Connection.
by Lisa Feren.
Connecting with people is what life is all about. It’s what makes life worth living and gives it meaning. To me, connection is a bond. Spoken and
sometimes unspoken situations or events that link people together. It’s the feeling of attachment and relating to another human being on a deeper
level. And while we are at it, you can say we are all spiritually connected through our energy and to the land and universe. But that’s another level
altogether!!! My stream of thought regarding connecting, as an online marketer is about maintaining personal connections and the quality of the
connections in a digital world.
But lately, I have a love/hate relationship with the new way of connecting. How can I say that when I am an online marketer? Aren’t I supposed to
love connecting??? Well, let me explain. I am just not sure humans were meant to be loosely connected to so many people. Humans are pack
animals and designed for close, intimate groups. Too many simple connections (without meaning), mistaken for friends can lead a person to a lonely
disaster. And it’s daunting to make new connections and keep up with them while maintaining real meaningful ones. Think about how many people
you are associated with – family, mom friends, work friends, childhood friends, gym friends, “real” friends, acquaintances, religious affiliated fr iends,
clients, potential clients, business partners, and on and on and on. The overwhelming feeling to keep up with all of the people in your life – let alone
bond with them more deeply! Sifting through names of people on a computer screen to determine who is valuable and how much time and attention
each needs is enough to make your head spin. Or at least threaten to take a break from social media!
Social media has changed real, live personal conversation – and has redefined interpersonal relationships as a whole! There are several new layers
of complexity to human interaction which was supposed to bring us closer, yet is having the opposite effect. Today, connections are a numbers game
of followers and likes measured by Facebook fans, Linked-In referrals, tweets, pings and mentions. Yes, you’re connected – like dots on a page, but
instead of really connecting, people are just hitting the surface with their level of communication, conversation and understanding of each other. It’s
like junk-food for conversation. You feel like you’re full, but you just feel empty afterwards – there’s no healthy calories being consumed - no real
meaning. I understand the “big guys” in internet-land realized the online space needed to feel smaller and more personal and to combat, created
Facebook groups, private groups and Meet-ups and circles.
“To know what’s intimately going on with people from their social media posts, but not because we’ve talked, feels really disconnected. So in a world
where I am “connected” to thousands of people, I feel lonelier than ever.”
I think perspective is key. Regardless of being online or off, knowing who is in your life and whom you can personally count on vs. whom you can
talk with online about business is important. So I said earlier that connecting online was a love/hate relationship. So what do I love?
I love that I “meet” people from all over the world! I love how the online space makes the world smaller and the excitement when you share the
same values, morals and outlook on life as someone living around the globe! I love helping people connect with others as I help them write what’s
in their hearts and put words to what they are “all about” so they can trigger emotions and feelings in their clients about their businesses. I love some
of the groups I have joined – and through them, have found a place I am able to ask for business advice, share a win or get support through a crappy
day. And, I love actually taking the online world offline – speaking or meeting in person and creating real friendships.
How do you feel about connecting? Do you agree with my opinions? Connect with me and let me know!
I’d love to connect!! Happy Connecting!
With love and gratitude,
Lisa Feren
LifeGrid® Local Editor - San Diego
www.handcraftedmarketing.com