Time to come clean folks…when dealing with people you’re connected with on the various social media sites, which picture shows how you communicate?
If you’re the first picture, you post and post and post and virtually never interact with those who follow you. You use your blog, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other sites simply as a way to trumpet your messages. You’re a virtual one-man band (or maybe a one-note song).
If you’re the second picture, you listen to what others are saying online, you respond to them and you work hard at developing relationships with them. While you may focus your efforts on being a resource (and of course, selling your product or service), you recognize that two-way communications are more important than simply spouting off.
I’m on my soapbox a bit about this topic because four times this week, I directly communicated with people via Twitter or Facebook and only one person took the time to respond to me. One I was actually trying to buy something from and the other three are knowledgeable in their fields and I had questions for them. Based on their posts, I know none are on vacation.
The one I wanted to get a quote from I tried to reach several times—with no luck. I also tried several ways to reach the gurus—with no luck. Two of the experts ignored me, but the other expert not only responded, we had an interaction about several things. This person is the fabulous Mari Smith, who is an author and specialist on all things Facebook. Mari has nearly 30,000 people who Like her Page on Facebook, 86,000 followers on Twitter, and she almost always takes the time to respond to questions and comments. And, it is her responding, not a staffer.
Add the connections of the other three together and you won’t equal the number of Mari’s friends. Not even close. One of the reasons that Mari is so successful is because she’s such a great communicator and understands that successful social networking is a two-way street.
Now, I recognize that some people still prefer to receive direct communications via email or the telephone. I didn’t call, but I did try emailing two of the three who never responded to my online queries—no response. And I do realize that Mari’s “business” is social media, but seriously, is there any excuse for the other three to totally ignore me?
If you’re not going to respond to people when they contact you, what’s the point of even being online? Or for that matter, being in business at all?
We work with people we like—and ignoring someone is a surefire way for them not to like you! And more importantly—not work with you.
So, how do you interact with people online? Are you a bullhorn or a buddy? What examples do you have of people who interact really well?
Amen, Deb! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Kurt
Thanks, Kurt!
Great article. This is my main complaint when it comes to the online world. If you have a social media page and just want to respond to a selected few; then those selected fews should be your ONLY friends/followers.
Elizabeth – great insight! I think people forget that quality definitely is more important than quantity. It’s not about building a huge number of followers; it’s about building the “right” followers.
Deb, I have the same concerns. Ironically, I have found some of the people who are least likely to respond are those who are in social media. It seems they’re so busy promoting the use of social media that they forget to actually use social media to interact with people. They use the bullhorn approach rather than the two-way communication approach. Someone who’s really good at creating conversations and following up on-line is Cathie Beck, author of Cheap Cabernet, a Friendship.
Cindy, you are so correct. I’m always concerned when someone promote themselves as a “guru” or “expert” but it’s clear they don’t understand the medium. Cathie is a fabulous example of someone who truly understands how to use social media. She’s great at interacting with and engaging her followers.
Have you considered adding some relevant links to your article? I think it might enhance viewers’ understanding.
I do add links to some of my posts. I read many other blogs, so I sometimes link to them, as well as to other websites and news articles. I try to “mix it up” to keep things fresh!
Keep posting stuff like this. I really like it.
Thanks!
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