Have you ever heard the expression – don’t judge a book by it’s cover? I’m sure you have.
Well apparently I’d been doing just that to one Chris Brogan.
The poor guy’s ears must have been ringing non-stop lately.
I mean I don’t even know the guy, and who am I to speak badly of him?
I’m sure he could care less, but I was not even close to being pro-Chris Brogan.
That was until the Inbound Marketing Summit and spending five minutes with the him.
A Little Background
I have to be honest, in my eighteen months of inbound marketing and spending time on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin, I had not really heard of “The Almighty One”.
I’m sure his name came up during that time, actually many times, and like many things, I was completely oblivious to the fact.
I mean, why should I have heard of him? It’s not like he’s the biggest blogger and social media aficionado on the planet, right? Okay, maybe he is….
So as you can see, I’m really clueless as to why I hadn’t come across Chris’s name earlier, but perhaps it was meant to be?
It was only about three or four months ago that those faint impressions started to become more prevalent. Like any terrific inbound marketing strategy, all those little content magnets out there got me to notice…and notice I did.
I noticed that Chris was one heck of a big deal in the online world. Two best selling books, over 190,000 twitter followers, a keynote speaker. Not too bad.
Now I’m not sure if it was jealousy or my competitive nature, but something was not sitting right with me, I had no reason to dislike the guy.
The Final Straws!
The first recent event that got under my skin was the announcement of his upcoming book Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything. Chris is all over Google+, and if anyone could write a book about the fledgling social site, it would be Chris.
Somehow, the whole idea of someone writing a book about a service that isn’t even available yet seemed to get me worked up. Google+ isn’t allowing businesses (in mass) onto El Plus yet, so how could he write a book on it?
Once again, even though I know many books are written before a service, product or entertainment launch, it still bothered me.
The second event that shook my world was Chris’s deletion of everyone he was following on twitter. “Who does he think he is?” I thought to myself, not even taking the time to read the explanation of it on his blog.
It’s amazing how our own insecurities can lead to disliking someone. Should I really dislike someone I hardly even know, especially without taking the time to investigate? Of course not! After all, I was somewhat intrigued by Chris, and knew it wasn’t right.
5 Minutes
Joanne and I recently attended the Inbound Marketing Summit and Hubspot Users conference in Boston. Both were fantastic events, and I look forward to their continued growth!
We actually weren’t able to make the event’s first day (when Chris was speaking), but caught all of the second. On that morning, Guy Kawasaki gave a wonderful presentation on enchanting customers. Afterward he was nice enough to take pictures with excited fans, and standing there off to the side was “Mr. Man I didn’t know, but was awfully good at judging”.
Joanne and I walked up to Chris, and before we could even open our mouths, he greeted us and made us both feel completely at ease.
After introductions he even joked about my last name, which is common. Apparently there is a ambulance chasing attorney in the Boston area with the same last name, who advertises all the time! Funny, but no relation!
I asked Chris about his twitter experiment and for the next few minutes, a terrific conversation ensued.
It was a pleasure meeting Chris Brogan, and it completely changed my perception of him. Could that be completely possible in 5 minutes with him? I can’t say for sure, but I was really happy to put my ill feelings aside and take the time to say hi.
I was judging a book by its cover, and in this case, I was judging Chris and his forthcoming book by it’s cover.
I had turned to Joanne soon after our fortunate meeting, and told her I was wrong about Chris, and I was.
The rest of the day and the other events were terrific. Much more was learned about inbound marketing, and a few life lessons along the way.
Thank you Chris.
Batter Up!
Is there anyone well known or famous that you have judged without knowing the entire story? Was there ever a time whereupon meeting that person your perception changed? Lastly, do we really need to meet the people we are judging to change our feelings, or should we just be more open minded? How do you think this could help us in our business and personal lives?
I’d really would love to know your thoughts! Please share in the comments.
image credit – Professional One Franchising
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Great post Adam and it’s good that you can admit when you’re wrong. I admire that!
I’ve been guilty, haven’t we all? I’ve heard things about people and frowned upon them at times only to learn later that either it just wasn’t true or totally exaggerated. Once I heard the entire story it did change my perspective.
I learned this lesson probably ten years ago and decided right then that if I heard things about people I would 1) consider the source and 2) learn more about it before I made my own decision. The same thing has actually happened to me.
