Social Media is a Two-Way Street

Social media is a 2 way street: It’s not just about you. It’s about engaging with your community through comments. How do you compare?

BLOGS: News articles, No.  Conversation, Yes.

Lame: You read, leave no comments, or simply say, “Great post!”

Better: You comment on Facebook or ReTweet.

Now We’re Talking: You leave a quick comment right on the blog web page expanding on or even challenging the blog post. You write your own blog and comment on two others.  People will join in, say, “Who’s this cool person saying that? Let me check out their website!”

BUSINESS CARDS : (Yes,this is social media related , folks)

Lame: So you are at the dreaded networking event: “Hello, nice to meet you, blah blah blah”   then exchange cards awkwardly.

Better: The next day you’ll email  “Nice to meet you.”  Then… Silence.

Now We’re Talking: You exchange social media cards, connect with each other on all sites and let the conversation continue!

FACEBOOK:

Lame: You rarely enter a status, or updates that say “going to work” “going to sleep” “going crazy”.  Or maybe you do too many status updates.  (That’s what Twitter is for!)  You cop-out and use the “like” button too much.

Better: You make a few good comments a week which show in the home page feed. (the “Like” clicks do not)  Now others are getting to see how you think.

Now We’re Talking: You are sure to leave a few comments each day. You fully complete your info/interests section as everyone reads these when they first connect with you.  You scan others interests sections, post songs , photos and clips you like, as these draw attention in the homepage feed.

TWITTER:

Lame: You only have Twitter on your laptop, rarely login, and follow only people you know.  You have no profile picture (are you hiding something?)  You Tweet 10 in a row. And then 10 in a row again later …. This turns everyone off faster than my husband hitting the mute button when Paula Abdul speaks.

Better: You have Twitter uploaded to your phone, read occasionally, and reply to your friends.

Now We’re Talking: You follow anyone and everyone. You tweet several times throughout the day, comment to people you DON’T know, and in front of ReTweets. Even better, you leave room for others to ReTweet & comment on yours.  Congrats! You finished that Profile you’ve been meaning to get to (on Settings tab with keywords about you -no full sentences needed) If you don’t have a website you used your Facebook or LinkedIn personal page.

SMALL TALK IS CENTRAL TO SOCIAL MEDIA:

Talk about your thoughts, aspirations, daily events. Be your true self.  Throw in only rare, casual references to your work. Talking all biz means people will tune you out just like when my husband ignores me as he is about to tee off during Tiger Woods Wii. (Thank goodness he only plays Wii golf and doesn’t abandon me for the real thing on Sunday mornings… but that’s another blog…) So, how will you keep the social in social media?

Tags: blog, Cara Mandart's Blog, community, engage, Facebook, LinkedIn, social media business cards, Twitter