I spent some time this evening cruising around Facebook, LinkedIn, Goolge+, Pinterest, and a few hundred other platforms. I had high hopes for finishing a couple blog posts but instead got lured in by the latest social news. You know how it is. Just as we get use to something it changes, a ticker is added, more of our activity gets shared, a new social network is born, mobile app launched and the list goes on.
As I wasted my night away in social slacker land with all my fellow slacker geeks I was amazed at how many people are simply losing their mind. I guess I am so close to all of it that I forget how many business leaders, entrepreneurs and consumers are still learning.
I saw everything from spammy Facebook, Pinterest & LinkedIn pages to a landing page that guaranteed me a first page Google ranking.
However, most shocking was seeing QR codes on LinkedIn and Facebook avatars. Really folks? Come on! Why on earth would you use a “code” in the place of a branding and human connection opportunity? There is NOTHING about the QR code that is going to connect me to your brand. It takes at minimum 6-7 brand touches for me to remember anything about you. Why would you waste such valuable online real estate on a code that to the human eye and remembering brain looks no different than all the other folks doing the same thing?
I am a believer in leveraging technology, cool gadgets, widgets and even QR codes. However, I suggest only doing such when they can be used in a way that brings value to your audience and helps you better inspire and connect with them.
Even given tonight's QR code most shocking moments and geek slacker time, I still have good news. I am now motivated to not only finish a blog post, but also write a whole new one, thus the reason for this post.
With all this tech evolution it is important we not lose sight of why you are spending time on social in the first place! I hope most of you are spending time on the social networks to:
- Connect with real people
- Network
- Learn
- Educate
- Inspire
- Grow your business
- Increase brand awareness
- Make new friends
- And the list goes on…..
I recently wrote a post titled “The Heartbeat of Social Media” where I talk in more depth on the importance of connecting with real people. It is the human connections we make with one another that bring the greatest benefits to our time and resource spent on integrating social media into our business.
So as you work to kickoff your social program, more deeply integrate social media into your business or wherever you may be in regard to social media adoption, don't lose sight of the art of social media. Social media is more than tools. The tech is the easy part. Figuring out how to inspire, educate and engage your audience after the Facebook like or follow is of most importance.
15 Tips to Stay Sane in a Tech Crazed Social World
1. Humanize before you codify! Your goal should be to humanize your brand, not codify your brand. Give me something I can connect to. Talk to me in words I can understand and relate to. Show me images that help me know who you are, what you do and how you can help me.
2. Know your goals and objectives. What are you doing and why? Why, why, why, should be the question you ask yourself over and over.
3. Align social media to your business not the other way around. You are destined for trouble if you try to force fit your business into a Facebook page or integrated blog platform. Instead your social media and online platform priorities should align with your business goals.
4. Select business goals where social can make a difference. Not all business goals can be positively impacted by social media. Align social as a priority where social can positively impact and move you closer to your goal.
5. Get in the head of your audiences. This includes clients, prospective clients, partners, online communities, evangelists, industry influencers etc. Learn as much as you can about them. What makes them tick, click and like? How can you inspire and connect with them? How can you help them achieve their goals and objectives?
6.What action do you want your audiences and communities to take? Where will they be when they will take such action? Will they be on a mobile phone? A PC? In their car? On a plane? Will it be morning, over lunch, late at night? I know all of these questions may sound crazy but they're not. Think about where your audiences will be when they will be engaging with you on the social platforms. If they are going to be on a mobile phone then don't put a QR code on the website that links to your Facebook page! How on earth will they use it?
7. WHY should your target audience take your desired action on your Facebook page, LinkedIn profile or blog? Give them a reason. Focus on the WHY more than you focus on the tech they will use. Without the why the tech is a mute conversation as they'll never pay attention anyway.
8. Be your own social duck! Don't get caught up in the hype. Just because your entire small business networking group is putting QR codes on their Facebook pages and sending spammy email doesn't mean you should too. Be careful who you listen to and do your research before making decisions that impact your strategy and community member experience.
