I came for content. I left with a tribe.
Zach Messler
Be perfectly understood | What you sell is amazing. Help your audience see that, too. #BOOMshockalocka
We take for granted something precious.
In fact, at times it virtually disappears.
And without it, we become less human.
What is it?
Personal connection.
You may think you can capture personal connection online.
And, you’d be right.
You may think you can find it over the phone.
Right again!
Skype! Facetime! Hangouts!
- Yes!
- Yes!
- Yes!
But…here’s the thing…Even if you take advantage of all those communication channels, you still miss out on something much better…much deeper.
For lasting, meaningful personal connection, there is nothing like live and in person.
This was the idea behind an experiment dreamed up by the amazing Sarah Elkins, a self-described storyteller—and truth be told—one of the finest human beings you could ever meet.
How do I know all this?
I attended the inaugural No Longer Virtual Conference last week in Atlanta.
This was no ordinary conference.
Always interesting…at times, it was intimate.
At times, energizing.
At times, so much more:
- Fascinating
- Eye-opening
- Perspective-shifting
- Intriguing
- Touching
- Hilarious
- Heartwarming
- Tear-jerking
- Useful
- Educational
- And…downright fan-freakin-tastic.
So, what made it so great?
The people.
- Sales stars
- Marketing pros
- IT execs
- Storytellers
- Badass writers
- Customer engagement leaders
- Incredible entrepreneurs
- Social media influencers
- Gamification enthusiasts
- Neuroscientists
- People management experts
- Even a certified Grammar Goddess!
The subject matter.
Story-telling that resonates
We learned how to identify the pivot points we all experience in our lives, and how to turn those stories into engagement magnets—able to pull in any audience.
Customer experience strategies
We learned how to tune in to everyone’s unique story to improve relationships and build loyalty.
Audience engagement
We learned that to stand out, it helps to be opinionated.
Sales approaches
We learned a sales approach where you don’t sell a product at all…you sell the experience of buying the product.
Personal branding
We learned to more easily connect with our audiences by being intentional and authentic.
Twitter explosion
We learned—step-by-step—how to increase our impact on Twitter. One great method? The #supertweet.
Empathy building
We learned to step out of our comfort zones in an attempt to uncover and better understand the perspectives and feelings of others.
Behavior change
We learned a system for transforming behaviors and shaping culture.
Brain science
We learned the ins and outs of how the brain works, the importance—to your brain—of breaking away from habitual thinking, and why red wine quite possibly could be the best drink in the world.
The collegiality.
- 100% interactive sessions
- Networking
- Amazing meals
- Crazy antics
- Engaging discussions
- Inside jokes
- And so much more I cannot even begin to explain
All those connections you make on LinkedIn and other social channels? Often, they’re fleeting…they come and go.
You think you get to know someone...
And, there’s always something missing.
Across the Internet, a connection is virtual. It’s not quite real.
Across the table?
Sharing meals…ideas…inspiration?
No Longer Virtual connected us. Nah…No Longer Virtual BONDED us.
There will forever be only one inaugural NLV conference.
And for many of us, it was the beginning of incredible relationships and what could be life-long friendships.
The good news? It worked…
I’ll be at the second annual No Longer Virtual conference, unequivocally. And the third…and the fourth…and whatever comes next.
I feel like I’ve said it so many times since last Friday. This was a different conference experience...
I came for connection. I came for content. I left with a tribe.
(Thank you Sarah Elkins, for taking action on an incredible idea.)
? 2017, Zach Messler
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Read more articles kinda like this one....right here.
Zach Messler is a marketing guy and communicator with “…an uncanny instinct for the right thing to say and how to say it.”
Want to learn how to make your sales and product messaging more clear...more compelling...more awesome?
Reach him at @zmessler or linkedin.com/in/zmessler.
He does not always type in the third person.
?
Wisconsin guy, writer, a ponderer, a reflector, let's not call it brooding, but deep thinking and thoughtfulness, ok?
7 年I missed the first edition of this, but glad that I got in for Round 2. Zach, you could copy and paste some of this, change a few names and descriptions, and it absolutely captures the essence, the feel, the texture and the energy that we had in Denver. I hate cliches, and you hate going on and on about stuff that leaves you saying “you had to be there...” I was there, in Denver, Colorado Feb. 21-23, 2018 and was only mesmerized, captivated and transformed, but only all the time. The content was top notch, but I cannot describe how absolutely blessed that I feel to have met some of LI heroes that I now call friends, and they’re people that I treasure. Thanks for sharing this, Zach Messler, and people - genuinely commit to doing the next one. I did not feel like I was at a sequel and didn't get it because I missed the original. I came away with my heart both on fire and it is smiling, because what happened there was unique and will be treasured forever. I am in for NLV2019, even if it’s on the moon. Thanks again for this, Zach!
Family Therapist, Specialist Gender, Culture, Life Enhancing Skills for Women, Families, Relationships, Mindfulness, Author. #SelfCare #Relationships #Communication #Mental Health, #EQuality, #GGAF #United Way award
7 年Thank you, Zach Messler, for highlighting the importance of relationships and congrats on finding a tribe. The basis of my life-time work is on building relationships and having a community of support. And kudos to you, Sarah Elkins, for your initiative on building community. Best, Maureen Wixon
Marketing Strategy & Communications | Entertainment Design, Operations, Business Devt
7 年So wonderful, what an extraordinary initiative - to gather great people & talent and create magic together! Learning should be exactly what NLV is - authentic, personal, creative and relevant. There is nothing better than heartfelt experiences and expertise shared in the spirit of giving. Kudos Sarah Elkins, you should eventually expand NLV globally! Thank you Zach Messler for spreading your contagious enthusiasm! We hear you. :)
Growth Marketing | Account Based Marketing | Marketing Strategy | Demand Generation
7 年Great read! Conferences and tradeshows should always be more fun than uptight and stuffy!
Writer| Advocate for Mental Health Awareness| Not your typical Gal Friday- For Husband's Business
7 年Love this article and the way you presented it Zach Messler, hoping to be in Denver for the next NLV in Feb! Not sure which category I may fit into once 2018 arrives ;-)