Episode #3: Authenticity is becoming performance art ??

If I had to classify my social media self, I’d say I’m “reluctant” and “selective”. I might also say I’m “intentional” and “sporadic”. Sorry, let me back up. When I say social media, I’m talking about LinkedIn, because that’s what it is now, right? It’s social media. It’s like Facebook but with more puffery. Or, Instagram, with more words and (maybe) fewer filters. Or X with less (overt) arguing.

The thinly veiled moniker of “professional networking site” that it used to sit comfortably behind has seemingly blown to one side to reveal a different self: a place for quasi-professional celebration and commiseration. It’s a place for personal brand-building playbooks to play out and, in some murky corners, for players to hang out. It has all become slightly perverted in its explicit levels of self-flagellation and self-gratification.

CMA straight talker Christina Garnett, EMBA ’s recent post lulled this reluctant and sporadic LinkedIn member into commenting on her hot take on what’s going on with the metamorphosis (metastasis?) of what was once a fairly buttoned-up outpost for job seekers and knowledge sharers.

Her statement is beautiful in its simplicity and crispness; and, dare I say, brave in saying what many, perhaps, have been thinking but have either struggled to articulate (like me) or chosen to avoid saying because, well, everyone has their own reasons for appearing to go with the flow.

Performative. That word in particular. It resonates. Defined as “involving an artistic or acting performance; not sincere but intended to impress someone, prove that something is true”, it feels like the right adjective.

This topic seems especially relevant to the CMA space, which built a movement based on bringing authentic peer voice to cut through filtered and controlled company branding. As practitioners who have leaned into the power of individual voices, the increasing “unrealness” of highly personal LinkedIn posts does indeed, as Christina said, give me the ick…and some apprehension.

What’s your take? If playbooks for personal brand-building on LinkedIn are now rampant and identifiable, will customer advocacy in the professional social sphere continue to have the same power we’ve attached to it? Or will the “overtly authentic” sharing we are seeing create new skepticism for personal proof points and recommendations from the mouths of even the truest of advocates? Will we become cynical of “authenticity” when it leans either too closely to the realm of unfiltered life exposure we see on Facebook and TikTok or to the structured personal branding playbooks we have helped our customers to create?

They say practice makes perfect, right?

Well that's what Commit Club believes: people can accomplish anything through daily practice. This engagement tool encourages users to create 30-day challenges in hopes of turning them into habits.

Anyone can create a solo challenge or team challenge, and even connect with accountability partners to keep you on track.?

Idea ??: Could you even use it to interact with and build creative engagement with clients?

While it looks like they're in the early development stages, they "imagine Commit Club becoming the primary layer for creating community and single-player challenges. By relying on 1. loss aversion, 2. rewards, 3. gamification, and 4. social possibilities, Commit Club provides incentives and motivation to stick with and accomplish anything."

?What challenge(s) would you make for yourself, your friends group, your team or your customers? Walk 20 minutes a day? Read one blog from your company site a week? Send 3 gifs in Slack a day? Eat 1lb. of popcorn monthly? No judgement here. Try it out!

It's our hottest event of the year and if you've been before, it's a whole new dating experience.

Advocacy Vendor Speed Dating is back with a bang ??, and this year, our vendors aren't flying solo, they're bringing a wingman. ??

In this "Customers Tell All" Edition, we'll be leaning into the power of advocates (imagine that). Customers will tell their own connection stories, including the skinny on what they've actually gotten out of their vendor relationship (like real impact achieved).

Real customers. Real stories. Real impact.

Vendor showcases, giveaways, best practice nuggets, ask-the-audience, chit chat and more. Oh, and did we mention that when you register, you'll be automatically entered to win the Ultimate Date Experience?! Talk about a great first date. Register now.

Talk Advocacy to Me w/Jessica Mitchell

April 30 | 12:30pm CT | [Captivate Collective | TATM Live]

In this fascinating episode with Jessica Mitchell , Sr. Customer Marketing Manager at Clio, we explore the nuanced challenges and opportunities of a referral-heavy approach. Jessica brings a unique perspective, having transformed her initial skepticism into a successful advocacy strategy that combines customer incentives with customized messaging and led to 200 closed-won customer referrals last quarter alone! Join us as we unpack why referral programs seem to thrive in some organizations (and not as much in others) and explore with us as we debate when accepted best practices should be followed and when they may need to put aside for unexpected big wins.

Integrated CLG Blueprint with Top 3 Experts

April 30 | 9am PT [Base | Webinar]

Three experts, Christina Garnett, Irwin Hipsman, and Lauren Turner, will offer guidance and insights into what may be missing in your programs, and how to fix it. You'll gain new learnings and takeaways from these industry influencers and offers for services that can make your programs scream revenue, including free services exclusively shared in the webinar.??

Q: Should I be rethinking my entire customer marketing strategy?

A: Check out what Jane Menyo has to say about it.

We talk with Jane about the current challenges of the CMA field, her own evolving understanding of the space and some ideas for changing how organizations view the value customer marketing and advocacy brings to the table.?

TATM Podcast | Captivate Collective

Q: How can I deliver delightful experiences that make an impact?

A: Tune in to the Customer Delight & Innovation webinar from Airfocus.

Delighting your customer is a buzz-wordy phrase that’s very subjective. Ask five people, and you’ll get ten different answers. On this webinar, Todd Lombardo (Product leader & design strategist) & Ramli John (Content Director at Appcues) will share why customer delight is important, the four main principles that drive delight, and real-world stories of how teams delivered delightful product experiences that made an impact.

Webinar On-Demand | Airfocus

Q: How do people balance career and parenthood?

A: Listen to the latest Women's MBA podcast episode: Navigating Career & Parenthood 101!

Navigating your career and determining when you’ve outgrown your past ambitions is tough enough, now add parenthood. Alison Bukowski shares her career journey and how she has had to learn how to be strategically selfish.

Women's MBA Podcast | Christina Garnett, EMBA

Q: Where can I find a guide to customer communications? Bonus points if it includes templates and examples.

A: Shannon Howard has you covered!

Shannon has taken her experience in communications and compiled her learnings: tips, tricks, and best practices. She provides a complete guide to customer communications along with some templates to help you get started.

LinkedIn Article?| Shannon Howard

Headline Hustle

Take your shot at answering five multiple choice questions based on current headlines. And no, they have nothing to do with customer marketing and advocacy. Get those gears grinding and let's see how little you know.

Play now!

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