Let me start with a premise.
Social media can be used for a variety of uses from the ever popular ‘Broadcasting’ to ‘starting a conversation’ to ‘curating content’ to ‘just keeping up with my peeps’. They are all ‘Channels’. Avenues of delivering content and each channel is fine – if that’s how you want to use it. Are we good with that?
Let me ask you a question…
Would you close down your Email to everyone except those you personally know?
As in deny all emails from ever getting to you unless they were sent from someone on your list? That might cut down on the amount of spam you get, but then again there are excellent spam filtering systems out there that kill 90% of the Spam before it gets to your box. But seriously think about running a closed email system like that. Would you?
If you would – stop reading this post. I can help you setup those filters if you like.
If that sounds absurd to you – read on!
Social Media has many different channels – one of them. I can broadcast, curate, and so on. But one of the Channels that often is forgotten is the ‘Private Channel’. On Facebook, that’s the message, on Twitter it’s the DM, and on Google Plus it’s just a simple post to an individual. To me they are all incredibly important channels of communication that I want to keep open at all times.
Yesterday I helped a few people out who privately messaged me on Facebook. One of them turned into a client, I’m building them a Custom Facebook Page App. That only happened because the channel was open. We’ve had limited interaction together on Facebook but somewhere along the line they friended me and I accepted. That might have been years ago but I’ve kept that channel open just for that reason. Does that make sense?
I don’t know who my next client is going to be, do you? Clients usually become clients because they ask a question. I know it’s the same in your business. Because of that, I always answer my phone and check my email constantly. You do too? So then…
If you wouldn’t shut down your email – why shut down your ‘Private Channels’?
Does that make sense? Or do you want them to ask ONLY on a specific channel (like email). Not me…
- That’s why I accept friend requests on Facebook (until I hit the limit)
- That’s why I autofollow on Twitter
- That’s why I Circle Back everyone in Google Plus
- That’s why I accept connections on Linkedin
I do so because I want to keep those channels open – just like my email. Go ahead – ask me a question! 🙂
I know you are going to argue that “but what about all that spam, and broadcasting, and get rich quick crap?”
My answer? Learn to use LISTS and you won’t see it 90% of it. Really.
That’s my opinion but I’d like to hear yours! (comment, eh?)
He's an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike, sometimes rides a road bike, has a few motorcycles (he had a really fast one, bought a cool orange one, rode a really slow one, and now,a perfect "BDR Weapon"). If that isn't enough, he makes cheese and sourdough bread, loves strong beer and good red wine, and poorly plays the Mandolin.
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