PR 2.0: If You Really Knew Me
Flipping channels on Saturday night with my husband we came across a reality show called, “If You Really Knew Me” on MTV.” I was immediately interested and somewhat saddened by a group of high school students from Anthony Wayne High School. They shared information about themselves; details that you just wouldn’t know or even understand if you saw them interacting with their friends in public.
The woman instructing the teens asked them to form groups and to move close together so that their knees were touching in a circle. Before she walked away she said, “If you really knew me you’d know that my young daughter struggles between two parents that are separated. She has two different lives and it’s so hard for me to watch this….”
One group of teens began the discussion with a young girl who began by saying, “If you really knew me….” She started talking about how even though she’s a cheerleader, it doesn’t stop her from always worrying about the way she looks (and, if you only knew how insecure she really is). The teen also admitted that she just does things to “fit in” with her friends. Tears streamed down her face as she explained to the other teens what she really felt on the inside. A young man began his discussion the same way, “If you really knew me,” and then talked about being teased about his weight….
For me, it’s one of those shows that I can’t watch without a box of tissues nearby. What I found especially interesting is that before the groups convened, the instructor talked to the teens, offering what I thought was a clear message in the form of a hand drawn diagram. She sketched on a large piece of paper an iceberg with a line drawn through it to represent how the ocean water covers the iceberg. The instructor explained when you approach an iceberg on the high seas you only see a portion of what’s really there. What’s underneath the water is the bulk of the iceberg and we don’t even know what it really looks like or how big it is.
It’s the same thing with people. Her comparison then revealed that we show an image on the surface and it’s approximately 10% of what we show the world, as opposed to who we really are. Can you imagine…only 10%? It’s that other 90% that we keep fairly hidden because the 10% is, as she explained, “the fake part.” Now, I ask you to think about PR 2.0 and social media. Do you think that social media allows us to give away more than 10%, to expose more of our personal brands or our company brands, so that people really know what’s beneath the surface? Do you think it’s 20%, 30%, 50% more or is it the entire iceberg? And, is the percentage we show still considered fake? Is it just an image? Or, is what you see what you get?
I believe that social media exposes more of what’s underneath the ocean water. It levels the playing field and shows a human side to those who connect and share. Passion comes out in conversations, whether they are in blog posts, on a Facebook wall, or tweets on Twitter. I can actually tell the mood of my own family just by looking at their Facebook statuses. What do you think, is social media exposing the iceberg and do you think that anyone or any company will ever expose a much higher percentage? I don’t have the answer because everyone is different and so is every organization, but it’s a good question. What do you think?
August 2, 2010 @ 11:57 am
I think social media DOES reveal more of that hidden iceberg — but still not all of it. That is why I think it is so important for businesses to use social media to their advantage. We like to do business with people. We may have brand loyalty, but ultimately it is the people behind the brand that really make the difference. I am naturally very shy when it comes to meeting new people, so I use Twitter and Facebook as a way to share little bits of myself with customers and colleagues so that they know me as a person and not just as a business owner. Because I am so much more than just what you see!
If you really knew me, you would know that I am a mother of triplets, a sister, a daughter, a wife. I may own two thriving online businesses, but I am also addicted to travel, bookstores and chocolate. I am lost without LOST! and use my toenail polish as a way to be different. 🙂 — Tara
August 2, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
Hi Deirdre– you pose an interesting and perplexing question! I would venture to guess that the individual would be more inclined to share more of the “iceberg” than a company or organizational brand. Regulated industries may be held to legal restrictions for what they can and cannot share, regardless of their desire to connect with their customers and stakeholders. While social media has leveled the playing field for individuals to share ideas, emotions, and opinions, companies have different pressures and various competing interests when it comes to communicating to and connecting with consumers. This is by no means a suggestion that companies are dishonest, but rather, they may be holding back more than the individual might.
August 2, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Hi Krista! Great insight and yes, I think more of the iceberg is shared on the personal side. Although, I’ve seen great improvement with steps in the right direction toward open and transparent (human) conversations in various industries. Thanks for sharing 🙂
August 2, 2010 @ 2:31 pm
Hi Tara! I love that you shared your “if you really knew me” on my blog. It’s awesome!! Wow…you must be very busy with triplets 🙂 Social media is a great way to show our human side and especially for a business so that people can connect and see what’s behind the brand. The people behind always make the difference and can add to that feeling of true brand loyalty. Thanks for sharing more about yourself!
August 2, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
I’m AWFUL with percentages:), but I definitely think social media exposes more than just the tip of the iceberg. Once you decide to jump on the social media bandwagon, I feel like you’re allowing the world to truly see “you”. Posting things on Facebook, blogs, etc. really brings people on a personal level, which can be scary for some, but definitely rewarding in so many ways.
Just a side note, I was recently encouraged by an associate of mine to break down my walls and allow myself to be all of me. I think that same idea applies here!
August 2, 2010 @ 6:21 pm
Hi Megan! I know it’s hard to pinpoint a percentage. And, then once you start with social media, the percentage tends to increase through the relationships you forge with new friends in your networks. I think there is more opportunity when you give more of who you really are, and beak down those walls. It’s great that an associate encouraged you and good luck as you show more of yourself through social media. I think it will be rewarding…it’s definitely been rewarding for me! Thanks for sharing 🙂
August 5, 2010 @ 12:14 am
Read this article today in Scientific American Mind. Apparently a study was done and Facebook profiles tend to be accurate reflections of people’s personalities.
August 6, 2010 @ 12:26 am
Wonderful post. I agree with you that social media allows us all to provide a more personalized experience for consumers and the public. Even though my team recently won an award for best use of social media in an Attorney General’s Office, your post inspires me to make renewed efforts to show even more of the personal side of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (where I work.) I think as more leaders in business and in government recognize the value of social media, we’ll definitely see an increase in the amount of the “iceberg” we see–at least I sure hope so! Thanks for your work in this area.
August 6, 2010 @ 8:24 am
Hi Janelle! Thank you and congratulations on your award. Wonderful news 🙂 I’m happy to hear that you will continue to champion social media and to show the personal side of your organization. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.