Small Biz Bee » Social Media

Why do Small Businesses #Fail at Using Social Media?

smallbizbee — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:24:11 +0000

When you were a kid, do you recall standing on a dock overlooking a lake and wanting to dive in but you were afraid to, for fear the water would be too cold? You were faced with a dilemma: jump in, absorb the shock, and get used to it, or slip into the drink slowly one body part at a time. The experience for small businesses eager to get a handle on using social software is similar.

And it’s a sink or swim scenario. Diving headlong into using social tools and networks has its benefits and risks but preparation is essential. In a nutshell, social media involves engaging people via online social networks to generate exposure, improve customer satisfaction, and grow sales.

Managing Resources

Rob Enderle, principal analyst, The Enderle Group, says like anything else when one is starting from scratch, the problem initially is making good decisions with regard to resources.

“However you can, use social networking to find others like yourself that have already gone through the process in your industry and you can see what they have done and the success they have achieved,” he said. “From that you can determine what will work for you . . . social networking requires some study and work to both determine what works best for your industry and what works best for you.”

To that end, Enderle recommends reading “Engage: the Complete Guide for Brands and Businesses to Build, Cultivate, and Measure Success on the New Web” by Brian Solis. The book is focused on social networking and it is a great starting point, he added.

Which Network is Right for You?

Michelle Warren, principal, MW Consulting & Research, advised carefully choosing which social networks to utilize. Because many social media tools are ‘free’ there is a misconception that a strategy isn’t required; that the value is guaranteed because the cost is minimal and that’s untrue.

“A plan is important. Think of it as a map — if you are unsure about your destination, how will you get there?” she asked. “Partnerpedia.com is worth checking out for a B2B network. Otherwise, Twitter and LinkedIn are worth investigating. And since these can be linked together, they are worth considering.”

Use it or Lose It

Warren stressed getting involved though. Small businesses have much to gain from using social tools in a concentrated fashion.

“Using some social media tools for marketing and business opportunities is wise, but have a grasp of what to expect and know how to measure the results,” she advised. “Like any initiative, it takes some planning in order to achieve desired goals.”

Ultimately, strategy requires goals. Without a goal, your business is rudderless and diving into social media might do more damage to your brand and image than good.

“The first step is to learn a bit about social media. The second is to set a strategy. Then you can best determine the tools and resources you need to achieve that strategy,” Enderle said.

About the Author:Liam has been a journalist for more than 12 years. His media career began in the late 1990s as a beat reporter for the North Shore News in Vancouver. Since then, he’s written for ComputerWorld Canada, Computing Canada, eChannelLine.com, ConnectITnews.com, Computer Dealer News, and several others. A man of many interests, Liam is easily wowed by new technologies, retro video games, and the multiple positions his cat can fall asleep in.

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Photo Credit: Gamma-Ray Productions

6 Tips on Getting Traffic to Your New Blog

smallbizbee — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:00:31 +0000

We know a blog can be a great tool for businesses. If you’ve finally got your blog off the ground, the next step is to get some traffic to it. This guest post by Andrew Rondeau of Webuildyourblog.com offers up 6 tips to getting the traffic flowing in.

There’s a popular saying in business, that the hardest part of anything is simply showing up. While it holds true throughout many aspects of corporate culture and success, it’s certainly not true for the blogging world. If the blogosphere’s got anything, it’s millions of people who’ve shown up, some uninvited. Showing up simply isn’t enough to become a blogging success anymore.

You’ve got to generate traffic and promote yourself.

You’ve got to create timeless posts that circulate throughout social bookmarking services for years to come.

You’ve got to take an active presence in getting your blog out there.

It’s no longer about simply writing; promoting is the biggest part of blogging today.

Here are six tips for getting traffic to your new blog.

