My RSS feed is filled with lists and other SEO friendly posts that promises marketing and blogging success.
My Twitter stream is polluted with spam and my FaceBook could use a good exfoliation.
It could be that I’m just cranky after a week of lying on my back popping painkillers as opposed to frolicking on some beach enjoying a vacation, but I can’t handle another “5 Ways to Rule Social Media” or “How to Make Money with Instagram” post.
As Christmas has evolved into a gluttonous orgy of consumerism, social media has evolved into a gigantic global advertising network.
Social media marketing sounds a little oxymoronic to me. I feel there’s a “bait & switch” aspect about pretending to be social only to reel someone in after you built an online “relationship” with them.
So not to be accused of doing just that, here’s…
5 Reasons Your Social Media Marketing Sucks:
1. You’re not listening. - Do you take the time to actually listen to the conversation or read the article before commenting or sharing it on your Facebook Page?
2. You’re not authentic. -You’re a robot, not a person. You use your twitter account as your foot in the door to DM your links and pitches.
3. You’re not responsive. - How long does it take you to answer a question on your FaceBook Page? If it’s more than a few hours, it’s too long.
4. You’re not nice. - Please? Thank you? Social Rule: Share others’ links as you would have them share yours.
5. You’re not generous. - It’s not all about you. Your goal is to solve a client’s problem not stroke your own ego.
There was a photo that could be seen in every other social media blog a while ago – the guy with his head buried in the sand.
The message was that ignoring social media wasn’t going to make it go away. It was an argument for getting business aboard the social media train.
This same image can now be used to represent social media marketers who fail to see the bigger picture.
Social media is not just another lamppost to plaster your poster on.
If your social strategy relies on advertising in social media, it’s probably better to hang on to your money. –Taddy Hall, chief operating officer of Meteor Solutions
I don’t have a issue with marketing in general; some of my best friends are in marketing.
Marketing professionals understand the difference between marketing and advertising; the difference between social and selling.
Engage rather than sell … Work as a co-creator, not a marketer. – Tom H. C. Anderson, market researcher
I come from a generation that viewed advertising and marketing suspiciously. While I have outgrown most of that idealism, what I see going on social media channels has me questioning whether Social media marketing is just a “friendlier” form of infomercials.
According to Christopher Penn:
Advertising tells people where the restaurant is.
Marketing gets the people to come in and sit at the table.
Sales makes them eat.
Customer service makes them want to come back and bring their friends.
The power of social media is in its ability to channel a company’s resources into its prime focus; the customer.
Social media facilitates a culture of engagement, transparency and responsiveness that is embedded throughout a company; not just in its sales and marketing departments.
Social is changing marketing.
Whether it’s for better or worse depends on whether marketers keep trying to force square pegs into round holes.
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Ray Hiltz is a Social Media Strategist with management roots in restaurant, hotel and performing arts.
A strong proponent for the power of collaborative communication and "humanized" digital networking, Ray writes about social media, social business and Google Plus.
His clients include hotels, restaurants, consulting firms, entrepreneurs, writers and individuals just trying to make sense of "social".
Ray is a popular speaker on Social Media, Social Business and Google+.
