This is a really good article. It seems like I spend half my day explaining why and how social media works, when I should be actually using it. Since this was posted on Mashable, I think I will just share this article instead :) Thx. Sarah.
Dell HP
· 4 months ago
Have you given any thought to making your additional income online?
We purchased hundreds of online programs and put them through our stringent testing process. This meant diving into each program, putting it through it’s paces, and seeing if it was actually possible to make a reasonable amount of money with it. We found a horrendous percentage of these business opportunities we tested were scams. We made a list and discussed which ones aren't a scam. If you want to make some cash online and not get scam make sure you check out http://internetscambusters.official.ws/
Josh
· 9 months ago
Sarah, Great post. I particularly like your "Don't be a social schizo" portion. Its vital that brands create a content strategy for how they engage on social networks. Go long when creating a content strategy not short, and allow your audience to connect with your content. Don't constantly change it up on them. Thanks Sarah, - Josh @intheblack
anonymouse
· 9 months ago
"Multiple personality disorders do not work well in social media."
HAH! That is why you need several SEPARATE public profiles and brands, under different psuedonyms, in which you discuss the various eclectic aspects of you life!
... and, of course, for those of us with jobs outside the web, a "business persona" on the internets where we don't discuss our private life AT ALL.
TahoeJenn
· 9 months ago
Sarah, great article. Question though - what about the so-called social marketing spammers? Followers, 'friends' who don't really add much to the conversation but instead use it as a channel for their own broadcasts?
Kaila | Vertical Measures
· 9 months ago
Great piece. I like that you've given great advice and still let everyone know that they are the masters of their own Twittosphere. I utilize Twitter often in social media these days (@cliquekaila) but continue to learn more on the "do's" and "don'ts". Thanks for the post. :)
Jeremy Wilburn
· 9 months ago
I thought your point about being authentic and transparent was excellent! You're right, not everyone is happy ALL of the time. Some people let their emotions get the better of them and may tweet something they will want to trashcan later; unfortunately, the damage has been done. Like Peter Shankman states in his blog, "email [blog, twitter, etc] is forever." It's ok to say you're having a bad day. People will appreciate that and more often than not, be able to relate to you. Social media can help you have a great community if you are real with people. But just like in real life, don't say anything online that you wouldn't say to someone's face.
Deb Kolaras
· 9 months ago
Right on the money, thanks for this post! I find sometimes that people are different in person than their "online persona" and it's always a bummer - and a red flag. We do business with people, not products. Thanks for sharing this ideal perspective. @bizcoachdeb
Devin Day
· 9 months ago
This is a great reminder of the do's and don'ts of what you need to do as a business when approaching social media. Standardization, processes, simplicity, and good execution are not just found in a successful business, but also in a successful approach to social media.
Thank you for this. It was a very educational article. Very smart. Thanks!
BILLROMANOS
· 9 months ago
Thanks for the excellent post. I would add if you are just starting out don't be concerned with follower count, it is much more important who you follow. This is your "input." You can then use this input to pass along quality links, materials, and insights to your followers. You will then build a quality following. It is much more important to develop "quality" as opposed to "quantity." It is also important not just to be a "broadcaster," but also to engage one on one with your followers.
Torley
· 9 months ago
Omni-good points here: the tough thing is living up to the words. I see so many astroturf and fake incarnations of "transparency" that it's sullied the word and made it rancid. Much like "Thank you for your patience" being as vapid as asking "How are you?" without caring.
While I know you provide useful info and didn't mean to offend, Sarah, I should emphasize that being a "schizo" (short for "schizophrenia") is NOT multiple personalities. It may involve hallucinations or other disturbed behavior, but the two are distinctly different. A common confusion I can understand.
Also, while you mention is generally true, there are exceptions like me who thrive on being "multiple personalities at the same time" — and across not just the web, but virwos like Second Life. :)
Torley
· 9 months ago
Omni-good points here: the tough thing is living up to the words. I see so many astroturf and fake incarnations of "transparency" that it's sullied the word and made it rancid. Much like "Thank you for your patience" being as vapid as asking "How are you?" without caring.
