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[1/31/2010 SteppersUSA Daily News]
She's Got A Point
By Markie Bee
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Today's Steppers Beat column is sponsored by: Steppers West Associates "A Memorial Day Weekend Jam" starting May 28, 2010 through May 31, 2010 at The Plaza Hotel and Casino One Main St., in Las Vegas, NV, 89101. They are offering a 4 Day Package Deal for $80!
In the many email newsletters for the steppers community that make it to my inbox on a daily basis; more than occasionally I find a gem of information or wisdom in one of those publications.
There are several people who in their publications expound their views on the state of the dance, what people in the community are up to and so on (I do it every day). One of those people is published author Lana Reid. I've been reading her articles for some time now and agree with some of the things she has to say in her weekly missive.
Her latest article touched on the use of Facebook by Chicago style steppers, its promoters, and its potential for our community. She brings many valid points to the table many may have missed at first blush. She, like I can only assume the majority of Chicago style steppers has more interaction with people who don't step or haven't stepped. That's hardly a

 

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controversial stance (I've mentioned it many times in this column) it's more of a fact. We're just scratching on the surface of the consciousness of the broader marketplace of potential steppers.
Steppers are very comfortable (for the most part) communicating with and promoting the dance and its events with each other. The problem as I see it (and as Lana mentioned in her article) is we as a community have been missing the (very real) opportunity that Facebook presents our genre. Lana puts it like this, "Steppers using it to reach people who are not already in the Steppin community which is a wonderful thing. I’ve often wondered why we keep talking/ promoting exclusively to people who already Step about Steppin as if that will expand the audience! Seems like a wasted marketing opportunity to me, but what do I know? Let’s just think for a moment: if there are 500 active Steppers on FB who befriend at least 10 non-Steppers and get them to come experience this dance then what kind of numbers will we have? Just from killing time posting status updates on FB!"
Of course we can play the numbers game (many of us do it every day at work)… The Chicago style stepping Facebook group has 3200 members and within the bounds of our genre that's a powerfully large group. Just imagine what we could do with 32,000!
The average stepper has many more interests than dancing and has many more friends that have their own varied sets of interests. There's no reason we as steppers and promoters shouldn't be trying to pull these people into our favored activity.
We're usually friends with people because we share some common interests and experiences so why aren't we making a concerted effort to share this wonderful experience with these people?
If a person calls themselves a promoter wouldn't it be foolhardy not to promote to a larger audience (Since they can make more)?
There are those who do "get it" but I'm afraid there are even more who don't. The evidence is there and all you have to do is look. If you have 50 Facebook friends why not offer them the same opportunity you enjoy by inviting them to step?
Sometimes you have a friend who lives in another city who doesn't step and at the same time you have another friend in the same city who does step; why not do a little networking? Why not put two of your friends together so the stepper can give the non-stepper another inside look and guide to stepping in that city? Not only are you helping your friends expand their own social circle of friends but you're doing your part in helping to bring Chicago style stepping to its next level of growth and expansion. That's a win – win situation!
Of course there are many other possibilities but you know me… I'm the master of the obvious. Do you have an idea that would help the greater good of stepping? I'd love to hear those ideas!
 

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