Social Media: The Flamingo in the Room

Capturing Attention in Social Media

Like the blinding flock of pink flamingos on your neighbor’s lawn, social media is hard to ignore, and unfortunately once you are aware, it is literally all you see. When we dare to sneak a peek at the viewing numbers of social media these days they truly are staggering in that over 1 billion users visit social websites every month (Richardson, Choong & Parker, 2016). So what exactly is the attraction? For companies it is the ability to build the trust and recognition of their brand by fostering more intimate and direct relationships with targeted audiences, desperate to capture the momentary interest of users with brightly colored photos and snappy tag lines framed appropriately while simple enough to draw the attention of even the most distracted individuals (Wersem, 2017).

The challenge comes in creating that sense of mystery, surprise and interest that will intrigue folks enough to want to stop and find out what it is you have to offer (Wersem, 2017). If it wasn’t difficult enough, and like those not so whimsical flamingos, you have to figure out just the right number, time and place to stick them for the most effective results on the social landscape to really be noticed at all.

Maintaining Engagement in Social Media

When developing your engagement strategy you truly have to be authentic as social media gives you less time to communicate and emotionally connect with your audience. It is important to define who it is you are, be focused enough to target and determine exactly who it is you are trying to reach and how best to reach them, and you have to be consistent enough to build recognition and most of all be memorable (Arruda, 2013). It may seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little research and boldly venturing out to find the right mix of social media platforms and networks for you and your business is critical for any of today’s businesses large or small. Furthermore, securing that long-term relationship and acceptance by engaging a social media audience is, for better or for worse, the difference between your run of the mill garden frog and that coveted long legged fowl no matter how confusing you may initially feel it is.

References

Arruda, William. (2013). Three elements of a social media strategy. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2013/08/27/three-elements-of-an-effective-social-media-strategy/#129bcce83349

Richardson, P.S., Choong, P. & Parker, M. (2016). Social media marketing: Theory and research propositions. Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness, 10(2),24–34.

7 Triggers to capture attention on social media and in everyday life. (2017). Wersm. Retrieved from: http://wersm.com/7-triggers-to-capture-attention-on-social-media-and-in-everyday-life/

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I am currently a student at Capella University taking PSYC2210

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