02
Jan
Jan
Juggling Multiple Social Media Tools
If you are going to be involved in social media at all, you are probably asking yourself how to do this… juggle multiple social media sites at once, that is.
On the Social Media 101 group on LinkedIn, Linda Goin wrote:
I want to narrow down my involvement in social media, as I don’t have time to tap all the resources (LinkedIn being one of those neglected mediums). Any suggestions on how to handle (juggle) multiple social media sites?
At the Circus on Flickr from ecpica
There are SO MANY social media tools out there… facebook, linkedin, blogging, twitter, flickr. (Get a complete list of all web 2.0 projects at http://www.go2web20.net/)
Your first inclination is probably to pay attention to how other people are doing it. Learning by good example, or in many cases, learning by bad example. The trick is to find the time and use it wisely. You might find some good ideas from other people, but you want to find the right social media mix for you and your niche market.
Your target and product(s) are unique. Everyone drives something different – you can’t use the same wheel!
1: Decide which social media tools are right for you. There are at least 5 tools that every professional should be using. Depending on the amount of time you have to dedicate to marketing through social media, there may be a few more tools you want to try your luck with.
2: Create a hierarchy of tools in order of priority. Each social media tool has a different focus and function. Facebook, for example, is a tool for friends. If you want to build personal relationships with your clients and let them into your personal or family life, this is the perfect way to do it. LinkedIn, however, is a business networking site where you can gloat about your professional experience, put up your resume, and build referrals and recommendations.
3: Set aside time daily. Give yourself a block of time. Each tool requires a minimum amount of time to be effective. Some of them will need daily time, some of them weekly time. But don’t completely neglect any of them!
4: There is no magic formula. Well… unless you calculate the amount of time you dedicate, divided by the priority of each tool times the required amount of time each one takes to be effective…
…yeah. There is no magic formula. It is going to be hit and miss until you find something that works for you.
5: Luckily, there is expert help out there. There is something called Social Media Optimization, basically finding the right mix of social media to bring your business publicity online. I have found a way to help you plan for SMO, its called Social Media 101. Check it out.
Don’t forget to check out the SM101 LinkedIn group: http://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/1582417
An excellent post I find myself and my clients being overwhelmed by the opporutunities availalbe for Social Media interaction.
Your advice is relevant and concise I look forward to reading more
Pete
The old method of advertising is interactive marketing. The term is misleading. Most people think it means that there is some type of interaction on the part of the person advertised to, and there is. But, it is not conversational. Instead, the advertiser wants you to interact with their campaign in a specific set of steps. Following the call to action and visiting a website for instance. It’s the push to make you do something. Live this image. Buy this now.
Social Media Marketing is just the opposite. It’s the pull of the tribe. The tribe already has your trust so the actions they take are ones you align with. On a larger scale, it’s the allure of belonging in the group as you take action together. “I am doing this so why don’t you do it with me?” On an individual level, the attraction is to behave the same way to get the same results that benefits your fellow tribeswoman or tribesman. “She looks hot! I want to look hot too. I want to go to her hairstylist” and you do. Social Media Marketing uses the power of attraction.
While advertising tries to use the same tactic, with a billboard for instance, of a gorgeous woman telling you the benefits of the salon, it doesn’t have the same impact because it’s pushing you to go. It is not pulling you in as a trusted friend. Your friends have your best interests at heart and advertisers do not. Social Media Marketing is based on building trust and that foundation will make Social Media a dominant player in Marketing.
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