#1: Don’t just write for cash

It’s tempting to write solely for Adsense revenue, but doing so is a bit of a failed metric for success. There are ultimately two different kinds of blog content, made-for-revenue and organic. When you focus on revenue-generating content, you end up destroying your long-term financial potential. Focus on generating readers, not just cash, and start looking at monetizing your blog later on.

#2: Guest posts are great for generating traffic

There are always going to be bloggers out there with more traffic than you, regardless of what niche you write on or how often you write. There are millions of blogs around, and the spread of traffic between them all is truly stunning. Don’t think that you can get it all to yourself — cooperate and collaborate with other bloggers and expand your reach. Contact a big blogger about guest posting on their blog, and you could see some serious traffic come over to yours.

#3: Social bookmarking loves images

Got a post that could succeed on Digg or Reddit? Make sure you’ve included images in the post’s body copy. Most social bookmarking services seem to favor articles that have images and dynamic media included in the page, so ensure you’ve got something interesting for people to look at, as well as something interesting to read. Make sure you add tags to your images.

#4: Don’t sell out to promoters

Promotional posts are great, so long as they’re intelligently targeted and used sparingly. However, subscribers hate unnecessary promotional content, and using too much of it is a great way to see your readership dramatically decline. Focus on generating traffic, and leave promotional or sponsored posts out until you’ve reached a sustainable subscriber level.

#5: Experiment with different posting mediums

Video blogging is fun, and experimentation with it could generate more readers for your blog. Trying different post formats, topics, and styles is great for boosting traffic. When more people enjoy at least some aspect of your blog, more people talk about it, which means much more traffic.

#6: Use social media to compliment and sustain your blog

A Twitter account is great for promoting your top blog posts, generating buzz, and of course, increasing traffic. When you pair your blog up with social media services, you give yourself an avenue to drive traffic to your blog. A Facebook page might cost an hour of your time to set up, but it’s well worth the long-term promotional benefits.

What tips would you add? Share your views in the comments below.

Andrew Rondeau is the author of the free guide Income Blogging Guide. Click on the following link to grab your complimentary copy of Andrew’s Income Blogging Guide.

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The Ultimate List: 40 Social Networking Sites Specifically for Small Business, Entrepreneurs, and Startups

smallbizbee — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:53:05 +0000

We all know of the huge social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. They’re great for large scale connections and discussion.

But, as entrepreneurs and small business owners sometimes it’s nice to connect with other like minded individuals in a smaller, more focused setting.

If that sounds like what you are looking for in a social network, the below list is for you.

We’ve scoured the Internet looking for social networking sites specifically for small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups, and found 40 we feel are worth a look.

1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn, The grandaddy of business social networks. LinkedIn strengthens and extends your existing network of trusted contacts

2. Meet The Boss

Meet the Boss is a business networking tool for business executives around the world, across all vertical industries. Content is all in English.

3. PartnerUp

PartnerUp is an online networking community that entrepreneurs and small business owners use to find the expertise and resources they need to start and grow a business. Members can connect with potential partners, advisers, and business resources.

4. Qapacity

Qapacity is a business-oriented social networking site and a business directory founded in March 2008 and launched in February 2009. User are given a set of tools to promote their business online, to keep their clients and business partners up-to-date with their work and to reach new clients.

5. Ryze

Ryze.com is a free social networking website designed to link business professionals, particularly new entrepreneurs.

6. Talkbiznow

Talkbiznowis a comprehensive interactive business networking site for business professionals.

7. XING

XING is a social software platform for enabling a small-world network for professionals.

8. Yelp, Inc.

Yelp is a local business review and talk networking site, including user reviews and recommendations.

9. FledgeWing

FledgeWing is an online community aimed at entrepreneurial university students launched in February 2009.

10. The Funded

TheFunded allows entrepreneurs to research, rate, and review venture capital sources worldwide

11. Cofoundr

Cofoundr is a private social network for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors, and other individuals deeply involved with starting new ventures.

