I believe we are over complicating the world of social media. We get caught up in tweets, posts, follows, influence scores, analytics and the list goes on.
It doesn't have to be so hard. Does the newbie really need to watch us debate for weeks about if Facebook or Google+ is going to win when they are simply coming to us for help in getting online in the first place?
We must help those who ask for help understand it's about the people. Â It's about integrated marketing with a clear focus on business and marketing objectives. Â Yes, the tools are important, but it's how you use the tools that matter most. The objectives help you understand WHY you are using the tools. Â The conversation will be guided by the WHY your fans, followers and readers should care.
So here goes the most simple blog post I have ever written. It was even verified by my 7 yr old and he “got it.” Â Now let's see if you can help others “get it” too!
Social Media for Smarties
Social media requires people, conversation and a medium (i.e., tools).
In Real Life (IRL) people talk, listen, share, complain, cry, work, sing, laugh and make new friends.
In real life people hang out in social circles. They talk and laugh with peeps that make them feel good.
Now they hang out online in social circles. Circles like Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.
Guess what, online people also talk, listen, share, complain, cry work, sing, laugh, and make new friends.
Thanks to social media they can now talk, listen, share, complain, cry, work, sing, laugh, and make new friends without leaving their house.
They can do it in their bed with their iPhone and only one eye open. They can even sit in their call all day or head head to their favorite coffee shop with free WiFi.
They do social via 140 characters on twitter
They do social on Facebook business pages.
They do social on Facebook personal pages.
They like.
They circle.
They follow.
They laugh.
They friend.
They share.
Just like they do in real life.
Guess what else…. Social media is real.
It's not fake. It's real life.
Yes there are fakers.
There are bad peeps, trolls and bullies.
However, there are bad peeps, trolls and bullies in real life too.
However there are gems and rockstars. There are people who can touch our heart in 140 characters or less.
There are laid off peeps, poor peeps, rich peeps, mama-preuners, CEOs and biz owners.
And guess what else… these people need friends.
They need conversation.
They need services.
They need products.
Just like in real life.
They want to buy from real people, not robots.
They want you to treat them like a human being.
Just like you would do in real life.
After all, behind the avatar they are simply people who talk, listen, share, complain, cry work, sing, laugh, and make new friends.
Find out where the people you want to talk to are hanging out.
Just like you would do in real life.
Get to know them so you can have a real conversation with them.
Get social.
Get real.
Get business.
Get life.
It's really not that hard unless you make it so!
Got it?
Very true. People get so caught up in the numbers they miss the forest for the trees. The people are what is important, the numbers…not so much.
Agree. Numbers matter but will come as a default with the right quality and content!Â
Yes its about engaging with others and not always posting your own stuff, tweet after tweet.Â
Amen Lisa!! Â Balance is the key. Â Appreciate your comment.Â
Pam, this could be turned into a great quick word animation. Yeah, I get it. I already did. But it’s almost catchy, with a bit of music and motion, I think you just might have a hit on your hands!
Great minds think alike my friend! We’re already workin’ on it. Wanna help?Â
My goal used to be having lots of followers. I realized most of the people following me wanted to sell me something. Now I focus on who I follow. If they they believe I have something to offer, I’m honored if they follow me.
Amen! Good first steps Kathy. Keep up the good work.Â
That was a great post! I agree, social media is real. Your friends or circles will be more accessible at any time of the day. Even in the wee hours of the night. You don’t need to meet up with friends just to share your stories or your burdens, you could do it via social media any time. Being a member of a social media is convenient specially to those people that don’t go out often, those that are stuck at home most of the day. It’s a great way for them to have a chance to interact with friends even without having to go out.
Great post. I know I’m throwing in a bit of complexity to post that’s meant to not be technical in nature but I feel this bit of “geekyness” is a big part of social media’s success.
I’m referring to the “asynchronous” aspect of social media, the fact that participants are not tied up in a dedicated request/response channel, which limits them from participating in other channels at the same time. With social media, people contribute and respond to channels at their discretion and convenience. In other words, someone posts to my wall and I post back if an when I please. This greatly enhances an individual’s bandwidth and desire to participate and makes magnifies overall sharing.
Not that a good “synchronous” phone conversation is bad or a thing of the past. In fact, it’s usually a much more rewarding encounter. However it requires a greater commitment of time and attention, which makes sense given it’s potential for greater payback.
Great post. I know I’m throwing in a bit of complexity to post that’s meant to not be technical in nature but I feel this bit of “geekyness” is a big part of social media’s success.
I’m referring to the “asynchronous” aspect of social media, the fact that participants are not tied up in a dedicated request/response channel, which limits them from participating in other channels at the same time. With social media, people contribute and respond to channels at their discretion and convenience. In other words, someone posts to my wall and I post back if and when I please. This greatly enhances an individual’s bandwidth and desire to participate and magnifies overall sharing.
Not that a good “synchronous” phone conversation is bad or a thing of the past. In fact, it’s usually a much more rewarding encounter. However it requires a greater commitment of time and attention, which makes sense given it’s potential for greater payback.
Great post. I know I’m throwing in a bit of complexity to a post that’s meant to not be technical in nature but I feel this bit of “geekyness” is a big part of social media’s success.
I’m referring to the “asynchronous” aspect of social media, the fact that participants are not tied up in a dedicated request/response channel, which limits them from participating in other channels at the same time. With social media, people contribute and respond to channels at their discretion and convenience. In other words, someone posts to my wall and I post back if and when I please. This greatly enhances an individual’s bandwidth and desire to participate and magnifies overall sharing.
Not that a good “synchronous” phone conversation is bad or a thing of the past. In fact, it’s usually a much more rewarding encounter. However it requires a greater commitment of time and attention, which makes sense given it’s potential for greater payback
great post get past the tech stuff and share reach out and meet people and chat about what’s happening from the kitchen table to the boardroom be Social on Social Media
I’m referring to the “asynchronous” aspect of social media, the fact that participants are not tied up in a dedicated request/response channel, which limits them from participating in other channels at the same time.
[…] post is an update to a post I wrote a few months ago, published on my personal blog at Pam Marketing Nut. I think the post is […]
[…] post is an update to a post I wrote a few months ago, published on my personal blog at Pam Marketing Nut. I think the post is […]