Good morning! So… how have you been surviving the cold? Me, I got bronchitis (I know, I say that as if it’s something to be proud of). I hope you didn’t, and if you’re reading this from a beach somewhere, don’t even talk to me.
You know that’s a joke, right?
Image: Link Humans via Flickr, CC 2.0
Social media is all around us, but what does “being social” actually mean? And who’s being social? Let’s see if these seven posts can shed any light on the subject.
1. Bringing the Social Back to Social Media
Why: In this oldie but goodie from Heather Whaling, she reminds us not to get so caught up in social media that we forget to build meaningful relationships and actually “be social.”
2. Social Employees Drive Social Business
Why: In this thoughtful and thought-provoking post, Daniel Newman examines what makes for a truly social business… as opposed to a business “doing” social media.
3. The New Demographics of Social Media
Why: Who’s on the Interwebz? Shelly Kramer takes us through key findings from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project (one of my go-to sources for all things social-related, btw).
4. How Social Media Impacted the 2014 Indian Elections
Why: In this great guest post for WUL, Ancita Satija examines how India’s AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) used social media to impact the 2014 Indian elections.
5. Generation S – Engaging the Unsocial C-Suite and Beyond #IBMConnect
Why: How do you engage the unsocial… and why? Pam Moore explores other ways to reach your stakeholders.
6. Is The Corporate Website Dead?
Why: With corporate website visits declining, Michael Brenner reviews how social exchanges can build relationships and trust in your business.
7. Don’t Be the Jerk at the Party! … A Lesson in Social Media Etiquette
Why: In this amusing post, Mike Kappel reminds us why social media and a hard sell don’t go together.
How do you promote being social within your business? What approach do you use to encourage others to socialize with you and your brand? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Howie Goldfarb I mostly agree with your comment (and regardless of agreement, thank you for taking the time to do so!), but your first para is contradictory. It sounds as if you’re advocating both for and against having someone external manage your social… can you clarify what you mean?
As you allude to in your last para, if brands pull social media in-house that doesn’t necessarily mean the communications will suddenly become “social.” I make my living in to some extent by teaching organizations how to handle social media, and I can tell you that there are as many companies who have no clue what they’re doing as there are inept agencies (and consultants).
I’ve written about this a few times. Until brands pull social media inside vs hiring agencies who prefer one way push communication, it will remain unsocial. None of us want to talk with brands. Unless there is a deal of course. But to really be social you need a dedicated agency or contractor who will learn your business inside and out and represent you just like a well paid employee is. Or have that well paid employee be social for you.
Facebook recently discussed engagement on their site. They said when people talk to people plain text posts get the most likes, comments and shares. Way more than photos or videos (well no one watches video on Facebook). But for Brands it was the opposite. And that kind of proves we just don’t want to talk with brands.
This can be overcome. It takes a crap load of effort. You have to actually spend people hours talking. You can’t just schedule 10 tweets and 4 facebook posts and walk away which most brands and agencies looking at hourly costs do. You need to have people talking with customers. And not just that initiate the talk vs waiting for them. And most businesses don’t have the resources or the patience for this.
Who is on the Interwebz? Shelly Kramer requires us through key results from the Pew Analysis Center’s Online & United states Lifestyle Venture (one of my go-to resources for all factors social-related, btw).
http://allezweitagediat.de/