9. Trust your gut. Even if you are a newbie and your agency or consultant tells you to do something that just doesn't “feel right,” then do some research. There are many clueless agencies and consultants that are still trying to find their way in social. They mean well but may not be giving you advice that is going to help your business. Ask them for examples. Ask them specific questions related to WHY their recommendation is a good idea. If they can't clearly help you understand how the specific technical tactic they are recommending will help you meet a specific business goal or objective then don't do it.
10. Quit telling me to like your page! I can't believe how many business leaders who have been properly trained and doing social media for quite some time are still doing this. I know you want Facebook likes. We all do. What should matter more to you is that I feel inspired to click “like.” A like is only valuable if I come back, if you make a lasting impression in my brain. When you keep asking me to “like” you or help you get to a certain number of “likes” it actually makes me question more why I liked your page to begin with and that maybe I should unlike it? Focus also on the people who have already liked your page and make it worth their time to stick around.
11. Don't spam me, please. If I connect with you on LinkedIn, do not spam me and all of my contacts. I received three different emails via LinkedIn tonight from trusted colleagues. Someone who I connected with and accepted their LinkedIn invitation made it his priority to spam folks on my contact list. He even used my name and said he and I were friends. I told all three people the truth, and they are now all going to write back to him and inform him of his spammy ways and how unsuccessful they were. We also all reported him for spam. #FAIL
12. Don't act desperate. Even if you are desperate for leads, new business, likes, friends, followers, don't use behavior that makes it obvious that you are! Swap the same time you are spamming desperation posts and emails and instead focus on your own goals, objectives and market research. If you do the proper planning you'll see better results and won't have to beg for online friends. Trust me, it works!
13. Keep it simple. When all else fails go back to business 101. I sometimes think people are forgetting everything they ever learned. It's not that hard folks. You are in business to sell product or service. You have a particular market you want to sell your product or service to. Social media is nothing more than a new channel for you to communicate, inspire and better connect with clients, partners, prospects and more. Don't over think or over complicate it more than it has to be at the early stages.
14. Prioritize new tools and technology. You don't have to be on every social network and use every social tool, gadget, plugin available. Schedule geek time. Schedule a specific amount of time to “play with new tools” if you are a tech and shiny object geek like me. I find that if I set specific “geek time” then I am far more productive the other parts of my week. When incorporating a new tool or technology into your social strategy be sure that you do your research first and align it to your business goals and objectives.
15. Embrace the heartbeat of social media. Don't ever lose sight of the people of social media. Social media is nothing without communities and the people within them. One can not breathe or last without the other. Focus on providing value, sharing your best stuff and you will see result. Focus on offering the tweet that makes someone's day, week or month. Share the knowledge via a blog post that solves business problems, inspires change or even gives them a dose of reality in an area they need to wake up and smell the coffee. Whatever it is make it real, make it you and make it about the people!
There is hope. Even if you are guilty of all of the above, don't freak out. You can easily pull your QR code down if it's not justified. You can work this week on your goals and objectives. Don't get lazy and think you'll never be able to fix it and move forward in a positive way. Stop the spam now. Stop begging for likes today. Focus on your business and audience first and the rest will come much easier! Trust me, it really does work!
Your Turn
Are you an admitted tech addicted geek? Or a you a newbie who has fallen victim to the latest tech or codifying gadget? Remember the first step to recover is to admit publicly your faults and commit to positive action. If you have already recovered or never had issues with tech and tool addiction, what advice do you have for others? How do you prioritize and not lose your mind in this crazy social tech geek world?
Heartbeat of Social Media Series
This blog post is the second in a new series I am kicking off titled “The Heartbeat of Social Media“. It will include a deep look at how communities work, what people are doing within them and how businesses can better understand how they can fit in, provide value and derive benefit as both a business as well as individual people.
Subscribe to the series for updates and access to special videos, webinar training and more. Would love to hear your input and have you participate in discussions and debates as we challenge each other to be part of what makes the social network heartbeat healthy and alive in 2012!