12. Perfect Business

PerfectBusiness helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Our resources include easy-to-use tools and resources, plus a network of entrepreneurs

13. Biznik

End your isolation and invisibility with Biznik, the local, independent entrepreneurial community where collaboration beats competition.

14. StartupNation

StartupNation provides real-world business advice to people who want to start a business and who want to grow their small businesses.

15. Entrepreneur Connect

Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections. This site is not intended for mass self-promotion, but rather should be a positive destination where entrepreneurs can exchange real advice and make lasting connections.

16. Young Entrepreneur

Young Entrepreneur Forums – your online discussion forum to share and talk about Entrepreneurship

17. Blogster

Blogsteris a resources for free weblogs. Offers tools, tips, and opportunities to share.

18. Konnects

Konnects is a social media platform that is embedded on the site of an online newspaper or publication to bring engagement to the organization’s site.

19. Upspring

Upspring is a business networking, local Internet marketing, local advertising, product promotion, and online marketing services

20. Fast Pitch

Fast Pitch is a Social Network for Business Networking Professionals to market their business, press, blogs, events and networks.

21. E.Factor

The E.Factor is a vibrant, global community for Entrepreneurs. E.Factorhelps you build your business, find financing, network with like minded entrepreneurs

22. BizToo

BizToois a Global Co-Operation and Social Network of entrepreneurs worldwide. BizToo helps entrepreneurs make the contacts

23. Go Big Network

Go BIG Network helps connect companies with investors.

24. Black Businesswomen Online

A Social Network for Black Business Women and Women Entrepreneurs

25. Networking for Professionals

Networking for Professionals offers online networking and business events. Get Connected today, both online and in the real world.

26. Spoke

Spokeoffers on-demand business to business contact information for sales people, marketers, and recruiters enabling Sales Lead Generation, and Business List building.

27. Ning

Ning is an online service to create, customize, and share a social network.

28. Unstucture.org

Unstructureis an open discussion platform for business professionals, bloggers and contemporary thought leaders to discuss and debate action ideas that would aid the evolution of business. Unstructure consists of an online discussion forum (where you are currently), an annual physical event and a book of insight and action ideas for businesses of the future.

29. Home Based Business Network

The Home Based Business Network is an online community and resources for starting a home based business, featuring home business profiles, blogs, forums, videos, ideas, and more!

30. Freelance Face

The Freelance Face is the freelance social network. By freelancers, for freelancers.

31. Blellow

Blellow is a community with a focus on productivity. It’s a place for freelancers and professionals to collaborate, find work, and solve problems

32. StartUp

StartUpis a fast growing small business, startup, social network.

33. Ecademy

Ecademy offers online networking for business, offline networking events and global networking groups.

34. Focus

Focus is a business destination where business professionals can help each other with their purchase and other business decisions. Share expertise in functional areas of business. Numerous categories – small business, HR, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Etc.

35. JASEzone

JASEzone is a professional community where you can find potential clients and business partners.

36. Ziggs

Ziggs is a professional connection portal. They have in one index over 1 million profiles.

37. Black Business Space

Black Business Spaceis a commUNITY of business owners, and entrepreneurs.

38. Jigsaw

Jigsaw offers an online business card networking directory. Easily establish contacts with each other.

39. YouNoodle

YouNoodle is a place to discover and support the hottest early-stage companies and university innovation.

40. Raise Capital

RaiseCapital is the premiere online destination for entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and capital needs directly to investors.

Bonus Site:

Once all that hard work networking pays off, you’ll want to join:

Affluence.org

Affluence.org is a private social network where wealthy individuals connect, share information and engage in meaningful conversations. Affluence.org also provides exclusive, high quality content and advice from experts on subjects such as art, technology and travel.

Membership in Affluence.org is free but requires a verifiable minimum household net worth of $3 million

Your Turn

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo Credit: jontintinjordan

8 Business Lessons Learned from Using Twitter in 2009

smallbizbee — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:04:15 +0000

The debate will continue in 2010 about the value of using Twitter for your business, and if you jumped on the Twitter wagon in 2009 I’m sure you have your own conclusions as to its effectiveness.

