Insights and Ingenuity

Social media is a (growing) set of technologically-enabled tools that open complex, far-reaching channels of communication.  And it addresses several intrinsic human needs (which, in turn, fuel its growth), including companionship, idea sharing, emotional release, exercising personal preference and control (action, not necessarily message), immediacy and self-expression.

People use it.  Brands use it.  Branded people use it.  There’s a seemingly endless number of things to try, to add, to integrate, to feed and to update. There are personal benefits and professional benefits and business value. And there are interlopers, posers, cool kids and goobers that must be filtered and navigated.

Some suggest social media supplants certain channels of communication while others say social media augments it, perhaps leaving traditional channels challenged to evolve and respond (and spawn) anew.

I just know that using social media is a good fit for me. Has been. And I’m defining the way it’s used to bring about results for Ovation. There’s a lot of mystique, gossip and discussion about social  media (many participants/leaders do a fab job while others parrot) – so much so that I began to think about some of the ways the talk (and talk and talk) reminded me of my oh-so-special youth all over again.

This may seem bold, but becoming (personally, or as a brand movement) socially active is like losing your virginity. Here’s how:

1. You hear and read a lot about it, but aren’t exactly sure how it works.
2. You may take a class about it, and some will say it’s not appropriate.  Others will be open-minded.
3. You may opt out or choose another path.
4. You may keep quiet about it.
5. You may tell everyone.  Or someone else may tell everyone.
6. You may long for the ‘rewind’ button. There won’t be one.
7. The “cool kids” are doing it, and you’re a little afraid of being the last one to try.
8. Some people do it halfway. Or half-hearted.
9. Some people will encourage you to wait until you’re more comfortable.
10. Rumors and folklore suggest there may be consequences.
11. It’s risky.
12. To do it right, it takes time, energy, patience, understanding, and self-awareness.
13. You need to really know your partner (audience).
14. You’ll *know* when you’re ready.
15. It may take a long time before you get it right.
16. You might get caught.
17. You’ll look for ways to sneak it in. And then wonder where 2 hours went.
18. Choose your pleasure:  Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, Posterous, blogging…
19. Google ensures there’s no putting the horse back in the barn.
20. Some may kiss (visit) and tell (not necessarily flattering things).
21. There’s an implied commitment.
22. You may think more highly of your prowess than they do.
23. They may look for ways to get out of it (delete friend request, ignore dm)
24. At first you may ask “so that’s what all the fuss was about?”
25. There are definitely some tricks and tips.
26. Some folks are pros, no two ways about it.
27. You’ll have some “awesomesauce” as well as some “sucked hard” moments.
28. There are emotional, practical, and tactical considerations.
29. You’ll know when you’re ready.
30. There are those far more experienced than you.
31. The Prom King or Prom Queen thinking you’re nifty has some rewards.

What other ways (analogies) can you think of?  What words of advise would you offer the newbie to ensure they understood the full picture before diving in?

Tags: Social Media

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 8:40 pm and is filed under New Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.