Social media has taken the world by storm. Over the past decade what seemed to be a fun way to interact has increasingly become a need in peoples lives and they can't seem to live without it. Constant tweets, likes on Facebook, and now plussing on Google+, have commanded the attention of young and old across the world. Thanks to these sites, barriers are being broken down and interaction with users across continents are now a common occurrence. And this train is only gaining momentum.
With the many different platforms available, most people have the chance to jump around from site to site and enjoy the many features they provide, but what do you do if social media is more business than pleasure? How do you become relevant to users that have so much at their disposal? The short answer....... YOU GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT!!!
There are a few key areas that must be focused on.
1. Engagement - If you don't respond to people, they won't respond to you. The content that you share can be fantastic but if you're a pompous jerk no one will care what you post (pssst... there's lots of content on the internet). Engagement brings a level of quality and care to the users enjoying your content.
2. Interesting content - Some say content is king and they have a point cause guess what, boring is BORING. With an internet full of crazy interesting stuff, why would anyone care about snooze news. Unless they're having troubles sleeping.
3. Honesty - There is so much garbage out there sometimes the most difficult aspect of social media is filtering through the fake. Posts should be an extension of reputation, no one would want people thinking they are dirty rotten liars, so they shouldn't represent that in their posts. Everyone falls for fake once in a while, but no one likes reading content that is way out in left field.
4. Professionalism - This follows the same vein as honesty. It is important to gain respect, as we all know it is earned not just given. Keep reality in content and engagement, even though corporations are viewed as stuff shirt straight as an arrow boring entities, they need to let loose and let users know that humans do work there. Adversely, some users need to increase their professionalism, no one wants to know how much you can pick your nose, or the last time you went to the bathroom. Keep it clean yet fun.
There are many different aspects of social media but follow these key aspects and you'll do fine, on both personal and professional accounts. The social media train has left the station and if you're not on it you'll be running to catch up.
Don't believe me? Just ask Richard Branson what he thinks about social media.
What's the most important aspect to you? VOTE in the poll at the upper right or leave a comment.
