Social media and networking require a lot of work. Mike Fruchter writes lucidly about what social media is (and isn’t) in a splendid article that includes a fun video. Fruchter also has a blog posting that details 40—yes 40—elements to getting started in social media. Both are must reads.
But, for the busy, I thought I would add a few shorter tips.
The first I’m calling the Who—How Routine. It’s a simple way to get going in the morning thinking about what you will accomplish today regarding your presence online, your social media connections, your brand development on the web. As you put on your shoes (assuming two here), think who? for one and how? for the other.
Who—are you going to contact today? Think of a person. Yes one. Even though you might amass 4 billion friends on Facebook and 20 million followers on Twitter, think about just one person to make contact with today. Keep in mind that social media works best when you are a real person, and that means you will have to get a little more intimate, from time to time, than posting a few words that get scattered to your legions of fans.
How—are you going to reach out to that person? If you are like me, you are chock full of user names and passwords for your various accounts for your internet connections: LinkedIn, FriendFeed, Seesmic, You Tube, SocialMedian, and more. That one person you are going to connect with today might use many too. Be a little creative and choose wisely—something to entertain? To amuse? To enlighten? To inform? As a former writing teacher, I used to call this your purpose. Basically, the level of formality might help you choose a media: You Tube for amusement, perhaps?
As an example, when I thought who today, I thought of Louis Gray. When I thought how, I went with good old email—found on his website. I had a formal question for him, so I didn’t want to use Twitter or any other tool that might detract from my serious question.
Anywho, I did the Who—How Routine and accomplished my mission. It’s simple, quick and easy. When you have more time, read Fruchter’s two articles. And don’t confuse Who—How with hoo-haa…that’s something else.
