Social Media – Waste Or Winner

Social media.  Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, Instagram, Blab, Snapchat, Blogs – the list is almost endless and growing daily.  But what -is- it really?

“Media for social interaction, using highly accessible and scalable communication techniques. Social media is the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue.”

Wikipedia

Now we know!  Congratulations!  Thank you for reading.

(Oh come on, you knew you wouldn’t get off that easy here!)

We hear it every day.  How we must use social media to be successful.  That if we are not engaging others while sifting through the insightful posts of cat meme’s, last night’s amazing dinner (complete with a dozen pic’s of the entire meal), and how -special- their kids are, that we are missing out on opportunities.

Opportunities for what is my question!  To sink an amazing amount of time into the insanity of the internet?

“It takes discipline not to let social media steal your time.”

Alexis Ohanian (Founder of Reddit)

Yes, social media, the sometimes mind-numbing excursion into an alternate reality of mankind can, indeed, be a massive waste of time!

In our zeal to be -everywhere- on social media, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of stuff that appears on our timelines.  You follow people to get people to follow you, so you can get more people to . . . well, you get the idea!

It becomes more about the numbers of people following someone than the value of the content they provide.  Or, for that matter, you provide FOR them.  Somehow, you are a -success- once you break some magical number of people following you (who just followed you to get more followers), regardless of actual results of the entire process.

And there you sit.  Scrolling through the endless videos, insightful quotes (never made by the person you followed), and volumes of links to even more information of dubious nature.  Of course, you make the obligatory “thank you for following me” responses, and continue as you attempt to seek out beneficial aspects from the ongoing babble.

By now, you are probably thinking I see social media as a tremendous waste of time and energy.   Sur le contray , mes amis!

Social media: it has been a complete revolution of how to

interact, promote and share things.

Tony Hawk

When approached correctly, social media can be a significant contributor to the success of your business.  One worthy of investing in, learning how to manage, and becoming ever more critical to utilize in today’s market.

How do you do that?

I will let others more qualified delve into the various methods, of which there are many.  It really depends on what you want from social media in how you determine the means to accomplish it.  It is, however, something you can not afford to neglect, or allow it to become a time sink in your efforts.

And now . . . let me tell you a story!

On March 19, 2016, I was browsing through some Facebook Groups I am a member of.

These are all specifically related to a business venture I am in the process of developing.  By segregating the various aspects of social media, it allows me to focus on a singular topic and better interaction with others.

A post caught my attention.  Nothing spectacular, actually.  Someone showing an idea they had.  What it did do, was get me thinking about . . .

  • A Twitter post I had just seen that advocated a similar concept being marketed, and the overwhelmingly favorable response numerous customers made.
  • A “Scope” I watched about a company launching a new product (also similar in design) that I wanted to adapt.
  • The Blab.im video conversation I was in recently with several people (from around the world) discussing product innovation needed in a new, rapidly growing, highly profitable, global arena.
  • Discussions in other Facebook Groups with regard to product prototyping, and vertical market integration.
  • The names of contacts on social media that could be beneficial to this.

Months of contributing to the groups discussions, and the perceived value I may have added over that time (you have to give BEFORE you can receive), facilitated a discussion on Facebook.  It ended several hours later with a product idea, and an agreement to join forces.  A potentially lucrative business venture was born based upon seemingly abstract discussions and observations.

It took the combination of singular aspects (in this case Facebook, Periscope, Twitter, and Blab), developed over time, to open up an opportunity I would, quite probably, never have known about any other way.

The power of social media was truly demonstrated!

At no other time has it been this easy to interact with consumers, and other businesses.  Social media has opened a myriad of potential opportunities, the value of which is only limited by your imagination.

We need to learn how to use social media as we would any other business tool or asset.  It is by seeking out information on how it can benefit you, learning from the inevitable mistakes, that you begin to visualize -how- this will work.

What has worked for me may not for you.  Take the time to learn.  Put in the due diligence, find the platforms that offer the solutions and benefits this can offer.  I can, without hesitation, attest to the absolute value of doing so.