While I know you provide useful info and didn't mean to offend, Sarah, I should emphasize that being a "schizo" (short for "schizophrenia") is NOT multiple personalities. It may involve hallucinations or other disturbed behavior, but the two are distinctly different. A common confusion I can understand.
Also, while you mention is generally true, there are exceptions like me who thrive on being "multiple personalities at the same time" — and across not just the web, but virwos like Second Life. :)
prsarahevans
· 9 months ago
Thanks, Torley. I was going for attention-getting in the headline and definitely don't mean to offend. I'm interested to know how your marketing campaigns work via social media applying multiple personalities. Always happy to be proved wrong. Keep the great dialogue coming.
Sarah Evans
· 9 months ago
LOVE THIS! "If not, why am I posting? Self-aggrandizement? Save it for your mom or coach. For your brand, be relentlessly dedicated to your audience. They're listening."
Ben Leis
· 9 months ago
Wow!!! Thanks for the post! I have become such a part of my brand that my avatar is actually what I look like. My nose has turned into a rotary dial and I have curly cord protruding from my receiver of an ear. On a more topical note, the main reason I use my brand logo as my avatar is because I do lots of social networking and it is the fastest way for people to understand why "this strange guy" just friend requested me. "TheCampusBuzz.com for College Reporters" gets the point across and helps my new friends to quickly make the connection.
Egberto Berlingeri
· 9 months ago
Great piece! Very valuable information, and I do agree the best advice is "Don’t take anyone else’s advice". Beginning however is the hardest part. Thanks!
Marjorie Kase
· 9 months ago
You did a great job breaking everything down. We will be sharing this with our clients.
Sarah, loved your post! I don't blog much myself, but I felt rather compelled after reading this to throw in my two cents...http://sn.im/cs5zy
~Tarla
Jaculynn Peterson
· 9 months ago
Thanks Sarah, for this thoughtful, comprehensive piece.
In general I agree with most points; however, I have to disagree about “creating your social media *personality* ” which directly conflicts with the notion of being transparent and authentic. If you are being “authentic” why is there a need to *create* a “personality?” Why can’t you just "be?”
Also, just like I advise my clients, I believe that each social media tool is different and has different purposes and communities. What I am sharing and discussing on what forum may be very different in flavor to what I am sharing and discussing on another network. Hence, my communications / interactions will be different. Doesn’t this change the notion of offering up a *consistent* personality or brand? As fluid, complex, ever-evolving and emotional creatures is it even logical to assume we can paint one picture of ourselves and share it consistently and flawlessly across all networks and SocMed tools?
This is one of the many reasons why I don’t believe in the phrase “personal branding” too.
That’s because people have *reputations*. Companies have *brands*. And just like corporate brands are determined by their customers, your “personal brand” is determined by those who know and interact with you (not by how you package yourself). And the only way they can get to know the *real* you, to interface with you, and get a true sense of you, is to be you – not a brand identity.
prsarahevans
· 9 months ago
Hi Jaculynn. Although I was writing this post directed towards a business' brand, I admittedly crossed over to the personal side. Yes, people do have a reputation, in fact I think that is what begins to connect people to the brand - especially via social media. Look at Frank from Comcast (@comcastcares). Great example!
Barbara Rozgonyi
· 9 months ago
Sarah - lots of great advice in this post. I especially like the reinforcing your brand for tomorrow concept. And, your point about being consistent really goes back to integrity and authenticity. One not so nice incident can backfire on you. I think another way to measure return on engagement is how many people you can recognize in real life. In the past two days - thanks to social media - I met two really cool and talented people that have skills I've been looking for. The best part? We live within six blocks of each other. Without social media, we might not have met. Thanks again for this post. @wiredprworks on twitter.com
Priyanka
· 9 months ago
Thanks Sarah! Very nice article. It is very helpful.
Sameer
· 9 months ago
Excellent post. Reading your point under Leaving a legacy - 'What you post stays around for a pretty long time and the information (good and bad) isn’t too hard to find' reminded me of Joshua Lipton.
wow ! Loved that ! Best advice : don't take any body else's advice ! I'll do that, Miss
Kerry Fitzgerald
· 9 months ago
Be consistent, and make sure you post in the right place. Given social media's possibility of rapid "viral" expansion, you need to be on your best behavior. I like the comments above about not being too complex as well.
netlatch
· 9 months ago
I am probably very guilty of being confusing to my intended customers. Thanks for the insight.
spryka
· 9 months ago
Excellent Article.. I think we are on the cusp of community based products and brands. Marketers should adjust accordingly..