Oh yes addicted to the various networks – but I just found Alternion and i hope it will same time by having all the networks in one neat place. (It does not have Pinterest or Quora yet.) I could completely relate with your first paragraph.
@Alice_Reeves thanks Alice. You dressed yet?
@sirenf No, Matt’s being a bathroom hog. The joys of co-habiting.
@markwschaefer thanks Mark!! How are ya’?? Happy Sunday to you! :-)
@osakasaul thank you Saul!
@ChoiceZnewZ Thanks for RT!
@accrete My pleasure! TYVM 4 Mention! Have a •*¨*•.¸¸#SuperSunday!!¸¸.•*¨*•
@LisaPetrilli thanks Lisa! Hope your Sunday is rockin!
@janetcallaway Awww thank you Janet. You are back, right?? Oh my how we missed you! Let’s catch up IRL via phone this week??
@PamMktgNut Yes. I’m back, caught up (well, kind of) and definitely ready to talk IRL. Look forward to it. It’s been far too long.
RT @s_bearden @PamMktgNut Good points! RT @PamMktgNut: Social Media Tools 15 Tips to Not Lose Your Mind! http://t.co/FfLfYp9g #socialmedia
Quack Quack – how funny. Being your own social duck is important. It plays into a number of the other 15 points. Also, if you’re trying to be someone else’s duck or flock too frequently and invade other’s pond space, you’ll be pushed out or viewed as desperate.
The other point you made s that struck me was about Social Media being an art. That’s so true…. But many people, including the “experts, are treating it as a science. With all these measurements and metrics, it’s easy to get lost in the social sciencesphere. That’s leading us away from being part of the heartbeat IMO. BTW – thanks for your kind words in your last reply. You really know how to make someone feel like they’re on the right track. People like you are too few and far between; keep being your awesome self, we love you for it!
Your article is so true. I had just signed up for Pinterest wondering why I was doing it. LOL It’s so important to keep marketing simple, strategic and truly communicate with people. It’s so easy to buy into automating social media rather than actually participating.
Great list of points, but the one about QR codes really makes me laugh; why do people do this? My response to 11 is to quickly hit LinkedIn’s spam button, they really dislike spammers and will close their accounts.
@SarasotaAdvisor Dan, great to meet another local here in Twitter
@BFMaguire thanks for sharing it
Pam,
I really like # 1 the best. People connect with other people. They don’t connect with companies, technology, codes, or any other such silliness. My face, like it or not, is part of who I am and that helps make the connection real. In all my years I have yet to meet someone who looked like a QR code, a caricature, or a logo.
Cheers,Marc
@JanetBarclay Thanks for sharing Janet :)
@LauraKennedy Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@LauraKennedy Thanks, Laura
@CBSanFrancisco Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@itweetlive @cbsanfrancisco right you are. Like other activities….learn to use it in a way that fits your own style.
@confluencemedia Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@bicienzo hai visto che facebook dovrebbe avere l’ipo questa settimana? io penso che me ne freghero’, non son un grosso fan…
@Fra___ mi sa che me ne freghero anche io..:-)
@wallaatv Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@jeffbullas Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@AndrewSmith1443 Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive HootSuite..
@AndrewSmith1443 why not try this? http://t.co/glsUnM1U engage with groups of ppl at the same time, get more done in less time.
Hi Pam,
I’m sure we all fall into that trap of just check in on our social accounts and hours later realizing we didn’t get done what we had planned for that time. I am so glad that even when you were aware of the trap, you fell into it too. It’s so addictive!
So I am doubly thankful for the list of ideas to make our social time count. Great post. Thanks so much.
@JessicaNorthey fire #beats for sell #dm http://t.co/V1fy5439 LEASE 25$ EXCLUSIVE 100$
Hi Pam,
#11 hits home. It seems everyone is a shill for something these days. Add to that the applications that will spam our connections, either through malware or as ‘legitimate’ applications with buried disclosures of what they will do, and there is a pitch to connect, buy or download around every corner.