I found myself asking how valuable Twitter was as a business tool, and what I found is the main things I learned from using Twitter in 2009 were business lessons brought to light from the Twitter medium.

So if nothing else the value of Twitter for business, at least for me, was the learning that took place through the application about business in general not just business on Twitter. Here’s my top 8.

1. Communicating beats selling

On Twitter as in life communicating gets you farther than selling. Those constantly pumping their products on Twitter – we ignore. Those constantly pumping their services at the mall – we ignore. Talk to me, provide some value in the conversation – okay, now you’ve got my attention.

2. 10 is better than 10,000

Ever notice there is a core group of your followers on Twitter who really dig what you’re doing? They’re always there, retweeting your stuff, talking up your service, and gushing about your products. That’s what you’re looking for, on and off Twitter. Those people make your business better. I’ll take the 10 people obsessed (we’re talking tattoos of my logo on their chest obsessed) about what I do, than 10,000 casual “fans” any day.

3. Relationships take time

No brainer, but often neglected. Want to get the most of out your business? Just like on Twitter, relationships take time…but

4. They are worth it

If you’re creating those obsessed fans we talked about above, the weeks, months, and years you take to create the relationship will pay you back 10 fold.

5. No magic bullet

If you jumped on Twitter thinking it was going to solve all your sales problems you’re probably disappointed today. There really is no magic bullet, nothing is going to turn your business around overnight or take it to the next level other than hard work.

6. Marketing is the sum of its parts

Much like the “magic bullet”, no one piece of marketing or advertising is going to be “the one”. Some of your campaigns may work better than others, but your marketing is the sum of all its parts. This includes your advertisements, your service, and your relationship with your customers.

7. Unfollowing – not just for Twitter

Customers are unfollowing you all the time if you don’t meet their needs. On Twitter we can see this because our follower count goes down, in the real world it’s less visible. What are you doing to make sure you’re not being unfollowed?

8. First it’s about you, then it’s about them

Why someone followed you on Twitter is probably about you, why they continue to follow comes down to them.

As a small business owner you make or break your business. We’ve talked about how most people are buying you, not necessarily your product or service. At first you attract the customers…but then the dynamic shifts… your business becomes about them. Your success or failure lies in their hands.

Your Turn

What say you? Any Twitter reflections from your experience? Put’em in the comments below…

Photo Credit: magerleagues

Seven Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Social Media Expert

smallbizbee — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:47:21 +0000

“Where facts are few, experts are many.”

This quote couldn’t be more true than with social media experts today, it seems everybody is one – just ask them.

Well, in today’s guest post by Ola Ayeni, Chief Idea Officer at Mobile Dialog, reminds us that before we are quick to hire an expert in social media, we should be asking a few important questions.

Seven Questions To Consider Before Hiring A Social Media Expert

I recently received an e-mail from a fellow entrepreneur, the CEO of Fanminder, Paul Rosenfeld about a recent Wall Street Journal article titled “ Firms Get a Hand With Twitter, Facebook, Entrepreneurs Hire Consultants to Promote Business on Social-Media Sites, but the Extra Cost Is Big Question”.

After reading the article which was written by Sarah Needleman, I decided to also read the comments section. The comment section is filled with people who are doing social media consulting for others and individuals who feel that entrepreneurs and business owners should approach social media as a DIY.

Two Sides to Every Story

I believe there are to sides to the story for this to make sense. Both are entirely correct. First, no one knows your business more than you do. So when it comes to connecting and engaging customers. The owner or manager you come out on top not a consultant. But what do you do when you do not know what to write, post or tweet. That is why you need some help. Either through an experienced coach, training of some sort or hire someone to get you up and running and then take it from there.