Domain Superstar
· 9 months ago
Great post. Our company is just getting involved in heavily marketing, and will definitely be using some of these techniques.
Very thorough article - I would like to point out that even though it is written targeting businesses and social media, many of the tips are applicable to someone's online personal brand as well. My article is written from the personal branding perspective, 15 Pages of Infamy, http://dwarfurl.com/fbb12
Great article with great advice. It's so important to be as real as possible when engaging in social media. There is nothing more annoying than spam-ish DM's in Twitter and self-promotion ALL the time. Start conversations, be opinionated, and exactly like Sarah said....be authentic.
Kate
· 9 months ago
I really love this article. The examples that you provide are extremely relevant and help to better understand the aspects of social media. I think it's so important that companies have real people behind their social media. Great points that I'll definitely be referring back to!
Michael Gass
· 9 months ago
Sarah,
Such an excellent post with extremely rich content. There is enough great stuff here to turn into a dozen posts. Thanks for sharing!
magdolna
· 9 months ago
thanx for insight sure is divine out there ayyyyy.......????
or is that a bit of sarcasm in there....??? just dont know any more......????. as one thing or another peter takes from paul so dont know whether arthur or martha.....????linda or bert........? luvvver or hater.......????? angry or hostile........????? liver or wuvvvvver.......?????
just want my rubber safety reinforced glass walls floors roofs all made of one so not living in cluttered plastics paper bags boxes foils aint soils of how many kinds that create havens for all these alien things that love to suck yourrrr blooooood........????
but it doesn't matter...... dont worry be happy,,,,,,,,??????? laugh a minute hobo,,,,,,????
YUH LIVE A LITTLE LUUUUVE A LITTLE........ WHERE DOES THAT GET YOU IN THESE TIMES ON THE BACK BENCH OF NEVER NEVER......... AS GRIM WIPES CAN KEEP TAKING FROM US........... UGLIFYING OUR PLANET WITH WORST SCENARIOS BUT GOT TO BE A PRESENTER OF HAPPINESSES LIKE sunrise & all the other bloggs reporting dooms day sayers reports out there AS REST INHUMINIZE ON *&* ON *&* ON......!!!!!!!
WOE EYYYYYY DIS DUCK HAD ENOUGH FOR HOW MANY YEARS SUFFERED UNDER big blog centrepay AS SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS WHAT BY NOW............... BUT TO DAILY TAKE FROM ALREADY STRUGGLING OVER BURDENED FAMILIES JUST AIN'T RIGHT OR LEFT CAUSE WEATHER AIN'T LETTING UP AS FUELS FIRES OVER EAST........????
BUT mr plod rudd OFF TRAIPSING COSTING US MORE WHILE TALKS CHEQUES FOR WAR MAKES WHILE REST STRUGGLE ON.....???????
COME ON BE FAIR AS SURE AIN'T BEEN THAT SINCE TIMES BEGUN WITH SO MANY ROAD BLOCKS PHYSICALLY MENTALLY WHILE MANKIND FIGHTS ON FOR THEIR RIGHTS AS FAUNA LEFT OUT OF ANY PROTECTION WHAT SO EVER BUT THATS RIGHT FAIR BEST GREAT FOR OUR SOCIETY.......?????
SUX TO BE HONEST AS WHAT REALLY IN THE 15 MONTHS [rudd BEEN IN] REALLY ACHIEVED FOR EARTH...... GODS PLANET FREELY GIVEN TO BE PROTECTED FROM WAR GORE WATHER PATTERNS...... BUT IN IT UP TO ITS EYE BALLS AS spiritualists DREAM ON IN THEIR ANTSY FANTSIES LIVING IT UP ON REST OF THE GULLEABLES,........???????
