Branding

Branding -> Bonding -> Admiration

Back in 1999 a group of people signed a manifesto titled the ” Cluetrain Manifesto” and the first of the 95 Theses is “Markets are conversations.” (read it online for free)

If there was ever a doubt that blogging was a tool for learning, the Joyful, Jubilant Learning forum clearly answered “Yes” in September 2006. Our discussion was all about learning and its many forms.

I was reading a post over at Small Business Branding titled “From Branding to Bonding” and I began to see how blogging is evolving.

For example, I loved Rosa’s first post Eleven Things here at Joyful, Jubilant Learning stated in her fifth point “Linking is not about traffic; it’s about admiration and appreciation.” and truer words were never spoken.

Bloggers naturally link to other bloggers whom we admire and appreciate. Relationships grow with these “connections” either via comments, blog track backs, email, and phone.

Relationship 2.0

Earlier in 2006 I wrote a series of essays categorized as Relationship 2.0 and my first essay was Relationship 2.0 and Why Link Love is Dying. I wrote about how in the early days the “Internet was dominated by geeks whose most endearing characteristic was their attention to detail… create a language (HTML among others), and software to communicate from computer to computer… Adoption and use of the Internet grew with the creation of a user-friendly publishing tools i.e. the blog - which fueled a new information revolution - consumer generated media.”

As the Internet has grown, matured, and developed into an easy to use publishing platform, adoption among those who I have labeled as ‘relationship geeks’ is rapidly gaining momentum. Relationship geeks are people who are highly social, connected, networked, and naturally warm.

What makes relationship geeks distinct from the technical geeks is their emphasis on the ‘relationship’. Information is important to them but secondary to building a relationship and connecting with real people. They use the Internet as a tool to reach out through email, blog comments, and tools like Skype and del.icio.us

The ‘technology’ of hyper linking from other websites provided the authority that search engines use to link people interests with blogs and websites. In the blogging community the practice of hyper linking is often referred to as ‘link love’ because of the influence that hyper links have in improving your position on a search engine results page. Link love will always exist but it�s importance is transforming to an admiration and appreciation meme - a very social activity.

As you are reading this essay the built in “track back” feature in my blogging platform is showing my appreciation and admiration for the Joyful, Jubilant Learning forum, Cluetrain Manifesto, From Branding to Bonding, and Eleven Things.

As I stated in my original Relationship 2.0 essay I believe we are now witnessing new behaviors that I define as Relationship 2.0 - characterized by people exploiting technology to help them connect, relate, and network.

They are natural promoters, often work in sales, have the gift of the gab, and are a party waiting too happen. The only question is how will this change the party?

In our case at Joyful, Jubilant Learning we have experienced how the party has changed.

We have created a “Learning Network” where we share, coach, train, and encourage one another via this tool called a blog - in the process relationships are initiated, forged, and we become bonded to one another. Let the games begin…