I have found a blogger who is a head above everyone else. Yes, including me. She’s a great writer. But then there are lots of us who are great writers.
This particular blogger, though, is a fantastic storyteller.
I didn’t find her all that long ago. Maybe two months ago. She began tweeting some of the Spin Sucks blog posts and I noticed her commenting on other blogs I read.
So, I thought I’d check her out.
I began to read her blog. And, one night, as I went through my Reader while drinking a glass of wine (as I’m known to do of late), I stumbled upon, “The 20 Songs the Beatles Wrote About Social Media Engagement.”
I was blown away. So much so, in fact, I was afraid to comment for looking stupid because I don’t know music as well as she does.
She literally took 20 Beatles songs and related their lyrics to social media.
Case in point:
Eight Days A Week: Somehow, the Beatles knew that the commitment to Social Media was going to be more than a 24/7 proposition. Eight Days A Week perfectly describes the Social Media experience.
And this one:
Hello Goodbye: The line that clued me in to the Social Media tie here is “I don’t know why you say goodbye I say hello.” Indeed, it seems sometimes like people you enjoy talking to are always leaving just as you’re signing on. This is especially true if you’re on opposite sides of the world. Those time zones really get in the way!
Well, I was hooked. I hit the subscribe button immediately and I began to read everything Margie Clayman wrote.
But the blog post that made me decide she would be today’s #FollowFriday was published earlier this week. It is called, “Grow a Pair and Love Yourself,” in which she compares bloggers and those of us using social media to the movie Being John Malkovich.
When you read that blog post you’ll understand why I think she’s such a great storyteller. She takes movies, songs, or books – things we’ve all seen, heard, and read – and applies them to our daily lives. That’s sheer talent; a skill that can’t be learned.
And that is why today’s #FollowFriday is Margie Clayman. Follow her on Twitter both at Margie Clayman and Blog Library. Subscribe to, and read, her blog. Get to know her now. YWRI.
Margie is one of the very first friends I made on Twitter. Indeed, she is so smart it scares me. I can probably point out about a dozen or so posts she has done that no one else is going to think of doing.
Margie once did a post on “Fifteen Lessons in Social Media From Monty Python” and I can go on and on about her highly original topics. She is also deeply committed to her new project called The Blog Library, and if you don’t know what that is, I strongly suggest you go take a look.
Her skill at spotting and supporting new bloggers is incredible. Every time I go to The Blog Library she shows me someone new. I really don’t know how she does it, but she is one of the best people you can ever hope to meet, and she is so deserving of this #FolliowFriday.
@NancyD68 I have a talent. I can remember numbers, almost to the point that people think I’m a little bit autistic. But I cannot, for the life of me, remember movies. I can watch reruns like nobody’s business because, while I know I’ve seen it, I don’t remember it. So anyone who can not only remember movies or TV shows, but can relate them back to blogging, is super impressive to me.
@ginidietrich I can freakishly remember song lyrics. I even included a song in my blog today. When I was young, I used to be able to recite commercials off the tv straight from memory. My son does that now. Pretty funny how he has my knack for remembering that stuff
Gosh…for the second time this week I’ve signed into my various portions of the online world and a friend has made me cry!
Gini, this really does blow me away. I remember at the beginning of this year when I really committed to reading as many blog posts by other people as possible thinking, “Man, that Gini Dietrich is everywhere, and no one has a mean thing to say about her! She must be awesome!” So I decided to start talking to you and was awfully happy to see that people were right about you.
I thought, “OK, this is a woman I need to learn from.”
That you have done this for me is really extraordinary. Thank you thank you!!!
You are really too kind, @NancyD68 You ladies have assured me that today and the weekend will be grand 🙂
@MargieClayman you definitely deserve it! and i totally agree with all the things @ginidietrich have said! 🙂
@MargieClayman Awesome. You deserve it.
Ummm…. see here’s the thing. If all you’ve done is subscribe to Margie’s blog, then you’re NOT reading everything she writes, because SHE’S EVERYWHERE! Never, in the history of all that is blogalicious, has any writer been more prolific.. She’s amazing, and friendly, and helpful and gracious and, and, and…. (anyone have any other great adjectives to describe her Margie-ness?)
Just do as Gini says and follow her. Then maybe, just maybe, you’ll start to see the a part of the canvas that Margie paints daily. Amazing!
