Confession: I opened up SoMeDocs as a FB group, when I was stifled in another.
Yes, the origins of SoMeDocs dates back to this event, even if there are many factors behind why I built it.
I innocently thought that I could share my work – at the time, it was articles I was writing about healthcare – in said group, and was taken quite aback when it turned out that I couldn’t. Even though I had followed ALL of its stated rules.
It felt like a slap in the face; but it wasn’t the last time that I felt it, and in more than just one place.
This was just the first of my experiences with spaces that purport to be inviting to physicians, and to networking opportunities, but actually work through selective alliances with physicians who are deemed “worthy enough”, based on positions, affiliation, or existing ventures.
This was just the first of my experiences with spaces that purport to be inviting to physicians, and to networking opportunities, but actually work through selective alliances with physicians who are deemed 'worthy enough', based on… Click To Tweet
It was a sobering experience, especially since, at that time, I was pretty much occupying the ladder “bottom rung” (more on this, below).
The worst part of it all, for me, at the time, was that I was alone.
I was both apprehensively excited, and hopeful, at the thought that “change” for docs was a possibility. I frothed at the thought of having discovered ways to come together with my peers, and actually DO something meaningful. But when you’re shut out of digital conversations because you’re.. well you.. and you realize that it’s because you don’t bring with you sufficient ‘clout’, it’s humiliating. For lack of a better term, that’s truly what it is.
I survived that digital ‘shun’. I’m not only standing, but lead a venture that’s growing by the day. Because of my experience, specifically, I couldn’t be more proud that I’m bringing with me other rockstars, regardless of which rung they reside on, in the ‘importance’ ladder. I’ve always been that way, both as a human, and as digital leader. I truly believe that every physician out there has something unique to say, and that combining our flavors only adds more power to the mix.
I’m writing this because the tides are changing.
The online world is gradually opening up new spaces; communities that welcome physician “doers” like me.
I’m also writing this because I’ve personally outgrown the physicians-only group I admin’ed for so many years, and will be hitting ‘pause’ on that space.
In its place, I’ll be shifting my time over to:
1) our member-only (SoMeDocs Members) community, where members motivated to grow online get to ask questions, learn together, and network, AND
2) The SoMeDocs Public community, where our writers will be regularly sharing the work they publish on doctorsonsocialmedia.com, and we can all support one another in a concerted effort to become the thought leaders in health we deserve to be.
If you’re building a community that’s warm and welcoming to a person like me, please tell me and the others about it, so we can all join it, become active, AND amplify. Add it into our open-access Communities section, too (it’s free!), so we can help you grow it, with the momentum that SoMeDocs currently has. If you don’t know how, just ask. https://doctorsonsocialmedia.com/communities/
