Why I’m an Open Book
April 8, 2011 by Brandon Krieger
Filed under •-Headline, Motivation, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media
I have people ask me over the last few weeks why do I put all my personal information online. Why do I tell everyone what I am going through, the challenges I am having. For example this last week I talked about my challenges with Family Court, how I was up late, the challenges I was going through and still dealing with. I do this for 2 reasons; 1) when I was going through my first initial Family Court case I felt alone, I felt know one understood me. At times it was validated from my friends who couldn’t understand what I was going through. It was personally a hard time for me and I wish someone could support me and understand what I was going through. 2) I do it because I know my purpose in life is to help people, to use my life experience and education to help people overcome challenges in their lives. If I write one post and it connects to only one person who feels that someone understands them, I have served my purpose.
People ask but what about the money, how do you make money through this. First, all of us need to survive, we need to pay our bills, put food on our table and a roof over our head. I don’t focus on the money because my personal belief is this, if I can write a blog post that explains the challenge and provides a solution that helps people then I am happy. If someone needs more help and wants me to coach them then we will discuss monetary value for my time. People who know me will tell you that I will give resources, videos, books…etc before I will have someone personally work with me and when people work with me directly I love to give information and educate people.
As the world is changing and I have been talking about this for a while now, we are a global community that needs to help each other. Borders, Governments…etc is a non issue when it comes to Social Technologies be it Social Media or Social Networking. At any point of the day you can connect with someone any where around the world. Guess what they have their challenges too and like I mentioned before Iwant to feel that someone understands them, someone has gone through what they are going through and they are not alone. Now if you have the solution for the challenge they are going through they are so grateful and you probably saved them a lot of time and stress of them dealing with their challenge on their own.
I might call myself a Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Social Technologies Coach…etc but at the end of the day that is just my education and experience. I’m a human being who is part of a global community that I personally feel wants to be connected and needs leaders to guide with integrity, be authenticate and are able to say I am not perfect and will learn from their challenges in life.
That is why I’m an open book, my purpose in life is to educate, coach and help as many people as I can.
Love & Chi,
Brandon Krieger,
Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Social Technologies Coach, Reiki Practitioner & Professional Speaker
For more information contact me at info@knssconsulting.com or visit us at www.knssconsulting.com
Building A Genuine Social Community
March 17, 2011 by Brandon Krieger
Filed under •-Feature, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media
One of the challenge today is building a social community that is genuine or what I like to say authentic. With the new age of Social Media and Social Networking people are still trying to build their communities on monetary value. They are trying to build a list of people so that they can pitch and sell too. With the new global Social interaction this will only get you so far until people see through you. On the other side of the coin people are looking for direction and there are so many people in the the Fight or Flight state because of everything that has happened over the last 4 years. Going through a recession, people losing their jobs, financial challenges and all the issues that come with those. People are looking for a solution to get them out of the Fight or Flight state into a place were they feel safe and secure.
I personally see this as I’m keeping my ear to the grown, watching how people are communicating on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs…etc How you can see 80% to 90% of communication is about making money. I completely understand we all have to pay our bills, put food on the table, clothes on our back. The difference is the new economy is about helping people and building a relationship with them. What you are seeing is that people who value the help will give back, be it a trade of service, monetary or bartering to help someone else. Now if you look back to the early 50′s and in small communities today that haven’t been modernized you will see this. Communities are there to help each other. I will help you cut down that tree, if you help me build my garage. This same way of thinking our Grandparents or our parents depending how old you are. They understood the importance of community and looking out for each other. The difference is their community was local tight net community and everyone knew each other.
Today that way of thinking and that community now is global. If you don’t believe me take a look at someone who you know that is famous. See if they have a Fan Page on Facebook if they do, check out who is posting in their page and where are they from. You will quickly see that even if you are in a local business as soon as you post anything on the internet you are instantly putting yourself out their to the global community.
This is important to know because you have to know what you are going to get if you put yourself on the internet and are looking to build a community. In a short period of time you can be known internationally if people are connecting to what you have to say be it video, articles, posts…etc
The question is How do you build a Genuine Social Community;
1) Build a strong foundation for yourself of who you are and what you want. This way no matter who comes to your community it wouldn’t phase you. Trust me there are some great people out there and there are people who are still trying to find their way.
2) Be authentic by letting people know what is the purpose of the community you are building.