Remember: you don’t have to be everywhere, just the places/services that you find to be productive for what you seek along this path.

Here, RIGHT NOW, is an opportunity to open a potentially valuable social media resource!  The comments on these posts may lead to untold returns, and all it takes is a few minutes to expand your horizons.  DO IT!  Start the conversation to your own future.

Which platforms do you use?  How has it helped your business?  What is the downside, if any, you have experienced?  Now’s your chance to help others, and grow your own social presence!

Of course, follow the people who you see as having mutual value here on social media.  Post social media (only please, don’t take this as an invitation to spam) links so others can follow you in your comments.

Let’s get social!

.

With Sincere Thanks

Richard Taylor

“The only limits we have are those you impose upon yourself. Remove the limits!”

Follow my current adventures on Twitter

4 thoughts to “Social Media – Waste Or Winner”

  1. Hi Richard,
    Your post had me considering your question. There are times when I feel totally overwhelmed by the sheer amount of social media forums. I could literally be listening to a blab, webcast or periscope 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and a lot of it has some great content. The reverse is also true in that a few days ago, I was in one of my Skype discussion chats and had to scroll through pages of nothing but emoticons. Yes, they are fun , but they make it difficult to get a serious business discussion going. I had to ask myself if I am taking my business too seriously. This is not a slam on anyone at all, just an observation.

    I am happy to read about your success in using your social media to connect. I have met some extraordinary people on social media as well that inspire me and teach me in many ways. It has also allowed me to be able to help others and realize my own strengths as well.

    Sorry this response has been so long, but thank you for allowing me to add my “two cents” worth here. Social media is here to stay and I encourage others to make the most of it.

    Sunshine n smiles,
    Carla
    @carlajfrey Skype: carlysbiz

    1. Social media can be a strange beast at times. It runs the gauntlet from the mundane to the ‘OH MY GOODNESS! What was that!’ extreme. And it can do so in a single post!

      We all come to the table with different ideas and aspirations. What pleases one, may alienate another. This is what sets social media today in a realm of its own, as everyone can find a place to be comfortable. And as we grow, expand our reach, we sometimes find what we once disliked is where we find new opportunities. Carrot’s are a good example for me!

      I -highly dislike- carrots. Raw, cooked, glazed, in a smoothie or a cake . . . you can keep them! What I found, though, is that other people disagree with me (imagine that!), and EAT them! As a result, it makes perfectly good sense for me to grow over 16 different varieties of them to sell in my greenhouse, and talk about on social media. Opportunities. Always keep an open mind on where the next one may come from!

      Try not to allow yourself to be overwhelmed. Take time for other aspects of your business, and yourself. Nothing truly ever -goes away- on social media. If you don’t read/watch it right now, it will still be there when you are ready to. It is our decision to make on what is important, what can wait, or can be ignored completely. YOU have ultimate control!

      And on the off chance that something can’t be found, then it probably wasn’t worth the effort to read/watch to begin with!

      As for a long response, BRING IT!

      I want to hear what YOU have to say. It always makes my day better when someone comments on what I have written. Thank you!

  2. Oh the battles I’ve tried to fight to bring social to the fore front especially in my little industry.

    It’s pretty important to not only ‘be active’ every day but also to engage your fellow marketers, networks etc…

    Its one thing to post a link in your twitter feed, it’s another to actually respond to your members when they engage you.

    1. Exactly Jon. There is no -social- without interaction!

      People tend to use it just to advertise, not socialize. A process that basically negates any possible value.

      Many people have found great success in using social media. They are usually easy to spot. You know, the ones actually TALKING to others, responding to posts and questions, and offering more than -just an ad- on their timelines.

      Perhaps, Jon, more people will develop the skills to listen/learn from those they wish to emulate. Pay attention to what they -do-, as well as say. Hey, it could happen!

      Keep fighting the good battles. We may lose some, but we know that those that refuse to learn/change will not be around long enough to watch those that do find the path to success.

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