Where were you when the untimely death of Michael Jackson was announced? I was on the beach in Cannes with colleagues winding down after the festival. Someone mentioned it and I went straight to Twitter, then Facebook then my email on my phone......nothing! At that instant the web had ground to a halt.
Some people were shocked, others were saddened by the news. I didn’t really feel anything. I’d got close to the great man once back in the late ‘90s. I worked in Harrods and he breezed through with his 12 body guards. I got within 6 feet and it wasn’t a pretty sight. Whatever you think about the man the music was awesome. Online sales of his albums have rocketed and even as I write someone is mentioning Thriller every minute on Twitter.
I often get the heads up on stuff Microsoft is doing before it gets released. Such is the open and transparent nature of our embracing of social media we are actively encouraged to blog about stuff.
On Tuesday, the day of his memorial service, I was told MSN in Canada was going to be live streaming it in Silverlight. I wrote a blog post titled Watch Michael Jackson Memorial Online just to see what happened.
One title, one image and one line of text and I got over 1000 visitors – 5 of whom left comments in the form of poems or eulogies!
“My heart is missing a big chunk, I can’t believe that Michael is dead, it’s just not fair he was the most beautiful, kind, caring and loving and giving person on this planet his soul will live on forever, he was an angel that lived on earth and now he is a angel up above. may his family find joy in all the wonderful memories he has left behind. I love you Michael, Always baby … I will never forget you.. the most amazing man x”
“who God bless no man curse, Michael was a man blessed by God, and I am inspired by all of his works he has done on earth, i have been touch by him and so has the world, may his soul rest in peace in heaven.”
My personal blog is about internet marketing and stuff I get up to or find interesting in my personal life, but it seems just by writing about MJ some folks have ignored the channel and feel they have to leave their mark.
The same thing happened with a post I wrote on Busts 4 Justice – a well written title, a picture and re-direction to their Facebook page and I manage to have thousands of visitors join in a bra debate!
My point is for all of you guys measuring conversations about your brands, companies or even your personal reputation, make sure you’re ploughing through the whole web when collating data because you might be surprised as to where those discussions are taking place!
