Looking through WUL, I came across five ways to show Twitter love, that I’d written on Valentine’s Day two years ago.
Not bad.
As I re-read it, I asked myself if I would say the same things today.
After all, that’s one of the great benefits of being a woman, isn’t it, that one need have no compunction whatsoever about changing one’s mind?
For myself, I’d probably stick with #s 2, 4 and 5.
I haven’t paid attention to Mr. Tweet in ages, and I stopped doing #followfriday a long time ago.
Not because
there aren’t terrific people to recommend – there are – but because I started getting #ffanxiety.
What if I left someone out?
What if someone #FF’d me, and I didn’t know them well enough to reciprocate?
What if… what if…
That doesn’t mean it’s not a nice tradition, and you should certainly do it if you enjoy it.
While Valentine’s Day is overwhelmingly perceived as being for, by, and about people who are romantically involved, I think it’s equally appropriate to mark the day (if you are so inclined) by doing something nice, and completely unexpected, for those you like.
Here are six ways to start injecting the Valentine’s Day spirit into your social media routine.
1. Give someone an unanticipated – and truthful – LinkedIn recommendation.
Nothing says “I appreciate you” like this, and who among us wouldn’t be delighted to get such a recommendation?
2. Leave a review for a company or service you like on Yelp, or a similar site.
3. Write a comment on a blog that you rarely visit, or on a blog where you rarely comment.
4. Take #3 further and write a comment on a blog published by someone you don’t like… but whose post makes sense.
I have no insight into how the universe works, but I suspect this might get you some social karma points.
5. Send a Plaxo e-card to your clients, to thank them for their business.
(Just make sure it’s business-appropriate. You don’t want to be sending mixed messages…)
6. “Like” someone’s Facebook Page, Slideshare presentation, YouTube video, etc. – not because they asked you to, but because you respect them, and because it’ll make them feel good.
There are probably any number of ways to walk the social media talk and inject the spirit of Valentine’s Day into our daily routine.
Hopefully this list will get you started.
What would you add?
Image: leeerickson2050 via Flickr, CC 2.0
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[…] year, I wrote about injecting the Valentine’s Day spirit into social media, and I really didn’t want to write a hackneyed version of what I’m sure will be several […]
A blogger could do something as simple as including someone in their blogroll (if they feature one).
@TabithaEdwards That’s an EXCELLENT tip, Tabitha. Score!
Shonali, my tummy is full and I can now concentrate on a comment! :)
I really like @HowieSPM idea of the ITunes store and writing a review. Nice one.
I also like to ‘tag’ clients or colleagues in posts and status updates on FB – use my biz page as a billboard of sorts for their efforts and endeavors.
I also like to show some love by referencing a blog post within my blog post – giving inspirational credit where credit is due you might say.
And finally, I love your ideas and I too struggle with that #FF thing…just this Friday, I sent a couple of tweets out only to stop cold later and think OH MY! I left @HowieSPM out!
Happy Valentine’s Day, Shonali!
@EricaAllison I think tagging on FB is a great idea! I guess the caveat I’d offer is to feel out who is comfortable with it… hackmanj and I talked about this a while back on a great convo he had over at his blog.
As to leaving @HowieSPM out of #followfriday… SHUDDER!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
@Shonali @EricaAllison @HowieSPM Thanks for inviting me into the conversation Shonali.
People definitely have different sensitivities. Just last week I found myself sending one of my Facebook friends a “keeping it real” kind of note. Basically I told him he is sharing some awesome stuff but it is too condensed and when one person dominates too much of the stream it can be a problem (I suggested he space it out with schedules on Hootsuite). I realize this is a separate issue if people have an issue with it they should just politely let you know. As to leaving Howie off the #FF, I’m not touching that with a 10′ pole. That sounds like 3rd rail of SM stuff….
;)
Joe
@Shonali hackmanj @HowieSPM Absolutely right, careful with the comfort level of tagging…I remember that conversation on Joe’s blog! Just tagged Joe today actually on my FB page; I shared one of his latest FB update videos. I try to do it as a way to promote excellent info. My other tags are usually with clients and they want some attention, so that should be ok. My radar is usually on, but sometimes… :-) you never know!
Will take care of that Howie situation soon!
@EricaAllison @Shonali @HowieSPM I am a happy target of the tagging. Appreciate you doing that :)
@hackmanj @EricaAllison @Shonali you folks are cracking up my email in box!
@HowieSPM That’s quite a coup, Howie, given that it’s usually YOU doing the “cracking” and us doing the “up.” @hackmanj @EricaAllison
@hackmanj Too funny! Reminds me of a convo that donna vincent roa and I had about keeping it “real.” She even suggested a headline for the blog post I must now write on it. :p @EricaAllison @HowieSPM
@hackmanj Joe, one of the great things about you is that when you’re invited into a conversation, you have absolutely no qualms about stepping in. Thank you for that!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shonali Burke and Sky Pulse Media, TateTwo. TateTwo said: RT @shonali: New post: Injecting The Valentine's Day Spirit Into Social Media http://t.co/ppTUWGs (what would you add?) #pr #socialmedia […]
This is a really great post Shonali. I never heard of Mr. Tweet LOL And I took the Gini route of my own sorts with #FF and struggling with it for a Client. What I really enjoyed about your post is there are so many ways I can show someone or a brand I really like Social Media love without using Facebook.
One other place I would add is the ITunes store. If you listen to any free podcasts a great thanks is to write a review.
@HowieSPM Thanks, Howie! You know, a while back I’d started doing #FF related posts (you’ll find them if you do a search) – I’d try to pick a theme and then call out five people on Twitter to follow.
I think I was overambitious with the list of five, because it started stressing me out. If I’d followed ginidietrich ‘s cue and just highlighted one person, I may have done better with it. Maybe something to bring back at some point…
The iTunes store is a great one to add!