SORRY...... NO OFFENSE........ AS BEEN THERE MYSELF TAKEN IN BY THEM...... BUT WHEN TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN FACUALTIES....... THEN WE WOULDNT BE SEEING SO MANY ANGRY HOSTILE COMMENTS AS KEEP SEEING WITH BICYCLES *&* *&* VEHICLES AYYYYYYY.........????? OR ANY OTHER THING THAT PEEVES SOMEBODY OFF AS TRULY FULL OF IT AS EARTH LEFT WORSE OFF THEN DAY BEFORE..........!!!!!
YUM AYYY THE FINER THINGS OF LIVING OR NOT......????????
Nice, concise piece Sarah - agree with all that. Particularly the need to be consistent across the social media channels.
Jim
twitter/.com@tutor2u
SEO Specialist
· 9 months ago
Great article. It was very concise and direct to the point
In an effective Search Engine Optimization Campaign (SEO) Social Media Marketing is part of the key factors that would make the campaign successful. SMM is means of promoting your brand by making selling yourself and making yourself visible across social media networks. Through this you are able to capture the attention of potential viewers on your site and possibly produce a good conversion afterwards.
Jason Barone
· 9 months ago
"Be transparent and authentic. Be human."
That could of been the entire post.
Kathy Lovin
· 8 months ago
I just popped over to Mashable to see if there are any guidelines / do's and don'ts on using social media for business. Of course, Sarah Evans has posted something extremely practical and useful. Thank you so much! This is a big help to me now that we need to give our folks some advice about what to share and what to keep to themselves, etc.
Great article. We all see that social media networks can have very powerfull effect. Just think of all that buzz about Twitter currently... I've heard somewhere Google is going to buy Twitter.
Generally web tools help me greatly in my job. I like using "older" things for tracking puproses like Google Alerts (http://alerts.google.com) and some web monitoring tools like W3Monitor (http://www.w3monitor.com) that is even suitable for tracking news alerts
MichelOntheGo
· 8 months ago
Great article. We all see that social media networks can have very powerfull effect.
Just think of all that buzz about Twitter currently... I've heard somewhere Google is
going to buy Twitter. Generally web tools help me greatly in my job. I like using "older" things for tracking
Hi Sarah, I really liked your article--the message of transparency, consistency, and authenticity is one that is too frequently lost when firms turn to social media. I just wrote a post on other social marketing Do's and Don'ts and thought I might post it here for you and your readers: http://marketinglab.bnj.com/2009/06/ten-dos-and... Thanks, Blake Hinckley
Christopher :o
· 5 months ago
Nice breakdown! Definitely tweetin' this around!
air jordan
· 4 months ago
dons and donts sharing, so great.
elasticzone
· 4 months ago
Great article but I am not sure if I should have a personal and a business account
elasticzone
· 4 months ago
Great article but I am not sure if I should have a personal and a business account
johnniefirari
· 3 months ago
Your post is great advice and I would love to feature it on www.socialmediadj.com under business. How could I do that?
johnniefirari
· 3 months ago
Your post is great advice and I would love to feature it on www.socialmediadj.com under business. How could I do that?
joel
· 3 months ago
Awesome article.It is a good advice for everyone who starts their business depending on social media. Clear and concise stuff. Thanks for sharing Sarah.
Twitter Tools Lister
· 3 months ago
Every successful business needs to have a their own formula in utilizing the social media. And these do's and don'ts are really of great help and should be incorporated in that formula. The right way to get your customer is being honest with what you do and what you offer them. Moreover, in order to build a relationship to your customer, it is very important to take into account and make appropriate actions all their online responses. There is no need to be a social psycho and a social climber just to get your target. You just have to stick with what image your really want. It is important to keep in mind that, whatever you do with your online personality affects the total image of your business. Therefore, only project the personality of who you really are and what you really want.
socialtwit
· 2 months ago
I think this is a very comprehensive article indeed. Very helpful in enlightening us fellow social network users about what we should and can do using social media.
Do you know what's involved in writing and marketing your own articles?... www.contentunltd.com
Virtual Miss Friday
· 2 months ago
This is such a useful guide, I going to Facebook it now! Thank you.
