That's the great thing about web2.0 - it's empowering! Anyone can blog, post photos, comment and anyone can and does have an opportunity to participate.
It breaks down any percieved barriers - it's open to all. And as a yap, this presents a great opportunity to me and other professionals. There is no more waiting to get your time in - waiting until you enter the in crowd - or make your way up the social ladder.
If you have an opinion - social media let's you share it - and if it's good - it'll get around.
This also presents an outstanding opportunity for your organization, social media and the impromtu conversations it encourages allow you to get a true sense of what members want. If they are talking about a particular topic, encourage the conversation.
Members are the experts in their industry and as association professionals we're the experts in bringing groups together. Empower participation, don't regulate it.
Not to mention social media can help you find the next generation of leaders. Empower them because leaders of tomorrow aren't going to be passive. There are too many active forms of participation molding us. Enable our growth, enrich our experience, and we'll help you reshape your organization.
I'll develop some of these thought in more detail in future posts.
Thanks for reading.
bob
P.S. Life is back to normal so I hope to post more frequently.
P.S.S - YAP has a twitter feed. Follow at www.twitter.com/yapstar
