I don’t know about you, but I find it REALLY hard to write about my #1 client (ie me). No matter whether you are looking at my LinkedIn profile, my Twitter profile, the presentations that I have released on Slideshare, or my About page, it feels that nothing quite comes close to capturing my real story. There is always something missing. Some hook left un-baited.
A little while back I created a page where I can keep track of my various online activities. It doesn’t tell a story. At least not in words. It speaks of participation and engagement. It speaks of outcomes – things that I have achieved and am proud of. And, of course, each item, each link, has a story, a drama that could fill a novel. But we are short of time, breath, energy and attention. Our lives are reduced to links on a screen.
But today I am profiled in the Digital Ministry’s Digital People section. Denise Shrivell from MediaScope asked some interesting questions that really got me thinking – and gave me the space to play with the answers. It helped me fill in the gaps between the links – that otherwise makeup our digital careers. I hope you enjoy it.
But what about you? What’s your story – and how do you best tell it?
Hmm…interesting question you’ve made me think about. You are absolutely right about there always being gaps. I think even if I put both of my blogs together, as different as they are, it still would have enormous gaps. Is it even possible to tell your whole story?
I think that one of the reasons Agencies exist, is that you sometimes need someone else to best tell your story.
You can’t say all that there is to say about someone in words, let alone an online profile. But I like that you asked about stories, because in reality we just create stories about ourselves. We do select which aspects we want to talk about to make ourselves different, more interesting.
I don’t know, I’ve been writing job applications and in order to try and tell a story I use unconventional formats…which sometimes puts people off. Any thoughts/tips?
Hi Gavin
Interesting post. Personally I believe I am the king of being unable to tell my story. Probably because I tell too many stories 😉
Your post is interesting timing, however, as I have recently been asked to describe myself and what I do in 140 characters or less. Brevity isn’t my strong point, so I’ve been mulling over what to say. Hopefully I can take some pointers out of your experience to assist me in that exercise, not to mention ensuring my Linked In and other profiles make sense and are attractive.
Again, good work
Gavin
What a thought provoking post!
Loved the Digital Ministry interview too – it added further hue and depth to the picture/story.
: )
Like anything, I think it all comes down to the audience you are pitching to. I have some good examples on the SocialMediaJobs.com.au blog: http://www.socialmediajobs.com.au/blog/
There are lots of way to get your story across. Sometimes it means using the social media tools to tell your social media story 😉
Wow, Gav … 140 characters is a tough ask. Apparently smiling photos are better than my normal, kick-your-ass photo 😉
Mirror, mirror on the wall and everywhere else. Informed by our connections, meaning, depth, all that. To write one’s story feels so self-indulgent to me, yet my task for what is left of my life is to do just that. When I was 24 I wrote the story, had an agent, sold out to Warner Bros for three years and never made manifest (thank somebody for that!). It was easier then to go on because I was so narcissistic and at least unaware of it. This was before there were links on a screen…
You are not reduced to these links! I cannot even remember how I found your site, but if you only showed up as links on a screen, Gavin, you can bet I wouldn’t make you one of my daily reads so know that some sort of underbellied essence comes seeping up from the binary world.
Telling your story is only half the equation, Gavin. You’ve got to get others to believe in it, too. How? When your story becomes their story — when people see themselves in you.
That’s why social media is a such a transformative medium for storytelling, it forces us to reveal bits of ourselves, just like any relationship with the hope of creating intimacy over time.
I’d say you’re doing a mighty fine job with your story!
Thanks Michael, thanks Lucy. I think you are both right – something deep within us is revealed with every word. It’s part of the mystery of writing.