This morning Julian Grainger released one of those blogposts that makes you think, “That’s what I’ve been trying to say!”
Grainger, Julian. Corporate blogs and other bad habits. Econsultancy August 20, 2009. http://econsultancy.com/blog/4460-corporate-blogs-and-other-bad-habits
My favorite line was this: “See, social media isn’t a campaign. It’s a habit.”
His point is basically this: If you get into social media you better plan for the long term, because if you drop the ball you are not going to look good, and trust me, people will notice. Julian describes some of the takeaway messages for organizations who abandon social media projects midstream. I will let you read it yourself, but it is rather colorful and a bit depressing.
Just think how you feel if you are at a social event, start chatting with someone, think you are having a nice conversation but just then they turn around and walk off without saying a thing. You walk up to them again and say hi, but they walk off again. How are you going to feel?
Another way to think about it is dieting or exercise plans. Dieting doesn’t work, the occasional workout doesn’t change things, it’s ongoing lifestyle change that makes a difference.
I am going to let the folks on Twitter answer this. It’s really simple. You start here — This is what you want, and what you have to do to get it.
@ConnectIrmeli: “The character of a man is known from his conversations.” Menander (342-292 BC) — Adaptable to web 2.0 as well!!
This is what you’re afraid of.
@ZaneSafrit: “Hmmm. If your brand generates 15 million results on Google with this keyword “[your brand] sucks” … what are your options?
But what you’re afraid of is both what can happen if you drop the ball, and also what is likely to happen if you are NOT listening and talking with your community. Oops. So you are thinking about it, pondering, planning, trying to make sure you get things right. Then someone says this, “Come on in, the water’s fine.”
@RayAndLisa: “Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing. ” William Feather, Author.
Yeah well, but once we start we can’t stop, and it’s important, so I really need to do it right! That’s just one person’s opinion.
Oh, really?
@“Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing.” William Feather, Author.
OK, here are the rules for conversation in social media.
1. Don’t wait.
2. Obey the Golden Rule.*
3. Don’t drop the ball.
* Just in case you forgot, the Golden Rule is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”