3) Connect with people just like you would build a friendship do the same with your community. Don’t pitch or sell. If you are looking to sell a product and that is your purpose to build the community. Trust me it wouldn’t last. Just like you would help your best friend when they need it, you have to think of your community in the same way. For example I’m a Social Technologies coach and people ask me about technologies. I don’t try to bill them I give them links, websites, articles…etc then I ask them did that answer their question. That is exactly what I would do with my friends. Now of course there is a line all my friends who understand and we have a mutual appreciation. We will help each other as much as we can but if it gets to the point the relationship isn’t 50/50. Meaning I give the 50% of my knowledge and time but they are not giving the same or the valued amount. Then I tell them sorry I can’t help you. Remember a relationship of any kind should be 50/50 if it isn’t then you need to look at the dynamics of the relationship.
4) Last but not least the community you build should be fun, educate people and help them.
As I see it, the world as we know it is changing. Be it business, relationships, friendships, the energy round us you name it. It is up to us as a society to realize this so that we can build a strong community that is about helping each other.
Love & Chi,
Brandon Krieger,
Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Reiki Practitioner & Professional Speaker
For more information contact me at info@knssconsulting.com or visit us at www.knssconsulting.com
Social Technologies Coach Brandon Krieger discusses why people fail at Social Media and Social Networking
February 15, 2011 by Brandon Krieger
Filed under •-Feature, Inspired Business, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media
While sitting here this weekend, reviewing courses that I have taken in the past two years about Web 2.0, Web 3.0, Social Media and Social Networking, it has really hit home what is really going on with the courses and how people are using these tools.
I see people using the Social Media tools to get their information out there (be it YouTube, Viddler, Blogs, etc.) while using Social Networking tools to try to build lists and followers. This practice is in most courses, online seminars and training videos out there — how to build your list/followers faster, use tools that makes the process automated so you can spend more time doing other things. I’m sure you’ve all heard about these tools and/or might even use them yourself.
However, in my opinion this is the reason why people fail in Social Networking and Social Media. They are missing the biggest part of all, the “SOCIAL” aspect, by using an ever-growing variety of automated tools to grow their accounts for them; they’re not building the friendships that social technologies are based on. So what if you have 100,000 followers or more? If you haven’t built up a relationship with them they will not be listening to what you have to say and will ignore you which your list would be as good as having one follower.
Think of the biggest social networking site around (Facebook) and why it grew to be as big as it is. If you don’t know, it’s because people wanted to see what their friends were up to; videos, pictures, trips, status updates, etc. They want to be meaningfully engaged in the lives of people in their social network.
Think of it in this way: Would you go to a bar and ask each person in that bar, no matter who they are, what they’re interested in or what sex they are? Would you tell a stranger, “I’m a great catch, let’s get married, have kids and I’ll teach you how to be a great lover”? Now this is a little exaggerated, but look at your Twitter feed and you will see exactly what I’m talking about.
Here are just a few tweets (removed the URLs):
“(Un)Frequently asked questions about quality score:”
“Womens Easy Spirit sz 9 Welinda Brown Slip-On Shoes: US $18.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-13-2011 17:49:25 PST…”
“Exclusive deals Local restaurants, spas etc. 50–90% off. Daily Deals! Sign up”
You can see that people are not socializing from these posts and that is why people are failing at Social Media and Social Networking — they’re not meeting people, build a relationship and then helping each other. Not to pick on MLM (Multi level Marketing), but I have been involved with a company of that sort myself, so I know this challenge from both sides.
In the old days, when you first got into a company, they told you to make a list of everyone under the sun (family, friends, friends of friends, etc.). They would train you to think that you needed them to get involved because they were missing out on the greatest thing ever. Now, when your friends and family got word you were in a MLM company, you wouldn’t hear from them and they would avoid you at all cost. They knew that if you ever got them in a room you would try to close them to either buying your product or becoming part of the company. How is that any different from what people are doing now with Social Media and Social Networking?
Now, I know right now you’re probably either on one of two sides. Either you’re part of these companies/systems and you want to tell me off and tell me I don’t know what I am talking about (which is cool; we all have ways of doing things) or you’re on the other side where you’ve been in the position I just described and are trying to figure out what you can do to become successful. In either case, it’s always valuable to evaluate your method and see where improvements can be made — finding success can be hard and the answers aren’t always apparent.
