2016 is the year when we stop talking about social media. I have wanted to say this for at least two years now, but I figured it was still fair to give people a chance to provide social media a chance. Well, time’s up. If you don’t understand this by now, you either don’t see the need for it in your life or choose not to pay attention to its impact on society. That’s ok, it’s your choice.
Pen and paper
Whenever I see another invitation to an event to discuss social media, I roll my eyes and think, “Great! Are we going to discuss the importance of reading and writing, too?” Social Media is a tool, it is like pen and paper. It isn’t very meaningful if you have nothing to share. Talking about the mechanical workings of apps takes value away from the conversations we are trying to have.
Worse yet, discussing “tips and tricks” for social media usage sounds like the publisher is trapping the reader. Focus on the message instead. Use your platform to help you reach as many people as possible, but deliver content of value. Above all, Listen! Ask questions and stand by for the answer. Be there. Avoid scheduling posts.
Eye contact
Social media has evolved beyond written words to include my favorite aspect: #SocialVideo! This means that all those years I spent “building my audience” are paying off beautifully because I can now actually have face-to-face conversations with like-minded friends around the world.
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Thanks to apps like Blab, Periscope, Vine, and Instagram, we can see eye-to-eye and hear each other’s voices. Even Facebook is still around and focusing on video! My favorite kind of video is the one shared in real time. This makes social media sound like the futuristic video phones we always dreamed of when we were younger. Video, video, video!
Feedback
Before I stop talking about social media, I want to remind you that the emphasis should always be on “social.” While all of us are happy to share the fruits of our labor, let’s avoid looking at our audience as buyers or consumers. Our friends are our friends. They will celebrate you, follow you, and remember you. So pay attention to what they respond to and how. You don’t need a social media tool to tell you who your friends are.
Photo credit: Alessandro Design