I have backed off on my personal networking because of this. On LinkedIn, I rarely accept an invitation from someone I have not had a meaningful conversations with and have already formed a clear opinion of. On Twitter, I follow back increasingly sparingly. On Facebook, I almost completely refuse to install applications or respond to application invites and companies that use the platform for marketing messages are quickly disconnected.
On one hand, I decry the downfall of some of our social media platforms. On the other hand, it is a whole lot easier than moving to a new email address.
Best,
Eric
@tracyschutz Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@FairPlay365 Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@itweetlive Hello there :) Thx, I agree with you, but at least 1/10 doesn’t have the knowledge like Us :) and therefore your biz growing ;)
@FairPlay365 true, now u can achieve all this http://t.co/JxWLY9tO would love to hear what u think :)
@SunriverWeb Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@micksay Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@itweetlive I Sure Do – I just had a 1-on1 with @mqtodd and have at least one 121 every day – very important..
@micksay now you can connect one on one with all your audience and AB test replies. http://t.co/8eAodHRn
@iamjodyjelas Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@LoganatDell Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive There are some many. I really like bufferapp and manageflitter.
@andynathan Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive yes, why?
@andynathan awesome, what do u think of this free twitter tool? engage with groups of ppl at the same time http://t.co/kjKoRkpk
@MommyMentor Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@Supermom2020 Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@itweetlive : It’s all about time management, engagement and 100% dedication!
@Supermom2020 Most definitely! and now u can do exactly that- http://t.co/sLYq5KFR
@MeganLeap Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@Giulipat Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
the FB like one resonates the most. Huge pet peeve of mine!
THANK you for reminding everyone what Social means @PamMktgNut . I think of Sally Field every time I see a LIKE me welcome page! And I agree with #11 – so disappointing to see an inbox notification on my LinkedIn and realize after opening that I have been spammed! Lame!
Keep it up, great work, Pam!
@mqtodd howdy Michael! Thanks for the RT luvs! #getrealchat
@AyPee Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@hensel Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive I always go back to basics,I love http://t.co/LROZpGuy. But my next best Twitter app is #buffer. :-)
@hensel Nice! what do u think of this free twitter tool? http://t.co/dcnPysa4 now u can target ur audience &personally engage
@chiefmartec Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@SocSolutionsGrp Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@Jankovitch Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@theeproducer Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@SusieBlackmon Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@itweetlive I’m a curator, not a ‘targeter.’ Those who love horses will naturally want to see what I’m posting on occasion. Time intensive.
@SusieBlackmon when i say ‘target’ i mean finding everyone with the same interests who want to be made aware of ur posts &engaging with t…
@itweetlive Yes, I know that. ;-) XO
@SusieBlackmon great, we give free credits &will love to hear ur feedback :)
@mqtodd Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@LaurelZacher Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@bizcommunicator Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive I find using SoMe mgmt tools make the #twitter experience better. Smoother & I like adding comments with my RTs.
@bizcommunicator Awesome! now u can personally address all ur RT’s &mentions in less time- http://t.co/BttYd4GN what do u think?
@itweetlive Interesting — I’ll need to look a little closer at it over the weekend. Thx :)
@bizcommunicator it is simple to start… simply make a search http://t.co/GpupfD7q let me know how it goes, will love feedback :)
@itweetlive Will do!
@smplusone Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@chriskulbaba Hello Chris! Thank you for sharing your article. LOL, yes, social media addicts tend to lose their mind to it.
@brandyousocial – oh my gosh yes… I find sometimes I need an information diet!
@FarFromCamelot Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@simonewquin Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@itweetlive indeed, you’ve got to have your goals strategically set out, and find a way to make your content viral
@JenOHerrick Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@TobeyDeys Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@JamieCrager Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@itweetlive Yes I do, otherwise your message will get lost and loose its impact.
@wittlake Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive My goal is to learn and connect, so I’m a fan of good old-fashioned tweetdeck, tweetchat for events, and other ‘basics’
@wittlake Hey Eric, now u can do exactly that! http://t.co/K0QeeMF4 saves time &its free, what do u think?
@KtAndersonBlogs Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
Great tips, love it!