I’m afraid to say that someone got their feelings hurt recently because I didn’t follow them on twitter so they bashed me in a post. They don’t know me, they didn’t even have the balls to ask me outright to follow them. Instead, they crucified me in a blog post and closed the comments so I couldn’t even defend myself.
You can’t always believe what you hear or read. If you have the opportunity to meet the person or just have a conversation with them, jump on it. You be the deciding factor. Don’t let others entice you into believing what they want you to believe. Their motives aren’t always pure!
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..20 Tips For Getting Your Content ReTweeted on Twitter
What me wrong Adrienne, ha!
I think those definitely are some terrific rules to live by. I’m gonna have to remember those.
I tend to be a bit cynical, so for me, I’m trying to see the best in people instead of going to the dark side!
I think one of the benefits of social media is access. We literally in many cases have access to the people that we never would have in the past. That is pretty darn cool!
Sorry to hear about your twitter incident. There has been a lot of that type of stuff taking place lately. I guess it’s a social evolution of sorts.
Thanks for the comment Adrienne! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..Introducing Website Grader TV! Home Improvement Contractor Website Review
Interesting post Adam – I totally against judging people to be honest (until they wrong me!)
So I make an effort to praise or criticize someone’s ideas and works NOT the person.
Easier said than done!
Ameena Falchetto recently posted..Pricing Products and Services: Are you charging enough?
“So I make an effort to praise or criticize someone’s ideas and works NOT the person.”
I love that Ameena! Separating the two makes complete sense. And yes definitely easier said than done. I gonna continue to try to see the best in people…until they wrong me as well!
-Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..The Five Biggest Website Secrets of A-List Bloggers
I’m with Ameena. i make every effort to let people prove to me that they are not up to scratch before I decide they are not in my head, although I’m sure I slip up every now and then.
This was a very honest post. We all dislike people at some point because they appear to be more successful than we are and it is just our natural insecurities. Although I have never agreed with the much used ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover.’
Why not? What are my eyes and cognition skills for? If you roll up to a business meeting with your flies undone and shirtless am I supposed to pretend I haven’t noticed?
I have never heard of this chap and because of you I am intrigued as to why he deleted all his Twitter followers. I think you come across people when you are supposed to meet them.
pea recently posted..If It Ain’t Broke…
“Why not? What are my eyes and cognition skills for? If you roll up to a business meeting with your flies undone and shirtless am I supposed to pretend I haven’t noticed?”
The book and cover absolutely guilty as charged in that example Pea!
Wow, so I wasn’t the only one who hadn’t heard of Chris. Welcome to the club! I did really enjoy speaking with him, and wish I had given him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I was supposed to run into him to learn this lesson?
Glad I was able to turn you on to Chris.
Thanks Pea! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..Introducing Website Grader TV! Home Improvement Contractor Website Review
Hey Adam,
Another great post. I totally forgot about James Sokolov and Associates…. growing up in the Boston area, I have seen this guy trying to drum up class actions and personal injury cases forever. Thanks for the “blast from the past” and, for those who don’t get to spend as much time with you as I do, it isn’t at all surprising to me that you can admit when you misjudged someone.
Hey Jen, thanks for coming by! Yes, that is exactly the chap. Funny, you knew exactly who I was referring to. Had a great time in Boston. It really is a lovely place!
Thanks for the comment! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..The Great Social Media Scam! What the Experts and Gurus Fail to Tell You!
I make all of my decisions based upon sports teams allegiance. Anyone who roots for the celtics, phillies or yankees is automatically suspect.
Jack@TheJackB recently posted..My Stairway To Heaven
This coming from a Raiders fan……sheesh!
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..Introducing Website Grader TV! Home Improvement Contractor Website Review
Hi Adam,
I have followed Chris Brogan’s blog for a while, so to me, he’s one of the really good guys. I attended a conference in Norway this year, he was speaking, so was Gary Vaynerchuck. I really wanted to meet them both and chat for 5 minutes, but I was too shy. I could have, lots of people did.
I believe what makes the big difference when it comes to “celebrities” online is how much help they provide. Some are just sending affiliate links, others provide real value.
Jens
Jens P. Berget recently posted..This is a Real Game Changer and it’s Not the iPhone 5
Jens, sounded like an awesome conference. I am itching to meet Gary V. Just finished one of his books and started another.
You make a really good point about celebs who provide value vs affiliate. I attended one very well known bloggers webinar recently and it turned out to be a 45 minute infomercial. Very disappointing!
