By Mark Schaefer
Over the past ten years, I’ve written about my ups and downs during my “second career.” I’ve covered just about every possible emotional perspective … anger, disappointment, fear, wonder, and joy, to name a few.
But this week I had an unprecedented emotional experience and I am still processing it … something I have never felt before.
For a 24 hour period, I felt famous. And I’ve never written about that. Let’s see where it goes.
The buzz
I’ve been a speaker at the annual Social Media Marketing World conference since its inception seven years ago. In 2016, I was the closing keynote speaker and I was asked to fill this important role again in 2019 … but something was different this time.
The feeling started before I even arrived in San Diego. There seemed to be a furious amount of anticipation and buzz before I even landed. One person told me it seemed like the entire convention center was waiting for me.
When I got to the event, there was a long line of people who wanted to say hi or grab a photo. One woman told me that meeting me was on her bucket list. I have been to hundreds of speaking events and met many “fans” before, but this level of attention was on entirely new level.
The speech
On the day of my talk, I attended a few private events and relaxed in my room. I didn’t need any more preparation. I had rehearsed so much for this day I was sick of myself. I had given this talk just twice in public before but the reaction was huge, so I was very confident in the material — highlights from my new book.
Still, there is nothing that can prepare you for standing alone, under the bright lights, on a massive stage and looking 5,000 people in the face. I don’t think I could ever get used to that. But the crowd was fired up and ready to be entertained. The laughs were loud and several people told me they cried. I brought the thunder. The preparation paid off.
The speech ended with a rousing call to Be More Human, confetti cannons, and David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel” ending the three-day event.
The outfall
As I came off the stage, I was swarmed by fans who wanted photos and autographs. I had never experienced such adulation. Between the end of the talk and an after-party that was still going at midnight, I was captured in hundreds of selfies.
I felt so … loved. Just completely surrounded by love. Wild.
I stayed up late thumbing through some of the social media posts. The feedback was humbling:
- “He blew up the stage.”
- “You exceeded wow.”
- “Mind-blowing”
- “The speech we needed to hear.”
- “Goosebumps, hope and laughter in one bottle.”
- “So much fun. We absolutely loved you.”
- “Your talk was the highlight of the event.”
- “A talk above all other talks.”
- “Your keynote gave me back my fire.”
- “Best speech I’ve ever seen.”
I didn’t see a single negative comment. Whew. I was satisfied that I had done a great job and somehow delivered a speech that appealed to everyone.
I collapsed in bed, completely exhausted from my single day of fame.
So strange
In the plane on the way home, the adulation continued as people near me were air-dropping pictures of my talk to my iPhone (that was a first!)
I was still wired from the energy of the event and just kept thinking, “Wow that was so weird — this is what it must be like to be famous.”
Fame is not a natural human condition. Not many people ever get to experience that feeling. So in that way, I am very fortunate. It was a unique life experience.
I am still processing what exactly happened but here are a few thoughts on what it was like to feel famous.
- I would not want to have fame all the time. It was nice for a day but I am happy to be obscure again.
- Although I was a bit unnerved by the level of attention, I did enjoy it. I decided that I would rather experience it than not experience it.
- The next day, I had a withdrawal, like coming off a drug. I can see how a certain personality type would be addicted to that high. It was weird being famous … then it was weird not being famous again.
- I found it uncomfortable to talk about this experience with my family. I felt like a bit of a jerk saying “I felt like I was famous.” Maybe I seem like a jerk now. I’m sure somebody will tell me!
I know there is a high probability I may never experience this again. SMMW is a unique place where a lot of people know of me. I spoke in a frenzied room where everybody was wired and eager to see me. Those special circumstances may never occur again. Most places where I speak (like a trade association) only have a vague idea of who I am.
I’m not sad that this might have been a singular career highlight. I’m grateful that it happened, But … I’m a lot more comfortable just hanging out with family and friends and being a non-famous guy.
When I got home, I cut the grass, did my laundry, and watched basketball on TV with my wife.
Fame over.
Note: I’m sure a lot of people might be curious to see this speech. It was recorded but will only be available to those who purchased a virtual ticket to the SMMW conference.
