Stay Classy Internet
January 5th, 2010
2If 2009 has taught us anything about social media, it’s that it is way too easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of goals. New tools are popping up every week and the network has become better, stronger… faster. To steal a phrase from Pete Cashmore, it’s virtually omnipotent.
Companies and consumers are paying attention to what’s being said more than ever before. More books are being published about marketing, tweeting and how to market on Twitter. Top Ten lists, How-To guides and rulebooks are cluttering our minds. Don’t get me wrong, I find some of these tools to be incredibly helpful. But if you have to read a how-to guide in order to interact with your community or to learn how to be transparent, well, you’re doing it wrong.
While SEO, ROI and PPC are important, there are more ways to determine if your social media campaign is a success. Obviously this depends on what your idea of success is. Here at Border Stylo, we’re more concerned with direct communication versus data collection. Sure, metrics are important, but the real value comes from the connections made and experiences shared. And for you number-focused folks out there, that means that 40 truly loyal evangelists are a hundred times better than 200 on-and-off users.
Yes, it’s important to watch what is being said about you and your company, but it is so much more than just tracking a name. I think it’s just as important to try to develop a relationship with your community and open lines of communication.
Be natural. Be yourself. You’re representing your company, but you’re also establishing yourself among millions. Don’t take this transparency thing too far. Be real, but not Real World real. Nobody cares about your dirty little secrets. Rather we care about original thoughts, honest reactions and genuine interests. Remember that your community is made up of people, not numbers. Stay classy Internet.
Tagged with: social media
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Jennifer Beese
Jennifer is the Community Manager. When she’s not blogging or tweeting you can usually find her practicing stand-up comedy in front of her bathroom mirror.
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Jenn… well put. You’ve hit on the essence of what makes for a valuable community, and a skilled community manager. Josh
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