@ginidietrich @NancyD68 Movie quote machine over here…
Go you! Well deserved! RT @MargieClayman …overwhelmed to be featured by @ginidietrich today. What a week! http://t.co/nAhrqiN thank you!!
Personal, Social Media at its best via @SpinSucks a reverent #FollowFriday about Margie Clayman http://t.co/Ec0On9y
@MargieClayman @ginidietrich I follow the good talent of MargieClayman’s one of a kind blogs. See what I mean http://t.co/754IBun5zEhV
I’ve never felt so silly reading a post before. All I did was to nod all the way through the entire post because they’re all so very true! Margie has an amazing personality and not only her articles are fun and entertaining, she makes it so simple to understand. You’re definitely missing out if you’re not following MargieClayman!
@MargieClayman @ginidietrich I follow the talent of the” one of a kind”
Thank you for recommending @margieclayman I found her a few months back, and she is an awesome blogger. When I “grow up,” I want to blog like her. 🙂
@MargieClayman @ginidietrich Congratulations, Margie. I’m happy to see praise given where it is deserved.
@litlinx thank you very much 🙂
@Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich Here is my favorite line from a movie “I guess it comes down to a simple choice. Get busy living or get busy dying”
I am better at quoting song though. I blame my older brother and all the years he played drums in rock bands when I was younger
I’ve been slowly introduced to Margie via @DannyBrown of late, and have been so duly impressed with her comments. Forget the blog post; I, like you, Sister, cannot recall movie lines or music to save my soul. Faces; I recall faces and am forever finding the twins we all have on this planet.
Margie, I am eager to get to know you more and learn from your higher power of intelligence. Thanks, Gin Blossom!
I have to second janwong’s sentiment. I find myself rarely commenting on Margie’s posts, despite reading them religiously and making every attempt to promote them. Reason why: you can only write “this is awesome” so many times before you reach Jack Torrance levels. (And I bet that Margie gets that reference. Because she’s awesome.)
I’m glad you shined a light on Margie today Gini. I’ve been noticing her stuff as well, especially on Danny’s blog, and it’s mainly due to her well-thought out comments that aren’t afraid to say exactly what she’s thinking. That alone impresses me these days because it puts her in the minority.
Guess it’s time to subscribe to her blog now. 🙂
Have a great Friday everyone!
Marcus
@NancyD68 @Sean McGinnis Sean?! What movie is that from??
@Sean McGinnis For some reason guys can quote movies. It’s a curse and a talent.
@margieclayman Aren’t you nice?! Thank you. I’m so glad you decided to start talking to me because you have completely changed the way I think about my own writing. You are, hands down, one of the best writers in the blogosphere.
@Sean McGinnis Totally agree! When can we find something we disagree about?
@janwong LOL! I would like video of you nodding while you read, please!
@LitLinx I think that is a very good goal!
@Soulati | PR You’re welcome, twin!
@sumnermusolf LOL!! You’re right – you can only write “this is awesome” so much. So let’s make a pact. Once a week we will both comment on her blog and it will be valuable. Deal?
@Marcus_Sheridan Is it Friday?!
Yes it is officially Friday. 😉
Wanna say I stumbled across @MargieClayman blog a few months ago, been lurking ever since. I did however miss the Beatles post; brilliant and very creative, as you say. Gotta agree with @Marcus_Sheridan and @Soulati | PR I’ve also noticed her excellent comments in a few places, good stuff. Excellent pick as always.
@ginidietrich @Sean McGinnis Gini, you really don’t know what movie that is from? That is from my favorite dramatic movie of all time. I even wrote a blog post about that line, and included video! Does the name Morgan Freeman mean anything to you?
@ginidietrich Oh, I’ll make that deal with you. But I get at least two “this is awesome” posts per month. Agree to those amended terms?:)
@NancyD68 @Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich – that’s “The Shawshank Redemption.” GREAT movie; great line. (Sean’s not the only movie quote machine.):)
@sumnermusolf @Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich I was going to make her guess!
@NancyD68 @Sean McGinnis @ginidietrich Oops. I screwed that one up. That’s my bad.
@sumnermusolf @NancyD68 @ginidietrich One of my top 3 movies of all time.
