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You Calling Me Stupid? Politics In Social Media
We all know one of the best ways to insult someone is to speak ill of
their politics, so why do so many insist on un-impressing their friends on twitter, facebook, etc? Apparently, many in social media and the blogosphere need to reexamine the unofficial ban on politics, religion, & sex we’ve always had in business. First, let’s look at our goals. Why are we using social media? Are we using it for business, personal, or both (and where does that balance lie)? Does your business cater exclusively to a political party? Talk too much politics on twitter, and you’ll soon be re-branded for the party of your choice, locking out great prospective AND CURRENT customers. If your career is strictly politics, fine — you can tweet all you want about politics. If you’re engaging in social media for business, don’t talk politics, religion, or sex if you take your business seriously.
Just Say No
While the politics, religion, & sex policy has always been in place for traditional mediums, the mandate is now more important than ever, given how hot the topics are, with all sides damning everyone else. Is this really what we want our business climate to be? I know it’s VERY tempting to vent the day’s issues on a blog, facebook, or twitter, but for the sake of your brand’s image, just say no – and don’t retweet political tweets, either. I unfollow people who constantly tweet politics – whether I agree with them or not. No matter what people say, we are judged by whom we associate with, whether it be a political tweep, a spammer, or a non-stop sales person. There are neighborhoods for politics on twitter and facebook, but divisive words of politics are toxic, and do not belong outside those neighborhoods.
My Thoughts To The Political Tweep
I don’t need to know how stupid you think I am, or how misguided my view is. I believe my politics are fine, but I’m certain you’re misguided for degrading your brand’s image with political or religious toxicity. You’ve diminished your brand for calling me — or people who think like me — stupid and ignorant. I’ve just unfollowed you, and so will a lot more of your friends if you continue. We on twitter are not all of the same philosophy, and not all your friends think exactly like you. Twitter and facebook support people of all stripes and colors. For those who think they’re affecting change by “taking a stand” with their business — most of the politically active are closed to hearing the other side, and are immune to bumper sticker slogans and overdone talking points. They’re not going to be influenced by you, and real change in the political world is like any other — effective communication of a message — not the barrage of insults, quips, and smoke & mirrors we usually get. In other words, 140 char political tweets only lead to fights and diminished brands, not changed minds and softened hearts.
So What’s The Solution For The Politically Active?
Write under an alias, and make COMPELLING arguments. Times are tough for business, the economy, and for politics, and the last thing someone should do is needlessly isolate a demographic. Although you will likely be eventually associated with your alias, at least people will know you respected your customer base enough to take your politics elsewhere. Be grateful for your loyal customers, no matter their political tendencies.
So again, what are your social media goals? Is your mission to insult and lambaste those who politically disagree with you, or is it to support the community, to network, and to do business? Every tweet is of value. Tweet with strategy.
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Low-Cost Ways to Market your Business using Multi-Channels
by Nancy Jarial
Everyone’s heard the expression, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
The same holds true when marketing your company. Don’t rely on just one channel of communication with your customers. Focus on casting a wider net and capturing your target market using several channels. These days, marketers have more ways than ever to get their message out. Here are a few low-cost ways to interact with both existing and potential customers.
Email Marketing
If you’re not taking advantage of email by now, what are you waiting for?! It may seem like a daunting task, at first, but this is the easiest way to stay in touch with your customers. There are low-cost or free email marketing services (i.e. MailChimp or Constant Contact) that manage your email lists for you. People can subscribe or unsubscribe to your email. This is important, as you don’t want to be reported as spam. So begin collecting your permission-based email addresses today, and get started. You may only begin with a few subscribers, but with promotion via other channels, you’ll be surprised how fast your email list grows.
Social Networking
Facebook and Twitter give your company the opportunity to become more personal. Let’s face it – people buy from people, not companies. There are currently over 500 million users on Facebook and 145 million users on Twitter. I heard the other day Queen Elizabeth even has her own Facebook Page! Think of these tools as an extended way to network without waiting for the next chamber of commerce meeting. Even if you’re not computer savvy, don’t pull away from this free and effective way to market. There is certainly someone in your organization who can take the lead, just make sure they are professional, and not your sister’s teenager.
Public Relations
Keeping your name in the news is so important. Use your company’s news and achievements for publicity. If you are a small business, and you’re unsure of your writing abilities, contract a copywriter that can whip up a press release for you. It’s worth the money and time you save trying to DIY. You can use a PR service like PR Web to distribute your release, or if you are looking for local press, email or submit it to the editor at your local papers and news channels – it’s free! It doesn’t hurt to have good rapport with these editors so when your release slides across their desk, it’s more likely to receive the headlines you need.
Vehicle Graphics
Companies looking for brand recognition and mass marketing should not pass up the valuable advertising space they own on their fleet and vehicles. This is one more avenue to display your brand and image in a big way. Investing in vehicle graphics is more affordable than you might think, and the payoff can be huge. Did you know a vehicle receives 30,000 – 70,000 impressions per day? That makes vehicle graphics one of my top picks for low-cost marketing since a wrap only runs about $1,500 to $3,000, and can last two - seven years, giving it a longer shelf life than direct mail, newspaper or magazine ads.
