Reality of Social Networking – Seth Godin

Comments?

July 24, 2009

My conclusions from all the comments and some reflection:

1. Social networking is DIFFERENT than social media
   1. Social media is the "tool"
   2. Social networking is what you do with the tool
2. A tool is only as good as the person using it and their intention while using it and the end result they’re trying to achieve
   1. A tool can build a beautiful mansion
   2. A tool can be a murder weapon
   3. A tool won’t do either if it just stays in your toolbox!
3. Social media and social networking must be used as part of an overal strategy – they are not and end or a means unto themselves
4. If you already have a following, these tools make it possible to develop that following on a more personal basis with a stronger connection
5. If you don’t have a following, these tools make it possible to develop a following, but most people do it the wrong way and focus on quantity instead of quality
6. It takes a while to make this work… it’s not an overnight thing.
7. If you want to sell right off the bat, you’ve chosen a very hard row to hoe
8. If you choose to make this part of your marketing strategy, make sure it’s only PART of your strategy and understand that this is something you must develop over time
9. See this as a 2-step process in many cases:
   1. Step 1 – Meet them on a social media site
   2. Step 2 – Get them over to your blog / newsletter so you can develop the relationship with them
10. This is not a magic solution… these are tools!

My 2 cents

Jim