What Story Does Your Campaign Tell? Common Newbie Social Media Mistakes

The biggest challenge that many social media beginners face is having a clear understanding on what a campaign actually is. Your campaign should understand exactly what your audience wants and needs, as well as where they gather. Dissemination of good, free material and monitoring results with measurable goals is also part of what a campaign is. A campaign should be wrapped with good messaging, a clear call-to-action and feature a simple way to share with others.

If you’ve read the above and feel like you’re read to take the next step into the social media spotlight, you’ll want to make sure that preserve the integrity of your campaign by avoiding some of these common mistakes.

1.  Dormant accounts. Opening social media accounts all over the place isn’t going to win you a ton of fans and followers. Each account that you have should be one that connects to your audience (i.e. where they frequent, where they like to connect). For each account that you have you’ll need to play an active role. If you haven’t sent a tweet in six months or posted fresh content, people will wonder where you’ve gone to and eventually move on.

2.  Self promotion. Although it’s exciting to start a campaign, it’s also important to remember that it’s not all about you. Tone down the ‘me-me-me’ and focus more on what you can do for others. People will appreciate that you’re using your expertise and skills to point them in the right direction instead of just shoving a sales message in their face. First build your flock and then share information and update about your brand.

3.  Tuning out. The whole point behind a social media campaign is to engage yourself in conversations with other people. Discuss what they think, what they want and what they know. The worst thing you can do is not listen to what’s being said. Don’t let conversations and exchanges fall on deaf ears. Take the time to reply and respond quickly. You’ll be amazed by the results you’ll get from such a simple action.

Social media takes time and it’s not for those lacking in patience. Slow and steady wins the race in this realm.

Meet me @ the blog around the corner

take a virtual drink…

“So, 3 men walk into a blog…”

“A what?”

“A blog”

“Huh?”

“A blog”

“I don’t get it”

Neither do the big ad agencies

——————————————————

Sometime in the near future “walking into a blog” will make sense. I, for one, spend more time with friends, colleagues, peers, admirers, detractors, acquaintances and strangers discussing, debating, and conversing on blogs than anywhere else. You could say I do a lot of “virtual drinking”.

Of course having spent time in bars, I have come to notice some striking similarities. Walk through the swinging doors into your corner blog and you will encounter some characters. Perhaps you have met a few of these folks too.

The Blogaholic – He’s ubiquitous. Every blog you go to she’s there. He rambles, believing his diatribe invaluable. She shouts it at everyone she sees. The worst is when the Blogaholic owns the Blog.

Mr. Pick Up Line – He hits on everyone, with his spammy comments, hoping the law of averages pays off. One of these times, he figures, his line won’t end up in Askimet.

The Local Gang – Whoa Nellie! These people rule with intimidation. They hang out together. The conversational familiarity, Joint Ventures, work history or what have you point to multiple levels of connection. Lord help you if one hits on your blog with a comment and is rebuffed. The gang is offended. Retaliation ensues, perhaps subtly, perhaps not.

The Politician – He’s the self-styled Mayor of the place. He knows everyone and has a diplomatic manner. He comments on everything but seems to say nothing. You never really know his opinion, because he seems to know just how to side step an argument. His cultivated neutrality however, leaves you wondering.

The Flirt – She’s a wink and a nod kind of girl. Her comments smile at everyone. His stories sound a bit too good to be true. He’s very flash. It’s all window dressing though. They just wanted your attention, a quick hit of traffic. The minute you try to take the conversation to a deeper level, they’re gone.

The Blogtender – He appears on corporate blogs. A paid facilitator, his assures that everyone is drinking the Kool-Aid. He smoothes ruffled feathers, spouts policy, and occasionally tosses out a troublemaker. His number one priority is to make sure you are having a good time, so you will come back.

This is what puts the SOCIAL in Social Media. People are still people after all. And if you are using a blog for marketing then you must understand applied human psychology. It’s the foundation of interaction on the new frontier – the blogosphere.

Recognize your cast of characters. Speak to them. They are your repeat customers, no matter whether they are new to your blog or not. They serve a purpose. Great marketing starts here.

By the way, did I miss anybody you know? Copyright 2009 Leili McKinley