Bend It Like Guy Kawasaki

World Cup fever and the game of soccer is in the headlines. It’s almost as popular as social media. But unlike Facebook, it comes with a championship.

So why is “the beautiful game” suddenly so beautiful to Americans?

Maybe it’s partly the result of our social media lifestyles.

Consider the similarities between the low-tech, democratic game of soccer/football and the high-tech, democratic “game” of social media. Great soccer players:

* Can react quickly to the unexpected
* Can switch from offensive play to defensive and back again in an instant
* Can focus completely on the ball, yet remain conscious of everything around them
* Often started to play without the benefit of training, equipment or specific skills

And the same goes for great social media marketers.

Footballers visit http://www.soccer-training-info.com/soccer_strategy_tactics.asp because they want to teach themselves how to “bend it like Beckham.” Might it help us look differently at social media success, too?

Here’s hoping that some day you’ll play social media as well as the pros play football.