It should not come as a huge surprise to anyone that not everyone on Twitter or Facebook ‘Gets Social Media’ and probably even less of a surprise that even more of then really care. This is proven with the large number of people (I think they are people) who still are under the impression that the Twitter feed and Facebook updates are forums for posting nothing but advertisement…OH wait, they are a forum for posting nothing but advertisement…but does posting nothing but Links to other people’s ‘Stuff’ and worn out quotes from other people really Social Media?
It is obvious many people think they are being social by posting news links and promotions to something dear to their lives. However, like anything in life and business…overdoing something will work against the true intentions of doing it. In case you need a refresher, social media is based on communicating through socializing with people, Followers, Friends or Fans. There are a number of things people (I still am wondering if they are people) are posting or doing in the social networking environment that is in no way part of being social..which if you will remember is the foundation for social media.
So why are they doing it? Studies are showing that 66% of the time, misguided, erroneous or false information is passed out to people on how to use the social networks for promotions. 20% don’t care. This shows there are a lot of people needing help in understanding social networking and social media.
Lets take a look at 6 of the most popular things people are doing online that are not part of social media.
- One Size Fits All – Not one single approach to social media will work for all users. The internet is filled with different niches and what works for one, does not necessarily work for all. So, don’t fall for what an expert in Tech social media will tell you to do to attract followers in your underwater basket weaving niche. Everyone should test different approaches and don’t stick to a strategy that is picked up from someone else. Always take some time to work out the strategy that works best for you. Also ask others who will be honest with you (not just a smiley face person) to give you feedback your image or how you look to others from how you use social media. You maybe surprised to find that what you see as working also makes you look bad or is turning people away.
- Spam – This is the quickest way to develop a negative reputation online and is a sure fire way of getting banned from the majority of Social Media sites. Don’t send out Direct Messages and automated messages, you will find that most people ignore these messages and many will unfollow you. Users are also able to report people that they believe are spamming them so you also run the risk of being kicked off the network.
- Links-a-Roma– Posting just a link to something is of little value..socially or professionally. Even if there is a comment or remark before the link being posted it still offers very little social value. In over 90% of the time if all you post are Links, No matter what the link is to, but nobody is going to click on it. Links are the number one tool for Hackers and Spammers which makes clicking on links very risky. Posting links are good if done moderately and after a trust has been built with the ENTIRE following. Since the post with a link on it is open to the entire world to see that post with the link probably looks like spam or a scan to most. Posting only links does not paint a pretty picture of who you are or what you are trying to accomplish.
- Sell – This goes on Too Much! Many people use their accounts to try and sell something. This is very true of businesses who set up camp in the social networks. If you just bombard users with notices of the latest products or product updates it provides little value to the people following. Take some time to find out what your followers are interested in and provide them with REAL value. The mission should be to build trust with your potential customers, when they are ready they will be back to buy from you. If you need quick sells, set up a booth at an EXPO where people can see you. Setting up shop in the social networking space makes you appear to strangers as a scammer.
- Comment Plugs- It is always good to make a comment on someone’s Facebook update or blog, but when the comment includes a subliminal plug for your service or product it becomes very obtrusive and insulting to the readers..especially if the product or service has a HUGE flaw in its business model. It is one thing to attempt to get ‘link backs’ to a site, but a totally different thing to plug something in a comment in hopes someone is going to check it out. Most of the time this type of action will work against someone and could get them blocked from further comments on the entire blog platform.
- Quote-a-Roma- There was a wise man who once said that if you have to quote what a wise man has to say you really must not have much to say. (Yes, you can quote me on this.) For many people in the social networking space all you see or hear of them are updates or posts of a quote from some famous (or questionably famous) person. This provides absolutely no social value. Posting only a quote is like answering the attendance role call with ‘meh’. The constant posting of only quotes along with the constant posting of links and you are saying to the world..”I could care less who reads this, I am only here because someone told me I am suppose to be here.” Providing a quote for time to time is OK, but a steady stream, or a once a day quote, will get people to unfollow you or disconnect from you in the social networking space.
- Forget To Say Thank You – If people take the time to mention, retweet , comment on a blog or share your posts/products in the social networking space then take time to say thank you. They have done you a great service. If you make the user feel valued then they may be more likely to do it again in the future. If you don’t, then don’t expect them to do much for you in the future. It is understandable for those large sites that get hundreds and thousands of retweets or comments to say it is impossible to say thank you to each individual. However, reaching out to as many as possible is showing effort and eventually those people who never get thanks for their time will get the word from others there is a real person behind the site. This will bring them back to share more.
There is a lot going on out in the online social networking space that is being done by people who obviously do not know (and a lot who do not care) what they are doing. This is OK..everyone has to start somewhere and in most cases is how people learn what is right and wrong. Hopefully some of those who are hitting on one, if not all, of the 6 points above will reach out to this site and the others like it (thought they are very few) to get help in understanding what social media is really all about.
Let me know how I can help