@sumnermusolf @NancyD68 @ginidietrich I actually have a movie poster of that one that usually hangs in my office – remember Sumner?
@ginidietrich I’m sorry, do I know you?
@KahanPromotions Thank you!
@Sean McGinnis @sumnermusolf @NancyD68 @ginidietrich One of my “I’ve seen it a gagizillion times but if it’s on I can’t help but watch again” movies.
I read Margie everyday…well, that is everyday that she publishes a post. I have a goal to meet Margie in person some day.
@MargieClayman @ginidietrich can’t top that! It is a nice week.
@JudyHelfand Isn’t she fantastic?!
@3HatsComm And look! I did it on FRIDAY!
@sumnermusolf You have a deal!
@Sean McGinnis Good point. No, you don’t.
@3HatsComm @Sean McGinnis @sumnermusolf @NancyD68 I wouldn’t have gotten it. I’ve seen that movie 100 times, but could watch it tomorrow as if I’ve never seen it.
@Sean McGinnis @sumnermusolf @ginidietrich So, Sean what are the other two?
@MargieClayman It is absolutely my pleasure!
@jwongjk I’m spending way too much time on social media. I wanted to +1 your tweet
@LitLinx A tweet and a comment! Woo hoo!
@ginidietrich well, I really appreciate it. Like, oh, x 1000 🙂
@CristerDelacruz It’s like finding cookies on top of the fridge. I feed your brain. You feed @petethetapeworm
@ginidietrich @margieclayman Margie who?? Wait… have I missed something? 😉 To salute both of you! Great post Gini, I love your idea of this on Fridays and Margie… ‘feel the love’ ! You two are my very first friends here! xox And you both rock, I always look to your brilliant and clever minds.
@ginidietrich LOL! maybe there’s a ‘like’ button somewhere 😉
@ginidietrich Yes, but I did not know about @PeteTheTapeWorm! Makes sense 🙂
@debmorello nuhuh! 🙂
@ginidietrich hahaha! just imagine a head bobble nodding away – that’s what i would have looked like. a video would be too silly to be up ze intraweb!
@MargieClayman LOL! My youngest brother would say “more than the numbers”
@jwongjk That would work, too!
@CristerDelacruz What?! How did you not know about Pete??
@ginidietrich waiting for the day where you’re able to do all that on a single platform. social media simplified!
@ginidietrich Show off.
Yahuh! @MargieClayman nuhuh! 🙂 @ginidietrich <She rocks! >> Ditto yes she does!
@ginidietrich totalleh. Like, 1000x more than numbers 😀
@sumnermusolf @ginidietrich Oh, if I don’t see you more than that I will cry me eyes out 🙁 Your comments are too good!
@ginidietrich you sold me. Now following @MargieClayman. About to check out her blog..
@NancyD68 @sumnermusolf @ginidietrich Varies by day… 🙂
Usually, its The Exorcist and Braveheart. But I’m also very partial to The Red Violin and The Emperor and the Assassin. Then there’s the whole new wave movement. (I don’t play nicely with limiting rules) 🙂
@debmorello AND it got you to comment. YAY!
@janwong That’s hilarious!
@3HatsComm Ha!
@jwongjk That will be pure magic
@AnneODell I think you’ll like her!
I happen to fancy myself a pretty good storyteller, so I’m check her out Gini. 1) because you told me to 3) because I love a great story.
I happen to fancy myself a pretty good storyteller, so I’ll check her out Gini. 1) because you told me to 3) because I love a great story.
I told a story once……….and got in trouble…………
Thanks for hosting Margie; I have seen her peripherally but haven’t taken the time to read her ‘stuff’. I will certainly head over there as soon as I leave……….if I don’t start chasing another rabbit……..
Hope your day is going well. I’m seeing rain outside my window but that’s ok; it’s my excuse to be on the computer on a Friday afternoon.
@fionabellpr glad you liked it! 🙂
@courtv hope you like it!
@MargieClayman From the sounds of it, I don’t know that it’s possible not to!
@CourtV W00t!
@K_Olivia_Ann Exactly!
Gini, Good morning! Like you, I’ve seen Margie on blogs I really love but have never replied or introduced myself- actually for the same reason you didn’t! (now, I’m terrified! Shoot it took me months to say hi to you!!-I’m so glad I did…) I have Margie pulled up and I’m going to go fall into my black hole of reading and learning now! LOL, thanks for today’s FF , both are wonderful. ~Amber-Lee
@ryancox Where is #2?
