Right this second, my suitcase from my recent Las Vegas/San Diego trip is still lying on the floor of my bedroom, still unpacked.

Also, my dishwasher is filled with clean dishes just waiting to be unloaded so that the current dirty dishes in my actual sink can be loaded up.

I have a stack of tax forms that need attention lying on my counter.

And finally, I have 49 unread text messages hanging out on my phone.

I know, I know, you’re impressed! Ha!

I always joke that I am super organized, but only in my brain. Everywhere else is a mess.

BUT, here’s the thing.

I’m not necessarily proud of these things (though I have gotten over a good amount of shame over not being a neat freak). But I’m sharing this with you because over the last 5 days, I have been spending valuable quality time with family and friends who are in LA visiting.

I’ve been ignoring my email. I haven’t opened my laptop until right now. And I haven’t cleaned (obviously) because I have prioritized spending quality face time with my people.

I have been present, I have been socializing. I have been laughing and connecting and sharing with my friends and family for the last week.

In real life.

And it’s been amazing.

It’s ironic timing of this because last week when I was in San Diego, I was at an internet business conference, and a huge theme of the event was more conversation, more connection and more actual meaningful engagement online.

I’ve been suspecting as such for a while. Old school tactics like automation, autoresponder messages, just “liking” someone’s comment instead of actually responding back, and even doing massive email blasts … are not having the impact they once did.

In an age when people can DM a celebrity on Instagram and maybe get an actual response (cue that time The Rock responded back to me on Twitter) people are DEMANDING more access. And I like it.

It’s more fulfilling for all involved—the person sharing the thing, and then the person interacting with the thing. We can connect over shared experiences, relate to one another, have a conversation and feel connected, even if we live on opposite sides of the world.

Besides, stories of pain, joy, struggles and triumphs are universal. And when we share these things on the internet, vulnerably and authentically, we open the door for even more meaningful connection.

I’m all in.

I love face time, I cherish quality time, and I love meaningful conversations.

The marketers at the conference were calling it “Conversation Marketing.” Loolol, I just call it being a human.

Here’s how I am cultivating more connection in my life, with loved ones and even in my business at JillFit:

• I’ve started sending some video responses to DMs on Instagram (and just actually responding to all DMs in general, which I’ve always done)
  
• I’m committed to responding back with actual words to people who comment on posts (not just “liking” the comment)—I don’t always have a 100% success rate, but I am working on it
  
• Calling people on the phone instead of texting (the phone call is making a comeback, you heard it here first!)
  
• Sending voice recording texts instead of words so people can hear my voice, tone, inflection, etc.
  
• More Facebook and Instagram Live streams so I can respond to questions in real time and people can see my face and experience my energy and how I animate – I’m a better communicator via writing, so this has been a good challenge for me (FYI, I am currently getting all my FB Lives up at my YouTube channel if you want to watch)
• Handwritten sticky notes left around the house for loved ones
  
• Sending customized gifts to customers, things that you know they’d like or are in line with their interests
  
• Sending quickie gratitude texts or emails – reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while and just letting them know you’re thinking of them and appreciate them
  
• More in-person live events and meetups in different cities
  
• Getting on Skype calls with people who want to work with me, instead of just emailing back and forth to see if we’d be a good fit
  
• And just boundaries in general – what are your down times? When you are offline? When are you committing to ignoring your email or phone? Last week, I went out with my people and left my phone at home! I missed it for the first 20 minutes, but after that I forgot about it completely.
  

My contention is that we have moved so far into automation and bots and quickie “likes” that we are now reverting back to more high-quality connection.

We’re going to have to put effort into things that do not scale. Things that can’t be outsourced. Things that take a little more time, because time is the most precious gift you can give someone, no?

One complaint I hear about this approach is, “But Jill, that sounds like a lot of work! How can I find the time with everything else I am doing??”

I get that, but I am telling you right now that this work? It’s quickly becoming the most important work. I’d rather you post online less in general and spend time responding back to any comments, and even going to other people’s accounts and jumping in the conversation there.

This is not just the “nice to have” work anymore. This is pivotal work. Necessary.

And if you don’t find time to do it, you will miss the boat and wonder what happened to your relevancy. Or why you aren’t getting the results you once did—either personally or professionally.

High-touch engagement and connection is back. And it’s exciting!

What do you think? Interested to hear your thoughts on this. Have you noticed the same? Lemme know ;)

Xo,

Jill

P.S. If you are a health/fitness professional and want to hear MORE about what’s working on the internet right now, be sure to grab a FREE seat at my live training TONIGHT (Tuesday) all about Facebook for Business. Register here.