Callie Schweitzer, director of marketing and communications for Vox Media, used social media to commandeer her web presence and build business connections. The social networking maven may still be in her 20s, but she exemplifies the power of engaging with online communities. Her Twitter feed, which shares content she finds worth reading, receives plenty of praise. What’s her secret?

That, and more, in today’s Lunchtime Links:

Working the network: What does Callie Schweitzer love about social media? It gives you access to infinite amounts of knowledge and interaction at your fingertips. From being well read to posing societal questions and engaging with feedback, she recognizes the importance of not just distributing content but finding the value within it. “I read every story looking for the nugget, the gem that will make most people interested in the piece. It’s the best quote or the best turn of phrase that will draw people in. And I’ve seen great responses like: ‘Wow, I’d never read this but that really brought me in,’” she told Fast Company. What techniques does your association have for networking via social media?

The disciplinary path: Does success come from a plan or is it the product of sporadic decisions? According to Francisco Dao, founder of 50Kings, a private community for technology and media innovators, success requires discipline to carry out a vision, not just having said vision. “Success doesn’t come from feel-good messages and overinflated self esteem. It comes from grit, rules, and discipline.”

Moving on: So things didn’t really turn out how you expected. According to Forbes writer Erika Andersen, how you react to career letdowns shows a lot about your character. What do you do next? Where do you start? Andersen advises giving yourself room to feel it. “Often, giving yourself a little time to grieve, or get angry, or feel overwhelmed or demoralized after a defeat is the best first step,” she writes. What are some of your best practices to stay motivated after things head south?

What interesting reads have you found today? Let us know in your comments below.

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