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Chris Allison, whom I met on Twitter, IMed me yesterday with the URL of his latest blog post, which explains that he wants to buy Christmas gifts for several people he only knows through social media in order to build authenticity into his relationships them.

Me: hiya - that's very sweet. i want a pony. :>)
Chris: hahaha
Me: so who's asked for presents?
Chris: I posted it last night and no one so far. you can learn a lot about people by getting them things
Me: it's a gift when someone helps other tweeple, when one in 12 tweets is for others, and one for yourself
Me: i think you'll find that money can't buy you love. :>)

I don't want to razz Chris. He's a nice guy, and I like him. And I think he'd like to jump start his social media brand. But, as I told him, there's no magic formula, no overnight success. The average overnight Internet success takes years to build and constant work to sustain.

Yes, there's the occasional viral sensation. But those generally fade quickly as they come. What endures is connection, generosity of spirit, and of course, good content.

And if you DM me I'll tell you what color pony to get me.

ok, that cup was funny in an empty but full way! Cheers Chris!

I feel totally razzed. Just kidding. I have to conclude that BL was totally right, but hey, everything is worth trying once.

Thanks for sharing, BL.

Chris, you're lucky to be IMing with BL, someone who understands you can't leave basic human compassion and decency behind when you reach the ranks of the highly regarded in your field. The blogosphere can be a cold, heartless place, and plenty of asocial media folks would have been happy to tear you down, rather than build you up.

BL's right: You can't buy overnight success in social media. I tell everyone I know to look at my friend and colleague, Lisa Hoffmann, for tips on how to succeed in social media.

Don't be afraid to innovate, and don't be afraid to bounce an idea off the rest of us, either. That's what community's for.

Scott - Chris is right that his idea was worth trying. I wouldn't have read his blog otherwise and it's terrific.

Yes! that is what community is for. But I wouldn't have been so nice if the pitch had been one of the many from hell.