Craig Sutton
Connecting the Global Community
A common question that I still see asked by many people online is, “What exactly is Social Media?” And I’ve seen many answers to this question. I have also read many debates, some very lively, on this topic.
I’ve read lists that go on to describe what people should look for in a Social Media expert. But really, is anybody an expert at Social Media? I think what it boils down to is simply this, people and their communication. Who is an expert? Anybody who chooses to take the time to contribute to this global informational community.
I think anybody who chooses to put themselves out there, share their thoughts, feelings and concerns takes part in this huge pot of information. It takes a lot of guts for people to share with others they don’t know and sometimes more with the people they do. I think it allows those who would normally be much more introverted to share some of their brilliance, and provide a much-needed outlet for the extroverts.
There are tools that encourage social media, and ideas that help mold and define it, ultimately it’s my opinion that there is no hard and fast definition. More likely is the idea that like anything you do in life, there is a learning curve. There are veterans who have been communicating online for many years and they have helped establish some basic guidelines, because they’ve been through many of the challenges that people new to the community will experience on their own.
I’ve seen these people challenged, which has its ups and downs. Those of us new to the game can learn some lessons. This does not mean you need to follow, nothing progresses without fresh input and ideas and a willingness to both invest in them and accept critique.
The most important lesson I’ve learned in social media is nothing more than what you would expect in life! If you expect to get something, you must first give. This is true whether your intentions for social media are strictly for personal enlightenment or more business-oriented. If your expectation is just to throw out information like a fisherman on a boat casting his line hoping for a bite, you may catch a goldfish but you’ll never catch the shark.
It’s really not that difficult folks, everybody wants to know they matter, even those that profess that they don’t care. Communication is the method by which you can help your self and others feel like they matter. If you treat people as if you could care less, you will get nothing more in return. So treat social media like you would treat your friend or your customer if they were standing right in front of you, not as if they were thousands of miles away. Care about the people and the people will make the rest happen.
But that’s just my 2 cents…
Tags: craig, people, Social Media, sutton, Tri-Cities, WA
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I enjoyed your post. Social Media is only as good as the people in it. This also means treating people as you’d like to be treated. Basic, common sense but sometimes a reminder is good to hear.
Thanks Emma, I do think its common sense. I think a lot of life is made to be more complicated than it really is sometimes.
Craig, I fully agree with the sentiments expressed in this post. Social media is basically a (not that new) way to communicate. This is why I’m often surprised that so many alleged “strategic marketing communications” and “public relations” folks do it so poorly or don’t engage in it at all. Some do it brilliantly, but many are still extremely confused and I think partly the confusion lies in the thinking that this is something totally new with new rules and new norms. The reverse is true. It’s simply a new tool. The norms and rules are largely the same. There are, however, some intricacies and nuances but it’s exactly as you said. One learns by doing it and everyone makes mistakes at first. I think it’s incumbent on those of us who are more seasoned to help and educate those that are not. Everyone should, to the best of their abiltiy, be an unpaid social media consultant and, if one possesses some degree of writing skill, an editor as well. I always make a point of helping as many people as possible with anything that I’m in a position to provide. I help people with their writing, I help them with understanding certain things and I help people figure out and engage in Twitter in a way that furthers their goals. I suppose in the corporate/business world, this would be called “promoting best practices.” Whatever you call it, I think everyone should do it.
By the by, I follow you on Twitter but in case you don’t do the same I’m @AnnaTarkov and my blog is @DailyDaley (I cover the Mayor of Chicago).
Anna,
Thank you for you great response! I look forward to learning more about you as well!
Great Post Craig. Absolutely spot on. It’s always been about the people. The tools now enable us to connect with other people to make things happen.
I would heartily recommend following the members of the JDFI – “just fu**kin do it” – @loudmouthman @sizemore @documentally @sleepydog – i think we already follow each other. Surrounding yourself with very creative, sharp thinkers is a great way to bounce ideas, projects and concepts of each other. Last year was pretty intense and i expect this year to be even more so…
Thanks Phil! I will add them to my followers list pronto.