Hope you have the chance to meet them again! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..Introducing Website Grader TV! Home Improvement Contractor Website Review
When I first heard of Richard Branson and saw the crazy things he did for publicity, I thought he was an arrogant showboat. That was more than 20 years back when he was just getting Virgin Airways up and running.
Fast forward till present day. I have since read his books and learnt about his philantrophic exploits. He is definitely one crazy maverick wh0 loves helping the world. He is now my role model.
Funny you mentioned Richard Branson. I just saw Guy Kawasaki speak and he referenced a story where Richard got on his knees and started polishing Guy’s shoes to get him to fly Virgin. Now that is awesome! It’s cool that you took the time to get to know him better.
Thanks for the comment Jimmy! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..The Great Social Media Scam! What the Experts and Gurus Fail to Tell You!
Hi Adam, that was a very honest and open post.
I’ve heard of Chris but never had any interaction with him. I’ll now make a point of visiting his blog and checking it out
It is wrong to “judge a book by its cover” but it’s really hard not to sometimes. One person that does get right up my nose is Piers Morgan, every time he opens his mouth I pray for someone to slap it shut.
In the online Game I try not to judge people, but again this can be hard sometimes. There’s only one that really gets up my nose (isn’t that a short list) and he done this by supplying a testimonial on a sales page and on the strength of his testi’ I bought the product and then found that it didn’t do what he said it did in his testi.
I was on this blokes list and had been for sometime, so I emailed him and asked about it. I never had a reply so I emailed again when his next broadcast arrived, by reply, and still didn’t get a response. Tried a third time without success and unsub’d from his list.
Now when I see his name anywhere online i simply come away from it.
I don’t think I’ll change my mind with this fella even if I did meet him
I haven’t attended any confrences yet Adam but I do intent to one day….
Take care,
Barry
Barry Wells recently posted..Add An Opt In Form To Every Post Then Triple Your Blog Traffic
Excellent post. The strangest thing about being judged is that I’m really just a guy. Like, I’m so *not* that kind of person who thinks of himself as larger than life. I just wander around and do what I do, and I share as much of it as I can manage.
But I judge people all the time. I judge people nonstop. I think most of us do. Those who say we don’t are either liars or a bit misinformed.
The difference is that I try hard to accept that I’m judging and then try harder still to open up and see what I might be missing. I fail at it all the time. Look at our meeting. I started with a comment about your last name, thus linking you to someone I’ve seen advertise, but not giving you the chance to be you.
See? It’s terrible stuff, but hey, it’s also part of being human.
Very nice post, and thank you. : )
Chris Brogan… recently posted..Customer Is a Dirty Word
Great point Chris. We all judge. Most don’t like to admit it, but we do. Heck, when people tell me they don’t make snap judgements I can only laugh and think, “So are you telling me that your brain doesn’t work?”
But it’s like you said, the real question is what do we do after that initial impression.
You’ve always been dang good to me Chris, and it’s my hope that if I ever get in shoes similar to yours, I’ll manage it half as well as you have.
And Adam, big props to you for being so real. Takes a man to do that, and you owned it brother.
Marcus
Marcus Sheridan-The Sales Lion recently posted..Eventually, Mr.Blogger, You Actually Have to Do Something
Marcus, you make a great point as well. Chris does have some pretty big shoes to fill, and I can only imagine the pressures that come along with that responsibility.
I just look at the awesome community that you are building at The Sales Lion. I very much admire that you find the time to respond to every post ,and I’d have to imagine that is pretty darn hard to do sometimes.
You guys are setting some great examples!
Thanks for coming by man! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..The #1 Overlooked Small Business Website Traffic and Conversion Opportunity (You are Kinda Already Doing)
Hey Chris,
Thanks for coming by. “Like, I’m so *not* that kind of person who thinks of himself as larger than life”. That is what I realized in the five minutes that I spent with you, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was just glad to have the opportunity to find out for myself, and in the end realize that I needed look myself in the mirror.
You’re right, I believe we do all judge people non-stop. It probably happens quicker than we even think it does. I guess the difference is being able to move past that initial thought, and take the time to dig a bit deeper…even getting past last names
I appreciate you taking the time to comment on the post. Come by again! -Adam
Adam Sokoloff recently posted..The Great Social Media Scam! What the Experts and Gurus Fail to Tell You!