What low-cost marketing channels are most effective your business?
Quick Tips for Better Social Media and Transparency
by Nancy Jarial
Are you honest, responsive, and thoughtful when it comes to your family and friends? Then let these traits carry over to your business world. Your customers will relate to you more if you open up and let your business become transparent. The word, “transparency,” has become popular through the development of social media and its strategies for business use. Being more transparent in business is one of the newer ways companies are connecting with customers. Using this strategy can build better relationships and bigger business. Here are a few quick tips for using social media to become more transparent:
• Be an expert in your field. Stick to what you know and discuss your expertise on social media outlets and blogs. The key is to be genuine and personable.
• Offer your opinion or expertise on a subject, but don’t be too overbearing. Keep in mind, you are likely to offend someone with discussions about political or religious views. So, it is best to stay away from these topics. Remember, you need to be accountable for the content you are putting out there.
• Be honest with your customers. You don’t have to air all your companies flaws, but being honest about issues that affect your customers is always the best decision.
• Be responsive. Conversations and topics change so rapidly, you need to respond as they are happening. This will take some time, but it is well worth the effort. Just think of it as consistently networking with other professionals.
• Think of your friends and followers as a community. Be thoughtful and supportive of their activities and businesses. Social media is not just about promoting yourself, it is also about promoting the endeavors of others and sharing good resources.
So how do you promote transparency through social media, and how has it affected your customer relations?
BIN2010
Nancy Jarial, our Marketing Manager, called me this morning and asked, “What do you think about a blog post on the BIN2010 conference?” Of course I heard, “We need a post on BIN2010, RIGHT NOW!” I said, “Sure… let me squeeze that into my to-do list, it’s only three pages long.” But she heard, “I’ll get right on it, Nancy!” So… I got right on it.
What’s Age Got To Do With It?
Paul Poteet (@PaulPoteet) began his keynote address by stating he was the “oldest person in the room.” Paul, you were definitely not. I have shoes older than the average age of the audience in that auditorium. My wife asked how it went, and I told her it was a blast being with some of the best and brightest young people I could imagine. Does social networking transcend generations? Is it appropriate for a boomer to friend a millennial? I hope so. I hope we can get past any generational prejudices (well, I’m old, so I’d think that) and base relationships on similarities not dissimilarities. Okay… enough rambling.
Spinning With Ideas
Paul Poteet was HILARIOUS and informative. I hope everyone absorbed the lesson he put into action about having a back-up plan on stage, at work, or in life. Kyle Lacy (@kyleplacy) not only has the content (we all know that), he’s also a master at leading an audience with open-ended questions. Jason Falls’s (@JasonFalls) presentation, “The Art of Conversation,” gave concrete ideas on how to attract, rather than promote. I applaud Jason for the courage to share his own personal inappropriate posting experiences. Jeremy Dearringer’s (@Slingshot_SEO) discussion focused on search reputation by, among other actions, focusing on customer service. Customer service is near and dear to my heart. I had the privilege of mentoring and guiding Unique Home Solutions, an organization that developed the most award-winning service in the US, within an industry not known for service. If Bruce McClain (@sbh_bruce) from Scotty’s BrewHouse (@brewhouse) had not told us he was “filling in,” we would not have known.
Wish I Could’ve Gone To Them All
You rock, Rocky (and so did everyone else)! Rocky Walls (@RockyWalls) not only offered an entertaining, value filled presentation, he made it easy and comfortable to participate. From Erik Deckers(@edeckers), I have four pages of notes (yes, you can tell the old guy at BIN2010 by the pen and paper). Tricia Meyer (@sunshinetricia) put more content into an hour than I thought possible — she has a great personality. Carissa Newton (@fullcirclec) gave me the ammunition I needed to look at our team and say, “blog five days a week!” And what a great story Heather Sokol (@JustHeather) shared about her media and blogging experience — talk about leveraging opportunity. The burlesque-ing Chuck Gose (@chuckgose) got my attention with, “If you are bored writing it, imagine what it’s like on the readers’ end!” (Crap… I hope this is not boring.)
Face-To-Face Social Interaction Is Not Overrated!
While attending BIN2010 with Lindsey Richardt (@LindseyUHS) and Greg McMullen (@mcmullen_greg) from Unique Home Solutions, I had a great time chatting with Jon Bausman (@JonBausman) from Rickers Oil (@RickerStores), Kevin Mullett (@kmullett) from Cirrus ABS (@cirrusabs), and Jeremy Williams(@jeremyawilliams) with The Indiana Office of Tourism (@VisitIndiana). Also, it was too cool speaking with Amy Magan from 4th Frog Blog (@4thfrog) and Lindsay Manfredi (@LindsayManfredi) of Neon Love Life (@NeonLoveLife) (although brief, as I had no sleep — my band, Under The Radar, played at John Wayne’s Pub, Friday night). Check out Lindsay’s band at IndyFringe (@IndyFringe) on Thursday, August 26th.
I’m excited about following up on the seminars I did not attend — check out the slides! Thank you, BIN2010, for a head spinning, idea inspiring, information gathering, millennial confirming, networking event!
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