Lessons in Social Change and the Social Web

I've had many lessons over the past few months studying social change and the social web with Christopher Allen.  Here are a few lessons I'm taking with me...

a personal lesson:

The first challenge in communicating online or between diverse communities is to

establish your identity and establish your voice.  Personal branding is key to establishing your identity.  Brand yourself with your larger motivations; brand yourself as large as you want to grow.

a business lesson:

Your client understands their problems and their message; bring them your technique.  See past the complexity of their problems to see one gap you can fill.  See the behavior that allows the gap to persist.  Trigger one desired behavior, influence one group, begin one chain of events.

‘The Fall’ by fdecomite http://www.flickr.com/photos/fdecomite/       

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Focus.  Scan.  Act.

Let go of perfectionism, and trust others to provide the feedback you need.

Fail fast; iterate often. 

And, remember that nothing engages people more successfully than fun.