Many use Social Media as a tool? but what kind of tool?

Social Media as a tool – but for what?

I saw an interesting comment on a Facebook stream the other day…
Someone posed the following question…

Serious question: if everyone is doing social media, is it still relevant? Back in the late 90′s, having a website put you ahead of the pack. In the early 2000′s, not really ahead of the pack, anymore. Now, everyone *does* social…Is it a differentiator?

It struck me as odd in that I have never thought of social media as a tool for differentiation (at all). It’s always been a tool to connect me to others, a tool to get a particular message out in front of more eyeballs. Along the way, yes it might set me apart from the rest but I look at that not because I’m ‘doing it’ but because of the content, the conversations. Does that make sense?

photo credit: HVargas

Although I am an early adopter of sorts, I don’t see that as putting me above the person that just joined. The message is the important part.

I’ll be at REBarCamp Orlando tomorrow and while there will be quite a few people interested in technology and how to create and foster real relationships, there will also be a few people completely focused on the technology of SEO, Lead Capture and the like. There’s value in those conversations but many of these people are only concerned with how social media is going to differentiate them from the next person trying to game the system.

What kind of tool is Social Media for you?

Mike Mueller

Mike builds the custom Apps that create the Tabs that make Custom Facebook Pages special. He builds Discount WordPress Blogs and shoots commercial high def video. He's an avid hockey fan, rides a motorcycle (a really fast one), loves strong beer and good red wine.

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http://www.Kens411.com Ken Brand

Good point. I mean why we would ignore the people who know, like and trust us, and spend our attention and intention chasing strangers and trying to get them to know, like and trust us. It’s like stepping over a hundred dollar bill to pick up a quarter. Thanks for the share and reminder.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Ken – but playing devils advocate… Isn’t there also a certain value to be said for SEO?

You know I’m not in that camp – but I do recognize it.

http://www.Kens411.com Ken Brand

I totally agree that SEO and strategies to attract new opportunities is must. But focusing primarily on SEO and attraction strategies, at the expense of people who know you and trust you, is not the highest leverage activity. It’s sorta like they tell you on Jet before it takes off, when then the little oxygen masks drop from the ceiling, put yours on first, then help others. Same idea with developing biz, the order of priorities goes like this (for me) love yourself first, love those who know and trust you next, then last but not least, get to know, love and be loved by new people.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Stacey-Katz/832267309 Stacey Katz

Social Media does not differentiate you from the next….YOU differentiate YOU from the next….@CruiseDivaNJ:twitter

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Very good point!

Dave Shockley

Mike I may have a toolbox full of the latest tools, but that doesn’t make me a mechanic. It isn’t what tools you have but how you use them. That is why we follow the professionals like yourself to learn how to use them properly.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

LOL – Thanks Dave. I look at everything as a tool and YES it does no good having a tool if you don’t know how to use it.

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Bill Risser

I agree with you Mike. It’s not to differentiate but to connect, develop and strengthen relationships. Period. Some people don’t subscribe to this theory. Search vs Social… the battle continues.
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http://twitter.com/SedonaBusiness Sedona Biz Assoc

Mike, to me (another early subscriber to anything tech) I find Social Media to be the Institutional Advertising, the TOMA, or the “branding” of this generation. There’s good and there’s bad, and there’s a lot in between…the 80/20 rule. I’ve yet to be able to focus how G+ will define itself for business. And I find it to be a great place for people who post the day away which in turn makes me skip opening it some days. I don’t want to NOT read some of the posts, but I have even considered putting certain individuals in a circle of their own. I also see many of my friends, not as communicative as the past… seems that there are too many SM places to keep track of and still earn a living… I’m still a believer… just am not sure what god to pay homage to…
http://www.facebook.com/SedonaKathy Kathy Howe

The Sedona Biz Association is a new entity of mine…