7th
Social Media 101
The other day I ran into a colleague, a woman I’ve always looked up to who also works in communications. We exchanged business cards and briefly caught up. When told her that I had branched into social media consulting, she sneered, “I don’t do all that social media nonsense. If someone needs to reach me, they can email. I do email.” Looking at my card with contact info for half a dozen social networking sites, her companion exclaimed, “There’s no mailing address on here!”
I can’t remember the last time I sent a mass email. I’m pretty sure any lists I used to use are tragically out of date. I haven’t received anything business-related through snail mail in years. And even my mom uses Facebook.
Were there really smart, savvy professionals out there who weren’t taking advantage of social media? I had no response. When I related the incident to Leslie Bradshaw, Director of Engagement at the powerhouse New Media Strategies, she shrugged. “Tell them social media is an accelerator for business and networking. Why drive 45 when you can drive in the fast lane?”
Why indeed? I was hardly an early adopter of social media, but I recognized its potential right away, and now I am fully immersed in the technology and the culture.
New media isn’t a fad, it’s a new way of life. I know there’s a huge learning curve for people who have always worked a certain way, but there is no excuse for getting left behind. My friend Wendy laments, “It’s like our parents not knowing how to program the VCR,” and she’s right.
I’d like to be a resource for my peers who are hesitant about using social media. There is a lot of information out there, but I can break it down for mid-career professionals who don’t know where to start (or fear they will do something wrong.)
Look for regular blog posts on tips and tricks for getting started in social media, branding yourself online, and integrating new technology into your every day life.
(I have a strict policy against blogging about my clients, so I’ll be looking for case studies. I’d love to offer individual consulting for anyone who will allow me to blog about the process.)
