Have you ever considered that every little thought, every little comment, every little action you take on the Internet will remain there forever? Out in the open for all to see. It’s scary yet reassuring in a strange way. To know that you’ll live on forever in the online world puts a different spin on everything. Just imagine, your grandchild may be reading your blog one day and may try to get to know you through it!
Cyberspace Afterlife
Dead man talking!
It kind of puts a responsibility on you doesn’t it? Especially if you actively use internet, social media tools to engage with your followers, community or customers. Once you realize the depth of being out there forever … it changes your approach and mindset. It makes you want to think before you act or converse. The good thing is you can consciously use the tools of social media to create a community, to build a team that will take your work forward after you’re gone.
Your social media web presence successor
The important thing is to ensure the connection you made with your customers continues. The community you built isn’t left stranded that your ideas and conversations continue to be shared. Maybe we all need to think of our social media successor (s)! After all, you don’t want all the time and energy you spent on nurturing relationships to come to an abrupt stop after you’ve passed on, do you?
Make leaders
This can be a great driving force to leave something of value behind, to create something that continues to benefit your company even after you have left. Maybe you will have to be practical and nurture others to become leaders. Passing on your knowledge to others in your company is a way to ensure that your commitment to relationships and the larger community is carried forward. This makes a strong case for not being the only face of the company; to allow others to contribute and have a social media presence as well. It calls for some selfless action and vision. You need to allow others their place in the sun while you’re alive. So they know what to do and how to build relationships and continue reaching out to the community you leave behind.
In your memory…
Who knows maybe your Facebook wall will become a remembrance wall where those who miss you leave notes and messages! Or your blog could continue to inspire people long after you’ve gone. For this to happen, you need to have touched people deeply and your words should be a force to reckon with; a powerful message or call to action. If you have helped others and shared your knowledge with them you’ll be remembered for it just as you remember a teacher who taught you well.
Endless lives
Maybe it’s time to look at our online presence as a representation of our lives, the reputation we painstakingly built over time. This can make us want to be better people, more caring citizens of a global world. Listen to others more. Care enough to reach out to them. Take responsibility for our every action and word.
In this scenario, it becomes imperative to know what you’d like to be remembered for and consciously use social media tools to build your online legacy. Just as you would consider what goes on your tombstone, think deeply about what your contribution will be. That’s your legacy for generations to remember…