If I haven’t lost you at this point, my recommendation is to think of Social Media and Social Networking like dating:
You go to a social event you’re interested in, you go and shake people’s hands and really get to know them (Social Networking). You tell them a little bit about yourself (Social Media), maybe even give them your phone number. You go out a few times, chat a bit, have some fun… Before long, you’ve naturally built a relationship where you know each other in a genuine way; they know what you do and who you are as a core person (and vice versa). When the connection is genuine, they’ll love to see what you are doing and talk about you to friends; if you’re really good, they may think you’re an amazing person and want you to meet people in their network, too. Now you’ve build all these great relationships and become part of a community you likely wouldn’t have been invited to if you had stuck to sales pitch networking. Communities are a wonderful thing because they tend to work together to help each other out when someone needs it.
I am sure the analytical people reading this are thinking, “How does that relate to making money? The income is secondary because if someone needs a service (say a plumber), I am more likely to refer someone from my social network that I know personally then a stranger.” Really think about that statement. When was the last time you referred a complete stranger to a friend of yours to help them with something? For the most part, when people are recommending services to their friends, people will either refer someone they know or the get a referral from someone they trust to refer to you.
With Social Media and Social Networking being a global community, people are connecting more and more each day. Watch, when someone thinks they are being wronged, how many people are getting involved internationally. Even it doesn’t directly affect them, they are still voicing their opinion and supporting.
That is why it is even more important now, and in the future, to start building those relationships. It is up to us as a community to support each other in our growth, health and welfare. That is why I do what I do. That is why I give you as much information as I can to help our global community. Like all of you, I need a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes on my back. But I make sure I do it in such a way that I can give as much as I get; the more I receive, the more I provide. That is how it was hundreds of years ago, when looking at how tribes behaved and cared for each other in a communally positive way. We are no different. The lines in a map mean nothing now. If you want test it, post a comment in your social networking tools and ask where is everyone from. You’ll see there is no such things as boarders anymore. We are one big community.
In closing, I recommend that when you use these Social Technologies, keep in mind that it’s not about the money — it’s about connecting with our community to help each other grow.
Love & Chi,
Brandon Krieger HLC, ITIL, PPS
Social Technologies Coach & Professional Speaker
For more information contact me at info@knssconsulting.com or visit us at www.knssconsulting.com/socialtechnologiescoaching.html
Know ThySelf
February 9, 2011 by Brandon Krieger
Filed under •-Feature, Inspired Business, Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media
How many people can really say that they “Know Themselves”?
One of the hardest things you will ever do in life is to really know yourself inside and out. How many of you reading this can say they truly know themselves? I know for myself I keep evolving and changing as I learn who I really am. Just in careers alone I have gone from Warehouse worker, to Security Guard, to IT consultant, to Holistic Lifestyle coach. This has been my journey in career, business and education but are just my labels that I call myself so I can be recognized as a professional by our community.
I have also gone through personal growth of my relationships with women, family and friends which to this day keeps developing.
How many of you have gone through these very changes or are struggling in your personal and/or professional life but just can’t figure out what to do?
I’m going to go into a little conspiracy rant. so those of you reading this who don’t believe, just think of this as a story but for the ones who do, I want you to take this to heart. With the change of social media and social networking it’s more important than it has ever been before to know your true self. The everyday person can post something on the internet be it videos, posts, articles…etc and have more influence on the people watching/reading then ever before.
I am sure you are asking, “what does that mean for me?” With this worldwide global exposure, if you don’t really know what you believe in or what your core values are, you can get caught up in the crowd going with the hype. I have seen personally videos scaring people on what to believe or what to think. Take a look at any local news cast from the area you are in. Then go on Google and do a search for that exact story and see what you find. If it’s a big enough story I am sure your going to find stand news feeds/posts, but your also going to see people blogging, tweeting, Facebooking..etc what they think. It is up to you to listen to what you believe what you think so that you don’t get caught up in the social viral exposure. Don’t get me wrong there are some amazing videos and articles out there with great content but my recommendation is to always look at “You” first and what you truly feel about what is being said. Then make your decision on what choice you make. Which in life there is only really 3 choices.
1) Win/Win/Win- where everyone wins from your choice
2) Lose/Win- where your decision helps you to win but someone is on the opposite end.
3) No choice at all.
