Does it really work?

What is the "it" I'm asking about?

Social Media has become the catchphrase attached to reaching our through the various Internet programs, smart phone apps, posting and message services. All forms of Twitter, Facebook, IM, blog postings, etc., etc.

The fact that you're reading this means that you're into it to some extent.

The fact that I'm writing this, to me, is the bigger, more relevant, question. Do I do it because my words are of value?  Am I self-involved? Is this real marketing? What's the purpose? I started blogging when an editor for a major architectural magazine advised me to. I had been doing newsletters that I thought might be of interest to clients and potential clients, and was trying to get them considered for publication. I was turned down by the magazine because of a policy that their articles were all written by commissioned authors, as a way to preserve the editorial "objectivity" they thought consultants like me failed to honor.  He said that the magazine's website, however, picked up subscriptions to blogs they thought to be of value.

That all led me down the rabbit hole. Twitter notices, LinkedIn posts, Facebook re-posts, etc. Now even the newsletters are finding a place on the web. (see http://goo.gl/ozmQZ) Each new venture is because somebody said it's important for me to get my word "out there". But, does it really work? To date, I have no validation.

Why do I keep it up? The principal answer is that, for me, this is a way to maintain currency and relevancy as a consultant. So, yes, I'm doing it for myself. However, I sure would like to get some commentary back, and get some perspective from those you might be on the receiving end of these sorts of interventions.

I still don't know. Does it really work? What do you think?

Lucky 13

Just before Christmas, I went to a party attended by many in our related professions - Lots of Architects, Engineers and Contractors. Fortunately, there were enough regular folk to make the party interesting. I even learned about something that has little relevance to much of anything important.  I now can say that I have tried a shot luge. But that's probably the subject of a different kind of post.

In any event, the inevitable happened - some of us talked about what we were expecting in the way of business for 2013. For me, the surprise was that there was little agreement.  One operations manager from an international construction firm talked about how he sees few prospects for Connecticut, while Massachusetts was busy. The implication was that the work bust/boom cycles may have started in some locations.

Another was pessimistic about subcontractor survival. After too long taking work just to keep the doors open (and losing money in the process), some are so deep in the hole that climbing out may not be possible given the price/fee competition that continues unabated.

An Architect bemoaned the pursuit of design perfection that was spending the low fees that they were getting for their commissions.

I, on the other hand, with not much more than hope and intuition to go on, was trying to argue for optimism. Here's some of my logic: We have been down so long, that there is now a pent up demand for improvement. Owner's are starting to come to grips with the growing backlog of deferred maintenance. Commercial and institutional businesses that have held off on improvements, either because they didn't have the money or couldn't convince lenders they are good for the debts, are trying to find ways to upgrade. They're concerned about their lost ability to compete in whatever realm they're part of.  And, businesses and consultants know that they have left things go for so long, they will need help and advice on how to recover.

Is this logical or deluded? Tell me a year from now!