To be your Social Best, you must be authentic!
In a recent study, the #1 characteristic across B2B and B2C is that those using Social be Authentic.
But what does this mean?
Authentic is when we are true to ourselves and celebrate the diversity of unique leadership character. We act fairly and build trust in every environment, even when it's tough to do. We are self aware and never let business pressures and stress prevent us from leading with integrity and respect.
What do you see authentic as?
Do you have a Young Spirit? Try it on Social Networks!
I heard many people say that they are "too old" for social. I don't buy this at all. Social has nothing to do with age..... but a young spirit. We all need to keep a youthful attitude instead of not changing or adapting. This works in life as well as with Social Networks!
Social networking is not just used by the young and the restless. Which age groups are using social media?
Did you know that:
- 72% of all internet users are now active on social media
- 18-29 year olds have an 89% usage
- The 30-49 bracket sits at 72%
- 60 percent of 50 to 60 year olds are active on social media
- In the 65 plus bracket, 43% are using social media
(You can see more stats at: http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/01/17/20-social-media-facts-and-statistics-you-should-know-in-2014/#V5IbWy4JKG1D2bpu.9)
Also per Pew Research:
Some tips!
1. Learn some tools like Facebook, Twitter, or whatever your "crowd" leverages. Do this in person at social classes that are offered for free (our library did free classes this weekend!) or online. You can do it!
2. Set goals. That means we need to chase our dreams and work toward our goals. It could be personal like keeping in touch with friends or grandkids. Or it could be work related. When you wake up with something to accomplish, and you don't settle for watching the world go by, you keep that spirit young and fresh!
3. Keep laughing! If you ever watch a child, they laugh and have fun. You may not get it right away but don't get down on yourself. Keep moving -- have a laugh and collect the stories.
We know that digital natives love technology and social networks but the fastest growing group on social today are those digital immigrants. Immigrants always take risks and drive forward!
Start today!
It's not always about you!
How many brands discuss nothing but themselves in social networks? About 62%. Too many brands do nothing but talk about themselves. But the millennials and Gen Z want to be part of the "sharing" culture! They want this "relationship" to be a win - win.
Look for opportunities to comment on your clients comments and POV. Set up ways you can have them participate. I love what Taylor Swift does in her Social Media empire. She fills up up Tweets with undiscovered artists singing her songs, fan collages, and wedding videos using her songs. This past Christmas she did #SwiftMas and sent out gifts to those fans out there engaging and documented their openings of the presents on video. TD Bank did a ATM - Automated Thanking Machine - to say thank you to their clients documenting their responses.
What will you do to recognize and talk about your clients and their interests?
The Best Ideas: Entrepreneur creates WishPop
Yesterday, I had a wonderful meeting with Rob Ross who is a natural techy, developer, and entrepreneur.
His creation -- an app for the iPad inspired by his daughter. WishPop allows kids to create wish lists and thank yous to help their "grown ups" know what to buy them!
And Rob did all the right things:
1. First, he got a first class team. While the team was only 8 people, he had experience from Nickelodean, Disney, National Geographic Kids, Game Designers from Ramps, and Acclaim Entertainment. This drove an incredible design.
2. Second, he knew his "client's" pain points. His own daughter served as a chief requirement giver and her 15 BFFs gave constant and consistent feedback.
3. And finally, he learned and pivoted. He noted that the technical platform that he chose to build on didn't allow flexibility. He has since switched over to a developer platform Xamarin.
I love this app and the story!
Every Social Network Is Different !
Dogs are different than cats, and therefore we treat them different. We walk a dog on a leash and leverage catnip for kittens!
The same is true of social networks. The audience of Twitter is different than that of Google Plus. They are different and those that win, treat them differently!
While people know this, we still see content cross promoted on brand's social networks. Your team should be leveraging the differences and be creative to craft the story differently for the different social networks.
One of my favorite brands finds new and unique ways to engage with their fans. They strategically use social to report sentimental stories about how fans’ lives intertwine with the product, thereby growing their social engagement.
What are you doing in your brand?