
We’re out of the Technology and Information Ages and into the Participation Age. The hallmark of this age is “sharing”, which is why social media is so big. It allows us to share on a multitude of levels. It is a lot less expensive than advertising and when done well, is much more effective. How do we get our arms around it?
Don’t panic. Social media is just another communications medium, like radio, TV, fax and email. Except it is much more interactive and participative; like the phone, except at your leisure (you don’t have to answer right away).
Here are a few quick principles I use dealing with social media:
1. Pick just one or two entry points that can be highly integrated, that can push traffic to each other, and go deep.
In 2007 I picked blogging and Twitter. I would highly recommend that you blog (some are questioning that these days, I think it is still by far the best social media platform available), and then interact with people on Twitter about their interests. Or you can pair up Facebook and Google+ (some people use it to blog now). Or Pinterest and Google+, etc. Whatever you do, start small so you can actually participate and learn, not spam. You can expand later if you find you have the bandwidth, but stay focused until you are sure.
2. Become the expert in something.
Again, BLOG IF YOU CAN!! It’s by far the best way to use social media to become an expert. Write comments on other people’s blogs, and offer your material to others to repurpose it. Check out this post on the 10 reasons you need to stop making excuses and start blogging for your business.
3. Be INTERESTED, not just INTERESTING (and be interesting as a result of being interested).
Social media is all about discussions, not self-promotion. Example – join existing conversations on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, etc. Support others in their comments and blogs, answer questions, and eventually they will want to know what you have to say and will visit your blog or community group. If you only promote, promote, promote, no one will care what you are saying.
After you have established yourself as someone who can contribute to others’ communities, maybe start your own Google+ hangout, forum, Facebook group, etc. Learn first, then invite your existing friends to join you. If you just self-promote, you could even get kicked out or banned, depending on the community. Build a network, don’t do networking! SERVE, DON’T SELL. Do NOT use social media to attempt to get a zillion new friends! All the research shows you should target your social media at your existing raving fans. SERVE them, and they will bring you new readers and new customers
4. Further your education by reading.
Read Rework by Fried and Hannson. Read Seth Godin’s blog and 37Signals.com’s blog. Find other blogs that you respect. (Editor’s note: Check out the NMX speakers list for blogs by authorities in the new media industry). See how they provide something of value. Don’t completely copy their content, just follow their lead – serve others with interesting content.
5. Search for local relationships and develop them online as well as off.
Connect, then offer offline opportunities. About 85-90% of all conversations about a product start off line and then move online. And again, starting with local relationships allows you to use social media to support your existing friends, who will then bring you more viewers and customers. If you go after herds of new people with your content, your friends will smell that and walk away.
Don’t see yourself doing this? There is a growing number of credible people who can help you by ghost-blogging, and by managing your business social media. (I would never let anyone else manage my personal Twitter account.) If you are going to hire others, make sure the public knows it’s not you – be authentic.
There are a bunch of other things you can do t boost your social presense, but if you start with these, you’ll be on the right track. For more great social media and blogging advice for businesses, check out the Business Category right here on the NMX blog.
Image credit: Bigstock
Interesting read, Chuck.
I run a business in tourism, and I have set myself the challenge of not just finding clients for a future tour, but to build a community. Your advice of just using one or two entry points is unusual, but I think it’s really worth considering cutting down on trying to be everywhere. I have found trying to balance running a busy business and trying to maintain a presence on social media to be a challenge.
I”m interested in one thing you said – ” All the research shows you should target your social media at your existing raving fans”. Could you give some links to that research?
Vernon,
Thx for the question – I should have embedded a link with a statement like that. Here’s a post on my own blog specifically on that subject: “A Focus on Finding Customers Online Doesn’t Work” – see http://chuckb.me/x5D
Here’s three resources on the same subject:
1) A thorough bit of research on why you should focus your social media on your existing raving fans and NOT directly on customer acquisition, by Gallup: http://bit.ly/NN0Ecc
2) And another bit by the Wharton School: http://bit.ly/I0kxzD
3) and Keller Fay Group, Word of Mouth Research & Consulting: http://bit.ly/1h3FjgK
– all say that you’re better off focusing your social media on people who already love you, and they will then advocate for you. Seth Godin basically advocates for the a similar strategy – don’t try to win over the world. Build a small tribe of people who will advocate for you. See his book “Tribes”.
I trust that helps – let me know if you have more q’s.
Thanks Chuck,
I really appreciate your response, and will certainly follow up on what you’ve said.
BTW one of your links is dead above.
Sorry Vernon – try this full link instead of the bitly link – it should work. This is one of the key bits of research for you to look at. http://businessjournal.gallup.com/content/148694/social-media-three-big-myths.aspx#2
Best,
Chuck
Love the part about building relationship with the consumers. Social success is a process that takes time and dedication. . I just wanna say the post is well written and very informative . Thanks a lot for sharing.
Samuel,
Thanks for the feedback. And great insight – it’s a “process that takes time and dedication”. Too many people look at social media as a way to make a quick buck instead of what it really is, a great way to build relationships to help your raving fans become your evangelists.