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Mobilizing friends, family, fans, and followers

Yesterday I spent my afternoon watching the WebEx live forum with Richard Branson.  I was anxiously waiting for one of my two questions to be answered:

1. Will you have a beer with me?
2. Was there a certain time in your life or after working on a certain project where you gained the confidence to think, "Hey, I can really do anything I set out to do in life."

A few weeks ago several friends started to send me the same link for WebEx.  It was set up to allow people  submit questions to Richard Branson and the most popular ones would be asked on the live video feed.  So I had to submit my question, a very simple question, "Richard, would you like to have a beer with me?"

I knew that wasn't enough.  I knew I had to mobilize my troops: friends, family, fans, and followers.  So I did.  I tweeted it and Facebooked it and ask people to submit, "Richard, Will you have a beer with Bugsy?"

Just last Thursday my dear friend Julie asked me, "Do you think they'll ask your question to Richard Branson?"  I rolled my eyes at her. 

The next evening, Friday, I was hanging out at the Bugsy Castle (aka my apartment) when the marketing agnecy for the event called me!  I started bouncing off the walls as they told me my qusetion was submitted to be asked during the live interview.  Turns out that 22 people had submitted a question on my behalf asking if Richard Branson would have a beer with me.  I tried my best do double that number over the weekend.

At last, it was time for the live forum. I anxiously waited with my figners crossed hoping my question would be answered. 

The questions came and went and my question was never asked. I supposed it wasn't a "business" qusetion.  But who's to say we won't be discussing business over beer?

Yeah, I'm pretty stoked

My question not being asked is only a tiny thought in the back of my head, because I am entirely stoked.  Out of a couple thousand questions asked I was able to raise a flag, which resulted in a personal call from the marketing agency wondering what it was all about.

I'm incredibly satisfied because it shows that mobilizing people through social media works.  I though me asking the question was just a shot in the dark, and it was.  But when you can get a couple dozen people to follow it up that makes a big impact.

A big thanks to everyone who took the time to ask if Richard would have a beer with me.  You all helped in making Beer With Branson just a little bit closer to a reality.