“Today I don’t feel like doing anything, I just wanna lay in my bed…
Oh yes, I said it. I said it cause I can.”
No you can’t.
“We all love Social Media, Right?”
“Well of course, I mean, I think so.. it can be kind of overwhelming.”
Think about it, you have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and all of those comments on your blog/ website to maintain. That can be a lot in one day, when all you really want is to build an intrigued community. So what has our solution been? We’ve found easier ways to manage everything. (That my friends, may be our downfall.)
Exhibit A: Google Chrome. As if having Google on our task bar and smart phones wasn’t easy enough, we now have it as a web browser!? We don’t have to think about what we’re typing because it auto populates. Wow what a great creation! as typing “.com” was really cramping up my hand.
That brings me to my next point.. auto responder messages on LinkedIn. If your goal is to build a great community by networking and meeting other influential people then LinkedIn is the place to be. So here you are with your nice, professional account and you start getting a few too many messages (oh me oh my!) I guess it’s time to head over to Good ol’ Google Chrome to type in two words about how we can take care of this mayhem! And now you have a clean, cut message that responds to all of those earnest contacts who are attempting to further your relationship. (“But I’ll get back to them when I have time.”… Doubt it!)
Now this brings me to my favorite aspect of lazy social media: Twitter Services. Man I am just way too spent to actually try and network for new (free) followers. I’ll go buy some! This may be an awesome temporary fix but these accounts aren’t necessarily interested in your type of content. Wave goodbye to your community with me.
Alright alright, I’ll stop hating and start explaining some good solutions:
1. Open Ended Questions
If you really want to spark up conversation that is lasting then start asking open ended questions. People have so much room to elaborate when you show that you are truly interested.
Example:
Closed off question: So you play the saxophone?
Open ended question: Hey you remind me of Sexy Sax Man!
2. Keep your content on track.
When you started blogging or tweeting you had a point in creating the account (whether for business or personal.) You began with a vision in mind and that’s the information your community has come to know and love. I’m not saying it’s bad to expand your reach or topics but just don’t go from “Nana’s homemade knits” to “Tattoos R’ Us”
3. Step up your game.
When you’re interested in getting to know anyone on the internet, don’t be lazy! Take the time to bring it to the next level. Just because you can easily head over to that darn Google Chrome and stalk their Facebook info doesn’t mean you always should. You want to know what someone does in their spare time.. ask. You want to know how that trip to Spain went, don’t go look at their 461,324,654 pictures, ask them!
Just remember to never lose your energy for your followers and community! They are checking out your content with high hopes to see what you have to say. So attack that vigorously and in little to no time there will be such a committed community you won’t have to worry about heading over to ask for a cup of sugar!
(No social networks were harmed in the writing of this blog)
Photo credit: 101educare.blogspot.com
