subject: Do You Like People? Then, Social Media is Right for You [print this page] Do You Like People? Then, Social Media is Right for You
Asthe Social Media Directorof RiaEnjolie (www.RiaEnjolie.com), a New Jersey web developer specializing in professional looking and affordable websites for most small businesses,a large part of my job involves exploring and researching the whole of Social Media; looking for existing and emerging platforms and tools, whichmy companyandits clients can use andleverage to bring them greatermarketing success.
A Positive and Altruistic Attutude is the Only Constant in Social Media
It has been astutely mentioned by experienced thought leaders that Social Media platforms and tools come and go. This is very true. New ideasspring from existing ones. Software technologyadvances allow for innovations to take shape and sprout wings.
Something that may never change is the successful "mindset" necessaryfor productive engagement inSocial Media and its business offshoot, Social Media Marketing.
Take a look at the New York Times Bestseller lists that include the works of such Social Media notables as Chris Brogan, Brian Solis, Josh Bernoff, Shel Israel and GaryVaynerchuk. Their books talk much less about Social Mediatools and much more about bringing a positive and altruistic attitude to the "conversation," itself.
Guess what? The tools in Social Media reallydon't matter all that much. It's about the "conversations" they help facilitate.Social Media platforms only host the conversations and do very little to add any qualityto it. That job is totally up to us.
Social Media and Live Networking No Difference
There is nothing new in Social Media that isn't already inherent in live networking. Think ofa meetingvenueas the platformfor a live networking event. Whilethe hall or restaurant may be very pleasing,our personal networking style governs our success in meeting and engaging others. Once this truth is understood, the fear ofSocial Mediawillevaporate andthe userfocus will become fixated on the target audience and the networking strategy to be employed, as it should be.
Who is your audience? Where are they found? How do you connect with them? This is all Marketing 101 stuff. Know these answers before you go forward and connect with others, either in person or online. You will find that there is very little difference between Marketing 101 and Social Media Marketing 101. The same SOCIAL rules of networking and marketing apply in both cases. Regardless of the circumstances which bring youand otherstogether, your personality takes center stage, for better or worse.
Successful networking is based on the right blend of common sense and standard courtesy (both govern what you say and how you say it). If you are charming you will impress. If you are dorkish, you will repel. It is a simple as that. Social Media, itself, offers neither edge nor disadvantage when it comes to human relations. It is all up to you.
There is Nothing to Fear from Social Media, But Missing Out on It
There are dozens of Social Media tools and you can't use them all.Look around and pick the ones that seem tomake the most sense. Experiment with them. Choose tools that will help you find and converse with your target audience the one where your goals and their needs match. If you go to a Masonic Lodge in search of a Boy Scout Troop, you have chosen the wrong venue. But if you are looking for Electriciansat an IBEW meeting, you've come to the right place.
Onceyou are among your target audience, your planning and personality carry you the rest of the way. If FDR were alivein this ageof Social Media Marketing he might say: "The only thing (about Social Media) you have to fear is fear itself."
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace are currently the most popular platforms in Social Media. After that, it's all about experimentation and personal preference. Some will be better suited to yourinterests and goals better than others.
Explore Social Media in Your Spare Time and Success WillFind You!
Don't want to waste too muchtime on trial and error? Most people use Social Media to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones. You can do the same thing in your spare time; have a ball; and learn what you need to know about some of the platforms and tools available.
Later on, you can connect the dots with your business models. Meanwhile, you haven't missed a beat at work. Perhaps, you've even discovered a new hobby to enjoy in your spare time. All of a sudden you have found a hobby that can also help you during your business day, as well.
