There are several well-worn phrases that never fail to get my goat. Among the top contenders:
I still nearly titled this post “Why You Should Never Ever Link Your Social Media Accounts.” It took real restraint, I tell ya’. But in the end, “You Should” is on my list of crap phrases because it is a cheap shortcut. And shortcuts are exactly what this post is about. Read all the way down because I’ve got a particularly genius suggestion for how you can fix this on the quick. WHY AUTO-LINKING ACCOUNTS IS A ROOKIE MOVE By “linking” your social media accounts, I mean setting it up so that your FB posts also and simultaneously post on Instagram and/or Twitter. Or vice versa and every which-a-way. I get the temptation, I really do. As business owners, we’re made to feel like we “need to” be everywhere. God knows that's what the social media “experts” keep telling us. And there’s plenty more who want to charge us to make it happen. So why wouldn’t it make sense to post once and have it post everywhere? Because Social Media Is Not a Pair of Palazzo Pants We have so many social media options BECAUSE they have arisen to meet different needs. Social Media is not a pair of one size fits all knit gaucho pants. Each platform draws a different reader, for different purposes, and with different requirements. Besides the obvious differences in posting formats, length, and sizes, these are completely SEPARATE COMMUNITIES. Treating them as though they were the same is not EVER going to fly. It’s Obvious That You’re Phoning It In Auto-Linking your Social Media accounts is like wearing sweatpants to a wedding and your best black cocktail dress to a crawfish boil." Click to tweet. You’re not going to fit in. People will wonder if you even know where you are. Because it’s clear you’re not there. For example, if your every Tweet is a link to your FB page, we know you’re not on Twitter. So we’re not going to follow you or participate with you there. Same goes if your every FB post is a link to your Instagram account. And what if a customer COMPLAINS or asks a question on Twitter and you have no idea because you’re just pretending to be there? That’s bad business with two Capital Bs. Social Media is (ahem) SOCIAL Social MEANS interacting with your people. So there is NO reason to be on a social media platform that you don’t already spend time on. Want to make social media easier? Stop listening to the “gurus” and do what just plain makes sense. Cultivate a presence where you are ALREADY present. Odds are that your people like the same platforms you do, anyway. If you’re a regular Moonshine Reader, you know that I believe Social Media is most effective when everyone is having FUN. Yes, even businesses. Nay, ESPECIALLY businesses. Engaging your business on the social platforms where you already hang out - where it is already fun for you - is the first step. Ditching the business “shoulds” in favor of fun posts is the next. So what’s a 21st century business to do? CLOSE THE ACCOUNT or HANG UP A VIRTUAL SHINGLE Closing the social accounts you’re not really on is the easiest way, right? But if you’re worried about people looking for you in one place and then just giving up, try “Hanging up a Virtual Shingle.” It's my 21st century version of the old "Gone Fishin'" Sign. A Social Media Placeholder. For example, if I didn't want to play on Twitter, I could make ONE Tweet and a header image that said ... "Twitter doesn't fit in my blender, but I mix up Margaritas on the Daily over on Pinterest (LINK). Want to know how to hang a "Virtual Social Media Shingle?" Click here. In sum, take a deep breath and remember that the only rules in business are the ones you make. No, you don't have to be everywhere on social media. But wherever you are, I damn well hope you're having fun! Cheers! Lara Lee |
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