@bdorman264 Or another shiny penny. Look over there!
@girlygrizzly Um, where are you that it’s still morning? Alaska?? I would be scared of saying hi to me. I’m meeeeeaaaan!
Being called “a good storyteller’ is an accolade worth aspiring to in general, but even moreso in the blogosphere.
I sooo agree. Love Margie! I can always count on reading a post of hers, and going really deep into something, in my mind. That’s a good writer.
@b2community @ginidietrich @ckburgess I’m such a pile of mush right now…like, tapioca pudding mush, just a few lumps 🙂
@ginidietrich why are my tweets showing up on your post? I am confused! 🙂
I knew I was destined to find Margie’s blog when I saw that she’s a fellow history lover and writes about history on occasion. It feels good knowing I’m not the only one who does. Margie also hosts a great Twitter chat , #tweetdiner, on Saturdays at 9pm Eastern. Although I only learned about it recently, it’s already one of my favorites.
I have not been to her blog…YET! After a review like that, I am headed there next. Thanks for sharing a story tell with us. I love a good story…and bacon!
@ginidietrich @bdorman264 Squirrel!
@3HatsComm @MargieClayman @Marcus_Sheridan @Soulati | PR As a hard-core Beatles fan, I cannot believe I missed the Beatles post too Davina. Heading over now.
Thanks, @ginidietrich for introducing me to yet another amazing individual. Like many have said, I’ve seen Margie’s comments on others’ blogs, but hadn’t yet taken the time to visit her site. So @MargieClayman , I’ll be heading right over…especially when I heard about the Beatles post:)
Cheers! Kaarina
@KDillabough @MargieClayman @Marcus_Sheridan @Soulati | PR It was a good post, perfect lead off with “Can’t buy me love.”
@JudyHelfand Nice goal! I’d love to meet her too.
@Marcus_Sheridan Yes! Her comments are blog posts themselves, and are totally on, every time.
@MargieClayman We’re testing a beta for @Livefyre on the tweets showing up on the blog.
@ginidietrich ohh, ok. it’s kinda neat but I’d like to see some sort of signal, “this tweet via Livefyre, this one not. ya dig? 🙂
@marianne.worley Thank you! 🙂
@RyanCritchett honored, sir. thank you!
@ginidietrich @girlygrizzly oh, please converse with me! Otherwise I just talk to myself and my plants, and THEY never answer (the jerks) 🙂
@margieclayman My absolute pleasure. But we’re still gonna disagree sometime in our lives.. !
I just thought I would pop back in and say I loved her blog.
RT @ginidietrich This is a not-to-be-missed #FF: @margieclayman http://t.co/I4AA9iy
@RyanCritchett @JudyHelfand I’m trying to get a tweet-up set up for Springfield illinois. History + Social Media + friends = massive epic fun 🙂
@Marcus_Sheridan in other words I should shush sometimes…hehe 🙂 Thank you!
@margieclayman @JudyHelfand That would be massively epic! I’m quite far away, in P.A., but would so love a tweet up like that. I plan to go to a lot of the upcoming blog/sm conferences. That opens a lot of ops to meet, up. I see a lot of us meeting in the pretty near future, fo sho, either way.
@MarianneWorley You just popped into my mind. How are you?
@TheJackB I agree. And your letter after death is a great example of storytelling.
@RyanCritchett I love seeing you around here and Danny’s blog!
@marianne.worley The history geeks. The difference between the two of you? @MargieClayman likes chocolate.
@ExtremelyAvg It’s good, huh?!
@KDillabough I saw you checked out the Beatles post. Good, huh?
@ginidietrich yeah, but that’s only cuz you lied about all those nice things you said ’bout me 🙂
@ginidietrich @margieclayman @spinsucks I was 1 of 116.
@ginidietrich YES! I skipped it to see if @ginidietrich actually was going to read my comment. lmao #thingsryandoestofeelspecial
@MargieClayman I didn’t lie about all of them. Just a couple.
A wonderful choice. A truly kind and helpful person. But Clayman, how do you rate more tweets and comments than me when I was featured in this column? I want a a re-do Dietrich.
Thanks for highlighting this delightful person Gini.