On the other hand if time ( which is something we all don’t have ) to commit to social media marketing is what you don’t have, then you need to hire someone to help you with it. The biggest cost of doing social media is time needed to get things going. In order words time you have to spend to tweet, post, engage and talk with people. That time can be better spent managing your business.

In the same article, many things were said about whether it makes sense for small businesses to hire a consultant/agency to help with starting a social media marketing campaign.

It All Depends on Two Things

1. Do you have the time to do it yourself ? If the answer is no. Then you can consider using a marketing company to help you. The help can either be to train you on how to do it or be an extension of your in-house employee/service.

2. Do you have employees who can do social media for you? If yes, you don’t need to hire anyone to help you do anything. May only need to ask for helping you with training. and showing how to do it. Ask for a customized workbook to follow.

You see the biggest expense in social media marketing apart from the know how is the time needed to do it right.

Where to Start?

I work for a restaurant marketing company that provides social media and mobile marketing services to restaurants, franchise businesses and small businesses. The number one question we get from operators is what do I even write and how do I start it without making people upset . The second question is we know many of our traditional media is no longer working right or delivering results.

What should we expect in terms of results (ROI or foot traffic ) with this social media program . Thirdly what is the cost? This is the most important question.

Many have unlimited questions and are afraid to loose money to many so called social media marketing experts out there. Everyone, agency, and my cousin is now a social media guru because they read mashable.com, follow Chris Brogan and read a recent social media book by Tim Oreilly.

So as a small business owner, you need some real world common sense approach to this .

Ask These Simple Questions of the so Called Consultant

1. What is your track record in doing this social media and how long have you been doing it

2. What should success or result look to you?

3. What have you done in the past that I can see? Verifiable clients. Not just on the brochure.

4. Do you have references I can check?

5. How much and for how long are we going to use your service? Is there any retainer?

6. What guarantees should you give me? Some people will take your money and run…

7. If you are going to hire an expert…Ask others who they are presently using and why?

My two cents..

Disclaimer, our company mobile dialog does social media marketing for several clients as well. But with an integrated approach. I am not by any means opposed to companies who are now experts in social media overnight. All I am saying there should be a measuring stick to determine those who are genuinely out to help entrepreneurs or just helping their pocket only.

About:

Dr Ola Ayeni is the Chief Idea Officer of Mobile Dialog, a new media marketing and consulting company in, Naperville , Illinois that helps restaurants and small businesses increase revenue and engage their customers using mobile and social media tools.

He can be reached at email: Corporate@m-dialog.com, phone: 1-888-424 9666, Website: http://www.m-dialog.com, on twitter @olaayeni.

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Photo Credit: Phillie Casablanca

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10 Things Mom Never Told You About Social Media for Business

smallbizbee — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:07:50 +0000

During your formative years you no doubt had important talks with your mother, where she instilled in you the values you carry with you today.

You know, important stuff like the birds and the bees, and how to use social media for your business.

Well she was probably right on when it comes to the birds and the bees, but she left a few things out when she went over social media with you.

Let’s clear that up.

10 Things Mom Never Told You About Social Media for Business.

10 Things Mom Never Told You About Social Media For Business

View more presentations from Small Biz Bee.

Don’t Be Upset

There you have it. Unfortunately mom held back some info – but don’t be upset with her, I’m sure she wanted to tell you but just couldn’t find the right words, or felt awkward about the conversation. Maybe she didn’t think you were ready for it, and was just trying to protect “her baby”. Try to understand.

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Seven Habits of Highly Effective Twitter Users

smallbizbee — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:44:03 +0000

Whether you use Twitter for business or pleasure, the way you interact with the community will have a lot to do with the quality of your experience.

Incorporate these seven traits, or habits, into your twittering and you’ll be sure to be a more popular Twitterer. For an all around better time Tweeting, be quick to follow users exhibiting these traits!

