The Daily Blagica

..is really slow.
Updates will be coming in spurts.

How many times have you been direct messaging and replying someone on Twitter, meet 'IRL', then dance around each other like bashful 10 year olds.
 
This happened to me a few times in the last month and again tonite at the Chicagonista Social Media Soiree. I met a few folks that I talked quite a bit with via Twitter, yet meeting for the first time left me bashful and looking for words to connect. I also realize that I have more quality conversations with folks 'IRL' in smaller settings. My attention span is more focused, there aren't folks walking by me trying to get drinks and I'm not catching the eye of an old friend walking in the door.
 
Tonight, like other nights had me in a good mood. I left the party in high spirits, glad I saw old friends and excited to meet new ones. My mind then began spinning with questions and follow-ups for the new people I did meet - and I wished I could go back and find some quiet time to chat.
 
If we ever meet in the future and I may seem frazzled or trying to find words to connect in person, this is most likely why. I say, let's meet at a big event, but also plan a smaller, more intimate chat over coffee or ham and eggs. Deal?

Yes, I work for a PR firm. Granted, it's the Digital arm of the firm, however it's still public relations. There are two major reasons I decided to come back to corporate full time:

1) Working for a woman who is not only a fellow blogger, but has her own interesting digital experience
2) The Edelman philosophy to public ENGAGEMENT versus plain old relations

Shel Israel's article, featuring Richard Edelman, says is all.

I recently asked for resumes of folks that had a strong digital media background, with a social media plus.

Through the beauty of the Internet, I was receiving DMs, emails and resumes.

Observation #1: Twitter and Facebook work
Observation #2: There is a disconnect between digital media and social media experience

Those of us from the 'old school' know what it's like to sell in an idea for a massive web site project, folding in new programming code, ensuring the site loads well for the user, while providing a clean navigation throughout. Then there are those of us that can apply that information and piggy-back it up against social media best practices.

For the first time, I realized that there is a shortage of people with a solid understanding of both camps. Of course, no one is saying one needs to be a web programmer, but at the same time, leading a team thru tasks/timeframes and understanding the crux of how to create a web site are important skills that seem to be fading away. Being able to then apply social meda best pratices to that consumer experience is then considered a huge win.

Anyone else feel this way? What say you?