While helping businesses and organizations through my newly-founded company, Online and In Person, LLC, I often talk about creating an online community to [...]]]> With Father’s Day on Sunday, I couldn’t stop thinking about my dad who died 23 years ago. In particular, I found myself thinking about his business, Community Service Station. His father had named the business “Community” and for decades it proved to be an extension of their friendships and involvement in our township.

While helping businesses and organizations through my newly-founded company, Online and In Person, LLC, I often talk about creating an online community to mirror the real life community of a business or organization. I emphasize that today’s social media marketing centers on community. To me, these aren’t idle words. Over the weekend I found myself comparing real life examples from my father’s business to interactions on Facebook pages.

1. People want to feel connected.

Community Service Station was a business but it was also a social hangout. Even the minister would spend time there (much to my grandmother’s chagrin). Most of us fill up the tank once a week or so. We are regulars at the gas station. My father’s customers would park and spend time sitting or standing around the office. Everyone knew each other and friendships developed.

Facebook creates a social space in much the same way where people can gather even when they aren’t doing business or supporting an organization. With Facebook they can check in to a place page (and eventually will be able to use the new Deal feature when it is offered). A Facebook page creates a place for a community to develop. Rockville Central, which I co-manage, is an excellent example of a Facebook community which means quite a lot to us.

2. People have a need to communicate with each other.

When people hung out at my father’s service station, they inevitably discussed every news story and local happening. When I met his regulars, they always knew what I was doing too.

On Facebook people comment or answer questions in much the same way. Even though they might not be friends on Facebook, they get to know each other and respond to each other. You can always stop by and comment and discuss a topic of interest while seeing who else is talking about a certain subject. People want to know what’s going on and share their opinions both in real life and on Facebook.

3. People want information

My dad obviously shared all sorts of information and answered many questions. Most of all he gave directions to people who were lost. These were not customers. Since he was situated off a ramp from the Lincoln Tunnel, these requests were never-ending and demanded a great amount of his time.

You share when using the social networks. On Facebook, businesses and organizations provide links, posts, and explanations to demonstrate their expertise without an expectation of compensation.

4. Businesses shouldn’t be afraid of humor

Take a look at the picture for this post. A newspaper article was taped onto my father’s desk “Boss George Goes Batty”. He loved to fool around and play practical jokes. He taught me that if I wanted to dish it out, I had to take it. Customers stopped in for a good laugh daily and he would play along. Community Service Station was a lively place for many men in my hometown.

On Facebook, you often post funny pictures, jokes, and amusing articles. These light-hearted links are a good break from your work or boredom. Sharing funny instances is one of the main uses of Facebook. Successful business owners and organizations show their lighter sides. Their pages run fun content and creative photos with a personal touch.

5. People like to volunteer and help.

My dad’s business was a work-study site for our high school. He hired young men and successfully trained them to be able to hold a job. Many of these boys didn’t even know how to look someone in the eye or shake hands. My father stepped up and dedicated the time. He always offered his property for car washes for local groups too. Signs and fliers were everywhere.

Businesses often “give back” to the community. After organizing service projects, Facebook brings people together to volunteer. Posts and events provide ways for customers to invite other like-minded friends to join them and increase the good in the world. Facebook is the modern day version of a flier on a telephone pole.

When I advise businesses and organizations on using social networks, I have my dad’s terrific example in my mind along with a good understanding of the importance of community. This background is combined with the technical know-how of successfully administering a Facebook page. To me, they fit together quite naturally. I help others feel the same.

Yesterday I had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting for an apartment building. A nonprofit organization was able to purchase a vacant, foreclosed property in a neighborhood suffering from blight and renovate the building to provide homes for four families experiencing homelessness. Not only was this small apartment building going to help the four families, it  could also begin to improve conditions on the street and eventually turn things around for the whole neighborhood.

One of [...]]]>

Yesterday I had the honor of attending the ribbon cutting for an apartment building. A nonprofit organization was able to purchase a vacant, foreclosed property in a neighborhood suffering from blight and renovate the building to provide homes for four families experiencing homelessness. Not only was this small apartment building going to help the four families, it  could also begin to improve conditions on the street and eventually turn things around for the whole neighborhood.

