Perhaps like me you’ve been dabbling in social media for a few years now. And perhaps you’ve taken an interest in it for both professional and personal reasons.
We all have different ways of using social media. For me, Linked In and Twitter are my specialties. How about you?
I’ve read a great deal about what’s needed to be successful with social media. For every article I’ve read, I’ve learnt even more through trial and error.
In my reading I discovered 5 social media secrets for being successful that are hardly ever spoken about. While there are countless ‘how to’ articles (which tools to use, how to schedule a post, how to signup for facebook), there are very few articles that focus on the softer skills of social media. These are just as important for being successful.
#1. Be Generous in Social Media
To post on Social Media requires huge generosity. To research topics others would be interested in, and to find useful links and material, and then share this material with others, requires an investment of your time and effort. Doing social well requires one to be generous with their time and be willing to contribute it to others.
#2. Be Selfless in Social Media
Not only does a successful social media strategy require generosity, it requires selflessness. If we hang every minute on whether a post of ours is liked or shared, those moments are full of expectation. We’re bound to be disappointed if this expectation isn’t met. So instead, treat every share and every like as a bonus that tells you your content hit the mark, but not as validation in itself. This is a principle that goes far beyond ourselves. It’s also about what we teach children and emerging generations, that their worth is far greater than the responses they receive on social media. Those things are one feedback loop, but not the entire story.
#3. Be Valuable in Social Media
Others will read your posts, so be relevant and valuable to them. Curate social media content for your specific audience. Take time to think about what they will value. If we can do this, we don’t just create readers, we create followings.
#4. Remember People in Social Media
If people comment on your posts or share your content, remember their contribution. While it may not be possible to acknowledge everyone who has a social conversation with you, a short word of thanks or a comment on someone else’s post is always appreciated. At the end of the day, the social stream is fleeting, and remembering others helps people create a thread in the constant flow of information.
#5. Tune Out Now & Then
Tune out? Yup. It’s okay to tune out of social channels once in a while. We’ve had millions of years of evolution before social hit the scene. It’s good (and healthy) to disconnect now and then. Even if only for a day each month, or a few days each year (maybe when you’re on holiday), why not see how life is without social media. And if you miss it that’s okay too. After all we all now have this ‘social media’ habit. There are so many positive things about social media (for business, for relationships, for careers), but it’s okay to think about what we are without it too.
What do you think? You can leave a comment below about the above or any other skills you believe are important to social media success.
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Image: pixabay.com/en/social-media-media-social-facebook-419944/
