a laptop, making the search for the above YouTube video rather awkward. And then there was the issue of copying the URL, pasting it in TinyURL and getting the shortened version of it (only 140 characters are allowed at one time). All of this would have taken forever to do on the BB. Besides, there wasn’t much time left before I was scheduled to give my talk.
So I did the next best thing – I went directly to Twitterland and asked for help.
First I sent a message to Kris Rowlands (a.k.a FreshFocus on Twitter) and asked if she would do everything I just mentioned in the proceeding paragraph. All of which she did in less than a minute!
Not only that, but she was kind enough to provide the first opinion:
Good vid! Dang – u had hair! LOL. GIve it a go and see what TL has to say.
Not long afterwards, I heard from Mike Sansone (Twitter a.k.a. mikesansone) with a couple of messages:
Not only should u use video @ your events, we may also at @angelamaiers events as well! Your video is coming to Hawaii with us!
You continue to amaze & inspire. We’ve shared your bully story over & over. ( http://tinyurl.com/6ofc7z ) The video is great!!
Then Ange Recchia (Twitter a.k.a. angesbiz) of Melbourne, Australia chimed in:
Watching the video… inspiring! What is the intro for?
Ahhh… okay. I think it’s brilliant and a very good insight into who you are, where you came from and what you do now! Use it!
Well, what do you think I did after hearing those messages?
You got it!
And it was very effective.
Even the meeting planner told me at lunch afterwards that it worked (she treated me to a nice Italian restaurant just down the road from the hotel).
Food for thought: Are you asking people for feedback on an idea and then following through on its implementation?
It’s one way to become a remarkable performer according to my friend, best-selling author Mark Sanborn, in his yet-to-be-published book that is destined to be another best-seller for him: “The Encore Effect: How to Achieve Remarkable Performance in Anything You Do.” (Note: I am mentioned on pages 26 and 27! Pre-order yourself a copy!).
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1:06 pm on July 14th, 2008 1
That’s pretty amazing. Maybe I should join twitter! Do the friends come with it?
Well, I wanted a new logo on my website, so I asked my wife for feedback, and she helped me pick a good design.
Feedback is key though, especially for me; after a talk or blog post, I think of all sorts of ways it came off badly, but if I get just one positive comment, it changes it for me.
Ryans last blog post..If you’ll just bear with me for a moment
10:01 pm on July 14th, 2008 2
Just joined Twitter a couple of days ago, and already seeing the big potential from little postings! Very cool tool that at first glance made me say, “Huh? How’s this thing going to help?”
I’m just starting to scratch the surface and have a lot to learn on using it, but I see HUGE potential!! Thanks, Stephen!
Jim Cermaks last blog post..Join Us on July 15th — Seminar with National Speaker Stephen Hopson!
10:33 pm on July 14th, 2008 3
Yep, I know what you mean. I’ve just begun to get over my fears and take all my ideas and see what I can come up with. I’m working on a few ideas now that the fear has been tossed out. It’s great to have some awesome twitterers – I have some I know I can call upon in the time of need.
Good for you!
11:46 pm on July 14th, 2008 4
The video is awesome. I loved it. It is very inspiring. I do ask close family and friends for feedback and work on it as well. However, it works only if we create a rapport with others – such that they are comfortable sharing both positive and negative aspects with us.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..Mind Power to Overcome Anxiety And Be Stress Free
5:29 am on July 15th, 2008 5
Ryan:
Yes, friends come with Twitter!
One word of warning though: Twitter can be addictive. Once you get into the groove with it, you’ll probably get hooked on it.
I limit my time on it to certain times of the day to check in, chat for a while and then check out. For instance, I’m usually on in the early morning hours and at night when sitting out on my balcony enjoying the sunset.
5:32 am on July 15th, 2008 6
Jim:
Most people, like myself, had the same “Huh, what can Twitter do for me?” I had heard about it for months but it wasn’t until I went to SOBCon08 (a blogging biz school in Chicago) a couple months ago and first took notice. Literally everyone was Twittering there.
When I got home from the conference I signed up and that’s when it all began. I’ve been a Twitterer since May 08.
Welcome aboard Twitter! Hope you find value in using it.
5:41 am on July 15th, 2008 7
Codadiva (Please use your real name in the name box):
Congratulations on getting over your fears on implementing some of your ideas! That’s a great feeling isn’t it?
Thanks for stopping in – I’ve seen a lot of you on Twitter so I’m actually familiar with you in and out of Twitterland. BTW, if you don’t mind, please use your real name in the name box when leaving a comment instead of your Twitter name. Thanks!
8:32 am on July 15th, 2008 8
Hey! Thanks for the shout out! I loved that video – you should include Leeza Gibbons in your interview series………
I actually like you better without the hair! Strange, eh?
But in regards to feedback: I always ask for it. I ask my readers, my family, my SO……everyone! But be forewarned: do not ask for feedback unless you are really ready to receive it!