One of the new residents attended the ceremony and was able to see her apartment for the first time. She had been living in a shelter with her baby in a Pack ‘n Play next to her. The apartment was small, but it had been completely furnished by two local decorators who volunteered to bring the community together, collect items, and produce a fantastic-looking apartment.

The mom was overwhelmed when she saw the baby’s room. The darling pink draping and hanging toy were sweet. After being shown a trendy living room and fully-stocked pantry, she was emotional when she saw all the special details for her baby.

Now I find myself remembering my first pregnancy. My husband worked for the World Bank. When he had to go on an extended trip to Thailand, I felt very alone. Even though it was temporary, I couldn’t help but imagine how terrible it would be if he didn’t come back. We owned a nice little house. I had friends and family. Even with all this support, I couldn’t fathom being all by myself and having a child.

So I find myself thinking about how she must have felt to be alone in that shelter with a little one depending on her. I don’t really know what it feels like to have nothing I could call my own, to have my life filled with such uncertainty. But I saw what it felt like to walk into an apartment and be given a chance for a good, stable life because strangers cared enough to make it happen. The gratitude and love of that powerful moment was overwhelming.

The decorators put a sign in her bedroom window which said “Dream”. Now that she has the dignity of a home, she can.

A few months ago I started to feel sick at work with a headache. Convinced I was catching my son’s cold, I decided to go out for a run anyway. Miraculously, I felt better.

On a few other occasions this winter I’ve felt terrible. Convinced I’d be sick in bed within hours, I dragged myself out for my late-night kickboxing class then recovered. I’ve been telling everyone how my [...]]]>

Watch out when the stress blows in

A few months ago I started to feel sick at work with a headache. Convinced I was catching my son’s cold, I decided to go out for a run anyway. Miraculously, I felt better.

On a few other occasions this winter I’ve felt terrible. Convinced I’d be sick in bed within hours, I dragged myself out for my late-night kickboxing class then recovered. I’ve been telling everyone how my exercise must be boosting my immune system because I never wind up getting sick.

With the blizzards, I couldn’t travel to the gym. For six days my stomach was upset. I enjoyed my time with my family while trying to keep the ball rolling for a major fundraiser. With Washington DC snowed in for a full week, the hours were dwindling before the big event. Even though I had been ill for several days, I forced myself to an early-morning kickboxing class as soon as the roads were clear. When I came home I started to research my symptoms in fear of cancer. A short time later I was completely better.

When I was reading the medical book, the first cause of my symptoms was typed in bold letters: stress.

I had spent a week feeling sick because of stress. I still can’t believe I didn’t recognize it. My suffering had me worrying about a major disease. With my conscious effort to stay healthy, I can’t believe I didn’t know what was happening to me.

The realization that I was suffering from stress every time I thought I was sick floored me.

When I interviewed for my nonprofit job, I was asked how I handle stress. Fundraising under tight schedules with part-time hours and a strong desire to succeed is recognized for the stress it creates. Yoga and running on a daily basis had been a strong foundation to staying healthy but with work taking up additional hours, late-night kickboxing had to be added. Apparently, I can’t live without all these stress reducers.

But not all stress is bad. The American Institute of Stress describes it this way:

Increased stress increases productivity – up to a point, after which things rapidly deteriorate, and that level also differs for each of us. It’s much like the stress or tension on a violin string. Not enough produces a dull raspy sound and too much an irritating screech or snaps the string – but just the correct degree of stress creates a beautiful tone.

There are many signs of stress.  HelpGuide.org lists the physical ones as aches and pains, diarrhea or constipation, nausea, dizziness, and loss of sex drive. Keep a look out for these in your daily life.

Without intervention, my situation is making me physically ill. With this awareness, I need to make sure I find the ways to keep a good balance and stay healthy. Hopefully the weather or injuries won’t prevent me again.

I’m feeling a need to run right now.