Too often we hear someone in business say that if you can’t do something correctly/properly/”right”, it’s worse than not doing it all.
Of course, it’s always said with good intentions (right?), but is that true?
Is it really better to not do something, than to do it in a way that (some… many… few) others perceive to be incorrect?
Let’s take a look at that theory and break it down, as it pertains to social media and websites.
As I watch my streams on Twitter, I see “experts“, “mavens” and “gurus” doling out advice on the right way to do social media (often, while ignoring the rules themselves).
The tips range from the amount of time to spend on social media daily to which sites (ie: LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest) are the most effective.
For the most part, these sorts of tips are helpful.
But too much of what I see doesn’t pertain to specifics and facts, but instead, are simply opinions masquerading as truths.
“Correct”, “Proper” and “Right”
These words tend to be wrapped with a lot of emotion, because they are subjective. Culturally, “right” and “wrong” vary. “Proper” and “improper” differ. Making eye contact in the US and most parts of the world is considered a way of conveying openness and trust, while in some parts of the world it’s seen as invasive, disrespectful and offensive.
Just as there are differences in cultural norms, there are differences in how every business should and can use social media. Posting every day on LinkedIn may be great for one business but be a waste of time for another. Creating a campaign on Facebook could be a total flop for the tire company around the corner, while the restaurant across the street has huge success with one. (*edited to note: if you try something and it doesn’t work, no problem! At least you are trying and learning.)
The reason? Social media is user driven. It’s not a one-size fits all concept.
In other words, your business’s social media strategy needs to fit your business and your customers. You should know your customers and potential clients better than anyone. And if you don’t? Well, social media is the perfect avenue for doing so.
Listen to them. Help them. Know, learn and use your tools.
There is no great mystery to it. It just takes some research, planning and common sense.
Need some helping planning? Talk to us. We can help get you started.
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