In the next year I am predicted people are going to be taking back control from the Government and Corporations that are not serving the people. People globally are coming together to voice their opinions and make a stand for what they really believe in. This is changing our society and will affect our economy.
If you are running a business that has a service or product think of how these changes are going to affect you. This should change the way you support your clients, how you treat them and the service you offer them. Remember your business, even if it’s a local service, can become global from your clients without your control. If someone posts on Facebook about your product or service and they have friends in UK, China, Australia…etc and they read your post, then guess what? Your company just got free advertising globally. That’s how easy it is now with social media and social networking to have your company be advertised worldwide.
Make sure you truly take the time to Know ThySelf. This way in the new era of relationships, business, marketing, social networking and social media you are going to be part of the global community which is important to truly Know ThySelf!
Brandon Krieger HLC, ITIL, PPS
Social Technologies Coach & Professional Speaker
For more information contact me at info@knssconsulting.com or visit us at www.knssconsulting.com
What’s Your Passion?
January 16, 2011 by Brandon Krieger
Filed under •-Feature, Inspired Business, Motivation, Social Entrepreneurship, Social Media
Over the last 6 months I have really been going back and forth trying to find my passion. Like most of you out there we are over loaded with information, facebook, twitter, youtube, trying to build our business’s but just can’t figure out what exactly is our niche in this global world.
As I watched how people are interacting you see how people are desperately trying to sell their products/services. Watch twitter, you will see the posts people tweeting ” I can do…”, ” Check out this link I found because it will help you…”,…etc. The list goes on and on of these generic posts to anyone that is listening and really attracting a very few.
That is why you have to find out what you’re passionate about. I am sure your asking ok how do I do that. You have to get to your core values of what you want, what makes you happy. Then do that each and everyday, be around the same people who are doing the same thing, ask that group if there is anything you can do and sit back and listen.
I watched an interesting Youtube Video with Gary Vaynerchuk explaining how this Social Media/Social Networking era is actually bringing us closer together. Think of this world now like a small community. In the old days if your Grandparents went to go get a dozen (12) buns from the local baker and asked for an extra bun. The baker would give it to them and charge them for the dozen. If the baker didn’t they would tell the community of how they were treated. Now take that analogy and put it on the World Wide Web. Never before have we been able to connect with so many people with just with one post.
Now you ask how is that related to your business, your income…etc Think of a time someone help you out when you were looking for answers, would you go back to them if you had another question. Would you refer your community to them if they were just about helping you. This is something you need to think about before you really get out and start posting your world’s greatest products/service. See how your passion can help someone else, how your knowledge and expertise can answer a challenge or concern they are having. Connect and make a relationship by asking them questions. From there you will have friends in your community that will want to help you build your business and that is stronger then just building a list of people you don’t even know.
Remember the cliche that “Blood is thicker then water”. Make your business like a family and you will see it grow.
I want to give you action items to help you out. If you are reading this and are having the challenges above
1) What’s your purpose in life?
- This is a real psychological question and can take some time to answer. To give you some examples People’s purposes in life have been to teach, to heal, to help people in need to give you some examples.
2) What are your exercise needs?
- Do you exercise in the morning or at night? What type of exercise do you want to do for example spin class, martial arts, sports team…etc
3) What are your relationship needs?
- Do you want to be in a relationship? What type of relationship do you want? Do you want a short term or long term relationship?
4) What are your educational needs?
- Do you want to keep learning? What is your learning style is it Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic? Do you like learning by self study, in a class room, one on one instructions…etc? What material do you like to learn about; Health and Wellness, Computers, Finances, Business, Real Estate…etc
5) What are your time needs?
- How much time do you need in the morning to get up and get ready? How much time do you need to work out, prepare your food, spend time at work..etc just a side not this will help with time management remember each of us only have 24 hours in the day. 8 hours to sleep, 8 hours to work. Then 8 hours to divide up with personal time, education, working out…etc
6) What are your rhythms?
- Are you a morning person or night person? Are you more energized in the morning and feel you are more productive or are you more a night?
7)…etc
Really find out what you truly want and then compare it to what you are doing now.
Next article I will tell you how this relates to your business.
Love & Chi,
Brandon Krieger,
Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Reiki Practitioner & Professional Speaker
For more information contact me at info@knssconsulting.com or visit us at www.knssconsulting.com
