Social Media & Egocentrism: Dude. It's not about YOU; it's about your customers

It really bugs me, this whole social media vibe that says, “Look at me! Look at me!!” Please. Maybe it’s all gotten a little out of hand, the ego involved. You LIKE me! You really LIKE me!!

Right.

The Tirades:

Look, nothing wrong with asking for, pursuing and celebrating “Likes.” But from a business perspective, social media’s not about you. It’s about your customers. Sure – Twilight fans might want to follow Rob Pattinson’s every move, but for the rest of us mere mortals, fans and friends don’t visit a business page to celebrate you, or your business or your product – they’re really there to tap into something about themselves.

So take a good look at your social media pages. Are they ego - centric, or customer-centric? Do they offer endless (or useless) details about your product, service, cause or idea – or do they seek to draw out information about your target audience? Do they offer information, tips and ideas to make your customers’ lives faster, better and smarter? Do they create good will and invite others to return the favor of your “like?”

Do they scream, LOOK AT ME BECAUSE I’M THE GREATEST!! I hope not, because customers can spot corporate narcissism a mile away. I hope instead they suggest, YOU’RE the greatest, and because we only exist because of YOU, we’re going to treat YOU to content you can actually use, invite YOUR opinions, and inspire YOUR collaboration. Here, it’s all about YOU.

If not, take a page from my new book: Get Your Own Sweet way by getting the Hell out of your way. (OK, I didn’t just write that book, but you get the picture.)

The Tips:

1. Ask open-ended questions. People love to talk about themselves, so invite them to do it. They’ll leave your page feeling a positive association, not exactly knowing why. But they’ve got it! (Check out Dove’s Facebook page for ideas on how to engage customers. They’re masters!) 

2. Are you down with OPP? (Other People’s Pages): Make a goal to “Like” and comment on at least 10 other pages every week. Be strategic about it. Offer compliments on the pages of prospects and businesses that share a common target audience. (Realtors should make comments on the pages of title companies, home improvement businesses, etc. You get the idea.)

3. Give the “shout-outs” generously. You know what they say about Karma, so be good to her. Make posts about other local businesses in your area that also want to grow their social media presence. Tag them when you do it, because most of us want to offer reciprocity. Say something nice about someone else, and they’ll say something nice about you. (And if they don’t, start spreading rumors about them all over town. Just kidding! You know, Karma.)

Remember, ditch your ego, and build up your customers’. In the end, it’s a win-win.

Now, go make sh** happen!

Scott Kelly,

CEO, Black Dog Promotions

Words to Sell by:

“The true leader serves. Serves people. Serves their best interests, and in doing so will not always be popular, may not always impress. But because true leaders are more motivated by a loving concern than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price.”

-Eugene B. Habecker