3 is the Magic Number

Today Conversation Agent turns 3. We're working on a special project together to celebrate this moment with your stories of connection on Twitter #twittertales. More than 100 marketing conversations and counting, many in the comments. If you really want to know the secret of what it takes to make true connections follow me on a guided tour of some of the blogs I read.

They are the ones written by people who like who they are and keep it real. Those who connect the dots and are generous. Those who are in the organic marketing business, as well as those of generarion why. All of these exchanges have not been merely about reading and writing on blogs. They where a welcome opportunity to off line encounters and in several cases projects together.

Many of the people I chose to feature, I met in person. The interview came after the connection and only in some rare cases it was before. And yes, a lot of what happens here is about you. So thank you for reading and agreeing to meet ups over the years.

What are some tips that help connections become relationships? (these might sound a lot like advice you'd want to give marketers, too)

1. having no time limit or expiration date on continuing the conversation
2. finding reasons to move from online to off line and face to face
3. creating projects with each other, especially to borrow from strengths
4. being willing to stick around over time
5. paying attention and giving time
6. listening to feedback and taking it into consideration
7. being open to being wrong on occasion, or at least not wanting to be right all the time
8. giving valuable information and counsel
9. helping someone find a community of their peers
10. publishing thoughts and words in a common language
11. staying approachable and open
12. staying in touch over time, over coffee, over business recommendations, over any reason you can think of to be helpful

The one thing that makes you larger than life and sought out is actually what keeps you pocket size, adaptable, grounded and genuine. It helps if you redefine what it means to connect, and if the game you play is infinite. It's the difference between being a brand and becoming a lovemark. 

3 is a magic number. There's a lot that can happen in less time, but three gives you breadth, depth, and range. You can accomplish a lot when you put your mind to it. Start today by adding what makes a connection become a relationship for you to this list, then go ahead and do more of that.

And if you think that learning to integrate content that has value, educates, entertains, and allows you to interact with your peers in marketing, what we call advertising, and public relations, then please go over here and vote for our SxSWi panel. More right brain reasons to vote here.

Comments

[sherrie]

Happy Anniversary Valeria…3 is your magic number! Love this “gives you breadth, depth, and range” truly essential qualities for success.

[Jé Maverick]

Happy birthday, Conversation Agent. Congratulations for reaching a significant milestone, Valeria. May you continue on your way to announce many more. :)

[Steve Woodruff]

What a pleasure it's been to interact with you, on-line and in person, over that time Valeria. Congrats!

[Jamie Lee Wallace]

"The one thing that makes you larger than life and sought out is actually what keeps you pocket size, adaptable, grounded and genuine. "
... this is fabulous.

Many happy returns on your third birthday.
And thank you for adding the line about starting today. I very much needed to hear that at this particular moment. Serendipitous messages are sometimes the ones to listen to most closely.

That's my addition to your list, as well: Listening closely. Or, maybe just actively listening. Too often people just go through the motions of listening, when what they are really doing is thinking about how they will respond to what they are hearing. I am always impressed by folks - like you - who seem able, amidst all the noise, to stop and really listen. I try to practice that skill myself ... and it does take practice!

Again - many congratulations and wishes for your continued success.

[Jason Falls]

Couldn't let this one slip. Happy, happy blog birthday, Miss V. Keep the good stuff coming.

[Tiffany Monhollon]

Wow - the big three! Congratulations, Valeria. Quite a milestone indeed.

On a personal note, I just want to say thank you. Uou've shared so much and been such an important part of my journey in this space as well. So thanks for being someone who's not afraid to challenge, inspire, and motivate deeper reflection, personal growth, and, the most important part, putting thinking into action!

[Bruce Christensen]

In less than 1-year of joining in the conversations on this page, I have learned so much...
Thank you, Valeria
Happy third anniversary.
I look forward to meeting you personally, someday.

[KatFrench]

Many happy returns, Valeria!

You've been an inspiration to me, at a time when I really needed it. :) Best of luck through the next three years and beyond.

[Matt J McDonald]

Congratulations! I've got to say that keeping up this level of quality here for 3 years in impressive/awe inspiring. Keep on trucking!

[Tim Brunelle]

Valeria!

Such great news to see you reach 3! You've been a constant, consistent and valued source of inspiration. Thanks for all you've done these past three years.

Tim

[Chris Baskind]

Three is a long time in blog years. Congrats on consistently maintaining your quality and engaging your readers!

[A2G]

Congratulations on hitting the 3 year milestone. Hope the next 3 are as rewarding as the first 3. -emily

[Michael Zipursky]

Valeria, again congrats! This is a huge feat.

People are always in a rush. More so now than in the 'good old days'.

Technology often gives us instant gratification, if only for a moment ... but it also leads many to believe that communications and relationships can be handled in the same way ... quick input, quick return.

It just doesn't seem to work like that. Real relationships can not be rushed, they must be genuine, have the best of intentions, and often, expect nothing in return. Most take time to develop, sometimes they 'just happen'.

Likely, the expectation that real relationships can be created just as quickly as online 'friends' or 'followers' is guiding many down the wrong path.

Quality and not quantity is what it's always been about.

That's my take off the top.

Again, congrats!

To the next three!

Cheers,
Michael

[Ricardo Bueno]

Valeria: Happy 3rd Year Bloggiversary! Here's a toast to a great 4th round to come... :-)

[Valeria Maltoni]

Thank you all for the very kind words. Where did the time go? I said it early on - I'm in no rush. To me relationships are savored over time. And yes, we can choose a course at this very moment that could be the first step to a very rewarding experience.

[gianandrea facchini]

I wish to celebrate this anniversary in Italian: congratulazioni, Valeria, per il tuo lavoro e per la dedizione nel farlo crescere.

[Jon Buscall]

Happy blog birthday. Your site is a regular feature of my daily reading. I don't always have time to comment but I eagerly look to see what's new here every day.

Very best wishes,
Jon

[Eric Tsai]

Valeria, happy late blog birthday, you're truly an amazing conversation agent. I hope individuals and corporations reading your work on and offline can learn the true meaning of engagement. I believe the age of conversation marketing will continue to gain momentum as accumulation marketing gradually fades. You've been a great educator and hope to meet you one day.