One of the most irritating and pointless things to do on social media platforms, as we know, is to turn up at the online party and broadcast. Me, me, me. It's just so awful to see traditional marketing methods employed poorly on social media and blogs.
But there's still so much of it going on. The endless broadcasts, sales pitches and one-way conversations that have nothing to do with effective social media engagement. I usually ask one simple question: why?
* Why would broadcasting at a social audience be effective, on any level?
* Why would shouting the same messages actually have an impact?
* Why are these marketers/individuals scared of real social media engagement?
I'm hoping that you think carefully before posting, blogging and tweeting.
Your audience is making judgements with each and every piece of social media content you upload, trust me. You need to make sure they're thinking favourable things about your products, services and business in general.
It seems like common sense when laid out in this straightforward way, but I'm sure you've seen a distinct lack of it at times online. And, unfortunately, you're going to see more of it, too. They can't help themselves.
The refusal of some to engage with heart, soul, meaning, and depth on social media platforms will probably always be an unfortunate element of what it means to utilise social media marketing. You need to sort the wheat from the chaff.
How can you avoid shouting? What does it take to be really, truly, profitably heard on social media sites? My top tips are:
* Listen first
* Give, give, give
* Forget the sale
* Listen some more
* Make it meaningful
* Social not shouting
Having seen a mass of shouting, broadcasting and similar direct/traditional/old-school marketing taking place on social, you have an incredible opportunity to rise above your competition and shine on social. And you can start now - right now.
Try turning up to the social party and listening, engaging, giving and see what comes back in time.
Forget the shouting, let others do it and fail. The shouters are usually the ones with the least to say, the smallest budgets, and the most insincere business relationships to offer, too.
Finally, remember to keep asking yourself that simple question, before you post any social media content. Why.