Greg Mesaros
· 2 months ago
In other words, be genuine when creating a social media presence because the majority of the content on the internet does take some sifting through to find what you are looking for. This is not a bad thing, only a reinforcement of the fact that anything and everything can be found via internet, and creating a presence does take some effort. I liked your example of being transparent and authentic because it is much too easy for viewers to become judgmental of a product or brand based on how a company attempts to engage with different networks. -Greg Mesaros, CEO eWinWin
All Comments
We purchased hundreds of online programs and put them through our stringent testing process. This meant diving into each program, putting it through it’s paces, and seeing if it was actually possible to make a reasonable amount of money with it. We found a horrendous percentage of these business opportunities we tested were scams. We made a list and discussed which ones aren't a scam. If you want to make some cash online and not get scam make sure you check out http://internetscambusters.official.ws/
Thanks Sarah,
- Josh
@intheblack
HAH! That is why you need several SEPARATE public profiles and brands, under different psuedonyms, in which you discuss the various eclectic aspects of you life!
... and, of course, for those of us with jobs outside the web, a "business persona" on the internets where we don't discuss our private life AT ALL.
Thanks for sharing
@devinday
http:///www.devinday.com
While I know you provide useful info and didn't mean to offend, Sarah, I should emphasize that being a "schizo" (short for "schizophrenia") is NOT multiple personalities. It may involve hallucinations or other disturbed behavior, but the two are distinctly different. A common confusion I can understand.
Also, while you mention is generally true, there are exceptions like me who thrive on being "multiple personalities at the same time" — and across not just the web, but virwos like Second Life. :)
While I know you provide useful info and didn't mean to offend, Sarah, I should emphasize that being a "schizo" (short for "schizophrenia") is NOT multiple personalities. It may involve hallucinations or other disturbed behavior, but the two are distinctly different. A common confusion I can understand.
Also, while you mention is generally true, there are exceptions like me who thrive on being "multiple personalities at the same time" — and across not just the web, but virwos like Second Life. :)
Thanks,
Marjorie
@marjoriekase
http://markyr.com
Thanks,
Marjorie
@marjoriekase
http://markyr.com
~Tarla
In general I agree with most points; however, I have to disagree about “creating your social media *personality* ” which directly conflicts with the notion of being transparent and authentic. If you are being “authentic” why is there a need to *create* a “personality?” Why can’t you just "be?”
Also, just like I advise my clients, I believe that each social media tool is different and has different purposes and communities. What I am sharing and discussing on what forum may be very different in flavor to what I am sharing and discussing on another network. Hence, my communications / interactions will be different. Doesn’t this change the notion of offering up a *consistent* personality or brand? As fluid, complex, ever-evolving and emotional creatures is it even logical to assume we can paint one picture of ourselves and share it consistently and flawlessly across all networks and SocMed tools?
This is one of the many reasons why I don’t believe in the phrase “personal branding” too.
That’s because people have *reputations*. Companies have *brands*. And just like corporate brands are determined by their customers, your “personal brand” is determined by those who know and interact with you (not by how you package yourself). And the only way they can get to know the *real* you, to interface with you, and get a true sense of you, is to be you – not a brand identity.
@wiredprworks on twitter.com
Very nice article. It is very helpful.
The harsh results of trying to appear cool on the web have landed many people behind the bars. VizEdu compiles a great aggregation of the same at: http://vizedu.com/2009/02/social-media-goes-to-...
John
It's about social bookmarking etiquette on Digg and other sites.
-Ethan
My two key rules for business social networking are:
1) Decide what you want to achieve and stick with it
2) Don't try and mix communicating with friends and business contacts on the same network
Social media can be an enourmous time sap, which is an issue during the working day, so it pays to keep focused!
Ian Hendry
CEO, WeCanDo.BIZ
http://www.wecando.biz
Such an excellent post with extremely rich content. There is enough great stuff here to turn into a dozen posts. Thanks for sharing!
or is that a bit of sarcasm in there....??? just dont know any more......????. as one thing or another peter takes from paul so dont know whether arthur or martha.....????linda or bert........? luvvver or hater.......????? angry or hostile........????? liver or wuvvvvver.......?????
just want my rubber safety reinforced glass walls floors roofs all made of one so not living in cluttered plastics paper bags boxes foils aint soils of how many kinds that create havens for all these alien things that love to suck yourrrr blooooood........????
but it doesn't matter...... dont worry be happy,,,,,,,,??????? laugh a minute hobo,,,,,,????
