Social Media Isn’t for Business. Yeah, Right. (1/3)
June 8th, 2010 by Michael Giuffrida
This three part series is written by ForeSite Insight guest blogger, Thomas Clifford…
Thomas Clifford is a Fast Company “Expert Blogger,” speaker, three-time co-author for the “Age of Conversation” book series and an award-winning multimedia producer. Tom is passionate about speaking, writing and helping organizations use digital media to communicate with a personal touch.
In 2010 and 2009, Tom was awarded Hartford Business Journal’s Strateg-e Award for “Best Use of Blogs.” Many of Tom’s articles and his highly popular LinkedIn article can be found on his blog. You can follow Tom on Twitter at @ThomasClifford.
Social Media Isn’t for Business. Yeah, Right. Pt 1
Ever feel totally out of it?
Like when everyone sees the latest blockbuster- except you?
You figure, hey, it’s not for you.
Is that how you’re feeling about this social media thing, too?
That it’s not for you? Or your business?
You figure, hey, it’s just a fad.
Um, your competition doesn’t think it’s a fad.
There are three misconceptions about social media:
1) You don’t have the time for it;
2) It doesn’t work; and
3) You think you have nothing to say.
Um, guess what?
1) You do have time for it.
2) Social media does work.
3) You have an audience eagerly waiting to hear from you.
Think I’m crazy?
Hang on. In this article we’ll cover #1: you think you have no time for social media. The next two articles will cover #2 and #3. I’m going to show you why these are misconceptions. Not only that, you’re going to see how you can get started with social media in just a few minutes a day.
OK, ready? Let’s start crushing these pesky misconceptions.
But first…
Why is holding on to misconceptions a problem?
Holding on to misconceptions is a problem because they can prevent us from growing and reaching our personal and professional goals. Perceptions give us direction. Perceptions are like our personal GPS system.
Sometimes our personal GPS system goes “ka-put!”
And a GPS system that goes “ka-put” won’t lead you to your destination.
Holding onto your “misconceptions” won’t lead you to your destination, either.
How can we begin correcting these misconceptions, especially with social media?
We begin by educating ourselves.
How do we educate ourselves about social media without buying books and spending gobs of time on-line? Simple. Begin by watching what others do. Learn by observation.
Let’s talk about the first misconception.
Misconception #1: “I don’t have time”
I know what you’re thinking: “If I’m going to do this social media thing, it’ll take me hours a day. It’s just not worth it.” With everyone talking about LinkedIn , Twitter, blogging, Facebook and yada, yada, yada, it’s no wonder we think we don’t have the time!
Fact: All you need is nine minutes a day (um, getting an egg-timer helps).
You read that right. Nine minutes a day.
Assuming you’re registered on at least one social media site, set your timer for nine minutes and just begin exploring. You don’t have to participate and get all crazy posting things here and there- just look. Observe what others are doing. Spend a few minutes studying how things are happening. Don’t judge– just observe.
We can learn to use social media just by watching how others use social media
When you’re on LinkedIn, Twitter or looking at professional blogs, ask yourself:
- What do you see that resonates with you?
- What works?
- What doesn’t?
- Can you strike up a conversation with someone by leaving comments?
- How are people in your industry using these tools?
- Can you see any patterns?
- How would you do it differently?
You’ll learn what you need to become an active participant in social media just by spending nine minutes a day and observing how things work. After a few weeks of just observing, you’ll have more confidence when you’re ready to dive in the pool.
It’s easy to spend all day with social media
Of course, that’s not really practical, is it? If you’re really interested in learning how social media works in general and for your business, the best way to start learning is by watching.
Nine minutes a day. That’s it.
So it’s time to find that egg timer. You do have an egg timer, right?
Next up? Misconception #2: Social Media Doesn’t Work
[...] To read part one of this three part series is written by ForeSite Insight guest blogger, Thomas Clifford, click here. [...]
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