You Don’t “Do” Social Media; You ARE Social Media!
Since the Internet’s inception, being social has driven growth, usage, and innovation. As a result, the Web has evolved to become a life-changing behemoth, for better or worse.
This is primarily due to being a venue where folks can discuss, share, converse, and connect with other onliners they would never have otherwise on pretty much anything under the sun—communications at the speed of light.
Let’s define social:
so·cial [soh-shuhl] –adjective
1. pertaining to, devoted to, or characterized by friendly companionship or relations: a social club.
2. seeking or enjoying the companionship of others; friendly; sociable; gregarious.
3. of, pertaining to, connected with, or suited to polite or fashionable society: a social event.
Note some of the words used to describe social: “devoted to,” “companionship,” “social club,” and “connected with.” These terms tell anyone serious about social marketing how they must think to take advantage of what social marketing is.
Social media marketing takes time and focus. To reap any fruit, you must sew the seeds about your enterprise by being involved, participating, sharing, and reacting — or it isn’t “social” media marketing.
Making connections, being involved, sharing information and expertise, and being available and approachable is how you be social. Letting those you want to do business with see who you are and how you run your business will build familiarity and encourage connection.
And that’s good for business.
“Social” Makes the Online World Tick
Those who are not yet genuinely social for the sake of their business will miss out on potential opportunities. Not taking advantage of social media basically is you not embracing the very fiber of what makes the online world tick.
Many fail to understand that the participation factor is what makes or breaks any online program. They want social just to happen. Some buy a service or a bunch of Likes or Followers and think they are “social.”
What legitimate Likes and Followers are good for is your opportunity to connect further.
Involvement + Participation = Social
Having a passive mentality is more comfortable and easier. Onliners can visit your website and get information there.
When visitors come by (if they even find your site), they may contact you or fill out a form with their questions. Unfortunately, many site owners do not realize the importance of a timely email response.
Some answer these inquiries when they get around to it, missing the opportunity to make a great impression. And to connect.
That’s the limit to their involvement. Form submissions. They want to rely on organic search engine rankings (no longer a reasonable business model) while making little to no effort, including social, to impact those rankings positively.
Few are proactive, and very few are truly immersed. And that’s what it takes to stand out above the din of those targeting the same market as you are.
On the other hand, those who solicit their customer’s input, offer a venue to submit commentary, engage in conversations, or publicly ask questions are rocking it. Moreover, they are reaching out to those opportunities as they present themselves.
In my view, the primary differentiation between passivity and success is mindset. So what attitude should you have when approaching social media marketing? First, you have to become your best marketing tool — yes, you.
Take Your Participation in Technology to the Next Level
Think about…
These are just a few things you can consider to start driving your social marketing mindset today. Now, here’s how you get started:
5 Quick Tips for Social Media Success
Think about this…
If your competitors take advantage of technology, are social, are involved in blogging, podcasting, and creating videos, and are using all the tools available to them to connect with their target markets, the less chance your business has of being viewed as relevant.
Time to get social (whether you like it or not).
At your service,