Testing comment
@Faryna Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive best tools for twitter: compassion, empathy, love, intelligence, and a little humility will take you a long, long way.
RT @Faryna Best tools for twitter: compassion, empathy, love, intelligence, and a little humility will take you a long, long way.
@Faryna Nice! what do u think of this free twitter tool? http://t.co/dcnPysa4 now u can target ur audience &personally engage
@RalphKooi Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive one I like to use is called http://t.co/Kyvi2s99 works on iphone (app) and also a desktop. It also sync both if you change stuff
@DonnaMaeDubray Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@LoranNorthey Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@itweetlive hi it depends on the thread of your tweet as sometimes they are
More generic Than others – what do u
Think?
@gupshupblog Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@KimberleyARoper Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@itweetlive Right now that would be hootsuite, marketmesuite, tweepi and who unfollowed me :)
@techmagsocial Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive Hootsuite is working well for me :)
@AdrienneSmith40 Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@itweetlive That would save you time but think of all the others who will see your content!
cool tips! RT @PamMktgNut 15 Tips to Stay Sane in a Social Tech Crazed World! #twitter #sm
@uexchange – yo! Thanks for the mention, dog! (That is my Randy Jackson impression…did it sound like him?) lawlz…
@SocialSavvyGeek Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@piece_finder Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@chriskulbaba Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@itweetlive – most definitely – that is where the magic of creation and engagement happen! Although, we need to be patient for responses…
@itweetlive – sometimes we get carried away with the immediacy of the tools we think that an untimely response is more than a few hours…
@chriskulbaba i think it is important but it is time consuming try out http://t.co/spg7joHX
@e_diva Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@bph Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@JerryOLM Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@LucianSavluc Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
Always love your tips and motivation
@WSEnvelopeLabel Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@FanbaseTweets Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive We use Tweetdeck & @bufferapp – what about you?
@Sandy_Recruits Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@FreshViewJax Thanks for the RT! Have a fab weekend! @pammktgnut
@shaunhewitt Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@ADRsocialmedia Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@TECHnewsWeb Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@Biz_Quote Do u think that connecting “one on one” with ur audience is important?
@OnHighHeelsPR Great tips, do u think targeting only the relevant ppl saves u time?
@GilCheyMaq Nice! social media can be tricky but u need to take charge and prioritize tasks in a non-time consuming way, what do think?
@ideabloke Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
Carol Anne Buckley Wow! It is so wonderful to see you here! Warms my heart beyond words. xoxo
Thanks Mindandbodymeditations!! Appreciate the kind words.
@LinkedInExpert Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive I love Tweetdeck and hoot suite although is doesn’t do all I need – am actually working on creating my own app….
@LinkedInExpert cool what would it do?
@itweetlive I’d tell ya- but then I’d have to kill ya :) Its a really easy to use scheduler based on google calendar…
@LinkedInExpert Nice! what do u think of our free twitter tool? http://t.co/38sf7Jme target &engage with groups of ppl, AB testing &geo…
@deborahkf @PamMktgNut Also having an editorial calendar and a list of daily takes is mandatory!
@ChanteDNewcomb Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@TECHnewsWeb Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@Patgonzalez82 Awesome tips, especially for newbees to social media. which tools are you finding most helpful on twitter?
@CharmedMedia Great tips, have u found a twitter tool that helps u achieve your goals at a fast rate?
@itweetlive Thanks! Glad to share useful findings!
@PamMktgNut http://t.co/SD5TdtwB , http://t.co/n1SCQFR2 , http://t.co/kFuf3miL , http://t.co/DSrS5HYO
@PamMktgNut http://t.co/SD5TdtwB , http://t.co/n1SCQFR2 , http://t.co/kFuf3miL , http://t.co/DSrS5HYO
@PamMktgNut http://t.co/SD5TdtwB , http://t.co/n1SCQFR2 , http://t.co/kFuf3miL , http://t.co/DSrS5HYO
RT @tempocreative: RT @pammktgnut: Social Media Tools & Tech – 15 Tips to Not Lose Your Mind! http://t.co/Eh1fiMix #socialmedia #tools #sm
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