I believe that you can always learn from observation. Tamara Tunie
I work for a great software company, and we do what is fast becoming the next thing in IT, data analytics. We measure digital data online for our customers, but this is not a post to talk about what my company does, but then again maybe it is.
I decided to do a social experiment, and as you are reading this, then there is an excellent chance you were part of it. I am fascinated by inbound marketing, and I wanted to see if the postings I did would have a causal effect on who exactly was not only clicking or responding but what sort of traffic I could push to get candidates. You see, just like my company, I decided to measure what I posted online and then I took the data to look for patterns of not only the views that I received but also the reactions of how people responded. The results were surprising, in the right way.
The experiment began about a year ago, and honestly, I did not think about it until I had listened to a presentation by Craig Fisher on how you should use your LinkedIn account to attract candidates instead of using it as its original intention, a future resume database. Fisher’s premise was simple really, make them SEE you. I learned, more importantly, that you need to be more social when online, more open to interpretation and sometimes it’s ok to share YOU.
I started by posting old blog posts to LinkedIn with the intention of sharing what I wrote to an audience that may not go to one of the sites I write for and to possibly give those websites a little more exposure. LinkedIn offers writers metrics on how many people clicked on what you write, as well as the title and company of the people who viewed your article. These are private numbers only the user can see. Twitter has similar metrics that can be tracked, and my Facebook account is more private than public, so I did not take it into account from a sourcing standpoint.
These are the results:
- Daily posts on average equaled 3398 views
- Blog posts added directly to the site 2638 views
Longer blogs were read the least as people’s attention spans typically diminish. Another interesting fact that I saw was that the more I shared, not the quotes of famous people but sometimes my thoughts, more engagement followed. I shared decisive moments or just how I was feeling. This post alone received over 20,000 views in six days.
Here is what I wrote if the post font is too small for you to read:
“I woke up today with a roof over my head, my possessions and myself intact, dry. I have not and will not complain about anything, no, instead I will thank the universe for allowing me one more day of safety. I will pray for the people of Texas and Louisiana although I am not a religious man. Here at home I open my heart a little more, take pity, and try and make a difference in my community since I am unable to help in theirs currently.”
The article debuted the day after Houston was hit and flooded back in August of 2017. It was on a Sunday as well, not a day I usually posted things up on LinkedIn, but I felt the drive to offer hope as I saw people from all over Texas towing their boats to Houston to help the people affected.
People left great messages on the wall, and others sent me InMails, I put a few of them at the end of this post. People from all walks of life, CEO’s, developers, managers and factory workers sent me their thoughts.
People, that is what we are looking for right, people?
You don’t always need those fancy and often expensive search tools to find great people. Just being human and making someone’s day a little better or doing something right is what makes me proud. I am connecting with people without having to “friend them” or “connect with them.” They do you know, the number of people wanting to connect with me, the number of people who tried to connect with me, or that I had little time or need to use those fancy tools as much as other people do.
I am not saying this is the only steadfast way of doing things, but it sure was a pretty great way to connect with people that may not answer that email, phone call, or message I Ieft. However, maybe, just maybe, they read something I wrote and send an email or call me back because they know I am real, not a bot, not AI, just a guy trying to make his way like them. I will be speaking in February at SourceCon in Las Vegas, and I will be talking about all kinds of tips like this and about some other creative ways you connect with people. I hope to see you there.
The INmails.
Hi Derek,
Thank you for writing the “Sometimes we forget” article. About a month ago, I lost my job as a recruiter for a local hospital, and it’s been a struggle not only finding a new job but dealing with the pride and self-esteem issues. Your article helped ease that pain a little and offered some encouragement.
Haha! Thanks, Derek! You seem like a badass!
Hi Derek, Thanks for connecting! I’ve worked in email the past decade, for ESP’s, agencies, client-side, and covering 8 Email Service Providers (including Adestra, which I think comScore uses!) all told. I’m a high performing contributor and have been a leader throughout my career. I’m seeking an opportunity aligned with my career level and vivid culture dynamic, and I live literally around the corner from the Seattle offices. If there are opportunities you think I’d fit, let’s chat!
Hello Derek, I am G. G., a graduate student at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). I came across your posting for Software Engineer – Data Delivery at comScore. I want to take this opportunity to submit an application and introduce myself to you.
Mr.Zeller, I have read your article you wrote on finding a job. It compelled me to look you up and track you down. The article was so on. So raw, So compelling. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with the world. Please keep thinking that way. I am in the mist of it, and it touched me. Thank you again
As always, a #truestory #zellerout