Tony Teegarden (Dot) Com

Turn Your Problems into Profits

Written by Tony Teegarden 28 Comments

Does Social Media Equal Social Skills

Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...

Social Media Still Pisses Me Off

::Begin Rant::

Ok it doesn’t really piss me off. It’s the people who still don’t “get it” or worse yet, get it but don’t care.

There is a reason why Social Media doesn’t work for most people and below is a big reason why.

Yesterday I’m on Facebook and I get a few new friends who wish to add me. One of the things Facebook needs to allow us is the opportunity to scope people out, even if their profile IS private. If that person is reaching out to me I’d like to know what they are about first by checking out their profile.

Well I have a few criteria before adding someone even to just check them out.

  • 1. Have a Picture
  • 2. Send me a note as to why you’re adding me and at least introduce yourself.

Yeah well I got someone with a picture but they just added me. So silly me, I decide to give them a shot and check them out. I added them in a rush and then moved on to my other morning duties. Next thing I know about 30 minutes later I get a notice this person has plastered a HUGE and I mean HUGE picture of their latest miracle juice on my wall. šŸ™

Interesting huh?

Would you possibly go to a party where you don’t know anyone, walk up to total strangers and shove your wares in their faces and start pitching them on your latest miracle juice, prepaid card, food or service? Quick answer…NO.

Facebook gives you the opportunity to add a note when your friend requesting someone. Be polite and use it. You would introduce yourself at a party wouldn’t you?

::End Rant::

Where Do You Fit In

Where does one fit in when in the world of social media these days?

With so many new people coming into the world of Twitter and the phrase social media being thrown around like a pillow at a teen age slumber party, you have to acknowledge the question.

This blog isn’t about social media mind you because like anything else the phrase social media will eventually morph and the phrase will be left behind. I like the idea of social media because it involves human dynamics, personality, engagement and connection.

Social media marketingĀ  requires people to actually be social.

The challenge?

The vast majority of people coming into the world of social media are:

  1. Are simply pushing their wares
  2. If they aren’t pushing waresĀ  they are pushing out noisy information that is of little or no value.

Thus this exposes those who are not personally developed and committed to awareness of their market. (And of people in general) I see them as self servant and just out to make a buck.

I suppose I shouldn’t complain because it promotes those of us who get it and are able to stand out in the crowd. However I believe not making people aware of this just dilutes the strength of social media and gives it a bad name. Much like unprofessional network marketers have done for network marketing & MLM’s. It doesn’t meant these aren’t good vehicles. It just means the people driving them aren’t very good drivers.

Social Skills 101

I feel as if their needs to be a social class 101. Social Media much like network marketing will expose or promote your level of human connection and understanding.

Over at Agentgenius.com he nails it on the head with the Top 10 DON’Ts of social media.

You need a solid base for you to operate from when starting to market products, information or servicesĀ  online to people. Knowing that you care and give a crap is still sales 101 and most important to people.

“If you think about it god gave us 2 ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more and then you’ll speak more effectively“.-Me

Transparency, your willingness to listen and your ability to truly connect with your audience all seem like an elusive fairy to most of the masses on line.

This is sales 101 off line and it still plays true in the social media world if you’re going to market stuff.

“I’ve always said people buy people, they don’t buy products.”

“People buy solutions, they don’t buy products.”

“People don’t want a drill they want the hole it will provide them.”

I could go on…

Deeper Down The Social Rabbit Hole

Now if you dig much deeper thereĀ  of course is a whole subculture of social media ROIĀ  masters. How do you gauge your ROI (return on investment) when using social media for your off line or online business?

Social Media takes time and whether you’re a solopreneur or a large company your time is important and the relationships are even more critical. You should get a clear insight of ROI when it comes to social media.

Social Media Is Long Term

The funny thing about me even writing that phrase is that even though social media should be a long term process the phrase social media will probably be long gone long term, however it’s spirit of what it means to connect with people will live on.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Related Posts

Comments

  3. Veron Graham says

    You NAILED it Tony! It’s amazing to me that it always seems to come down to some simple laws. Treat people right. And I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of focusing on my needs, and desires when interacting with others, but I’ve also learned that, well, it doesn’t work. I think the lure of financial reward blinds the minds of people to the truth: That people don’t work that way, not in the real world or online.

    Appreciate you bringing some soul and perspective to this often misunderstood, and abused medium!

  4. Veron Graham says

    You NAILED it Tony! It’s amazing to me that it always seems to come down to some simple laws. Treat people right. And I’ll admit, I’ve been guilty of focusing on my needs, and desires when interacting with others, but I’ve also learned that, well, it doesn’t work. I think the lure of financial reward blinds the minds of people to the truth: That people don’t work that way, not in the real world or online.

    Appreciate you bringing some soul and perspective to this often misunderstood, and abused medium!

