Olympic Dreams? Social media may be your shortest route (video)

How would you like to achieve an Olympic-level brand, without years of physical training?

In today’s social media world, it’s possible.

The Vancouver Olympics opening ceremonies delivered record ratings for NBC as the most-watched non-U.S. opening ceremonies ever with 67.5 million total viewers, with millions more watching worldwide. Prominently featured was an engaging, funny, heartfelt ode to Canadian national pride called “We Are More” by slam poet Shane Koyczan.

Koyczan’s performance elicited hoots and cheers from the thousands in the BC Place Stadium as he first acknowledged the national stereotypes then blew them apart, talking about the hope, ambition, and basic civility of the Canadian people.

we dream so big that there are those

who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own

Koyczan’s poem was an invitation to take a deeper look at Canada, it’s culture and people, through the unique opportunity that the Olympics provides.

So how did Koyczan get the opportunity to share his work and his passion on a global stage?

YouTube.

One of the organizers of the opening ceremonies saw him performing a version of the poem in a YouTube video for the Canadian Tourism Board, and contacted him to ask him to participate in the ceremonies. The opportunity of a lifetime originated from one free video less than two minutes long.

Social media continues to provide an unparalleled stage for showcasing your talents and contributions. Anyone with a Flip video camcorder and a creative approach can develop a following and potentially find fame and opportunity. Not all of us will get in front of millions, but even hundreds can provide new opportunities.

How can you build an Olympic-level brand?

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