Warning: I get a little colorful with my language today. Don’t read further if you offend easily.
Also, you might read the part about social networking and decide this has nothing to do with you because you have zero interest in that stuff . . . I’d like for you to read it anyway because I address things that can (and should) be applied to “real time”.
Someone put out a message on Twitter that linked to a blog post that mentioned a social networking report (I know its like I just said “I know a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy”)
They stated how (according to this report) the worst offense we can commit is being boring.
I can’t say that I fully agree with that.
While I do believe that with the massive amount of information out there, we can’t afford to be boring, I think there’s something far more offensive . . .
Failing to respond to your followers!
I see it time and time again. People, well known in various circles, putting lots of interesting content out there, and then sitting back and ignoring those who were kind enough to either compliment them or ReTweet the information.
I believe (while unintentional) it sends a bad message . . .
“I don’t care about you!”
It’s sort of like we took the old adage “It’s better to be INTERESTED than INTERESTING” and put it on steroids thanks to things like Twitter and Linkedin etc.
I think we’re blowing it gang!
For years the media spoke at us and now, we have this incredible opportunity to actually interact with our audience, and what do we do; we continue to broadcast!
Haven’t we been there and done that?
It’s a missed opportunity to say the least!
If you believe that people buy difference . . . I would invite you to start showing up differently via social media.
How? Forgive me while I put my Captain Obvious Cape on for this next portion.
Say “Thank You” already! When someone shares your content, thank them.
Time Out! If you’re one of the cool kids and you’re reading this, stop thanking just the other cool kids. It’s dicky and reeks of a Middle School maneuver.
When someone asks you a question . . . answer it. I know, cutting edge stuff here gang!
Did you know, there’s a well known author who wrote a social networking book who pretty much doesn’t respond when people “@” message him on Twitter? Actually, he responds to the other cool kids but I already covered that one.
Come up for air every once in a while and STHU (I really wanted to put an “F” in there but people are too sensitive) Stop spewing your content long enough to care about the messages other people are sharing.
God forbid we respond to a message about someone at an airport or traveling with “Safe travels” or “Is it your first time visiting Houston?”
Time Out: I never understood people who wrote this stuff off as “play by play” For years we were taught to look around a prospect’s office for things to chit chat about and now suddenly, THIS is inappropriate? Nope . . . it’s a missed opportunity!
Everyone has a story and wants to be heard!
Don’t ever forget that but also understand that you can’t hear them when you’re busy broadcasting and trying not to be boring!
If someone writes something awesome . . . compliment them!
Ask questions and most of all . . .
CARE!
I could go on and on but I’m a tad sick and tired of advice being dispensed about not being boring . . .
At the expensive of failing to interact with our audience!
To put it another way . . .
Your problem isn’t being boring . . . It might be failure to give a sh*t!
End of rant 🙂
I am conflicted Uncle Paul, is brevity a recipe for boring, or is not being short and snappy in 140# or less, even more boring?
I craft my thoughts on LI like a legal brief, one point building on the former (which is not, very brief, and irony abounds 🙂
Tis a puzzlement, but I read every word you wrote today (and most other days too) and per usual, you taught me. Kudos!
Unfortunately we may never know Kevin because I think where there’s too many words, the brain says “I have no time for this” and moves on to the next shiny object.
I hope you aren’t staying away from Twitter because of that?
Then all the people who prefer Twitter miss out on your wisdom and you both miss out on yet another opportunity to connect.
Thanks Kevin!
Thank you.
Thank YOU Ron!
Amen!
Thanks Justin!
Thank! Guilty as charge (for not having etiquette in Social Media). Going to do better starting right now!
Good info, Uncle Paul!
Me too Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I enjoyed this post and am going to share it with my mastermind/support network next meeting. I always find it amazing that people forget to listen or respond. Can’t tell you how many times I have reached out for a product and did not even get a response. Also, so many people have forgotten the power of a heartfelt thank you. Thanks! Have a great day unless you were planning otherwise. LOL!!
Very true Margaret!
Many people will blame it on other things and while I get that, the other person is too busy feeling ignored to consider that or . . .
They are too busy being responded by someone who gets it!
And I fully intend on having a great day my friend . . . Thank you!
We in sales sometimes forget to take a breath and listen to what other say in between our “important stuff”. Thanks for the comment Margaret, from the heart. : )
Well said Kory!
What about thanking every person that follows you or has a program follow you on Twitter? I feel guilty when I don’t but, I don’t.
I think it’s a personal preference thing I don’t do that on Twitter but that’s me
Uncle Paul — your blog is one of the few I make sure to read daily with great appreciation. Very much acknowledge your reminder and agree with what you are saying. Some of us on the West Coast are a bit delayed in reading your master content. 🙂 Keep up the great work!!