Kris @ Fresh Focuss last blog post..Motivational quotes are a go!
9:32 am on July 15th, 2008 9
Terrific work, Stephen. I love it!
10:12 am on July 15th, 2008 10
Excellent video. I agree that one of the keys to consistent improvement is getting feedback.
A great way to get feedback from others is to ask them for a rating from 1 to 10 and then ask what would be required to make it a 10.
Anand Dhillons last blog post..Carnival of Self-Mastery – July 15, 2008
10:57 am on July 15th, 2008 11
Stephen,
Sorry about that… was in a rush… it’s me Lisa!
11:09 am on July 15th, 2008 12
Stephen, what a great way to introduce yourself to new people. Guess I will have to check out Twitter. I am hearing more and more about the benefits of using it.
Patricia – Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworkers last blog post..Healing And Letting Go Of Repressed Emotions
12:48 pm on July 15th, 2008 13
I saw your Tweets on all of this while in Colorado, but I couldn’t view the video because I was using my phone. I’m glad you were sucked right in to Twitterville along with the rest of us.
Is there a captioned version of this one on the ‘net?
Karen Putz / DeafMoms last blog post..Hands & Voices in Colorado
2:52 pm on July 16th, 2008 14
Kris:
Well, shaving your head these days is actually in “fashion.” Imagine that! There was a time when men were embarrassed to have bald heads, nowadays if you’re bald in one spot, you might as well shave it all off! That’s what I do. I hate looking like a bald accountant – I prefer looking like a hot TV star with little or no hair up there. LOL.
3:00 pm on July 16th, 2008 15
@Anand: Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the video. I’m glad I ended up using it for this engagement b/c like what one of my followers at Twitter said, it’s a good representation of the things I’ve done, which can be shown visually to the audience. More powerful. I plan to use it to open future engagements. Great idea on rating feedback according to a 1 to 10 scale and asking them what can be done to make it a “10″!!
@Lisa: That’s okay – in the future you’ll know to put your name in the name box so other commentators and readers and identify you by your personal name.
@Patricia: Yes, do check out Twitter. I think you’ll find it most rewarding but be sure to stay disciplined with it cuz it can be addictive. I’m only on it briefly in the mornings and at night when I’m out on my balcony enjoying a cigar and watching the sun go down. It’s a great way to wind down and catch up. Occasionally I’ll “Twitter” mid-day when traveling.
@Karen: Yes, I was indeed sucked right into Twitterville and you are the culprit! LOL. With regards to the captioning of this particular video, the answer is no. You already saw the text that appears throughout parts of the video but that’s about it. I’ll see if I can get someone to help me text the rest of it since I can’t hear it (obviously!).
@Stephen Glad you liked it Stephen but what was it you liked? Why was it impactful?
3:31 pm on July 16th, 2008 16
First, I love how you were able to leverage the power of Twitter to get the assistance you needed. (Kris is awesome BTW) Next, that video is fantastic, superb editing and composition. There is only one thing that the video does not truly convey, your authenticity and warmth. (Not that you don’t seem authentic and warm, it is the magnitude of that warmth that is missing) I only spent a couple of days getting to know you in Chicago, and I expect to count you among my friends until the end.
You are so much larger than the sum of your parts.
3:51 pm on July 16th, 2008 17
@Stephen
Thanks for the more detailed feedback versus the one liner you had earlier. This is much more helpful and powerful. It tells me exactly why you felt impacted (or not) by the article.
It was a pretty exciting thing, actually, when I had a moment of realization while in the hotel room, realizing that I had the power of Twitter at my fingertips while on that couch. I felt my stomach lurch with excitement when that happened.
Yes, I know Kris is way awesome. Thanks for the feedback about the video. I understand how think the video might not truly convey the warmth and authenticity that you know I exhibit in person.
The magnitude of the warmth that’s missing, in your view – very interesting. Thanks for sharing. I really do appreciate the honest feedback.
Yes sir, you are certainly among my newfound friends from the Chicago SOBCon08 event. What a terrific conference that was. I’m so glad I ended up going. It was worth it. Every moment and every penny spent. Can’t wait to go again next year!
And finally, what a gigantic blessing to receive such a monumental compliment with:
“You are so much larger than the sum of your parts.”
WOW. What a strong sense of perception from another person. Thank you!
10:45 am on July 17th, 2008 18
Nice post. I would agree that a lot can be learned from feedback. We so often think we have to think of everything ourselves. Why? My brain isn’t that good! Get some input, then follow through. Atta boy Stephen!
2:35 pm on July 17th, 2008 19
Tom:
It was pretty exciting when I had that thought bubble up from my subconsciousness and even better when I followed through. I love feeling like that!
11:15 am on July 26th, 2010 20
i always thought that there is some sort of built in mind power in everyone of us.:’,