Leveraging Social Media: A Success Story for the Regular Guy

April 28, 2010 - By Jason Hamilton

Around the World Wide Web, information and opportunities abound. Everywhere you look there exists the potential to make friends, find a job, or give to a charity. If you need something, you can find it. For that matter, you can find anything. If you are a philanderer, there’s even an outlet for you. Yes, you can find a one night stand or an extra-marital affair. Sickening. I know. The point is that there is virtually no limit regarding the availability of information.

But what if you’re a regular guy who actually needs something or just wants something that you don’t have the means to acquire? Well, there’s hope for you, too. A good example the potential for finding help through the internet is a man that wanted a house. In July of 2005, Canadian blogger Kyle MacDonald started off with a red paper clip. His method was to trade for something bigger and better. His goal: a house. Did it work? You bet your boots it did. About a year and several trades later, he got his house. Because of his unique endeavor, you can now easily Google his name or find him up on Wikipedia.

Then there is Craig’s List. As most people already know, it is a hugely popular website where you can find just about anything. And I mean anything! People sell and buy homes, find jobs, promote their business, and even offer themselves up to others. Unfortunately, the reputation of Craig’s List has been marred recently due to the case where a user used it to lure women and murder them. Unfortunately, similar risks are present in just about any venue, whether it’s speed dating, visiting a used car dealer, or going into a public restroom. In any event, don’t let the tragedies of a few deter you from the success of millions who have used the internet to achieve their dreams.

This brings us to people like me. I am not destitute, but there was something I wanted that I did not possess the financial means to acquire. I wanted an Xbox 360. Wait. Before you judge me too harshly, I am fully aware that there are people in the world whose needs are much greater than my desires. I realize that there are people who suffer and actually need money to continue surviving. I am also aware that there are an abundance of resources available to us. I budget my own share of giving to charitable causes, and, when possible, I help out those around me, who are in need. I’m not the most giving person in the world, but I am definitely not the stingiest.

With that in mind, I decided to take up a suggestion of a friend on Twitter. I took a page from MacDonald’s book and shamelessly and unapologetically began a donation drive to collect enough money from both acquaintances and total strangers…all for the purpose of buying an Xbox 360.

How did I go about it? First I wrote a post on my blog, explaining the why behind my want. I was honest. I didn’t try to mislead anyone. I mentioned the same type of things I mentioned above. Ultimately, I simply asked for a few kind souls to help me out, if they had the means and goodwill to do so. I included a link to a PayPal account I had set up for my Xbox 360 fund drive. Finally, I began posting it to my followers on Twitter. I asked them to both help me out and retweet the post for their own followers to see.

At first, progress was slow. I collected a few dollars here and there. Over the course of a few weeks, though, my tweets seemed to have an effect. A few more people donated. The part I’m sure you’re on the edge of your seat to find out about, though, is whether or not it worked. Was I able to achieve my goal?

For the most part it did. In the end, nine kind people helped me out. While I didn’t receive the full amount for an Xbox 360, I was able to scrape some additional funds together to make up the rest of the cost. Ultimately, I did reach my goal. I was able to order my Xbox 360, which I have thoroughly enjoyed, since receiving it. Through honesty, Twitter, and the kindness of others, I achieved my goal. So, do I consider myself to be a success story like Kyle MacDonald. Yes, I do. In the end, I guess that means you have a chance, too!