Hey, guys! Welcome to Shama.TV. Say Hi to Snoopy. You know what Snoopy loves these days? I have been trying to teach him tricks and it got me thinking about another tricky thing that social networking sites do. So listen really carefully because this has nothing to do with the kind of tricks I am trying to teach Snoopy and by the way, we are still at sit, and go, so you guys have any tips on that I would really appreciate it.
The tricky thing with social networking sites is they ask: What are you doing right now? They ask you this on Twitter, Facebook, and even LinkedIn ask you this. It’s a trick question, guys! It’s really a trick question because nobody cares what you are doing right now. As harsh as that is and your like well, maybe your mom cares, maybe your family cares, but mostly think about when you log on your Facebook and you see status updates like brushing my teeth, or when you get on Twitter and you say eating a burger, does that add any value to your life. No, it’s just noise!
The question you really want to answer on these sites, on all the social networking sites, is what are you doing right now (1) that establishes your expertise further and (2) provides value to someone. I will rarely type something on Twitter that says driving to go meet a client. I will much more likely say, driving to meet a client to help them with their online marketing and discuss, like today how social networking sites can be tricky, such as, they ask you trick questions, like what are you doing right now? When doing these updates make sure: (1) it provides value and (2) it establishes your expertise. Think about your status updates in a very strategic manner. Don’t fall for that question, what are you doing right now? Don’t fall for that trick. It’s really a trick question guys!
June 15th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Amen! I fall into that trap but sometimes it makes you seem more real and not just a stuck up business – there is a person behind that .
June 15th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
This is fantastic. Thank you so much. Most of the people who follow me on twitter don’t know me and I can’t imagine that they’re interested in the fact that I’m watching Family Guy.
I’m new to looking at these social sites in a way to promote my business and this is very helpful!
K
June 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Great video, Shama!
I’m going to push back a little though. By definition, a trick question is one that comes from a sender who is presupposing a context that the recipient may not be aware of. I find it hard to believe Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn are involved in a conspiracy to trick their users!
If they ask the question: “What are you doing?” they expect that people a) will answer it & b) care what other people are doing.
I find the noise vs value debate is typically held among professionals who have chosen to enter the social mediasphere for the wrong reasons – not to be social, but strictly to market their product & service. In that case, yeah, they wouldn’t care about about another’s status.
In business, I agree that status updates should carefully guide followers toward a predetermined destination – a better understanding of your company or brand.
Thanks Shama! Keep up the good work!
Stephen Wade
June 16th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Amen. Great point Shama.