Ken Mueller suggested that I write up the ABCs of Social Media – kind of like a kids’ guide to this crazy and wacky world. People warned me that this was a difficult task, and I see what they mean. Even so, hopefully you’ll be able to frame this, let your kids learn from it, and then, just when your kids are ready to jump on the computer, inform them that all of these ideas are now obsolete (that’s what I’m imagining will happen anyway!).
Ehem.
Here we go!
Allow time to learn the ropes. A lot more time than you think you’ll need.
Begin with a plan. Plans are good. They help you plan things!
Choose the kind of persona you want to send out into the online ether early on.
Don’t mind what other people are doing. Keep an eye on your own goals.
Eavesdrop on people you respect. Watch for helpful hints that could make your life easier.
Failure only exists if you deem it so. Nobody can really know your metrics except you.
Grow your community, don’t just grow yourself.
Help others as much as possible along the way.
Imitation is a form of flattery in some circles, but too much of it can get you uncircled (and unfriended).
Joking around is okay, but remember, a lot of people won’t see the full context. Everything you say needs to be okay standing alone.
Killing a blog to start a new one may seem like a great idea, but the next one will place many of the same obstacles in your way.
Limitations on your potential are as real as Russell Crowe’s imaginary friends in A Beautiful Mind.
Manage your time very carefully. Otherwise your life will be eaten!
Never say something you would be ashamed of in front of your dearest family member or your boss.
Open your mind to new ideas even as you dedicate yourself to the path you want to travel.
Playing “hard to get” online just makes people move on to the next person. It’s about engaging, folks.
Quit making the numbers your number one goal. In the end, there is a lot more that matters more.
Risk is inherent in Social Media. You’re putting your ideas out into the universe. Be ready to defend yourself and be ready for gratitude.
Spread yourself evenly across social media platforms. Don’t expect yourself to do everything perfectly, and if something is too much and you don’t really need it – say g’bye!
Try to spice up your content across platforms. If someone is following you everywhere and they see the same status update everywhere, they might get tired of you!
Understanding that everyone has their own way of doing things is essential. For the most part, there’s no right or wrong.
Vary who you talk to no matter where you are. Avoid the clique syndrome.
Walk your talk. You lose credibility every time you don’t follow your own advice!
Xeroxing went out of style. So will Twitter. Be ready to adapt.
Your quest for favors from others must be traveled with care and caution or your game can end in a very sad way.
Zillions of people are using these platforms. Deciding to break through takes time, a lot of work, a lot of creativity, and a lot of great people supporting you. Be patient. It’ll happen.
Image by Kriss Szkurlatowski. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/hisks
I really enjoyed the Imitation one. I see so many people imitating to the point where people don’t want to engage with them any longer and then they don’t understand.
The playing hard to get is another one that is an epidemic with those that think they know everything on social media.
Neat post Margie!
Thanks Raul. You are right, people are starring to really focus on feeling that “imitation is flattery” it can be, but too much, or imitation without credit, can get to be a serious problem!
Excellent post. There are a number which apply to all online behavior especially saying things you don’t want everyone to know. Something I thought anyone with common sense should know, and watching your time. I really wonder about a business where the owner has time to continually post on Facebook.
Well said Maureen. Being engaged is great but if you’re checking in to Starbucks all day people are going to start to wonder.
Thanks for the comment!
Margie, the fact that you were able to perfectly integrate ‘X’ into talking about twitter was dang impressive. Awesome list, love the creativity.
Have a great week,
Marcus
Thanks! I’m not gonna lie – I was dreading that part 🙂 glad you feel it worked!
A great post Margie.
Better than most posts I’ve read.
Can’t think of anyone else I’d rather read at the moment.
Don’t think I could do it.
Ever tried to eat pancakes for dinner.
Forget it I’m done!
Jim
Gosh! Thanks Jim! No pressure though right? 🙂
No pressure. Did you enjoy my attempt at ABC’s?
Just what I needed to read! Thanks Margie.
Well thanks! Glad to hear it!
Margie, I really liked this and it’s right up there with your usually well thought out posts. All very good ideas, suggestions, and concepts to keep in mind when delving into social media…
… but I have one teeny, tiny little irritating suggestion regarding the title.
CAN BE.
Social media CAN BE as easy as your ABC’s, as long as you follow Margie’s rules of engagement. Because you know someone’s gonna say, “I saw on the internet how it’s as easy as your ABC’s, so how hard could it be?” This could well be uttered by a Darwin Awards candidate or a Harvard Law grad (assuming some degree of mutual exclusivity – yeah, laugh along with me there!) who just launched a campaign to promote another kind of white meat by offering ladies a free goose at their next visit to the local butcher.
All said & done, loved it. I definitely am passing this along, just had to toss in my two cents. (Last thing – Zillions? Brilliant!)
Quite true. Even if you try to follow “the rules,” the time it takes to get used to everything is often more than we expect. I guess I would cop out and say that my subject line was a bit tongue in cheek 🙂
Thanks for your great comment – glad you liked the post!
Brilliant! So much insight provided via 26 simple letters. You are one very clever woman!
Thanks, Mimi! Lovely to see you over here!
XX double the salt on the margarita?! Nice list, I may have to try something fun list this… if I can come up with so many.
Betcha you could! And I’d love to see it!
I think only you can write a post like this. Sheer brilliance! Simple words but great relevance to social media. Maybe you should do 1 to 10 next 😉
hah! Yeah, or maybe the first ten letters of other languages. That could get interesting, non? 🙂 Thanks, Jan. I appreciate your always kind words!
Margie – a wonderful list and so true!
Especially the R(isk) is my favorite. In the Web one puts oneself on the frontline, vulnerable in every aspect. The outcome is unsure. The reaction can be outrageous. New friends can come up from nowhere.
Trying to take the risk that is lower than the net value of what you loose (in case of real bad thing happening) plus the gain in personal learning from this action.
Thanks, Ralf. I’ll take you for your word that R wasn’t your favorite just cuz your name starts with R 🙂 You make a good argument! Glad you enjoyed the post!
I love this Margie!
This post was fun,creative and right on the mark! The one that made me laugh…P ~ Stop playing hard to get on Social Media. I have noticed that big brands/celebrities make this very large mistake often. Having a very large audience and not following them back and/or not engaging is simply a BIG mistake. It is the same as outstretching your arm, palm out and telling others “Talk to the Hand.”
Thanks for sharing your brilliance!
xoxo
Dabney
Thanks so much, Dabney! It’s interesting to see what everyone’s favorite letter is – glad you liked the post!