YUH LIVE A LITTLE LUUUUVE A LITTLE........ WHERE DOES THAT GET YOU IN THESE TIMES ON THE BACK BENCH OF NEVER NEVER......... AS GRIM WIPES CAN KEEP TAKING FROM US........... UGLIFYING OUR PLANET WITH WORST SCENARIOS BUT GOT TO BE A PRESENTER OF HAPPINESSES LIKE sunrise & all the other bloggs reporting dooms day sayers reports out there AS REST INHUMINIZE ON *&* ON *&* ON......!!!!!!!
WOE EYYYYYY DIS DUCK HAD ENOUGH FOR HOW MANY YEARS SUFFERED UNDER big blog centrepay AS SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS WHAT BY NOW............... BUT TO DAILY TAKE FROM ALREADY STRUGGLING OVER BURDENED FAMILIES JUST AIN'T RIGHT OR LEFT CAUSE WEATHER AIN'T LETTING UP AS FUELS FIRES OVER EAST........????
BUT mr plod rudd OFF TRAIPSING COSTING US MORE WHILE TALKS CHEQUES FOR WAR MAKES WHILE REST STRUGGLE ON.....???????
COME ON BE FAIR AS SURE AIN'T BEEN THAT SINCE TIMES BEGUN WITH SO MANY ROAD BLOCKS PHYSICALLY MENTALLY WHILE MANKIND FIGHTS ON FOR THEIR RIGHTS AS FAUNA LEFT OUT OF ANY PROTECTION WHAT SO EVER BUT THATS RIGHT FAIR BEST GREAT FOR OUR SOCIETY.......?????
SUX TO BE HONEST AS WHAT REALLY IN THE 15 MONTHS [rudd BEEN IN] REALLY ACHIEVED FOR EARTH...... GODS PLANET FREELY GIVEN TO BE PROTECTED FROM WAR GORE WATHER PATTERNS...... BUT IN IT UP TO ITS EYE BALLS AS spiritualists DREAM ON IN THEIR ANTSY FANTSIES LIVING IT UP ON REST OF THE GULLEABLES,........???????
SORRY...... NO OFFENSE........ AS BEEN THERE MYSELF TAKEN IN BY THEM...... BUT WHEN TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN FACUALTIES....... THEN WE WOULDNT BE SEEING SO MANY ANGRY HOSTILE COMMENTS AS KEEP SEEING WITH BICYCLES *&* *&* VEHICLES AYYYYYYY.........????? OR ANY OTHER THING THAT PEEVES SOMEBODY OFF AS TRULY FULL OF IT AS EARTH LEFT WORSE OFF THEN DAY BEFORE..........!!!!!
YUM AYYY THE FINER THINGS OF LIVING OR NOT......????????
Jim
twitter/.com@tutor2u
In an effective Search Engine Optimization Campaign (SEO) Social Media Marketing is part of the key factors that would make the campaign successful. SMM is means of promoting your brand by making selling yourself and making yourself visible across social media networks. Through this you are able to capture the attention of potential viewers on your site and possibly produce a good conversion afterwards.
That could of been the entire post.
Kathy L
www.salvationarmy.usawest.com/expectchange
Generally web tools help me greatly in my job. I like using "older" things for tracking puproses like Google Alerts (http://alerts.google.com) and some web monitoring tools like W3Monitor (http://www.w3monitor.com) that is even suitable for tracking news alerts
Just think of all that buzz about Twitter currently... I've heard somewhere Google is
going to buy Twitter.
Generally web tools help me greatly in my job. I like using "older" things for tracking
puproses like Google Alerts (http://alerts.google.com) and some web monitoring
tools like W3Monitor (http://www.w3monitor.com) that is even suitable for tracking
news alerts
I really liked your article--the message of transparency, consistency, and authenticity is one that is too frequently lost when firms turn to social media. I just wrote a post on other social marketing Do's and Don'ts and thought I might post it here for you and your readers: http://marketinglab.bnj.com/2009/06/ten-dos-and...
Thanks,
Blake Hinckley
Clear and concise stuff.
Thanks for sharing Sarah.
http://twittertoolslist.com
www.contentunltd.com
-Greg Mesaros, CEO eWinWin