In my last blog I asked..Where is the ‘Social’ in Posting Just Links? 

What takes up the rest of all major social spaces are the people who feel posting nothing but ‘Quotes’ has social value.  The problems these posts cause, the negative impression they give viewers and the reasons why these people post this way is very concerning.  Posting only a quote and then not responding to any comments is really is not what can be defined as Social Media.

Each time I train someone on the effective methods of social media and explaining why online social networks are the best way to improving a business’ bottomlines, the question ‘why are there so many people just posting Quotes?’ always comes up.  

I am sure the reasons are many why people take this lower form of internet marketing and I am sure in those people’s minds they feel they are using social media.  Unfortunately, from the reactions I get from the many people I introduce to the social spaces, these ‘Quoters’ may want to reconsider their tactics.

Muddy Digital Footprint

Just like the people who fill their digital footprint with Links to worthless content, the ‘Quoters’ also feel they are providing their community a social service.  Sure, posting a quote that is relevant to how you feel can provide insight into who you are, but when there is nothing else in your timeline but Quotes then there is some question on your social intentions.

Like the Linksters, the Quoters get very defensive when confronted with questions on why they just post Quotes.  From all indications many of them more than likely took the same social media training camp where ‘Constantly Fill The Feeds With Content’ is the battle cry.  It is also possible some of the people who post nothing but Quotes took it upon themselves to post the quotes since they are seeing everyone else doing it and it looks “cute”.  In reality, most are posting the famous saying out of laziness and lack of caring how the posts impacts other’s social spaces.  The vast majority really don’t care since the frequent posting of anything is rewarded by Google with advancing their Page Rank.

Lack of Interaction is Fatal

Again, like the Linksters, the Quote Posters are not interested in interacting with others online. In fact, over 99% of them are not even aware of this blog being written about their insanity.  The remaining 1% that are aware of this blog are because they have linked to the blog for SEO reasons only.  So getting these people to see or hear how the newbies to the internet are responding to them will more than likely only come when their quotes are marked as Spam.

Developing a negative impression online is getting easy to do.  The vast majority of people who view the multitudes of posts made online each day do so passively while they are searching for real people.  Seeing someone posting just Quotes really does not impress upon viewers the person who is posting them is very social. 

Periodic posting of a quote along with something of community interest does show intelligence and goes along with effectively using social media to offer followers some insight into a person’s character.  Being social is the key to social media and is the ultimate purpose for being a member of a social network.  Posting self centered content and offering no social connection to the entire community is not social media.

There are a number of concerning methods of marketing people are using in the social spaces that is not helping with anything socially or professionally.  As the global economy worsens the push to produce a buck is naturally going to pressure people to fill their entire day with the pursuit of monetary gain.  Unfortunately, the social spaces are prime targets for those with weaker business models.

Social = Social

Offering up a professional image and establishing a social popularity is how business is developed today.  Filling out a personal profile in all social spaces is the beginning of a productive venture online.  Being social is the way of the future.  If you prefer not to be social, then maybe social media is not meant for you.

NEXT: Where is the ‘Social’ in being Non-Social?  More people who have lost touch with what this is all about.

Let me know how I can help.  And feel free to Quote me!