Social Media. You’re Not Doing it Right.
Everyday more businesses and individuals jump into the deep end of the social media pool. Internal or external pressures dictate that you simply MUST have a Twitter account or a Facebook page or a LinkedIn profile or a Foursquare offer or even a Groupon discount. The problem is, you are correct about the need for a presence, but most of you are oh so wrong in the way you execute.
Social Media. You’re Not Doing It Right…
- If you’re talking more than you’re listening
- If you’re using social media to just broadcast more of your company announcements, discounts, specials, and press releases
- If you’re ranting more than you’re raving
- If you don’t have a Facebook business page
- If you’re not participating in LinkedIn discussion groups
- If you’re trying to sell your stuff instead of share your knowledge
- If you’re a hawker instead of a helper
- If you’re treating social media like a board meeting instead of a happy hour
- If you’re just handing out your business cards instead of making introductions
- If you’re not following and liking your clients
- If you’re not using Google Alerts or Twilerts to subscribe to search results about your clients, competitors (and yourself)
- If you don’t use http://search.twitter.com to find people in your region who have expressed specific interest in your specific area of expertise
- If you’re not asking followers and fans their opinions on your products and services, and then using those answers to innovate and constantly improve
- If you’re not using sites like Focus.com and Quora.com to answer questions and demonstrate your knowledge
- If you’re not using social media to drop breadcrumbs that lead back to your regular site/blog
- If you’re not the Mayor of someplace in your area
- If you don’t treat the Mayor of your business better than you’d treat the REAL mayor if they walked in to your office
- If you don’t invite and incentivize people to check-in to your location
- If your posts are automated or programmed instead of personalized
- If your profile picture is a logo instead of photo of a human being
- If your social media links aren’t featured on your business cards
- If you say “Find us on Facebook” and expect people to search for you instead of simply providing the “/page-name”
- If you delete negative comments instead of replying to them both personally and publicly
- If you try to control the conversation instead of just participating in it
- If you’re advertising instead of socializing
- If you’re not retweeting and sharing great posts of others
- If you’re not caring and sharing
- If you’re judging your success based upon ROI (Return on Investment) instead of ROE (Return on Engagement)
- If you think this list will ever be complete…
Good Info! The main thing about Social Media is to be yourself!
We are a non-profit canoe/kayak club. The (above) web site is one of two (2) recruiting methods we use for new members in our community. The other is teaming with the city for summer sports in the city’s summer bulletin.
How can we use social media for this venue?
Thanks
Charlie Stevens
Commodore – RHCC
A very useful site to manage all your social media marketing, is http://www.sendible.com
You can do it all from one platform!
This is an outstanding list. Love the positive “ideas” and insights these foster. I recommend @BobBurg as one you can follow on Twitter and see the right way the above can be applied. The best way to connect with someone online socially is to show them you “like” them. Then they are inspired to then “like” you in return. The relationships can be cultivated on from there (See http://www.SevenFoundationPrinciples.com Principles 5 and 6 in particular)
Thanks Idea Guy!
Great list. I have thought of a 4Square account and even set one up but I wasn’t really sure how to gauge the “I’m have a good time with SM” verses “This is benefiting our company.” I know a lot of times the 2 overlap so I guess I’ll start being active on my 4Square account.
Don,
Excellent article! I think what most people don’t get is that it is relationship building–not pushing products/services/etc.
Thanks for the insight!
Great article. Thanks!
Hi Charlie,
Being new to social media, I do not have a comment about ways to use that media to generate more recruits but I would like to make a comment.
It seem to me that athletes would be a good place to look for recruits. Softball leagues, batting cages, rollerskating rinks, and so many other outdoor activities have websites these days. Connecting into these sites may help you find others with lure for adventure that your activity will generate.
Any adrenalin junkie activity or site would be a good place to do recruiting as well. Capture email addresses and send a tip each week about information important to them.
I am shooting from the hip but I hope these ideas help in some small way.
Take care!
Mark Goldstein
mark24kgold@gmail.com
This is such a fantastic list. Social media isn’t the one-way advertising of the past. It requires interaction and its participants know when they’re being fed a pitch instead of genuine conversation.
These are all great points, but #28 is my favorite because I know so many companies are struggling right now to quantify and qualify their investment in different social media platforms.
Great article! I would add a couple:
1.) If you not using social media to connect with people you meet.
2.) If your not educating your employees on how to use social media to support your efforts.
3.) If your taking social media too serious…
4.) If you are not taking social media serious enough…
Deep thoughts….
good list
Great blog. I shared your thoughts with my BNI Group this morning and they love it. I like the way you think. If you get an opportunity check out my blog I would love to hear your opinion http://www.salessuperhero.com
Thanks for the great information! Although I just rejoined Facebook after a hiatus, I have a ton to learn about using social media, just joined Twitter and am figuring how to use it. Takes me a bit longer,due to \senior moments.\ LOL
Great information! Thank you!
Don,
Loved it.
Tweeted it.
Thank you, Adam.