Thank you Lynda!
YOU are truly appreciated!
Thank you Paul, but how do you know I wasn’t squeamish about your language? You did give us a warning. See, I AM listening.
No, you are right. Thank you for all of your content!
Lisa
You’re a riot Lisa!
Thank you!
Paul.. this post deserves a “Double-Rock-Horns” Thank you!
This topic absolutely fascinates me. It truly does. You and
I have been on the same page since I first read your content about this very
interesting topic months ago.
Being boring is one thing, but not properly caring for your
network and basically ignoring them is the biggest “party foul” that I see committed
online every day. I could not agree with you more!
I certainly rant about this sometimes, but also just laugh
it off. It is those people giving a negative perception to their network, not
us.
I attended a live event once, purchased a social media
expert’s book directly from them. Not one thank you online after promoting them
several times. I did not expect any response. It was just more ironic that they
were a “social media expert”. Should they (of all people) be interacting with
their network? Just crazy crazy stuff.
I will randomly pick people to reach out to online who
broadcast something on Twitter. I rarely get a response, even when I tweeted
within seconds of them posting. I thought they put that out there and wanted to
be heard? L
I have responded to 99.9% of people who have reached out to
me online in the past 3 years because I am so grateful that they have taken the
time to somehow support me. When the “Tim Mushey brand” continues to grow, I
will never forget to do this, because it is vital to keep fully engaged with my
network.
Guess what “big people” online who don’t respond?…. Hire
somebody to help you respond to retweets, shares, email etc. How will people
ever know that it is not you? Show that you care about them, even a bit!
I have been racking my brain all afternoon trying to get
inside the head’s of those who don’t engage their network online. And all I can
come up with is they are lazy. Wait…. Many of them are lazy. But others post
because they think that they have to. They figure it will be bad optics if they
don’t post. But it is ok to not respond to anyone? Truth be told, I think that
it is worse optics to post something and not respond, then not post at all.
Writing “thank-you”, “great post”, “love it”.. Heck any
fragments sentence takes less than 3 seconds. Why don’t people do it?
At the end of the day, I believe that you will get results
from whatever you put in to your social media strategy, and engaging your
network should be a daily mandatory event. If you are already well known and
are doing well and don’t engage, that is one thing. But if you are new online
and trying to make a go of it today in an ultra-competitive online landscape,
you will be dead in the water sooner if you blow off your network!
Thanks for putting such a great spin on this Paul!
Couldn’t agree more Tim and you’re a real gentleman.
The people who don’t respond are typically self absorbed in their 15 minutes of internet fame or said another way “I’d thank you Tim but then again it would take the focus off ME”
I refuse to take advice, buy books and products from people who don’t practice what they preach.
Broadcasting is a mindless activity.
Try taking the time to respond, interact, thank and otherwise care and we’re now operating at a level that requires time and effort.
Many of them will tell you that what you and I are talking about doesn’t scale and that’s complete bullsh*t.
Gary Vaynerchuk responds and actually took the time to stop by here and thank me for a post I had written about him and how he impacted my career. Meanwhile, he has two best selling books, a few thriving businesses and a kazillion followers on Twitter.
Same with Chris Brogan
Bob Burg rocks in this area and he’ll thank you every time for ReTweeting his content.
For anyone reading this rant, I want to be clear that this isn’t about waiting around for Thank you’s its about basic human relations 101.
Now just in case that’s a tad warm and fuzzy for some, let’s cut to the psychology behind why this stuff pays off . . .
Because it conditions the very behavior you want to see from your audience.
People return to the places where they feel heard and validated.
I can’t think of a better army of brand evangelists!
Thanks again Tim!
Thanks for the kind words Paul! I really appreciate it. Yeah unfortunately people are worried about taking the focus off themselves for any time at all. Too bad – they are really missing out.
So awesome that those “heavy-weights” online get it like Gary Vaynerchuk, Bob Burg and Chris Brogan. Great people doing great things and caring – a novel idea!
Basic Human Relations 101 is a course that should be offered at school. It is funny how we have become such an unsocial society with the onset of social media. These new platforms don’t affect everyone’s lives positively.
At the end of the day, it is all about helping others. If you pay attention to them, show that you care, and they realize that you are in this to help them grow…. well that will set you apart from many people online.
Throwing a bunch of “stuff” against the wall, seeing what sticks and being non-responsive to your network will still bring some level of success. But for how long? And what will people’s opinion be of you long term?
Is that how you really want to be known?
Boring is something you’re not Paul, I know this but apparently needed to hear it again. Thanks for the double sermon.