@ginidietrich yeah, but I think that accounted for at least 78% of what people commented on. I just did the math. Trust me. 🙂
@ginidietrich playing Apples to Apples here. I bet you’d be fun with this game
@ginidietrich One of these days I need to blog about storytelling in a more scholarly manner. It is one of those things that transcends race/religion/culture- we all have our stories.
That is part of what brings me ’round these parts- you tell some pretty good ones too.
@markwschaefer the trick is to start up several different Twitter accounts and tweet out the post so that Gini thinks it’s just getting a lot of support 🙂
Now people will wonder if I did that, eh? 😀
Actually, I’m darned tootin stunned by the whole thing. Still. Waiting to wake up, waiting to wake up (don’t wanna, don’t wanna) 🙂
@ExtremelyAvg glad to hear it. I feel like this was a final exam…would people agree with Gini?? 🙂
@ginidietrich Why.. thank you. I love being here, I like what you’re saying, align with a lot of it and feel the same about dannybrown ‘s stuff too. (and Margie is rad!)
@ginidietrich You DO know that @margieclayman lives 35 minutes away from #thefranchisekingdom ,right, Gini?
I have been watching Margie for awhile, Gini.
Some her posts are so..so…heck, I don’t even feel like I should comment on her blog for fear of sounding like the Village-Freaking-Idiot! (Don’t say it)
I’m hoping that a few of her Mensa-Waves will make it just 25 miles north of her Akron, Ohio area homestead. To The Franchise Kingdom. I need them. I’m running out of jui
@franchiseking hehe 🙂 I’m in the Kingdom suburbs 🙂 cc @ginidietrich
@MargieClayman And, we should meet when I’m done with the book. 🙂
@franchiseking agreed! Nice new avatar, by the way 🙂
@MargieClayman Thank you
@tommoradpour @smsjoe thank you my friends 🙂 nice to see you both in the stream!
@ginidietrich @KDillabough Sooooooo goooooood:)
@kmueller62 My nieces and nephew LOVE Apples to Apples!
@FranchiseKing @margieclayman OMG! I have to come visit both of you!
@ginidietrich yeah, but that was yesterday. you’re late
@ginidietrich dude….:) cc @franchiseking
@ginidietrich Hi Gini, Doing great. Since summer is here, my weekends are full of family activities–less work, more fun! And busy weekdays
@MarianneWorley More fun sounds pretty darn good to me!
@markwschaefer Oh Mark. I think it’s simply because the blog is more popular now. We’ll do a redo (after you send my check)!
@FranchiseKing Don’t worry. They make me feel like the village idiot, too.
@RyanCritchett Anyone who says rad is good in my book!
@FranchiseKing hhhhhhhardly! I get all me smarts from you, silly head! 🙂
@ginidietrich YES! IKR? Cool word.
Margie is absolutely fantastic! I just love her writing style and her friendly nature. Needless to say that I’ve been an avid reader of her work for quite some times now. I first came across her name on Pushing Social as a guest author for Stanford and that was that – I was hooked.
She knows her stuff when it comes to Social Media and as you said – she has a great knack for storytelling.
Have you had the chance to check out her new Blog Library yet? It’s excellent. Margie hast taken the time to promote and curate blog posts by authors and category so that you can find numerous articles on a certain topic therefore enabling to read different perspectives from different bloggers.
Anyways all that to say – she’s a rockstar (and I’m borrowing her term here lol)!
Awesome choice Gini and a well deserved #FF indeed!
Cheers to the both of ya’z!
@nittygriddyblog back at ya, sistah!
@margieclayman Loved what @ginidietrich said about you :). Ummm…I kinda added a couple of my thoughts as well lol ;).
@nittyGriddyBlog you are awesome & brightened my whole day!!!!!
@margieclayman I’m glad I could add a smile to ur day :). Hopefully this will bring you another small one as well ;). http://bit.ly/phiJbX
@nittyGriddyBlog that’s what I was responding to!!! 🙂
Man, what is it with you people? You have the audacity to be this nice to me on a regular basis? I just can’t take it anymore! I’m beaten into submission! 🙂
Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
@margieclayman Ohhhh hahahah :). Sorry – I’m slow!
@nittyGriddyBlog apparently I am too 🙂 Just responded to your other smile-making factory!