One of the biggest problems companies have when they “do” social media is that they don’t commit to it:
What makes my head turn is when I hear companies say they need social media and when they have it, they treat it simply as another cubicle resource. No support. No appreciation. No success. Just something to have in the portfolio of tools in case a potential client asks. – Dave Murray – I Don’t Care if You Don’t Get It
If you’re going to use social media, then dive in. Learn what it’s about. Commit resources and people to it. Listen. Engage. Communicate.
Social media is never going to work for your company if you don’t actually use it. It’s also not a magic tool that will increase your sales by thousands in 30 days (and don’t believe anyone that tells you that).
What social media will do is teach you more about what your customers want. It’ll connect you to them as individuals. It’ll put a face (or faces) on your company. It’ll tell your story and the story of your customers. It will lead to long term benefits that will help sustain your business.
But only if you commit to using social media and learning how to use it. I think Dave says it best:
So, dear company, business person, or whoever…don’t tell me you don’t get social media. Tell me you don’t understand it and I’ll respect you. More importantly I’ll be willing to help you understand what social media is, and so will a lot of other people.
As Dave and I talked about when we recorded a podcast today, get involved with your community. Find a local Social Media Club. Take classes. Read books. Talk to people.
Suddenly the lightbulb will turn on and you’ll “get it.”
What do you think?
(photo by blhphotography)