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Twitter Users

1. They Listen First

Good Twitter users will listen to what others are saying, and then join the conversation. Why is listening first so important? You will not add nearly as much value to your followers, or the conversations without it. If you’re not listening, you’re butting in.

2. They Give More than They Expect to Get

The best Tweeters out there give far more than they get. They are constantly passing on interesting items, telling a witty story or using the medium in new and interesting ways. They tweet to give value, not just get value.

3. They Promote Others

Look around at some of the most followed and well respected Twitter users out there – they are promoting others far more than they promote themselves. This builds community and trust, and allows them to promote themselves once in a while and actually have someone listen.

4. They “Mix it Up”

Variety is the spice of life, and it’s no different in Twitter-World. Sharing stories, passing along links, videos, and pictures is a great way to keep it fresh for those who follow you.

5. They Are Interactive

Twitter is a conversation, and most conversations tend to flow better when it’s a two way street. Great Tweeters ask questions, “poll” their audience, take suggestions, and create conversation.

6. They are “Goldilocks” Tweeters

Much like the fairy tail of Goldilocks, effective Twitter users know that there is a “just right” amount of Tweets. They aren’t bombarding their following, yet they have a presence.

7. They Never “Flame" Other Users

In the land of “follow-unfollow” effective Twitter users never get into verbal altercations with someone they are following. If someone is doing or saying something they don’t agree with, they just hit that “unfollow” button and move on.

Try incorporating these 7 habits of highly effective Twitter users and see if it changes your experience for the better. Also, be sure to seek out those demonstrating these habits as people to follow, they will enrich your Twitter experience as well.

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Marketing to the Social Web and the New Rules of Engagement

smallbizbee — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:19:11 +0000

With all the talk around here lately about social media’s place in business, customer interactions, service recovery, and marketing strategies for growth, I’ve been thinking more about how the world of marketing and doing business has changed with the digital/social *revolution*.

And more specifically has my business embraced the change?

Marketing to the Social Web

I ran across a presentation given by Larry Weber, Chairman of W2 Group, titled “Marketing to the Social Web – How Digital Customer Communities Build your Business”, which helped put together some thoughts for me regarding the changing landscape in which we do business

While the entire presentation was informational, one concept summed up the business world we are currently living in, and how it’s changed in a relatively short amount of time.

Don’t get me wrong, fundamentally business has not changed. We still need to find stuff people want/need and provide it to them, but the way we go about doing that is very different than years past.

The New Rules of Engagement

The presentation points out the differences between “Old Marketing” and “New Marketing”, which could just as easily summarize the difference between “Old Business” and “New Business”

Old Marketing:

One-way communication
Brand recall is Holy Grail
Group customers by demographics
Content controlled by marketers
Virality driven by flash
Michelin Guide – expert reviews
Publishers control channels
Top down strategy
Information hierarchy
Emphasis on cost – CPM

New Marketing:

Brand is dialogue
Customers determine brand value
Group customers by behavior
User generated content
Virality based on content
User reviews (Amazon, etc)
Publishers build relationships
Bottom up strategy
Information on demand
Invest for growth – measurable ROI

I think this is a nice illustration that approaching business and marketing the same way we did 20, 10 or even 5 years ago will be less than effecitve.

The Importance of Community Building

Customers will shape our businesses, we won’t shape our customers. Customizing experiences, building community, and relequinshing control of our brands to the consumer will be the driving force for growth.

Larry’s presenation also details the 7 Steps You Can Take to Build Digital Communities.

The communities we build will be very important to our businesses, and that portion of Larry’s presentation is certainly worth checking out.

Marketing to the Social Web

View more presentations from Mike Lewis.

Your Turn

What do you think about all of this? Do you agree that the rules of engagement have changed?

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Four Big Mistakes Social Media Marketers Make

smallbizbee — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:33:22 +0000

In a post from a couple days ago I was lamenting about how email marketing was missing the mark with me, and today was thinking the same thing about social media marketing.

