We’ve gone social. We don’t need to write about how we’ve done it anymore, everyone is connected – in one way or another – we are all online.
Social Media Isolation - They can use Facebook, or check email, however they are not connected in the flow. How do we reach them?
Despite this, some people are isolated from us, people we want to reach. They have the desire to hear us, but they simply do not want to use the tools we are using. It’s a challenge.
We can try and deliver a message all we want, but if we are not speaking the same language, if the interaction is difficult, if the environment is foreign and uncomfortable, then no one will listen. We might as well go back to the drawing board because no one will listen if they don’t understand, no one will sit with you if you make it painful.
- Invite someone out for a coffee, but instead of meeting in a warm comfortable environment, invite them to join you outside and chat – but it’s negative 30 degrees Celsius. Are they really listening, are they going to come back for more? They are more focused and worried about their discomfort than anything else.
- You’re watching TV, you’re flipping channels, your favorite person in the world is being interviewed, but its in a language you can’t even identify – will you watch it – no – you’ll move along.
When you don't understand the navigation in the social media world, it's like looking out into a vast desolate field. Where do you begin?
Its the same for social media. To some people the thought of getting immersed in online activity is as painful as that chat outside. Make it easy, make it accessible, make it a pleasure, then you have engagement.The key is to find that path, find ways to be accessible, make things easy, make it pleasant.
As we see more and more people online, networking, blogging, Facebooking (yes I’m “verbing” it) the challenge seems to be, how do you reach all these platforms? I talk to people every day, different kinds of people. People who don’t want to get into Facebook, because they just don’t get it, or already have too much in their lives, and don’t want to add another “thing” to keep track of. You’ve met them – maybe you’re one of them, and I twisted your arm to come check my post 😉 If they don’t even want to get into Facebook, how on earth do you think they will find you? They are still great prospects / clients…
Then, we’ve got people who already mastered Facebook, even are on Twitter and Linked In, but because of this, just don’t have the time to go through everything. They are challenged by management of their multiple streams. They aren’t on those social networks to look at others posts, they are there to be found – or to socialize with friends. They haven’t adapted the “resourceful” culture – they don’t know you have something to offer them. Maybe they want to check you out, but by the time they get home, or find the time at work, your message is lost in a pile of equally wonderful content. We all have limited time. Where do we start?
Everyone has one in their pocket. Many would call it their favorite toy. Isn't this where you want to be?
I believe that mobile is the answer to so many issues we have in communication and accessibility with these groups. Its an opportunity to connect with anyone. A new way that you can connect with the ones who aren’t at ease with Twitter, Facebook, G+, etc. AND those who are overwhelmed with so much information, they don’t always get the time to filter your stream to find what you had talked about; You’ve spent the time building your online persona, well this is how you’re going to tie it all in and make it accessible to anyone: I’m calling this: Mobile You… a new perspective.
The key to PR or Marketing is reaching your audience in a way that works for them. You can put all the social out there, but if your target doesn’t relate, or can’t keep up – what’s the value? Who are you really talking to? Continue Reading….
milaspage This is a great post! I love your App and came across this post via your App which notified me that you had an update. 🙂 This got me thinking… For you this is an amazing idea and is perfect for your clients who are not typically Social Media Savvy. For people who are though this would create App proliferation. Do I download the nickkellet App? Where do I stop? I think we need a Personal Pulse. I know Flipboard can be set up with RSS feeds, perhaps Pulse can be as well. I do use Google Reader to keep up with the likes of margieclayman but the Android interface for that is not great yet.
Anyway, the App is great, for $20 it’s a no-brainer! It fits your need for client communications and shows the amazing potential out there. #Thanks
nickkelletmargieclaymanjosepf Josepf, You bring up a good question -and you’re right, its not an idea to keep SoMe people connected. Its to add support and value for clients, Businesses spend a lot of time investing in building their Social Media. When you deal with a local company, who is targeting clients in smaller areas, there is the chance that their product or service would be very valuable to a vast majority of the population, yet I believe – many of the potential local prospects and existing clients, although online are not realizing there are resources available to them. They go online, do their thing, then get off. Ex: How many people still haven’t put their profile pic in Linked In? These are the people who might benefit. It is also important because companies like mine are doing social to offer value to our clients, and convenience. We want to increase accessibility, give them a little more through our articles. Everyone loves to have a resource at their fingertips. Imagine, for example youre out with a friend, the subject of Scuba Diving comes up, you pull out an app and in there darcykieran has posted a feeds to Scuba FAQ’s, next planned trips, some resources. Its like Google-ing it, but instead its focused. Word of mouth spreads more easily and the interaction becomes more fun (on the mobile) than a chore (which is how many people perceive reading posts online when they aren’t “into” it). Something extra to offer your clients.
cc ricdragon 9inchmarketing re value added and the idea of extending reach to build relationships (not just make sales) using a mobile app option.
@Josepf
Who do I envision using this my #Mobileyou idea?
I think photographers like hellophotokitty might get good following, consultants or experts in a field like blogging4jobs who would be a great resource to HR people – especially since they are not online as much; people in finance who are blogging murraynewlands ; People who sell/serve to people, companies that sell based on relationships. tedrubin Or people who have valuable advice to offer.
If you have clients like this, I think as Social Media professionals, its worth considering as part of the mix to expand blog reach into new areas. From the business person’s perspective, you’re already putting in all the work online. This mobile app concept really is a way to reach people out there in a fun way – If they need “us” they pull us out of their pocket.
Want to know how to save money on your insurance, or key questions to ask in an accident, ill put it on my app. Its going to help my clients (value added) and its going to keep us connected – on the go, anywhere.
Hi Mila! I agree with the main point of your post, that you have to connect with your audience in a way that’s relevant to them. However, I don’t mobile is the answer for everyone. For example, I don’t like Facebook, and prefer Twitter. So when I am on my smartphone, I will check Twitter using Social Scope, but I NEVER check Facebook on my smartphone, even though I have the Facebook app installed.
Perhaps along these lines, what if you had an app in your smartphone that listed your contacts, and if you wanted to connect with them, told you which service you should use. For example, if you wanted to get my attention, it would suggest that you use Twitter, instead of Facebook. For Liz Sperling, it would suggest Plus, and for Margie, it might say use Facebook. That would still be a bit cumbersome, but for frequent personal communication, it might help.
Great post! I will check that Mippin.com AppFactory. I already tried creating a “mobile social app” for @TotalDiving – not quite OK yet: http://totaldiving.mobapp.at/ – it was a first draft.
With a better app, I may please some scuba diving current clients – to stay in touch. However… In terms of visibility and chatting, it’s really the non-scuba divers (especially those involved in other outdoor activities) that we need to reach. Facebook was working fine for that – up to recently. At this point in time, it seems to me that people increasingly want to be left alone from anybody who is not a “real human friend”. In fact, my “personal” (so called!) profile seems to be more efficient at reaching Total Diving clients than the Total Diving “official page”.
Your examples about talking to people in a way that is easy for them, are great! It seems to me that it is getting increasingly more difficult to do it, though. It was actually much easier to reach people when everybody was on full Internet Explorer browser and eMail newsletters were still a novelty 🙂 Now, everything is fragmented…
What am I saying? I’m just saying: Great post & I don’t know! 😛