5 Ways to Get Better About Social Media
I have to admit that I get a little bit happy with each additional follower in my social feeds. That said, when I set out a goal for each platform, increasing followers is not my main objective.
For me, I am want my posts to inspire, entertain, and give something of value, and in return, I want to get an eyeball or two, maybe a like, a re-share, and a conversation. I look at social media (which mainly includes Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn) as a networking tool. It is where you meet and get to know all kinds of people from across the globe. These are people you would never have had the opportunity to meet with otherwise.
#1. The more people you meet, the more enriched your life becomes.
“I don’t connect with anyone I don’t know.” Well for Aquaman’s sake! How the hell do you expect to know people if you are too close-minded to meet them?
In his book: The New Rules of Marketing and PR, David Meerman Scott has the best analogy I’ve read about social networking. It’s like a cocktail party. If you go and throw up sales messages all over the room to everyone you meet, they will eventually shun you and run when they see you coming. If you cross your arms and hide behind the potted plant in the corner, no one will even know you are there; they won’t miss you, either. The best way to enjoy a party is to work the room, meet and greet and get to know as many people as you can.
You never know where your next great opportunity will come from — or your next best friend.
#2. Your social networking experience is only as good as the people you follow.
If I had a dollar for every time I heard, “There’s too much drama on my Facebook. I’m thinking of deleting my account,” or something to that effect — I’d have at least $3,000 or so more in the bank.
Maybe your brother-in-law is a nice person and you get along just fine, but his social feeds are filled with hateful political rants and he hijacks the comments in your posts to throw around his negative view of the world. Here is something you need to know. While Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms own the website, what YOU allow in your own personal feeds is under YOUR control. Delete, block, unfriend, hide, customize share — these are just a few options available when there is someone being an ass in your space. You decide what you want to see in your home pages. If you consistently don’t like what you see, follow better people.
#3. Don’t be a ghost town to your social networks.
Be there. If you’re not going to be there, why are you there? If your last tweet was 2015, maybe close your account and let someone else have your Twitter handle.
It’s called “social” for a reason. Maybe you can’t be there daily like the power networkers are. At least you could post something once a week to let your community know that you are alive — and maybe give a shit.
#4. We don’t need to know the play-by-play of your daily routine.
You got out of bed, stubbed your toe, made a coffee, and toasted a bagel. Then you drove to the supermarket for lettuce. So what? Is this an anomaly for you? Does it provide anything of interest to your followers? Sure, there are things we do, like going to the hockey game, that might be worthy of mention. You could meet up with a friend that spotted your post. Otherwise, think about what you post and if YOU would find it interesting if someone else posted it.
This isn’t to say you can’t share your “having a coffee” with your friends in Instagram. Maybe upload a picture of the cup and make the post more interesting, like, ‘having a cup of java — what’s in your cup?’
5. Be selfless and kind.
Look into your followers’ posts and accounts, comment positively in their feeds, re-share something they posted that you think your own followers might like. Thank them for a great post. Pick a couple of people to follow back on Twitter (who will provide value to your feed — so look at their tweets beforehand) and send them a public tweet of thanks or how much you appreciate they are in your Twitter circle. Post a little bit of kindness every day.
-30-
Debbie Elicksen is a multimedia content creator, marketing strategist, curator, who blends traditional and digital public relations. She helps others find and empower their voice through digital communications to help them grow organic listeners. She has over 20 years of direct media experience: TV, print, radio, and Internet; is a former sportswriter; and has written and published 14 books. @bookpublish101 http://www.debbieelicksen.com http://www.magpieexecutive.com/