  7. tony says

    Veron thanks for your feedback man! “The lure of financial rewards blinds the minds of people to the truth..” Dude that was Powerful and TRUE! Thanks for sharing!

  8. tony says

    Veron thanks for your feedback man! “The lure of financial rewards blinds the minds of people to the truth..” Dude that was Powerful and TRUE! Thanks for sharing!

  15. Northern Camping says

    I hear ya brotha! Great article about the nuances of Facebook, Twitter, and the rest!

    I am still trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about Twitter (i just don’t get it…).

    Facebook has been great for staying in contact with my close friends, but I rarely interact with the majority of the people on my friends list!

  16. Northern Camping says

    I hear ya brotha! Great article about the nuances of Facebook, Twitter, and the rest!

    I am still trying to figure out what all of the fuss is about Twitter (i just don’t get it…).

    Facebook has been great for staying in contact with my close friends, but I rarely interact with the majority of the people on my friends list!

  17. tony says

    Thanks for your input Ben! Just know that twitter is probably the only actual real time streaming information from consumers, prospects and people in general that’s on the web today. No other medium (such as blogs, forums or the like) give you the ability to tap into on going streams of information from real people in real time. Think about doing a search on http://search.twitter.com for the phrase (in quotes) “camping supplies” and finding all of the conversations going on right now. You could then follow & add those people to your friends list and create conversations with them. You hopefully will find some new friends that you can connect with who are passionate about camping, as well as some folks who may buy your stuff related to camping if you’re marketing it. Not to mention they will subscribe to your blog and become readers. Hope this gives you some helpful insight as to how powerful twitter can be. šŸ™‚

  18. tony says

    Thanks for your input Ben! Just know that twitter is probably the only actual real time streaming information from consumers, prospects and people in general that’s on the web today. No other medium (such as blogs, forums or the like) give you the ability to tap into on going streams of information from real people in real time. Think about doing a search on http://search.twitter.com for the phrase (in quotes) “camping supplies” and finding all of the conversations going on right now. You could then follow & add those people to your friends list and create conversations with them. You hopefully will find some new friends that you can connect with who are passionate about camping, as well as some folks who may buy your stuff related to camping if you’re marketing it. Not to mention they will subscribe to your blog and become readers. Hope this gives you some helpful insight as to how powerful twitter can be. šŸ™‚

  19. Paul Maurice Martin says

    “Are simply pushing their wares
    If they arenā€™t pushing wares they are pushing out noisy information that is of little or no value.”

    A summary of motives that gets to the point! I have to confess, as a someone in failing health who’s severely disabled and literally can’t get out of the house, my sole motive for being on Facebook is to do what I can to make people aware of my book, which was a labor of love. I literally don’t have time for the genuinely socializing aspect – only a few productive hours a day.

    But heck, I’d sure know better than to approach anyone with my “miracle juice” in the manner you’ve described!

  20. Paul Maurice Martin says

    “Are simply pushing their wares
    If they arenā€™t pushing wares they are pushing out noisy information that is of little or no value.”

    A summary of motives that gets to the point! I have to confess, as a someone in failing health who’s severely disabled and literally can’t get out of the house, my sole motive for being on Facebook is to do what I can to make people aware of my book, which was a labor of love. I literally don’t have time for the genuinely socializing aspect – only a few productive hours a day.

    But heck, I’d sure know better than to approach anyone with my “miracle juice” in the manner you’ve described!

  21. tony says

    Paul,
    Thank you for your insight. It’s good to see that you’re spending time on your labor of love and doing your best to get it into the market place. Your time is best spent creating and developing relationships that can eventually benefit your book because you’ve developed strategic relationships that have larger networks than you to introduce your book to. Keep that in mind as you’re creating bonds and relationships with new people. This is really the idea behind social networking and can be extremely effective when utilized properly and genuinely. Provide value by maybe giving away a chapter of your book to create interest and reciprocity for those who have the same interests and want to learn more. Keep this in mind as you’re out there using your “few productive hours a day.” Keep up the great work and work harder at working smarter and you’re book will have a much better chance at having more people seeing it!

  22. tony says

    Paul,
    Thank you for your insight. It’s good to see that you’re spending time on your labor of love and doing your best to get it into the market place. Your time is best spent creating and developing relationships that can eventually benefit your book because you’ve developed strategic relationships that have larger networks than you to introduce your book to. Keep that in mind as you’re creating bonds and relationships with new people. This is really the idea behind social networking and can be extremely effective when utilized properly and genuinely. Provide value by maybe giving away a chapter of your book to create interest and reciprocity for those who have the same interests and want to learn more. Keep this in mind as you’re out there using your “few productive hours a day.” Keep up the great work and work harder at working smarter and you’re book will have a much better chance at having more people seeing it!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts