Tom Brady
I am an Eagles fan so it pains me to use Tom Brady in an example, but it’s appropriate.
You may have heard the expression before: “playing with a chip on his shoulder.” It refers to people that play hard, as if they’ve got something to prove. Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round. He goes out every game and gives it everything. In spite of having three Superbowl rings, Tom Brady still plays like he’s got something to prove, like he was supposed to be drafted in the first round and he wants to remind each and every team, each and every game.
This is how I play the Social Media game
I play this game with a chip on my shoulder. I DO have to prove it to you everyday that I’m worthy of your time and attention. Your attention is a gift, but it’s one that could be taken away at any point. It can always be drawn in a different direction, lured by better, more thought-provoking, valuable content. So I have to win by continually thinking, continually writing and continually proving myself.
Brady has secured his position in the Hall of Fame, but that’s not enough, he wants to be the best there ever was. He is chasing every record he can and every great player that came before him.
No matter where I get to in this Social Media industry, I’ll never be satisfied. There’s always more to learn and always another great idea.
Why does my network trust me?
I’m going to make some assumptions right now, I invite you to disagree with me in the comments or confirm the points I make. Here’s why I think you trust me:
You trust me because you have read my blog and something has resonated with you, you came back to read more. Over time you began to suspect I know what I’m talking about.
You trust me because we’ve met in person. You’ve heard me talk about Social Media. You sense my passion. You are sure of my commitment.
You trust me because you know me personally and believe me to be a man of integrity. You know that my values wouldn’t allow me to rip someone off. You know my work ethic for things I’m passionate about is admirable. Therefore, when you think of Social Media, you think of me.
Winning the Trust Game
Everything in life can be viewed as a game. It’s a way of competing with yourself and others, it’s a way to make progress and achievements and most importantly it makes things fun. If you don’t believe that everything can be looked at as a game, please watch Seth Priebatsch’s TEDTalk. So when I say winning the trust game I don’t mean “to game” as in to play the game dishonestly, I mean that I’m gaining XP points and leveling up.
Over time as I play the Social Media game the right way, more people trust me. Trust is everything in Social Media. Trust gets me more Facebook “Likes,” it gets me more subscribers, it gets me more referrals. It builds upon itself. The game gets easier.
Do you want to win the trust game?
If you want to win the trust game take this advice seriously:
Don’t get comfortable.
Play with a chip on your shoulder.
Commit to this, go out to prove that you aren’t going to stop until every single customer knows what you’re all about, what you know about and why they should trust you. Do this honestly and with integrity or you’ve already lost. Care about what you do and I can almost guarantee that you will succeed in Social Media, in business and in life.