For all the effort it seems many social media marketers go through, many of their messages just don’t resonate with me. There are four areas I see where they are getting it all wrong.

What do Others Think of Social Media Marketing?

Wanting to know what others thought, I put out the following tweet this morning to see what the Twitterverse had to say on the subject:

As I thought, people had an opinion, and were happy to chime in. The general theme of the responses were right on with what I had been feeling about most social media marketing I’ve been seeing in recent months.

Four Big Mistakes Social Media Marketers Make

From the list of responses above, I see four main areas where social media marketers are coming up short.

1) Self Promotion

Many social media marketers focus on promoting themselves, and that is counter to the real power of social media. A one way conversation about yourself isn’t very social and is one of the main reasons these marketers are falling flat with their “target markets”. My take on this is self promotion becomes their only differentiator, and the USP becomes how well they can promote themselves.

2) Lack of Engagement/Communication

Goes hand in hand with point number one, but cannot be underestimated. The importance of communicating with the target market, engaging them in what your message is, can often be the make or break between success and failure of a social media campaign.

3) Operating with a “Push” Mentality

Much of the social media marketing I see is focused on pushing information to a target. The idea being you get your message out to enough people and the law of large numbers will play in your favor.

The error in that thinking is that it is much more efficient, and will convert at a higher rate, if you pull what your target market is looking for into your messaging. Figure out what they want, what’s important to them, and build a strategy from there…which leads me to my last point.

4) Rich with Tools – Poor With a Strategy

These marketers are very good technically with the social media tools available to them. But many lack an overall strategy (or at least the strategy isn’t obvious) for what they want to accomplish with their campaigns. Again falling back on pushing information, and a lot of it.

Summary

These are the areas where I see social media marketing leaving a lot on the table. I’m obviously not alone in that thinking, and within a few minutes got great feedback, validating my thoughts. This says to me that there are plenty of you out there who feel the same way, yet some marketers haven’t gotten the message yet or are unwilling to put in the effort to change.

What I believe they are misunderstanding is that the very nature of social media will make it difficult for them to continue down the same path with any success. The culture of social media will force them to evolve, and that is a good thing for all of us.

Your Turn

Much like the teacher who spends 90% of their time on 10% of the class who’s acting up, I think the poor marketers are getting a disproportionate amount of attention – I am SURE there are plenty of social media marketers out there doing everything right.

If you, or somebody you know is demonstrating some best practices when it comes to social media marketing let me know in the comments below or drop me an email – I’d like to do a follow up to this post on “The Four Areas Social Media Marketers are Getting It Right” and feature some of these great people.

A special thanks to all of you who responded via Twitter!

Photo Credit: respres

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Seth Godin On Social Networking For Business – Is It Useless?

smallbizbee — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:35:55 +0000

Is social networking valuable for business? Seth Godin, widely considered an expert in all things marketing, says it may well be useless.

Seth’s Take on Social Networking

Networking for networking sake is worthless, according to Seth who answered the question in a recent Open Forum Q&A.

Having hundreds of Facebook friends, or thousands of followers on Twitter may not be as valuable as having a handful of deep relationships you can count on, people who will be there when you make the big ask.

Seth points out that networking is always important when it’s real, and a useless distraction when it’s fake. The internet has allowed an enormous amount of fake networking to take place.

We are becoming too focused on breadth and not depth of relationships. We count who likes us today, and who doesn’t, and are consumed with the metrics (friends, followers, connections) and not the true nature of those connections.

What Matters are Where the Real Relationships Are

Seth says we should be asking ourselves “Are their people out there I’d go out of my way for, and would they go out of their way for me?” That’s what you should be tracking.

And how do you get there? By going out of your way for them, and earning the privilege of one day having that connection be worthwhile.

Running Time: 2min

Your Turn

I’d like to hear what you think of social networking for business? Agree or disagree with Seth in the comments below.

photo credit: bpedro

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