There seems to be a lot of confusion swirling around this on the SOCIAL networks these days. Few remember what the definition of SOCIAL is so allow me to help you. According to Webster’s (still my favorite . . . )
“of or relating to human society, the interaction of the individual and the group; tending to form cooperative and interdependent relationships with others of one’s kind; tending to grow in groups or masses to as to form a pure stand.”
Notice the word HUMAN, so please while it is great that you want to share your pet, your passions, and your purpose, really this is about YOU and those whom YOU want to connect with, relate to and get social with. That means a picture (avatar) of YOU, not a sunset, not your pet, not your children, not furniture, not food. I know you’ve heard this before but some of you aren’t listening!
This is about relating, not shouting into the vastness of the internet what you ate for lunch, that you hate (or love) Britney Spears, or yelling at us to buy this or that. Being social means INTERACTING. You are out on the social networks to build relationships, to generate visibility and credibility and to establish your KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST factor.
Sure I know you want to make money, we all do. But you can’t go at it like Crazy Eddie or even like Billy Mays (RIP). Times have changed, and today it is all about finding your points of connection, unique to you and forming an indelible bond with other people. There is an adage that is profoundly true, your client/customer doesn’t care about you or your product, until they know how much YOU care!
Stop proposing on the first date, and instead create a courtship that if it doesn’t lead to marriage it will lead to referrals to other great matches for YOU and your business, your purpose, and your passions. Relate, get social, create conversation, interact. You’ll have more fun, meet more people, and go a lot farther.
Great article Melissa. I love this part “Being social means INTERACTING” …I just had to tweet it. 🙂
Mihai,
And I appreciate tweets always!
Cheers, Melissa
Hmm sooooo true! Same with lists…let’s not forget lists are people!
Dream Warrior Jenni P
in gratitude
Right you are Jenni, Lists are people and until my new account I was only on 2K, didn’t have any. Now I’m list happy so I can better keep up and each one is a person.
Hugs, Melissa
That’s why I love following you so much, Melissa! You are one of the few people that I keep coming to my phone via Tweet! (Even if I sometimes get lost in my head, I still read and eventually retweet things!;) ) There is so much more to life than just putting unnecessary and negative stuff out into the world for no reason and without taking others into consideration.
Liz,
Thanks a million! We all occasionally get lost in our heads, as long as you find yourself and your focus, all is well.
Hugs, Melissa
I agree with the overall message, but not with the detail. Our kids, pets, passions are a large part of who we are. I don’t care what picture someone uses and, as long as it isn’t all they post, sometimes it’s fun to know what someone is having for lunch. On the other hand, I don’t want every 4 Square check-in, a stream of quotes/links, or automated, regurgitated content. Be real. Get your message across, but do it as a person, not as a social media bot.
Social media isn’t just about building a business. Sometimes it’s just about building personal relationships. That’s OK, too.
Christy,
I’ll agree to disagree. I’m great with folks sharing other pics but not as their primary. I like to know WHO I’m communicating with, connecting to and engaging with. I believe that pets, cars, flowers, and more are great in albums but not as avatars.
Most bots don’t even use pics (unless of some sexy generic female to gain attention)
Hugs, Melissa
Of course I agree with all the benefits of social media and the interaction you have to have. However, I also see a huge similarity between it {Twitter mostly} and the old cliques of high school. You’re either “in” with the “cool kids” or you’re not.
Chris,
Hmm, I don’t agree, but then I was NOT in the popular circles in school at all. And find I can hang with whomever I want to online, cool or uncool (besides who decides that designation?)
Hugs, Melissa